Ch 3: In High Spirits
Meng Qingjiao responded with a forced smile, “Elder Sister invited His Highness the Crown Prince to view the Peach Blossoms; it would be best if I didn’t go. As for the fragrant sachet, I will find another opportunity to pick two peach blossoms in a couple of days.”
“The peach blossoms are in full bloom these days. You can pick even more beautiful ones now. In a couple of days, they will wither, and the pretty ones will be picked. We should go early, Father, what do you think?”
Having said that, Meng Tingyue looked at Mr. Meng with a gentle smile.
As soon as these words were spoken, Mr. Meng looked at Meng Tingyue approvingly and then glared at Meng Qingjiao.
When turning to Shen Yunheng, the wrinkles on his face seemed even deeper. “Tingyue is right. Bandits have been rampant recently. Many cases of bandits robbing and murdering people have occurred around the Imperial City. If His Highness the Crown Prince is willing to accompany them, Father will feel much safer knowing that the two of you are together.”
Hearing this, Shen Yunheng said indifferently, “I happen to be free. I can take the two Misses to the Peach Orchard.”
Meng Tingyue was overjoyed. Her eyes curved into crescents, and a fox-like cunning flashed in her eyes.
Shen Yunheng’s expression remained calm and steady.
Meng Tingyue was happy, but Meng Qingjiao wished she could leave right then and there.
She absolutely refused to go to the Peach Orchard with that short-lived ghost to appreciate the flowers. If she went, what if it fell into the Fifth Prince’s ears and caused a misunderstanding?
In this lifetime, she would cling tightly to the Fifth Prince. After the Crown Prince’s death, the Fifth Prince would no longer need to feign illness. Once the Fifth Prince became the Crown Prince, she would be the new Crown Princess.
She wouldn’t let this good opportunity slip through her fingers again and give it to that fool, Meng Tingyue.
Meng Qingjiao’s mind raced, racking her brains to avoid repeating the mistakes of her past life.
“Since His Highness the Crown Prince and Elder Sister both agree, I…”
Meng Qingjiao rolled her eyes and pretended to faint.
She even deliberately fell toward Meng Tingyue, intending to pull her down as well.
Meng Tingyue, expecting this, took a step forward. “Your Highness…”
Her voice trailed off as she heard a heavy thud behind her. Turning her head, she feigned surprise, “Goodness, Sister Jiaojiao, why did you faint?”
Seeing Meng Qingjiao’s eyelids twitching from the pain of the fall, Meng Tingyue suppressed her laughter, pretending to be worried as she shook Meng Qingjiao.
“Sister Jiaojiao, Sister Jiaojiao, quickly, go get a physician.”
As Meng Tingyue watched Meng Qingjiao, whose lips trembled from the pain of the pressure points she secretly applied, her heart blossomed with joy.
Likes to feign fainting?
Then don’t blame me.
Meng Tingyue pressed harder.
Meng Qingjiao’s face twitched, and her heart blossomed with joy as well.
These pressure points were extremely painful, but Meng Qingjiao could endure it.
Even if Meng Qingjiao suspected something and went to complain, who would believe her?
Those pressure points were taught to her by her Master. Unless pressed together, there would be no reaction.
An ordinary physician wouldn’t be able to discern the mystery.
Meng Qingjiao cursed Meng Tingyue in her heart until she fainted from the pain, at which point Meng Tingyue released her grip.
Watching Meng Qingjiao being carried away, Meng Tingyue was in high spirits.
Mr. Meng felt worried about Meng Qingjiao, but also resentful. His plan had backfired, and he could only humbly apologize to Shen Yunheng.
Shen Yunheng maintained a detached and aloof demeanor throughout, like a painting that could speak.
If only he kept his mouth shut, he would be indistinguishable from a painting.
“If someone in your mansion is unwell, they don’t need to come out to pay their respects. I don’t need that.”
Mr. Meng nodded repeatedly. “Yes, Your Humble Servant understands. Next time, no, there won’t be a next time.”
Shen Yunheng withdrew his imposing gaze and inadvertently met a pair of eyes that seemed to shimmer like stars.
Like the little fox the Empress loved most, when she saw something she liked, her eyes held that very same emotion.
It was exactly the same.
Meng Tingyue occasionally had hazy memories of events from her past life.
She had actually forgotten that her father’s fear of the Crown Prince was like a mouse encountering a cat. As long as she became the Crown Princess, no matter how much he protected those two women, it would be useless.
After gaining the Crown Prince’s trust, she would use his power to investigate her mother’s death and expose the Fifth Prince’s hypocritical mask.
She only needed to take revenge in these two years before the Crown Prince’s death. After his death, she could use the Crown Prince’s subordinates and the Emperor’s guilt and affection for the Crown Prince to live a comfortable life in her old age.
Isn’t this wonderful?
The more Meng Tingyue thought about it, the more feasible it seemed. Her eyes curved slightly, and a hint of flamboyant charm appeared at the corners of her eyes, complementing her makeup, striking Shen Yunheng’s gaze directly.
Shen Yunheng stood up, his expression calm. “To the Peach Orchard.”
“Your Highness, please.”
Meng Tingyue was exceptionally attentive, her hands outstretched.
Even facing that cold, imposing face, she could still maintain a smile.
Shen Yunheng’s gaze fell on Meng Tingyue, fleeting and unnoticeable, before he strode out.
Meng Tingyue struggled to keep up with his pace, and could only hold up her skirt and jog behind him.
After running for a while, she felt a little unwell. She breathed deeply, slowing her pace.
Shen Yunheng’s figure gradually shrunk in her sight.
After leaving the mansion, Meng Tingyue saw the carriage representing the Crown Prince’s Mansion waiting at the gate.
Riding horses was prohibited in Jingdu, even for the Crown Prince.
Meng Tingyue climbed into the carriage and looked up at Shen Yunheng’s handsome, stern features.
Shen Yunheng lowered his eyes, concentrating on the booklet in his hands, seemingly unaware that Meng Tingyue had entered the carriage.
Only after Meng Tingyue settled did Shen Yunheng speak, “Let’s go.”
His words were clear and calm, and the carriage slowly started moving.
The carriage had excellent shock absorption; as long as it didn’t speed up, the passengers barely felt any bumps.
It was very suitable for reading, and it wouldn’t strain the eyes.
This was Meng Tingyue’s conclusion.
There was a patch in the carriage that was slightly different in color from the cushions.
At first, Meng Tingyue wondered what was there.
She saw a long, slender finger with calluses on the knuckles reach for that spot. With a light tug, the cover opened, revealing neatly arranged books.
Shen Yunheng put down the booklet in his hand and picked a new one to read.
Meng Qingjiao was also there in her previous life. From beginning to end, she kept trying to find topics to chat with the Crown Prince, only to be silenced by his words, “noisy/bothersome”, leaving her cheeks flushed and looking embarrassed.
Comparing Meng Qingjiao’s embarrassing appearance then with her current predicament, Meng Tingyue couldn’t help but chuckle.
Casually raising her eyes, she met Shen Yunheng’s dark eyes, and her laughter abruptly ceased.
Meng Tingyue quickly covered her mouth, her voice muffled. “I’ll be quiet. I’m noisy. I shouldn’t disturb you while you’re reading.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Shen Yunheng’s brow furrowed slightly.
Meng Tingyue’s heart skipped a beat.
Did she say something wrong?
Just as she was about to make amends, the carriage seemed to stop.
The Crown Prince’s attendant’s voice came from outside.
“Your Highness.”
Meng Tingyue breathed a sigh of relief.
She remembered that in her previous life, the Crown Prince had left halfway through, leaving the carriage to her and Meng Qingjiao and assigning a few close guards to escort them to the Peach Orchard.
The carriage was really not a suitable place for casual conversation, and she had already displeased the Crown Prince. To avoid further annoying him, she should leave as soon as possible.
Shen Yunheng observed Meng Tingyue’s expression, his brow furrowed slightly, his gaze lowered thoughtfully, before he said to the outside, “Speak.”
