Chapter 22 Meng Huaiyan finds out she's engaged

Chapter Twenty-Two: Meng Huaiyan Learned She Was Engaged

When Meng Huaiyan arrived home, it was already past midnight.

We were weary from the journey.

When the young master of the Meng family returned, the steward hurriedly ordered the servants on night watch to quickly boil water. After washing up, Meng Huaiyan took advantage of the time to sleep for a few hours.

This time, he went down to Jiangnan on a secret order. After more than half a month of investigation, he finally caught them in the act of selling smuggled salt.

The next day, when Meng Huaiyan went to court, he presented the memorial he had written and the evidence he had collected in front of the hall.

The emperor was furious after reading the memorial.

A massive smuggling caravan had sprung up across several cities in the Jiangnan region, with countless large and small ships continuously transporting smuggled salt.

The amount of smuggled salt had reached tens of thousands of kilograms, and they had monopolized the market in Jiangnan. Even the official salt had to be purchased from them.

Huang Yulin, as the Governor-General of Liangjiang, not only failed to stop it, but also colluded with the leaders of the private salt trade, providing convenient passage for ships.

Throughout the Jiangnan region, officials and merchants colluded and conspired together.

They simply didn't take him, the emperor, seriously.

The emperor issued several imperial edicts in succession.

The emperor appointed Yang Chengqing, the provincial governor of Shanxi, as the new governor-general of Liangjiang, and dismissed Huang Yulin, the governor-general of Liangjiang, from his post. Huang Yulin and his nine clans were also executed immediately.

The Minglou restaurant in the capital was shut down, and officials involved in the Minglou salt smuggling case were immediately imprisoned and punished according to their crimes.

The true master behind Minglou, Prince An, was merely stripped of his princely title and placed under house arrest by the emperor.

This punishment is far too lenient. The Crown Prince's faction in the court has submitted memorials arguing that princes are subject to the same laws as commoners, and that such lenient treatment would alienate the people. They urge the Emperor to punish the prince severely.

The emperor looked at the large group of people kneeling, most of whom were kneeling, and his face turned ugly.

He gave the Crown Prince a deep look, his eyes unfathomable.

"I have my own considerations on this matter. Court may adjourn."

*

Once outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Meng Huaiyan's face darkened completely.

Given the serious offense of selling smuggled salt, it was thought that Prince An would at least be demoted and banished from the capital. Unexpectedly, the emperor let the matter drop so lightly.

Seeing his grim expression, the Duke said, "This Prince An was promoted by the Emperor himself, so that he could check and balance the Crown Prince."

“If Prince An is severely punished, the Crown Prince’s power in the court will become too great and directly threaten the imperial power, which the emperor will naturally not want.”

Meng Huaiyan naturally understood these principles, but he was still unwilling to accept it.

Upon arriving at the Meng residence, Meng Huaiyan changed his clothes and first went to pay his respects to the matriarch.

The old lady was naturally delighted that she hadn't seen her grandson for over a month.

Seeing how much thinner he had become, I felt another pang of heartache.

He hurriedly instructed his maid to stew a century-old ginseng from her room and to have the kitchen prepare some of his favorite dishes.

"Was the business trip successful?"

Meng Huaiyan respectfully replied, "Successfully."

"That's good, that's good."

Her grandson has never caused her any trouble since he was a child.

The only thing he ever declined to discuss was marriage, citing his busy work schedule.

He's eighteen this year, while other people his age already have sons.

Even Shen Tang, who had been clinging to him for the past two years, got engaged.

There wasn't a woman in his life, and although many people had liked him over the years, he didn't like any of them.

I don't know what type of woman he likes.

The old lady looked at him with some suspicion several times. Could he possibly like men?

Thinking of this, the old lady became somewhat anxious.

"Yan'er, you're eighteen now, it's time to think about marriage."

“Your mother mentioned to me a few days ago that she is fond of the daughter of the Right Prime Minister. I have met that woman; she is talented, steady, gentle, and virtuous, and she is a good match for you.”

What do you think?

Meng Huaiyan instinctively wanted to refuse, but then Shen Tang's image suddenly came to mind.

He frowned slightly. Why did he suddenly think of her?

Ever since the last assassination attempt, he has been inexplicably concerned about Shen Tang.

However, neither Chen Tang's family background, appearance, nor temperament were within his wife's range of choices.

Perhaps he really does need a wife.

The refusal that was about to be spoken was ultimately left unsaid.

"Grandmother, let me think about it."

The old lady hadn't held out much hope, but to her surprise, he actually relented today.

He breathed a sigh of relief; thankfully, he was interested in women.

After the meal, Meng Huaiyan bid farewell to the Dowager.

Inside the study.

Meng Huaiyan looked at the begonia hairpin in the box with a somewhat puzzled expression.

After thinking for a few moments, he got up and walked towards the Begonia Courtyard.

Shen Tang was embroidering her veil in the room when she heard A Yun come in and report that Meng Huaiyan had arrived.

Shen Tang was somewhat surprised that Meng Huaiyan had come to see him.

The sun really did rise in the west.

And wasn't Meng Huaiyan supposed to have left the capital? When did he return? There hasn't been a single word about it in the manor.

Shen Tang left the house, filled with doubt.

Meng Huaiyan, dressed in black, stood tall and elegant in the courtyard.

As if hearing her footsteps, he turned around and stared at her intently.

The anxiety and longing in my heart were miraculously erased the moment I saw her.

This was the first time Meng Huaiyan had encountered such a situation. The feeling was unfamiliar to him, yet he didn't seem to dislike it.

Shen Tang was puzzled by that look: "Is there something you need, Your Highness?"

Meng Huaiyan withdrew his gaze: "How have you been lately?"

"fine."

Meng Huaiyan hummed in agreement, and then said nothing more.

The two of them stood silently in the courtyard.

The atmosphere is really a bit strange...

But since he was a guest, Shen Tang still politely asked, "Would you like some tea?"

She thought Meng Huaiyan would say he didn't need it, but she didn't expect him to agree.

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Miss Shen."

"......"

Shen Tang regretted asking that question.

Shen Tang didn't really like the taste of tea, and besides, hardly anyone ever came to her little courtyard.

So there wasn't any tea prepared.

Given Meng Huaiyan's picky nature, he probably wouldn't like it.

As expected, after A-Yun served the tea, Meng Huaiyan took a sip and then put it down without touching it again.

Meng Huaiyan handed the hairpin containing the begonia flower to Shen Tang: "Here you go, see if you like it?"

"What is it?" Shen Tang subconsciously reached out and took it.

Upon opening the box, I was surprised to find a beautifully crafted hairpin.

Why did you suddenly send me this?

Shen Tang was filled with doubt and uncertainty. Of course, she wouldn't be so narcissistic as to think that Meng Huaiyan liked her.

However, his behavior today was indeed somewhat strange.

Meng Huaiyan's expression was somewhat unnatural: "You've helped me a lot before, so it's only right that I give you a gift to express my gratitude."

"But didn't you already give me a painting as a thank you gift?"

"Who said you can't send another one after it's already been sent?"

That's true, Shen Tang said, neither confirming nor denying, and didn't ask any more questions.

Meng Huaiyan looked around the room; this was the first time he had ever been to her room.

The whole house is filled with the atmosphere of a young woman's home, decorated in a gentle and elegant style.

However, the splash of bright red on the small table by the windowsill seemed somewhat out of place with the room's decor.

What is that?

Shen Tang followed his gaze and said, "It's a veil."

"A veil?" Meng Huaiyan's voice was full of doubt: "How come there's one in your room?"

Meng Huaiyan has just returned to the capital. Judging from his reaction, he probably doesn't know that she is already engaged.

Shen Tang explained, "I'm getting married. According to the custom in the capital, the bride has to sew her own veil."

Shen Tang's words were like a bolt from the blue.

Caught off guard, Meng Huaiyan suddenly stood up, his sleeve accidentally knocking over the teapot on the table.

The teapot was knocked to the ground with a loud "bang" and shattered into several pieces.

Shen Tang was startled. Seeing that his hand was red from the spilled hot tea, she asked anxiously, "Are you alright?"

Meng Huaiyan seemed not to hear her question and suddenly grabbed her wrist.

The voice was filled with disbelief and coldness: "What did you just say?!"

Her wrist was being squeezed painfully, and Shen Tang instinctively tried to break free, but he gripped it even tighter.

"Meng Huaiyan, what's wrong with you? Let me go!" Shen Tang shouted angrily.

Ignoring her words, Meng Huaiyan leaned closer, gritting his teeth as he asked, "You're engaged? When did this happen?"

After her initial surprise, Ayun quickly reacted and stepped forward to tug at Meng Huaiyan's sleeve: "What are you doing? Let go of my young lady!"

But how could she possibly shake the strength of Meng Huaiyan, a martial artist?

Meng Huaiyan's expression was cold and stern. He glanced coldly at Ayun and called out, "Qingyang."

Qingyang was waiting outside the door when he heard the commotion and rushed in.

He grabbed Ayun's arm and tried to lead her out of the house. Ayun screamed and struggled, but Qingyang covered her mouth with his hand.

Ah Yun made a "woo woo woo" sound. Shen Tang looked anxious and wanted to step forward, but Meng Huaiyan held her wrist and she couldn't move an inch.

They could only watch helplessly as A-Yun was taken away by Qingyang.

Shen Tang was furious: "Let me go!!!"

"Answer me, why did you get engaged!"

Shen Tang was almost amused by his question: "Your Highness Meng's question is rather ridiculous."

"What does it matter to you whether I'm engaged or not? You're nobody to me."

"What right do you have to question me? Or perhaps you've fallen for me?"

Meng Huaiyan seemed to be stung by her words and suddenly let go of her hand.

Does he like her? No way!

She was not his type at all, and if it weren't for that assassination attempt, they would never have crossed paths in their lives.

She's engaged now, so she won't bother him anymore. One less troublesome thing to deal with, he should feel relieved.

But why, why did he become so angry the moment he heard about her engagement? He wasn't like his usual self at all.

What on earth is he doing?!

Meng Huaiyan's mind was in complete chaos, and he tried his best to suppress the restless emotions in his heart.

He glanced at her with a complex expression, then his usual composure vanished: "Miss Chen, I apologize for the intrusion."

After saying that, he left in a hurry.

Shen Tang's wrist was covered in red marks, and the finger marks on her fair skin were quite shocking.

She found a stool and sat down, her face looking rather unpleasant, and muttered under her breath, "Crazy."

Meng Huaiyan returned to his study, but the anger, confusion, and disbelief in his heart did not subside.

His heart felt like it was stuffed with cotton, making him feel suffocated and uncomfortable.

He raised his hand to tug at his collar, picked up the memorial on his desk, and tried to calm himself down.

But I found that I couldn't concentrate on it at all.

He put down the memorial and sat down in the chair, somewhat dejected.