Chapter 200: To accumulate some good karma for the sake of your heart

Seeing that Meng Yan refused to speak but had a smile on her face, although she looked a little tired, she looked fine, so Lu Haozhi didn't ask any more questions.

He picked up the ivory-wrapped silver chopsticks, picked up a piece of ham and put it into his mouth. After chewing it carefully, Lu Haozhi said, "Yan'er, I have something concerning your mother's family that I want to discuss with you."

Meng Yan was slightly surprised. She put down her chopsticks and asked, "Your Majesty, if you have anything to say, please feel free to speak."

"Well, I think that since Meng Changyuan has become a Duke, the mansion he currently lives in is no longer suitable. I intend to grant him another mansion to serve as the Duke of Protectorate. There's a vacant area in Yangliuzi Hutong that would be just right. I've already ordered people to look at the topographical drawings, but I still want to ask your opinion."

Ruizhu happened to have heated up the Huiquan wine and brought it to the table.

Meng Yan held the pot and poured a full cup of wine for Lu Haozhi, then smiled and said, "Your Majesty, I thank you on behalf of my brother for your kindness. However, the treasury is empty now, and the court has just experienced wars, epidemics, and locust plagues. It is time for us to rest and recuperate. Although I know it is not difficult, my brother has just returned to the capital, and the emperor personally led all the officials to welcome him and conferred him the title of Duke of the Protectorate. He is already very glorious. If we start a large-scale construction at this juncture, I am afraid it will cause endless discussion in the court and the public. They will say that my brother is arrogant and extravagant, and that the emperor favors relatives by marriage. Therefore, I thank the emperor for his grace, but my brother should keep a low profile for now. I think we can just replace the current plaque of the Yiyang Marquis Mansion and ask the emperor to grant him a plaque for the Duke of the Protectorate Mansion."

After hearing what she said, Lu Haozhi knew that it was the right thing to do. He conferred the title of Duke of Protectorate on Meng Changyuan and granted him fertile land and estates. If he bestowed more honors on him, he might end up flattering him.

However, when he thought of the fate of the Meng family in his previous life, he felt heavy in his heart.

Lu Haozhi drank the entire cup in one gulp, and Meng Yan refilled it for him. He drank it all in one gulp. This cycle repeated three times. Meng Yan gently advised, "Your Majesty, drinking too quickly is harmful to your health. Please eat slowly."

Lu Haozhi squeezed her hand and said sullenly, "Yan'er, I know what you say makes sense. However, I just can't accept it... You are the woman I value most, and your brother is also a talented general. Your mother's family deserves infinite glory." At this point, he raised his eyes and stared at Meng Yan, "I... am an emperor, and this is all I can give you."

Is he trying to make up for his past life?

Meng Yan smiled lightly, held the big hand with her backhand, gently stroked the back of his hand, and said, "I am very happy that Your Majesty has this thought."

Lu Haozhi's eyes suddenly lit up, and he smiled, "I've remembered that there's a narrow street behind your mansion, and no one lives there. I've ordered the Ministry of Works to dredge up the back and expand the Yiyang Marquisate. Then, hang up the plaque of the Protectorate Duke's Mansion, and it will be appropriate." Speaking of this, he turned to Meng Yan, "Yan'er, please let me do something."

It seems that he will feel uncomfortable if he is not allowed to do some earthwork...

However, it was just an expansion of the house, which was not considered a big deal compared to building a new mansion.

At that moment, Meng Yan nodded with a smile.

Xiao Tang, who was squatting on the outer corridor guarding the tea stove, heard the noise inside and was very curious.

Just then, his master Rong An came out and ordered, "The Queen wants hot water to make Lu'an tea to relieve the greasiness. Bring the hot water in quickly."

Xiao Tang quickly stood up and picked up the kettle, then whispered, "Master, this is really rare. The Emperor wants to reward the Imperial Concubine's mother's family, but he actually has to see what the Imperial Concubine thinks."

Rong An slapped him on the head and scolded him softly, "What do you know?! What does it mean to be a favorite concubine? Only someone who can be praised like this by the Emperor is a favorite concubine! Learn from this!"

Meng Yan only ate two pieces of pork elbow and a piece of ham, then stopped eating. She rinsed her mouth with scented tea, asked the palace maid to bring some Lu'an tea, and held a cup to talk with Lu Haozhi.

Lu Haozhi added, "There's one more thing. Meng Changyuan is planning to cancel the engagement. Did you know about this?"

Meng Yan paused slightly, then nodded and said, "When my brother entered the palace, I told him all about the Zheng family's rude behavior. I believe he has figured it out."

Lu Haozhi also put down his chopsticks, took a sip of tea, and said calmly, "The daughter of the Zheng family has bad behavior, so this marriage can be called off. However, some people in the court pointed to this matter and impeached Meng Changyuan for being treacherous and arrogant."

Meng Yan remained silent upon hearing this. She had expected that there would be villains causing trouble in the court. This was one of the reasons why she wanted to force the Zheng family to cancel the engagement.

But since fate has changed, she can only take it one step at a time. She believes that Lu Haozhi will not allow those people to instigate her with their words.

As expected, Lu Haozhi narrowed his eyes, a cold gleam in his eyes, and continued, "I have approved the memorial, telling these old men to stop meddling in other people's affairs. I know exactly who ordered these people to jump out. It's good that they jumped out one by one, which saved me the effort." After saying this, his expression relaxed slightly, and he said to Meng Yan, "It's a pity that you have to suffer here."

Meng Yan smiled and patted the back of his hand gently. "As long as it can stabilize the imperial court, I will not be wronged."

This was a trap set up by Lu Haozhi and Meng Yan before returning to Shanghe Garden.

Everyone said that Concubine Meng was critically ill and waiting to die in Shanghe Garden, and it was obvious that she had fallen out of favor with the emperor.

Without this whisperer, even if Meng Changyuan achieved great military success, he would be without a significant supporter in the palace, and advancement would be difficult. Furthermore, whenever the emperor saw him, he would be reminded of Concubine Meng, and he would feel resentment. While Meng Changyuan might appear prosperous now, his future was in jeopardy.

Once the Meng family fell, the power in the court that could compete with the old ministers led by the Liang family would naturally be weakened. If the Liang family could seize the throne again, half of the country would belong to the Liang family.

Therefore, all of Liang's followers would undoubtedly jump out of the water and attack Meng Changyuan with all their might. Those who were originally wavering and now wanted to join Liang would also take action.

Lu Haozhi was just waiting for these people to jump out on their own, and then he would catch them all in one fell swoop and clean up the entire court.

This plot wasn't exactly brilliant, but as the saying goes, greed can blind one's mind. With untold wealth and power seemingly within reach, how many could remain sober? Furthermore, the Liang family was in a difficult position. They had no choice but to take a risk and fight for their future, or allow the emperor to gradually drive them out of the court through his tactics.

This was the case in the previous dynasty and also in the harem.

She couldn't go out, and Yu Xin was her eyes and ears. She sent people to deliver news every day. She knew everything about who had defected to Concubine Liang and what Concubine Liang had done.

Meng Yan lowered her head and fiddled with the lid of the tea bowl, smiling faintly.

"However, this matter has already spread throughout the capital, and some ordinary people who don't know right from wrong have also followed suit and spread rumors."

Lu Haozhi looked at her and said carefully, "I sent secret agents to visit the capital and arrested the source of the rumors, but the words still spread..."

"It's better to guard against the people's mouths than to guard against the river." Meng Yan raised her delicate head and smiled at Lu Haozhi. "I understand this principle. Now that the emperor has found the source of the rumor, I think no one will spread it again after a while. This marriage has to be called off anyway, so it doesn't matter if we wait for a while."

Lu Haozhi smiled and said, "Yan'er, it's amazing that you're not angry. It's all good this way. I intend to hand over the two camps stationed in the capital to your brother. He will probably be very busy and won't have time to deal with these matters for the time being."

After sitting for a while, Rong An came in and reported that the Empress Dowager had something to say and asked the Emperor to come over.

Lu Haozhi put down the tea bowl and stood up and walked over.

After the emperor left, Ruizhu came over to clear the teacups, saying, "Those people gossiped about me behind my back, making up stories about me. How could the Empress not be angry? You should have asked the Emperor to arrest a few of them and make an example of them. Who would dare to talk nonsense about us again?"

Meng Yan said calmly, "They are just ordinary people with little knowledge. They listened to the words of those who cared about them and talked about them casually to relieve their boredom after dinner. What's there to be angry about? They are not the ones who are truly hateful."

Ruizhu sighed and said, "Your Majesty has truly become a kind-hearted bodhisattva now."

Meng Yan touched her belly and thought to herself, I should accumulate some good karma for this.

Ruizhu packed up the utensils and went downstairs, and Yunxiang brought over a fruit plate.

Meng Yan saw a plate of sour plums, picked one and put it in her mouth, and immediately frowned because of the sour taste.

Yunxiang covered her mouth and smiled, "Your Majesty is so fond of sour food now, I wonder if it's a little prince?"

Meng Yan raised a finger and tapped her lips, "Don't make a sound."

Yunxiang nodded quickly and whispered, "Why didn't your Majesty tell the Emperor? If the Emperor knew, he would be overjoyed."

Meng Yan held her cheek with her hand, smiled softly and said nothing. After a while, she said softly, "It's not very accurate yet. Let's wait a few days."

As for the pulse condition, it is actually not very clear.

But it had been nearly forty days since her last period. Furthermore, she had been pregnant once before in her previous life, and her lethargy, craving for meat and fish, and languor and fatigue were all exactly the same as they had been then.

She had a strong feeling that there seemed to be a small voice calling her from somewhere.

Meng Yan only felt a surge of ecstasy coming out from the bottom of her heart and spreading to every part of her body.

The winter sun shone through the window lattice onto her, so warm that it made her feel warm inside.

She raised her head, hugged herself, and lay down on the kang, still unable to stop smiling.

This time, she must make sure everything goes perfectly.

Yunxiang was watching from the side. She saw that the empress was squinting her eyes, so she thought she was asleep and took out a thin quilt to cover her.

Meng Yan suddenly spoke up, "Yunxiang, send Xiao Tang to Le Zhixuan and ask Noble Lady Bai to come over."

Yunxiang was stunned and agreed immediately.

About half an hour later, Bai Yuxin arrived as invited.

The two hadn't seen each other for a while, and when they met again, they exchanged warm greetings.

Bai Yuxin and Meng Yan sat opposite each other. After taking a quick look around the room, Bai Yuxin smiled and said, "The Emperor truly loves you. Look at how this place is decorated. Just looking at it makes me feel comfortable. I haven't seen you for a few days, and you've become more plump than before."

Meng Yan touched her face and smiled a little embarrassedly, "Staying in this room all day is more than just raising meat." Then she asked, "Did you meet anyone on the way here?"

Bai Yuxin shook her head and smiled, "Don't worry, sister. I'm a completely invisible person in the palace. No one cares about my whereabouts. When I arrived at the Yangxin Palace, I made sure there was no one around before entering."

Meng Yan knew that she was always cautious, so she was relieved and said, "I came to you today because I want to discuss something with you."

As he spoke, he repeated what Lu Haozhi had just said, adding, "Just now, I simply said that because I didn't want to embarrass the Emperor. But this matter shouldn't be delayed any longer. The Zheng family is despicable. If we continue for too long, I'm afraid they'll resort to despicable tactics and entangle my brother, making the situation even more difficult. So, I think it's best to cut the Gordian knot quickly."

After saying that, she lowered her head and took a sip of tea, waiting quietly for Bai Yuxin to speak.

Bai Yuxin smiled and nodded, "Sister, you're right. It's better to get this matter over with as soon as possible. But I don't know what you're going to do."

Meng Yan smiled, put the tea bowl on the kang table, and said, "For matters like this, men will just be straightforward, but we women have our own ways." As she spoke, she expressed the idea she had in mind.

Bai Yuxin laughed upon hearing this and said, "Sister, this is a good idea. Instead of waiting, why not take the initiative? When it comes to that, no matter how shameless the Zheng family mother and daughter are, they can't just play dirty and deny it."

Meng Yan smiled and said, "You are right, but I can't show up in this situation, so..."

Bai Yuxin smiled lightly and said, "Sister, leave this matter to me."

When she said this, Meng Yan was speechless for a moment, and then she said with emotion, "Yuxin, you..."

Bai Yuxin lowered her eyes slightly and smiled gently, "Sister told me before that the cowhide belt I made with my own hands once saved the Duke, and I was very happy. Don't worry, sister, I know my limits. Now, I just want everyone to be well, that's all that matters."

Her eyes were clear and her words were sincere. Meng Yan's heart, which had been clenched into a ball, suddenly became clear. She held Bai Yuxin's hand and said, "Okay, from now on, we will be fine."

The two discussed some things and chatted about some daily matters.

Meng Yan suddenly asked, "Yuxin, I want to ask you for some tricks."

Bai Yuxin was a little confused, thinking to herself, is Sister Yan planning to start sewing again? She casually asked, "What kind do you want, Sister?"

"It's probably the magic gourd, the bat, and the tiger head..."

Meng Yan recounted a multitude of childish tricks, causing Bai Yuxin to frown repeatedly. Suddenly, a flash of surprise crossed her face, and she hurriedly asked, "Sister, are you pregnant? Does the Emperor know?"

Meng Yan lowered her head and smiled, "The time is too short, I can't be sure, let's wait a few days." She then reminded, "Remember not to tell anyone."

Bai Yuxin was overjoyed and said hurriedly, "Don't worry, sister. I understand everything. This is such a great joyous occasion. I'll go back and find some tricks and ask Eunuch Tang to bring it to you another day!"

The two sisters were so happy that they forgot about Meng Yan's needlework skills.

A few days passed, and it was New Year's Eve.

This is the most important festival of the year, and the court has a three-day holiday. The palace is decorated with lanterns and colorful lanterns, and spring couplets and window decorations are pasted up, making it look brand new.

However, the emperor stayed in Tishun Hall for another whole day, and the joy in the entire harem dimmed a little.

In the evening, Meng Yan sent Lu Haozhi out.

Lu Haozhi looked at the woman in front of him, eyes full of reluctance, "I don't want to go at all."

Meng Yan straightened his collar and said with a smile, "It would be a shame for Your Majesty not to attend this New Year's Eve banquet. Besides, there are also the Empress Dowager and Doukou. Your Majesty should just keep them company."

Lu Haozhi thought for a while and nodded, "Then wait for me. Don't eat first. There will be fireworks in the evening. I will watch them with you."

Meng Yan smiled lightly and said, "Your Majesty, please go. When you come back, I will tell you a good news."