Chapter 24: Requesting Plunder

For a moment, Lu Haozhi thought he had heard wrongly.

Did Meng Yan come to see him just to plead for Liang Chengbi?

When did the two of them become so good!

Maybe she was just looking for an excuse first and then coming to beg him in a roundabout way?

Yes, the relationship between the two of them was so tense before, and she is a person who cares about her reputation.

Thinking of this, Lu Haozhi calmed down again and asked nonchalantly, "This is strange. Noble Concubine wants to plead for the Imperial Concubine? Why, Noble Concubine, do you think that my handling of the matter is wrong?"

Meng Yan lowered her eyes and smiled softly, her voice soft and gentle, "Your Majesty, how dare I? I just thought that the Imperial Noble Concubine was worried about me and lost her composure in a moment of desperation, which is why she acted so absurdly. Your Majesty has confined her for a while, and I'm sure she knows she's wrong. Now that the newly selected concubines are about to enter the palace, and the Imperial Noble Concubine is confining her, I'm afraid it will be embarrassing for her in the future. Furthermore, I'm really not good at managing palace affairs, and I'm afraid that if I force myself to do it, I'll make a fool of myself. It's better to ask the Imperial Noble Concubine to take charge."

What she said was truly virtuous and flawless. Lu Haozhi was sure that he would not be able to find any fault with her.

As expected, Lu Haozhi couldn't find any fault. He just felt a little itchy on the back of his teeth.

"...Now, the Imperial Concubine is truly virtuous and knows how to intercede for others."

He took a sip from the teacup, the fine Biluochun refreshing. His thick brows relaxed as he added, "Since the Imperial Concubine is so sensible and understanding, I naturally cannot refuse your kindness." As he spoke, he announced, "Rong'an, send someone to Yikun Palace to convey my oral order. I have pardoned her house arrest and ordered her to be cautious in her words and actions from now on. She should be careful with her behavior and behave herself."

It's not a big deal, just give her some face.

Rong'an obeyed the order and was amazed in his heart that the sun rose from the west today, and the imperial concubine pleaded for other concubines and spoke well of them, especially the imperial concubine who she had the most trouble with in the past.

"On behalf of the Imperial Concubine, I thank the Emperor for His Grace! The Emperor is busy with government affairs, and I cannot disturb him. I will now take my leave."

Meng Yan bowed politely and prepared to leave.

Lu Haozhi felt the veins on his forehead throbbing. Was she planning to leave now?!

"Meng Yan!"

Lu Haozhi actually called her by her maiden name.

Meng Yan was a little surprised and looked up at the emperor. Ever since they met, he would call her Yan'er when he was happy and call her Imperial Concubine when he was unhappy. Only when he was completely irritated would he call her by her full name.

But hasn't she been keeping to herself these days? She's barely even stepped outside the Changchun Palace. What on earth has she done to provoke him?

Could it be that he is still holding a grudge against me for biting him before?

Does he look like an emperor?

What a petty person!

Meng Yan only felt that Lu Haozhi seemed to be even more difficult to serve in this life.

She asked cautiously, "Your Majesty, do you have any other instructions?"

Lu Haozhi's thick brows knitted together, and after a while he said calmly, "I'm so busy with state affairs, and you, as a concubine, didn't even bother to serve me. If I were to investigate this, I'd accuse you of being unworthy! Come here and grind ink for me."

Are all the palace maids and eunuchs serving in the emperor's presence dead?

After hearing Lu Haozhi's words, this thought immediately flashed through Meng Yan's mind.

Of course, he was the emperor, and as the imperial concubine, she dared not disobey the emperor's orders.

Meng Yan bowed her head and responded to the order. She walked slowly to the imperial desk, picked up a silver spoon, scooped a spoonful of clear water from the water pot, poured it into the banana leaf white dragon head inkstone, gently rolled up her sleeves, held the pine soot ink stick, and began to grind it carefully.

After a while, the ink slowly flowed out.

She had served Lu Haozhi for half his life, and knew all his tastes and preferences. She also understood how to grind the ink to the right thickness. Now she was very proficient in doing it, and she could prevent him from taking advantage of the situation and causing trouble for her.

Lu Haozhi was indeed satisfied. He picked up his pen, dipped it in ink, and started reviewing the memorial again.

With Meng Yan by his side, Lu Haozhi's originally irritable mood gradually calmed down.

One of them was reviewing memorials while the other was grinding ink and brewing tea. Although they didn't talk, they were quite peaceful and quiet.

After finishing reading the last memorial, Lu Haozhi straightened his back, narrowed his eyes, and glanced at Meng Yan who was standing beside him.

Today she had her hair tied up in a bun, a common style in the palace. She didn't wear many jewelries on it, only a black magnolia flower with pearls and an apricot flower, which made her black hair look like clouds.

Her face was lightly made up, with a natural blush amidst her fair complexion.

She wore a smoky-colored, chest-length skirt that outlined her exquisite curves. A gold-thread sachet was ingeniously placed on one side of her chest, swaying and shining with her every move, inviting reverie.

Meng Yan was a beauty that could captivate the whole country, but she loved to dress up in gorgeous clothes. Although she was very beautiful, she was inevitably a little eye-catching.

Today's casual outfit is natural and comfortable, revealing a rare lazy charm.

The fragrance emitted from the sachet from time to time was sometimes strong and sometimes weak, as if it was there and not there, sweet and rich, like a daughter's body fragrance, which aroused Lu Haozhi's agitation.

Did she do this on purpose?

Yes, she must have deliberately dressed differently from usual, and used the excuse of pleading for Liang Chengbi to seduce me.

Haha, he knew that Meng Yan would never not care about his favor!

This little woman is playing hard to get.

Meng Yan had no idea what was going on in Lu Haozhi's mind. She was worried about Doukou waiting for her to eat. Seeing that it was getting late and Lu Haozhi had nothing else to do, she simply said, "Your Majesty, Princess An is still waiting for me in the palace to have dinner with you. I will take my leave now."

After saying this, she bowed and waited for the emperor to let her go.

However, after not listening to any sounds for half a day, Meng Yan felt her calves were a little sore.

Just as he was wondering, he was pulled hard by someone and fell into Lu Haozhi's arms.

Without thinking, she struggled to get up, but was picked up by a pair of strong arms, placed on his knees, and held tightly in his arms.

Meng Yan was a little flustered, and Lu Haozhi became more and more puzzled.

"Your Majesty, this is not in accordance with etiquette..."

Before she could finish her words, a hand grabbed the back of her head and forced her to raise it.

Lu Haozhi's handsome face was close at hand, and his eyes were filled with sinister anger that suggested a storm was about to come.

He hugged her tightly with a strength that Meng Yan had never seen before, making it almost impossible for her to breathe.

Will she be able to escape this time?

"Meng Yan, there's a limit to playing hard to get!"

Lu Haozhi lowered his head and pressed his lips against Meng Yan's.

Meng Yan was completely unable to move. What else could she do with the man on guard?

Being robbed and plundered, Meng Yan felt dizzy and confused.

At the end, there was a sharp pain in the neck.

"This is a punishment for biting me last time."

The turbid and hot breath sprayed on her slender white neck, and the man's low laughter came from below.

Lu Haozhi actually bit her!

He is still holding a grudge, this stingy man!

Lu Haozhi said nothing more, bent down, picked her up, and walked into the heavy curtains.