Song Chengze couldn't believe it. At first, he just thought she was just upset that they couldn't be together. But then, several things happened in the palace, especially those involving them and their son. Either Xiupin had reported it in advance or she helped to cover it up. After seeing all these things, Song Chengze believed that she was really helping her.
He also asked what her conditions were. Song Chengze still remembered the bitter smile she gave him. She said that the emperor was old and it was impossible for her to give birth to a child. She only hoped that if that day came, he could keep her safe and happy.
Then she stared into his eyes and said word by word that if he had the ability and didn't mind the past, she would be willing to continue their unfinished fate.
Song Chengze shook his head, putting aside the thought of Concubine Xiu, and reached out to pinch Meng Qirou's chin. "I admit my mistake. I underestimated you. Now I just have to wait for good news from Princess Rui."
Meng Qi tilted her head, sighed inwardly, but with a cheerful smile on her face, "I believe you will also make arrangements for the Hong family, right?"
Song Chengze retracted his hand and asked, "How are you so smart? How did you think that I was still arranged in the Hong family?"
Meng Qi laughed and said, "What's the point of just me meeting with Hong Zhe? Something or some rumor has to get out. And you said the other day that you wouldn't let me attend the palace banquet on the 15th, which means King Jing's plan is set up in the palace. And my absence from such an important palace banquet must have a reason that's infuriating you. It would be best if this reason stems from the Hong family, which would make you look even worse. That way, my reason for not attending the palace banquet on the 15th would be convincing to outsiders."
Song Chengze laughed heartily, "If you were a man, you could be my military advisor."
Meng Qi nodded proudly, "I think so too."
On the third day of the Lunar New Year, Song Chengze went to the Huainan Marquis' Mansion to pay New Year's greetings, which surprised the entire Meng family. Obviously, no one knew that Prince Rui would accompany Meng Qi back.
Meng Wan, who had returned to her parents' home earlier, had no time to see Wang Shi, and hurriedly followed everyone to welcome Prince Rui and his wife.
After the greetings, Meng Wan heard Meng Juan gasp behind him. Was she frightened by the aura of the palace, or was she shocked by Prince Rui's appearance?
Meng Wan went to see Meng Qi. She was wearing a standard princess dress, and her hair was full of pearls and jade, which made her already small face look even smaller.
She just looked unhappy, following behind King Rui. When their eyes met, she smiled, but after a while, the smile froze on her face.
Meng Wan thought to herself, "Oh no!" Turning back, she saw Hong Zhe paying his respects to Prince Rui. Meng Wan quickly stepped forward and took Meng Qi's arm. "I don't know when you left. If I had known, we should have contacted each other beforehand."
Meng Qi lowered her head, looking depressed to outsiders, but Meng Wan heard her whisper, "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
Meng Wan breathed a sigh of relief. As long as Meng Qi didn't do anything out of line, especially in front of Prince Rui, it would be fine.
Song Chengze did not have the airs of a prince at all. He asked about the health of Meng Changfeng and Song, cared about the friends his father-in-law Meng Yuan made, and greeted his peers politely but warmly.
Meng Qi sat there with her head down, as if she were a daughter-in-law visiting her mother-in-law's house. Meng Juan sat opposite her, and she had been like this since she met Hong Zhe. Meng Juan secretly hated him in her heart. She married such a gentle man, but she still couldn't forget someone else. How shameless.
Meng Qi was extremely worried when she didn't see Wang as soon as she entered the room, but her mission today was more important, so she could only pretend to be surprised and unwilling after seeing Hong Zhe.
To be honest, this was really too much of a test for her. She had to pretend that no one saw her and secretly glance at her, and also look sad. She was afraid that she was overacting, so she could only keep her head down.
At this time, she heard Song Chengze ask, "Why didn't you see your mother-in-law?"
Meng Qi exhaled and looked up at Meng Wan. Before Meng Wan could say anything, she heard Meng Yuan say unhappily, "You're feeling unwell again. It's New Year's Eve and you're still worried about me. If you ask me, I'll just send you to the farm to be taken care of after the New Year."
Meng Changfeng showed an unhappy expression. After Meng Yuan finished speaking, he realized that he was wrong and stood there angrily.
At this time, Meng Wei stood up and said, "If you are not really feeling unwell, who would want to lie in the house during the New Year?"
Meng Yuan was about to get angry at his youngest son's words when he heard Song Chengze say to Zhou Yu, "Didn't Yan Yun go to pay New Year's greetings to his mother-in-law?"
Yanyun is Zhou Yu's courtesy name.
Zhou Yu stood up and said, "Yes, I just arrived a while ago and came directly to see grandpa and grandmother."
Song Chengze stood up and said, "Okay, then we can go together." He took two steps and looked back at Meng Wei, "Third Young Master, would you please come with us?"
Meng Wei quickly agreed, and everyone stood up. Meng Qi thought for a moment and said, "Your Highness, aren't you going to the palace? Is it still too late?"
Song Chengze turned around and smiled deeply, "It doesn't matter if you wait a little longer. I'll go after paying New Year's greetings to my mother-in-law." After that, he strode out.
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