"The Emperor said he originally wanted to keep me in Kunning Palace as the head eunuch. He said that with me there, even if he couldn't see the old people when he went there, seeing me would be a comfort. But he wouldn't restrict me because he knew how good you were to me and he wouldn't do anything to displease you."
Meng Qi's tears fell bit by bit, splashing onto the jade pendant in her hand.
"The Emperor also said that he was having trouble with many things in the palace, so he asked me to go back to the palace every now and then and visit Jing'an Garden. He absolutely couldn't let the servants be lazy."
Yuan Dong looked at Meng Qi's expression, thought for a moment, and continued, "The Emperor also said that you were so cruel that you left so early. When he came to look for you, he was afraid that he would be too old and you would not recognize him and would despise him again."
Meng Qi sobbed, and Yuan Yue stood beside her, bewildered. Yuan Dong winked at her and watched Yuan Yue leave. Then, Yuan Dong stepped forward and gently pulled Meng Qi into her arms. "Whether you are my fourth daughter, a princess, or even the queen, in my heart, you are my master, regardless of your status. As long as you are happy and satisfied, your decision is mine."
Meng Qi buried her head in Yuan Dong's arms without saying a word. Yuan Dong continued, "I overstepped my bounds today. If I said anything wrong, Princess, you can punish me in any way you want."
After saying this, Yuan Dong let out a deep breath. "I don't know what happened that day. Was it a sudden decision forced by the situation, or did you have it in mind long ago? I also know that when you decided to build this courtyard last year, it wasn't just for a place to escape the summer heat. I just think that you have your reasons for everything you do. Today, I just want to ask you one question, is that okay?"
Meng Qi raised her head and pointed to the embroidery stool next to her. "Ask."
Yuan Dong sat down. "Are you happy? Is this what you wanted?"
Meng Qi smiled wryly. Meng Wan had asked her the same question that day. This was indeed the countryside she had dreamed of. She had thought that once here, she would be content, happy, and forget everything, including her past life.
But strangely, after those first few days of recuperation, she thought she was at peace, yet her heart was constantly troubled. She thought she would forget, yet it kept appearing in her dreams. She thought she would be happy, but the fragrance of the flowers in the yard couldn't dispel her melancholy.
Especially after hearing Meng Wan say that Song Chengze loved her, she was shocked and forced herself to look for clues between them in the past two years.
Song Chengze's concentration, pampering, teasing, and agreement, as well as his forbearance every time the two of them cuddled together... and of course those kisses that made her tremble. Meng Qi knew that she loved him too, but she didn't want to admit it, or she didn't dare to admit it.
It wasn't until Meng Wan's enlightenment that day that she began to face the confusion that had been lingering on her. She had told herself that everything Song Chengze showed was, on the one hand, a fondness for her youthful beauty, and on the other, a genuine admiration for her. By the end, they'd been unable to control themselves several times, and she knew he had a small fondness for her, but she had never dared to consider it "love." That seemed so far away, so unattainable to her.
However, through reflection over the past few days, she felt more and more that Meng Wan was right. Every detail, every moment, and the look in Song Chengze's eyes when he looked at her made her feel excited and secretly happy.
However, when she woke up again, looking at the bed she slept in and opening the window to look at the courtyard full of flowers, she felt extremely upset. What was the point of analyzing and confirming all this now? She had messed up everything.
Watching Yuan Dong walk out the door, Meng Qi walked to the window. Under the eaves hung a new wind chime she had made, which jingled in the wind, but she always felt that the sound was not as nice as the one in Jing'an Garden.
Yes, is she happy? Is this what she wants?
When Meng Wan entered the courtyard, she saw Meng Qi standing in the house, looking in her direction through the open window. She thought Meng Qi was looking at her, but when she got closer, Meng Qi was still looking in that direction.
Meng Wan followed Meng Qi's gaze, not understanding why she was staring at the wind chimes in a trance.
Meng Wan reached out and hit the wind chime, "Second sister, when did you come?" Meng Qi said happily.
"What are you thinking about? You're so obsessed."
The two sisters smiled at each other through the window.
"If you need anything, just send a maid. You can't run around like this. If my second brother-in-law finds out, he won't let me off." Meng Qi's face changed slightly as she lowered her head and said, "My second brother-in-law never thought you would come running to me."
"He knows I'm here, and he's at the door now." Meng Wan said softly.
"What did you say?" Meng Qi looked up. "What happened?"
Meng Qi listened quietly to Zhou Yu's words. Zhou Yu took a sip of tea and looked at his former fiancée, now his sister-in-law. Why was she so annoying? What was wrong with her? After escaping the fire, why didn't she go to find the emperor and stay in such a place for half a year?
Could it be that she still harbors a lingering hatred for Hong Zhe? How could it be possible? Back when the Hong family was implicated by King Jing and all the male members were beheaded, Meng Juan came to her, begging to have Hong Zhe's body intact. Not only did she refuse, she even had Hong Zhe's body deliberately thrown into the lake to soak, and then dumped in a mass grave. This clearly shows how deep her hatred for Hong Zhe was.
But if it wasn't for this reason, Zhou Yu really couldn't figure out what Meng Qi's reason was, unless her brain was burned out by fire. But she didn't look like that just now.
"Your Highness...Does the Emperor suspect anything?" Meng Qi spoke after a long time.
Zhou Yu thought for a moment and said, "No, because I really don't know anything about you, so I can't pretend to know but keep it to myself. But the emperor did say something at the end."
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
