Song Chengze was stunned at first. He really didn't understand what Meng Qi meant. After thinking about it for a while, and seeing Meng Qi's blushing cheeks, Song Chengze laughed.
Meng Qi watched Song Chengze's shoulders shaking uncontrollably, and couldn't help but curl her lips as well. In her previous life, she had never seen Song Chengze smile like this before, and he rarely smiled in front of her, mostly mocking and sneering.
He looked so beautiful when he laughed. Although his smile was not loud, one could sense the joy in his heart. Although he had put away his smile, his eyes were as soft as moonlight, revealing a deep tenderness.
Song Chengze shook his head. "Didn't you investigate the palace before you got married? Why didn't you find out all this?"
Meng Qi nodded awkwardly, then shook her head. "What I heard is all known to everyone. It's all unreliable information that my third brother, that big mouth, got from who knows where."
Song Chengze took a sip of tea and asked, "I saw that girl of yours was holding something in her hand."
"Huh?" Meng Qi was surprised that Song Chengze didn't continue the previous topic but brought up this one. "We need a reason to talk about tonight's incident tomorrow. I figured it was just that the prince received a scolding from Concubine Lian in the palace, and the princess bowed her head but, out of consideration for her feelings, sent a maid to bring him some sweet soup to curry favor with him."
"Sugar water?" Song Chengze's eyes lit up.
Meng Qi smiled bitterly. In her previous life, she hadn't cared about Song Chengze at all. She hadn't bothered to think about his likes, dislikes, or his daily behavior. The only thing she remembered was his fondness for sweets. She'd learned this from her third brother, Meng Wei. At the time, she'd thought with disdain that a grown man actually liked sweets.
Now that I think about it, Song Chengze may have lived a hard life, so he likes sweets to make himself happier.
So, when Su Xin asked me what soup to make, I ordered sugar water without hesitation, and it was honey water with osmanthus flowers added.
"Yes, Your Highness, would you like a bowl?" Meng Qi pointed to the food box on the round table.
Meng Qi didn't wait for Song Chengze to speak. She stood up and walked to the table. She took out a colorful porcelain jar from the food box, gently opened the lid, and the lukewarm sugar water was just right.
Song Chengze took the sugar water from Meng Qi and took a sip. After tasting the flavor, he showed a look of amazement. Then he drank it all in one gulp and handed the bowl to Meng Qi, "Give me another bowl."
Meng Qi smiled and poured him another bowl. Song Chengze nodded after drinking it, and took another sip of tea. "Baochun is just a maid in Jing'an Garden. She was selected by Madam Hai to join the garden with that girl named Haitang, that's all. I'm not someone who eats anything when I'm hungry, especially the servants who serve me. They are not worthy of my attention."
Meng Qi paused as she put down the bowl of sugar water. The depression that had been pent up in her heart suddenly dissipated. When she turned around, she had a bright smile on her face.
"I was overthinking it. I know what to do now."
Song Chengze hummed, pointed to the opposite side of the kang table, and motioned Meng Qi to sit down, "Let's talk about business now."
Meng Qi suddenly straightened up, as if facing a great enemy. This made Song Chengze laugh, "Are you nervous? Are you afraid that I'll ask you to do something dangerous?"
Meng Qi shook her head. "I'm not afraid of anything. I'm willing to go through fire and water. I'm just afraid that I won't do well and will affect your and the Empress's plans."
Song Chengze didn't expect her to say that. Looking at her serious expression, it didn't seem like something a sixteen-year-old girl would say.
"Although there is no need to go through fire and water, and there is no danger, it is still a bit scary." Song Chengze chose his words carefully.
Meng Qi straightened her back even more when he said that. Scary? Scary in what way? She even hoped Song Chengze would discuss it with her after meeting with Concubine Lian. What did that mean? It meant that the mother and daughter were ready to give her a chance. So, no matter what the mission was, even if she couldn't complete it, she would happily take it on. And Song Chengze had just said that he wouldn't put her in any danger.
"There is a Hanyuan in the palace. Have you heard of it?" Song Chengze said seriously.
Meng Qi nodded. Although she had never known about it in this life, she knew it in her previous life. After the prince took the throne, Concubine Zhen was imprisoned in Hanyuan by the empress, who later became the empress dowager.
"A while ago, on the night my second brother came, the knife wound you helped me cover up was caused by him."
Meng Qi breathed a sigh of relief. It was just as she had guessed. Seeing that Meng Qi didn't seem surprised, Song Chengze praised her intelligence once again.
"I won't go into the details of the reasons today. Considering your last time in the palace, Princess Duan's provocation against you, and the mentions of Chunlai and Concubine Xu, all these circumstances indicate that Prince Duan has been restless recently. He must be planning something."
"To you or the prince?"
Song Chengze was once again amazed at Meng Qi's sharp words. It was really good to be able to speak without any effort.
"At first, we analyzed that he should be going after the Crown Prince. After all, since the New Year, the Emperor's health has been getting worse, and the Crown Prince has been helping to manage state affairs more and more. Prince Duan is the second in line, and if the Crown Prince makes a mistake, then he has the greatest chance." Song Chengze said this, paused for a moment and continued,
"I just discussed it with Mother today, and I feel that maybe it's not entirely true. I'm afraid that Prince Duan is coming for me, and if we can also take on the Crown Prince, it would be killing two birds with one stone."
"Did he set up a trap in that Hanyuan?" Meng Qi asked in confusion.
"That's not too clear. We analyzed that he might have hidden something or discovered something. But as for Hanyuan, mother has no access to it. You know, mother is not on good terms with anyone in the palace, nor does she make enemies. Apart from those who come to chat with her with ulterior motives, not many people go there on weekdays, except for Concubine Xiu who can visit her more often." Song Chengze stopped talking here, and a trace of sadness and helplessness appeared on his face, which had been calm just now.
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