Chapter 20 Returning Home
After two days of continuous autumn rain, the sun finally came out.
Early in the morning, Meng Lingge got up to dress up, as today was the day she was returning to her parents' home.
Princess Anshun had already sent someone to deliver the gifts she needed to bring for her homecoming. Wen Zhiming's carriage was also waiting at the courtyard gate. Seeing that she was ready, he led her into the carriage.
Just as they were about to set off, Granny Chu rushed over: "Young Master, the Princess Consort has given instructions. When you arrive at the Prime Minister's residence, you should address your father-in-law and mother-in-law, or you can call them 'father' and 'mother' like the Princess Consort does. There's no need to rush back. If the Princess Consort wants to stay at her parents' home for a day or two, you should stay with her for a day or two. Don't act impulsively; discuss things with the Princess Consort."
Since the young master fell ill from the shock, he has never stayed outside the manor. If he were to go elsewhere, Princess Anshun would certainly not allow him to stay overnight. But now that the young master has married, we cannot only consider his situation, but also the young master's wife.
The Crown Princess's mother is paralyzed in bed and has only one daughter. She will definitely want to stay for a day or two during this homecoming visit. If the Crown Prince is unwilling to keep making a fuss, it will put the Crown Princess in a difficult position.
Furthermore, Guan Yi'an will likely be visiting the Meng residence today, and we can't let him see the Crown Princess make a fool of herself.
Therefore, I must give them some instructions.
Wen Zhiming nodded obediently: "I'll listen to Xiaoling'er."
Meng Lingge smiled and said, "Please tell Mother that I will take good care of the young master. Please rest assured, Mother."
Granny Chu responded with a "yes" and watched them leave.
The carriage was spacious and much warmer than outside. Only Meng Lingge and Wen Zhiming were in the carriage; the gifts and servants were in another carriage behind them.
After walking a few steps, Wen Zhiming stood close to Meng Lingge, his beautiful eyes fixed on her, full of longing.
He was in the prime of his life, and having just experienced love for the first time, he was inevitably captivated and intoxicated by it. If it weren't for Meng Lingge's repeated warnings that their wedding night was a secret between the two of them and should not be known to outsiders, he would have wanted to be with his wife all the time.
Seeing that the carriage was quiet and undisturbed, he became restless again, wrapping his large arm around Meng Lingge's waist, "Little Ling'er, I want to consummate our marriage..."
"No." Meng Lingge blushed and quickly covered his mouth. The carriage curtains were thick, and the sound of horses' hooves masked the noise, but she was still worried that the servants driving the horses might hear them.
"We are outside now, so we must not be so rude. Not only now, but when we arrive at the Prime Minister's residence, we must never mention the bridal chamber, nor be so frivolous."
The two had made love just last night, and only a few hours later, Wen Zhiming was already sexually frustrated.
"Little Ling'er..." The man's voice sounded both coquettish and complaining, his handsome face full of grievances, making him look particularly pitiful.
Meng Lingge had no choice but to patiently coax him, "My dear prince, I will consummate our marriage when we return to the manor tonight."
"At night, in the bridal chamber."
Wen Zhiming precisely extracted the key information from her words, his eyes lit up, and he nodded with a smile.
The distance between the Prime Minister's residence and the Prince of Anshun's residence was not short; even at a fast pace, it would take nearly an hour by carriage. Although the Princess of Anshun agreed to let Meng Lingge and Wen Zhiming stay at the Prime Minister's residence for a day or two, Meng Lingge still decided to return that same day.
She worried that Wen Zhiming wouldn't be able to adapt to the new place.
He was her husband, so she didn't want him to be in danger.
As for her mother, she can come back a little later today, and she can also visit the Prime Minister's residence more often.
Upon arriving at the Prime Minister's residence, Meng Lingge and Wen Zhiming walked side by side, with maids and guards following closely behind carrying large and small bags of gifts.
As soon as the group entered the front hall, Meng Xingyuan came out to greet them.
"Young Master Wen, Lingge, please come in quickly."
Wen Zhiming cupped his hands in greeting, "Greetings, Father-in-law."
Wen Zhiming smiled slightly and lowered his head, his demeanor natural.
He and Meng Lingge were both dressed in light blue clothes today, and they looked like a perfect couple standing together, which made Meng Xingyuan very gratified.
On the day of Lingge's wedding, a sudden change occurred. Although he had no choice but to accept the change of son-in-law, he was still worried about Meng Lingge. Although the status of the heir apparent of the Prince of Anshun's mansion was glamorous, the hardships and bitterness of facing a mentally challenged husband day and night were unimaginable. Meng Xingyuan was powerless to do anything about it.
Although he had confidently asserted three days ago that Meng Lingge would definitely regret it, he was actually very afraid that Meng Lingge would regret it.
Seeing that Wen Zhiming was behaving normally and that the smile on Meng Lingge's face seemed genuine, she felt a little more at ease and found Wen Zhiming more agreeable.
"It's cold outside, let's go inside quickly."
The group walked slowly to the warm pavilion in the Prime Minister's residence. The heated kang bed inside had been prepared, making the room warm and cozy. The table was set with snacks and hot tea, and a maidservant immediately and considerately pulled out chairs for them to sit down.
Meng Lingge and Wen Zhiming both stopped at the same time.
Two people were already seated inside the warm pavilion: Guan Yi'an and Meng Huanyan.
Wen Zhiming pointed to Guan Yi'an on the side and asked with displeasure, "What are you doing here? Do you want to steal my wife?"
Guan Yi'an and Meng Huanyan arrived a quarter of an hour earlier than them. Meng Huanyan was already dissatisfied with Meng Xingyuan for leaving them to welcome Meng Lingge. Upon hearing this, she raised her eyebrows and said coldly, "Your Highness is wrong. They are all Father's sons-in-law. How can you come while my husband cannot? Besides, my husband abandoned my elder sister three days ago, and he will not want her again now. Please put your mind at ease, Your Highness."
She is no longer a lowly concubine's daughter; she came with her husband, and her father cannot easily reprimand her.
"Shut up." Guan Yi'an's eyes were sharp. "How dare a concubine like you be so presumptuous in front of the young master? If you spout any more nonsense, I'll have someone send you back to reflect on your actions."
He emphasized the word "concubine," while observing Meng Lingge's expression. Seeing that Meng Lingge's gaze wasn't on him at all, he then spoke respectfully.
“Yi’an greets elder sister and brother-in-law. A few days ago, I was stubborn and did something wrong. Now I have realized my mistake and sincerely apologize to elder sister and brother-in-law. I wish you both a loving marriage and a long and happy life together. I also hope that Your Highness and elder sister will be magnanimous and forgive me and my concubine. If there is anything you need me to do, I will not refuse.”
Wen Zhiming originally disliked Guan Yi'an, but seeing his current respectful attitude and wishing him and his wife a loving marriage, he couldn't stay angry for a moment. He snorted and pulled Meng Lingge to sit opposite Guan Yi'an.
Since this man no longer covets his wife, I'll spare his life, but don't expect me to treat him kindly.
Meng Xingyuan said awkwardly, "It's good that you know you were wrong. We're all family. Let's get along well and help each other from now on."
He was indeed disappointed in Guan Yi'an and Meng Huanyan, but since things had come to this, he still did not want the two children to become enemies and fight each other.
Even if we can't live in harmony, at least we shouldn't kill each other.
Meng Lingge knew what Meng Xingyuan was thinking.
She now feels disgusted whenever she sees Meng Huanyan and Guan Yi'an, but she didn't expect to argue with her father as soon as she returned home.
Fortunately, Meng Huanyan and Guan Yi'an were not present, so he sat down calmly.
Meng Xingyuan beckoned, and servants brought over fresh fruit platters and pastries, placing them in front of Meng Lingge and Wen Zhiming. The items were noticeably fresher and more upscale than those in front of Guan Yi'an and Meng Huanyan.
Guan Yi'an stood stiffly, waiting for Meng Lingge and Wen Zhiming's response. Seeing that the two of them didn't even give him a glance, he couldn't help but feel embarrassed.
Of the group, Meng Huanyan had the worst expression.
Her face was flushed, her hands gripped the hem of her skirt tightly, and her eyes were filled with resentment.
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