Chapter 114

“Frightened?”

The voice of the Second Prince suddenly rang out, startling her.

Feeling a bit panicked, she couldn’t help but take a step back.

The next moment, she saw disappointment and hurt in the Second Prince’s expression.

“Everyone in the palace, due to my background, treats me with cold eyes. And now, even Miss Meng, you…”

She couldn’t bear to see the Second Prince show such an expression. In that vivid dream, she had also invested genuine feelings.

So she hastily waved her hand. “No, Shen Lang, I don’t have such—”

She suddenly stopped talking.

She accidentally called him “Shen Lang”!

The Second Prince was also stunned to hear this, but soon, he put on a smile.

“Miss Meng, if you’re willing to call me that way, I’ll be very happy.”

Hearing this, her heart softened suddenly. She couldn’t help but defend the Second Prince in her mind.

It was Yu Zhaoyi who killed the Western Prince, not the Second Prince. He didn’t know it was the Western Prince lurking in the dark; otherwise, he would have stopped Yu Zhaoyi.

Thinking of this, she felt a bit relieved.

At this moment, the Second Prince suddenly leaned forward slightly and said softly, “Miss Meng, I know this is abrupt, but I have a humble request.”

Seeing the Second Prince’s expression, how could she refuse? She nodded repeatedly. “Please, go ahead, Second Prince.”

The Second Prince seemed a little shy, and his face reddened slightly.

“I truly admire Miss Meng’s talent. If possible, could Miss Meng write down the poems you’ve composed and give them to me?”

She was taken aback by his request.

In her dream, Shen Lang didn’t seem to have such a keen interest in poetry. It was just a means for her to gain fame.

“Is it not possible?” the Second Prince asked cautiously.

She hurriedly nodded. “Of course, that’s no problem. But right now, I don’t have paper or pen—”

The Second Prince immediately interrupted, “No hurry. Miss Meng can write them slowly after returning home. I’ll have someone waiting at the back door of the Meng Mansion. Whenever Miss Meng finishes writing, just give it to me.”

For some reason, she felt a bit strange.

After being lectured by her kind stepmother for the past few days, she had learned quite a bit of etiquette. Giving gifts privately like this seemed a bit inappropriate.

If caught, it would be disastrous for a woman!

Perhaps noticing the hesitation on her face, the Second Prince asked softly, “Miss Meng, is there anything wrong? If you’re unwilling, you can refuse me at any time, it’s okay.”

After hearing this, she couldn’t bear to refuse anymore and agreed on the spot.

As she shyly bid farewell to the Second Prince and walked back with joy in her heart, she ran into two young eunuchs.

They hurriedly saluted when they saw her.

“Miss Meng, His Majesty has ordered all courtiers and their families to leave the palace immediately. We’re just missing you!”

Her heart skipped a beat, and she suddenly had a bad feeling.

Could it be… the Western Prince’s drowning has been discovered!

Thinking of this, she acted as she had seen in dramas, giving the two young eunuchs some silver and asked hurriedly:

“What’s going on, two gentlemen?”

The young eunuchs exchanged glances and whispered softly:

“Miss Meng, some things are not easy to say. Anyway, the Western Prince is in danger and is waiting to be interrogated!”

She stopped in her tracks.

In danger?

Not drowned?

The eunuchs couldn’t be joking about such a big matter, so everything was different from her dream!

Thinking of this, her heart couldn’t help but pound wildly.

If the Western Prince was fine, Yu Zhaoyi would definitely be finished. Then wouldn’t Shen Lang also be implicated?

————

“Xiaotao!”

Her thoughts led her here, and suddenly, Meng Guxue called out loudly to the door.

Although Meng’s father forbade Meng Guxue from leaving, he did not restrict her maidservant.

Xiao Tao heard the call and entered the room. Meng Guxue grabbed her hastily.

“Xiao Tao, what news is spreading outside?”

Xiao Tao looked surprised and nodded. “Miss, how did you know? Indeed, there is news spreading.”

“The servant just heard it from the housekeeper, saying that Yu Zhaoyi, relying on favoritism, has been torn apart by five horses, and as for the Second Prince, they say he has been confined to the Zongren Mansion for a year!”

Meng Guxue was suddenly stunned.

Confined to the Zongren Mansion for a year? In her dream, Shen Lang was always victorious, never in such a sorry state!

So, was that dream real?

At this moment, Meng Guxue harbored deep doubts and conflicting emotions.

She hadn’t developed deep feelings for the Second Prince yet. There was still time for her to withdraw.

If she sent the collection of poems tonight, she would completely align herself with the Second Prince.

If the Second Prince were to fall, she might not escape unscathed.

But, if the dream was real, the Second Prince would eventually emerge as the ultimate winner.

He was currently in a slump, but if she didn’t abandon him, but instead stayed by his side, she might move his heart and solidify her position in his heart.

This was a bold gamble!

Winning would bring endless glory, but losing could mean her life!

Thinking of this, Meng Guxue seemed to hear the beating of her own heart, pounding in her ears like a drum.

“Miss?”

Xiao Tao saw Meng Guxue’s extremely serious expression and was a bit frightened.

“Seen the madam.”

Suddenly, a greeting sounded from outside, and the door was opened. Meng Guxue’s stepmother returned.

Meng Guxue was slightly startled, then quickly went up to her, took her hand, and said with a half-petulant, half-apologetic tone:

“Mother, don’t be angry with your daughter. It was the daughter who deserved to be scolded just now. How could the daughter say such things and hurt mother’s feelings?”

Meng’s stepmother’s eyes were still red, but her expression was unusually calm.

“Xiao Tao, you can go out first and close the door,” Meng’s stepmother said.

Xiao Tao quickly retreated.

Meng Guxue felt a bit nervous. She sat Meng’s stepmother down on the bed, and asked in a flattering tone, “Mother, what’s wrong? Do you have something to tell your daughter?”

Meng’s stepmother looked at Meng Guxue seriously by the candlelight, feeling a little soft-hearted at her petite and lovely face.

But in an instant, she hardened her expression again.

“Xue’er, after much thought, Mother feels that your temperament staying in the capital will inevitably bring disaster sooner or later.”

Meng Guxue was startled by these words, her face paled slightly.

“Mother, what do you mean by that?”

Taking a deep breath, Meng’s stepmother said coldly, “Mother has a relative in Qingzhou. In terms of seniority, you should call her aunt. Her family is extremely wealthy, with only one son who is three years older than you.”

“Auntie sent a letter earlier, saying she is extremely pleased with you and hopes to have a closer relationship with you.”

“Mother originally couldn’t bear for you to be too far away from home, but after today’s events, Mother feels that the rules of the capital are too strict and unsuitable for you.”

“In the future, when you go to Qingzhou, being the daughter of an official, you will be highly esteemed and treated well. Moreover, your aunt is kind-hearted and will treat you as her own.”

“When the time comes, you will be far away from these intrigues and worries.”

Meng’s stepmother had good intentions. For Meng Guxue’s happiness, she was willing to endure the pain of separation from her flesh and blood.

Even though Meng Guxue had hurt her with her words just now, she still arranged a good future for her.

A parent’s love for their child involves far-reaching plans.

However, Meng Guxue, after listening, was shocked, her face full of disbelief as she shook her head repeatedly.

“No! Mother, I’m not going! I’m not leaving the capital!”

She still wanted step by step to become the prince’s consort, the crown prince’s consort, and eventually the empress of the world!

She was a transmigrated woman, how could she not make a grand gesture and hide in Qingzhou?