As soon as she hurried into the Cold Fragrance Hall, Meng Wenyang saw Nanny Hua gently consoling someone. Just as she expected, the Emperor had arrived ahead of her—and he looked utterly distressed.
His precious Yao'er was far too kind for her own good. Even now, she still sympathized with those who had hurt her.
"Yao'er," the Emperor called softly.
Only then did Meng Wenyao snap out of her daze. She quickly moved to bow, but the Emperor stopped her immediately.
"You're carrying my child now. From today onward, you don't need to bow to anyone," he said tenderly. "How are you feeling?"
The warmth in his voice soothed her aching heart. She wiped away her tears and replied in a small voice, "I'm fine, truly. I just... I heard my sister was killed. It's hard not to feel sorrow."
The Emperor almost blurted out that her death was a relief, but when he saw the sadness in her eyes, he quickly changed his tune.
"I'll have the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review investigate thoroughly," he promised. "She'll get the justice she deserves."
Meng Wenyao looked up at him with puppy eyes and gently said, "My sister's gone now. Nothing will bring her back. But if I could, I'd like to help fulfill her last wish."
The Emperor raised a brow. Last wish? When did the second Meng daughter ever get the chance to leave behind final words?
"She always wanted to marry Prince An," Meng Wenyao said, her tone dripping with pitiful innocence. "That was her dream."
Her eyes shimmered with tears, and her face looked as if she might cry at any moment. The Emperor sighed in defeat, stroking her hair fondly.
"I already issued the imperial decree yesterday. Of course this won't change. I'll have the Ministry of Rites expedite the marriage arrangements."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," she said sweetly.
The Emperor glanced around the Cold Fragrance Hall, frowning.
"This place is far too remote," he said. "Come stay in the Funing Hall with me for now. Once the Zhaoyang Hall is ready, you can move there, alright?"
"Alright," she whispered, her voice so soft and delicate it nearly melted his heart.
"The ceremony to name you Empress is already in motion. Once you've passed the three-month mark, we'll hold the official investiture. How does that sound?"
Meng Wenyao beamed, then suddenly leaned up and kissed his chin.
"Good," she said with a giggle.
The Emperor's breath caught slightly. His hand slipped around her waist, his voice lowering.
"By the way... the imperial physicians tell me that once you hit three months, you'll be able to serve me in bed again."
Meng Wenyao stared at him, utterly horrified. Was this Emperor a total pervert? He just found out she's pregnant and he's already thinking about that?!
Seeing the shock on her face, the Emperor burst into laughter. He planted a kiss on her cheek and teased, "What, do you take me for some lecherous beast who can't live without a woman? I was just messing with you."
"You're awful!" she pouted.
"Hahaha!"
Back in the Changle Palace, the Empress Dowager had just received word that Meng Wenxian was dead—and the Emperor still planned to carry out her wedding to Prince An. The old woman was so furious she nearly fainted.
She had just unleashed a storm yesterday to sweep the scandal under the rug. With Meng Wenxian dead, she thought time would erase the memories of that disgrace.
And now the Emperor was having her marry Prince An posthumously? What kind of cruelty was that?
She was so enraged, she almost ran to the royal mausoleum to weep before the late Emperor's tomb. What kind of son had she raised?
A bitter part of her even hoped Meng Wenyao would give birth to a girl. Only then could she protect her eldest grandson's status.
She glanced up at the Buddha statue in her hall. For ten years, she'd prayed for the Buddha to send the Emperor a son. Could she really ask the Buddha to change his divine gift to a daughter instead?
What if that offended him?
In the end, she didn't dare speak the prayer aloud.
Meanwhile, preparations for Prince An's wedding continued steadily. Lady Liu (Meng Wenxian's mother) had already submitted her complaint to the Court of Judicial Review. She also sent a detailed letter to her husband, who was stationed at the border, outlining how the Wei family had pushed them too far.
She knew her husband well. If she only mentioned their younger daughter's death, he might remain calm. But if she involved their eldest daughter too—who was still serving in the palace and suffering the concubine's cruelty—he'd fly back to the capital in a fury.
And once he returned, Lady Liu would have the power to drag the Wei family down with her.
That night, in her new chambers in the Funing Hall, Meng Wenyao awoke from a nightmare, drenched in cold sweat.
"Yao'er, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" The Emperor immediately stirred and lit the candles outside the bed curtains.
Meng Wenyao blinked at him in a daze, unable to distinguish dream from reality.
She finally clung to him and choked out, "I dreamed that my father... scolded me for not protecting my sister..."
The Emperor's heart clenched. He held her tightly and whispered, "Then it's my fault. I didn't protect your family well enough. I'll personally order the Court to hasten the investigation, alright?"
"I want to question the Noble Consort myself," she said softly.
"Alright. I'll go with you tomorrow."
The next day, after morning court, the Emperor took her straight to the Consort's quarters. All the servants were dismissed, leaving only the three of them.
"Elder sister," Meng Wenyao said coldly, "was it you who brought my sister into the palace?"
The Noble Consort—once radiant and resplendent—now looked withered and hollow. She slowly lifted her head, her eyes icy and venomous.
"You're really pregnant?" she hissed.
Meng Wenyao was confused. Every imperial doctor had confirmed it. Why was the consort still in denial?
"Was it you who had my sister pushed into the water?" she pressed.
The Noble Consort let out a bitter, shrill laugh. "The Emperor... actually touched you? He actually laid with you?"
Meng Wenyao's brow furrowed. What nonsense was she spewing? How else would she have gotten pregnant? Did this woman think they'd been lying in bed just... chatting?
"Why?" Meng Wenyao asked, voice shaking. "Why would you do something so cruel?"
The Noble Consort snapped. She began screaming and raving like a madwoman.
"No! No, it's not possible—you can't be pregnant! The Emperor..."
Before she could finish, the Emperor's hand shot out and wrapped around her throat.
Meng Wenyao froze.
Wasn't this woman his favorite for ten years? How could he strangle her like this after barely two months of favoring someone else?
So this is how men fall out of love... quietly, completely, and without warning.
She probably doesn't even know it was the Emperor who ordered Wei Quan's death.
This man... is terrifying.
The Emperor noticed her pale face and slowly let go of the Noble Consort. He called for Eunuch De.
Gasping for air, the Consort collapsed, trying to breathe. Eunuch De entered, thoroughly confused.
"Bring her the white silk," the Emperor said coldly.
Then he took Meng Wenyao's hand and walked out.
As they stepped into the courtyard, they heard the Noble Consort's wails from behind them.
Everything had happened so fast.
Too fast.
Meng Wenyao had still hoped the Consort would deal with Prince An first... and then she'd take care of the Consort.
But now?
Now she'd have to find another way.