It wasn't until now that the Noble Consort saw Wei Quan lying on the floor and Meng Wenyang bundled tightly in the Emperor's cloak. She clearly had no idea how things had escalated this far.
She quickly turned to shoo away the crowd of gossip-hungry concubines before stammering out a half-baked excuse."Quan'er is a filial child. He brought the younger Miss Meng to pay respects to me today. She's the younger sister of the Concubine of Chen—it's all in the family. This must be a misunderstanding…"
"Oh?" the Emperor said coldly. "And what sort of misunderstanding does the Noble Consort think this is?"
The chill in his voice sent a shiver through her. She immediately pointed to Meng Wenxian."I was at the banquet the entire time. The younger Miss Meng accidentally stained her dress, so her sister accompanied her to change clothes. I wasn't involved. I know nothing."
Then she turned and urged Wenxian,"Go on, speak up. Tell us what happened. Why is Concubine Chen so frightened?"
Meng Wenxian dropped to her knees and began to weep."I only brought Concubine Chen to change clothes. When she heard Young Master Wei was also here, she insisted on meeting her brother-in-law. How could I deny her request? So I had him come out and greet her. But I don't know what happened. Suddenly, Concubine Chen ran off—I was just as confused!"
Blatant lies. If Meng Wenyang could chew rocks, her teeth would already be shattered from grinding in fury. These people were experts at flipping the truth to their advantage.
"So, according to my dear 'sister,'" Meng Wenyang said icily, "why was Wei Quan chasing me, calling out 'Don't go, my beauty'?"
The Emperor patted her back to soothe her and ordered coldly, "Bring Wei Quan forward."
By now, the scuffle had sobered Wei Quan. He was on his knees, banging his forehead against the floor, tears streaming down his face."Your Majesty, I've been wronged! I thought it was my new bride coming to see me. We're newlyweds, and I was just excited. I meant no disrespect to the Concubine!"
After everything Meng Wenyang had endured, she'd waited patiently for justice, only for this clown show to try and bury the truth. But some things left a trace—like the strong scent of aphrodisiac still lingering in that room.
"Your Majesty—" she began, but the Emperor's sharp gaze cut her off.
"If it's just a misunderstanding, then let it end here," he said and whisked her away in his arms.
Meng Wenyang was seething. She didn't even look at him, let alone speak. He had sworn to get justice for her, and this? This was his version of justice? All smoke, no fire. Clearly, protecting the Noble Consort and her family took priority.
Never trust a man's sweet words—especially if that man's the Emperor. Next time he starts spewing romantic nonsense, she'd treat it like fart in the wind.
Seeing her trembling with rage, the Emperor whispered gently, "I'm not ignoring your suffering. It's just not the right time."
Oh really? So the 'right time' would be when Wei Quan turns a hundred and dies of old age?
Rolling her eyes mentally, she said, "So Your Majesty trusts the Noble Consort more than you trust me."
"I trust you," he said, his gaze softening. He kissed her forehead tenderly.
"Then why didn't you let me finish speaking?"
With a sigh, he relented. "Alright. Speak. I'm listening."
Meng Wenyang didn't waste time."When I went to change, I smelled that same sickly-sweet scent from the Wei family's guest rooms—aphrodisiacs. I've been tricked by it before. I turned to leave, but my sister grabbed me and shouted for Wei Quan to come out. I barely escaped. If Your Majesty hadn't shown up when you did… I… I…"
Tears flowed as she choked up, the panic finally spilling out.
The Emperor held her close, comforting her like a child."As long as I'm here, I won't let anyone harm you again."
"Then why did you let him go?" she asked bitterly. "You clearly weren't serious about punishing him."
The Emperor sighed again. "Everyone saw him in that area. If I punish him now, people will assume he violated you. That kind of rumor would stain your name forever. But if he leaves the palace unscathed and dies elsewhere… then his death won't be linked to you."
"Truly?"
Meng Wenyang wasn't sure she believed him. Would he really kill the Noble Consort's nephew?
The Emperor nodded solemnly. "Even if he were the Noble Consort's own blood, if he dares hurt my Wenyang, he'll be punished."
She stared at him silently. All she saw were promises—sweet and hollow as a puff pastry. Nothing but fancy talk.
She tucked her head back into his chest. It wasn't wise to cling to a grievance forever. Men didn't like difficult women.
They didn't speak again until they returned to her residence, Cold Fragrance Hall. The Emperor tried to tease a smile out of her."Still mad?"
Not really. Getting mad was pointless—it only wore her out.
She shook her head and tilted her face up shyly."I was just thinking… the bed in the hall doesn't seem that sturdy. If Your Majesty continues to spoil me like earlier, what if the bed breaks?"
The Emperor burst out laughing, his voice echoing like thunder. After a good laugh, he leaned in and kissed her.
"Then what do you propose, my clever little fox?"
She blinked innocently. "Maybe tonight, Your Majesty should visit one of the other sisters. Let the bed have a few days of rest."
His face froze mid-smile. Clearly, she still hadn't forgiven him.
"You really are impossible," he muttered, helpless. "Do you know why I assigned you to Cold Fragrance Hall? The furnishings here are plain for a reason."
At first, she thought the Noble Consort had deliberately given her a shabby residence out of spite. But now it seemed otherwise?
Was this some imperial version of teaching her frugality?
Rolling her eyes again in secret, she asked sweetly, "I don't understand. Please enlighten me."
He flicked her nose affectionately. "You're new to the palace. If I gave you a grand title and luxurious quarters right away, it would spark jealousy. That would only harm you. I've already ordered a better palace to be prepared. Once the time is right, I'll find an excuse to reward it to you. This place is just temporary."
Sure it is. Just like a boss promising stock options when the company goes public. Another big, delicious pancake—nothing but air.
But if he liked painting pancakes, she could pretend to eat them.
With wide-eyed innocence, she asked, "Really? Which palace did Your Majesty prepare for me?"
"Guess," he said with a smirk.
"I don't know the palace grounds very well," she said playfully. "I've only heard of Zhaoyang Hall and Jiaofang Hall… Surely not Zhaoyang Hall, right?"
Zhaoyang Hall—the residence of past empresses—had been locked up ever since the current Empress was deposed. She only said it to see how he'd respond to the provocation.
"You cheeky little thing," the Emperor chuckled. "How did you guess right away?"