Chapter 256: Plot Within a Plot

Chi Nan Yi's eyes were hazy; she nodded, and the maid together with Qingmei helped her into the courtyard, where a plaque hanging above read "Lan Yuan".

Lying on the couch, Chi Nan Yi was already asleep; Qingmei paced anxiously at the bedside: "No, no, our miss is usually healthy, why is she suddenly drowsy? She must be ill." She grabbed the maid's hand: "Good sister, you keep watch over our miss, I'll go find someone to bring our second young master."

"Alright, you go! With me here keeping watch, rest assured."

Qingmei nodded, looking sincere, and trotted away.

The maid's eyes were full of contempt: "Fool."

She turned her back to the couch, not noticing that the person who had just been asleep had already opened her eyes, with no trace of haziness.

At this time, the Minister's Residence was filled with guests, and Meng Qinghe was arranging flowers with several official daughters.

A maid approached her and whispered a few words.

Meng Qinghe's lips curled slightly as she turned to look at the somewhat unfamiliar maid, asking in puzzlement, "Where is Cai Pin?"

"Miss Hui, Cai Pin has gone to fetch a cloak for you."

Meng Qinghe, without doubt, smiled and nodded, "Go down!"

"Yes."

She deliberately picked a few plum blossoms from the table and shook her head: "The plum blossoms on the table are all beautiful, and beside Lan Yuan there is also a plum grove; you all sit for a moment, I'll go pick a few."

Zhang Xiyan, hearing this, hurriedly said, "There's a plum grove in Lan Yuan? I want to go too."

"Why the hurry? I'll first check if there are suitable flowers; Lan Yuan is a bit far, and if there are none, wouldn't that make you run in vain? Just wait here."

Having said that, she left with the maid.

Lan Yuan is a place of rest, very secluded, and Meng Qinghe whispered, "Weren't we supposed to send the person to the Qi Yun Pavilion? How did we end up in Lan Yuan?"

"Miss Chi felt a bit unwell upon reaching the entrance of Lan Yuan, so she went straight into Lan Yuan."

"Where are you a servant from? How come I haven't seen you before, Miss?"

"I am the maid Yingchun, newly arrived."

Meng Qinghe felt a vague unease watching the maid's back, but then thought, this is the Meng Family; who could harm her here?

She followed the maid into Lan Yuan.

"Miss, Miss Chi is right here."

"Where is my elder brother?"

"The eldest young master hasn't arrived yet."

Meng Qinghe pushed the door open and entered; the room was extremely quiet, and incense burned on the table.

A sheer curtain hung over the couch, and in the dimness a silhouette could be seen lying on its side.

She stepped forward slowly, her eyes full of jealousy.

"If you must blame anyone, blame it on your own captivating looks; even with a veil you can capture the Crown Prince's soul. I'd like to see what your face looks like beneath that veil."

Speaking that, she lifted the bed curtain, expecting the person on the bed to be Miss Chi, but to her surprise it was the Crown Prince Mo Junheng she had been longing for.

"Crown Prince… Crown Prince?" Meng Qinghe was startled; the maid just said Miss Chi was here—how could it be the Crown Prince?

At that moment, a strange sensation spread through her body, her whole being went limp, and a growing wave of heat surged through her limbs and bones.

Realizing something was wrong, she tried to run but lost strength, turned to glance at the person on the couch, and felt something stir within Meng Qinghe.

The man she had dreamed of was right before her eyes; why not go with the flow?

As long as the rice is cooked, the Crown Prince won't be able to refuse marrying her.

Thinking this, she slowly sat on the bedside; the previously unconscious Mo Junheng furrowed his brows slightly, opened his eyes gradually, his gaze still hazy.

In a daze, she saw a woman sitting by the bedside, shook her head, and the person's features became clearer: "Miss Chi…"

Meng Qinghe, who was untying her clothes, paused.

"Miss Chi?"

At that moment, the name the Crown Prince whispered was that wretched woman!

Just then, a scorching hand looped around her waist, and the man's overwhelming strength pinned Meng Qinghe onto the couch.

"Miss Chi…"

"Again Miss Chi!"

Meng Qinghe felt humiliated, yet she did not want to give up such a good opportunity.

She placed her hand over Mo Junheng's face and said softly, "Your Highness, can you see who I am?"

"I have known naturally; ever since I first saw you, you have filled my mind. After today, I will immediately go to the Chi family to propose."

Meng Qinghe heard this, and a trace of resentment flashed in her eyes.

At that moment, she suddenly recalled: if she is here, where is that woman? Where is her elder brother? Where is he?

Meng Qinghe's unease suddenly intensified, yet the man before her made her reluctant to let go; such a good chance, after today, may never come again.

She gritted her teeth, caring not where that wretched woman was; as long as she and the Crown Prince consummated marriage, she would become Crown Princess, and her wishes would be fulfilled.

The heat within her body grew stronger, and a brief sting flashed on Meng Qinghe's face; looking at the crimson‑eyed Mo Junheng, she smiled and said, "After today, I will be yours, Crown Prince; you must not betray me."

"Rest assured, I will certainly marry you into my household."

The official daughters who had waited for Meng Nanyi in the plum garden for a long time saw that she had not returned and became somewhat worried.

"Sister Meng, why hasn't she returned yet?"

"Could it be that there are too many beautiful plum blossoms in Lan Yuan for her to pick all at once? Why don't we go help her; we can't let her bear the burden alone."

Everyone made up their minds and rose, heading toward Lan Yuan.

At that moment, a miss glanced at the pavilion and said softly, "Shall we ask the Princess of Yuqin Guo and Miss Chi if they would like to go together?"

They exchanged glances and nodded, "Fine."

Chi Nan Yi was speaking with Qin Yue xi.

"Princess, Miss Chi, we are going to Lan Yuan to pick plum blossoms; would you both be willing to go?"

Qin Yue xi was just about to refuse when she heard Chi Nan Yi say with a smile, "That's fine; sitting here isn't very interesting, but we could go elsewhere for a walk."

"All right." Qin Yue xi, hearing her say that, naturally would not refuse.

Seeing them agree, everyone's faces were full of smiles.

Along the way they chatted and laughed, and Chi Nan Yi occasionally interjected a few words.

"We originally thought Miss Chi, being of noble status, would disdain to associate with us, but now it seems we were narrow-minded."

"Yes!" Zhang Xi yan stepped forward quickly, her eyes full of fawning: "Earlier, after hearing Miss Meng's words, I have offended in many ways; I hope Miss Chi will not blame me."

Chi Nan Yi smiled: "No problem; Miss Meng perhaps doesn't know my identity, and since it's a misunderstanding, clearing it up will do."

"Miss Chi, you're really kind."

As they saw Lan Yuan right ahead, Meng Qinghe's figure was nowhere to be seen in the plum grove.

"Where did Miss Meng go?"

Just then, a faint moan reached everyone's ears.

Though they were unmarried, they were not foolish, and naturally knew what that sound signified.

All flushed red-faced, not knowing which way to go.

"Cough cough, Miss Meng isn't here; let's go look elsewhere!"

They had just wanted to leave when suddenly a piercing scream came from Lan Yuan, echoing through the marquis's residence.