Chapter 382: The Initiated
Chapter 382: The Initiated
The warm pavilion.
Princess Wanping sat leisurely on the imperial concubine's bed, sipping a nourishing soup specially prepared for her by the kitchen.
"Greetings to the Princess."
Meng Qianqian bowed respectfully.
Princess Wanping glanced at her, "Your complexion looks good. Is the ginger pill I gave you tasty?"
How dare she mention the ginger pill?
I came here today to demand an explanation about the ginger pill!
Someone spiked it with medicine, and instead of keeping it a secret, they went out of their way to find the victim and boast about it.
Are you and Lu Yuan not long-lost half-siblings?
How did the two of you manage to cause such trouble so brazenly?
Only Princess Wanping would act this way; if it were anyone else, they would have been dealt with by Meng Qianqian long ago.
Meng Qianqian took a deep breath and smiled slightly, "Of course, the Princess's gifts are always good."
Princess Wanping said, "Since you like it so much, I'll give you another box."
Meng Qianqian forced a smile, "Such a precious item would be wasted on Xiaojiu. Princess, you should keep it and enjoy it yourself."
Princess Wanping took a sip of the soup, "I'm not keeping it to myself. Ying Female Official, please give another box of ginger pills to Lady Lu."
Ying Female Official replied, "Yes, Princess."
Meng Qianqian looked at the unexpected ginger pills in her arms, she really didn't want them...
Princess Wanping gave Meng Qianqian a meaningful look, "How is Lu Yuan?"
Meng Qianqian thought, Is she being this explicit? You're a princess, at least be a little more subtle.
You initiated ones, can't you be less shocking with your words?
I have to deal with Lu Yuan at the mansion, and now I've encountered another Lu Yuan in female form outside.
I'm truly miserable, really!
Meng Qianqian pretended not to understand, "My husband is doing well, thank you for your concern. Xiaojiu is here to bid farewell to the Princess."
Princess Wanping's eyebrows knitted slightly, "Farewell? Where are you going?"
Meng Qianqian replied, "My husband is from Miaojiang, and he has been separated from his family for many years. Now that we've finally found them, and the court matters are almost resolved, Xiaojiu wants to accompany her husband back to Miaojiang to visit his maternal grandmother, whom he hasn't seen in many years."
Princess Wanping contemplated, "His maternal grandmother is still alive? I haven't heard anyone mention the Queen Mother of Miao."
That's because she is the Goddess of Miaojiang, whose status far surpasses that of the Queen Mother.
Princess Wanping didn't inquire further. According to the customs of the Central Plains, if she wasn't the main wife, she would be a concubine.
If she knew that the Majestic King of Miao was her husband, she would be shocked.
Princess Wanping nodded, "In that case, you should definitely go. Have you discussed this with the Emperor and the Retired Emperor?"
Meng Qianqian replied, "The Majestic King and my husband are both in the palace today, and they should be bidding farewell to the Emperor and the Retired Emperor."
While the Majestic King could leave the capital at any time, Lu Yuan, as a first-rank Grand Marshal of the court, was not allowed to leave the capital without permission, even though he was the Majestic King's grandson.
Princess Wanping sighed with fatigue, "Never mind. I'll visit the palace myself and speak to the Emperor on your behalf if he doesn't approve."
Meng Qianqian blinked, "Isn't it better to seize the day than to choose a date?"
Princess Wanping gave Meng Qianqian a tired glare.
Meng Qianqian said, "I was just joking."
Princess Wanping took another sip of the nourishing soup, "Speak, why did you come to see me so early in the morning?"
Meng Qianqian, "To demand an explanation."
Princess Wanping, "Say that again."
Meng Qianqian immediately backed down, "I have a request."
Princess Wanping hummed.
Meng Qianqian sat down beside Princess Wanping.
Princess Wanping said indifferently, "Did I give you permission to sit?"
Meng Qianqian spoke softly, "My legs are sore."
Princess Wanping, who had just been fed a mouthful of dog food, was speechless.
Forget it, the Marquis of the Imperial Harem is great, she has no reason to be envious.
Meng Qianqian pointed at Princess Wanping's bowl and said to Ying Female Official, "Ying Female Official, please bring me a bowl of chicken soup too."
Ying Female Official smiled, glancing at Princess Wanping. Seeing that the Princess didn't object, she suppressed her laughter and left.
She could tell that the Princess really liked Lady Lu.
Lady Lu also treated the Princess sincerely.
The Princess had lived for over twenty years, and while many people flattered her, there were few who treated her with sincerity.
The servants all witnessed this, hoping that Princess Wanping and Lady Lu would remain on good terms.
Soon, the ginger soup was served.
After Meng Qianqian finished drinking, she sighed contentedly, "It's not as fragrant as Du Niangzi's."
Princess Wanping said, "You're getting cheeky after getting your way! If you have the guts, spit it out on me!"
Meng Qianqian opened her mouth and rushed towards Princess Wanping.
Princess Wanping was so frightened that her face lost its beauty, "Meng Xiaojiu, if you dare to spit on me, you're dead!"
Meng Qianqian bowed and vomited.
"Ah—"
Princess Wanping jumped off the couch in a fit of rage.
As graceful as she was, this was the first time she had ever lost her composure.
Meng Qianqian laughed so hard that her stomach hurt.
Unable to hit or scold her, teasing her was still an option.
Ying Niangguan and Bao Guanshi struggled to hold back their laughter, their faces turning red.
Princess Wanping huffed, "Get out!"
The two of them felt relieved and left the room with the other servants.
Princess Wanping spoke in a cold voice, "Are you satisfied with teasing me?"
"Xiaojiu dares not."
Meng Qianqian cleared her throat and suppressed the corners of her lips that wanted to curl up, "Princess, please take a seat."
Princess Wanping sighed, "Does my bed need your permission to sit on?"
Seeing her anger, Meng Qianqian felt relieved inside.
She had to regain her composure.
After getting her revenge, Meng Qianqian finally spoke seriously to Princess Wanping, "Xiaojiu will be leaving Miaojiang for at least two months, maybe three to five months. In the capital, there's someone she's worried about, and I hope the Princess can take care of her."
Princess Wanping said, "If you're referring to Grandmatriarch, there's no need to worry. The Emperor will treat her well."
Meng Qianqian honestly replied, "I don't trust others to take care of Grandmatriarch."
Princess Wanping asked, "Who do you want to take care of her?"
Meng Qianqian said, "Lady Lu."
Princess Wanping was taken aback for a moment before realizing that she was referring to Lu Xingzhou's mother, not Liu Qingyun.
Princess Wanping thought for a moment and said, "It's not difficult. I will send people to watch over the Duke's Mansion and prevent the Lu family from taking Grandmatriarch back. If Grandmatriarch doesn't mind, I'm willing to invite her to stay at the Princess's Mansion for a while and then have Lady Lu come to take care of her. What do you think?"
Meng Qianqian cupped her hands and bowed, "Your Highness is wise."
Princess Wanping sighed, "Lady Lu is kind and generous, but she married a cruel and cunning man like Lu Xingzhou."
Who could disagree? Meng Qianqian continued, "Additionally, there's one more thing I'd like to ask of the Princess."
"Speak."
"Can you arrange for Lady Lu to see that child?"
"Lin Wan'er... Xiaoli's daughter?"
"Yes."
The last time Meng Qianqian saw Lu Mu, she seemed to be preparing for her final moments. Meng Qianqian couldn't help but think of the worst-case scenario.
Lu Mu's heart had long been chilled by the Lu family. In the past, she couldn't let go of her great-grandmother and herself.
Now, her great-grandmother and herself had started a new life in the Duke's Mansion, and she had no more worries, nor any desire to continue living.
Clearly, someone had intentionally tried to kill her with that flowerpot.
With her intelligence, how could she not see through the servant's lies?
She didn't want to pursue the matter because her heart had already given up.
Even this body was ready to be discarded at any moment.
After Meng Qianqian's rebirth, the first person she saw upon opening her eyes was Lu Mu.
From Lu Mu, she felt the first genuine kindness in this life, one that expected nothing in return.
Princess Wanping looked deeply into Meng Qianqian's eyes, "I understand. I'll make the arrangements. With me here, no one will be able to harm her or Grandmatriarch."
Meng Qianqian extended her pinky finger.
Princess Wanping asked curiously, "What are you doing?"
Meng Qianqian said solemnly, "Pinky promise, the matter of the ginger pill is settled!"
(End of Chapter)
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