Lu Meng was all too familiar with this kind of scenario.
It actually saved her some trouble—otherwise, she’d have had to secretly spend her own money to buy contraceptive medicine.
After drinking the concoction, she set the bowl down and pulled a face before popping a candied fruit from the small table into her mouth.
Finally, the bitter taste was suppressed.
Then, she grabbed Wu Linxuan’s hand resting on the table, meeting his stunned, speechless gaze.
Seizing the opportunity, she played the role of the understanding woman.
With doe eyes brimming with affection, Lu Meng said tenderly, "Your Highness, rest assured. This humble consort is already content just having you. I ask for no child—only that Your Highness provides me with a better prescription so that prolonged use of contraceptive medicine won’t harm my health."
"Since childhood, my constitution has been frail. A bitterly cold decoction like this can be tolerated once or twice, but over time, my life may not last much longer."
"I only wish to stay by Your Highness’s side for a lifetime, to be your understanding confidante."
And indeed, she understood him perfectly.
In this world, aside from her, who else had foreseen the trajectory of events and knew the male lead’s character inside out? As the saying went, she could predict exactly what kind of mess he’d make just by seeing him lift his tail.
Who could interpret the male lead’s intentions better than her?
Wu Linxuan fell silent for a moment.
He truly couldn’t afford to have a child right now.
Among the imperial princes, he was the only one who had been enfeoffed as a prince. If he were to elevate Consort Meng to his official wife, even if her status wasn’t particularly noble, bearing his legitimate heir would make him the primary target of Emperor Yan’an’s scrutiny and suspicion.
He had been struggling to find the right words to dissuade this Consort Meng from coveting what wasn’t hers.
Wu Linxuan had only intended to keep a "little pet."
But this little pet’s self-awareness, her eagerness to avoid bearing his child at all costs, left him deeply unsettled.
This mindset was rather common among male leads in classic romance novels.
It was a classic case of: I can reject you, but you can’t reject me.
Just like Cao Cao’s famous line in Romance of the Three Kingdoms: "I’d rather betray the world than let the world betray me!"
After a long silence, Wu Linxuan asked, "Don’t you want a child of our own?"
Lu Meng looked at his shameless, hypocritical expression and nearly blurted out, "Go to hell!"
But she still relied on this guy for her livelihood, so she lowered her head, hiding the herd of alpacas stampeding in her eyes. She stroked the back of his hand and said meekly, "Your Highness will undoubtedly rise to unparalleled heights one day."
She wasn’t afraid of Wu Linxuan scolding her for speaking out of turn—she simply voiced his innermost thoughts.
"Someday, Your Highness will ascend the throne and rule over all under heaven," Lu Meng continued. "This humble consort is ill-fated, with no illustrious maternal family to offer Your Highness any advantage. Nor could I ever bear a child worthy of the imperial lineage."
As Wu Linxuan’s expression darkened, she pressed his hand against her cheek, fervently expressing her earnest hopes.
"I’ll be obedient—extremely, extremely obedient. If Your Highness later finds a noblewoman worthy of being your official wife, I won’t fight for favor or cause trouble."
"I only beg Your Highness to promise me a small haven under your protection, to safeguard my life as you once vowed, and grant me a lifetime of comfort and luxury."
You two lovebirds can do whatever you want—just keep it far away from me.
After this speech, Xin Ya—who knew Consort Meng was about to be promoted to official wife—twitched her lips. She had never seen such a spineless woman in her life.
Wu Linxuan: "..."
This was exactly what he had planned. But he had never spoken of it to anyone, and even if others guessed, who would dare say it outright?
Not only would it damage marital harmony, but laying everything bare like this made him look like a scoundrel bullying a helpless woman.
Unable to refute or make any promises, Wu Linxuan was left utterly discomfited.
Being stripped bare and weighed like this would make anyone furious.
So he slammed the table, putting on a fierce front. "So you’ve already planned your escape route? Is this how little you think of me—that I’m some heartless, ungrateful wretch?"
Lu Meng was nothing if not honest. Wouldn’t it be better for both of them to lay their cards on the table and take what they needed?
If it’s good, enjoy it. If not, walk away and find the next without guilt. She had even paved the way for Wu Linxuan to avoid looking like a scoundrel—and now he was angry?
Lu Meng wasn’t particularly short-tempered, but she was stubborn—like a door hinge that could turn eight hundred times without breaking.
Facing Wu Linxuan’s stormy expression, she kept her composure, not letting her disdain show.
Instead, she silently picked up the bowl that had held the contraceptive medicine earlier. Then, right in front of Wu Linxuan, she extended her pink tongue and slowly licked the rim.
Her face didn’t so much as twitch at the bitterness—she might as well have asked Xin Ya for a second serving.
There was no seductive implication here. It was a blatant reminder: Look down and see if your own hypocrisy is flaking off yet.
Wu Linxuan felt as if he’d been slapped hard across the face.
He shot up from the table, every scale on his body bristling like a frilled-neck lizard puffing up in defense. He glared at Lu Meng, his face cycling through a rainbow of emotions.
In all his years, few had ever humiliated Wu Linxuan like this. The last person to do so was Emperor Yan’an himself.
This feeling—this burning shame—was just like when, after his mother’s death, he had respectfully submitted a memorial, hoping to use his pitifully light "imperial familial affection" to secure her a better burial site.
But when he requested Emperor Yan’an to posthumously honor his mother, the emperor’s heavy gaze seemed to say: "Don’t think I don’t know—you’re just using your dead mother to elevate your own status."
Back then, Wu Linxuan had been an insignificant third prince, the weakest among his brothers. That look from the emperor had struck him like a physical blow, igniting a vow in his heart: I will become emperor. He had carried that resolve from childhood until now.
This was only the second time in his life someone had shamed him so deeply with just a glance.
Without a word, Wu Linxuan turned and stormed into his study.
He didn’t emerge until bedtime, burying himself in official documents like a madman. While there were indeed issues in the northern Jiangbei region, there was no need for him to work through the night without rest, food, or speech.
Chen Yuan, who had served Wu Linxuan for years, recognized this behavior. The last time his master had acted like this was when Consort Shun, his birth mother, had passed away. After Wu Linxuan petitioned the emperor to posthumously promote her to imperial consort—only to be refused—he had also refused to eat, sleep, or speak.
Chen Yuan’s loyalty lay solely with Prince Jian’an. Even if Consort Meng was soon to become the official princess consort, she couldn’t compare to the prince.
He couldn’t help but resent her for her audacity—daring to say such things—and for her lack of awareness now. Instead of humbling herself to coax the prince, she lounged on a daybed reading romance novels.
Lu Meng knew Wu Linxuan was genuinely angry. She could tell the difference between real fury and performative rage.
But she wouldn’t bother coaxing him—after all, she hadn’t said anything bad. Wasn’t it better to lay things out plainly?
She was even worried that Wu Linxuan, this inexperienced virgin, might lack restraint and end up falling for her after a few nights together, dragging her into some melodramatic, love-hate saga.
In Lu Meng’s view, no romance meant no drama.
Her ideal was to be a good employee.
Since Wu Linxuan already knew her illiteracy was an act, she dropped the pretense. She stumbled through reading the storybooks, asking Xin Ya whenever she encountered unfamiliar parts.
Xin Ya hesitated several times, but Lu Meng never gave her the chance to speak.
Coaxing him was out of the question. Lu Meng shifted her posture, picked up a pastry, took a bite, and sprawled on the chaise longue, lifting her feet onto the small table and swinging them lazily.
If Wu Linxuan got angry and stopped liking her, banishing her to another courtyard, she’d consider it a blessing.
Sure, she’d lose an exceptional bed partner, but let’s be real—when it came to men, weren’t there plenty of substitutes?
Back when Lu Meng read those old-school romance novels, she’d often come across plots where the heroine was somehow biologically altered to depend on the male lead, forced to beg him for intimacy at regular intervals.
The male lead would reject her disdainfully, hurling insults all the while.
Lu Meng couldn’t help but scoff—weren’t there countless alternatives to that thing? Different sizes, shapes, temperatures—what couldn’t be replicated?
What a joke.
She cursed Wu Linxuan in her mind.
She wanted to go to the general’s residence, but Wu Linxuan had forbidden her from leaving the room.
Lu Meng saw no reason to provoke him further, so she read for a while longer until bedtime, then had her maids help her wash up before climbing into bed.
Such a huge bed!
Sleeping alone was pure bliss.
Lu Meng sprawled right in the middle, half her face buried in the blankets, her cheeks flushed and slightly damp with sweat.
By the third watch of the night, Chen Yuan couldn’t bear to see his master like this any longer and spoke up: "Your Highness, it’s late. You should rest."
If this dragged on, he’d be heading straight to court without sleep.
Thinking of the carefree Lady Meng, who was already fast asleep, he added, "Lady Meng has retired for the night."
The implication was clear—she’s not losing sleep over this, so why torment yourself?
Wu Linxuan was exhausted, his mind numb, but the mention of Lady Meng still made his heart lurch uncontrollably.
Was he really that much of a scoundrel?
This was the first time a seemingly powerless woman under his protection had stripped away his facade, exposing the ugliness beneath.
He’d only wanted to toy with Lady Meng, planning to discard her once he grew bored—just as she’d said, once he found a suitable woman of noble birth to marry.
What was wrong with that? He was born a prince, destined for greatness. Couldn’t he have any woman he desired?
But… wasn’t this the same as Emperor Yan’an, who refused to see his own mother on her deathbed, fearing her illness might infect him?
Once his anger subsided, Wu Linxuan realized with a start that he was becoming more and more like the man he despised.
Lu Meng’s verbal slap had pierced straight through his mask, striking his very soul.
Before he could fully transform into another Emperor Yan’an, her words forced him to turn around and examine the path he’d taken.
By now, his fury had dissipated.
How could he blame a woman who only sought survival under his protection? Her clarity might even be a good thing—because even if Wu Linxuan corrected his course, he wasn’t about to suddenly become devoted to anyone.
An emperor couldn’t afford to favor anything too much.
The late crown prince and empress were proof enough.
Besides, what he felt for Lady Meng wasn’t love—just fondness.
So Wu Linxuan pressed his knuckles to his temples and said to Chen Yuan, "Before court tomorrow, send word to the palace that I’m running a high fever and request the imperial physician’s attendance."
Chen Yuan nodded. "Understood. It’s far too late now—Your Highness should rest."
Of course, that wasn’t the real reason. Wu Linxuan was skipping court because trouble had arisen in Jiangbei.
He’d been enfeoffed as a prince for reforming the Jiangbei salt trade, but now, years later, new corruption had emerged in that lucrative region.
Where there was wealth, there were always parasites. Wu Linxuan knew the Minister of Revenue would bring up Jiangbei in court today. Since he’d previously installed his own people there, feigning illness was a way to distance himself. By staying out of it—or at least making Emperor Yan’an believe he wanted no part—the matter would eventually fall into his hands.
After giving his orders, Wu Linxuan washed up and returned to his chambers.
But the sight of someone already in his bed unsettled him.
Frowning, he turned and walked out, then opened the door to tell Chen Yuan, "At dawn, have the rear courtyard’s side chambers prepared—with a bed matching mine in size."
He simply couldn’t get used to sharing his bed.
Chen Yuan acknowledged the order, inwardly astonished. His master had always been ill-tempered—he’d assumed Lady Meng’s boldness would cost her the position of primary consort.
Yet not only had the prince cooled off on his own, he was now moving her into his own residence’s rear courtyard?
Such favor could only mean one thing: His Highness truly cherished Lady Meng.
Wu Linxuan returned to the bedside, ready to sleep, only to find the woman who’d earlier occupied half the bed now sprawled in a starfish pose, leaving him no space.
He stood there, calculating the logistics of climbing in, then finally grabbed the blankets, wrapped them tightly around her, and rolled her inward—
transforming her into a human burrito.
Just like yesterday morning, when he couldn’t find her.
Satisfied, Wu Linxuan patted his hands, climbed in, pulled his own quilt over himself, and closed his eyes.
But last night, they’d been exhausted from their activities, making sleep easy. Tonight, with no such distractions, Wu Linxuan lay there feeling oddly constrained—even though Lady Meng occupied only a tiny corner.
Her presence was overwhelming, as if she wasn’t just crowding him but pressing down on him.
The intangible weight kept him from resting. He opened his eyes, glanced at the human burrito beside him, then turned away and shut his eyes again.
A moment later, he looked again.
And again.
Finally, he couldn’t take it anymore. He sat up, grabbed the bundled figure, and yanked her toward him.
The commotion would’ve woken the dead.
Lu Meng’s eyes fluttered open, her dark hair spilling over her shoulders, her collar loose enough to reveal the marks Wu Linxuan had left the night before.
Wu Linxuan’s breath hitched. He was young, vigorous—at this age, he could pull all-nighters without issue.
And tonight, he’d only been working late.
He studied Lu Meng for a moment, then reached out.
Annoyed at being disturbed, she kept her eyes closed and muttered, "Weren’t you mad? Go be mad somewhere else…"
Wu Linxuan: "..." Does she still dare to be so presumptuous knowing that I'm angry? And sleep so soundly!
The thought of this woman eagerly drinking the contraceptive soup and saying those words made him a bit angry, and also a bit conflicted.
What was wrong with him, Wu Linxuan? She didn't have any expectations for him at all.
He grabbed the quilt, rolled over and directly pressed on Lady Meng, covering both of them.
Lu Meng opened her eyes, squinted at him, and asked, "What time is it now, Your Highness? Even dogs are asleep at this time. Can your humble concubine not serve you..."
Actually, Wu Linxuan didn't really want to do anything. He just wanted to get a bit close.
Seeing this woman being so impatient, instead, he was determined to do something!
"It's past the third watch. What? You are my woman, sleeping in my bed. Do I still need to choose the time for what I want to do?"
Hearing it was the third watch, Lu Meng let out a sneer.
"Yes, your humble concubine is Your Highness's woman..." Lu Meng lazily turned her head and yawned.
Opening her eyes, looking at Wu Linxuan above her, she reached out and pinched his butt hard under the quilt.
"But what should Your Highness do? You're going to court soon... Tsk tsk tsk."
Lu Meng patted his butt again, making a loud sound.
In her half - asleep and half - awake state, she couldn't hide her gloating.
"Unlike your humble concubine, I can sleep until tomorrow afternoon..."
Wu Linxuan: "..." There was nothing overly offensive in these words, but somehow they were extremely irritating.
It was the kind of irritation that could drive someone crazy for no reason.
He directly lowered his head and bit Lu Meng's ear. He also let out a snort and said, "Sorry, I have a high fever that won't go down. I'm not going to court today. I'm going to have you!"
Lu Meng gasped. She was feeling lazy all over. Fortunately, she didn't have a bad temper when waking up, and she went to bed early. Now that she woke up, the man on her was clean, warm and fresh from just washing up, not at all annoying.
Otherwise, she would have slapped this "big dog Wu" away.
So Wu Linxuan had the chance to experience another state of his Lady Meng.
This was the kind of "gentle and obedient" state that a normal woman should have. Wu Linxuan found it very novel and naturally got very excited. It wasn't until the candles in the room were almost burned out and the first light of dawn appeared outside that the "waves" under the brocade quilt stopped.
Wu Linxuan was covered in sweat. His strong arms were propped on both sides of Lu Meng's head. He lowered his head and looked at her sweaty face, which was as pink as a peach, and took a bite on it.
Lu Meng's soft arms were still wrapped around his neck. She half - closed her eyes and didn't even try to dodge.
Wu Linxuan thought she was just like a ripe peach. As long as you gently pinched the skin, it would immediately splash with sweet juice.
He could hardly control himself. While regretting that he shouldn't indulge in lust, he was constantly bewitched by this woman.
Wu Linxuan rubbed his nose against Lu Meng's. Some kind of inexplicable conscience emerged in him.
He buried his head beside Lu Meng's ear and said in a low voice, "Don't think too much and don't be afraid. I'll be good to you, ensuring your wealth and comfort. You just need to be obedient..."
Don't covet things that don't belong to you.
Lu Meng opened her eyes a little, looked at the top of the bed curtain. There was still a bit of dizziness in her eyes, and the aftertaste hadn't faded.
She also felt an unusual softness in her heart. She tightened her arms around Wu Linxuan's neck.
She gently said "um" and then was about to fall asleep in a daze.
But before she could fall asleep, she was carried by Wu Linxuan to wash up.
It was really nice to have someone to serve! Especially since "big dog Wu" was probably really satisfied. He even helped her take a bath.
Lu Meng fell asleep in the water. She couldn't even lift her head. Anyway, she was in a comatose state throughout the whole process.
When she woke up in bed again, it was already late morning of a new day.
The other side of the bed was empty. Wu Linxuan really had a lot of energy. After washing up last night, he was so energetic that he didn't sleep at all.
He got up and went to the back yard to practice martial arts. He practiced with the sword, spear and halberd one by one, and then started archery.
He kept torturing himself for almost two hours before he felt a bit tired. After washing up, with the moisture all over his body, he didn't go back to the big bed to disturb the sleeping Lady Meng.
Instead, he went to the side courtyard. After the imperial physician from the palace arrived, he directly went to the side courtyard to treat Prince Jian'an for his high fever that wouldn't go down.
When Lu Meng got up and was being served by the maids to wash up, she heard from Xiuyun and Xiuli that "big dog Wu" had practiced with the sword, spear, halberd and archery in the morning. She couldn't help sighing that youth was really wonderful.
He was as energetic as a live dog.
He got up earlier than a rooster, went to bed later than a dog, did more work than a donkey, and still had time to work out. Sure enough, this was the self - cultivation of the male lead.
He was involved in intrigues and did scumbag things. Such a workaholic boss was really hard to find!
Lu Meng originally wanted to go back to the General's Mansion to pack up the things she was used to using there.
Yesterday, she had sent Little Hong and Du Long back to tell the brothers not to worry about the Fourth Prince's matter anymore.
However, when Lu Meng heard that "big dog Wu" was already taking herbal medicine, as his side concubine, she naturally had to go and express her concern.
After the imperial physician left, Lu Meng lazily walked from the main courtyard of Prince Jian'an's Mansion to the side courtyard.
But at this time, "big dog Wu" was reading a book. He looked energetic and there was no sign of illness on him. In fact, he seemed to be in better spirits than last night.
Lu Meng couldn't help sighing again about youth.
He really was an eighteen - year - old boy who could move the earth with his own strength.
"Yo, Your Highness is really full of energy."
As soon as Lu Meng entered the door, she leaned against the door in a slovenly way, smiling at Wu Linxuan. There was an indescribable ambiguity and intimacy in her eyes and eyebrows.
The relationship between the two of them was in a passionate stage. They had frequent intimate contact. Although it wasn't the stage of passionate love, the physical contact made them feel close to each other, creating an illusion that they were in love.
This illusion couldn't deceive Lu Meng, but it made Wu Linxuan confused.
"You're awake? Why didn't you sleep until tomorrow morning?" Wu Linxuan glanced at his Lady Meng out of the corner of his eye, then his gaze fell back on the military book. It was as if he had an illusion that every word in the book had turned into Lady Meng, flirting coquettishly.
Lu Meng stood at the door and didn't come in. Seeing that "big dog Wu" was in good health and there was really no sign of a high fever, she said, "I'm going to the General's Mansion later to pack up some things and bring them back."
"Your Highness, when will you get the courtyard ready for me? Where will I live when I come back?"
After the truth was revealed yesterday, the relationship between Lu Meng and "big dog Wu" had indeed become closer. It wasn't just the physical and sensory intimacy.
There was also a kind of "bad - match" feeling, like two people who knew each other's flaws but still got along well.
Lu Meng said, "My sister left me ten bodyguards. I'm going to bring them back. They are very capable."
"Capable indeed. They didn't even blink an eye when they massacred the Fourth Prince." Wu Linxuan put down the military book and waved to Lu Meng.
Lu Meng didn't move forward. She changed her posture against the door and looked askance at Wu Linxuan with a smile. What she was thinking was, 'If I go over just because you tell me to, how embarrassing would that be?'
But in fact, every cell in her body was oozing seduction: 'Want me to come over? Come and carry me!'
Actually, Wu Linxuan didn't like outsiders entering his territory.
However, it was obvious that the ten guards mentioned by Lady Meng were the personal guards of Zhangsun Xianyun and Feng Beiyi.
There must be some means of communication between them and Zhangsun Xianyun and Feng Beiyi that was unknown to outsiders.
Wu Linxuan intended to win over the couple of Feng Beiyi through Lady Meng. But this matter couldn't be rushed, and he mustn't let anyone, especially Emperor Yan'an, notice his intention.
Allowing these guards to enter the prince's mansion in the name of Lady Meng was a very good opportunity. Zhangsun Xianyun was worried about her younger sister, so it was perfectly justifiable for her to leave these guards behind.
Therefore, Wu Linxuan not only couldn't stop them but also had to treat these gentlemen well.
Once he needed Feng Beiyi's help, these people would be the best bridges. So Wu Linxuan said, "Come here, and I'll tell you where you'll live."
Hearing this, Lu Meng finally moved. She sauntered over to Wu Linxuan's side. Before she could sit on the couch, he grabbed her and pulled her onto his lap.
Lu Meng thought to herself, 'This is the first time I've met a dog who likes to be ridden so much.'
"Your Highness, the old imperial physician who came today is the one who examined my pulse when I went to the palace to pay respects to the Empress Dowager. Is he your man?"
Lu Meng simply asked directly. It was also this old man who diagnosed her with a miscarriage last time. Moreover, when Lu Meng pretended to faint for the first time when paying respects to the Empress Dowager and pinched her own neck purple, this old imperial physician should have noticed something fishy.
Wu Linxuan leaned back slightly against the wall and looked at his Lady Meng. "Naturally, he is."
"Otherwise, do you think your clumsy tricks could have deceived anyone's eyes?"
Wu Linxuan said, "You've given me a reputation as a cruel and licentious man in bed. Even now, women in the city turn pale at the mention of it."
Bringing this up, Wu Linxuan added, "You've given me such a reputation. You said it so nicely that when I marry a woman I like, a woman from a powerful family who can help me, you'll never fight for my favor... Let me ask you, would you marry a man known for his cruelty in bed?"
After asking, Wu Linxuan observed his Lady Meng's expression with great interest.
He actually didn't quite believe it. How could there be a woman who didn't care about her husband's love and didn't want a child to rely on?
"This won't have any impact on Your Highness,"
Lu Meng said, "Your Highness is of noble birth and so imposing. It's just a rumor. As long as I'm alive, I'll be the best proof that the rumor is false."
Lu Meng flattered the boss and even didn't forget to give herself an extra layer of protection.
Hearing this, Wu Linxuan let out a snort of laughter. The two of them were hugging face to face, and the vibration in Wu Linxuan's chest was transmitted to Lu Meng's chest.
His voice was really beautiful, like the sound of a cello.
However, Lu Meng didn't feel any flutter in her heart. Instead, she lowered her head slightly and looked at Wu Linxuan's face with a bit of envy.
She reached out and touched under his eyes, clicking her tongue in her heart.
Sure enough, he was like a character in a novel. After staying up all night, not only was he full of energy, but he didn't even have dark circles under his eyes?
Wu Linxuan's skin wasn't particularly fair, but it was very delicate and evenly colored.
Lu Meng patted his face and said, "Your Highness, where exactly will I live?"
"You'll live in my backyard. You should have seen it when you ran away with Shanhu yesterday. Everything you need is there."
"However, there's one thing I need to clarify with you in advance."
Wu Linxuan twirled Lu Meng's hair with his fingers in a very casual manner. His long, slender eyelashes drooped slightly, and there was a hint of a smile on his lips, exuding an inexplicable air of a playboy.
Sure enough, what he said was also very playboy-like.
"Letting you live in my backyard is my way of showing you favor. You should be obedient and not overstep the boundaries."
Wu Linxuan said, "The side courtyard at the back leads directly to other parts of the prince's mansion. You can go anywhere, but you mustn't enter my courtyard casually."
Every time he called himself 'Your Highness', he started to act arrogantly.
Lu Meng thought he might as well change his name to 'Arrogant King'.
"Don't worry,"
Lu Meng patted her chest and said cooperatively, "Your servant will never overstep even half a step. But isn't it a bit inappropriate for me to live in Your Highness's backyard?"
Lu Meng didn't understand many of the rules in this world. Even the princess might not be able to live in the same courtyard as the prince, and she was just a concubine.
She wanted Wu Linxuan to find her a separate courtyard so that she could stay away from him.
If they didn't see each other, they could owe each other nothing in the future.
Living in the backyard, they would see each other all the time... Although the environment in the backyard was very good, almost like a presidential suite, it was still... inconvenient.
The big boss worked like a donkey all day long, while she just lounged around in the backyard like a puddle of mud. Sooner or later, Wu Linxuan would surely develop resentment... Resentment would affect peace and stability, strategic cooperation, and performance.
"Just abide by the rules you should abide by."
Wu Linxuan was quite satisfied that she had a bit of self-awareness.
He reached out and patted her lower back, then pinched her, making Lu Meng jump. She subconsciously leaned forward.
Wu Linxuan immediately held her down, his expression changing slightly. He gave her a sidelong glance and said, "It's broad daylight. Be more honest. Weren't you satisfied last night?"
Lu Meng: "... You should go see a doctor yourself. Don't delay. Call the imperial physician back quickly!"
Wu Linxuan let out a soft sigh and said, "I've ordered someone to make a small seal for you in the shape of a pendant. Do you have a favorite pattern?"
This was directly telling Lu Meng that she was about to become the princess. There was no need for her to imply in words that it was inappropriate for the two of them to live in the same courtyard.
Just make you the princess, and everything will be fine.
Oh, women.
Lu Meng's train of thought was completely out of sync with his. Maybe it had never been in sync.
A small seal?
What small seal?
Ah!
"Is it the kind Xin Ya has?!" The kind that you can just stamp anywhere and buy things on credit!
It was like a modern black credit card. You just swiped it and signed, and that was it! Lu Meng was a bit excited. If it was really that kind of small seal, it would be great!
Hearing this, Wu Linxuan raised his eyebrows and let out a soft laugh with a hint of mockery.
The seal Xin Ya had was his small seal, which allowed her to manage his properties on his behalf and even give orders to his dead soldiers in case of an emergency.
He wouldn't give this kind of seal to this Lady Meng.
Not to mention whether she had the ability to manage his properties, in Wu Linxuan's view, women were women, and subordinates were subordinates.
Women were for sleeping with and could be appropriately pampered, but he would never mix the things he had to do with women.
Therefore, Wu Linxuan just smiled and didn't say a word. The suspicion he had just reduced towards Lady Meng rose again.
Want his seal?
What on earth was her purpose?
Not getting an answer from him, Lu Meng could tell from his expression that it wasn't that kind of seal.
If it weren't for the kind of seal that others loved, she really wouldn't have been interested.
However, Lu Meng said, "I don't like flowers, plants, butterflies. I like tigers and raptors. If the prince is going to make seals for me, have them draw tigers and raptors."
Wu Linxuan responded with a grunt. Each of them had their own hidden agenda and didn't get any more affectionate.
In the afternoon, Lu Meng went back to the General's Mansion and brought back a bunch of things and people in a great commotion.
She even fished out those few fish and dumped them directly into the large water tank in the back courtyard.
It wasn't until it got dark that a large group of people finally managed to decorate the back courtyard.
This was thanks to the fact that Wu Linxuan often stayed in this back courtyard before. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been possible to tidy it up in just one afternoon.
Lu Meng's things filled up a whole room. She went to the front hall specifically to carry back the big red coral and the vases.
She tidied up her new den. In particular, she was very satisfied with the bed. It was just like Wu Linxuan's, soft and big!
Lu Meng was in an extremely good mood. She felt that her life was about to reach its peak.
In the afternoon, Wu Linxuan returned to the study and started to deal with business. From the whole afternoon until it got dark, he didn't hear any special noises coming from the back courtyard.
During dinner, Wu Linxuan looked at the few dishes on his table and, as if punishing himself, asked, "How many dishes will Lady Meng have for dinner tonight?"
Chen Yuan paused for a moment before saying, "Twenty." All of them were meat dishes.
When he sent someone to the kitchen to get the dishes, he had already been complaining for his prince in his heart.
Who on earth is the master here?
Hearing this, Wu Linxuan propped his elbows on the table and asked Chen Yuan, "Does Lady Meng seem happy?"
"Very happy, Your Highness." She had been grinning from ear to ear all afternoon.
It was so wasteful and extravagant. The furnishings in the room where Lady Meng lived in the back courtyard were so dazzling.
She was so happy but didn't even come to say a few nice words to him?
Wu Linxuan was silent for a moment looking at the few dishes on the table and then said, "Bring the dishes and go to the back courtyard."
Chen Yuan immediately asked the maids to put the dishes in the food boxes and followed Wu Linxuan to the back courtyard with them in hand.
Lu Meng was also having dinner. Xiuyun and Xiuli were standing beside her to serve her. Someone would pick up the dishes that were out of her reach. When Wu Linxuan entered the room with the maids carrying the food boxes, Lu Meng had just finished eating. Xiuyun even wiped her mouth for her.
Lu Meng was quite surprised to see Wu Linxuan come.
She stood up from the table and just bent her legs casually in a very perfunctory way.
But Wu Linxuan didn't really care anymore. He had long noticed that this Lady Meng showed little respect to him and was rather negligent.
"Why does Your Highness have the time to come here?" Lu Meng thought to herself that in the afternoon, she didn't know which "dog" had said that she mustn't disturb him if there was nothing important.
Humph.
Wu Linxuan wanted someone to set out his few dishes, but then he found that there was no space on the table.
Moreover, his few dishes were not as sumptuous as what was left by his Lady Meng.
Wu Linxuan was not a wasteful person...
But when he wanted to say something, he suddenly remembered a sentence that his Lady Meng had repeated in his ear over and over again.
"Your Highness, you said you would guarantee me a life of glory and comfort."
He wasn't so petty as to calculate what his woman wanted to eat.
So Wu Linxuan swallowed back the words about asking his princess to be thrifty.
He waved his hand to signal the maids not to set out the dishes.
Then he lifted his robe and sat down at the table.
Seeing him sitting there silently with a long face like a big fool, Lu Meng wondered, "Your Highness, what's wrong? Who has made you unhappy?"
Wu Linxuan raised his eyes and gave her a deep look.
He said, "How could it be? I just came here to eat the leftovers."
Saying that, he really picked up the chopsticks and started to eat the dishes left by Lu Meng.
Lu Meng:... She frowned, sensing that something was not right.
Sure enough, as he ate, Wu Linxuan said, "There will be a hunting competition outside the city in September. His Majesty has issued an imperial edict, and all the court officials will bring their female relatives. You'll go with me then."
"I won't go!" Lu Meng refused directly in a hurry!
She remembered this part of the plot!
