Once the carriage left the city, the roads were no longer as smooth as within the walls. Lu Meng had never imagined that a carriage without shock absorbers could have such a "trampoline" effect on dirt roads.
Her hair was disheveled, hairpins and ornaments scattered all over the carriage floor. She gazed down at Wu Linxuan with a smile, her eyes still carrying traces of unyielding defiance and encouragement.
Wu Linxuan, on the other hand, only looked slightly tousled. Yet as he lay on the carriage cushions, his head tilted back, sweat beaded on his forehead and neck, dampening strands of his loose hair and sticking them to his skin.
He looked as if he’d been pulled out of water.
His arms, which had braced against the underside of the carriage seats to support the upward thrust of his hips, now dropped limply onto the cushions. He lay on his back, his prominent Adam’s apple bobbing slowly as he closed his eyes.
Exhilarating.
The kind of exhaustion that came after two straight hours of sword practice—his entire body limp yet still trembling faintly.
This was more like it.
That night, this infuriating woman had definitely been toying with him on purpose.
How dare she treat him like that out of spite, then leave him hanging for days afterward…
Had Wu Linxuan realized this fact before their little "adventure," he might have seriously disciplined his disobedient "little beast."
But now, he couldn’t bring himself to care even a single strand of hair.
Squinting at his delectable princess consort, he murmured in a low, husky voice, "Come here…"
Lu Meng obliged, draping herself over Wu Linxuan’s armored chest.
Yes, their clothes were still mostly intact—except for one of the many layers beneath Lu Meng’s robes, which had been torn. She hadn’t let Wu Linxuan remove his armor; she liked him in it.
They had initially tried to restrain themselves, but how could such things ever be contained? As the saying goes, there are three things in this world that cannot be hidden: coughing, poverty, and lovemaking.
The "young couple," who had been avoiding each other for days, were like starved wolves who had once tasted meat and now caught the scent of prey. After feasting ravenously, they naturally settled into a tender, intimate embrace.
"Be good from now on… understand?" Wu Linxuan murmured, arms encircling her as he pressed kisses to her messy hair and forehead.
Lu Meng had come to reconcile, so of course she played the part—soft, docile, and utterly pliant.
But Wu Linxuan knew better now. She wasn’t without temper, and she had remarkable patience.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have endured days of cold neglect without making a single move to ease tensions—no messages passed through Xin Ya, no attempts to win him over with sweet soups like other wives might.
No, she waited until they were face-to-face, until the sparks between them ignited, before finally "apologizing."
Quite the schemer.
They lay like that for a while, neither wanting to move. If nothing else, Lu Meng had to admit—sleeping with Wu Linxuan was exhilarating.
She’d had plenty of boyfriends before, all decent in their own right, but now they all seemed like wasted time.
A rare treasure was a rare treasure. She hadn’t lost out on this one.
"If you don’t like socializing with the noblewomen at the hunting grounds, you don’t have to," Wu Linxuan finally said, his tone softening.
"If anyone gives you trouble, come to me." He pinched her ear lightly, a wordless warning.
"And don’t let those ruffian bodyguards of yours cause trouble. Every single person at this autumn hunt is someone you don’t want to cross—nothing like that spineless Fourth Prince."
Wu Linxuan added, "Last time with the Fourth Prince, we were lucky no one saw much, and he was too afraid of me to press the issue. But if your guards stir up real trouble this time, with so many eyes watching, even I won’t be able to shield you."
He couldn’t openly show favoritism in front of the emperor. Wu Linxuan’s nature would never allow him to compromise his principles for anyone.
His voice carried an unconscious indulgence as he said, "Don’t come crying to me if things go south."
Lu Meng thought, No need to tell me—the hunting grounds are a minefield as far as I’m concerned.
She’d give anything to grow wings and never touch the ground, just to avoid stepping on a plot bomb and blowing herself up.
Still, she recognized the goodwill in Wu Linxuan’s words. Lifting her head, she pressed a tender kiss to his chin and said, "I understand."
"But since we’re on the topic of trouble," she added, "back during the Mid-Autumn banquet at the palace, the daughter of the Minister of Works tried to provoke me. I forgot to mention it to you."
It really had slipped her mind—the Mid-Autumn banquet had been far too eventful, with bigger dramas taking precedence over petty grievances.
But Lu Meng held grudges.
She knew this "sister" wasn’t married yet, meaning she’d undoubtedly be among the noble ladies at the hunt.
Given the nature of tragic romance novels and the protagonist’s cursed luck, the moment Lu Meng showed her face, every named or nameless side character would swarm her like vultures.
How else would the tragic heroine suffer enough to make the male lead’s occasional kindness seem like salvation?
"What was her name again… Ao something?" Lu Meng frowned, unable to recall.
Such minor characters weren’t worth remembering.
"How did she provoke you?" Wu Linxuan asked, though he’d already heard the details from Xin Ya.
Ao Zhi, the Minister of Works, would soon be demoted to Vice Minister anyway.
"Between women, what else? Just the usual insults—saying I’m not worthy of you, all out of jealousy."
Lu Meng couldn’t even remember the exact words anymore.
Right now, all she could think about was the fact that she wouldn’t taste the braised pork knuckle or sweet-and-sour fish from the palace kitchens for the next ten days.
That was the real tragedy. Her complaint was almost absentminded.
"You have to stand up for me, Your Highness. And really, this is all your fault to begin with."
"My fault?" Wu Linxuan lifted his head slightly to look at the woman sprawled on his chest, wondering what on earth went through her mind. How were women’s squabbles his problem?
He knew Ao Bingxia had some interest in him—wanted to marry him, in fact. But so did half the women in the capital. Wu Linxuan had no need to charm subordinates with his looks.
Besides, too many women in the rear courtyard only bred disaster. Even Emperor Yan’an hadn’t been able to avoid it—his most beloved consort and son had been killed by one of his own wives.
Wu Linxuan had always intended to eliminate such risks at the root.
"Of course it’s your fault." Lu Meng met his gaze, her eyes brimming with mischief.
In a coy tone, she said, "If Your Highness weren’t so divinely handsome, so outstanding among all the princes, why would those women be green with envy? Their faces practically twisted with it!"
"In fact, I think you should go out less in the future."
Her fingers traced the edges of his armor, circling idly as she teased, "You attract butterflies and bees wherever you go, making every maiden fall head over heels at first sight, swearing to marry none but you. And then poor little me, as your only woman, becomes the target of all their jealousy and schemes the moment I step outside."
Wu Linxuan was stunned for a moment and then burst into laughter. This kind of saying was used to describe women.
It was used to admonish and restrain women, asking them to be well - behaved and not to show off in public and attract suitors.
However, it was really novel and funny for Wu Linxuan to hear this kind of words being used to describe a man.
He wasn't angry at all because in the tone of his princess consort, there was more flattery than any complaint.
"You always have a bunch of fallacies," Wu Linxuan said. "A man has to go out, socialize and handle business. How can I stay at home like you all the time?"
"Then, Your Highness, you should keep your eyes in check. Such beautiful eyes shouldn't look around randomly. They'll steal people's souls. Keep a cold face usually."
Lu Meng seriously taught him the so - called "virtues for men". "Don't dress so flashily when you go out. Just like the clothes you're wearing today, they outline your figure perfectly. Those strong arms and thighs, which woman wouldn't want to rest on or touch?"
Lu Meng said seriously, "Wasn't I just unable to resist today?"
Wu Linxuan couldn't stop laughing.
He had never heard such remarks before. Listening to his princess consort saying such bold and almost offensive words, he actually found it a sweet and intimate moment in their boudoir.
"Then tell me what I should wear when I go out?"
Wu Linxuan looked at Lu Meng, pinched her chin and said, "I've lived for so long and never met a woman like you. You're probably the only one in the world who thinks that a man dressing flashily will attract women."
"Don't judge others by yourself. Other women won't think like you."
"How won't they? That Ao... last time, she kept hinting and asking about Your Highness."
Lu Meng said, "I told her that Your Highness is great in bed, but she'll never have a chance in this lifetime. Her face turned red with excitement."
In fact, the daughter of the Minister of Works at that time blushed because she was shamed by Lu Meng's words.
Wu Linxuan: "..."
His face changed. He hugged Lu Meng, sat up from the ground, looked at her and asked, "Do you women talk about such things among yourselves?"
This was simply... shameless.
Lu Meng looked completely natural.
She said, "Of course. Your Highness, do you know Wenhua Tower? When those ladies get together there, besides talking about clothes and jewelry, they only talk about their men."
"For example, how long the legs of this lady's husband are, how slender the waist of that lady's husband is, and how a certain minister has taken eighteen concubines, but actually he can't even last half an incense stick's time in bed... Mmm."
Wu Linxuan covered Lu Meng's mouth. His expression was hard to read. He thought she was a bit of an embarrassment and wondered why he actually liked such a woman.
"Have some sense of shame. Just shut up. All nonsense..."
He almost believed her, but Wenhua Tower belonged to him. He knew exactly what the ladies talked about during their gatherings there.
Maybe there were some private talks, but it was just about praising their husbands for being gentle and considerate. He had only met this one woman in his life who could talk about bedroom matters without batting an eyelid.
Lu Meng was just chatting idly. Since Wu Linxuan didn't want to listen, she stopped.
Wu Linxuan let go of her mouth. They both tidied up their clothes. Lu Meng couldn't do her hair by herself, but at this time, the ambiguous smell in the carriage hadn't dissipated yet, and neither of them wanted the maids to come in.
So Wu Linxuan took the initiative to tidy up his princess consort's hair.
"You take off the inner - layer clothes later and then put on the outer robe. Wear a cloak before getting off the carriage later."
Wu Linxuan looked at the inner - layer clothes that he had torn in his excitement and blushed with shame.
This was really unsteady of him.
Lu Meng responded absent - mindedly. Sitting opposite Wu Linxuan, seeing that he was quite skillful in tidying up her hair and had already put back two hair ornaments in such a short time.
Lu Meng couldn't help asking, "Your Highness can also do women's hair?"
Wu Linxuan couldn't do women's hair, but he always did his own hair when Chen Yuan wasn't around. He didn't like maids touching his head.
Now he was just relying on his good memory to put the ornaments back according to what he remembered. So he just gave a soft "hmm", and his voice was extremely sexy.
Lu Meng couldn't help touching his Adam's apple.
He swallowed and looked down at her, with a warning look in his eyes. He lowered his voice and said, "Don't tempt me during the day... and don't do it outside the room."
"What's wrong? Isn't it exciting in the carriage?" Lu Meng said with a smile. "You don't even need to move much... Mmm."
"Just shut up." Wu Linxuan was really helpless with her.
Although he was sure his subordinates wouldn't cause any trouble, what could a thin carriage wall block?
Wu Linxuan didn't want his subordinates to think that he was so lust - driven that he would...
He sighed. His palm was licked wetly by his princess consort, and his heart softened again.
Maybe he could indulge a little.
He had been treading on thin ice and carrying a heavy burden for so many years. Couldn't he just take a short rest and pick a flower?
So he didn't say anything more to Lu Meng. He got her hair in order and put all the ornaments back.
Then he pressed a button on the carriage wall, and a compartment popped out. He took out a comb from it.
He asked Lu Meng to turn her back to him and started to comb her hair.
His movements were quick and gentle.
Lu Meng praised without hesitation, "Your Highness is really amazing."
Lu Meng turned her head to look at Wu Linxuan mischievously. After thinking for a while, she said, "Your Highness, have you ever heard the words that newly - married couples in the folk say when combing each other's hair?"
"What words?" Wu Linxuan didn't stop his hand and had already combed Lu Meng's hair smoothly.
Lu Meng turned around and took the comb from his hand.
Then she knelt up and looked at him with a smile and said, "Let me comb your hair a few times."
Wu Linxuan's hair was already tidy, but he didn't refuse. He wanted to see what new things his princess consort was up to.
Lu Meng pulled his hair, sighing that his hair quality was really good while combing it from top to bottom with the comb.
Lu Meng said, "Combing your hair from start to end, you won't have to worry about life."
Lu Meng had heard such words at a friend's wedding before. She went back and searched online but couldn't find the origin.
She thought these words were beautiful and very much in line with her current state of mind. So she tampered with them randomly and gave Wu Linxuan some strong hints.
Looking at him, Lu Meng combed his hair a second time and said, "Combing your hair from start to end, you'll be safe and free from worries."
The following words were about flying together like a pair of lovebirds and having many children and a long life. Lu Meng skipped them all.
She directly said, "With a beginning and an end, we'll share wealth in this lifetime."
Wu Linxuan was a bit stunned. He didn't think he would be touched by such simple words.
At this moment, he suddenly remembered that they hadn't drunk the nuptial wine yet.
"Why isn't the phoenix crown placed not far from the bedside put away?" Wu Linxuan grabbed Lu Meng's wrist and suddenly asked her this question.
After Wu Linxuan asked the question, he immediately regretted it and didn't really want to hear the answer. Even if he got the answer he hoped for, so what?
Could he really ignore everything and have a romantic relationship with a woman?
So, without waiting for Lu Meng's reply, he directly took the comb from her hand and threw it back into the small compartment that popped out of the carriage.
Then he turned around and closed the compartment.
Just then, Lu Meng's voice came from behind him.
"Because it's a symbol of my marriage to the prince," Lu Meng saw through his persona.
These early - ancient male leads love to hear sweet words. They are as cold - hearted as dogs themselves, but they just love it when others are deeply in love with them.
Lu Meng wouldn't take the initiative to say such things, but since "Big Dog Wu" had already asked, she might as well go with the flow and give him a couple of nice words.
It was better to keep him happy so that she wouldn't have to shoot at an apple on her head in the hunting ground.
"It's very important to me," after all, it was made of gold.
Lu Meng said, "I'll keep it there for the rest of my life."
It would constantly remind her, "I'm the female lead in a sadistic romance novel who has traveled into this world."
She shouldn't be deceived by this gaudy and beautiful world that was as showy as the phoenix crown.
She had to see the essence through the appearance.
The essence was that it was gold and could be used as money. She should hug "Big Dog Wu's" golden thigh tightly and hold on to her wealth!
Wu Linxuan didn't turn around. He poked at the edge of the carriage again, and a small compartment popped out. He didn't know what was inside and pushed it back.
Then he poked out a second compartment and pushed it back again.
He didn't turn around and didn't know how to respond. He was the one who asked the question, but what good was it now that he heard the answer he wanted?
Before Wu Linxuan could organize his words, Lu Meng understood his persona again.
Wasn't it just the attitude of not making promises, not taking the initiative, not rejecting, and not being responsible? Strictly speaking, the revolutionary goals of the two of them were the same.
They should have hit it off and formed a kind of unscrupulous alliance, maintaining a strategic friendship of "If one of us becomes rich and powerful, don't forget the other."
So, Lu Meng very sensibly changed the topic and directly gave "Big Dog Wu" a way out.
"Your Highness, what about my contraceptive soup? Are there any of your people among the doctors in the hunting ground?"
Wu Linxuan slowly let out a breath. He slowly turned around but didn't look into Lu Meng's eyes. Although his back was still straight, he somehow felt a bit guilty.
"You don't need to drink the contraceptive soup anymore," Wu Linxuan said. He poked out another compartment from the side of the carriage and took out a medicine bottle.
He poured out a pill and handed it to Lu Meng.
"It's newly developed by the Imperial Hospital and does little harm to the body."
Lu Meng took it, looked at it, and directly stuffed it into her mouth. She picked up the teapot from the table beside her, poured some water, and swallowed the pill.
This was indeed much better than drinking the contraceptive soup. Lu Meng's straightforward action made Wu Linxuan think of her theory of just wanting to stay alive by his side. She saw through his cold - heartedness. She accepted so well that he didn't want her to have a child, yet she still kept that phoenix crown...
Wu Linxuan couldn't even force a smile.
On the way, Lu Meng tried to amuse him twice, but he sat there with a gloomy face, lost in thought. So Lu Meng stopped talking and opened the carriage window to look outside.
It was already late autumn, and it was quite cold at night. The trees on the mountain were starting to turn yellow. Before she knew it, she had been in this world for three months...
Three short months.
Three long months.
These three months had been more exciting than her entire previous life.
But Lu Meng would rather have had a life without any ups and downs.
There wasn't much to see outside, but Lu Meng lay on the window, closed her eyes, and felt the wind blowing towards her. It was neither cold nor hot, quite comfortable.
Then, after a while, she felt someone sitting beside her. Wu Linxuan sat behind Lu Meng. He put one arm around her waist and propped the other hand on the carriage window, looking outside with her.
He rested his chin on Lu Meng's shoulder, moved his lips as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he said nothing. He just turned his head and kissed Lu Meng's ear.
Then he thought to himself, "I'll treat you well."
For Wu Linxuan, words spoken out might be false, but a decision made in his heart was much more important.
Lu Meng turned her head and deliberately poked "Big Dog Wu" on the head with the hairpin on her head.
At first, Wu Linxuan didn't feel it, but after several pokes, he laughed.
He tightened his arm around Lu Meng's waist, making Lu Meng grunt in pain.
Then they both burst out laughing.
After that, they called a maid into the carriage to tidy up. They got rid of those rather indecent handkerchiefs they had used before.
The carriage moved slowly as they headed towards the outskirts of the city. It was still a long way to go.
Lu Meng ate something in the carriage at noon, wrapped herself in a blanket, and fell asleep on the soft cushion.
When she woke up, the carriage had already reached the entrance of the hunting ground.
Besides their carriage, there were already many carriages parked at the hunting - ground entrance. It was a grand and magnificent sight. The nobles who had arrived earlier had already gone inside to settle down.
Wu Linxuan got out of the carriage first and led his people away directly.
Lu Meng got out of the carriage slowly. Standing on the carriage, she looked around.
The hunting ground was even bigger than Lu Meng had imagined. She climbed out of the carriage and stood on the edge of the carriage board. Looking out, she could see a large martial - arts training ground full of various weapons right from the entrance of the hunting ground.
Just this area was as big as three football fields.
White tents stretched far on the mountain where the autumn colors were beginning to spread.
There were quite a few people moving around, especially the guards in armor patrolling. There was a guard stationed at the edge of the forest every few steps around these tents.
It was like a small military camp.
"Your Highness, be careful. Let me help you," Xin Ya gently reminded Lu Meng and reached out her hand as if to support her.
Lu Meng instinctively put her hand on Xin Ya's, but then she jerked it back as if she had been electrocuted. She stared at Xin Ya and whispered in a low voice, "What did you call me? If Granny Xin makes a slip of the tongue, be careful with your words!"
Do you want to kill me?
Lu Meng realized what Xin Ya had just called her and broke out in a cold sweat even before getting off the carriage.
Fortunately, "Big Dog Wu" had already left. Otherwise, if he heard it, he would think she was so crazy about becoming the princess consort that even her maids were calling her that in private.
When Lu Meng was with Wu Linxuan, she never noticed that Wu Linxuan had also "made a slip of the tongue". He had said that Lu Meng was his wife right after their marriage, but Lu Meng never believed a single word that came out of his mouth.
Besides, who would want to be that? She was already a target. If she became the Princess Consort of Jian'an, wouldn't she be a moving target?
Lu Meng gave Xin Ya a reproachful look. Xin Ya had always been meticulous and polite. She had served Lu Meng for so long and hardly ever made a mistake.
She shouldn't put Lu Meng in such a dangerous situation.
Xin Ya gave a gentle smile and said, "This servant didn't misspeak. The princess consort is indeed the princess consort now."
"The clothes you're wearing today are of the specifications only a princess consort can wear, and so are your hairstyle and jewelry. Although the small seal that the prince had specially made for the princess consort in a hurry hasn't been delivered to the mansion yet, the memorial that the prince submitted to the palace to request a title for the princess consort has already been sent back to the mansion a few days ago with the emperor's vermilion pen approval."
The words were all understandable, but when put together, Lu Meng couldn't understand a single word.
She was not good at history and had a poor memory. This novel world was probably made up by the author, and most of the made - up parts didn't rely on historical facts.
So what should a princess consort call herself? This world was getting more and more complicated.
Lu Meng couldn't help asking, "When did I... become a princess consort?"
Oh my god!
Lu Meng was shocked. Wasn't the original female lead... not able to become a princess consort until very late? She was in an improper position until Wu Linxuan died, and then she was posthumously named the empress.
"The prince ordered this servant to rush to make exclusive clothing for the princess consort half a month ago," Xin Ya replied with a beaming smile.
Lu Meng: …
How did she get promoted silently?
She didn't seem to have done anything to please Wu Linxuan... Did he use another head to confer the title on her?
He even asked the emperor for the title. What kind of title did he get? Lu Meng didn't like this unexpected development. Instead of feeling a bit of joy, she felt dizzy.
She was helped out of the carriage by Xin Ya, looking a bit dazed. Xin Ya just thought the princess consort was happy.
Lu Meng didn't know that after the official conferment, the prince's principal wife was of the first - rank. It required the emperor's vermilion pen approval and was considered to officially enter the "royal family" genealogy. The assessment of virtue and family background was always very strict.
Although it was different from the first - rank official position of court officials and had no real power, a wife was honored by her husband. Now she could indeed walk around arrogantly and ignore anyone, just as Wu Linxuan had said.
But Lu Meng didn't want to be a crab. She just wanted to be a turtle with its head retracted.
So after getting off the carriage, she said to Xin Ya, "Well, still follow what I..."
What should a princess consort call herself? Damn it! Never mind!
She leaned close to Xin Ya and said, "Still follow what I told you at home. Try to block all those who attempt to approach me. If you can't block them, say I'm sick."
"Keep the servants I brought in line. For these few days, let them be very cautious."
Plot, plot, don't see me!
Lu Meng was supported by Xin Ya and led a group of maids and a small team of mercenaries disguised as servants and guards. They headed in a grand manner towards the tent area in the opposite direction of where Prince Jian'an had entered.
In this area of tents, there were all female relatives, including wives of court officials and young ladies from noble families... Anyway, Lu Meng didn't know any of them.
No guards were allowed to enter this area. Guards could only stand in other places outside the tent area. Du Long gave Lu Meng a look that seemed to say "Don't worry, my master" and then led his subordinates to disperse. They went to a place on a distant mountain that was good for observation and convenient for rescue and quietly lurked there.
There was no other way. Du Long had also been a bit scared by what his master had said these days. He felt that there were dangers everywhere.
After all, Lu Meng had repeatedly emphasized that they should be very nervous, as if this time they were not here to watch a hunting event but to be the prey.
After hearing their master's nagging so much, Du Long and his men also took it seriously.
But actually, with their skills, the sharp observation skills they had developed on the battlefield, and the ability to sense danger, it was difficult for anyone to hurt the person they were guarding.
But Lu Meng still wasn't at ease.
She always remembered that this was a novel world. Sometimes, this world didn't follow logic for the sake of the plot. Otherwise, Yue Hui wouldn't have specifically fallen on her.
Of course, it was obvious that the plot could be changed. For example, she had inexplicably become the Princess Consort of Jian'an.
Now she was really a big target. She couldn't even hide and sit quietly during the event.
Should she thank Wu Linxuan?
Thank his ancestors for eight generations. That inexperienced young man who thought with his lower head. She shouldn't have slept with him!
Lu Meng saw Xin Ya show the small personal seal to the steward at the entrance. Then the steward sent a young eunuch in dark blue clothes to lead them.
As she stepped into the area of the female relatives' tents, Lu Meng's hair stood on end.
She felt so insecure. Zhangsun Xianyun and her mercenary team were not around. There were only Xin Ya, Xiuyun, Xiuli, and a few weak little maids by her side.
If a female supporting character rushed out to pull her hairpin or pour sulfuric acid on her, these chick - sized maids couldn't stop her at all!
Lu Meng was surrounded by several people, holding her head high and looking straight ahead without squinting, with her eyelashes drooping, making an appearance of refusing to communicate.
Get the hell out of here, everyone!
Then when she and the maids walked past a row of tents, out of the corner of her eye, she saw a group of women dressed up beautifully, setting up tables on the open ground and having tea and snacks in the autumn. Lu Meng quickly quickened her pace.
For Lu Meng, anywhere with both men and women was a den of tigers and dragons.
Anywhere with people was her battlefield. Now she wanted to stay away from the battlefield!
"Hey, isn't that the concubine of Prince Jian'an..." A woman's voice was carried by the wind into Lu Meng's ears. Lu Meng was so frightened that she even tiptoed.
"Shh, look carefully. That's the clothing of the principal wife," another woman said.
Lu Meng walked by quickly and didn't hear the subsequent discussions. But she could imagine that they were probably saying that she was arrogant. Those who could be so leisurely in this area of female relatives must be noble ladies.
But being arrogant was better than being forced to have conflicts with others.
Lu Meng followed the maids and was led by the guide to the exclusive tent. Then she let out a sigh of relief.
Her tent was not on the edge.
Great.
The identity of the Princess Consort of Jian'an at least ensured that her tent wasn't on the edge. In this way, there wouldn't be any startled horses crashing into her while she was sleeping at night.
But when the leading young eunuch lifted the curtain of the tent, Lu Meng's face dropped when she saw the furnishings inside.
This place... was so shabby compared to her new room in the Prince Jian'an's Mansion!
Although the floor was covered with carpets and the bed looked okay, this tiny tent was not worthy of her "noble" status!
It was like a person living in a villa being dragged to live under a bridge. Lu Meng was on the verge of tears.
The bed in her room was half the size of this tent!
What a misery!
She hated Wu Linxuan.
If she had been allowed to stay in the mansion and be a mute, she wouldn't have to suffer like this!
Lu Meng let out a soft sigh. The young eunuch who had been leading the way quickly looked up at her.
The heat in those eyes could burn a person's skin off. He only took one look and then quickly lowered his head. Even Xin Ya, who was always perceptive, didn't notice the young eunuch's strange behavior.
"The princess consort, if there's anything you lack, just tell this servant. This servant will be waiting in the outermost servant's tent at all times." The man spoke, his voice kept very low, and his head also bowed deeply. His voice was not shrill; instead, it had a calm and unhurried tone.
Xin Ya looked up at him and was momentarily stunned by the eunuch's overly delicate and androgynous appearance.
In the palace, overly beautiful women and men without family background would never have a good ending.
However, Lu Meng was in such a bad mood that she didn't even notice the overly good - looking eunuch who led the way. And if she had seen him, she would surely have recognized that this was the male supporting character she had saved at the mid - August night banquet last time.
You see, the plot is just so unreasonable.
Yet it is also closely intertwined.
According to the original plot, Xiang Yunhe should have been struggling and being bullied in the harem at this time. He should have been half - dead, wallowing in his own feces and urine, biding his time. It was impossible for him to get up within a month and follow them to a place like the royal hunting ground to serve.
But last time when Lu Meng entered the palace, not only did she save him as in the original plot, but she also dragged Consort Jia, the culprit who wanted to beat him to death, and Consort Duan Su into trouble.
After an investigation in the palace, Xiang Yunhe's grievances were cleared. As an insignificant nobody, no one paid attention to him.
However, because his superior was afraid of being investigated by the emperor when he was dead, he was given the best wound medicine.
After Xiang Yunhe recovered from his illness, he also changed his workplace. Now, with the promotion of an old eunuch in the palace, he had officially been promoted.
Although he had no rank, he was now in a very popular position in the palace's internal affairs department. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been sent here to do the job of distributing supplies to these noble ladies.
He remembered the kindness of the concubine of Prince Jian'an and specifically swapped his post with someone else. He wanted to serve her once and find an opportunity to say thank you to her.
For Xiang Yunhe, a life - saving grace should be repaid with one's life.
On that day, when she winked at him, he thought he understood her meaning.
He would repay the kindness he received.
Therefore, in the tent that Lu Meng disliked so much, if she had gone to other ladies' tents, she would have known that all her things were the best.
Even some unnoticeable but very useful things exceeded the specifications.
For example, inside her quilt cover was one of the brand - new silk quilts that Emperor Yan'an had brought out from the palace for replacement.
Xiang Yunhe knew that the concubine of Prince Jian'an had offended Consort Jia by saving him and was framed by Consort Jia and Consort Duan Su, which led to the loss of her child.
Of course, Xiang Yunhe also found out about the feud between the concubine of Prince Jian'an and the Second Prince. But if she hadn't saved him that day, Consort Jia might not have taken action on such a day, and she might not have lost her child.
He would surely settle this score for her one day.
The autumn night was cold, and this silk quilt was just right to warm her precious body.
However, Lu Meng was completely unaware of this. After she entered the tent, she absolutely refused to take a single step outside.
She wished she could just stay here and hide for these few days.
When Xin Ya asked her if she wanted to greet the other ladies, Lu Meng seriously refused.
Xin Ya understood her quite well. She and Xiuyun and Xiuli removed Lu Meng's headdress for her, and then Lu Meng climbed onto the bed that didn't look good at all.
Huh?
This quilt was so soft! It felt warm to the touch.
Lu Meng finally felt a little more satisfied and buried herself in the quilt to rest.
When the dinner was delivered, Lu Meng, with her picky palate, took a few bites casually and then lost her appetite.
As someone who usually ate twenty dishes per meal, she now looked down on these "simple meals".
Fortunately, they had brought a lot of snacks. After finishing the main meal, Lu Meng ate quite a few snacks.
Xin Ya came to Lu Meng again and said, "The prince is competing in horseback archery with the Sixth Prince. Does the princess consort want to go and have a look?"
"Already competing? Isn't it supposed to be tomorrow?"
Xin Ya smiled and said, "It's just a bit of fun among the princes."
There were many onlookers. Xin Ya thought that if the princess consort went, the prince would definitely be very happy.
Lu Meng let out a snort, thinking that it was more like a competition than just fun.
The damned competitive spirit of the early - era male protagonist. He definitely wanted to be the best in the whole place.
Lu Meng wasn't a cheerleader and had no interest in going to cheer him on. If she went and that "big black dog" (referring to the prince) was driven by the plot and on a whim asked her to be the apple target, that would be a disaster.
She wrapped herself tightly in the quilt, still munching on a snack, and said, "I'm not feeling well... Oh, I'll take a nap."
Xin Ya could tell that she was pretending, but she quickly backed out.
Lu Meng really fell asleep. The quilt was soft, and she could hear the occasional voices outside, the wind, and the sporadic chirping of birds... It was like a lullaby.
She fell asleep before it got dark. Since she had gone to bed so early and drunk a lot of water before sleep, in the middle of the night, she always felt a draft in her ear, as if something was licking her.
Lu Meng thought she was having a nightmare.
In the dream, she pinched herself hard and then woke up in pain.
Rubbing her thigh and regaining consciousness, she heard a loud commotion outside.
"Fire!"
Lu Meng groggily rubbed her eyes and got up. Just as she was about to call for a maid, she suddenly felt a strong draft not far from her bed. A huge head floating in mid - air directly popped in front of her face, and its eyes were as big as light bulbs!
Lu Meng almost lost control of her bladder and pee herself on the bed out of fright.
