She paused.
Lifting her tearful eyes to Xiao Jingyuan, her voice full of anxiety and helplessness: “Your Highness, I mean no offense, but as the Princess Consort, my elder sister is responsible for managing the inner courtyard. Now that such a thing has happened—not only has the Prince’s residence lost face, but the servants have also died in vain… if this spreads, how will others view the Wangfu?”
These words appeared soft and helpless.
In truth, every word pierced the heart, subtly shifting the blame for the maids’ deaths and the stolen valuables onto Meng Wanqing’s negligence and dereliction of duty.
Meng Wanqing trembled with anger, her face changing from pale to red, then to blue, pointing at Meng Wantang’s nose, her voice rising in pitch: “You’re lying! It was clearly you—”
“Enough.”
Xiao Jingyuan’s cold voice cut through Meng Wanqing’s protest.
He glanced at Meng Wantang, tear-streaked and pitiable, then at Meng Wanqing, face twisted with anger and agitation, and his brows furrowed tightly.
Impatience filled his eyes.
The events of last night were already suspicious enough. Meng Wanqing had immediately blamed Meng Wantang without evidence.
Now she was throwing a tantrum, unbefitting the dignity of a Princess Consort.
He said in a deep voice: “The guards confirmed last night that Meng Wantang did not leave her room. This matter has nothing to do with her. As for you, as Princess Consort, your mismanagement of the inner courtyard caused deaths and the loss of valuables. You cannot escape responsibility.”
Meng Wanqing’s face changed dramatically.
She looked at Xiao Jingyuan in disbelief: “Your Highness! I did not—”
“No need to explain further.”
Xiao Jingyuan’s voice was icy, devoid of any warmth. “From now on, the inner courtyard affairs will be temporarily handled by the steward. You shall stay confined and may not leave the courtyard without my order.”
The words struck Meng Wanqing like a thunderclap.
She staggered backward, eyes full of despair and unwillingness, yet under Xiao Jingyuan’s cold gaze, dared not utter another word.
Meanwhile, Meng Wantang, holding her son, allowed a faint glint of triumph to flash in her eyes from a hidden angle.
She then returned to the appearance of frailty and helplessness, gently tugging at Xiao Jingyuan’s sleeve, her voice soft: “Your Highness, perhaps Elder Sister… is being too harsh? After all, she is also a victim…”
This pose—pleading on the surface, fanning the flames underneath—made Xiao Jingyuan view Meng Wantang as even more gentle and kind.
By contrast, he grew increasingly annoyed at Meng Wanqing’s petty complaints.
He patted Meng Wantang’s hand, his tone softening slightly: “Rules are rules. No need to plead for her.”
Then, he looked at the child in her arms, his gaze softening a bit more. “Alright, don’t scare the child. Let’s have breakfast.”
Meng Wantang obediently nodded and, holding her son, led the way to the table.
From behind came the suppressed sobs of Meng Wanqing.
She didn’t even lift an eyelid. Foundation establishment complete, she had used Xiao Jingyuan to suppress Meng Wanqing.
The opening of this morning had finally gone in the direction she desired.
The candlelight of the morning meal cast a soft glow across Meng Wantang’s face.
When Xiao Jingyuan looked up, his Adam’s apple rolled uncontrollably.
Whether it was the transformation after foundation establishment or the favor of the morning light, her beauty had multiplied manifold.
Her brows were like distant mountains, eyes like rippling autumn waters.
Her skin glowed like the finest mutton-fat jade, emitting a subtle radiance.
Just now, when she bent down to tend to the child, the curve of her lips was gentle enough to enchant.
But when she lifted her eyes to him, a faint coolness crossed her gaze, like plum blossoms in snow—both intoxicatingly delicate and untouchably aloof.
Two completely different auras merged in her, harmoniously maddening.
Xiao Jingyuan abruptly withdrew his gaze, unconsciously tightening his fingers around his chopsticks.
In his mind, the image from last night flashed—her lying on the bed, black hair scattered across the pillow, collar slightly open, revealing pale neck.
That lazy, fragile posture made his chest tighten inexplicably.
“Absurd,” he cursed himself inwardly, forcing the thought away.
He tried to focus on the porridge bowl on the table.
But his attention drifted, filled with the soft, soothing voice of Meng Wantang feeding the child.
Like a feather, lightly brushing the heart.
“Your Highness, why aren’t you eating?” Meng Wantang seemed to sense something, looking up at him with the right amount of curiosity, her voice gentle: “Is this morning’s breakfast not to your taste?”
Xiao Jingyuan’s Adam’s apple moved again. Avoiding her gaze, his voice low: “Nothing.”
He picked up some greens, but his eyes couldn’t help drifting toward her.
Today, she not only appeared more beautiful than ever, but even her movements seemed lighter.
Just now, wiping the child’s mouth, her motions were as fluid as the wind.
Full of an unexplainable vitality, unlike the slightly restrained woman of the past.
This subtle change stirred his heart.
Yet he dismissed it as just improved health, never connecting it to the fleeting trace of spiritual energy from last night.
Meng Wantang observed his reaction and let a faint, barely noticeable curve appear at the corner of her lips.
Then she lowered her head, patiently feeding the child porridge.
Once he had eaten, she carried him back to the room to lull him to sleep.
Watching her son breathe evenly and drift into dreams, Meng Wantang’s gentle expression vanished, replaced by a sharp, keen light.
The biased parents had given her ten villas to compensate Meng Wanqing.
Including one with storerooms overflowing with silks and rare treasures.
With a thought, Meng Wantang disappeared from sight and in the next moment appeared before the first villa’s storeroom.
Her upgraded spatial teleportation was more precise, and her strength had also increased considerably.
She pushed open the storeroom door, staring at the piled wealth.
Her eyes remained calm. She formed hand seals and recited the incantation.
Gold, silver, rare herbs, and fine fabrics instantly transformed into streams of light.
They poured into her space.
In a brief moment, the vast storeroom was emptied—not a single coin remained.
She flickered in succession, moving from the second villa to the tenth, gathering all valuables, rare crops, and prized livestock into her space.
The spiritual energy within the space grew denser with the influx of wealth. The barrier trembled slightly, expanding silently.
The spiritual field increased in size, and the spiritual glow of the alchemy furnace and talisman racks shone brighter.
When the last villa was emptied, Meng Wantang felt her internal spiritual power grow significantly.
The teleportation range, which previously could cover only the capital, now extended clearly to the borderlands.
With a thought, it felt as though she could cross mountains and seas in the next moment.
“This is perfect!” Meng Wantang whispered in delight, eyes shining with ecstasy.
The increase in strength and expanded teleportation range meant she now had enough power to protect herself and her child, and one day, to break free from this stifling residence and explore a broader world.
She took a deep breath, suppressing her excitement, and teleported back to her room.
Just as she steadied herself, she sensed faint footsteps outside—the unmistakable presence of Xiao Jingyuan.