After saying this, Mei Niang calmed down: "I didn't dare to lie to Your Highness. It's absolutely true. I'm married and have a husband!"
She had to say it, because she was really afraid that the King of Qi would do something even more unexpected—without warning or discussion, he would give her personal maid as a unique and best reward to his trusted confidants, and he could also use his power to make her his co-wife or principal wife! What would he treat her as? Mei Niang had a bad and very strange feeling, so she had to jump up and explain the truth, so as to avoid embarrassing everyone and making it even harder to end.
The King of Qi's face was so gloomy that it looked like water was about to come out of it: "Why didn't you say it before?"
Mei Niang lowered her thick, slightly curled eyelashes, and quickly raised them again. Her clear eyes reflected the handsome face of the King of Qi: "It's my fault. I don't know how to explain it... With my status, I shouldn't interact with outsiders... This is why I have to avoid His Highness!"
The King of Qi looked straight into her eyes and said, "But you clearly live with that woman named Lin. I have been to the Cen residence and have seen where you live! If you are engaged to someone, why would you run from Lingnan to the capital..."
He paused and asked, "Are those people in the Cen residence Lin's family or your family?"
"They are Lin Runan's family. Lin Runan is my good friend. Brother Cen gave the house to me and I let Runan live there. I am not from Lingnan either. My name is Cen Meimei, which is an alias taken from my grandmother's surname. My actual surname is Qin. I am the second child of the Qin family!"
Mei Niang became more calm and composed, but King Qi was a little mad. He clenched his fists and then opened them. He gritted his teeth and stared at Mei Niang fiercely:
"You're great! You... it's not that easy! I want to see what kind of family you married into!"
He pounded the table, stood up and strode away. He had already walked out of the door, but the dishes on the table were still clinking. Cui Xi and Cui Si were so scared that they hugged each other. Lu Xiangfeng waited for the King of Qi to go out, looked at the master and servants worriedly, and hurriedly followed them out. Mei Niang sat quietly at the table and let out a long sigh.
Things turned out like this!
That day in Suochunyuan, the King of Qi said those words and left resolutely. She felt very uncomfortable. Although he was overbearing and absurd, he had a pure heart. Such people would not give their feelings to others easily. If they did, they would treat them sincerely and of course demand the same return! Regardless of their status, in this era, the married Qin Meiniang was no longer qualified to be friends with him. As Cen Meimei, she had not yet regained her freedom and could not cause too much trouble. She could only control her mouth, said nothing, and let him leave.
She thought it was over, but he came again. With his status as a king, he took the initiative to approach her. She felt that she couldn't embarrass him again, but who knew... She didn't see through him, his thoughts changed too quickly!
There was already Xu Junying dragging her along, and she wasn't a little girl, so how could she not understand? No matter if Xu Junying treated her as Qin Meiniang or Cen Meimei, she just pretended to be innocent and pure, and didn't play ambiguity with him. Xu Junying was good, but not suitable for her. She didn't like the Hou Mansion, and if he wanted to imprison her there, she had to obey!
But she really didn't want to offend the King of Qi, and she couldn't afford to offend him... What should she do? What should she do now? !
Her mind was in a state of confusion. She saw two waiters coming up with food boxes, clearing the dishes on the table and replacing them with fresh hot rice and dishes. Cui Xi said she was tired and asked them to leave. She laid out the dishes for Mei Niang to eat. Mei Niang shook her head, "I just ate a little. I'm not hungry. You two should eat while it's hot!"
But Lu Xiangfeng came in, bowed to Mei Niang, and said, "His Royal Highness the Prince of Qi has left. Master Zhang and Master Xia are having dinner in the private room on the second floor in front... Would you like to see them, young lady?"
Mei Niang looked at him and sighed: "We are all friends. Since you are here, how can we not see each other?"
He asked Cui Xi and Cui Si to have dinner in the room, and was led downstairs by Lu Xiangfeng to the second floor in front. He asked Lu Xiangfeng to go and take care of himself, and then he knocked on the door and entered the private room. As expected, Zhang Jingyun and Lingxuzi were sitting inside. The waiter had just served a few dishes, and they hadn't started eating yet when they saw Mei Niang come in. They stood up with a smile and let her sit down in the seat inside.
Lingxuzi said: "Young Master is here to treat us to a meal!"
Mei Niang smiled and relaxed after hearing this: "Yes! How about drinking with you? I haven't drunk for a long time, I want to have a few drinks today!"
Zhang Jingyun smiled and said, "Drinking depends on the time. If you are unhappy, drinking will harm your body!"
Mei Niang glanced at him and said, "Can you tell that I'm unhappy? I'm wearing a mask!"
Zhang Jingyun smiled: "Your eyes told us when you came in!"
Mei Niang sighed, "Only when I'm with you guys can I feel happy and relaxed. I won't hide it from you, I'm really unhappy! Let's not talk about other things. Why am I always like this? Whenever I go out, I run into the King of Qi. I either have to endure his anger or make him run away, and then wait for him to deal with me... I don't know what to do!"
The waiter brought a few more dishes and a pot of warmed apricot wine. Mei Niang picked up the pot, filled three cups, and said with a smile: "Come on, it's rare to see you. I toast to you two. Let's drink together!"
Lingxuzi drank the wine in his glass and said with a smile: "Didn't I just come from your house the day before yesterday? Although I am not worried about what Junying will do to you, it will always be more reassuring if I can go over and take a look!"
Mei Niang's eyes were slightly red, and she filled up her glass again: "I am very lucky! I am lucky to meet you two - another toast to you two!"
Zhang Jingyun wanted to stop him, but Mei Niang had already drank it. He reached out to grab the wine jug, but Zhang Jingyun had already taken it away. Mei Niang looked at him and smiled, "It's not even three cups yet, what are you afraid of?"
Lingxuzi said: "Drink slowly, eat some food first. Drinking too fast or on an empty stomach is not good for your health!"
Mei Niang nodded: "I forgot that you didn't eat anything, I ate some myself! Then eat, eat some vegetables!"
The three of them were talking while eating. Zhang Jingyun said, "It's better not to see the Prince of Qi recently. He's in a bad mood. The Emperor followed the Queen Mother's order to arrange a marriage for him and marry a princess. He ran into the palace and made a scene. The Emperor was furious and made a deadline: he must find a woman he likes and arrange a marriage within this month. Otherwise, he must not disobey the Emperor's order to marry!"
Mei Niang thought to herself: So that's how it is! Is this guy trying to use her to vent his anger? That was a close call!
"If he doesn't want to get married, then don't get married yet. He's not that old, why do you have to force him to get married this month?"
Lingxuzi smiled and said, "Do you think everyone can be like Jingyun, free to marry or not? Ordinary children of noble families have to get engaged and married early, to start a family and career, not to mention the sons and grandsons of the royal family? Other princes have princesses at the age of sixteen or seventeen, but the Prince of Qi left the capital and came back three years later. Now he is twenty years old and still has no children. He is not anxious, but the Queen Mother is worried about him and has become sick!"
While Zhang Jingyun was picking up food with chopsticks, Mei Niang quickly took the wine pot and poured wine into the three glasses. She smiled and said, "He has his reasons for not wanting to marry. You two are both handsome and talented young men, why haven't you married yet? There are three kinds of unfilial behavior, and the worst is to have no offspring. Offspring are important!"
Zhang Jingyun watched her take the wine jug away, smiled helplessly and shook his head: "Everyone has their own difficulties, and starting a family also depends on fate!"
Mei Niang smiled and raised her glass: "This third glass of wine is to wish that the two of you will soon meet the woman of your dreams, love each other, and grow old together!"
Seeing Zhang Jingyun hesitated to raise his glass, Mei Niang said, "Come on, Master Zhang! Drink this glass, and you and Lingxuzi will definitely meet a good woman who suits your heart this year!"
Lingxuzi smiled and said, "Thank you for your good words! I don't have to meet that. My family has arranged a marriage for me a long time ago. If I don't return to secular life, I will let my parents down and ruin my life!"
Mei Niang clinked her glasses with his, "My good son! You value friendship and loyalty, and are a true gentleman. Your parents are blessed, and the woman to be married is also blessed! Your family will be harmonious and happy for the rest of your life!"
Then he turned to look at Zhang Jingyun: "What about you?"
Zhang Jingyun glanced at her and smiled, "I hope so. If we can meet, we will cherish each other!"
Mei Niang also clinked glasses with him: "It will come true, I wish you happiness!"
The waiter brought another pot of wine. Mei Niang shamelessly asked Zhang Jingyun and Lingxuzi to toast her in return, three cups each. Lingxuzi smiled and drank with her, but Zhang Jingyun was only willing to drink one cup with her. Mei Niang poured herself two cups and drank. Zhang Jingyun couldn't persuade her, so he took the pot away again. Mei Niang smiled helplessly and said, "I just want to drink today. Don't worry, I can drink a lot and I won't get drunk!"
Zhang Jingyun said: "If it is a normal day, you can drink it, but today you should drink less!"
"Zhang Jingyun!" Mei Niang pointed at him, sighed, put her hands on the table, propped up her forehead, and closed her eyes: "Don't spoil my fun, okay!"
Zhang Jingyun smiled and said, "Aren't you drunk?"
Mei Niang shook her head: "No, I just feel tired, very tired!"
Zhang Jingyun's eyes flashed with pity. Lingxuzi took out a green pill, put it in a clean wine glass and handed it to him: "Take this Green Snow Pill, it will help you get rid of the drunkenness, fatigue and refresh your mind!"
Mei Niang took it and looked at the pill: "This pill is very beautiful, I can't bear to eat it."
Zhang Jingyun couldn't help laughing: "You are the only one who would say that the pills look good! Eat them, and after you eat them, I'll send you home!"
Mei Niang took the Green Snow Pill and said, "No need to see me off! I have a carriage and a maid... You guys can eat slowly. I'll take my leave now. There will be an exam tomorrow. I'll see if I can spare some time to go back to my parents' home to see my brother!"
Zhang Jingyun wanted to send her out, but Mei Niang waved her hand and said, "There are many guests outside. Please sit down. I can go down by myself!"
When she pushed the door open, she saw Cui Xi and Cui Si coming up from downstairs to pick her up. The diners on the second floor had gradually dispersed. The imperial examination was approaching, and in order to let the candidates staying in the Xiankelai Inn prepare for the exam with peace of mind, Li Qiuge and the others temporarily stopped singing and dancing. As a result, the restaurant was much quieter in the afternoon. Mei Niang did not let Zhang Jingyun send her out because she was worried that King Qi would leave someone to keep an eye on her, and let King Qi find out that she, Zhang Jingyun and Lingxuzi had known each other for a long time, which would be bad for them.
Seeing Mei Niang looking around carefully, Cui Xi said, "It just so happens that Li Qiuge and Su Yunu came to the store to pick up some things. We can take their car and pretend to go back to Cen's house. We can get off the car halfway and go to the preserved fruit shop for a look. Then we can go out through the back door and tell Lin Amao to wait there. Then we can get in the car quickly and go back to the Hou Mansion to get rid of the King of Qi's people!"
Mei Niang smiled: "Good girl! You are really smart. You can even think of this trick to escape! Let's go, just do as you say. We won't go back to our Qin family. After escaping, we will go directly back to Hou Mansion!" (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets at Qidian. Your support is my greatest motivation.) (To be continued)