Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot
Chapter 499 - 437: Reunion, Kidnapping the Person Back_3

Chapter 499: Chapter 437: Reunion, Kidnapping the Person Back_3

Old Fourth He: "..."

-

"Gonna puke... gonna puke..."

Treasure Piggy, bouncing around in Liu Qingyun’s arms, voiced a strong protest.

Liu Qingyun: "No puking allowed!"

Treasure Piggy opened their mouth.

Liu Qingyun came to a screeching halt, her shoes nearly sparking against the rooftop tiles.

Disdainfully, she held Treasure Piggy out at arm’s length: "Go ahead, puke."

Treasure Piggy: "...Can’t puke anymore."

Liu Qingyun prepared to continue her escape.

Treasure Piggy: "Hungry."

"We’ll eat later."

"No! Want to eat now!"

Ever since Liu Muye gave them backing, Treasure Piggy had grown outrageously bold.

Liu Qingyun: "Do you believe I’ll spank you?"

Treasure Piggy stared at her innocently and opened their little mouth: "Waaaah—"

A cry so piercing it could shake the heavens and make ghosts weep sent birds flying off the rooftops.

Liu Qingyun hurriedly covered the little one’s mouth: "Fine, fine! I’ll take you to eat!"

Treasure Piggy immediately quieted down.

Holding the little rascal, Liu Qingyun leaped off the roof and landed in a quiet alleyway.

Stepping out of the alley, she found herself on a bustling main street.

It was Liu Qingyun’s first time in the Imperial City; she was unfamiliar with the area. Luckily, she had plenty of gold on her.

"There’s a noodle shop over there."

"Want buns."

"Lamb hotpot."

"Buns."

"Mmm, smells amazing—crispy duck..."

"Buns."

Treasure Piggy’s little face was dead serious.

They were a principled child. If they said they wanted buns, buns they must have.

"You look like a bun," Liu Qingyun muttered under her breath, lugging the little tiger cub around the street for ages until finally, she found a bun stall.

Treasure Piggy: "Meat buns."

Liu Qingyun snorted: "Oh, now you’re placing orders?"

Liu Qingyun bought two big meat buns.

She wasn’t the type to suffer unnecessarily. Even while fleeing for her life, she’d never stoop to eating in some dingy corner.

Carrying Treasure Piggy, who was now holding a big meat bun, she headed to the restaurant directly across the street.

She got a private upper-room suite and ordered a few exquisite dishes.

There was no way she could go to the Crown Prince Mansion—it would bring trouble to the Crown Prince.

The Thousand Mechanism Pavilion was also out of the question—no doubt the Crown Prince would be lying in wait there.

Thinking of the Crown Prince of Liang Country, for some reason, an inexplicable sense of familiarity stirred in Liu Qingyun’s heart. It was as if she’d seen him somewhere before.

"Have I met him before?"

Liu Qingyun picked up a slice of fish with her chopsticks. "He’s the Crown Prince, which makes him the former King Qin Mansion’s young master. The Qin Mansion did have dealings with the Bai Family. Could it have been from when we were kids?"

"No, that’s not right. I didn’t even see his face just now—his voice was what sounded familiar—"

As Liu Qingyun wracked her brains, a voice laced with inner strength called out from the floor below: "The Crown Prince has arrived—"

Liu Qingyun had just taken a bite of her fish when she choked on it.

"I was not aware of Your Highness’ presence! My humble apologies for not greeting you sooner—"

It was the shopkeeper speaking.

Lu Zhaoyan said, "I’m looking for someone."

The shopkeeper promptly called over all the staff: "You lot, guard the front and back entrances of the restaurant without letting anyone in or out!"

Soon after, Liu Qingyun heard footsteps ascending the stairs, followed by doors being opened and private rooms being searched one by one.

Liu Qingyun thought about escaping through the window, but then she noticed—Treasure Piggy was gone!

Looking again, she saw the little troublemaker clutching their bun and watching the commotion by the door!

"Get back here—"

Before she could finish speaking, Lu Zhaoyan had already appeared at the doorway.

Liu Qingyun darted behind the curtain!

Treasure Piggy, holding the big bun in both hands, tilted their head to stare at the handsome middle-aged man who had suddenly appeared. They slurped a little bit of drool.

Lu Zhaoyan recognized the little one. His gaze swept the empty private room before he crouched down and asked, "What’s your name?"

Treasure Piggy: "Zhaozhao."

"Who’s with you?"

"Big Sister."

Lu Zhaoyan motioned with his hand, and an Imperial Guard passed him two shiny candied hawthorn skewers.

Treasure Piggy slurped again.

Lu Zhaoyan dangled the skewers in front of them. "You sure?"

Treasure Piggy instantly changed their tune: "Auntie."

Lu Zhaoyan: "Think harder."

Treasure Piggy: "Mom."

Lu Zhaoyan glanced at the curtain. "Where’s your father?"

Treasure Piggy blinked: "Don’t have one."

Lu Zhaoyan asked, "What do you mean you don’t have one? Your mom’s not married?"

Treasure Piggy seriously replied, "This mom doesn’t have one."

Lu Zhaoyan’s eyes narrowed slightly. "So where did you come from?"

Treasure Piggy blurted, "I was picked up."

Lu Zhaoyan: "..."

He handed the candied hawthorn to the little one, and Treasure Piggy immediately swapped their big meat bun for it.

Fair trade.

Lu Zhaoyan took the bun, his gaze fixed on the curtain as he began walking toward it.

He came closer and closer.

Seven steps, six steps, five steps...

Liu Qingyun’s heart was in her throat; she didn’t even dare to breathe.

Just as Lu Zhaoyan’s hand reached out to pull back the curtain, the sharp clatter of hooves sounded from below.

"Crown Prince, His Majesty urgently summons you—"

The voice belonged to Ji Feng.

Lu Zhaoyan withdrew his hand.

He cast a deep look at the curtain.

Ji Feng hurried upstairs and entered the private room to report: "The State Preceptor and several ministers are in the Imperial Study Room discussing the matter of conferring the Crown Princess Consort title. His Majesty requests your immediate presence at the palace."

Lu Zhaoyan turned and left.

Liu Qingyun let out a long breath.

The Emperor’s timing couldn’t have been better.

Wait, did that guard just mention conferring the Crown Princess Consort title?

So that’s why she almost got exposed!

This Crown Prince, honestly... How does he not even have a Crown Princess Consort yet?

Liu Qingyun, listening to the sounds of a certain little rascal munching on candied hawthorn, quietly approached the window and looked outside.

The Crown Prince’s carriage had left.

The Imperial Guards had also dispersed.

The restaurant resumed regular business.

Liu Qingyun frowned.

Strange. Just now, when he got close, she thought she smelled something familiar.

But she couldn’t remember whose scent it was.

"Forget it, don’t think about it. Just some unrelated man."

Liu Qingyun stepped out from behind the curtain—but when she saw who was eating the candied hawthorn, she froze in shock.

She had judged that Treasure Piggy was in the room based on the sound of munching on candied hawthorn.

But the one gnawing on the skewers turned out to be the guard who’d been chasing her earlier!

Treasure Piggy had vanished!

Liu Qingyun rushed to check the window, only to see the carriage long gone.

At this point, even if she didn’t want to believe it, she couldn’t deny it anymore.

She’d been tricked!

That guy had abducted Treasure Piggy!

In the carriage.

Treasure Piggy focused intently on slurping their candied hawthorn, entirely unaware that they were now a little hostage.

Lu Zhaoyan ruffled the furry tiger hat on the child’s head. "Tastes good?"

Treasure Piggy nodded repeatedly.

Left nibble, right lick.

It was Lu Zhaoyan’s first time encountering such an adorable little munchkin. He couldn’t help but laugh and ask, "Aren’t you afraid I’m a bad guy?"

Treasure Piggy gave him a solemn glare.

Mouth very busy.

Don’t talk to the baby!