Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot
Chapter 508 - 443: Reclaiming Fate_2

Meng Qianqian only knew Liu Qingyun was in the Crown Prince Mansion but couldn’t confirm whether it was of her own will or if she had been coerced. After all, Lu Yuan was in the Imperial Palace and completely unaware of Liu Qingyun coming to the Imperial City.

Meng Qianqian decided to head to the Crown Prince Mansion.

Tan’er said, "I’ll go too!"

Meng Qianqian said softly, "You’re Wuyou’s maid. Hanging around here eating and drinking is fine, but you’d arouse suspicion if you suddenly disappeared. Besides, I need you to cover for me."

Tan’er thought for a moment: "Okay then!"

"Good girl."

Meng Qianqian curled her lips into a smile, "I’ll bring you back some candied hawthorn sticks."

Tan’er stretched out her finger, "Two sticks!"

"Alright."

Meng Qianqian agreed with a smile.

After nightfall, Meng Qianqian changed into night clothes and left Lady Yan’s courtyard with the Hunting Eagle.

Gongsun Ziyu was just returning from outside. While passing by a small garden, she suddenly caught sight of a figure moving exceptionally fast.

Having grown up in the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion, she was very familiar with their Qinggong techniques.

What the person used was clearly not the Pavilion’s cultivation technique.

She became instantly vigilant: "Who’s there?"

There was no response.

She immediately pulled out her whip and rushed into the small garden.

But when she arrived, the person had already slipped away.

"Well, a fearless little thief daring to trespass into the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion? I must catch you today and skin you alive!"

Gongsun Ziyu chased the movements all the way, and finally caught sight of the person as they reached the estate wall.

The person was climbing over the wall.

"Trying to escape?"

Gongsun Ziyu lashed her whip, pulling the person down.

"Ouch!"

Tan’er let out a sharp scream as she used her hand wearing silver thread gloves to remove the whip tied around her waist.

"Phew, thank goodness for elder sister’s Protective Armor."

Before Tan’er entered the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion, Meng Qianqian had given her the Heavenly Silkworm Silk Armor gifted by Liu Muye.

Gongsun Ziyu said coldly, "Why is it you? Sneaking around, what are you up to?"

Tan’er snorted, "None of your business!"

Gongsun Ziyu let out a cold snort, "Sneaking out over the wall in the dead of night—what shady scheme are you up to?"

"Tan’er!"

Suddenly, Shang Wuyou’s voice called out in the distance.

Under the moonlight, the teenager walked over with a tall and slender figure, calm and composed like pine and bamboo.

Gongsun Ziyu spoke impatiently to Shang Wuyou, "Gongsun Wuyou, your impressive little maid sneaking out over the wall at night—I want to see how you explain this!"

Shang Wuyou looked at Tan’er, "What were you doing sneaking out?"

Tan’er crossed her arms and responded self-righteously, "Buying candied hawthorn sticks!"

Gongsun Ziyu questioned her, "Why not use the front gate to buy candied hawthorn sticks?"

Tan’er retorted, "I’m just a maid; would *you* let me out the front gate?"

Shang Wuyou said, "If you want to leave the mansion, you can tell me. Are you still planning to go now?"

"Not anymore! I’m full!"

Tan’er replied angrily, stomping her feet before storming off.

Shang Wuyou said to Gongsun Ziyu, "Second Sister."

"Don’t call me Second Sister!"

Gongsun Ziyu said coldly, her expression icy as she walked away.

Shang Wuyou sighed and turned to chase after Tan’er.

"Who were you covering for just now? Was it that woman again?"

Tan’er looked skywards, "Don’t understand!"

Shang Wuyou snorted sarcastically, "So it’s her."

"Hey!"

Tan’er stopped in her tracks, placing her hands on her hips and glaring solemnly at him, "If you dare reveal elder sister’s whereabouts, I’ll kill you!"

Shang Wuyou replied expressionlessly, "I have no interest in her affairs."

Tan’er pursed her lips and kept walking forward, "You better behave!"

Shang Wuyou asked in confusion, "She’s neither related to you by blood nor someone special. She just saw you had some skills and bought you from human traders. Is she worth such loyalty from you?"

Tan’er replied willfully, "I like her. None of your business!"

Shang Wuyou snorted, "You like her, Changle likes her... I really wonder what spell she’s cast on you both."

Tan’er tilted her head, "I’m sick; elder sister has the cure!"

Shang Wuyou hurriedly asked, "What sickness do you have?"

Tan’er turned back to glare fiercely at him, "A sickness for killing people!"

Shang Wuyou: "..."

-

On her way back to her courtyard, Gongsun Ziyu grew increasingly suspicious. Shang Wuyou always indulged that brat maid. If she wanted candied hawthorn sticks, a shout would bring plenty of people to buy them for her. Why would she need to sneak out over the wall in the dead of night?

She changed her direction and headed to Xiao Rong’er’s courtyard but was informed Xiao Rong’er was over at Gongsun Liuying’s place.

"Mother! Elder Sister!"

At the doorstep, Gongsun Ziyu was immediately blocked by Xiao Rong’er’s personal maid, Hong Xiu.

Hong Xiu spoke softly, "Second Miss, the Madam and the Eldest Miss are discussing important matters. They cannot be disturbed."

Gongsun Ziyu muttered, "What’s so important that I can’t hear about it?"

Hong Xiu glanced subtly at the tightly closed door and smiled, "The Eldest Miss is practicing her Needle Technique."