Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot
Chapter 511 - 445: Putting on Big Airs

Chapter 511: Chapter 445: Putting on Big Airs

There’s a saying: those in the game are blind, while bystanders see clearly.

As an outsider, Meng Qianqian could make bolder guesses than Liu Qingyun.

Of course, if Lu Yuan hadn’t entered the Crown Prince Mansion, Meng Qianqian wouldn’t have speculated about the Prince Qin Mansion so quickly.

Liu Qingyun furrowed her brows in doubt. "That’s unlikely..."

"Alright, leave this matter to me. I’ll find out whether Mother is staying at the Crown Prince Mansion or going to Yu Zichuan’s residence."

Liu Qingyun considered the current situation for a moment and said, "I’ll stay at the Crown Prince Mansion so I can look after you two."

Meng Qianqian weighed the matter briefly before saying, "The lady of the Crown Prince Mansion has close ties with the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion. She and her son were brought back by Gongsun Yanming. Better safe than sorry."

Liu Qingyun asked, "Are you worried she’ll cause trouble for me?"

Meng Qianqian nodded.

Liu Qingyun arrogantly declared, "Cause trouble for me? I’ll take her down!"

Meng Qianqian coughed lightly. "...Please, take it easy."

Liu Qingyun tugged open Meng Qianqian’s robe and looked inside. "Where’s your Heavenly Silkworm Silk Armor?"

Meng Qianqian replied, "I gave it to Tan’er. She’s serving as a maid by Wuyou’s side; she needs the Heavenly Silkworm Silk Armor more than I do."

"You, sigh."

Liu Qingyun understood her character—valuing the safety of others over her own life. "Do you still have enough Gu on you? If not, I’ll give you more."

Meng Qianqian smiled. "I have the Heavenly Silkworm Gu, it’s enough. Mother, keep yours for yourself."

The Heavenly Silkworm Gu was the king of all Gu. One Gu was worth a hundred others. Though it wasn’t suitable for attacking, it was more than sufficient for self-defense.

Suddenly remembering something, Liu Qingyun asked worriedly, "The Thousand Mechanism Pavilion specializes in using poison to control people. Did they poison you with the same toxin as Changle?"

Meng Qianqian curved her lips into a subtle smile. "They did, but I have the Heavenly Silkworm Gu. That poison is useless against me."

Liu Qingyun visibly relaxed. "Thank heavens that old man gave you the Heavenly Silkworm Gu."

Indeed, she wasn’t fighting alone.

In this lifetime, she had many family members who loved her dearly.

They offered her the best protection.

How could she have any reason to retreat?

How could she not live well?

Meng Qianqian and Liu Qingyun talked for another hour. They spoke of Liu Muye and Shang Changle’s recent circumstances, as well as the movements of Chen Long, Ji Li, and Si Snake.

Knowing that everyone was faring well brought great comfort to both their hearts.

"It’s getting late. You should head back."

While Liu Qingyun had freedom in the Crown Prince Mansion, Meng Qianqian, as Elder Yan’s disciple, might not have the same liberty.

"Mother, I’m leaving now. Take care of yourself."

Meng Qianqian left.

The Hunting Eagle flew off with her.

Liu Qingyun belatedly muttered, "That seems to be my eagle, doesn’t it? The one I raised? And just like that it ran off with someone else?! Get back here! Spit out all the meat I fed you!!!"

Hunting Eagle: Blah blah blah!

Meng Qianqian hadn’t walked far from the Crown Prince Mansion when she encountered Tan’er waiting for her on the road leading to the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion.

"Tan’er!"

She stepped forward. "Why are you here?"

Tan’er waved a skewer of candied fruit in her hand. "Buying candied fruit, just passing by!"

Meng Qianqian glanced at the carriage not far away. "Did Wuyou bring you out?"

Tan’er pouted and nodded.

Meng Qianqian chuckled. "Wuyou isn’t too bad."

"Sister, did you meet the lady?"

"I did."

Meng Qianqian, trusting Tan’er, recounted their conversation to her.

Upon hearing that the Crown Prince might truly be Lu Yuan’s biological son, Tan’er’s eyes widened. She even forgot to eat her candied fruit. "That’s so thrilling, so melodramatic, so intense!"

Meng Qianqian couldn’t help but laugh. "It’s still uncertain whether it’s Lu Zhaoyan. Back then, Lu Zhaoyan was just an unremarkable son who had never stepped outside the Imperial City. The location of the incident at the time was at the border of Miaojiang and the Southwest. Of course, it’s not impossible that Lu Zhaoyan secretly went among the commoners."

Tan’er’s eyes sparkled. "Sister, are we going to investigate Lu Zhaoyan?"

Meng Qianqian laughed. "Do you have a lead?"

Tan’er slouched her head. "I don’t."

Then she asked, "Why not just ask the lady herself?"

Meng Qianqian sighed. "The lady has her pride too."

Back then, Liu Qingyun had taken her prize and promptly disappeared. She would’ve avoided her pursuer, let alone inquire about him.

She gazed at the Jade Pendant in the portrait. "It wouldn’t be too difficult to investigate."

She brought Tan’er into the carriage and handed the portrait to Shang Wuyou. "Is this Jade Pendant from the Prince Qin Mansion?"

Shang Wuyou said indifferently, "How would I know? I’m not from the Prince Qin Mansion."

Tan’er threatened, "If you don’t tell, I’ll kill you!"

Shang Wuyou glanced at Meng Qianqian. "You’re teaching a young lady to be so violent?"

Meng Qianqian’s lips slightly curled. "Wuyou cares about Tan’er very much."

Shang Wuyou turned his head. "I don’t!"

Tan’er grabbed Shang Wuyou by the neck. "Are you going to tell or not?"

Meng Qianqian softly said, "Tan’er, he really doesn’t know."

The Thousand Mechanism Pavilion had always been secluded in Lingshan.

Lingshan was far from the Imperial City, and the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion had no overt connections with the Prince Qin Mansion.

Tan’er released her grip and sat back beside Meng Qianqian. "Fine, I understand. I’ll find someone else who wields a blade!"

Shang Wuyou huffed, "What could an outer disciple possibly find out?"

Meng Qianqian smiled faintly. "Indeed, an outer disciple’s status is ultimately not as influential as that of a Young Master."

Tan’er snatched the portrait from Meng Qianqian’s hands and slapped it onto the table in front of Shang Wuyou, exuding dominance. "Here you go! Within a day, I want every bit of information on this man!"

Shang Wuyou: "..."

Meanwhile, after Meng Qianqian’s departure, Liu Qingyun also prepared to return to her courtyard.

Halfway there, a well-dressed maid blocked her path. The maid bowed respectfully and said softly, "Madam, my lady wishes to see you."

Liu Qingyun, who was never one to yield easily unless others treated her with respect, asked, "Who’s your lady?"

Hui Zhi smiled and replied, "The mother of Prince Jian."

"A rival in affairs of the heart," Liu Qingyun thought scornfully. She didn’t care to compete with other women over a man and was about to refuse outright. But then she remembered this mother-and-son pair had been introduced into the Imperial City by the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion.

Perhaps they were all birds of a feather.

That thought crossed her mind, and her expression toward the seemingly courteous maid turned cold.

"I’m exhausted and can’t walk anymore. Why don’t you invite your lady to my courtyard instead?"

"This..."

Hui Zhi hesitated.

Liu Qingyun casually remarked, "Or are you suggesting your lady’s status is higher than mine, and I must go to her if summoned?"

Hui Zhi maintained her smile and said, "My lady arrived at the mansion first. According to protocol, her rank is indeed above yours."

Liu Qingyun raised an eyebrow. "So, you’re saying I have no choice but to go?"

Hui Zhi’s smile didn’t falter. "The mansion doesn’t currently have a Crown Princess Consort. Among the ladies officially recorded by the Household Affairs Office, only my lady has been granted her title by Your Majesty. While we respectfully call you ’Madam,’ it’s out of courtesy. My lady’s standing is equivalent to that of a Concubine, just below the Crown Princess Consort. Everyone else must serve her tea and pay respects."