Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot
Chapter 514 - 448: The Truth Revealed

Chapter 514: Chapter 448: The Truth Revealed

It felt as though this sentence would be difficult to say, yet at the moment of revealing his identity, he unexpectedly let out a long sigh of relief.

Turns out, it wasn’t so hard after all.

He had overcomplicated things for himself, thinking that to her, he was merely a forgotten guest lost in the past, long since faded from her mind and the world of martial wanderers.

But when she held up the mask and questioned him, calling out the name Ayuan at that moment, all the hesitation in his heart vanished completely.

Liu Qingyun stared at him in a daze.

This man was as crafty as a fox, with countless tricks up his sleeve.

She had just said the mask belonged to Ayuan, and he immediately turned around to claim he was Ayuan.

Is it possible that he’s trying to deceive her?

But then, what was that about Xiao Bai?

She hadn’t even mentioned the name she used while traveling the martial world.

Pulling herself together, she asked seriously, "What did you call me just now?"

Lu Zhaoyan met her gaze with frankness: "Xiao Bai, as in Bai Liu’s Bai."

"I’m Bai Liu. What’s your name then?"

"Alright, see, you’re terrible at naming things. Bai Gu-niang Bai Gu-niang—don’t you think it’s cumbersome to write? Just call me Xiao Bai from now on!"

Her father called her Bai Xiaopang, her mother addressed her formally as Liu Qingyun, and her elder brother and sister-in-law referred to her as mei-mei or Zheng’er.

There wasn’t anyone else in this world who called her Xiao Bai.

"You truly... are Ayuan?"

She voiced her disbelief, seeking confirmation from Lu Zhaoyan once again.

Lu Zhaoyan opened his left hand, showing the scar on his palm.

Their first encounter had been at a Miaojiang relay station, where a caravan had happened to pass by. The relay station was too small to accommodate all the travelers, so they camped outside, lighting fires and roasting meat amid carefree merriment.

Liu Qingyun saw others roasting meat, so she joined in. The result? She accidentally burned Lu Zhaoyan, who was beside her.

Because of this, she felt deeply apologetic. Then, seeing he was a bullied mute boy, she thumped her chest and promised to take care of him henceforth.

Liu Qingyun widened her eyes, staring at the scar on his palm. After all these years, the scar still hadn’t faded—it showed just how badly she had burned him back then.

"It really is Ayuan. You truly are Ayuan..."

Liu Qingyun raised her head, staring fixedly into his eyes with utter shock. "You’re not mute, nor is your face ruined... You truly are someone from Prince Qin Mansion... You are the Crown Prince of Liang Country..."

With each sentence she uttered, the shock in her eyes grew deeper.

Lu Zhaoyan opened his mouth: "I didn’t mean to hide it from you, I..."

"Oh, you’re good, aren’t you?!"

Liu Qingyun slapped his arm hard.

Lu Zhaoyan drew in a sharp breath: "Your Vajra Palm... seems to have grown even more powerful!"

Liu Qingyun cleared her throat and gave a perfunctory rub to his arm.

It only hurt worse.

Liu Qingyun clapped her hands lightly and said casually, "I always thought you were just a mute little pauper deserving of pity. Never imagined you’d be so impressive, the Crown Prince of Liang Country! Looks like I won’t need to worry about you anymore."

Lu Zhaoyan asked, "You’re not mad that I kept it from you?"

Liu Qingyun waved her hand: "Out in the world, one’s identity is whatever they choose to make it. Besides, you weren’t actually mute—I’m happy for you, let alone upset."

Lu Zhaoyan could see it; she truly wasn’t angry.

Others might resent his lies, but she was simply pleased he possessed a sound, healthy body.

Or perhaps, it wasn’t that she harbored no anger at all—it’s just that compared to what he stood to gain, the lies were rendered insignificant.

She was simply like this, bright as the morning sun.

How curious—what kind of parents could raise a daughter with such a buoyant temperament?

"Want to sit and chat?"

Lu Zhaoyan spoke softly.

The two of them sat by the table.

The Hunting Eagle observed that the conversation inside the room seemed to have entered a peaceful phase; sensing the ceasefire, it changed tactics and daringly sneaked back to grab the remaining half of a Beggar’s Chicken.

Liu Qingyun commented solemnly, "No idea where this eagle came from."

Lu Zhaoyan couldn’t help but laugh: "Mmm."

Liu Qingyun’s eyes roved over him from head to toe, her gaze filled with delight: "I didn’t expect it at all. You’re quite something!"

It had been years since she talked to someone like this. It felt as though she was transported back to a time long past—when she wasn’t someone’s mother, wasn’t the Princess of Miaojiang, but merely a carefree swordswoman wandering the martial world.

Liu Qingyun asked, "Did you recognize me long ago? How did you recognize me? I disguised myself back then."

Lu Zhaoyan struck ruthlessly: "If by ’disguised’ you mean those two stick-on moustaches even a blind man could see through?"

Liu Qingyun: ... Recognize it all you want. No need to expose it.

"Wait, wait, that doesn’t make sense—I was sitting inside a carriage back then; you never saw my face."

"Your voice."

Lu Zhaoyan replied.

"Ah."

Liu Qingyun was enlightened.

She’d grown accustomed to his written words. Suddenly hearing him speak now made her ears itch—it was undeniably different from his written exchanges.

Returning to business, Liu Qingyun asked, "Did you also recognize Ayuan? He looks like me!"

Lu Zhaoyan couldn’t bring himself to tell her: It was your own son who sold you out.

Liu Qingyun remarked, "No wonder the little lass said you treat Ayuan differently."

Lu Zhaoyan asked, "Who’s the little lass?"

Liu Qingyun replied, "My daughter-in-law."

Lu Zhaoyan asked, "Zhaozhao’s mother?"

"Mm." Liu Qingyun nodded. "Since it’s you, I won’t hide it. Ayuan married a long time ago. They came to the Imperial City together, but that’s all I can tell you for now."

Lu Zhaoyan spoke warmly, like a piece of jade: "Alright, I won’t ask further. Whenever you feel ready to say more, I’ll hear you out then."

Liu Qingyun was very satisfied with this.

Back then, she’d offered to take care of him—not just out of guilt for burning him, but also because of his admirable temperament.

He was someone who put others at ease in his conduct—calm, considerate, perceptive, and thoughtful.

Liu Qingyun likewise never pried into questions she shouldn’t ask, such as why he had chosen to conceal his identity and go to Miaojiang all those years ago.

Everyone has their own secrets.

She had often wondered, at the time, what trouble he’d provoked to be chased all the way to Miaojiang—but now, a certain explanation seemed within reach.

The room suddenly fell silent, as though there were countless things to discuss but no idea where to begin.

"I didn’t mean to..."

"I didn’t mean to..."

The two spoke simultaneously.

Lu Zhaoyan chuckled: "You first."

Liu Qingyun smiled sheepishly: "I only meant to say—I wasn’t deliberately trying to disappear without explaining all those years ago. Something happened, and I returned to Miaojiang. Afterward, my father wouldn’t let me leave anymore."

She’d originally snuck out of the Bai Family’s house.

When her father caught her red-handed, he promptly sent her back to her mother.

Lu Zhaoyan asked in curious doubt, "You didn’t leave because you were angry with me back then?"

Liu Qingyun asked in perplexity, "What would I be angry with you about why should I? Am I the kind of person who gets angry over trivial matters? No need to dig up old scars; I’m just glad you’re doing well now—that puts me at ease."

Lu Zhaoyan had wanted to get clarity on this, but since she didn’t want to dwell on it, he didn’t press her.

His mind turned to another matter and asked, "Why were you intently watching Prince Jin earlier? Do you know my eldest brother?"

At this, Liu Qingyun glanced around suspiciously, showing visible hesitation.

Lu Zhaoyan swiftly understood: "Everyone, leave."

The Imperial Guards stationed discreetly in the courtyard obediently withdrew.

"Now you can speak."

Lu Zhaoyan said.

"Well..." Liu Qingyun hesitated briefly. But realizing it was him—someone who had shared life-and-death moments with her as a trusted friend—she decided to disclose everything.

After coughing lightly, she said, "You might not believe me when I say this, but Prince Jin could very well be Ayuan’s father."

Lu Zhaoyan’s brows furrowed deeply.

Liu Qingyun scratched her head awkwardly. "Didn’t I just tell you earlier that some unforeseen events caused me to disappear suddenly? Well... the truth is—I accidentally slept with Prince Jin..."

Lu Zhaoyan clenched his fists tightly.

Liu Qingyun sighed: "At first, I didn’t even know it was him. When I fled from the inn, I took his jade pendant with me—there was the character ’Qin’ engraved on it. All this time, I thought his surname was Qin. It’s only today that I learned it belongs to your Qin Mansion."

Lu Zhaoyan’s mind raced: "My eldest brother never lost any jade pendants."

Liu Qingyun turned toward him: "Hmm?"

Lu Zhaoyan’s throat moved slightly: "Was it Penglai Inn?"

Liu Qingyun asked strangely, "How do you know? Did your eldest brother tell you?"

Lu Zhaoyan’s chest began to heave violently as a storm raged within his heart. "He didn’t tell me—because that man wasn’t him at all."

Liu Qingyun took out the paper slip Meng Qianqian had delivered via Hunting Eagle: "If it wasn’t him, then who was it? The note clearly states that only two people from Prince Qin Mansion went to the Southwest Border at that time—an eighteen-year-old Prince Jin and a two-year-old Prince Ming."

Lu Zhaoyan’s profound gaze fell upon her stunningly beautiful face: "Xiao Bai, who am I?"

Liu Qingyun replied, "Ayuan, of course."

Lu Zhaoyan’s throat bobbed again: "Ayuan is my nickname. My surname is Lu, and I am from Prince Qin Mansion."

Liu Qingyun tucked the paper slip away: "I understand now. Lu Zhaoyan—Crown Prince of Liang Country, formerly the Second Young Master of Prince Qin Mansion... Second Young Master..."

At this moment, Liu Qingyun suddenly froze. As though struck by a thunderbolt, she leaped up and retreated a step, staring at Lu Zhaoyan like she’d just seen a ghost.