Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot
Chapter 543 - 465: Exposing and Slapping the Face

Chapter 543: Chapter 465: Exposing and Slapping the Face

Meng Qianqian stood beside Lady Yan and respectfully bowed to Emperor Liang, the Empress, and Imperial Concubine Hu.

"This commoner greets Your Majesty, the Empress, and Noble Consort."

Her poise was measured, and her every movement exuded an innate grace. Upon completing her formal greeting, it somehow appeared even more refined than Gongsun Liuying’s aristocratic demeanor.

In hindsight, this wasn’t surprising. Although Gongsun Liuying was the eldest daughter of the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion, she ultimately hailed from the world of the Jianghu, where the intricate etiquette of aristocratic families was not ingrained from birth.

However, with her identity as the predestined Phoenix Girl coupled with her unparalleled medical skills, few would dare impose the standards of a proper young lady on her.

She was born extraordinary, above the mundane conventions of this world.

Many women could master flawless etiquette, but there was only one Phoenix Girl.

An imperceptible flicker of admiration flashed through the eyes of both the Empress and Imperial Concubine Hu.

Even Emperor Liang, who wasn’t known for being particular about formalities, found this disciple of the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion particularly appealing to the eye.

"Rise."

Emperor Liang commanded.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Meng Qianqian rose gracefully.

Emperor Liang gave Meng Qianqian a closer look, but did not ask her to remove her veil. To discern someone’s identity, voice and demeanor were sufficient for him: "Which family do you belong to? I’ve not seen you before."

He mistook Meng Qianqian for the daughter of some aristocratic household.

Gongsun Liuying’s brows subtly furrowed, sensing her thunder had been stolen.

Unrattled, Meng Qianqian replied, "This commoner comes from humble origins and has never had the opportunity to behold Your Majesty’s illustrious presence."

Imperial Concubine Hu quietly drew a sharp breath.

A mere commoner had managed to surpass the eldest daughter of the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion in bearing.

Instinctively, she glanced at Gongsun Liuying.

She had been exceedingly pleased with her prospective granddaughter-in-law—the Guardian Qilin was worthy of none other than the Phoenix Girl.

But today, this reputed Phoenix Girl had herself fainted Consort Jiang’s little grandnephew with a single needle, resulting in her being thrashed by Consort Jiang in a fit of rage. Truly infuriating!

Imperial Concubine Hu picked up her tea cup and took a sip, suppressing her irritation.

The Empress remarked kindly, "A good child indeed; Elder Yan has taught her well."

Emperor Liang murmured in agreement and addressed Meng Qianqian: "Elder Yan tells me it was you who cured Nie’er."

"Indeed, Your Majesty."

Meng Qianqian admitted it straightforwardly.

The assembly couldn’t help but be taken aback. They had thought the girl conducted herself with decorum and understood propriety, yet it turned out she was far from modest.

Only Emperor Liang showed a trace of admiration in his gaze. Having grown tired of the pretense of humility, this refreshing display of open candor caught his attention.

Emperor Liang continued, "Has he been completely healed, or does further treatment remain necessary?"

Meng Qianqian replied with measured composure, "The scratches on his hand will need continued medication."

Her words implied that the young boy was already out of serious danger.

Just then, the voices of Consort Jiang and the boy drifted in from the neighboring room.

"Nie’er, you’ve finally awakened. Does anything hurt?"

"Nie’er doesn’t hurt. Nie’er is hungry."

"Hungry? Hungry is good, hungry is good! If you’re able to eat, then all is well! Nie’er, what do you want to eat? Auntie will have it brought for you!"

The five-year-old Nie’er pointed out the window.

In the courtyard, Treasure Piggy, just waking from its nap, was grasping a tiny milk bottle in both hooves and guzzling the milk with gusto: "Huh?"

Treasure Piggy generously split its goat milk with Nie’er.

Drinking my milk makes you my little brother now!

The two children began drinking goat milk together in the courtyard, happy and carefree.

That put everyone’s hearts completely at ease.

Consort Jiang arranged for palace attendants to look after the children, then returned to the hall. She cast a grateful glance at Meng Qianqian and asked, "How did you manage to cure Nie’er?"

Meng Qianqian answered, "Reporting to Lady Hui, this commoner used the Ghost Gate Thirteen Needles."

"The Ghost Gate Thirteen Needles? Isn’t that the exclusive needle technique of the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion?"

Consort Jiang’s gaze fell on Gongsun Liuying. "Miss Gongsun, I heard earlier you also used the Ghost Gate Thirteen Needles to treat Nie’er. But why, pray tell, was your needle technique so ineffectual? Did someone instruct you to harm my Nie’er deliberately?"

In Consort Jiang’s eyes, Gongsun Liuying, being an experienced and renowned healer, could never have made such a blunder easily.

She was still convinced of her previous suspicion—that Nie’er had uncovered some secret, prompting Imperial Concubine Hu to orchestrate an attack on him through her future granddaughter-in-law.

Imperial Concubine Hu was livid. "Consort Jiang, I bear you no enmity—why must you single me out like this? And besides, hasn’t the boy recovered already?"

Consort Jiang retorted, "It wasn’t your future granddaughter-in-law who saved him!"

"You—"

Imperial Concubine Hu, who had never hesitated to flaunt her favored status with Emperor Liang in the palace, rarely considered Consort Jiang worth her attention.

But today’s incident had left her at a disadvantage and genuinely aggrieved.

She truly hadn’t intended to harm Nie’er!

Consort Jiang fixed her gaze on Gongsun Liuying. "Miss Gongsun, speak clearly—was your medical technique lacking, or were you forced into a difficult situation?"

Gongsun Liuying clenched her fingers.

Prince Jin’s brows furrowed deeply.

Now, the situation had taken a turn for the worse.

No matter which option she selected, it would place them in a precarious position.

Yet, between two evils, the lesser one had to be chosen.

Prince Jin understood this principle well.

"With the wedding forthcoming, perhaps Liuying has been overly fatigued and made an unintentional error..."

"Father!"

Lu Zhaoyan entered the inner hall with Lu Yuan, interrupting the plea at just the right moment. "Son has heard that a Divine Doctor from the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion has pulled Nie’er back from the brink of death. I wonder—could I invite this doctor to take a look at Yuan’er?"

Emperor Liang nodded in agreement. "Very well. Miss Yan, may I trouble you to examine my grandson?"

"Certainly."

Meng Qianqian approached Lu Yuan calmly, maintaining a composed and indifferent demeanor. "Young Master Linyuan, please extend your hand."

Lu Yuan raised a brow. "Which hand?"

Lu Zhaoyan wished desperately to kick his insolent son!

Of all times, was this the moment to tease his future wife?

Meng Qianqian replied, "Your right hand."

One dared to ask, and the other dared to reply.

Imperial Concubine Hu whispered to Prince Jin, "Is there some significance to the right hand?"

Prince Jin frowned. "Even I don’t know."

Meng Qianqian seriously took Lu Yuan’s pulse.

Lu Zhaoyan asked anxiously, "Divine Doctor, is Yuan’er’s cold ailment curable?"

Meng Qianqian looked at the father and son with surprise. "Cold ailment? What cold ailment?"

Lu Zhaoyan was visibly shocked. "My son doesn’t have a cold ailment? Earlier, your pavilion’s eldest daughter solemnly declared that my son had a cold ailment!"

Lu Yuan groaned dramatically, "Indeed, my head aches, my waist aches, my back aches, my legs ache!"

Meng Qianqian asked, "Young Master Linyuan, did you perform any physical labor yesterday? Did you stay up late? When did you start your day today?"

Lu Yuan answered, "I made two swings, worked until midnight, and rose early to attend to Grandmother Empress’s illness."

The Empress suddenly found herself being put on the spot and choked awkwardly.

Meng Qianqian withdrew her hand and commented lightly, "Young Master Linyuan’s body aches are caused by overexertion and lack of rest, unrelated to any cold ailment."

Lu Yuan, still unsatisfied, extended his left hand. "Why don’t you check the left hand, too?"

Lu Zhaoyan jabbed his son with his elbow.

You scoundrel, that’s enough...

Consort Jiang sneered coldly. "What a fascinating turn of events! Overwork and momentary lapses may explain faulty needling, but how does one also misdiagnose a pulse? Miss Gongsun, could it be that your medical expertise is a sham?"