Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot
Chapter 565 - 480: A Family of Three

Chapter 565: Chapter 480: A Family of Three

Moments later, Elder You withdrew his hand and said to Gongsun Yanming, "Reporting to the Pavilion Master, the Young Master’s injuries are severe, but luckily his life is not in danger."

"No poison?"

Gongsun Yanming asked.

Elder You replied, "The toxins have been purged."

Gongsun Yu hurriedly interjected: "Great, Wuyou is fine now. Big Brother, hurry up and let Elder You detoxify you next!"

Only then did Gongsun Yanming extend his wrist to Elder You.

The Thousand Mechanism Pavilion was a prominent faction in the martial arts world, divided into various specialties—some excelled in mechanisms, some in poisons, and others in medicine. Elder You was skilled in both medicine and poison; his medical expertise rivaled Lady Yan.

However, he didn’t know the Ghost Gate Thirteen Needles.

Yet, in terms of detoxification, he surpassed Lady Yan.

Elder You placed his fingertips on Gongsun Yanming’s wrist, his expression growing increasingly grave. "Pavilion Master, when were you poisoned? Why has it already penetrated deep into your internal organs?"

"Deep into the organs?"

Gongsun Yu was both shocked and exasperated. With his elder brother’s power, even if he were poisoned for a day or two, he should have been able to suppress it effortlessly.

He took a deep breath and, for the first time, directed toward his elder brother a tone filled with frustration: "Got yourself poisoned and didn’t say anything! Then you used your own power to expel someone else’s toxins, and what did you do? Forced all the poison back into yourself!"

Elder You hurriedly added: "This poison cannot be expelled by using inner power!"

Strictly speaking, Gongsun Yanming’s poisoning had layered threefold; it was no wonder it had reached his organs.

Thinking of this, Gongsun Yu couldn’t help but curse Meng Qianqian inwardly yet again.

Gongsun Yanming asked, "Elder You, what poison have I been afflicted with? Why does it look unfamiliar to me?"

Elder You stroked his beard and pondered, "To be frank, Pavilion Master, I can only preliminarily deduce the nature of the poison based on your symptoms and pulse. The poison afflicting you isn’t a single type; it comprises cold poison, poison, Gu poison..."

Gongsun Yu’s face turned pale. "That many?"

Elder You replied, "Perhaps more. Alas, my medical expertise is modest, and I can only identify these types for now."

Gongsun Yu asked quizzically, "Where did that girl find so many peculiar poisons anyway?"

Elder You answered, "The Gu poison comes from Miaojiang, the cold poison from the Western Regions, and poison can be found in the Central Plains. But to merge all these poisons together, enabling them to manifest their individual toxicities without canceling each other out, requires some technique. To my knowledge, the only ones capable of such mastery are the former West Night Imperial Family."

Gongsun Yu grew even more perplexed and said, "Wasn’t the West Night Imperial Family eradicated ages ago?"

The West Night Country lay deep within the desert, where a sandstorm buried most of its territories.

Rumors claimed that the West Night Imperial Family led its remaining people to a distant oasis, while some said that they perished during the migration, unable to escape the desert’s grasp.

Gongsun Yanming’s eyes flickered with a hint of intrigue.

After a pause, he calmly asked, "Elder You, do you have a way to detoxify me?"

Elder You replied with shame, "Forgive me; I am powerless in this matter."

-

In the Imperial Palace, Meng Qianqian spent the entire morning playing with Treasure Piggy, who was absolutely delighted.

Recently, with the matters involving Lu Qi and Gongsun Liuying, the court had been quite tumultuous.

Emperor Liang had just come out of a contentious morning assembly, feeling utterly worn out.

But the moment the little one adorably rushed toward him, all his exhaustion vanished.

"Great-Grandfather!"

Treasure Piggy nestled into Emperor Liang’s embrace, radiating cuteness.

Emperor Liang burst out laughing: "Missed Great-Grandfather?"

Without hesitation, Treasure Piggy replied, "Missed you!"

"Haha!"

Emperor Liang ruffled the little one’s hair.

Oops—it seemed he had ruffled her bald.

Quickly, Emperor Liang smoothed the surrounding baby hair over the bald patch he had created.

"Your Majesty."

Meng Qianqian stepped forward and respectfully bowed.

Emperor Liang acknowledged her with a nod, gesturing for her to rise, and asked, "In the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion, did anyone trouble you?"

Meng Qianqian softly replied, "Reporting to Your Majesty, no one did."

Emperor Liang wasn’t one to govern the Southwest merely by luck. The little girl had claimed Gongsun Liuying’s Phoenix Girl title; her position in the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion couldn’t have been smooth.

That she didn’t seize the chance to complain to him earned her a hint of admiration.

If it had been the Supreme Emperor, Meng Qianqian would have cried rivers and acted dramatically—so exaggerated she might have been awarded for theatrics.

But Emperor Liang was different.

He had no patience for weakness or incompetence.

His protection to her was already granted—the status of Zhaozhao’s mentor.

Now, Emperor Liang would observe if she could survive the wolf pack in the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion.

He sought strength.

Otherwise, to have the title of Phoenix Girl but lack the corresponding capability would only make her a second Gongsun Liuying.

Treasure Piggy cooed, "Great-Grandfather, Zhaozhao wants to dine with her teacher!"

With a stern face, Emperor Liang replied, "Not dining with Great-Grandfather?"

Treasure Piggy’s eyes darted mischievously. "Of course I want to!"

Emperor Liang snorted coldly, "I see you only say it, but don’t actually mean it!"

Treasure Piggy nuzzled her forehead against Emperor Liang’s neck: "I do mean it! Zhaozhao loves Great-Grandfather the most!"

Who could resist this?

Emperor Liang decided to let Meng Qianqian stay and dine with the little one while he headed to the Imperial Study Room to handle state matters.

While the mentor and student dined in the side hall, the Imperial Grandson coincidentally visited the palace to see his daughter, and, even more coincidentally, hadn’t eaten yet.

"If Miss Yan doesn’t mind."

"Prince Changsun, please."

The Imperial Grandson seated himself across from Meng Qianqian.

"Come here."

He beckoned to his daughter.

The little girl climbed into Meng Qianqian’s arms, showing blatant disdain for her father—it could be said she was making it entirely apparent.

Lu Yuan twitched his mouth: "Little brat."

Meng Qianqian served Lu Yuan a bowl of soup.

Lu Yuan took a sip and asked, "I hear you stirred up quite the commotion in the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion last night?"

Meng Qianqian replied, "Just collected some interest."

Lu Yuan arched his lips in amusement: "Poisoning Shang Wuyou—weren’t you worried you might have killed him?"

Meng Qianqian looked at him: "Oh, I’m every bit that ruthless."

Lu Yuan raised his brows: "How coincidental. This Young Master happens to like ruthlessness."

Treasure Piggy: "Shameless."

Lu Yuan: "..."

Lu Yuan took another sip of soup. "Next time there’s something that dangerous, don’t handle it alone."

"Alright."

Meng Qianqian agreed readily.

Lu Yuan remarked casually: "The Si Snake poison—likely unsolvable by Thousand Mechanism Pavilion—but I doubt Gongsun Yanming will die anytime soon."

Meng Qianqian lifted her bowl. "No rush. Let him suffer a bit and force him to reveal his trump card prematurely—that’s the real goal."

Lu Yuan chuckled, "Miss Yan is not only ruthless but also wise. May I ask if you’re married?"

Meng Qianqian curved her lips: "I’ve married before, been widowed. Does that answer satisfy Prince Changsun?"

Treasure Piggy stared speechlessly at the two, her expression seemingly saying: Go ahead, keep on acting.

"Satisfied!"

Lu Yuan replied with a smile, "I’ll escort Miss Yan back to the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion later."

Meng Qianqian said, "I’ll trouble you then."

Treasure Piggy’s face darkened: So you two plan to leave the baby behind again!