Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot
Chapter 101 - 100 Lu Yuan’s Origins

Chapter 101: Chapter 100 Lu Yuan’s Origins

Meng Qianqian was startled.

She had speculated countless possibilities regarding the relationship between Lu Yuan and Consort Li, but she never imagined that Consort Li was his aunt.

After all, the Emperor referred to him as "Shangfu," which clearly placed them in different generations, didn’t it?

Moreover, she had never heard that Consort Li had an elder sister; she only knew she had several brothers and younger siblings.

As though sensing Meng Qianqian’s confusion, Lu Yuan said expressionlessly, "My mother is not from the Yao Family. Not many people know about my connection to Consort Li, not even the Emperor."

"I see."

That explained why, among so many princes, Lu Yuan chose to support Consort Li’s son.

"Still, I don’t quite understand. How could the Grand Commander’s mother be Consort Li’s sister and yet not be Yao Family’s daughter?"

Consort Li’s surname was Yao; she was the eldest daughter of the Yao Family.

Lu Yuan replied, "Same mother, different fathers."

Meng Qianqian understood and did not probe further.

Fengshui Alley.

Nanny Wan was feeding fish in the courtyard; she fed them seven or eight times a day. The koi had grown plump and nearly turned into fathead fish.

Suddenly, someone knocked on the half-open courtyard door.

"Who is it? Steward Cen?"

Nanny Wan inquired.

Ever since moving to this place with her mistress, only Steward Cen and Eunuch Wang had come to visit.

Hearing no response, Nanny Wan put down the fish feed, walked over, and opened the courtyard door, only to see a young yet old-looking, handsome gentleman standing there. She froze momentarily.

He looked old because of his white hair but young and charming due to his unmatched handsome face.

Her former son-in-law was already the most attractive man she had ever seen, but this man was two degrees more handsome than Lu Lingxiao.

The man with white hair and dark clothes smiled politely, "Dear Nanny, pardon my intrusion. I just moved here and ran into some misfortune last night, losing all my possessions. I was wondering if I could borrow two jin of grain... Ah—"

Nanny Wan turned away and left.

As she departed, the white-haired, dark-clothed man sighed softly to himself, "Am I still cursed with poor luck?"

No way he could ask the old lady from last night for food—it would be far too awkward.

Just as he prepared to leave, a heavy sack of grain fell right in front of him with a "thud."

Nanny Wan clapped off the rice dust on her hands and said heartily, "Will this be enough?"

The white-haired gentleman stared wide-eyed at the sack on the ground. "I... only asked to borrow two jin."

Nanny Wan waved her hand dismissively, "Two jin won’t last! We’re neighbors; no need for formalities! My mistress specially instructed us to get along well with the neighbors!"

This was the very first neighbor to drop by—she had to host them properly!

The white-haired gentleman chuckled awkwardly, "Then, I must thank your mistress."

Nanny Wan replied, "It’s nothing! By the way, Sir, where do you live?"

The white-haired gentleman pointed west with a smile, "I live... next door."

The courtyard to the east was already occupied; the one to the west had been empty.

Nanny Wan nodded and said, "Got it! If you need anything else, just let me know. My surname is Wan; if Sir does not mind, you may call me Nanny Wan. May I ask for your honorable surname?"

"Ji."

Nanny Wan’s smile froze, "Ji? Chicken?"

When Meng Qianqian returned from the Book Pavilion, Nanny Wan informed her of the new neighbor who had just moved in next door, "He’s quite pitiful. I lent him a sack of rice, but he couldn’t carry it, so I helped him move it over! He’s got nothing at home, poor guy. Then again, wealthy people wouldn’t live here anyway."

Realizing she had misspoken, Nanny Wan hurriedly smacked her own mouth, "I wasn’t talking about you, Mistress! What I meant was... oh, this clumsy tongue of mine! Why can’t I explain myself properly?"

Meng Qianqian chuckled, "No problem. After all, I bought this house because it was cheap."

It was rumored to be haunted, but ever since she moved in, she had been sleeping soundly every night.

Nanny Wan said earnestly, "I actually like this place. It’s peaceful, and if you want some excitement, the alley is right outside. Besides, what’s there to fear with ghosts? The Lu Family members, on the other hand, are far worse than ghosts—so troublesome! Thank goodness you left; otherwise, they’d leave nothing behind but bones!"

In the afternoon, the Wang Family’s steward arrived and handed Meng Qianqian an invitation. In two days, there would be a lantern festival in the main street, and Madam Wang invited her to go on a lake tour together. They could admire the lanterns by the shore and enjoy the flower banquet in the middle of the lake.

"What is the flower banquet?"

Meng Qianqian asked.

The Wang Family steward replied with a smile, "It’s the annual oiran competition hosted by the Wan Hua House. Usually, it’s held at the Wan Hua House, but this year it’s moving to Bihu Lake aboard a finely decorated boat for public viewing."

Although the Wan Hua House was a place of indulgence, the oiran competition was nothing short of spectacular. Apart from their appearance, figure, and etiquette, candidates also competed in poetry, music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

The more famous the establishment, the stricter the selection process for its oiran, and the more intriguing the event.

"Mainly, it’s for enjoying the lanterns,"

The Wang Family steward said with a grin. After all, he couldn’t outright admit they were going to watch the competition; it wouldn’t sound appropriate.

"Rest assured, Miss Meng. You won’t be alone—aside from my mistress, Madam Zhou and a few other ladies have also planned to join the lake tour."

Who said only men enjoyed watching the oiran competition? Women loved it, too! Previously, women couldn’t visit the Wan Hua House, but now the event was set on the lake—how could they not sneak a peek?

Meng Qianqian smiled faintly, "Please convey my gratitude to the Madam; I shall certainly attend on time."

The lake tour mattered little to her, but she had been seeking an opportunity to investigate the Wan Hua House.

When Nanny Li heard of Madam Wang inviting Meng Qianqian to the lake tour, she was ecstatic and immediately brought out all the jewelry from the storage room, wishing Meng Qianqian could wear them all during the event.

Meng Qianqian was both amused and exasperated, "Nanny, it’s too heavy; my neck will hurt."

Nanny Li picked out an entire pile for Tan’er as well, "Tan’er, wear these!"

"I don’t want them!"

Tan’er disliked wearing too many ornaments, preferring her simple double bun hairstyle tied with ribbons.

Meng Qianqian remarked, "Nanny, even when I entered the palace, you weren’t this extravagant."

Nanny Li rebutted, "That’s not the same! Mistress has been in the Capital City for five years, always bound by widowhood in the Lu Family, never making friends or going on outings. But now, Mistress can finally live like a proper lady!"

She couldn’t help but want to make up for the five lost years of normal life for her mistress.

Soon, the day of the lake tour arrived, and Madam Wang personally came to Fengshui Alley to pick up Meng Qianqian.

Meng Qianqian was quite surprised.

Madam Wang quickly explained, "Am I being too forward? Originally, I planned to meet at the lakeside, but I worried you might have trouble finding the place—"

Meng Qianqian smiled gently, "I was just asking for directions; your timing is perfect. Since you don’t want formalities, neither shall I."

Madam Wang appreciated straightforward people. She could navigate complicated conversations if needed, but too many of them were exhausting.

She grabbed Meng Qianqian’s hand and said, "Alright, let’s promise to keep things casual from now on!"

Meng Qianqian joined her in the Wang Family’s carriage.

This evening, intending to "sneak aboard" the Wan Hua House’s decorated boat, she only brought Tan’er with her.

During the ride, Meng Qianqian checked Madam Wang’s pulse; it was smooth, with her liver qi much less obstructed than before.

Madam Wang gave her a teasing look, "I’m already fine, Meng Xiaojiu!"

A suddenly exposed Meng Qianqian: "..."

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