Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot
Chapter 102 - 101: Enemies on a Narrow Road

Chapter 102: Chapter 101: Enemies on a Narrow Road

Seeing Meng Qianqian looking utterly mortified and at a loss, Lady Wang let out a chuckle: "Alright, alright, I’ll stop teasing you."

Meng Qianqian responded with an "Oh."

Lady Wang spoke with a sense of pride: "When I learned you were Meng Xiaojiu, my heart felt so much more at ease. The Lu Family must be beside themselves with regret by now! Giving up someone as outstanding as you for some mute girl from the border—if I were them, I might as well cough up blood!"

Meng Qianqian awkwardly replied, "You jest, Lady."

Lady Wang grasped her hand earnestly and said, "I’m not joking; I mean it. Qianqian, you’re a good girl. It’s the Lu Family who doesn’t deserve you. Let those five years of sincerity be nothing but food for dogs. You’re still young and have a long road ahead; you’ll surely find a man who truly cherishes you."

As she spoke, she raised her hand to adjust a strand of hair by Meng Qianqian’s temple. "If only I had a son—I’d beg to have you as my daughter-in-law. But with Wang Daniu as he is, I’m afraid you’d likely not look favorably on his son."

Meng Qianqian couldn’t hold back and burst into laughter, her eyes curving into crescent moons.

Lady Wang felt gratified as she said, "That’s more like it! Still so young—why act like such an old soul all the time?"

Lady Wang genuinely liked Meng Qianqian, not only because Meng Qianqian had once saved her life at the shop but also because of Qianqian’s rare courage and resilience. She was the bravest young woman Lady Wang had ever encountered.

Due to the Feast of Flowers at the Wan Hua Tower, the riverside was livelier than ever. The main street was crowded with onlookers, and the marketplaces were packed to capacity. Hawkers’ shouts overlapped in the air.

Carriages were stuck, so Meng Qianqian and Lady Wang stepped down with their respective maids.

Tan’er was instantly captivated by the candied hawthorn skewers by the roadside. Meng Qianqian bought four sticks—two for herself and two for Lady Wang’s maid.

The maid hesitated to accept.

Lady Wang said, "Eat it."

Only then did the maid take it with a smile, though she only took one skewer, saying she likely couldn’t finish more.

"You should eat one too," Lady Wang pressed, handing the fourth skewer to Meng Qianqian.

"What?" Meng Qianqian was taken aback and said in a small voice, "It’s for kids."

Lady Wang laughed uproariously.

The two passed through the bustling streets and arrived at the riverside, boarding an ornate and elegant pleasure boat.

The pleasure boat had two levels: the first was an airy hall with curtains made of colorful jade and gemstone beads, while the second floor comprised refined, exquisite private rooms.

Lady Wang took Meng Qianqian by the hand and led her up to the second floor, turning left into the Orchid Room.

To their surprise, the room was already packed with guests.

Lady Wang froze for a moment: "Wasn’t it supposed to be at sunset? Why is everyone here so early?"

The others looked sheepishly at her.

Lady Zhou said, "Didn’t you come early yourself?"

Lady Wang coughed lightly and replied, "I’m only here early because I didn’t want to miss the lantern festival."

Was it really to avoid missing the lantern festival, or perhaps to avoid missing a chance to see the Oiran?

Everyone shared knowing glances, choosing not to break the illusion aloud.

Lady Zhou’s gaze fell upon Meng Qianqian, her eyes flashing with astonishment: "This must be Miss Meng, I presume?"

Last time in the Imperial Palace, Meng Qianqian had been dressed in military attire, exuding a heroic spirit. Now, she was dressed in a delicate pink-and-white waist-cinched gown, her hair flowing like a waterfall, her beauty otherworldly.

Her bearing, with every gesture and motion, was poised, graceful, and dignified, leaving no room for critique.

"Why are you all staring like that?"

Lady Wang glared at the group for scrutinizing Meng Qianqian. "Qianqian, let me introduce you. This is Lady Zhou, the wife of General Zhou from the Capital City Cavalry Camp. This here is Lady Xing—last time at the Liu Family’s gathering, you saw her. It was Magistrate Xing who handled your case with the Lu Family."

Meng Qianqian remembered and courteously bowed to the two ladies.

Lady Zhou reached out to help her up. "Please, there’s no need! Miss Meng, a heroine who has made great contributions at the border—how can we mere housewives accept a bow from such a distinguished person?"

Meng Qianqian replied sincerely, "You are my elders; this bow is only proper."

Lady Xing nodded in approval. Her demeanor was measured and respectful, unspoiled by her merits, embodying a mind as graceful as an orchid.

"Oh dear, am I late?"

A boisterous, lively voice rang out, and a round, cheerful lady ascended the stairs grinning ear to ear.

Trailing behind her was Miss Zhou.

Miss Zhou let out a long breath: "I’ve fetched the guest!"

As she entered the room, her eyes immediately landed on Meng Qianqian. She rushed over excitedly, taking Meng Qianqian’s hand. "Sister Meng? My mother wasn’t lying—you really came!"

Meng Qianqian was utterly bewildered.

Lady Zhou reproached, "You little rascal, don’t scare Miss Meng!"

Miss Zhou replied, "Sister Meng wouldn’t be frightened. If anything, it’s Sister Wang who’s easily startled!"

Lady Zhou was briefly embarrassed.

Lady Wang chuckled: "Yan’er actually isn’t wrong. The girl’s far too timid—she ran off to her maternal grandmother’s after a broken engagement. She’s nothing like me or her father."

Who claimed that a dragon begets dragons, a phoenix begets phoenixes, and mice beget burrow-digging offspring? The notoriously bold Imperial Censor Wang somehow had a daughter as meek as a mouse.

Miss Zhou exclaimed, "Mother, Lady Wang, Lady Xing, Lady Lin, you all chat. I’m taking Sister Meng outside to enjoy the lake!"

Meng Qianqian was dragged away by the enthusiastic Miss Zhou.

"Sister Meng, my name is Zhou Nanyan. From now on, you can call me Yan’er, just like Sister Wang does."

"Alright."

"Sister Meng, let’s go downstairs to play!"

"Alright."

Today’s gathering of Lady Wang was filled with influential and virtuous women from the Capital City. Meng Qianqian could clearly see that Lady Wang was paving the way for her. Since Qianqian had chosen not to return to You State, she was making every effort to expand her connections in the Capital City.

Meng Qianqian deeply appreciated the gesture.

The two descended to the lower level.

Having heard from Tan’er and Ban Xia about Meng Qianqian’s past, Zhou Nanyan felt both heartache and admiration for her. Being naturally vivacious and outgoing, she managed to keep the conversation lively despite Meng Qianqian not being overly talkative.

"Meng Qianqian, if I were a man, I would definitely propose to you! Of course, you might not accept, but I’d make it my mission to become worthy of you."

Meng Qianqian smiled faintly. "If Miss Zhou were a man, you would surely be the most righteous and upright gentleman in the world."

Zhou Nanyan replied, "Of course! At the very least, I wouldn’t be heartless and faithless, bringing home shady women from outside!"

"And who are you calling shady?"

A sharp voice of indignation sounded behind them.

The two turned around to see Lu Linglong.

Zhou Nanyan chuckled coldly. "Well, look who it is—Miss Lu! You’ve become the butt of public scorn, yet instead of staying home, you’re out parading yourself. What, is the Lu Family not humiliated enough for your liking?"

"You—"

Lu Linglong was fuming.

Recent days had been rough for her. First, her close friends distanced themselves one by one. Then, suitors who once flattered her suddenly vanished, citing incompatibility and looking elsewhere.

Her prospects had plummeted, leaving her frustrated. She had only come out tonight hoping the lantern festival might lift her spirits.

Who would’ve guessed she’d face ridicule the moment she boarded the boat?

Unable to retort against Zhou Nanyan, Lu Linglong turned her wrath towards Meng Qianqian: "You venomous woman! The Lu Family’s downfall is all because of you. How dare you show your face in public?"

Meng Qianqian smiled faintly. "If you dare show your face, why shouldn’t I?"

Lu Linglong fumed and retorted, "My brother didn’t want you—you’re just a cast-off. What’s there to be smug about? Can being skilled in battle make you special? You’re just an unchaste woman who seduces men indiscriminately. I’d love to see which man dares marry you in the future!"

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