Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot
Chapter 109 - 108: The Old Lady is Too Fierce

Chapter 109: Chapter 108: The Old Lady is Too Fierce

The matter of the letter was pressing; Meng Qianqian decided to visit the Lu Family in person.

Originally, as a creditor, she had a legitimate reason to knock on their door openly, but she really didn’t want to see Lu Lingxiao again. So, she sent Tan’er to arrange for Lu Mother and the Old Madam to meet her at the Lu Family’s back orchard.

The orchard’s owner had a good relationship with the Old Madam, and Meng Qianqian often accompanied her there to pick fruit.

Soon enough, Lu Mother arrived with Jade Lotus.

Meng Qianqian supported Lu Mother as she sat down.

Lu Mother said, "Your great-grandmother didn’t know you were coming. She went looking for you."

"We thought the same thing," Meng Qianqian replied, her gaze falling on Lu Mother’s haggard face. "Have you not been sleeping well lately?"

Jade Lotus sighed, "How can Madam sleep well? The Second Branch quarrels every day, and there’s constant turmoil with the Old Madam. One thing after another in the household—no peace at all! Things were calmer when you were still here, Eldest Young Madam!"

Meng Qianqian gently reminded her, "Jade Lotus, I’m no longer the Eldest Young Madam of the Lu Family. If the Old Madam hears this, you’ll be punished."

Jade Lotus complained, "In my heart, you’re the only proper Young Madam. What is that Lin Wan’er, anyway?"

"Enough!"

Lu Mother sternly stopped her.

"Go pick some fruit!"

Tan’er pulled Jade Lotus away.

Meng Qianqian checked Lu Mother’s pulse. Lu Mother softly said, "Don’t listen to Jade Lotus’ nonsense. I’m fine."

Meng Qianqian knew Lu Mother wasn’t living well in the Lu Family, but she couldn’t expect everyone to be like her—willing to defy family and societal expectations to escape the trap. After all, Lu Mother still had familial ties with the Lu Family.

Although she and Lu Lingxiao had the title of husband and wife, they never truly lived as such. From that perspective, her connection to the Lu Family ran quite shallow.

"I’ve adjusted the medicinal diet recipe for you. Have the small kitchen prepare it for you later."

"Alright." Lu Mother took the recipe, opened the bundle on the table, and said to Meng Qianqian, "I made a few clothes for Bao Shu. Take them back for her to try on. If they don’t fit, bring them back, and I’ll adjust them."

Meng Qianqian took out the little tiger cub outfits for Bao Shu. The fabric was exquisite, the embroidery intricate and lifelike, and the knees were thoughtfully reinforced.

"They’re beautiful! Bao Shu will definitely love them!"

Lu Mother smiled happily.

From within the Lu Family back gate, Lin Wan’er watched them with piercing eyes as they laughed and chatted. Lu Mother barely paid attention to anyone else, but she doted on Meng Qianqian endlessly.

And those clothes—Lin Wan’er had seen them more than once while visiting Lu Mother. She thought they were for her yet-unborn child.

Meng Qianqian, why do you keep coming back to steal my husband’s and my mother-in-law’s affections, even after you’ve left?

"What are you staring at?"

Tan’er patted Lin Wan’er’s back.

Lin Wan’er jumped in fright, let out a small cry, and turned around with Lu Luo.

Tan’er frowned, hands on her hips, leaning closer to Lin Wan’er: "Just now... did someone speak?"

Lin Wan’er’s gaze flickered.

Lu Luo hurriedly said, "You must’ve misheard. My lady’s throat has long been damaged!"

Tan’er asked, "Then who just now made that noise?"

Lu Luo replied, "I... I made it!"

Tan’er looked doubtful. "You? That didn’t sound like your voice."

Lu Luo adopted a serious expression and said, "A person’s voice when they cry out is naturally different from when they speak normally. You startled me, after all!"

Tan’er scrutinized them suspiciously. "Really?"

Lu Luo widened her eyes. "Absolutely!"

Lin Wan’er gestured in sign language: My head hurts. Let’s go.

Lu Luo said to Tan’er, "My lady has a headache. We won’t keep talking to you!"

With that, she supported Lin Wan’er as they left.

"I’ll keep an eye out for the Meng Family’s letter for you, but you also need to plan ahead. You can’t keep a secret forever—eventually, the Meng Family will find out."

Lu Mother thought Meng Qianqian stayed in the Capital City to avoid returning to You State and facing the Meng Family. After all, marriage was a matter concerning both families, and breaking it off should have been a joint decision too.

Otherwise, the Old Madam wouldn’t have summoned the Lu Family elders to approve the divorce—it needed the clan’s consent.

Meng Qianqian’s decree-annulled marriage had bypassed the clan, but the clan would still inquire afterward.

"You need to come up with a lasting solution soon."

After saying goodbye to Lu Mother, Meng Qianqian got into the carriage with Tan’er to return home.

Tan’er, full of mystery, said, "Sister, I just heard the fox spirit talk!"

Meng Qianqian responded, "You’re too young to be calling someone a fox spirit every other word."

Although Lin Wan’er was one, Tan’er was young and shouldn’t pick up bad habits.

Tan’er pouted. "Okay, fine."

Meng Qianqian patted her head. "You said Lin Wan’er talked? What did she say?"

Tan’er recalled, "Not much. She was startled by me and let out a sound. Lu Luo said it was her, though! Hmph! I’m not stupid—I know Lu Luo’s voice!"

Meng Qianqian paused. "Really?"

Tan’er crossed her arms. "Sister, that Lin vixen... I mean Lin surnamed woman, seems scheming—something’s off about her!"

Meng Qianqian closed her eyes. "Tan’er."

Tan’er sulked and shut her mouth.

Lin Wan’er was someone Lu Lingxiao had insisted on bringing back. Whatever kind of person she was, Meng Qianqian didn’t care. As long as she didn’t cause trouble, Meng Qianqian couldn’t care less if she was truly mute or pretending.

Tan’er tugged on Meng Qianqian’s arm. "Sister, sister, I didn’t see Treasure Piggy today! I miss Treasure Piggy so much!"

You miss the Governor Mansion’s Osmanthus Cake and braised pork belly, don’t you?

Meng Qianqian chuckled and said, "Go to the Governor Mansion yourself. I’m heading home to see the Old Madam."

"Aye aye, captain!"

Tan’er clenched her fists and darted out of the carriage. "Here I go—zoom!"

The coachman, Brother Wu, felt a gust of wind pass over him, leaving him with even less hair.

"Brother Wu, stop for a moment."

Meng Qianqian spoke.

"Miss, what’s the matter?"

Brother Wu pulled the carriage to the roadside.

Meng Qianqian lifted the curtain and glanced around. "Strange, it feels like someone’s following us."

Brother Wu immediately offered, "Shall I check it out?"

"No need. It seems to have gone." Meng Qianqian said, "Let’s head back."

The carriage turned into Fengshui Lane.

A man dressed in black with silver-white hair smirked coldly, holding a compass as he followed the carriage.

"Li Haiya, oh Li Haiya, you hid her so well, but in the end, I still found her. The Grand Marshal is dead, and the Twelve Guards are scattered, but your successor—I must at least meet her face to face."

"Let’s be clear: If she’s too weak and doesn’t earn my recognition, I’ll kill her and reclaim the Yin Hu Token to avoid disgracing your name!"

Effortlessly scaling the courtyard wall, he approached a room with its oil lamp still lit.

"This one has the best Feng Shui. Little Yin Hu should be inside."

"Alright then, civility before force."

He raised his hand and knocked on the door.

"Qianqian!"

The Old Madam, overjoyed, flung the door open. Caught off guard, the black-clad, silver-haired man was shoved, compass and all, straight into the wall.

"Who... designs... doors... to... open... outward... like this...?"