Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot
Chapter 201 - 185: Lu Yuan’s Family Arrives

Chapter 201: Chapter 185: Lu Yuan’s Family Arrives

Meng Qianqian still had another doubt in her heart: Who was it that disclosed King Chu’s lineage to the Crown Prince back then?

Could it have been Prime Minister Xun?

The epidemic within the Imperial Palace had a minor outbreak, mainly centered around the Supreme Emperor’s Zhuanghe Hall.

Since the Supreme Emperor had not summoned any concubines after returning to the palace, the ladies of the harem avoided the disaster.

Princess Wanping and Zong Zhengxi were not infected, but Third Prince and Fifth Prince contracted the illness and barely survived.

Meng Qianqian entered the palace in May, and by the time she treated the last epidemic patient, it was already the peak of summer in June.

"Soon you’ll be able to go home and won’t have to stay in the palace accompanying this old man anymore."

The Supreme Emperor sat cross-legged on a prayer mat, placing a white piece onto the chessboard.

Meng Qianqian placed a black piece: "It is Little Nine’s blessing to serve the Supreme Emperor."

The Supreme Emperor said: "Everyone says that, but no one truly means it. I don’t feel like playing anymore. Go call Fu Dequan over; I’ll play with him."

Meng Qianqian sighed solemnly. Alas, he always cheats whenever he’s about to lose.

Lu Yuan arrived at Zhuanghe Hall to pick up Meng Qianqian after his morning court session.

Meng Qianqian packed her belongings and went to bid farewell to the Supreme Emperor.

Eunuch Fu emerged from the room, smiling, and said to Meng Qianqian: "The Supreme Emperor has retired for the day. These words shouldn’t be conveyed by a servant, as it might diminish Lady Lu’s status."

Meng Qianqian said: "Eunuch Fu, you’ve been by the Supreme Emperor’s side for many years. In my heart, I respect you as if you were an elder."

Eunuch Fu was flattered: "Lady Lu flatters me! I only wanted to say that Lady Lu has worked tirelessly these past days, tending to the Supreme Emperor and curing us servants without minding our lowly status. It’s such a blessing to save one life after another..."

Meng Qianqian said solemnly: "All living beings have spirits, and every life has its worth, regardless of rank or status."

Eunuch Fu gazed at Meng Qianqian with emotion and personally escorted her out of Zhuanghe Hall.

Over those days, Meng Qianqian had grown visibly thinner, partly because of overwork and partly because the intense heat made it hard for her to eat.

Lu Yuan had also lost some weight.

The past month had been challenging for everyone.

Moreover, whether because they had spent too long apart or due to the gambling kiss, they both felt somewhat awkward meeting each other again.

"Where are Qing Shuang and Yu Zichuan?"

Meng Qianqian asked.

They’re off gossiping — the palace’s gossip is both plentiful and better than the Lu Family’s.

Lu Yuan said impassively: "No need to wait for them; they’ll come back on their own later."

The two walked side by side.

Meng Qianqian added: "I wonder how Old Madam and Bao Shu are doing."

Lu Yuan replied: "According to Steward Cen, everything is fine."

This past month, Lu Yuan had not returned home and had stayed in the palace to prevent the spread of the epidemic.

Meng Qianqian smiled faintly: "That’s good to hear."

And then, their conversation fell silent.

Meng Qianqian secretly berated herself. Why did their chat turn out like this?

Were they always this awkward in the past?

Ever since that night, something seemed to have changed.

"We’ve arrived. Get on the carriage."

Lu Yuan reminded her.

She had been walking with her head down, lost in thought. If he hadn’t cautioned her, she might have bumped her head as he once did.

Meng Qianqian murmured an "oh" and climbed onto the carriage.

After sitting down, she suddenly remembered something and quickly jumped off the carriage: "Grand Commander, please."

Now that felt appropriate—after all, their marriage was fake, and she was his lackey.

Meng Qianqian exhaled deeply. No more awkwardness.

Lu Yuan shot her a sidelong glance, his expression cold as he boarded the carriage.

Meng Qianqian muttered under her breath: "Was that necessary? Just forgot my status for a moment, and now he’s angry?"

The palace wasn’t the place for conversation, and the things Meng Qianqian had discussed with the Supreme Emperor that night remained untold to Lu Yuan.

Originally, she intended to tell him in the carriage, but he kept his face cold—what could she have done to provoke him again?

Forget it. Perhaps he already knew.

Half an hour later, the carriage arrived at the Governor Mansion.

As they got off the carriage, Nanny Li and Ban Xia came to greet them, one holding mugwort and the other carrying a basin.

Nanny Li dipped the mugwort into Ban Xia’s basin and began sprinkling them with the herbal water: "Warding off evil spirits and calamities, bringing health and prosperity, and ensuring that everything goes smoothly throughout the year!"

Both were splashed with mugwort water from head to toe.

Nanny Li nodded with satisfaction and waved toward the mansion.

Brother Wu came out with a brazier, smiling: "Miss, Sir, please step over the brazier!"

Lu Yuan gestured for Meng Qianqian to go first.

Meng Qianqian complied without hesitation.

After stepping over the brazier, Nanny Li brought out two peace charms from the temple.

Ban Xia set the basin down and tied one of the peace charms to Meng Qianqian’s waist.

As for the remaining one, Meng Qianqian said: "Let me do it."

She personally tied the peace charm around Lu Yuan’s waist.

"Nanny Li, are we done yet?"

Tan’er was anxiously calling from the doorway.

Nanny Li chuckled: "Yes, yes, we’re done."

"Hehe, Sister!"

Tan’er dashed into Meng Qianqian’s arms like a fledgling bird, wrapping her arms tightly around Meng Qianqian’s waist and pressing her head against her chest. "Sister, you’ve gotten thinner!"

Meng Qianqian smiled softly, reaching up to touch the top of her head: "Let me see, has Tan’er grown taller?"

Tan’er immediately straightened her posture to show off. "I’ve grown taller!"

Ban Xia made a tiny gap with her thumb and forefinger: "Just this much taller!"

Tan’er crossed her arms confidently: "It’s still growth!"

Nanny Li sighed: "Alright, you two can argue later. It’s so hot out; let’s let Miss and Sir go inside first."

The group headed to the main courtyard.

"Is that Miss and Sir?"

Nanny Wan heard the footsteps outside and quickly abandoned the half-washed laundry, scuttling out of the yard. "Oh, my! Truly! What did I say? Look eight hundred times a day, and eventually, there’ll be a time worth the wait!"

She excitedly bowed to the pair. "Miss, Sir, you’ve finally returned! The hot water has been prepared, and the meals are ready. Would you like to bathe first or eat first?"

Lu Yuan’s expression faltered slightly.

Meng Qianqian gently tugged at his sleeve: "Nanny Wan is asking for your decision."

Lu Yuan murmured: "Are you hungry?"

Meng Qianqian replied: "Not too hungry. You?"

Lu Yuan said: "Then let’s bathe first."

Previously, the Governor Mansion was cold and desolate, like a haunted house. But at some point, it had become a place where people awaited his return—truly like a home.

After each bathing and changing into fresh clothes, the pair hurried to Tinglan Courtyard to visit Old Madam and Bao Shu.

Dusk sank in the west.

It was time for the city gates to be locked.

Suddenly, a group of horse-drawn carriages adorned with exotic designs galloped to the city gates.

The guards at the gate stopped them: "The gates are about to close. If you want to enter, come back tomorrow."

The leading man displayed a Token.

"The Governor Mansion?" The guards were startled.

The Token was genuine, but the attire of this group clearly marked them as non-Central Plains people.

The guards steadied themselves and cautiously demanded: "Please present your identification plaques and passage documents."

The man handed over the plaques and documents to the guards.

The guards opened and examined them: "Miaojiang? What’s your relation to Grand Commander Lu?"

Given Grand Commander Lu’s involvement, the guards had to tread carefully.

"None of your business! Keep yammering, and I’ll slaughter you!"

"Ah-Lee, don’t be so fierce. We’re here as guests, not for bloodshed."

From within the carriage came the soft, mellifluous voice of a woman.

All the guards held their breath. What kind of lady possessed such an alluringly gentle voice?

Slightly obscured by the shimmering streaks of a jade-beaded curtain, the woman smiled faintly at the guards. "We are family of Grand Commander Lu."

The guards caught but a glimpse and hurriedly lowered their eyes, taking a deep breath as they said: "Grand Commander Lu has no family."

"Oh?" The woman’s smile blossomed like a flower. "In that case, may I trouble this officer to send word that his birth mother is awaiting him at the city gates?"