Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot
Chapter 216 - 200: The Miao King Wants a Top Scholar for a Grandson

Chapter 216: Chapter 200: The Miao King Wants a Top Scholar for a Grandson

Meng Qianqian took Liu Qingyun to the first place—Yanyu Pavilion.

Meng Qianqian was now a regular customer of Yanyu Pavilion. Almost all the clothes she and Bao Shu wore were made there.

The shopkeeper warmly greeted her as soon as he saw her, "Madam Lu, here to look at clothes today?"

"Shopkeeper Niu."

Sitting in Tan’er’s arms, Bao Shu, sporting a little golden braid sticking out wildly, greeted him as well.

Shopkeeper Liu was startled and thought to himself: Not the little tiger cub anymore, now a little frizzy lion?

Fortunately, he recovered quickly and cheerfully responded to Bao Shu, "Ah, Miss Bao Shu! Dressed so prettily today, I almost didn’t recognize you."

Bao Shu proudly lifted her small chin.

Soon, Liu Qingyun also stepped down from the carriage.

Her beauty, as expected, caused yet another stir.

Shopkeeper Liu whispered to Meng Qianqian, "The proprietor is upstairs."

Meng Qianqian smiled knowingly, "Then please help me pass a message. I’d like to ask Lady Yun to make an outfit for my mother-in-law."

She already knew Yun Xiyao was the owner of Yanyu Pavilion.

Shopkeeper Liu hurried off.

Liu Qingyun muttered impatiently, "Why is it so much trouble just to make an outfit?"

Meng Qianqian smiled and explained, "Lady Yun’s embroidery skills are unparalleled in the world; she doesn’t easily take commissions."

"Hmph."

Liu Qingyun sneered in disdain.

Meng Qianqian said, "My mother-in-law’s purple ’Lingering Mist Immortal Dress’ was designed by Lady Yun and crafted by her apprentice."

Ever since Yun Xiyao tailored her wedding dress last time, she hadn’t taken on another order.

She wasn’t sure if Yun Xiyao would accept the commission, but it wouldn’t hurt to try.

Liu Qingyun, clearly satisfied with her current attire, stopped complaining upon hearing Meng Qianqian’s explanation.

When Shopkeeper Liu reached the third floor, Yun Xiyao was discussing design sketches with her apprentice, Wu Xiuniang.

Wu Xiuniang said to Shopkeeper Liu, "Making wedding dresses is incredibly taxing. The proprietor won’t accept new commissions for at least three years. You’ve been at Yanyu Pavilion for ten years; don’t you know the proprietor’s habits yet?"

Shopkeeper Liu wiped the cold sweat off his brow, "I’m aware."

Yun Xiyao put down the sketches in her hand. "Don’t blame him. If he hadn’t told the guests, how would they know I was at Yanyu Pavilion? Who came?"

Shopkeeper Liu smiled awkwardly. "Madam Lu!"

Yun Xiyao asked, "Her?"

Shopkeeper Liu grinned, "Her mother-in-law has come to the Capital City, and she’d like you to make an outfit for her."

"Proprietor," Wu Xiuniang frowned at Yun Xiyao.

Yun Xiyao said to Shopkeeper Liu, "Go and tell her—if she wants me to make clothes, she’ll have to become my apprentice."

"Apprentice?"

When Shopkeeper Liu relayed the message, Meng Qianqian couldn’t believe it. Pointing to herself, she asked, "Me?"

Shopkeeper Liu chuckled, "Indeed."

Meng Qianqian asked suspiciously, "Why would she want to take me as an apprentice?"

Shopkeeper Liu laughed nervously, "That—I’m not really sure. Madam Lu, so, will you agree?"

Liu Qingyun scoffed coldly, "To trade oneself away for a single outfit? Ridiculous! Let’s go!"

-

"Proprietor!"

Shopkeeper Liu, panting heavily, made his way back up.

Wu Xiuniang asked sternly, "Well?"

Shopkeeper Liu gasped, "Her... her mother-in-law disapproves."

Wu Xiuniang sneered coldly, "She’s the mistress of the Governor Mansion, high-ranking and respected. How could she think highly of us, mere embroiders who survive by artistry?"

She finished speaking, only to find her master staring at her icily. She quickly lowered her head, "I didn’t mean you, master... Master is, of course, different from us."

Yun Xiyao said coldly, "Never demean yourself."

Wu Xiuniang quickly replied, "Yes, master. I recognize my error."

Shopkeeper Liu struggled to finish, "I wasn’t finished... Her mother-in-law doesn’t agree... but she does... Madam Lu is willing to become the proprietor’s apprentice."

Yun Xiyao immediately broke into a smile, "Tell them to wait in the side chamber. I’ll come down shortly to measure her."

"Understood, proprietor!"

Shopkeeper Liu wiped the sweat off his brow and hastily descended the stairs.

Back then, no one told him being a shopkeeper would be this exhausting!

Wu Xiuniang bit her lip and gathered up her courage to ask, "Proprietor, back when we practiced for years to become your apprentices, but you’ve only briefly met her—why are you making an exception for her?"

Yun Xiyao glanced at the sketches on the table, "Did you spend three years designing these outfits?"

"Yes."

"None are usable."

"Master!"

Yun Xiyao said, "You may leave now."

Wu Xiuniang, deeply disheartened, stood up.

Yun Xiyao pointed to the pile of sketches on the table, "Take these with you as well."

Wu Xiuniang unwillingly said, "Master, could you at least..."

Yun Xiyao silenced her with a piercing look.

"Understood, I’ll continue to work harder."

Wu Xiuniang packed up the sketches and left the room with a pale face.

In the side chamber, Liu Qingyun leisurely sipped premium Longjing tea and said nonchalantly, "Don’t think for a moment that this will make me like you."

Meng Qianqian replied, "I want to learn for myself."

Liu Qingyun asked, puzzled, "What’s the use of learning this?"

Meng Qianqian curved her lips, "It’s never a bad thing to have more skills. Besides, I have nothing better to do."

What she didn’t say aloud was: In a small embroidery shop, being able to serve royal tribute tea like Longjing—who could still insist Yun Xiyao was just an ordinary proprietor of Yanyu Pavilion?

The enemy was too formidable. She must do everything within her power to align with any forces that could be leveraged.

"Sister!"

Suddenly, Tan’er tugged at her sleeve, signaling her to look outside, "Longevity Elder!"

Meng Qianqian focused her gaze and realized who she was referring to.

Wasn’t he the same Xun Yu who’d been beaten so badly by the Old Madam he couldn’t recognize his own parents?

His injuries had healed, and once again, he was the graceful nobleman.

Beside him were the Miaojiang siblings Meng Qianqian had seen at the post station yesterday, now dressed in Central Plains attire.

It seemed the Prime Minister’s Mansion was genuinely working to win over Miaojiang and had already made initial progress.

Before Xun Yu could notice her gaze from afar, Meng Qianqian lowered the window.

Bao Shu looked at Meng Qianqian with utter surprise.

Meng Qianqian rubbed her little head, "It’s too hot."

"Mama, hot."

Bao Shu said in her baby voice before climbing down from Meng Qianqian’s lap, grabbing the fan on the table, and wobbling back to wave it at her.

The fan was large and heavy, forcing her to use all her strength.

Eventually, she succeeded in fanning herself to the ground.

East Street was one of the most bustling avenues in the Capital City. Despite the sweltering heat, the crowd showed no signs of thinning.

Bai Yuwei exclaimed, "The Capital City is so lively, much busier than Miaojiang!"

Xun Yu replied gently, "Miaojiang is a land of spiritual beauty and remarkable landscapes, far beyond what the Capital City can compare to."

As they spoke, a young beggar crashed into an old man’s cart, spilling sacks of grain all over the ground and breaking one of the wheels.

Terrified of taking responsibility, the beggar scrambled away, only to bump into Xun Yu.

Instead of getting angry, Xun Yu helped the beggar up and asked kindly, "I saw you crash into the cart earlier; are you hurt?"

The beggar shook his head fearfully.

Xun Yu took a few copper coins out of his money pouch and gave them to him.

The beggar bowed deeply before running off as if worried Xun Yu might change his mind.

Bai Yuwei asked in confusion, "Why didn’t you give him more?"

Xun Yu’s expression showed some helplessness, "These beggars usually work in groups. The older beggars supervise the younger ones. If he earns less tomorrow, he might be punished."

"I see."

Bai Yuwei suddenly understood and felt ashamed for mistaking him as stingy.

Xun Yu then walked over to the elderly man, helping him to the roadside and consoling him, "Sir, don’t be upset. I can fix your cart."

Shock surged through the old man, "R-Really?"

Xun Yu rolled up his sleeves and, with a few quick moves, reassembled the cart’s wheel.

Bai Yuwei stared in astonishment.

Even Bai Qingchen’s eyes revealed a trace of surprise.

After repairing the cart, Xun Yu picked up a triangular agricultural tool that had fallen to the ground and asked, "Sir, is this the only type of plow you use for farming?"

With worry, the elderly man replied, "Yes, I’m old now and can’t manage to plow much land."

Xun Yu smiled, "If you attach a curved plate on top, you can till the soil faster."

Bai Yuwei leaned closer, "What curved plate? I don’t quite understand."

Xun Yu examined the soil-covered plow in his hand, "I came up with the idea while cultivating wasteland in West City. As it happens, I brought one back with me. I’ll show it to you when we return."

He then asked the old man kindly, "Where do you live? I’ll deliver it to you tomorrow and show you how to use the new iron plow."

The old man hesitated but eventually revealed his village’s name.

Xun Yu handed the plow back to him and said to Bai Qingchen, "Young Master Bai, could you lend a hand?"

Bai Qingchen nodded and helped load the scattered grain bags back onto the cart.

The old man repeatedly expressed his gratitude, while the surrounding onlookers looked on with admiration.

Bai Yuwei exclaimed, "Princely Heir Xun, I used to think all noblemen in the Capital City were idle dandies who only composed poetry and indulged in pleasures. I didn’t expect you to be so capable and civic-minded, just like my brother—a truly good man!"

Xun Yu modestly replied, "You flatter me, Miss Bai. I’m merely doing what I can. Young Master Bai is the real dragon among men, a future king of Miaojiang. I wouldn’t dare compare myself to him."

Proudly, Bai Yuwei remarked, "My brother is surely the best man under the heavens, but you’re not bad either. I’ve heard you’re the youngest top scholar in the Great Zhou Dynasty’s history."

Xun Yu smiled humbly, "That was years ago, nothing worth mentioning now."

Bai Yuwei sighed, "My grandfather dreams of having a grandson who’s a top scholar. It’s a pity there’s no such exam in Miaojiang. If you were his grandson, I can’t even imagine how much he would dote on you!"

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