Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot
Chapter 218 - 202 Descendants of the Miao King

Chapter 218: Chapter 202 Descendants of the Miao King

The group returned fully laden.

Tan’er hugged her haul until her arms felt sore: "Gold is so heavy!"

Meng Qianqian: "Don’t say that, the heavier the gold, the better, of course."

However, the box holding the gold shouldn’t be too heavy—my arms are really exhausted!

"Circles, beautiful."

After Bao Shu got off the carriage, she showed off her golden necklace to everyone she met, boasting all the way home.

When Meng Qianqian and Tan’er brought the large pile of gold jewelry back to the main house, Nanny Li and Ban Xia were completely stunned.

Ban Xia said, "Miss, did you... buy all this?"

Nanny Li opened one of the boxes and took a glance, gasping sharply: "Oh my, this quality, this design—they must be expensive, right?"

Meng Qianqian nodded seriously: "Hmm, all the most expensive ones."

Nanny Li hesitated for a moment and first went to shut the door tightly, then returned to the table to quietly ask, "Miss, even though we’ve got income coming in, isn’t this spending a bit much?"

Meng Qianqian agreed wholeheartedly: "I do think it’s too much."

Nanny Li, having lived in the Lu Family for five years and grown fearful of spending, felt a wave of bad memories wash over her as she witnessed her mistress’s lavish spending.

"Miss, forgive me for speaking out of turn, but even if you wish to provide for your mother-in-law, there’s no need to go to this extent."

Meng Qianqian smiled: "Nanny, these were bought by madam."

Nanny Li was deeply shocked, staring incredulously at the table full of jewelry: "Madam bought these? All of them?"

"Hmm."

Meng Qianqian nodded.

Nanny Li hurriedly opened all the boxes, and the dazzling golden light nearly blinded her.

Ban Xia covered her mouth: "Oh my heavens."

The last time she saw this much jewelry was when the Governor Mansion sent lavish gifts for a betrothal.

Meng Qianqian divided the boxes and took out two of them: "These are mine; the rest are Madam’s. Ban Xia, take them to Madam."

Nanny Li glanced at the two boxes separated out and suddenly had an epiphany—so only two of them belonged to her mistress.

She thought so; how could there possibly be such a wealthy and generous mother-in-law in this world?

To have even one of those traits is remarkable enough.

Ban Xia had the same thought, and she reached out to lift the remaining dozen boxes.

Meng Qianqian said, "Wrong, only these two are Madam’s."

Both were stunned.

Meng Qianqian sighed: "Madam doesn’t like gold; she only bought two sets of hair ornaments for herself."

Ban Xia widened her eyes: "So all the rest are..."

"Not all mine." Meng Qianqian pointed to one box. "You also have one—you each get a gold bracelet."

Thud!

Nanny Wan, who was drying clothes in the courtyard, fell to her knees.

If there’s even the sound of a cicada chirping in the courtyard in the future, it’ll count as her negligence!

Meng Qianqian distributed the bracelets to everyone.

The few women, including Nanny Wan, were overjoyed. Indeed, it was the right decision to follow Miss away from the Lu Family back then—who else would give them such good lives now?

A few days ago, Nanny Wan went grocery shopping and ran into Liu Granny from Haitang Courtyard.

After only a few months, Liu Granny had aged over ten years. Upon asking, she learned that life in the Lu Family had become very difficult.

After the old madam took control of the household, she habitually withheld monthly allowances and even drove away many of the house-born servants.

House-born servants had higher wages, and to cut costs further, the old madam targeted them.

Although Liu Granny’s family hadn’t been driven away, their wages had been halved outright.

Those who hadn’t followed Meng Qianqian when she left the Lu Family were now regretful to the point of despair.

-

When Lu Yuan returned to the main house from court duties, Meng Qianqian was sitting cross-legged on the bed, admiring the pile of gold jewelry spread across it.

She had just finished her bath and was wearing clean sleep clothes. Her half-dried black hair flowed like smooth, glossy silk over her shoulders, highlighting her jade-like skin and lending her a beauty that was nearly soul-stirring.

"Exquisite craftsmanship."

"Magnificent."

"Dazzling and extravagant!"

She picked up each piece and praised it before sighing heavily.

"What a pity—none of it’s mine."

She’d been so happy earlier that she’d forgotten she and Lu Yuan were in a fake marriage and had falsely assumed Liu Qingyun was her real mother-in-law.

The jewelry had been gifted by Liu Qingyun to her actual daughter-in-law, yet she was a fraud—a fraud!

What a tragic story!

As she was feeling downcast, a shadow suddenly fell over her head.

"You’re blocking my light..."

Meng Qianqian looked up and immediately contained her annoyance at having her jewelry appreciation disrupted. She obediently climbed out of bed, saying, "Husband, you’re back."

Even her terms of address had changed.

Normally, she only used that title in front of others, while at home, she addressed him by his rank as Grand Commander.

Lu Yuan keenly picked up on the subtle excitement she was trying to suppress. He even glanced behind her, seriously suspecting there was an invisible tail wagging back and forth.

"Why did you return so late today? Were court duties particularly busy?"

She asked with a face full of concern.

But Lu Yuan could clearly see traces of impatience in her eyes, as though she were saying: Hurry up, move along—I want to admire the gold!

Lu Yuan’s lips twitched slightly as he replied nonchalantly, "Had to inspect the Emperor’s lessons."

Meng Qianqian’s eyes sparkled: "Oh, has the child finally turned over a new leaf?"

Lu Yuan replied coldly, "Is others’ business all you care about?"

Meng Qianqian blinked and immediately adjusted, turning into a complete sycophant: "Husband, are you tired? Thirsty?"

She brought over a stool: "Husband, do sit."

Lu Yuan sat down indifferently.

She began massaging his shoulders and tentatively asked, "These pieces of jewelry were bought by Mother. Can I... keep two sets?"

Lu Yuan: "Meng Xiaojiu!"

Meng Qianqian immediately shut her eyes: "One set!"

Lu Yuan took a deep breath, resisting the urge to pry open her head: "What was bought for you is yours!"

Meng Qianqian bent down and blinked at him from the side: "Really?"

Her warm breath brushed against his ear, setting it ablaze.

His Adam’s apple bobbed slightly before he replied with a straight face: "If you don’t want it, forget it."

Meng Qianqian nodded quickly: "I want it, want it!"

-

Prime Minister’s Mansion.

Xun Yu went to see his father in the study, where two scholars were also present.

He recounted the events of the day. When he mentioned that the Miaojiang bride Lu Yuan rejected turned out to be the granddaughter of the Miao King, both Mr. Gongsun and Mr. Yu showed signs of surprise.

Prime Minister Xun remained outwardly calm, but internally, he was deeply shaken.

Mr. Gongsun stroked his beard: "Does Lu Yuan know?"

Xun Yu shook his head: "It seems he doesn’t. If he knew, he definitely wouldn’t have refused."

After all, the granddaughter of the Miao King marrying him would be equivalent to marrying half of Miaojiang.

Mr. Yu mused thoughtfully: "Why would the Miao King betroth his granddaughter to Lu Yuan?"

Mr. Gongsun said, "Why not? Don’t forget that before we returned to court, Lu Yuan had always wielded significant power over state affairs. It’s not surprising the Miao King would want to ally with him. This also shows the Miao King has his own ambitions. His trip to the capital this time, under the guise of celebrating the Emperor and Empress’s wedding, is likely an attempt to seek new alliances."

He said this while glancing at Xun Yu: "Princely Heir, your chance has come."

Xun Yu nodded: "Lu Yuan offended the Miao King, so the Miao King will search for a new grandson-in-law—it can only be me."

Prime Minister Xun suddenly spoke: "The Miao King has a daughter. Have you found out her name or whereabouts?"

Xun Yu smiled: "I’ve found out. That young Miaojiang heir is incredibly reserved, while Bai Yuwei is much simpler. The Miao King’s daughter is named Bai Zheng. She angered the Miao King previously and was put under house arrest. She should currently be in Miaojiang."

Prime Minister Xun fell silent for a moment before saying: "Find a way to bring those siblings to meet Liu Qingyun."

Xun Yu’s smile faded: "Father suspects... Impossible! Liu Qingyun is Liu Qingyun, and Bai Zheng is Bai Zheng. They cannot be the same person!"

Lu Yuan was nothing more than a lowly stable boy; how could he possibly be a descendant of the Miao King?

Clenching his fists, he vowed: "Father, I will prove you wrong. Only the lowest blood could flow through Lu Yuan’s veins!"