Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot
Chapter 219 - 203: Mother-in-law and Daughter-in-law Join Forces

Chapter 219: Chapter 203: Mother-in-law and Daughter-in-law Join Forces

After leaving Prime Minister Xun’s study, Xun Yu did not return to his own courtyard immediately but instead went to the residence of the Young Master of Miaojiang and Bai Yuwei.

It was Bai Yuwei who met him.

Bai Yuwei smiled and said, "My brother is practicing martial arts and can’t see you."

"I’m disturbing you," Xun Yu apologized with a polite smile, "I promised during the day to show you both the farming tools I made. So... as it happens, I’ll come again tomorrow."

Bai Yuwei quickly said, "If my brother can’t go, I can!"

The innocent young girl, leaving home for the first time, was brimming with curiosity about everything in the Central Plains.

Xun Yu then led her to a special garden in the back of the mansion.

Looking at the lush green farmland, Bai Yuwei couldn’t help but exclaim, "You... your family still farms?"

Xun Yu chuckled warmly, rolling up his sleeves: "Not my family, me."

"You farm?"

Bai Yuwei was even more astonished.

Innovation is everything. For an ordinary farmer, planting the land is nothing noteworthy, but Xun Yu—heir to princely status, a scholar with top honors, and the son of the Prime Minister—

To lower himself by farming was already quite extraordinary.

Xun Yu tied his robe around his waist. "Originally, I wanted to serve the court, join the administration as an official. But it wasn’t until I traveled to the border and saw the people there suffering from famine, that I realized—for the common folk, they don’t need someone holding an office; they need someone to help them fill their bellies."

He picked up a curved iron plate, "This is the plow mirror I mentioned during the day. Let me show you how it’s used to till the land."

As he spoke, he began plowing the field in earnest.

Bai Yuwei had seen noble heirs competing in literature or martial arts, and even engaging in Gu poison duels, but it was her first time seeing someone plow a field.

She stared intently.

After plowing for only a little while, Xun Yu was already drenched in sweat.

"Now let’s attach the plow mirror."

He fastened the curved plate to the plowshare, his hands caked with mud, his face showing not the slightest hint of displeasure.

With the plow mirror attached, overturning soil became much lighter and quicker.

Xun Yu soon finished a small row and turned to Bai Yuwei. "See, isn’t it much easier now?"

Bai Yuwei was thoroughly amazed.

Xun Yu smiled as he put away the farming tools, "All the vegetables in this garden were planted by me. My aunt loves to eat what I grow. If only your aunt could come to the Capital City, too."

Bai Yuwei said regretfully, "My aunt can’t come."

Xun Yu chuckled. "Indeed, I remember you mentioned she’s been confined by the Miao King. My aunt has a mischievous streak—if it were her, she’d have sneaked out long ago."

Bai Yuwei replied, "My aunt wouldn’t. She is an exceptionally dignified and virtuous woman—what you in the Central Plains would call a proper lady."

Xun Yu thought of his aunt’s description of Liu Qingyun—a woman who dared to pull her hair in public and dunk her head into a water tank; a shrew who couldn’t be further from the image of a proper lady.

His conviction grew stronger that Liu Qingyun could not possibly be Bai Zheng.

But since his father had given the order, he had no choice but to obey.

"Miss Bai, have you heard of the Chu Family’s Twelve Guards?"

-

The next day, the officials took their day off.

Zong Zhengxi had thought he could finally sleep in, but unexpectedly, he was awakened at dawn by Xiao Dazi.

Zong Zhengxi frowned and said, "Did you forget there’s no court today?"

Xiao Dazi replied sheepishly, "The Grand Commander has arrived."

Immediately, Zong Zhengxi sat upright.

After freshening up, Zong Zhengxi met Lu Yuan in the Taihe Palace.

Lu Yuan was not wearing his court robes but a traveling purple brocade outfit.

Zong Zhengxi, determined not to let the authority waver, planned to reprimand Lu Yuan to assert his imperial dignity. But as soon as he opened his mouth, his tone turned into a pitiful little plea: "Even today, do I have to do lessons?"

Xiao Dazi averted his gaze, thinking, Your Majesty, show some imperial prowess!

Lu Yuan replied indifferently, "No lessons today."

Zong Zhengxi’s eyes lit up.

Lu Yuan continued, "We have to inspect the conditions of the people."

Zong Zhengxi asked quietly, "Inspect the people means..."

Lu Yuan: "Tend to the fields."

Zong Zhengxi: "...!!"

What sort of minister drags the Emperor to farm on his day off?

Is there no justice left?

-

At the Governor Mansion.

Meng Qianqian, as usual, woke up early, but Lu Yuan was already gone.

She wasn’t surprised. Ever since court sessions resumed, Lu Yuan had indeed been busier than ever.

As per her routine, she practiced martial arts for an hour, had breakfast with the Old Lady and Bao Shu, and then prepared to head out.

Today was the day she and Princess Wanping were to fulfill their wager. She had to go to Fengshui Alley to pick up Ji Li and Si Snake.

But just as she was about to leave, a letter of invitation arrived from the Princess Mansion.

It was addressed to Liu Qingyun, inviting her to act as a witness.

"They’re planning to have me lose Lu Yuan to her in front of my mother-in-law. What sort of mother-in-law would be happy with that? Whether I win or not, I’ll lose her favor."

"This move is quite brilliant."

"Who came up with it?"

Meng Qianqian didn’t believe it was without someone’s guidance.

She couldn’t help but think of Xun Yu, whom she’d coincidentally seen on the street yesterday.

"Could it be him? What’s he up to?"

Two choices presented themselves: One, intercept the letter and keep it from Liu Qingyun; Two, take Liu Qingyun along.

"Secrets are never fully concealed. One lie demands countless others to sustain it. Sometimes feigning cleverness backfires."

Meng Qianqian decided to bring Liu Qingyun along.

At this moment, Liu Qingyun was lounging on the Imperial Concubine’s Couch, exuding undeniable charisma as she crossed her legs and twirled a handkerchief on her foot, leisurely munching on fried pastries.

Since taking her gold bracelet, Madame Du even added flair to the fried pastries—multi-colored fried pastries, who would believe it?

"Mother."

Meng Qianqian called softly at the door, "I’m coming in now."

Liu Qingyun’s expression shifted, and she panicked, sitting upright, tossing the handkerchief onto a shelf, and stuffing the pastries under the pillow.

When Meng Qianqian entered, she was greeted by the sight of an elegantly seated, immaculate, divine beauty with perfect poise.

Meng Qianqian tactfully ignored the scattered pastries on the floor, the handkerchief hanging on the curio shelf, and said with a smile, "Mother, I have something to discuss with you."

After hearing the full story of the wager, Liu Qingyun became furious.

Meng Qianqian apologized humbly, "Mother, I was wrong!"

Given the heap of gold jewelry on the bed, no matter how her mother-in-law punished her, she’d not dare utter a word of complaint!

Liu Qingyun lashed out furiously: "Wrong isn’t even the half of it—you’ve gone mad! You used my son as a wager and all you aim to gain is one guard from the Twelve? If she wants my son so much, you should raise the stakes! Jack up the price! Claim her Princess Mansion for yourself! Go big or go home!"

After her rant, she made a disgusted gesture, "Never call yourself a merchant again—you’re disgraceful!"

Meng Qianqian was utterly stunned.

Uh... it seems my ambitions were too small.

Today, Tan’er also wanted to go.

Having spent a few days at the Governor Mansion, Liu Qingyun had already realized Tan’er was different from the other maids—she wasn’t just an ordinary servant. So she decided to bring her along.

The three headed first to Fengshui Alley to pick up Ji Li and Si Snake.

Ji Li was still in his black robe and white hair, wielding a folding fan with flamboyant charisma, his entire demeanor screaming: I am the most handsome Commander Guard of the dynasty.

Si Snake, restraining himself from hitting him, could be considered a model of emotional control.

"My mother-in-law, Lu Yuan’s mother."

Meng Qianqian introduced Liu Qingyun, who was seated in the carriage, to the two men, then said to Liu Qingyun, "Rooster, Si Snake."

Si Snake glanced toward Liu Qingyun.

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.