Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot
Chapter 220 - 204: The Appearance of the 12th Guard

Chapter 220: Chapter 204: The Appearance of the 12th Guard

Liu Qingyun was dressed as a Central Plains woman today, a light purple silk dress cinched at the waist, with gauzy purple fabrics that floated like clouds.

It was warm inside the carriage, so her purple veil hung lightly by her ear, revealing her heavenly beauty.

Noticing Si Snake was staring at her, she did not mind.

She only liked shutting the door to discipline her daughter-in-law, but outside she would never disrespect Meng Qianqian.

Ji Li tapped Si Snake’s shoulder with his folding fan, "Hey, what are you staring at? She’s gone, get in the carriage!"

Meng Qianqian had prepared two carriages—one for herself, Liu Qingyun, and Tan’er, and another for Ji Li and Si Snake.

Si Snake withdrew his gaze. "It’s her."

Ji Li sneered, "You snake, so it’s not that you’re indifferent to women, huh? But let me remind you, she’s Little Yin Hu’s mother-in-law—don’t go messing around."

Si Snake ignored him and climbed into the second carriage.

Approximately half an hour later, Meng Qianqian and her party arrived at the Princess Mansion.

As soon as she stepped off the carriage, Meng Qianqian caught sight of Lin Xiaoru and Zhou Nanyan stepping down from another carriage.

Meng Qianqian was slightly stunned. "Xiaoru, Yan’er?"

The two looked up upon hearing her voice.

Zhou Nanyan excitedly pulled Lin Xiaoru’s hand and rushed forward. "Sister Meng!"

Lin Xiaoru simply called her, "Qianqian."

Lin Xiaoru was a year younger than Meng Qianqian, but her calm and composed temperament made her prefer addressing Meng Qianqian by her full name.

Meng Qianqian didn’t mind—whether she was called sister or by her name carried the same meaning to her.

She asked in confusion, "Why are you here?"

Zhou Nanyan explained, "I heard you were betting with Princess Wanping, and I was worried, so I asked around and finally got permission from her. Princess Wanping said Lin Sister and I could come but made us promise not to report anything to Uncle Wang no matter what happens today."

Meng Qianqian thought to herself, So Princess Wanping is fearful of Imperial Censor Wang after all.

Meng Qianqian continued asking Zhou Nanyan how she found out about the wager.

Zhou Nanyan said indignantly, "Lady Wei exposed it—she babbled nonsense to a group of ladies at the tea house and made everyone in the Capital City aware of your bet with Princess Wanping. Now, the entire city is waiting to see you make a fool of yourself."

Lin Xiaoru said, "I think Qianqian won’t lose."

Zhou Nanyan clutched Meng Qianqian’s arm. "Sister Meng, I hope you win too, but—but that’s Princess Wanping we’re talking about!"

Meng Qianqian smiled lightly. "My mother-in-law is here too. Go greet her."

Zhou Nanyan immediately turned around to look at Liu Qingyun, who had been waiting inside the carriage for some time. "Madam Lu!"

Lin Xiaoru also bowed. "Madam Lu."

Liu Qingyun carried herself with the dignity of an elder as she gracefully alighted from the carriage.

Next, Meng Qianqian introduced Ji Li and Si Snake to the two.

Zhou Nanyan’s eyes widened in awe.

She couldn’t believe it—she had come face-to-face with not one but two elite Twelve Guards! Living legends!

Among the Twelve Guards, sightings were as rare as dragons glimpsed through clouds, and many spent their whole lives without seeing just one!

Lin Xiaoru’s reaction was much calmer.

From the time Meng Qianqian had met her, she had always maintained a composed demeanor.

According to Lin He, Lin Xiaoru had been like this since childhood—she didn’t cry, nor would she laugh, and her emotions never fluctuated much.

When her most doting grandmother, Madam Lin, passed away, her brother wept inconsolably, but Lin Xiaoru had merely knelt solemnly in the mourning hall.

Ji Li glanced at the wildly excited Zhou Nanyan, whose inner thoughts were practically screaming, and then shifted his gaze to the unresponsive Lin Xiaoru. With a flick, he opened his folding fan.

"Miss Lin, shall I divinate something for you?"

"Let’s go."

Si Snake stepped in between Ji Li and Lin Xiaoru.

Ji Li clicked his tongue. "Nosy snake."

The servants of the Princess Mansion ushered the group into the small garden where a banquet had previously been held.

One servant addressed them, "Madam Lu, Young Madam Lu, the Princess will arrive shortly."

Meng Qianqian gestured at the guest seats across from them. "Who are those reserved for?"

The servant replied, "I was told they are for a few distinguished guests."

"Distinguished guests?" Meng Qianqian murmured as she seated herself alongside Liu Qingyun, Lin Xiaoru, and Zhou Nanyan.

Tan’er sat behind Meng Qianqian, munching on a hawthorn candied skewer.

Ji Li and Si Snake sat at the table beside them.

Liu Qingyun’s face darkened as she turned to Meng Qianqian, her voice sharp and cold. "Hey! You’re not going to lose my son to them, are you? I’m warning you—if you lose my son, you’re finished!"

Meng Qianqian blinked playfully and shamelessly responded, "Mother, are you implying that I, this daughter-in-law, am more to your liking than a princess-in-law?"

Liu Qingyun: "..."

Princess Wanping didn’t keep them waiting long and soon arrived.

Accompanying her into the small garden were today’s distinguished guests.

Meng Qianqian had anticipated Xun Yu’s presence, but she hadn’t expected the grandson and granddaughter of the Miao King.

Beyond that, the shameless Wei Mingxuan had joined them as well.

She dismissed Wei Mingxuan’s presence—it was undoubtedly his own thick-skinned persistence.

But what was with that pair of siblings? She refused to believe Xun Yu couldn’t see Princess Wanping’s interest in Lu Yuan. Given that, bringing along his rejected fiancée was utterly baffling. Had he lost his mind?

As Meng Qianqian puzzled over this, Liu Qingyun suddenly choked and began coughing violently.

"Cough! Cough-cough-cough!"

"Mother, are you all right?" Meng Qianqian hurriedly patted her back to soothe her.

Liu Qingyun coughed and touched her face, quickly pulling a veil over it.

Meng Qianqian asked curiously, "Mother, aren’t you hot?"

Liu Qingyun sat up straighter. "I... I’m afraid of the sun."

Meng Qianqian tilted her head upward. "Afraid of the sun? But it’s rather shady here."

Liu Qingyun’s expression darkened severely, and she said sternly, "You should focus on winning!"

Meng Qianqian raised an eyebrow. "Oh."

Princess Wanping and Xun Yu’s party took their seats.

As the hostess, Princess Wanping introduced her guests one by one.

Xun Yu’s smiling gaze fell upon Liu Qingyun’s face. "I’ve heard Madam Lu is also from Miaojiang. Might you know Young Master Bai and Miss Bai?"

Liu Qingyun cleared her throat, picked up a teacup, and intended to sip to cover her false front. However, she soon realized her veil was in the way.

Meng Qianqian commented breezily, "Miaojiang is vast; surely one cannot claim to have met every soul from there. Even one as distinguished as Princess Wanping cannot assert that everyone in the Capital City knows of her."

Xun Yu flashed a smile. "I was merely curious why a Miaojiang native would fail to pay their respects upon meeting their Young Master."

Princess Wanping interjected, "Madam Lu is my honored guest. She need not bow to anyone."

Bai Qingchen glanced at Liu Qingyun.

Liu Qingyun suddenly raised a hand and slammed it heavily on the table, her tone uncouth as she exclaimed, "Is there no wine here?"

Bai Qingchen shook his head slightly.

Xun Yu carefully observed Bai Qingchen’s expression, concluding that this Liu Qingyun was indeed not Bai Zheng.

Princess Wanping promptly ordered elegant wine to be served.

Meng Qianqian remarked, "Princess Wanping, now that everyone is gathered, shall we start our bet? I’ve brought my Twelve Guards. Where are yours?"

Princess Wanping glanced at Ji Li and Si Snake. "Which of them are Twelve Guards?"

Ji Li suavely flicked his folding fan and presented his token. "Twelve Guards Rooster, greetings, Princess."

Si Snake also laid his token on the table. "Si Snake."

Princess Wanping was greatly astonished, never expecting Meng Qianqian to truly deliver two Twelve Guards.

Yet she quickly recovered, smiling smugly. "You’re better than I anticipated, but... Chen Long, come forth."

As soon as she spoke, Chen Long entered with two imposing men in tow.

One was stocky and robust, the other lean and wiry.

Old memories resurfaced, leaving Meng Qianqian momentarily stunned. "Hai Pig, Sheep."

Princess Wanping displayed her token triumphantly. "Chen Long, Hai Pig, Sheep, along with my Monkey Order token—Meng Xiaojiu, you’ve lost!"