Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot
Chapter 234 - 218: Domineeringly Tearing into the Prime Minister’s Mansion

Chapter 234: Chapter 218: Domineeringly Tearing into the Prime Minister’s Mansion

Bai Yuwei glanced at the little twerp who suddenly appeared to steal her grandfather’s attention and let out a disdainful scoff.

"My grandfather hates kids the most. He’s definitely not going to pick you up!"

As expected, the Miao King looked at the tiny, milk-scented child in front of him and made no move to embrace her.

"What did I say?"

Bai Yuwei clapped her hands triumphantly. Her grandfather doted on her the most; even when she was little, he barely held her. How could he possibly hold someone else’s child?

Bao Shu tilted her tiny head upward and stretched out her pale, chubby little arms. "Great-grandpa, hug!"

The Miao King began an internal battle.

It had been years since he’d last held a child. His arms were out of practice, and the little thing was so small—what if he accidentally hurt her?

He tried his best to keep a stern expression.

When Bao Shu saw that her great-grandpa wouldn’t hold her, she didn’t get discouraged. She promptly clung to the Miao King’s leg.

The Miao King: "...!!"

He couldn’t bring himself to say no!

The Miao King immediately scooped up the little one.

Seeing him hold the child as if he were hefting a hammer, Liu Qingyun gasped sharply!

"Be careful! Don’t drop her!"

Her deepest childhood memory of her father was being dropped countless times from his arms. She believed mountain cliffs were less dangerous than her dad!

Bai Yuwei’s reaction was even more dramatic; she wasn’t worried, but utterly shocked, her jaw dropping.

She must be hallucinating. Her grandfather, who never liked having children near him, was actually holding this little brat?

And this little brat even called her grandfather "great-grandpa." What on earth was going on?

Liu Qingyun, ultimately uneasy, stepped forward to take Bao Shu away.

But before she could, Bao Shu turned her little head and dove into the Miao King’s arms.

Liu Qingyun fumed, hands on her hips!

The Miao King laughed heartily. "That’s my good little great-grandchild!"

Liu Qingyun gritted her teeth. "You little brat, do you believe I won’t spank you?"

Bao Shu leaned her head on the Miao King’s shoulder, wiggled her little feet smugly, and challenged, "Come spank me!"

Liu Qingyun’s face darkened.

Meanwhile, Meng Qianqian’s lips curved slightly upward.

This little one was sly, knowing from such a young age how to curry favor with the powerful. Who could she have learned it from?

"Your great-grandpa listens to me!" Liu Qingyun declared to the child, then sternly faced her own father. "Put her down."

Seeing the situation turn dire, Bao Shu clung to the Miao King’s neck and cried out in her babyish voice, "Great-grandpa, great-grandpa!"

The Miao King, lost in those repeated cries of "great-grandpa," cleared his throat and said to his daughter, "I’ll agree with you on other matters, but not this one."

Liu Qingyun: "Dad!"

Bao Shu, just about to chime in with another "great-grandpa," had her little mouth covered by the Miao King. "That’s enough of that."

Meng Qianqian smiled. "Bao Shu, it’s time to eat."

Bao Shu replied, "Great-grandpa feeds me!"

The Miao King was overjoyed. "Alright, alright! Great-grandpa will feed you! Where do we eat?"

Bao Shu pointed her tiny hand. "Over there!"

Meng Qianqian turned her head to look at the dumbfounded Bai Yuwei and smiled slightly. "Sister Wei’er, come join us."

"Who’s your sister?" Bai Yuwei rolled her eyes at Meng Qianqian in annoyance and stomped over to the Miao King, asking in frustration, "Grandfather, what’s going on?"

The Miao King replied, "Lu Yuan is your aunt’s long-lost son, and Qianqian is your sister-in-law."

Bai Yuwei couldn’t believe it. "Wasn’t my aunt’s son already... Grandfather, you and Aunt must be mistaken!"

The Miao King’s expression darkened. "Your aunt has found her biological son. As her niece, you should be happy for her, not making things difficult for your sister-in-law and adding to your aunt’s troubles!"

Bai Yuwei felt utterly wronged and pointed at Meng Qianqian in accusation. "I didn’t make things difficult for her! She’s always been picking on me! She even stole your Golden Silkworm Gu!"

The Miao King said firmly, "The Golden Silkworm Gu was a gift from me to Qianqian as a meeting present!"

Bai Yuwei couldn’t believe her ears.

The Golden Silkworm Gu! She didn’t even dare dream of owning it, and yet her grandfather had so casually given it to an outsider?

"Grandfather, you’re being unfair! I’ve asked you for it so many times, but you wouldn’t give it to me. And yet you gave it to an outsider who bullies me!"

The Miao King said sternly, "What outsider! It seems you’ve been spoiled rotten by your parents! You have no sense of propriety. It’s only right that your sister-in-law discipline you. I think it’s best if you stay here in the Capital City for a while so your sister-in-law can teach you some proper manners!"

Bai Yuwei cried, "I don’t want to!"

The Miao King declared with authority, "If you won’t, then go back to Miaojiang!"

Bai Yuwei let out a wail and ran away in tears.

Meng Qianqian said to the Miao King, "Grandfather, I’ll go check on her."

The Miao King stated, "Her brother is right behind her. Don’t bother."

It wasn’t true that the Miao King didn’t care about Bai Yuwei. After ten-odd years, even a dog would inspire feelings, let alone a person.

However, the Miao King had his principles and refused to indulge her.

Liu Qingyun yawned and turned to leave.

The Miao King called after her, "Where are you going?"

In a lazy tone, Liu Qingyun replied, "To catch up on sleep."

The Miao King frowned. "It’s midday, and you’re still sleeping? How can you behave like this in front of your daughter-in-law and granddaughter?"

"Hmph."

Liu Qingyun walked off without looking back.

The Miao King’s so-called principles shattered into pieces—

-

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Xun had just finished court.

As per usual, he was supposed to head to the Taihe Palace to assist the Emperor with reviewing memorials and instructing him in the principles of rulership.

But just as he stepped into the Imperial Study Room, he saw Zong Zhengxi diligently reviewing memorials.

Considering the young emperor was at the age of rebellion and play, he had found governance novel at first but had grown impatient with memorials after just a few days. Most of the work had fallen on Prime Minister Xun.

A glimmer of suspicion flickered in the Prime Minister’s eyes.

At that moment, Eunuch Fu arrived at the Imperial Study Room carrying a food container.

"Greetings, Prime Minister."

Eunuch Fu gave a small and respectful bow.

Prime Minister Xun returned the gesture courteously. "Chief Steward Fu."

Eunuch Fu smiled and said, "With the heat today, the Supreme Emperor worried that His Majesty might overheat, so he sent me to deliver some mung bean soup to cool him down. Would the Prime Minister care to join for a bowl?"

It was phrased as an offer but was obviously an invitation to leave.

Prime Minister Xun smiled calmly. "No need. Since His Majesty is busy with state affairs, I won’t disturb him further."

As he walked out of the Taihe Palace, Prime Minister Xun’s smile gradually faded.

As soon as Prime Minister Xun returned to the Prime Minister’s Mansion, Ruan Qing and several Miaojiang guards arrived, placing a large chest heavily at the mansion’s entrance.

"By order of the Miao King, a gift from Miaojiang is presented to the Prime Minister!"

Ruan Qing’s voice was loud and immediately attracted a crowd of passersby.

"A gift from the Miao King!"

"Now that’s prestige for the Prime Minister!"

"Indeed, not even the Emperor has been visited yet, but the Miao King delivers gifts to the Prime Minister first!"

"What’s inside? That massive chest—could it all be gold?"

"Gold is nothing! I bet it’s antiques! The Miao King’s generosity is unmatched!"

The crowd’s chatter quickly grew, and soon the gate to the Prime Minister’s Mansion was packed with onlookers.

This was an excellent opportunity to showcase the strength of the Prime Minister’s Mansion. With an alliance with the Miao King, the Prime Minister’s power would only increase.

Prime Minister Xun instructed the gatekeeper, "Open the chest."

The servant opened the chest.

But to everyone’s shock, it didn’t contain gold, jewels, or antique paintings—it held Xun Yu, beaten to a pulp and barely conscious!

The onlookers collectively gasped.

It wasn’t an alliance the Miao King wanted with the Prime Minister—it was a declaration of war!