Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot
Chapter 236 - 220 The Joy of Family Reunion

Chapter 236: Chapter 220 The Joy of Family Reunion

Lu Yuan looked at the candied hawthorn in front of him, his temple throbbed, and something flashed across his heart, though his face betrayed nothing.

He said disdainfully, "I told you, I’m not a child."

Miao King: "You are my grandson!"

It sounded like an insult, but it also happened to be true.

Lu Yuan let out a cold snort.

Miao King glared at him and said, "Don’t just stand there! What, you expect me to feed you? You’re an adult now—fine, let me feed you!"

Lu Yuan didn’t expect the old man to act so swiftly, grabbing the candied hawthorn and shoving it toward his mouth.

The infamous Great Traitor Lu Yuan, publicly force-fed candied hawthorn—if word got out, his reputation would be ruined!

Lu Yuan, with a cold expression, took the candied hawthorn.

Miao King, hands on his hips, raised a brow and said, "Now that’s what I’m talking about!"

Lu Yuan didn’t want to engage with him anymore, his face darkened as he walked toward his own carriage.

Meanwhile, the civil and military officials observing the scene from afar nearly had their eyeballs pop out.

Attending court next time? Parent pickup required? Bribed with candied hawthorn? Is this really a high-ranking official and not some schoolboy waiting for his parents?

Miao King, are you spoiling him too much?

Your grandson is a manipulative Great Traitor in power!

"Eat a bite."

"Not eating."

Miao King swallowed his saliva: "Just try one! I searched several streets and finally found it!"

Lu Yuan raised a brow: "Not eating."

"If you’re not eating, give it to me."

"Not giving."

"Brat!"

The seemingly heartwarming bickering gradually grew fiery, as Miao King, mumbling curses under his breath, boarded the carriage.

When they arrived back at the Governor Mansion, Bao Shu was sitting obediently on her little stool, resting her small hands on her knees, her mouth wide open: "Ahhh—"

Liu Qingyun sat opposite her, holding a small bowl, scooping minced greens to feed her.

"Is it tasty?"

Liu Qingyun asked.

Bao Shu nodded enthusiastically, pointing at her little rice bowl: "Grandma fed me—it’s tasty!"

Liu Qingyun smiled with satisfaction, "Such a good girl! Come, take another bite. Who said babies don’t eat greens? See, you’re eating them just fine!"

"Sweetheart! I’m back! Where’s my precious great-granddaughter?"

Miao King burst into the courtyard, strides bold and confident.

Hearing the great-grandfather’s voice, Bao Shu instantly stopped eating, even spitting out the offering of greens from her mouth. Her little lips quivered, and she ran crying toward him.

Miao King’s heart ached as he quickly scooped up the little troublemaker: "What’s wrong with my little piggy?"

Bao Shu pouted and complained: "The food—it’s yucky!"

Liu Qingyun’s face darkened.

-

After returning to the courtyard, Lu Yuan found Meng Qianqian missing.

Ban Xia said, "The Young Madam went to the Princess Mansion."

Lu Yuan asked, "Gone to the Princess Mansion again? How long has she been there?"

Ban Xia hesitated and said, "A while."

That meant she’d been there for quite some time.

Princess Wanping had just lost a bet; what good could Meng Qianqian expect from visiting the Princess Mansion now?

Lu Yuan furrowed his brow and stepped out of the courtyard.

Just as he reached the front gate, a carriage stopped right in front of him.

Meng Qianqian and Chen Long hopped down from the carriage.

Lu Yuan’s face darkened.

Meng Qianqian looked up and said, "Husband?"

Noticing the whip in his hand, she curiously asked, "Are you heading out?"

Lu Yuan didn’t answer her question; his gaze instead landed on the bundle in her hands and then shifted to Chen Long beside her. "You just went to pick him up?"

Meng Qianqian, oblivious to any looming crisis, replied cheerfully, "That’s right, Husband! I won against Princess Wanping—Chen Long will live at the Governor Mansion from now on!"

Chen Long glanced at Lu Yuan and said to Meng Qianqian, "He doesn’t seem to welcome me. Fine, I’ll leave."

Meng Qianqian hurriedly stopped him, "Hey—you can’t leave! Princess Wanping lost you to me; now you’re mine!"

Lu Yuan gripped the whip tightly and ground out, "Meng Qianqian!"

Meng Qianqian looked hurt and said, "You have your mother and grandfather—isn’t it fair I should have an older brother too?"

Seeing her pitiful expression, Lu Yuan’s fury instantly dissipated.

He coldly side-eyed Chen Long: "You’d best not play any tricks. If I find out you’re a spy sent by the Prime Minister to infiltrate the Governor Mansion, I’ll kill you without hesitation!"

Chen Long responded coolly, "I’m not a spy, but it seems you don’t have the ability to kill me anyway."

Meng Qianqian squeezed between them, quickly breaking up the near-fight with an awkward smile: "Come on, you must be hungry. Let’s eat first!"

Dinner was served in Tinglan Garden.

Tinglan Garden was the courtyard of the old matriarch and Bao Shu. Initially, Lu Yuan and Meng Qianqian had daily meals here, and even after Liu Qingyun joined the house, the routine didn’t change.

The matriarch doted on the younger generation and had once saved Lu Yuan from death at the hands of the Supreme Emperor.

Miao King also held her in high esteem.

Though the matriarch had a poor memory and mistook Lu Yuan for an in-law, to him it wasn’t an issue at all.

A house with an elder is like a treasure trove.

What’s more, five generations under one roof, a thriving household—that kind of fortune is something others can only dream of.

As for that Lu Family—they really were blind to have discarded this fortune. The Governor Mansion gladly accepted it!

"Bang! I win!"

The matriarch triumphantly threw her playing cards on the table, addressing Miao King: "You played recklessly! Pay up, pay up!"

Miao King: "Reckless again? This time, how much?"

Matriarch: "Five hundred taels!"

Newbie card player Miao King awkwardly fumbled with his chaotic hand of cards: This fortune sure burns through silver...

"Great-grandmother!" Meng Qianqian cheerfully stepped into the room, "Oh, Grandfather, you’re here too?"

Miao King laughed and said, "Granddaughter-in-law, you’re back! Join me and your great-grandmother for cards—I’m hopeless at this game, I just can’t figure it out!"

Meng Qianqian asked, "Just the two of you?"

Miao King replied, "Yes."

Meng Qianqian asked curiously, "Isn’t this card game for four players?"

Miao King froze, and both he and Meng Qianqian turned to look at the matriarch.

The matriarch’s eyes darted nervously, and she hastily ran off, waving her arms as she went: "Oh dear! Great-grandson-in-law, are you back? Was court tiring? Were you bullied today—?"

Tinglan Garden was filled with cheerful laughter, the warmth of a bustling family even reached Bai Yuwei in her room.

She impatiently tugged at the handkerchief in her hand.

A maid from the Governor Mansion stood at the door and announced, "Miss Bai, the Young Madam invites you to Tinglan Garden for dinner."

Bai Yuwei said coldly, "I’m not going!"

Bai Qingchen stood up and began to walk out.

Bai Yuwei called out to stop him: "You can’t go either!"

Bai Qingchen turned around to look at her: "Why not?"

Bai Yuwei glared at the maid at the door: "You may leave!"

"Yes, Miss Bai."

The maid turned and left the courtyard.

Bai Yuwei said to Bai Qingchen, "Haven’t you noticed how biased Grandfather is? I’ve suffered countless grievances, and he turns a blind eye, yet he lets that woman manage me!"

Bai Qingchen replied, "Just listen to Sister-in-law."

Bai Yuwei protested, "Why should I listen to her? Grandfather even gave her the Golden Silkworm Gu! If this continues, I fear he’ll pass the Miao King title to them too!"

Bai Qingchen replied softly, "Oh, then let them have it."