Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot
Chapter 282 - 264: Her Achilles’ Heel

Chapter 282: Chapter 264: Her Achilles’ Heel

Bai Yuwei was truly furious.

Every time, they threatened her with Miaojiang matters—if she had known earlier, she would have followed her grandfather to Prince Yu’s residence.

Meng Qianqian said, "As long as you help me find Bao Shu, I’ll listen to you in the future."

Bai Yuwei widened her almond-shaped eyes: "You’ll listen to everything I say? Hold on, you’re never that agreeable! You’re the most cunning one—who knows what tricks you’ve got up your sleeve!"

Having suffered setbacks at Meng Qianqian’s hands too many times, Bai Yuwei had grown cautious.

Meng Qianqian said earnestly, "Bao Shu is my child; as long as I can save her, I’m willing to pay any price."

Bai Yuwei thought about Meng Qianqian’s deep affection for Bao Shu and found her words somewhat credible.

She didn’t like that little brat who competed for attention with her, but the thought of being able to boss this woman around made her feel a bit satisfied.

Bai Yuwei circled Meng Qianqian suspiciously: "Are you sure you’ll listen to everything I say?"

Meng Qianqian said, "Of course, letting me seek death or do heinous things is out of the question."

Bai Yuwei pondered for a moment: "What if I ask you to kowtow a hundred times to me?"

Meng Qianqian responded briskly, "No problem."

Bai Yuwei wavered—after being overshadowed by Meng Qianqian for so long, the temptation of receiving a hundred kowtows was too great.

"Words are empty without proof; let’s put it in writing!"

Central Plains people were the most cunning—she couldn’t afford to fall for it again!

Without hesitation, Meng Qianqian grabbed paper and ink to draft an agreement: once Bao Shu was found, Bai Yuwei could command her as she pleased—but there were exclusions against seeking death and heinous deeds.

Meng Qianqian finished writing, signed, and affixed her seal—all in one breath.

Bai Yuwei carefully stored the document away: "Let’s be clear, I can only promise to try—I might not succeed."

Meng Qianqian said calmly, "If you can’t find her, the agreement won’t take effect."

"I know."

Bai Yuwei rolled her eyes indifferently. "Let’s head to my grandfather’s courtyard first."

"Alright."

Meng Qianqian followed her to the Miao King’s courtyard.

Unable to resist, Bai Yuwei asked, "If I were threatened by you, I’d still help you search—why give me benefits?"

Meng Qianqian replied, "One comes from coercion, the other from eagerness. Personally, I think the latter works better."

Bai Yuwei frowned: Was this woman a Gu worm inside her stomach? How could she always guess her thoughts so precisely?

"In Miaojiang, we have something called the Tracking Gu. The child Gu can sense the mother Gu’s aura. Anyone venturing deep into the mountains will take a mother Gu with them; if they don’t return, the child Gu can trace them."

"My grandfather dotes on that little rascal, so he must have given her a Tracking Gu."

Bai Yuwei opened the Miao King’s cabinet and rummaged through the numerous bottles and jars, pulling out a small bottle. "Found it!"

Meng Qianqian looked at the jade bottle in her hands with suspicion. "Are you sure this contains Bao Shu’s child Gu?"

Bai Yuwei turned the bottle to reveal the side marked with a cinnabar drawing: "Of course—who else could this chubby little figure represent, you or me?"

Meng Qianqian: "..."

"How does the Tracking Gu locate its target?"

Meng Qianqian knew that Hunting Eagles used eyesight and dogs relied on scent.

Bai Yuwei replied, "Through sound."

Meng Qianqian was slightly stunned.

Bai Yuwei uncorked the bottle and released the child Gu. "Grandfather said that Gu worms emit their own sound, which only other Gu worms can hear—humans cannot. There’s a legend that powerful Gu Kings can transmit sound across a hundred miles. The Miao Ancestor once had such a Gu King, but alas, it’s just a legend."

Meng Qianqian became thoughtful. "Interesting."

When it came to Gu worms, her first thought was their violent nature—devouring one another until the last survivor was crowned a Gu.

But Bai Yuwei’s words made her realize that raising Gu was also an intricate art, approached from very unconventional angles.

"Can they transmit sound even in the rain?"

Meng Qianqian asked curiously.

Typically, heavy rain obscures vision, sound, and scent.

Bai Yuwei said, "It has some slight effect but not much."

Miaojiang experienced frequent rain, yet Tracking Gu rarely malfunctioned.

The two donned raincoats and wide-brimmed hats before mounting their horses and departing.

Meng Qianqian noticed that Bai Yuwei, far from being a useless dilettante, seemed quite adept in the art of raising Gu. Despite her bratty temperament, she wasn’t overly pampered.

Holding the reins with one hand, Bai Yuwei shielded the Tracking Gu with an umbrella in the other to ensure it wasn’t hit by the raindrops.

Clearly, she was exhausted but didn’t complain at all.

"Let me do it," Meng Qianqian offered.

Bai Yuwei snorted jealously, "Better not. You’ve got the Golden Silkworm Gu on you—Tracking Gu would be scared stiff—how’s it supposed to locate anyone?"

Meng Qianqian: "Oh."

Bai Yuwei muttered, "Unbelievable. Why didn’t they catch her sooner? Why wait until everyone left the Capital City? If only my brother were here—he’s much better at finding people than I am."

Meng Qianqian remained silent.

Bai Yuwei was right—those people had chosen their timing perfectly.

But why did such a perfect opportunity arise?

Was Lu Yuan’s and the Miao King’s departure from the Capital City, along with Liu Qingyun’s absence, really just coincidence?

Could it be that someone orchestrated three consecutive "luring-the-tiger-from-the-mountain" strategies?

The first was Hai Pig’s disappearance, drawing Lu Yuan away.

The second was Prince Yu’s letter, taking the Miao King to his domain.

The third was Lady Wang’s fall and subsequent complications, prompting Meng Qianqian to leave the Governor Mansion.

One trap after another, and every single one exploited the choices of those involved.

The Twelve Guards were all summoned to the Ministry of Justice, forcing Lu Yuan to personally pursue them.

Prince Yu and the Miao King were sworn brothers; with Prince Yu gravely ill, the Miao King would have no choice but to visit him immediately.

As for Lady Wang, she was Meng Qianqian’s first connection in the Capital City; even though she guessed that Lady Wang probably wouldn’t call for her in the rain, Meng Qianqian had to ensure her safety.

Because if she didn’t, Lady Wang might genuinely face danger.

The enemy would use every possible means to compel her into the trap.

"It should be nearby!"

Bai Yuwei’s words interrupted Meng Qianqian’s thoughts.

Meng Qianqian gazed at the Tracking Gu beneath Bai Yuwei’s umbrella, watching as it moved upward frantically, seemingly brimming with excitement.

She couldn’t help but recall returning to the Capital City from the border one snowy day—Bao Shu, who couldn’t yet walk, crawled through the snow to reach her.

The little one’s anxious and aggrieved expression still made her heart ache.

That wasn’t Meng Qianqian’s obsession; it was Shang Xiaojiu’s reverse scale.

Meng Qianqian spurred her horse forward, leaping into a quiet alley. Her sharp gaze swept the surroundings before locking onto a silent courtyard.

"This is the place!"

Bai Yuwei dismounted and reached out to push the courtyard gate open.

Suddenly, Meng Qianqian grabbed her by the shoulder and yanked her back forcefully.

An arrow tipped with poison streaked through the air, embedding itself fiercely in the opposite wall—the quivering tail feathers created a faint blur, attesting to its deadly strength.

If Meng Qianqian hadn’t pulled her away in time, Bai Yuwei would have been skewered.

Bai Yuwei broke out in a cold sweat.

Meng Qianqian wielded the Brocade Spring Saber, pushing Bai Yuwei behind her, and slashed the courtyard gate open in one stroke!