Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot
Chapter 420 - 381 A Wonderful Newlywed Life

Chapter 420: Chapter 381 A Wonderful Newlywed Life

Which one...?

Lu Yuan’s words carried a certain suggestion, and although Meng Qianqian didn’t want to choose any, she still subconsciously replayed the intimate details of their encounters in her mind.

She glanced at the candelabrum.

Lu Yuan raised a brow. "Shall we start by lighting the candles?"

Meng Qianqian shook her head vigorously, like a rattle-drum, her gaze shifting to the space behind him.

Lu Yuan smirked. "Tie the belt then—shall we begin with binding your hands?"

Meng Qianqian once again shook her head emphatically, looking at him with innocent wide eyes. "...Can we perhaps find another way to apologize? Ten thousand taels... no, twenty thousand... or even everything I have—would that work?"

Lu Yuan narrowed his eyes slightly. "What do you take me for? A courtesan from a brothel?"

"Little Nine wouldn’t dare."

She realized the absurdity of her own suggestion. It wasn’t as though he lacked silver.

When had her thoughts become so jumbled? The composure and calm she prided herself on had been so easily unraveled by a single glance from his penetrating eyes.

This wasn’t like her usual self at all...

Meng Qianqian closed her eyes tightly, attempting to regain her composure.

But pressed so closely against his chest, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breathing, hearing the powerful rhythm of his heartbeat, her own heart seemed to capture the frantic thump of a leaping antelope. It pounded so fiercely that her whole body felt aflame.

How had it come to this?

It was as though this body no longer belonged to her...

Lu Yuan’s deep, seductive voice echoed close to her ear. "Have you thought it through, Meng Xiaojiu?"

Resting her cheek against his chest, Meng Qianqian blinked rapidly as she asked, "What if I haven’t? Can I have more time to think it over?"

Lu Yuan: "No."

Meng Qianqian sat up angrily, glaring at him. "Then why did you even ask me!"

Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow. "What you’re suggesting is that I don’t need to ask your opinion and can make the decision myself."

"I didn’t say that..."

Before Meng Qianqian could finish, Lu Yuan suddenly pulled her into an embrace and flipped her underneath him.

Meng Qianqian felt the world spin. Her heart almost leapt into her throat.

And then she found herself lying on his bed, still imbued with his warmth and scent, meeting his eyes filled with a stormy desire.

The wind howled outside, but she couldn’t hear a thing.

Between heaven and earth, all that remained were their synchronized heartbeats and shallow breaths.

Lu Yuan propped himself on his arms, trapping her within the safety of his embrace. His long hair cascaded downward, tangling with the strands of her own.

"Meng Xiaojiu, do you remember the words you once said?"

Meng Qianqian stammered, "W-what words?"

Lu Yuan replied, "It seems you’ve forgotten."

—Meng Xiaojiu, if the person before you today were Lu Lingxiao or Chu Nan, would you treat them the same? Would you see them as your antidote?

—No, Little Nine would only ever do this with the Grand Commander.

Lu Yuan’s fingertips traced teasing patterns across the soft curve of her waist. "Then I’ll make sure you remember, piece by piece."

Meng Qianqian steadied herself and feigned calmness. "I think... you might as well just tell me directly."

Lu Yuan’s thin lips curled into a roguish smile. "Are you sure you want me to say it outright?"

As he spoke, his eyes fell meaningfully on her delicate, jade-like hands. "You once told me, ’What is this? Why is it so different from the pictures in the books...’"

"Stop talking!"

Meng Qianqian hurriedly covered his mouth.

Mortification burned through her. She could picture it all too clearly!

Lu Yuan gently removed her hand. "You wanted me to speak, and now you want me to stop. Meng Xiaojiu, what is it you truly wish—do you want me to say, or do you want me to act?"

Meng Qianqian: "..."

Lu Yuan, with a deadly serious expression, continued, "Well then, I suppose I’ll say it. Very well, I won’t force you. Since you wish to hear it, I’ll let you have your fill. ’Grand Commander, Little Nine still...’"

Before he could finish, Meng Qianqian reached up, circled her arms around his neck, and silenced him with her lips.

"Meng Xiaojiu, remember, this was your choice."

With a flick of his wrist, Lu Yuan extinguished the candles on the table.

The bed curtains fell, enclosing a world of tender intimacy and passion.

...

The plans for the twin siblings to travel to Miaojiang for treatment had finally been set, with the Miao King offering his enthusiastic support.

"My dear daughter, I’ll go with you," the Miao King said to Liu Qingyun.

The young couple was not present.

Lu Yuan left for court looking thoroughly refreshed, while Meng Qianqian remained in bed, catching up on much-needed sleep—deep, blissful sleep!

In consideration of her rest, Liu Qingyun had thoughtfully relocated to Tinglan Courtyard, and her first act upon waking was showering Bao Shu with a handful of golden beans.

Bao Shu busied herself with gathering the precious golden beans, her seriousness practically comical.

Yawning, Liu Qingyun remarked, "Why are you meddling? Aren’t you afraid my mother will kick you out?"

The Miao King, with arms akimbo, declared, "I’ve got that punk and my granddaughter-in-law to back me up! Besides, I’ve already avenged that boy! The deed was executed flawlessly—Xian’er wouldn’t have the heart to kick me out."

Liu Qingyun cast her father a sympathetic glance. "I wouldn’t be so sure."

The Miao King: "You were supposed to be my considerate little girl, so why do you keep exposing me at every turn?"

Fortunately, the boy had promised he would put in a good word for him with Xian’er and even arrange for him to stay the night.

"We’re leaving for Miaojiang soon, so I’ll go bid farewell to the Supreme Emperor!"

Liu Qingyun laughed. "You mean you’re just angling for another free meal, aren’t you?"

The Miao King: "Some truths are better left unspoken."

The Miao King swaggered into the palace. "Your Majesty! I’m off to see my wife!"

-

That night, Chen Long also learned of the twin siblings’ upcoming journey to Miaojiang for treatment.

"Did Wuyou agree as well?"

Chen Long asked Meng Qianqian, noticing how unsteady her steps were. He couldn’t help but ask with concern, "The weather’s so cold, why bother with martial arts training? You’re overdoing it."

Meng Qianqian cleared her throat. "I know, Brother."

She sat down and placed a plate of osmanthus cakes, freshly made by Madam Du, on the table. These were her brother’s favorite.

"I told Wuyou that if we couldn’t cure Changle within three months, we’d send her back to the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion. He agreed."

Chen Long thought for a moment and then said, "Si Snake is skilled in poisons, and it just so happens he’s also heading to Miaojiang. Perhaps he could be of help. I’ll visit the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion."

Meng Qianqian asked, "Are you going for the antidote?"

Chen Long replied, "Changle’s life has only three months left. If the Goddess of Miaojiang herself can’t save her... retrieving the antidote would be better than sending her back to the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion."

Meng Qianqian straightened, speaking earnestly. "Brother, Lingshan is in the Southwest, not far from Miaojiang. Why don’t you come to Miaojiang with us first? If Grandmother and Si Snake can’t treat Changle, it won’t be too late to head to the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion. As for the pavilion—I will go, no matter what."

Her words were a clear message to Chen Long: she intended to be part of the vengeance and wouldn’t let him shoulder it alone.

Seeing his hesitation, Meng Qianqian took his hand firmly. "Brother, let’s avenge the Shang Family together. Don’t take on all the risk alone."

Chen Long wasn’t Lu Yuan—he could keep his thoughts hidden, but not entirely.

His planned visit to the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion was fueled by a willingness to die, to perish alongside the pavilion’s forces.

Meng Qianqian couldn’t allow him to go through with it.

Vengeance was important.

But the living mattered even more.

"Brother, can you truly leave me behind alone in this world?"

With tears shimmering in her eyes, Meng Qianqian looked at him pleadingly.

Chen Long’s heart softened instantly. "Alright, I won’t act recklessly. I’ll go to Miaojiang with you."

Meng Qianqian raised her brows ever so slightly.

She knew it—her acting skills weren’t so bad after all. She might not be able to fool Lu Yuan, but she could handle Chen Long, couldn’t she?

"When are we leaving?"

"There’s still one final matter I need to resolve. Once it’s done, we can depart immediately."

-

Princess Mansion.

Princess Wanping was currently sipping a hearty, nourishing bowl of ginseng chicken soup.

Steward Bao reported, "Princess, Lady Lu is here."

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