Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot
Chapter 421 - 382: The One Who Broke Vegetarianism

Chapter 421: Chapter 382: The One Who Broke Vegetarianism

Warm Pavilion.

Princess Wanping reclined leisurely on the Imperial Concubine’s Couch, sipping on the nourishing soup specially prepared by the kitchen for her.

"Greetings to the Princess."

Meng Qianqian curtsied respectfully.

Princess Wanping glanced up at her, a faint smile on her lips: "You look well. How were the ginger pills I gave you?"

Are you seriously bringing up the ginger pills?

The whole reason I’m here today is to hold you accountable for those ginger pills!

Who drugs someone and then has the audacity to flaunt it, seeking congratulations from the victim?

Are you and Lu Yuan secretly long-lost siblings, born to different parents maybe?

How else could you both wreak havoc with such unrepentant confidence?

Well, you’re Princess Wanping. Anyone else would have been tamed by Meng Qianqian long ago.

Meng Qianqian took a deep breath and smiled faintly: "Anything bestowed by the Princess is, of course, excellent."

Princess Wanping said, "Since you like them so much, I’ll send you another box."

Meng Qianqian forced a laugh: "Such a fine gift would be wasted on someone like Little Nine. Princess, you should keep it for yourself and savor it slowly."

Princess Wanping took another sip of her chicken soup: "I’m not one to forgo the meat at my mouth. Steward Ying, bring another box of ginger pills for the Lu Young Madam."

Steward Ying replied, "Yes, Princess."

Looking down at the ginger pills inexplicably added to her arms, Meng Qianqian thought, I really don’t want these...

Princess Wanping studied Meng Qianqian with an inscrutable gaze: "So, Lu Yuan—how about him?"

Meng Qianqian: ...So direct? You’re a princess; at least be a little tactful?

You worldly people, can you stop being so shockingly blunt?

At home, I deal with Lu Yuan. Finally, I escape the house, only to run into the female counterpart of Lu Yuan.

I’m truly miserable, truly!

Meng Qianqian pretended not to understand: "My husband is doing well. Thank you, Princess, for your concern. Today, I actually came to bid you farewell."

Princess Wanping arched her brows: "Farewell? Where are you going?"

Meng Qianqian answered, "My husband is from Miaojiang and has been separated from his family for many years. We’ve finally located them, and now that the court’s troubles are mostly resolved, Little Nine wishes to accompany him back to Miaojiang to visit his long-separated maternal grandmother."

Princess Wanping mused, "His maternal grandmother is still alive? Strange, I’ve never heard anyone mention the Miao King’s wife."

That’s because she’s the Goddess of Miaojiang, whose status far surpasses that of the Miao King’s wife.

Princess Wanping dropped the subject, assuming by Central Plains customs, anyone outside the primary wife was likely just a concubine.

If she knew the Miao King was an ousted husband, she’d likely be stunned speechless.

Princess Wanping nodded: "In that case, this trip is indeed necessary. Has it been approved by the Emperor and Your Majesty?"

Meng Qianqian replied, "Today, both the Miao King and my husband have entered the palace, presumably to bid farewell to the Emperor and the Supreme Emperor."

While the Miao King could leave the Capital City freely, Lu Yuan, as the court’s top-ranked Grand Commander, could not depart without imperial permission, even though he was the Miao King’s direct grandson.

Princess Wanping sighed wearily: "Fine, in that case, I’ll visit the palace myself. If the Emperor doesn’t allow it, I’ll plead on your behalf."

Meng Qianqian blinked: "Why not just do it today?"

Princess Wanping glared at her feebly.

Meng Qianqian grinned: "Just a joke."

Princess Wanping sipped her soup again: "Go on then, why have you sought me out so early in the morning?"

Meng Qianqian: "To demand justice."

Princess Wanping: "Say that again."

Meng Qianqian instantly softened: "To ask for a favor."

Princess Wanping snorted.

Meng Qianqian stepped closer and sat beside her.

Princess Wanping said coolly, "Did I grant you permission to sit down?"

Meng Qianqian murmured, "My legs are sore."

Suddenly catching a whiff of "dog food," Princess Wanping felt speechless: "..."

Whatever. Her Prince Consort was good to her; there was no need to feel envious.

Meng Qianqian pointed at Princess Wanping’s bowl and addressed Steward Ying: "Steward Ying, may I have a bowl of soup as well?"

Steward Ying held back a smile and looked at Princess Wanping. Seeing no objection, she left with a faintly amused expression.

It was evident to her that the Princess genuinely liked the Lu Young Madam.

The Lu Young Madam also treated the Princess sincerely.

In her twenty-some years, the Princess had encountered many sycophants, but truly sincere people were rare.

Those serving under them could all see it clearly and hoped this bond would last.

The chicken soup was quickly served.

After finishing her bowl, Meng Qianqian sighed contentedly: "Not as good as Madam Du’s cooking."

Princess Wanping remarked, "Ungrateful! If you’re so dissatisfied, why not spit it back out for me?"

Meng Qianqian opened her mouth and lunged towards Princess Wanping.

Startled, Princess Wanping’s face turned pale: "Meng Xiaojiu, if you dare spit on me, you’re dead!"

Meng Qianqian bent forward and feigned gagging.

"Ah—"

Princess Wanping leapt off the Imperial Concubine’s Couch in a panic.

Dignified as she usually was, this was the first time in her life she had lost her composure so completely.

Meng Qianqian laughed until her sides hurt.

Kicking or scolding her wasn’t an option, but a little prank was fair game.

Steward Ying and Steward Bao stifled their laughter until their faces turned crimson.

Princess Wanping fumed: "Get out!"

The others breathed a sigh of relief and left the room with the rest of the attendants.

Princess Wanping said in a cold voice, "Happy now that you’ve made a fool of me?"

"Little Nine wouldn’t dare."

Meng Qianqian cleared her throat, suppressing her amused smile. "Princess, please sit."

Princess Wanping grumbled irritably: "This is my couch. Do I need your permission to sit?"

Seeing how annoyed she was, Meng Qianqian felt greatly satisfied.

Some scores simply had to be settled.

Now that the air had mostly been cleared, Meng Qianqian finally broached her real concern: "Little Nine will be away from the Capital City for two to five months. There’s someone here whom I deeply worry about. I hope the Princess can look after them."

Princess Wanping replied, "If you’re talking about the Old Madam, there’s no need for concern. Father Emperor will treat her kindly."

Meng Qianqian admitted, "I can’t trust anyone else to care for the Old Madam."

Princess Wanping asked, "Who do you wish to entrust her care to?"

Meng Qianqian answered, "Lu’s wife."

Princess Wanping froze for a moment before realizing she wasn’t referring to Liu Qingyun but to her former mother-in-law.

Princess Wanping considered it: "The Old Madam is part of the Lu Family. It’s only natural for Lu’s wife to fulfill her filial duties. Why the need for my intervention? Do you not want the Old Madam returning to the Lu Family?"

Meng Qianqian sighed, "Yes."

Princess Wanping thought for a moment: "That shouldn’t be too difficult. I’ll assign someone to watch over the Governor Mansion, ensuring the Lu Family doesn’t snatch the Old Madam away."

After a pause, she added, "If the Old Madam doesn’t mind, I’m willing to host her at the Princess Mansion and have Lu’s wife attend to her there. How about that?"

Meng Qianqian bowed respectfully: "Princess, your wisdom is unmatched."

Princess Wanping lamented, "Lu’s wife is a kind-hearted woman, yet she was unfortunate enough to marry someone as conniving and ruthless as Lu Xingzhou."

Indeed, who could disagree?

Meng Qianqian continued, "Additionally, there’s another matter I must ask of the Princess."

"Speak."

"May Lu’s wife be allowed to see that child?"

"Lin Wan’er...Xiaoli’s daughter?"

"Yes."

The last time Meng Qianqian visited Lu’s mother, the latter had behaved as though she were making final arrangements. It forced Meng Qianqian to prepare for the worst.

Lu’s mother had long been let down by the Lu Family, previously unable to let go of her grandmother and herself.

But now, with her grandmother and herself beginning anew at the Governor Mansion, Lu’s mother had no lingering attachments and seemingly no will to go on.

The falling flowerpot was clearly a deliberate attempt on her life.

Someone as astute as her couldn’t possibly miss the servant’s lies.

But she chose not to pursue the matter because her heart had long since grown cold.

Even her body was prepared to be discarded at any moment.

After Meng Qianqian’s rebirth, the first person she saw upon opening her eyes was Lu’s mother.

From Lu’s mother, she had experienced her first taste of unconditional kindness in this lifetime.

Princess Wanping gave Meng Qianqian a profound look: "I understand. I will make the arrangements. As for her safety, you needn’t worry. With me around, no one will harm her or the Old Madam."

Meng Qianqian extended her pinky finger.

Princess Wanping raised an eyebrow quizzically. "What are you doing?"

Meng Qianqian said earnestly, "Let’s pinky swear that the ginger pill incident is settled once and for all!"