Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot
Chapter 447 - 401: Looking for Dad

Chapter 447: Chapter 401: Looking for Dad

"Makes sense."

Meng Qianqian nodded, then glanced at Ji Li on the rooftop, "Rooster, what about you?"

Ji Li bristled, "How many times do I have to tell you? Stop calling me Rooster!"

Chen Long stood up, his expression cold as he stared at him.

Ji Li, unafraid, retorted, "Wanna fight? Bring it on!"

Lu Yuan said nonchalantly, "Emperor Liang ascending the throne, the Imperial Grandson’s grand wedding—such joyous occasions. Do you think the court has received an invitation? Will they send a delegation to congratulate Emperor Liang? Should we send a carrier pigeon to Princess Wanping, telling her that her Prince Consort is at Yu Zichuan’s place?"

Ji Li closed his folding fan and clasped his hands in a mock bow, "Brother, please spare me."

Meng Qianqian curled her lips into a smile.

Chen Long sat back down on the stone bench.

Lu Yuan clicked his tongue, "See? Handling someone doesn’t always mean killing them."

Chen Long: "You want to fight too?"

Meng Qianqian quickly stepped in to mediate, "Alright, alright, the two of you, stop it; focus on the main topic."

Ji Li lay back on the rooftop, leisurely fanning himself with the folding fan, "In my opinion, why make things so complicated? We already have the Young Master of the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion in our hands. Cut off one of his fingers and send it to the Pavilion—they’ll come begging to see us!"

Chen Long: "And then? Wait for them to wipe us out entirely?"

Ji Li said, "You want to assassinate him, don’t you? Wouldn’t it be better if he came to you of his own accord?"

Chen Long might risk his own life, but he couldn’t allow his sister to be surrounded by enemies.

Meng Qianqian looked over at Lu Yuan, "What do you think?"

Lu Yuan said, "I think everyone’s points are valid; all are executable."

The group looked at him in puzzlement.

Lu Yuan spoke unhurriedly, "Assassinating Gongsun Yanming is the method to strike at the root. However, we aren’t certain of Gongsun Yanming’s true strength, so I propose that we first investigate the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion, look for opportunities when Gongsun Yanming leaves, and then carry out the assassination."

"As for Shang Wuyou, let him return to the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion."

Ji Li sat up abruptly and questioned seriously, "Hey, such a valuable hostage, and you say we should just let him go? If we let him go, what leverage will we have over the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion?"

"No leverage needed," Lu Yuan said, "we’ll blend in."

"Blend in?" Meng Qianqian mulled over Lu Yuan’s words; her eyes lit up, "You mean to infiltrate the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion?"

"Exactly. Gongsun Yanming is currently the State Preceptor; his movements aren’t easy to trace. Only by entering the Pavilion and using Shang Wuyou’s position can we seize the opportunity."

Meng Qianqian paused and said, "I have a concern and a question."

"Speak."

Lu Yuan had guessed what she was thinking but felt it better for her to articulate it herself.

His mother always said women need to talk a lot each day; if they don’t, they’ll feel stifled.

Although he often thought she wasn’t like that.

Meng Qianqian had no idea a single sentence she said could trigger so many thoughts in Lu Yuan’s mind.

She said, "We used to have Changle in hand, and the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion never feared losing control over Wuyou. Now that Changle has been rescued, I worry that the Pavilion might use drugs to control Wuyou."

Lu Yuan shook his head, "Do you recall the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion’s trip to Medicine King Valley to seek medicine for Changle?"

"I remember," Meng Qianqian replied.

Lu Yuan said, "The rule of Medicine King Valley is one life for another. Back then, we speculated they traded Wuyou’s life for Changle’s. To this day, I stand by that speculation. If so, Wuyou’s life now belongs to Medicine King Valley, and the Pavilion has no right to interfere."

Meng Qianqian sighed, "That’s both good news and bad news."

The good news was that Wuyou would be safe in the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion. To justify themselves to Medicine King Valley, they’d even have to protect Wuyou meticulously.

The bad news was that if Medicine King Valley came for Wuyou someday, how would they handle the Valley?

Lu Yuan poured her a cup of warm water: "Deal with the Pavilion first; Medicine King Valley can be managed later. Besides, we still have Mao Tu as a connection. If she’s willing to step forward, the Valley Master will likely grant his own daughter’s request."

"But she only listens to Chu Nan. Unless Chu Nan somehow comes back to life, Chu Nan..."

Meng Qianqian’s thoughts suddenly flashed upon something, and she fell silent.

"I will help you deal with Medicine King Valley,"

Si Snake suddenly spoke up.

Meng Qianqian looked at him quizzically.

Si Snake wanted revenge against Prime Minister Xun for Chu Grand Marshal.

As for coming to the Southwest with them, Si Snake had never mentioned helping them confront the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion.

Yet now, he actively brought up Medicine King Valley.

Could Si Snake have some connection to Medicine King Valley?

Regardless, Medicine King Valley wouldn’t be more troublesome than the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion.

"Alright, we’ll send Wuyou back to the Pavilion tomorrow."

Shang Wuyou had always sought to uncover the truth, so let him go—let him hurt, let him come to terms.

Chen Long looked at Meng Qianqian: "Your question."

Meng Qianqian glanced at everyone: "Who will accompany Wuyou to the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion?"

Ji Li waved his folding fan, "Since it was my idea, naturally, I’ll go!"

Chen Long sneered mercilessly, "You’re so noisy, you’d give yourself away in less than a day!"

Ji Li rolled his eyes, "If you’re so capable, why don’t you go?"

Meng Qianqian shook her head, "My brother can’t go; the Pavilion knows him, and even with disguise, it’s only a matter of time before he’s exposed."

Si Snake was an even less viable option.

His piercing blue eyes were impossible to disguise.

After some contemplation, there was only one suitable candidate.

-

"What did you say? You’re letting me go?"

At the break of dawn, Shang Wuyou heard the news he had been longing for from Meng Qianqian herself. He was so incredulous that he thought he must have misheard.

Or Meng Qianqian had slipped up.

All this time, they’d kept such a tight watch over him—shadowing him even to the latrine to prevent his escape.

Meng Qianqian spoke calmly, "Yes, pack your things; we’re sending you back to the Pavilion immediately."

That very morning, Si Snake had already gone out to locate the Pavilion’s whereabouts.

The place was heavily guarded, even more so than the former Governor Mansion when it had housed Jinyi Guards.

Shang Wuyou asked skeptically, "Why the sudden kindness?"

Meng Qianqian said flatly, "It’s not kindness, it’s a deal."

Shang Wuyou frowned, "What are you planning?"

Meng Qianqian kept her composure, "Do you know why my maid, Tan’er, came with us to the Southwest? I didn’t bring Qing Shuang, but I brought this little maid. Don’t you find it odd?"

Shang Wuyou retorted irritably, "It is odd, but that’s your business; what does it have to do with me?"

The punk—once revenge was done, she’d make sure to drag him to his uncle and aunt’s grave for a proper beating.

Meng Qianqian continued to fabricate, "To be honest, her father is a disciple of the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion."

Shang Wuyou was stunned, "W-What?"

Meng Qianqian sighed, "She ran away from home without telling her mother, just to find her father."

Shang Wuyou said, "Why didn’t you say earlier? I know all the Pavilion’s people. What’s her father’s name?"

"I don’t know."

Shang Wuyou was momentarily speechless.

Meng Qianqian spoke resolutely, "I’ll release you back to the Pavilion. You’ll help Tan’er find her father. In the meantime, you must protect her. If you agree, you can get on the carriage now."