Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot
Chapter 451 - 403: Visiting the Crown Prince Mansion to Acknowledge Relatives

Chapter 451: Chapter 403: Visiting the Crown Prince Mansion to Acknowledge Relatives

Lai Fu prepared the carriage and walked cheerfully into the main hall, saying to Meng Qianqian and Lu Yuan, "Young Madam Lu, Master Lu, the carriage is ready."

Meng Qianqian noticed Lai Fu’s way of addressing them, always placing her first. Once or twice might be a coincidence, but since it was always this way, it seemed to be the family custom of the Yu Family.

The status of the Yu Madam was above all else, and Lai Fu was accustomed to it.

"Uncle Yu, we’re leaving now."

Meng Qianqian said to Yu Dad.

Yu Dad smiled and said, "After unveiling the royal proclamation, if there’s still time, you can let Lai Fu show you around the Imperial City."

This was exactly to her liking.

Who said only Meng Qianqian defused awkward situations for Yu Dad?

Yu Dad was also meticulous and considerate.

The young couple boarded the Yu Family’s carriage.

Yu Zichuan lightly leaped up, holding his well-polished large bow, and sat on the carriage roof.

Lai Fu tilted his head up in confusion to look at his young master, "Young Master, why are you sitting there? The carriage is spacious! Or, you could sit next to me."

"I’m sitting here."

Yu Zichuan replied.

Lai Fu asked again, "Why though?"

Inside the carriage, Meng Qianqian also asked Lu Yuan, "Yeah, why? Why is Yu Zichuan always either on the house roof or the carriage roof?"

Look at how this trip to Miaojiang tanned the child. Yu Dad didn’t even blame them for turning Yu Zichuan into a little charcoal doll, truly showing immense kindness and generosity.

Yu Zichuan answered from the roof, "Archers should occupy the high ground."

Meng Qianqian’s mouth twitched as she asked Lu Yuan, "Did you teach him that?"

Lu Yuan replied nonchalantly, "Shangguan Ling taught him."

Meng Qianqian palmed her forehead.

One dares to teach, another dares to learn.

She thought Yu Zichuan had some unique habit or quirk, but it turns out he was misguided by the esteemed Commander of the Jinyi Guard.

He’s a swordsman—how could you let him teach Yu Zichuan archery?

True, occupying the high ground isn’t incorrect, but blatantly sitting atop the carriage roof—weren’t you just offering yourself as a live target?

Meng Qianqian asked softly, "Did he not realize there’s an issue with this? Hasn’t he been shot at yet?"

Lu Yuan replied, "Shangguan Ling told him this is a fundamental quality of an archer."

Meng Qianqian: "..."

Suddenly, she felt a bit sorry for Yu Zichuan. How much bad luck did he stumble into to encounter such a group of tricksters?

And despite this, he managed to learn archery so proficiently, hitting a target with pinpoint accuracy. Should one say this was accidental success or commend his exceptional talent?

Thinking of something, Meng Qianqian hesitated to speak.

Lu Yuan noticed her expression and asked, "Speak your mind."

Meng Qianqian glanced at the roof, "Is there a chance he just wants to figuratively be above you?"

Lu Yuan: "..."

The carriage wobbled as it set off.

Lai Fu was a smart and capable young man. Within two months, he had become thoroughly familiar with the terrain of the Imperial City, some places by visiting, others by studying maps.

"Young Madam Lu, Master Lu, Young Master, we’re here."

Lai Fu said, "Pass the alley, this is the place. Too many people—the carriage can’t go through. Shall we stop here?"

Yu Zichuan looked down at Lai Fu, who was gazing up at him, "Why are you looking at me?"

Lai Fu shook his head. The young master goes out once and returns as clueless as ever.

Meng Qianqian lifted the curtain, peered at the bustling street, and asked Lu Yuan, "Can we walk?"

Lu Yuan replied coolly, "We can’t walk. Want to carry me?"

Meng Qianqian said, "Not impossible."

Lu Yuan: "..."

Meng Qianqian stayed true to herself. Even now, she remained a loyal servant at heart.

Lai Fu pointed them toward the right direction, "The spot with the most people over there is where the royal proclamation is posted."

He wouldn’t join them, staying back to guard the carriage.

Yu Zichuan teased, "You really don’t want to consider borrowing money from me? After today, if you want to borrow, it’ll be four percent interest."

Lai Fu sighed, "Young Master, you’re not cut out for business. Stop trying."

Yu Zichuan persisted, "Are you sure you won’t consider it...?"

"Let’s go."

Lu Yuan dragged Yu Zichuan away by the arm.

At the proclamation site, citizens surrounded it layer upon layer.

Most were just there for the spectacle. Each time someone unveiled the proclamation, the crowd burst into excited exclamations.

Unveiling the royal proclamation, however, had its conditions. Either you were already renowned, or you needed to purchase the qualification with silver.

"A thousand gold!"

An enthusiastic old man announced.

"That expensive?"

Meng Qianqian questioned.

Setting a high bar to prevent reckless unveiling was understandable, but a thousand gold for entry seemed rather outrageous.

Meng Qianqian chuckled, "Don’t you think this royal proclamation is quite interesting?"

Lu Yuan’s gaze swept across the people ceaselessly unveiling the proclamation. He replied calmly, "Definitely interesting."

Yu Zichuan said, "I don’t get it."

Meng Qianqian explained with a smile, "The conditions for unveiling the proclamation—the first kind of contestant should’ve already registered in the first three days. Those left are all buying their qualifications for a hefty price. A thousand gold isn’t trivial, so why do people keep unveiling it? It’s likely because some are being instructed to. Someone might be using the guise of buying qualifications to bribe those involved in selecting fine wines."

Yu Zichuan understood, "Bribery."

Meng Qianqian replied, "Exactly, bribery—but bribes that leave no trace."

Yu Zichuan looked at Lu Yuan, "You should learn from this."

Lu Yuan, expressionless, asked, "Are you seriously looking to end your life early?"

Yu Zichuan quietly moved to Meng Qianqian’s other side.

"Should we still go?"

Meng Qianqian asked Lu Yuan with a smile.

Lu Yuan replied, "Suit yourself, I’m fine either way."

His mother had said that women spend money not necessarily to buy something—it’s just that they want to spend.

Meng Qianqian laughed, "How about we take a look first?"

Lu Yuan nodded lightly.

Then Yu Zichuan began pulling out silver notes.

Meng Qianqian stopped him, "What are you doing?"

Yu Zichuan asked, "Don’t you want to go in and take a look?"

Meng Qianqian said with amusement, "That doesn’t mean you should pay."

Yu Zichuan solemnly replied, "I’m only paying for you—he stays outside."

Lu Yuan: I think you’re asking for it!

Meng Qianqian couldn’t help but laugh, "Wait a moment, let me ask around."

On either side of the royal proclamation stood four guards.

Meng Qianqian approached one guard and politely said, "Guard brother, we’re from Witch Mountain and hope to unveil the proclamation. May I ask a few questions?"

The guard, initially impatient, softened his attitude upon hearing Witch Mountain, "Madam, go ahead."

Meng Qianqian silently nodded in approval. Using Witch Mountain’s name was indeed the right move.

She asked, "After purchasing the qualification, where should we go to compete?"

The guard replied, "The preliminary selection is at the nearby Lingyue Restaurant. After the restaurant’s screening, you’ll go to the Crown Prince Mansion. But whether you’re ultimately selected depends on the wine’s quality."

Meng Qianqian glanced around discreetly and slipped him a gold ingot, "I just want a glimpse of the scene. Selection doesn’t matter—I just want to enter the Crown Prince Mansion to broaden my horizons."

The guard’s eyes flickered. He quickly pocketed the gold, suppressing his guilt and nervously whispered, "Go to Lingyue Restaurant and find Assistant Shopkeeper Liu."

"Thank you."

Meng Qianqian expressed her gratitude.

"Even if you get in, you won’t be selected."

Lu Yuan told Meng Qianqian.

Meng Qianqian chuckled, "This time, it has nothing to do with the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion. I just want to acknowledge the Crown Prince as family."

"Family recognition?"

Lu Yuan frowned.

Meng Qianqian asked, "What’s the surname of Liang Country’s Crown Prince?"

Lu Yuan replied, "Lu."

Meng Qianqian said, "Before Prime Minister Xun passed away, he mentioned your father also had the surname Lu."

Lu Yuan gave her a suspicious look, "You’re not saying..."

Meng Qianqian raised her brows, "The story of Prince Jian’s lineage gave me the idea. The truth isn’t always what matters—the key is making the Crown Prince believe. If Thousand Mechanism Pavilion can find him a son, why can’t we?"

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