Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot
Chapter 88 - 87 Qianqian Surprises the Lu Family

Chapter 88: Chapter 87 Qianqian Surprises the Lu Family

Steward Cen smiled so broadly his teeth showed: "I will definitely pass this on to the Grand Commander."

Maidservants cannot casually replace their masters in inviting guests, but Tan’er has been different since she came to Haitang Courtyard.

She doesn’t seem to consider herself a maid, sleeps until she naturally wakes up, and Meng Qianqian never urges her, nor does she enforce the courtyard’s rules upon her.

Nanny Li tried to teach Tan’er proper etiquette for a few days, but eventually discovered... she couldn’t teach her anything at all.

Ban Xia, however, decided to sternly warn her that as a maid, she needed to have the awareness of one.

"Tan’er."

"Hm? Good words!"

"I need to talk to you about something."

"Mhm mhm! Good words! Speak!"

"We who serve under others..."

"Good words make me cry! Boo hoo hoo! I’ll go snatch the Governor Mansion’s cook! Ban Xia, what did you just say?"

Ban Xia sighed: "Nothing worth repeating."

Bao Shu and Meng Qianqian didn’t often ride in the same carriage.

The first time was when they met—heavy rain poured, the little one cried herself hoarse, and nestled in Meng Qianqian’s arms as obediently as a kitten.

The second time was when Meng Qianqian returned to the Capital City—Bao Shu hadn’t seen her for so long and clung to her the entire way, refusing to let go no matter what.

Today, Bao Shu was far more lively, standing on the seat and constantly peering out the carriage window, loudly chattering the entire journey—even startling a passing dog with a squeal.

In February, the Capital City’s weather was mild yet chilly, but Bao Shu managed to exhaust herself and break a sweat.

"Take a rest."

Meng Qianqian sat the little one back on her lap, wiped off her sweat, and placed a towel warmed by a bed warmer behind her back.

The little one leaned comfortably against Meng Qianqian’s chest, lazily kicking her tiny legs.

The Governor Mansion’s carriage was permitted direct entry to the Imperial Palace, but Bao Shu decided she wanted to get down.

Meng Qianqian carried her as they disembarked.

Ban Xia and Tan’er followed suit.

Tan’er said to Bao Shu, "Treasure Piggy, let me carry you!"

Bao Shu immediately shook her little head and burrowed into Meng Qianqian’s arms.

Tan’er poked her tiny behind: "Just one hug~"

Bao Shu continued hiding her face in Meng Qianqian’s embrace but extended a small chubby hand to swipe Tan’er’s fingers away—no hugs allowed!

Meanwhile, the Lu Family had also arrived.

Not only had the matriarch and Lin Wan’er dressed in their finest attire, but even the second lady and Lu Linglong had adorned themselves with glittering jewels for the occasion.

In contrast, Lu Mother was much simpler yet still dignified and presentable.

Lu Erye, who dreaded the ceremonial pomp of palace banquets, feigned illness to stay home, while Lu Xingzhou dragged Lu Lingxiao along.

As the Lu Family ladies entered the palace, they spotted Meng Qianqian and her group.

Meng Qianqian wore a light blue martial outfit with her hair tied into a simple high bun using a blue ribbon, looking sharp and heroic.

Aside from Lu Mother, the others couldn’t recognize her at first glance, mistaking her for a female general returning to court.

But upon closer thought, the court had no female generals.

"It’s Meng Qianqian!"

Lu Linglong exclaimed.

The group focused their gaze and, sure enough, it was her.

This gallant figure, unyielding in spirit, was worlds apart from the timid and mistreated bride they had housed for five years—it was no wonder they couldn’t initially identify her.

Lu Linglong immediately showed disdain: "What kind of outfit is that? Neither man nor woman!"

The prejudices people hold are terrifying—upon realizing it was Meng Qianqian, their initial feelings of awe and amazement vanished, replaced with criticism of her mismatched demeanor.

The second lady similarly frowned: "What is she doing here?"

The matriarch coldly reprimanded: "Meng Shi! Why are you here?"

Meng Qianqian ignored her.

The matriarch bristled at being snubbed: "Meng Shi! Are you deaf?"

Tan’er turned around: "Yell again and see if I don’t give you a beating!"

The matriarch shouted angrily: "How dare you? This is the Imperial Palace!"

Tan’er rolled up her sleeves: "Wanna see if I dare?"

The matriarch suddenly recalled the slap she received from across the room during Liu’s funeral, and instinctively flinched.

Ban Xia returned, carrying Bao Shu, who had gone to relieve herself.

Meng Qianqian reached out and took Bao Shu: "Tan’er, let’s go."

Tan’er glared at the matriarch, snorted, and followed Meng Qianqian away.

The matriarch trembled with rage: "What impudence! What impudence!"

The second lady murmured in confusion: "Why is she in the palace? And whose child is that?"

Lin Wan’er hesitated before gesturing subtly to Lu Luo.

Lu Luo addressed the matriarch and second lady: "According to the General, Meng Shi has become a maid at the Governor Mansion."

The second lady was stunned: "What? So that child... is the Governor Mansion’s young miss? She seemed familiar when I glimpsed her at the temple."

Bao Shu had once gotten lost at the temple, and Meng Qianqian accompanied Lu Mother and the matriarch to care for the little one all afternoon—an event known to everyone in the Lu Family.

But no one expected Meng Qianqian to end up as a maid in the Governor Mansion.

Lu Linglong sneered disdainfully: "How shameful!"

The second lady glared at her daughter: "You still think she’s Lu Family’s Eldest Young Madam? Without us, she’s nothing—just someone’s servant now."

Lu Luo lamented: "Using the Grand Commander’s daughter to get close to him—it’s hard to say when she developed such ambitions. After severing ties with the General..."

Lin Wan’er gave her a sharp look, signaling her to stop.

Lu Luo quickly apologized: "This maid has spoken out of turn."

The matriarch, second lady, and Lu Linglong absorbed every word.

The second lady suddenly understood: "So that decree severing ties came under suspicious circumstance—how could a small merchant’s daughter from You State persuade the Supreme Emperor to issue it? Turns out it was the Grand Commander’s doing! Does that mean at the temple... the two had already begun their affair?"

The matriarch gnawed her teeth: "That fickle and shameless wretch! Seducing men, and still having the nerve to cut ties with Lingxiao!"

Lu Mother frowned: "Mother, sister-in-law, this is the Imperial Palace—walls have ears, do refrain from speaking harshly."

The matriarch couldn’t vent her frustrations at Meng Qianqian, so she shifted her fury to Lu Mother instead: "This is all thanks to your excellent upbringing! The Lu Family—how many ingrates did we raise?"

She even managed to target Lu Mother with her insinuations.

Lu Mother, long accustomed to this treatment, remained silent, numbed.

The matriarch only grew angrier at her apathy, but at that moment, an attendant from Consort Li’s palace arrived: "The Noble Consort invites the matriarch and ladies to Changchun Palace to sit for a while before attending the banquet together."

This was an extraordinary honor.

The matriarch’s mood lifted instantly.

The group followed to Changchun Palace, where Consort Li’s family members were also present.

After paying respects and exchanging pleasantries with Consort Li, the noblewoman had seats prepared for the Lu ladies and introduced a lavishly dressed woman sitting beside her: "This is my sister-in-law."

Madam Wen greeted the group warmly, praising Lu Linglong for being lively and lovely, then turned her attention to Lin Wan’er: "This must be Miss Lin, correct?"

Lin Wan’er rose gracefully and curtsied.

Madam Wen approached, holding her hand kindly: "Don’t trouble yourself with formality. Noble Consort, take a look—doesn’t her brows resemble Jun’er’s?"

Jun’er, Madam Wen’s eldest daughter, had married far away years ago.

Consort Li appeared genuinely surprised: "Now that you mention it, I finally understand why Wan’er always felt so familiar to me—it’s because she resembles my niece!"

Madam Wen beamed: "Miss Lin, if you don’t mind, would you like to become my adoptive daughter?"