Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot
Chapter 89 - 88 She is Meng Xiao 9

Chapter 89: Chapter 88 She is Meng Xiao 9

This is meant to elevate Lin Wan’er’s status.

To call it an elevation isn’t entirely accurate. The daughter of Yin Hu isn’t of a lower status than the daughter of the Duke Mansion. Nonetheless, being alone and unsupported in the Capital City, Lin Wan’er needed someone with real backing.

Now, someone is backing her—this is truly help in her time of need.

By the time Yin Hu’s old subordinates come looking for her to pledge allegiance, supporting her then would merely be an embellishment.

Consort Li is adept at seizing opportunities.

Lin Wan’er’s face was filled with joy, but she didn’t immediately agree and instead looked toward the elderly matron behind her.

This seemingly unconscious move deeply pleased the old lady.

The elder matron, smiling kindly, said, "Wan’er, this is your blessing, so why not quickly address her as your godmother?"

Shyly, Lin Wan’er used sign language to call out "Godmother."

Lu Luo added, "My young lady is addressing you as godmother."

Madam Wen, fully aware of Lin Wan’er’s inability to speak, affectionately held Lin Wan’er’s hand and warmly accepted. "Eh!"

"Wan’er, now that you’ve acknowledged my sister-in-law as your godmother, you’re one of us going forward."

Consort Li spoke, glancing at the elder matron and Lu’s mother. "Since all the family elders are here, why don’t we also finalize the marriage arrangements for the two children?"

The elder matron could hardly contain her delight. "Of course! Of course!"

Oh, the Lu Family is truly fortunate—marrying the daughter of the Black Armor Guards is already an unimaginable blessing, and now to have a marriage alliance with the Duke Yao Mansion? The Lu Family has truly hit the jackpot this time!

Madam Wen sat beside Lu’s mother.

With her status as the Duchess, she needn’t have treated Lu’s mother so politely. However, what could she do? Consort Li clearly wanted to win over the Lu Family.

Speaking gently, she said, "Madam Lu, Wan’er and your son’s marriage, the sooner the better, wouldn’t you agree?"

Lu’s mother replied, "Ling Xiao’s marriage has always been decided by my mother-in-law. You may discuss it with her."

Madam Wen’s expression froze momentarily. Was this dissatisfaction with the match? Was it that she didn’t like Lin Wan’er, or perhaps, she wasn’t fond of the Duke Yao Mansion?

The second madam smoothed things over, saying, "My sister-in-law hasn’t been in the best of health; Ling Xiao has always been raised by the elder matron."

"Ah." Madam Wen smiled lightly, following the flow, and turned to discuss the marriage matter with the elder matron.

Typically, meeting with both families to discuss a marriage would not occur in the presence of the younger generation, especially the girl. But Lin Wan’er was still present, and they discussed more details than usual.

This showed they didn’t truly value Lin Wan’er as an individual but rather valued her status and the military power she might inherit from the Black Armor Guards in the future.

Consort Li laughed, saying, "I will have His Majesty issue an edict for the marriage, ensuring Wan’er marries with grand splendor!"

Since the Meng Family had first ended the engagement with Lu Lingxiao, now having an edict for him to marry Lin Wan’er would not leave any room for gossip.

Lin Wan’er truly stole the spotlight today. Later, when she and Lu Linglong came across Meng Qianqian, who was playing hide-and-seek with Bao Shu in Linde Hall, Lin Wan’er couldn’t help but feel a sense of righteously earned pride.

Lu Linglong frowned. "Her again? Ugh, how annoying! Hey, you’re not seriously here to chase after my brother, are you?"

Meng Qianqian replied, "Are you out of your mind?"

"You—"

Just as Lu Linglong was about to explode, her maid pulled her back.

"Miss, please don’t stir up any more trouble!"

Recalling her grandmother’s and mother’s instructions, Lu Linglong held back, walking away with a scowl.

Lin Wan’er stepped in front of Meng Qianqian and signed: I’m about to marry the General. It’s all thanks to the Noble Consort, and His Majesty has agreed to issue an edict for our marriage. I’ll marry in all the splendors of both the Duke Mansion–

Meng Qianqian interrupted, saying, "Then you’d better watch your man carefully. Once you’re the Young Madam of the Lu Family, make sure your husband doesn’t show up in front of me again—unless he’s ready to repay his debt."

Lin Wan’er’s expression darkened.

Meng Qianqian smiled faintly. "Ah, a husband’s debts are the wife’s responsibility. Back when I married him, I paid a huge sum of silver for his family. Now that you’re the adopted daughter of the Duke Mansion and will surely come with a generous dowry, don’t forget to help your dear husband pay back what he owes me."

Lin Wan’er choked hard, unable to respond.

Meng Qianqian turned to find Bao Shu.

When Lin Wan’er tried to grab her wrist, Meng Qianqian didn’t even look back but effortlessly dodged her hand.

Casting a sidelong glance, Meng Qianqian sneered, "I despise being touched by improper people."

Lin Wan’er signed: What’s there to be smug about? I am the daughter of Yin Hu and the one staying by his side! I will be the Lu Family’s Eldest Young Madam! And you? You’re nothing more than a maid to Lu Yuan! Serving others with your looks—how long do you think you can maintain any sense of pride?

Unfortunately for Lin Wan’er, Meng Qianqian didn’t even turn back. Her insults fell into the void.

Not far away, a noblewoman tugged on Lu Linglong. "Linglong, who is that? Could she be your sister-in-law? I think I saw her at the Liu Family’s banquet earlier in the year."

Lu Linglong sneered. "She’s not my sister-in-law! She doesn’t have the qualifications to be. My sister-in-law is the daughter of the Black Armor Guards!"

Another noblewoman teased her, "Calling her your sister-in-law already, even before the wedding?"

"It’s happening soon!" Lu Linglong suddenly thought of something and asked, "Oh, by the way, what’s the name of that new Yin Hu Guard you mentioned earlier?"

One of the ladies said, "Meng Xiaojiu."

Lu Linglong scoffed. "Ugh, another Meng? Are you serious?"

Just then, an imposing man with an air of rugged authority passed by and shouted at Meng Qianqian, "Hey, what are you doing over there? Is that where you’re supposed to be? Get out of there now!"

Meng Qianqian muttered an "Oh" and moved sluggishly out of the area.

The elder matron, the second madam, and Madam Wen arrived at Linde Hall around this time, just in time to witness the scene.

The second madam sneered. "So, she doesn’t even have a seat at the banquet! Well, of course, everyone here is an honored guest. What qualifications does a maid have to sit with us?"

Madam Wen was stunned. "A maid?"

The second madam laughed. "Madam Yao, that woman was Meng’s former daughter-in-law, my former niece-in-law."

But Madam Wen’s gaze was fixed on the man yelling at Meng Qianqian.

"Just a few days back, and you’ve already forgotten your place, huh? What’s your identity again?"

The man’s scolding was fierce.

Meng Qianqian took the criticism with her head lowered.

The elder matron felt a rush of vindication. Back at the Liu Family’s banquet, this wretched girl had publicly severed ties with Ling Xiao, causing the Lu Family to lose face. Now, it was her turn to be humiliated!

The more Madam Wen observed, the more unsettled she felt. That man... She had seen him just yesterday at her home.

His name was... Zhang Feihu, the chief general who earned top merit this time around!

"I’ve been looking everywhere for you! Why are you hiding in the ladies’ section? Everyone’s waiting for you. Let’s go!"

Zhang Feihu dragged Meng Qianqian away.

The second madam was puzzled. "What’s going on? To the men’s section?"

The elder matron laughed. "She’s a maid. If she isn’t attending to her master, is she supposed to sit down and have a banquet with us?"

The second madam forced a laugh. "Mother, you’re absolutely right!"

But Madam Wen sensed something amiss. While Zhang Feihu berated Meng Qianqian, as they passed some shrubbery, he intentionally shifted to the side to clear the branches blocking her path.

She asked, "What... is her surname?"

The second madam replied, "Meng."

Madam Wen echoed, "Meng..."

The second madam asked, "What’s wrong?"

"Little Nine, you’re here!"

"Little Nine, come sit here!"

"Move over! Little Nine is sitting with me!"

At the head table reserved for the greatest generals of the border campaigns, as soon as they saw Meng Qianqian appear, they all stood up, eagerly making room for her.

These usually stern and aloof men suddenly turned solicitous. One shelled peanuts for her while another poured her tea, leaving the Lu Family utterly dumbfounded.

Even Lin Wan’er and Lu Linglong were stunned.

Wasn’t Meng Qianqian booted out? How had she ended up seated at the generals’ table?

The second madam muttered, "Lu Yuan’s maid... is she really of such high status?"

Madam Wen frowned deeply. "Meng... Little Nine... She’s Meng Xiaojiu! She’s Yin Hu!"

The Lu Family was struck as if by lightning!