Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot
Chapter 90 - 89: The Beloved Mascot of the Soldiers, Meng Xiao 9

Chapter 90: Chapter 89: The Beloved Mascot of the Soldiers, Meng Xiao 9

Impossible!

Absolutely impossible!

Meng Qianqian is just a little wife who has been bullied for five years in the Lu Family. How could she have any connection to Yin Hu? It’s completely unrelated!

"Nonsense! The peanuts are shelled into bits!"

Zhang Feihu slapped Nie Hanshan on the back of the head.

Nie Hanshan’s head buzzed. He gritted his teeth, pointing at the freshly shelled peanuts in his hand and said, "I haven’t shelled them for days, so I’m out of practice, aren’t I? See, these are shelled pretty well?"

Zhang Feihu grunted, grabbing the peanuts and stuffing them into his own mouth.

Nie Hanshan flared up, "Why are you eating them? I shelled those with a lot of effort for you?"

Zhang Feihu said, "Just tasting if they’re salty enough, since Little Nine doesn’t like them too salty."

In the battle at Yanggu Town, Nie Hanshan was credited with killing three rebel leaders, earning the top merit, on par with Zhao Qingyun.

It’s said that with every new emperor comes new courtiers, and those leading troops often favor their familiar subordinates. But Lu Yuan was different. He had no foundation or so-called personal force at the border, allowing any capable person to rise, thus offering many unsung iron-blooded soldiers the chance to fulfill their ambitions.

Veteran Nie Hanshan and young Zhao Qingyun were among the outstanding ones.

Zhao Qingyun brought the refreshments everyone had been busy with before Zhang Feihu: "General Zhang, please have a taste for Little Nine. Is it to his liking?"

Zhang Feihu gave him a satisfied look and tasted each one.

Zhao Qingyun immediately pushed the snacks in front of Meng Qianqian: "Eat, they’re not poisoned."

Zhang Feihu’s tiger body shook!

"You rascal, you’re using me as a poison taster!"

The table of generals burst into laughter, and the neighboring tables watching the commotion laughed so hard they were bent over.

The civil servants relaxed.

So these military generals can laugh? They had been so solemn as if two armies were facing off. Those who knew would say it was a victory banquet; those who didn’t might think it was a palace coup banquet.

But, that little girl is actually Meng Xiaojiu.

Who would have thought the new Yin Hu was actually a woman?

This inevitably reminded them of another remarkable woman in the dynasty who did not let men overshadow her — Lady Chu.

Lady Chu, in her youth, faced a calamity, was saved by King Chu, and brought back to the border. She grew up like childhood sweethearts with the Chu Grand Marshal, practiced martial arts together, went to war together, and became a legend at the border at one point.

Only, unfortunately later...

The civil servants shook their heads, myriad thoughts turning into a sigh.

"Who is Meng Xiaojiu?"

A swaggering guard with a sword at the emperor’s side approached the men’s table.

Meng Qianqian looked at him oddly: "I am."

The guard pointed at Meng Qianqian’s nose and said, "So you’re a girl. Dare to spar with me a bit?"

Zhang Feihu akimbo said: "Who are you, kid?"

The guard said: "My name is Han Lin, I’m a fourth-ranked guard at the emperor’s side! General Han is my uncle!"

Zhang Feihu told Meng Qianqian: "Han Ci’s younger brother."

Han Ci was very steady and reliable in the army, but who would have thought his brother was so cynical.

Seeing Meng Qianqian not speaking, Han Lin taunted, "Scared now? Hmph, knew you had an undeserved reputation! It must be Lu Yuan who killed Yin Hu, took Yin Hu’s order for you, and you’re deceiving others but can’t fool me!"

Zhang Feihu kicked over a bench!

The soldiers all stood up!

Meng Qianqian quietly said, "I’ll handle it."

Han Lin said, "If you can force me to draw my sword within three moves, I’ll acknowledge your ability."

Meng Qianqian asked, "Are you sure, just three moves?"

Han Lin arrogantly said, "You’re a woman, so let’s make it ten moves."

The soldiers sympathetically glanced at Han Lin.

Over at the women’s table, they were also drawn by the commotion.

The members of the Lu family secretly became excited, hoping someone would ruin the little girl’s face and expose her in public!

Zhang Feihu loudly said, "Go easy on him!"

Han Lin said, "Don’t worry, as long as she begs for mercy, I won’t take her life!"

Meng Qianqian said, "Make your move."

Han Lin coldly said, "You attack, I’ll defend..."

Just as he finished speaking, he felt a whirlwind-like figure rapidly charging towards him.

Too fast!

That was the only thought left in his mind.

Before he could see clearly what was happening, he felt a blackness before his eyes, pain in his knees, and his entire body heavily knelt on the ground, causing two winding cracks to open up on the floor.

His treasure sword was somehow drawn by Meng Qianqian and coldly rested against his neck.

A surging killing intent emanated, Meng Qianqian’s clothes fluttered despite no wind, and all the hair on his body stood on end, even his robe fluttered slightly!

Those witnessing Little Nine’s first move were all stunned.

General Zhou was dumbfounded, the cup in his hand dropping onto the table with a thud.

The soldiers returning from the border shook their heads, shelling seeds, challenging Little Nine? It was like taking a lantern into an outhouse.

Zhang Feihu akimbo said: "Told you to go easy, see! You’ve ruined the floor!"

Meng Qianqian: "Oh."

Meng Qianqian handed the sword back to Han Lin with both hands, seriously asking, "Does this count as forcing you to draw your sword?"

Han Lin shivered like a sieve.

Meng Qianqian thought for a moment, his original words seemed to mean forcing him to draw his sword, not pulling out his sword: "If it doesn’t count, we can go again."

Han Lin: "...!!"

"Hey, don’t you think she looks familiar?"

Among the women’s seats, a young lady softly spoke.

Another young lady said, "Yes, she seems familiar, Linglong, you— huh? Where did she go?"

Lu Linglong had already slipped away quietly.

At this moment, the young Emperor, accompanied by Lu Xingzhou and Lu Lingxiao, took their seats.

Everyone greeted the Emperor.

"Rise."

The young Emperor said.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Everyone stood up and returned to their respective seats.

The young Emperor came to the table of those with the highest merit and noticed many new faces he hadn’t seen before, smiling and asked, "Brave soldiers, you’ve worked hard, please be seated."

Nie Hanshan was about to sit when Zhao Qingyun unobtrusively pulled him up, whispering, "The Emperor hasn’t sat yet."

Nie Hanshan: Damn, so many rules!

The young Emperor asked, "Who is Meng Xiaojiu?"

Meng Qianqian returned the sword to Han Lin and walked toward the young Emperor.

Lu Xingzhou recognized her, frowning: "What are you doing here? Dressed like this, it’s inappropriate! Utter nonsense!"

Meng Qianqian stood still in front of the three, while Lu Lingxiao stared at her intently, with a complex expression.

Meng Qianqian did not even glance at this father and son pair.

Zhang Feihu hadn’t revealed that Little Nine was a woman, and Lu Lingxiao had been silent along the way, so neither Lu Xingzhou nor the young Emperor knew who Meng Xiaojiu truly was.

The young Emperor glanced at Meng Qianqian and asked Lu Xingzhou: "Lord Lu, is she a member of the Lu family?"

Lu Xingzhou waved his sleeve defiantly: "The Lu family isn’t so fortunate!"

Lu Lingxiao: "Father!"

Lu Xingzhou scolded, "Shut up! A woman who disgraces the family and brings shame to the Lu family is not fit to be part of it!"

He said this, casting a cold glance at Meng Qianqian, "Madam Meng, I don’t care what your intentions are, but this is not the place for you. If you have any sense, leave immediately!"

Meng Qianqian cupped her hands, saluting the young Emperor: "Meng Xiaojiu, pays respect to Your Majesty."

Lu Xingzhou froze.