Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot
Chapter 95 - 94: Spending the Night at Her House

Chapter 95: Chapter 94: Spending the Night at Her House

When Meng Qianqian woke up, she found her head resting on Lu Yuan’s sleeve, while Bao Shu was nestled in her arms. Both of them were covered by Lu Yuan’s cloak.

She hurriedly sat up, turned her face away, and knelt respectfully to salute Lu Yuan. "Grand Commander."

How did I just fall asleep like that?

It seems this body is too weak, even her sense of vigilance has diminished greatly.

Lowering her eyes, she said, "Next time... if I doze off again, Grand Commander may wake me. I’ll take the night watch."

Lu Yuan said coldly, "You think there will be a next time?"

Meng Qianqian hesitated to speak, then softly said, "Little Nine dares not."

Bao Shu also woke up. Upon opening her eyes, she spotted her own father. At first, she looked a little disdainful, but the next moment, upon realizing she was lying in Meng Qianqian’s arms, her small chin immediately lifted in an air of smug satisfaction!

Lu Yuan let out a cold snort. "Hmph."

Before long, Steward Cen’s large boat arrived.

With a tone of relief, he said, "Grand Commander, so you were here. We’ve been searching for you all night!"

Meng Qianqian pointed to the lakeshore not far away. "There—it’s just the shore, isn’t it?"

Steward Cen: "..."

The group disembarked onto the shore.

Bao Shu, who was all smiles while cradled in Meng Qianqian’s arms, instantly straightened up and stopped smiling the moment she sat down in her family’s carriage. Casting a glance at Lu Yuan, she then turned her small body away with a serious and troubled expression.

Meng Qianqian returned to Fengshui Alley, only to find an unexpected visitor waiting for her—Zong Zhengxi.

On her way into the courtyard, she had already sensed something unusual: an eerie stillness. Both Nanny Wan and Nanny Hu were sweeping the courtyard so cautiously that they didn’t even dare make a sound.

Zong Zhengxi was seated in the main hall. Nanny Li, Ban Xia, and Tan’er stood nearby, while the table contained his recently finished breakfast.

A basket of steamed buns, a bowl of congee, and some exquisitely prepared small dishes—there was not much left.

It seemed the young Emperor had quite an appetite.

Sure enough, Zong Zhengxi let out a satisfied burp.

He awkwardly cleared his throat.

Meng Qianqian curtsied. "I greet Your Majesty."

Her greeting was a graceful curtsy befitting a young lady, a stark contrast to the heroic demeanor she had displayed at yesterday’s banquet. In that instant, she appeared more gentle and demure.

Zong Zhengxi was momentarily stunned.

Tan’er and Ban Xia lowered their heads, while Nanny Li’s eyes were red with tears.

Meng Qianqian sensed something was off. "Your Majesty, may I rise?"

Zong Zhengxi hurried to respond, "You may, rise, rise!"

Meng Qianqian said, "I was unaware of Your Majesty’s visit and failed to greet you from afar."

Zong Zhengxi hesitated for a moment before saying, "It’s not your fault. To be fair, it was I who acted improperly. Last night, I snuck out of the palace in disguise. While watching a fireworks display on Vermilion Bird Street, I got separated from my guards. I encountered your maids, and it was I who asked them to bring me to your place."

Tan’er pouted and said, "But yesterday, didn’t elder sister tell me we mustn’t offend the emperor? I could only bring him here."

Ban Xia nodded; she had been there at the time and could confirm that this was what happened.

Still, no one could have anticipated that the Emperor would not leave once he arrived.

Zong Zhengxi said, "I just wanted to learn more about you."

Meng Qianqian calmly asked, "And has Your Majesty learned all you wished to know?"

Zong Zhengxi nodded. "Your nannies and maids told me what happened with the Lu Family. It was I who misunderstood you before—you did nothing wrong. The Lu Family is at fault."

Meng Qianqian replied, "They are my people. Naturally, they would speak on my behalf."

Zong Zhengxi spoke with passion, "But you’re the heir to Yin Hu! Yin Hu wouldn’t misjudge someone!"

Meng Qianqian asked, "Does Your Majesty know Yin Hu?"

Zong Zhengxi solemnly replied, "I trust the subordinates of Chu Grand Marshal."

Meng Qianqian steadfastly asked, "Has Your Majesty truly seen the Twelve Guards with your own eyes? Among them, there are those who are ruthless and those who are bloodthirsty. Does Your Majesty understand this?"

Zong Zhengxi shot to his feet. "I forbid you to slander the Black Armor Guards!"

Meng Qianqian, composed and unfazed, said, "The Twelve Guards have never been a righteous army. They merely serve at the behest of Chu Grand Marshal, forced to do his bidding. If anyone in the world wishes most for Chu Grand Marshal’s downfall, it’s the Twelve Guards themselves."

Zong Zhengxi roared with fury, "Nonsense! Don’t think that just because you’re Yin Hu’s heir that I won’t punish you! If you dare insult the Twelve Guards again, I’ll sentence you to death!"

"Your Majesty, please calm down!"

Nanny Li knelt down.

Ban Xia quickly followed suit.

Tan’er crossed her arms and looked to the heavens.

Meng Qianqian met Zong Zhengxi’s angry glare without flinching. Zong Zhengxi coldly flicked his sleeves and stormed out of the hall.

Meng Qianqian said, "Tan’er, escort His Majesty back to the palace."

Tan’er pouted, furrowing her brow for a long while before reluctantly agreeing. "Fine."

She skipped off. "But I want two skewers of candied hawthorn!"

Meng Qianqian helped Nanny Li to her feet. "Ban Xia, you get up too."

Ban Xia, her face as pale as paper, got up.

The Emperor’s wrath was unpredictable; life and death hung by a thread. She had truly been terrified just now.

Nanny Li struck Meng Qianqian on the shoulder, crying uncontrollably, "You... you went to the border... you..."

Ban Xia and Tan’er had only learned yesterday about the truth of her departure, and she had sternly instructed them to keep it a secret from Nanny Li.

But while she guarded against them, she hadn’t guarded against Zong Zhengxi.

Ban Xia choked out, "Nanny, please stop hitting Miss. Miss was injured at the border."

Nanny Li slammed her fist against herself. "I’ve failed... I didn’t take good care of Miss..."

She had not struck Meng Qianqian hard, but when she hit herself, it was with all her strength.

"Nanny!" Meng Qianqian grabbed her fists. "I wasn’t injured; I only said that to scare Ban Xia."

Nanny Li wept inconsolably.

Meng Qianqian sighed. This was exactly why she hadn’t dared tell Nanny Li. Once Nanny Li finished crying, she’d have to figure out a way to explain how she had suddenly acquired martial arts skills.

When Zong Zhengxi returned to the palace, Consort Li was waiting for him in his bedchamber.

Zong Zhengxi’s gaze flickered. "Mother Consort."

Consort Li sipped her tea and said to the palace attendants in the room, "You may all leave now."

"Yes, Your Grace."

The palace attendants withdrew one after another, leaving Eunuch Wang and Ying Yue standing guard at the entrance, forbidding anyone from approaching.

Consort Li smiled, "Did you enjoy your escapade outside the palace last night?"

Zong Zhengxi said nothing.

Consort Li smiled faintly. "You’re growing up. There are indeed matters you should decide for yourself. Since you don’t like the person I’ve chosen for you, then choose someone you prefer. What about Little Nine?"

Zong Zhengxi abruptly raised his head. "Mother Consort!"

Consort Li said leisurely, "Of course, she cannot be Empress. If you truly wish to keep her, then make an exception and grant her the position of a Concubine."

A twice-divorced woman—Consort Li couldn’t even be bothered to grant her the title of Noble Consort.

Zong Zhengxi clenched his fingers. "She disrespects Chu Grand Marshal and speaks ill of the Twelve Guards. I don’t like her!"

Consort Li smiled meaningfully. "You don’t like her? And yet you stayed over at her home?"

Zong Zhengxi frowned. "Mother Consort had me followed?"

Consort Li said calmly, "You are the Emperor. If you spend a night away, is your mother not supposed to be concerned? I feared for your safety."

Zong Zhengxi solemnly replied, "I merely wished to gain a deeper understanding of the new heir to Yin Hu—it had nothing to do with personal emotions."

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