Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot
Chapter 97 - 96 Meng Xiao 9 is a Person of the Grand Commander

Chapter 97: Chapter 96 Meng Xiao 9 is a Person of the Grand Commander

Meng Qianqian met Eunuch Wang in the main hall.

Nanny Li and Ban Xia were initially worried that Consort Li was once again trying to trouble their young mistress, but upon seeing Eunuch Wang’s respectful attitude and the generous gifts sent by Consort Li, they were left uncertain about her true intentions.

Meng Qianqian said calmly, "One does not accept rewards without merit. May Eunuch Wang please clarify."

Eunuch Wang responded with a smile, "Your Majesty caused trouble for Miss Meng last night. In a quarrel with the Imperial Consort, His Majesty left the palace out of spite. The Imperial Consort was beside herself with worry and later learned it was Miss Meng who took in His Majesty. She specially sent me over to express her gratitude to Miss Meng on her behalf."

His words appeared to convey thanks, but the focus was clearly on His Majesty’s quarrel with the Imperial Consort. Such details were unnecessary from an Imperial Concubine unless she sought to build rapport with Meng Qianqian.

Meng Qianqian remained impassive as she picked up her teacup and gently scraped away the foam with the lid.

Tan’er placed her hands on her hips and declared, "Took him in? We didn’t! He insisted on staying! N cannot tie my sister to this! My sister and he are completely innocent, absolutely unrelated! And besides, he hasn’t even grown into a proper adult! If it weren’t for his age, just a brat, I wouldn’t have brought him home!"

Nanny Li paled in terror, utterly shocked at the audacity of this servant girl to speak of the Emperor in such a manner.

Eunuch Wang was left speechless.

Previously, he thought the little girl was merely rash and brainless. Who would have imagined... she’s sharper than expected! And she’s still just a child herself, yet knows so much!

Meng Qianqian smiled faintly, "I wasn’t home last night. The servants didn’t provide proper hospitality and may have offended His Majesty."

Eunuch Wang grinned awkwardly, "Not at all."

What an expertly concealed rebuke—first emphasizing His Majesty’s youth, treating him almost as a child, then carefully underscoring her absence last night, distancing herself from any scandal.

It’s no wonder Lin Wan’er and the Lu Family were outmaneuvered by her. From her to her attendants, none were foolish.

Meng Qianqian spoke modestly, "The Imperial Consort’s goodwill, I appreciate it. As for the gifts..."

Tan’er leaned down to whisper in Meng Qianqian’s ear, "Sister, there’s Blood Coagulation Ointment! It’s quite valuable!"

Meng Qianqian replied naturally, "I shouldn’t accept them since loyalty to His Majesty is my duty. However, if I decline, I fear it would be difficult for Eunuch Wang to report back. Ban Xia."

"Yes, Miss."

Ban Xia extended her hands and took the rewards from the two little eunuchs.

After Eunuch Wang departed, Nanny Li closed the door and began inspecting the gifts one by one.

Consort Li certainly spared no expense—Blood Coagulation Ointment, antique paintings, calligraphy from famous contemporary artists, and a dagger with a hilt encrusted with colorful gemstones.

While Nanny Li knew little about the ointments and artwork, she could recognize the value of the dagger’s gemstones.

"Miss, why has Consort Li’s attitude toward us suddenly changed for the better?"

She didn’t believe it was simply because they took in His Majesty last night.

His Majesty was the Emperor; the entire realm was his. Whoever hosted him was receiving grace, and Consort Li’s words about taking him in were mere pleasantries. Furthermore, their relationship with Consort Li had been particularly strained over the matter with Lin Wan’er.

Ban Xia asked, "Could it be that His Majesty explained the truth to Consort Li upon returning? Perhaps she finally saw Lin Wan’er’s true nature and realized she had wrongly treated Miss last time?"

Meng Qianqian shook her head, "That doesn’t seem likely."

Tan’er toyed with the dagger and wagged her finger, "Mother always said—there’s no such thing as a simple woman in the imperial harem. And definitely no kind-hearted ones! The kind ones... they’ve all been killed off!"

Ban Xia protested, "Ah, isn’t that a bit too extreme? The Empress is a good person, isn’t she?"

Tan’er adopted a serious expression, "Have you noticed she’s not favored?"

Ban Xia hesitated before replying, "Uh... it does seem that way."

Tan’er lectured further, "If the Empress were willing to ally with Lu Yuan, do you think Consort Li would have any chance to rise? She has no children of her own, wouldn’t she try to seize someone else’s child instead?"

Nanny Li gritted her teeth in fury, "Lu Yuan again!"

Tan’er immediately returned to Meng Qianqian’s side, asking softly, "Sister, did I say something wrong?"

Meng Qianqian responded, "No."

Consort Li and her son ascended thanks to Lu Yuan. However, with both sides becoming increasingly ambitious, it remained to be seen whether Consort Li could keep Lu Yuan in check.

Recalling the rumors circulating in the Capital City, Tan’er covered her mouth with her hand and asked gossipy, "Sister, is the Grand Commander *really* having an affair with Consort Li?"

Changchun Palace.

Eunuch Wang returned to report but omitted Tan’er’s brazen words.

Such remarks were unimportant—Consort Li wouldn’t reprimand Tan’er, nor would she care if someone had insulted her.

On the surface, Consort Li was impulsive and arrogant, boasting of her status as the Emperor’s mother while running amok in the harem, even daring to slight the Empress from time to time. But those antics were merely her camouflage.

"As long as they accepted the gifts."

Consort Li donned a Miaojiang woman’s hat and embraced a strikingly exotic ethnic style in her attire, adding a unique charm.

The years had left few traces on her face, and her eyes remained bright and spirited.

Eunuch Wang saw her outfit and instantly knew she was expecting an important guest.

He led all the palace attendants out of the room.

Shortly after, a man dressed in purple and wearing a bamboo hat appeared in her chamber.

Consort Li looked at him through the copper mirror and smiled radiantly. "You’ve come. I’ve been waiting for you for quite some time."

The man gazed at her reflection in the mirror as she turned gracefully and walked toward him. "Look at you, you arrived in such a hurry, and yet didn’t notice the fallen leaves clinging to you."

As she spoke, she raised her slender hand to pluck the leaf off his shoulder.

When she saw his face beneath the hat, her smile stiffened abruptly. She withdrew her hand. "Why is it you? Where is Lu Yuan?"

Shangguan Ling replied seriously, "The Grand Commander had matters to attend to and sent me to convey a message on his behalf."

Consort Li sat back coldly on the chair.

Shangguan Ling said, "Meng Xiaojiu is the Grand Commander’s guard. If you wish to win her over, it depends on whether the Grand Commander consents."

Consort Li sneered, "She’s merely a guard. What, he can’t bear to part with her?"

Shangguan Ling chuckled lightly, "It’s not that the Grand Commander can’t bear it; it’s that Miss Bao Shu is fond of her and can’t do without Meng Xiaojiu."

Consort Li disdainfully snorted, "Picked up off the streets—a wild child! Do you truly treat her as some treasured daughter?"

Shangguan Ling smiled. "Whoever the Grand Commander spoils has the fate of a thousand gold coins. Wouldn’t you agree?"

Consort Li rolled her eyes.

With his message conveyed, Shangguan Ling turned and left Changchun Palace.

Consort Li removed the silver cap from her head and threw it to the ground in frustration. "Sending Shangguan Ling to brush me off? After just one trip to the border, you’ve grown capable! Not allowing me to lay a finger on Meng Xiaojiu? Ha! I will—just to defy you!"

In the afternoon, Meng Qianqian visited the Money Shop. Liu Changsheng’s visit reminded her that she still owed Lu Yuan silver. Although the interest had been waived, the principal still had to be repaid.

On the way, she bought several books that the old matriarch liked. By the time she returned home, it was already late.

She instructed Ban Xia to deliver a visiting card to the Governor Mansion, indicating she would come by tomorrow to settle the debt.

After bathing, she read a little before retiring early.

In the dead of night, a shadow quietly slipped into her room.

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.