Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot-Chapter 367 - 342: Killing People, Crushing Hearts

Meng Qianqian fed the Hunting Eagle two pieces of dried meat.

Out of gratitude for the treat, the Hunting Eagle forgave the unpleasant man’s sharp tongue.

Chen Long puzzledly remarked, "The Chief of Staff doesn’t seem to be the type to let his guard down. I’m curious, how did Prime Minister Xun manage to relay the message?"

Meng Qianqian stroked the Hunting Eagle’s feathers. "The pond is vast—there will always be slips through the net. For instance, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice who was bribed at the Xun Family yesterday, or even the government official who once passed a message to you."

Chen Long said, "The place I was detained back then was different from Prime Minister Xun’s, but maybe you’re right. With the Ministry of Justice being so huge, there are bound to be people he’s bought."

Meng Qianqian made a sound of agreement. "Let’s head to the Prime Minister’s Mansion and wait for the hare at the tree. Wu Brother, you head back to the Governor Mansion and let the family know not to wait for us for dinner."

Wu Brother asked, "Miss, will it take that long?"

Meng Qianqian replied, "It might take even longer."

Prime Minister Xun had just brokered a deal with Chen Long. If he were to send out a message now, it would easily be intercepted by those lying in wait outside.

With the Prime Minister’s level of vigilance, he wouldn’t act so recklessly.

Wu Brother drove the carriage back to the Governor Mansion.

The three of them waited outside the Prime Minister’s Mansion for an entire day. By nightfall, a suspicious-looking group finally appeared.

"It’s the Jinyi Guard."

Sitting on a tree branch, Meng Qianqian said, "They’ve taken off their flying fish robes. Is this a covert operation? What are they up to?"

"Retrieving Luo San," Lu Yuan said.

He stood behind Meng Qianqian, unobtrusively guarding her from falling.

Chen Long perched on another branch, surveying in a different direction.

Meng Qianqian asked curiously, "Sending such a small group? Do they think nothing of Bai Qingchen and the Miaojiang guards?"

Lu Yuan hinted, "Or maybe they have reinforcements."

Meng Qianqian paused, then quickly caught on. "Fine then, we’ll take this chance to gauge the Prime Minister’s full strength. When Xun Qi bet with me, he said the Prime Minister’s Mansion had four Twelve Guards. If he wasn’t lying, this time the fourth Twelve Guard should appear."

Chen Long said, "Si Snake can handle it."

Meng Qianqian nodded. Si Snake was both brave and resourceful. In terms of overall strength, few of the Twelve Guards could beat him.

Lu Yuan teased, "Hey, Dragon, who has the higher martial skills between you and Si Snake?"

Chen Long drew his sword. "Are you looking to die?"

Meng Qianqian whispered, "There’s movement!"

The Hunting Eagle resting on the rooftop suddenly flapped its wings and soared into the sky.

In less than a quarter-hour, it brought back five carrier pigeons in its beak.

Each pigeon had the same kind of paper tied to it, covered in strange totems that were clearly secret codes.

"You guessed right," Meng Qianqian said to Lu Yuan.

As for why there were five pigeons, it was easy to understand. During the journey, carrier pigeons are often hindered by unforeseen dangers. To ensure the message gets through, it’s common to release several pigeons at once.

Meng Qianqian tied the papers back onto the pigeons.

When she got to the fifth one, one pigeon was missing.

Meng Qianqian’s face turned serious. "Spit it out."

The Hunting Eagle didn’t move.

Meng Qianqian drew her blade.

The Hunting Eagle gave a disgruntled squawk and reluctantly regurgitated the pigeon.

Once all the papers were secured, Meng Qianqian set all the pigeons free.

The Hunting Eagle pursued them.

The Hunting Eagle her grandfather trained was unmatched. With it as an escort, the pigeons were sure to reach their destination safely.

Once the job was done, the Hunting Eagle would be able to return and guide them.

"Let’s head back," Meng Qianqian said.

Chen Long commented, "You two go ahead. I have something to do."

He then used Qinggong to disappear into the night.

Meng Qianqian muttered, "Weird, what’s he up to?"

"Let’s go," Lu Yuan said, leaping from the tree.

Meng Qianqian followed, landing smoothly behind him. Noticing he was heading in the wrong direction, she said, "You’re going the wrong way."

Lu Yuan replied, "I have something to do."

Meng Qianqian frowned. "What’s going on? Both of you have things to do tonight?"

-

Prime Minister’s Mansion study.

Xun Qi had been busy for an entire day and night, his head spinning from exhaustion, when suddenly, the door slammed open.

"Who’s there?"

Xun Qi sat up with a frown.

Lu Yuan strolled leisurely into the room, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "We meet again, Seventh Brother."

Xun Qi abruptly flung aside the drapery. His gaze landed on Lu Yuan’s face, illuminated by moonlight, and darkened. "It’s you? What are you doing at the Prime Minister’s Mansion in the middle of the night? Betraying our foster father—you still think of yourself as a son of the Prime Minister’s Mansion?"

"Son?"

Lu Yuan clicked his tongue. "Xun Qi, you really know how to flatter yourself."

Two Hidden Guards arrived, blades in hand.

Xun Qi stopped them. "You’re no match for him. Stand down."

"Yes," they responded before retreating.

Xun Qi donned an outer robe and approached Lu Yuan, asking coldly, "What do you want from me?"

Lu Yuan smirked. "As your brother, I thought I’d give you some advice. You should recall the Jinyi Guard you sent out tonight."

Xun Qi squinted. "You’re spying on the Prime Minister’s Mansion?"

Lu Yuan admitted openly, "Obviously."

Xun Qi asked warily, "What schemes are you plotting now?"

Lu Yuan chuckled. "Let me guess—the foster father had you send people to retrieve Luo San, didn’t he? Have you considered his true intentions?"

Xun Qi turned away. "I have no obligation to discuss anything with you."

Lu Yuan sneered. "Have you ever wondered why the foster father refuses to kill Luo San when doing so would settle everything? Because Luo San is his biological son."

Xun Qi’s expression changed. "What did you just say?"

Lu Yuan replied indifferently, "You can ask Luo San yourself when he returns, though it might be too late by then."

Xun Qi asked suspiciously, "What do you mean?"

Lu Yuan’s smile faded as he said seriously, "The Jinyi Guard wasn’t just sent to retrieve Luo San; they were also sent to deliver a message to Sixth Brother. Between you and him, someone has to take the fall."

Lu Yuan turned and left.

Xun Qi stood in the darkness for a long time.

The news Lu Yuan brought was shocking.

He had suspected that Luo San and the foster father shared an uncommon bond, but he had never imagined they were actual father and son.

If that were true, then the foster father would never harm Luo San.

So... was it really necessary to sacrifice him or Sixth Brother?

"No! The foster father wouldn’t treat me and Sixth Brother like this! Lu Yuan is lying! He’s lying!"

Xun Qi took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in his chest. "Even if the foster father wants me to take the fall, so be it. My life was his to begin with."

Outside the courtyard, Meng Qianqian said to Lu Yuan, "Xun Qi doesn’t seem to fear death."

Lu Yuan replied, "Everyone has a weakness. Even Luo San once said he wasn’t afraid of dying."

Meng Qianqian asked, "What’s Xun Qi’s weakness?"

Lu Yuan replied, "Xun Liu. Similarly, Xun Liu’s weakness is Xun Qi."

Meng Qianqian suddenly understood. "No wonder the two of them are always inseparable. Who would’ve thought that among the foster sons of the Prime Minister, there really would be a pair so bonded like true brothers?"

Lu Yuan said, "Now it’s time to tell Xun Yu about Luo San’s parentage."

Meng Qianqian asked, "Why tell Xun Yu? To use his hand to eliminate Luo San? He’s barely recovered his influence. If a secret illegitimate younger brother suddenly shows up, he might indeed feel the urge to kill. But I doubt he’s capable of it."

Lu Yuan said coolly, "He may not be capable, but he’ll be uneasy. If he’s unhappy, I’ll be content."

Meng Qianqian nodded. "Makes sense!"

...

The mischievous duo spent the entire night stirring up trouble in the Prime Minister’s Mansion, leaving Xun Yu so enraged he coughed up blood.

Exhausted, Meng Qianqian fell asleep immediately and woke up with the sun high in the sky.

Lu Yuan was nowhere to be found.

Ban Xia said, "The young master has gone to court."

Meng Qianqian was surprised. "He... didn’t sleep?"

Ban Xia shook her head. "He left after keeping you company for a little while."

Meng Qianqian muttered, "He didn’t even sleep the night before. Even an iron body would collapse. Ban Xia, send Wu Brother to the Imperial Palace and have him tell my husband to come back early after court."

"Understood!"

Ban Xia responded cheerfully.

Meng Qianqian spent some time in Tinglan Courtyard with the matron and Bao Shu before a servant arrived to report that someone from the Wang Family had come.

It was the steward of the Imperial Censor Mansion, Wang Steward.

When news of Lu Yuan being captured by Prime Minister Xun spread throughout the Capital City, Imperial Censor Wang hadn’t planned on telling Lady Wang for fear of upsetting her pregnancy. But this morning, Lady Lin and Lady Xing visited and accidentally let it slip.

If the two ladies hadn’t held her back, Lady Wang herself would’ve come to see Meng Qianqian.

Meng Qianqian smiled faintly. "Go back and tell the madam that I’m perfectly fine, and that she and young Rou’er can rest assured. How is the lady’s health?"

Wang Steward replied with a smile, "She’s been sleeping more, eating heartily, and often wakes up hungry at night, craving unusual things the house doesn’t have, especially sour foods."

Meng Qianqian said, "I’ve pickled some sour apricots. Ban Xia, go fetch them."

"Yes, Miss."

Ban Xia went to retrieve the sour apricots.

Wang Steward expressed his gratitude warmly. "The lady of the house thanks you on her behalf."

Meng Qianqian advised, "Make sure she doesn’t overindulge. Even though she’s with child, her diet must be balanced. The baby being overly large isn’t good for delivery."

Wang Steward responded emotionally, "We’ve been waiting for those words! The doctor has warned her, but she wouldn’t listen. Madam will surely take your advice to heart. By the way, her family sent over some honey tangerines this morning with a note asking to share them with you, Miss Bao Shu, and the matron."

Meng Qianqian smiled gently. "The madam is very thoughtful."

"Ban Xia! The sour apricots!"

Ban Xia handed a jar of pickled sour apricots to Wang Steward.

Wang Steward accepted it with both hands and said pleasantly, "Thank you, Miss Ban Xia."

-

The Governor Mansion was especially lively today.

Hardly had Wang Steward left when Lady Yan arrived.

Meng Qianqian met her in the flower hall.

"What brings Lady Yan here today?" Meng Qianqian asked.

Lady Yan’s expression was complicated. "Did you intercept Thousand Mechanism Pavilion’s carrier pigeons?"

Meng Qianqian replied, "I don’t understand what you’re talking about."

Lady Yan clenched her handkerchief. "Do you realize you’re meddling in something extraordinarily dangerous?"

Meng Qianqian responded coldly, "You’re from the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion, aren’t you? When the Shang Family faced retaliation from them, were you involved?"

Lady Yan pressed her lips together.

Meng Qianqian raised her teacup. "So you were involved? In that case, you’re my enemy. I won’t believe a single word you say."

Lady Yan hesitated before saying, "I mean you no harm, and I didn’t act willingly back then. If you truly are her, take my advice—make sure the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion never finds out about you."

Meng Qianqian’s sharp gaze fixed on her. "What’s your relationship with Shang Jiu?"