Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot-Chapter 379 - 354: Secret Guardianship

"Old man, what did you say?"

Yu Li doubted whether he had misheard.

The old man turned around: "I said, we’ve arrived."

Yu Li was startled by his sudden smile, and for some reason, chills ran down his spine.

"Old man, where is your house?"

"Right behind you."

Yu Li turned back. "Behind me? Did we pass it, or—"

Before he could finish speaking, the old man knocked him unconscious with a swift chop.

The old man’s frail and feeble demeanor vanished. He straightened his back, emanating an aura of lethal intent. "Young man, on the road to the afterlife, don’t drink Meng Po Soup. Remember how you died so you don’t waste your next life trying to be a good person."

The old man hoisted the unconscious Yu Li onto his shoulder and leapt onto the rooftop with practiced Qinggong.

By the time Meng Qianqian and Lu Yuan tracked the trail to this spot, the two had already vanished without a trace.

Lu Yuan examined the thickness of snow embedded in the footprints. "They left at least two quarters of an hour ago. The other side has Qinggong. Prepare for the worst. Even if we find Yu Li, he may already have been silenced."

-

Wan Hua Pavilion.

Inside the main hall, cups clinked, laughter echoed, and music filled the air.

In a luxuriously adorned private chamber on the second floor, the newly crowned oiran was grooming herself.

Behind her, five basins of premium silver charcoal burned brightly, so despite the swirling snowflakes outside, she wore only a gauzy golden gown as thin as a cicada’s wings.

Suddenly, a Hidden Guard, disguised as an old man, barged into her chamber, carrying an unconscious Yu Li.

A gust of cold wind, laden with snow, swept in, causing the oiran to frown slightly.

Her skin, smooth as porcelain, was flush with a sudden blush from the cold, making her beauty appear all the more delicate, like a goddess stepping out of legend.

"Are you trying to freeze me to death?"

The oiran complained.

Even her voice carried an alluring softness, naturally seductive. An ordinary man would have been utterly entranced by now.

The Hidden Guard spoke, "The man has been delivered. You know what to do next."

The oiran put on an earring while gazing at the copper mirror, marveling at her celestial beauty. She scoffed, "I’m an oiran. To serve some unknown smelly man... did anyone bother to ask if I’m willing or not?"

The Hidden Guard said flatly, "Are you planning to defy an order?"

"I never said that."

The oiran rolled her eyes and sauntered to the bedside with a swaying, serpentine grace. "I’m just... Oh?"

She caught sight of Yu Li’s face, and a glimmer of astonishment flashed in her eyes. "Tsk, tsk, tsk, what a handsome young man."

The Hidden Guard reminded her, "Remember, he must die."

The oiran’s sultry gaze softened as she quipped, "Die in ecstasy, or just die?"

The Hidden Guard pulled out a secret missive from inside his coat. "Dying on your bed will do. This is a map of the Capital City’s troop deployments. Place it on him."

The oiran let out a languid sigh. "Alas, I haven’t enjoyed being an oiran long enough yet."

The Hidden Guard’s tone turned icy. "Let me remind you for the last time—don’t screw this up."

The oiran turned back, a teasing smile playing on her lips as she glanced at the Hidden Guard.

The Hidden Guard asked warily, "What are you looking at?"

The oiran chuckled seductively, "Lingering to watch an intimate scene, or do you want to join the fun yourself?"

The Hidden Guard left without another word.

The oiran studied Yu Li with a faint smile. Using her finger, she lifted his chin. "What a fine face. Much better looking than those filthy men outside. I almost feel sorry to see you die."

As she spoke, she leaned closer to Yu Li, inhaling deeply near his neck. "Such a clean scent..."

She tugged at Yu Li’s belt, loosening it, and began removing his clothes piece by piece.

...

"Cousin!"

Meng Qianqian kicked the door open.

"Ah—!"

"What crazy woman dares interrupt my fun!"

"Oops, wrong room."

Meng Qianqian promptly exited the chamber and politely shut the door behind her.

She and Lu Yuan had split up to search; this was the last oiran’s room in Wan Hua Pavilion. Could her cousin be in the brothel across the street, Ying Chun Pavilion?

"Hmm..."

As Meng Qianqian contemplated heading to Ying Chun Pavilion, she suddenly heard the faintest sound.

"It’s my cousin!"

"Where’s the sound coming from?"

Meng Qianqian searched frantically, eventually discovering her disheveled cousin lying on the floor of a small tea room.

Yu Li appeared distressed, groggy as though he had just awakened but wasn’t fully conscious.

Next to him sat a refined young man with ruby lips and fair skin—a jade-faced gentleman.

Meng Qianqian stepped closer for a better look and was struck dumb. "Xiaoru?!"

Lin Xiaoru, dressed as a man, stammered softly, "Sister Meng."

Meng Qianqian was astonished. "What are you doing here?!"

Lin Xiaoru replied, "Oh, I couldn’t afford tea in the main hall, so I sat here in the small tea room."

Meng Qianqian crouched and checked Yu Li’s pulse. "I mean... why are you wearing your brother’s clothes and wandering into Wan Hua Pavilion? And my cousin... why is he with you?"

Lin Xiaoru said, "Oh, I was picking my brother up from the Imperial College. We planned to stay at Grandmother’s place tonight. On the way, I saw Yu Li struggling to push a cart loaded with charcoal, with an old man sitting on top. It didn’t look right, so I followed."

"Lu Yuan guessed everything..."

Meng Qianqian took a sharp breath. "What made you think it wasn’t right?"

Lin Xiaoru replied bluntly, "A frail old man, four baskets of charcoal—he shouldn’t have been able to push it."

Meng Qianqian: ...I can’t argue with that logic.

When they found the charcoal cart, the baskets had indeed been tampered with. Each had a net beneath a thin layer of charcoal—the rest of the baskets were empty underneath.

Lin Xiaoru added, "I followed them to the back courtyard of Wan Hua Pavilion and changed into my brother’s clothing to sneak in. Oh, I think I may have knocked someone out."

Meng Qianqian asked, "Are you injured?"

Lin Xiaoru shook her head.

Meng Qianqian let out a long sigh of relief.

Earlier, when she had passed by a private chamber, she had indeed spotted an unconscious oiran—it turned out to be Lin Xiaoru’s doing.

This girl was reckless, completely unaware that Wan Hua Pavilion belonged to Prime Minister Xun, where most oirans were not ordinary women. freewēbnoveℓ.com

Just as Meng Qianqian was about to lecture her, she glanced over and saw Lin Xiaoru quietly sipping tea—

A true image of a jade-faced celestial youth. No wonder no one suspected her.

"Xiaoru, thank heavens for you today. Otherwise, the consequences would’ve been unimaginable. But next time, don’t risk yourself like this. My cousin is important... and so are you."

Lin Xiaoru nodded twice.

Meng Qianqian carried Yu Li on her back and left Wan Hua Pavilion through the rear door, taking Lin Xiaoru with her.

In a study as dark as ink.

A Hidden Guard was bound tightly to a chair.

Opposite him stood Lady Yan, eyes following Meng Qianqian’s departing figure.

The Hidden Guard sneered. "Lady Yan, are you planning to betray the Lord? Why haven’t you stopped them? Meng Qianqian walked straight into a trap. Without Lu Yuan at her side, burdened with two liabilities, killing her would’ve been child’s play!"

Lady Yan said coldly, "I told you, you are not to harm her."

The Hidden Guard laughed icily. "From the day she opposed the Prime Minister’s Mansion, her death was sealed! Today, by letting her and Yu Li go, you’ve ensured the Lord will take your life as well!"

"Then don’t let the Lord find out."

Lady Yan plunged a dagger into his heart.