Chapter 435: White Xiao Pangu: I Am the Crown Princess

Chapter 435: White Xiao Pangu: I Am the Crown Princess

Qianji Pavilion.

Gongsun Yanming was preparing to attend the morning court.

Xiao Rong Er, being the considerate wife, assisted him in changing his attire. As she arranged his imperial robe, she spoke softly, "His Majesty seems to have the intention of elevating your mother-in-law's status by bestowing upon her the title of Crown Princess. However, for some unknown reason, he has delayed this for a long time. When you enter the palace later, do you want to remind His Majesty about this matter? If Qi Er's status is elevated, it will also benefit Liuying. As the eldest legitimate daughter, she should marry into a legitimate son's family."

After donning his official robe, she brought over a belt and wrapped it around Gongsun Yanming's waist, securing it in place. "I know that Qi Er is destined to be the National Guardian Qilin, and his status is already unparalleled. The identity of a legitimate son is merely an additional honor for him. But I heard that the Crown Prince has recognized another son and is extremely fond of him. Even His Majesty adores this boy and personally visited the Crown Prince's Mansion to see him."

"You're a father; you should understand that it's impossible to treat everyone equally."

It was unclear whether she was speaking about the current situation or hinting at something else.

She continued, "Moreover, even if His Majesty were to be impartial, there's no guarantee that those officials below won't take advantage and stir up trouble. Giving Qi Er the status of a legitimate son will make those people understand that Qi Er's position is unshakable, and it will also put an end to their thoughts."

Gongsun Yanming remained silent.

But Xiao Rong Er, who knew him well, could tell that he had listened to her words.

He, a man from the jianghu, had become a favorite of His Majesty and held a prominent position in the imperial court. Many of the old officials who followed His Majesty were envious of him and wished they could bring him down.

In the past, they didn't have the opportunity, but now with the arrival of a new imperial grandson, those officials were eager to make their move.

Whether it was to nip the problem in the bud or to warn them off, Gongsun Yanming intended to crush everyone's thoughts mercilessly.

"I heard that this person appeared mysteriously. He first rode in Prince Ming's carriage and then accompanied Qi Er to meet Master Ziwu. They were alone together for a long time... I wonder if he received guidance from Master Ziwu..."

Gongsun Yanming spoke up, "Master Ziwu is not someone you and I can casually criticize."

Xiao Rong Er smiled, "I understand. I won't mention it again in the future."

"Just focus on preparing for Liuying's grand wedding. You don't need to worry about other matters."

Gongsun Yanming finished speaking without any expression and put on his scholar's hat to attend the court.

Xiao Rong Er's smile faded as she called out, "Someone, come here."

A young servant entered the room.

Xiao Rong Er asked, "Where is Second Young Master? Go and find him for me."

"Yes, Madam."

The servant hurried off.

Before long, Gongsun Yu strode into the main hall and bowed to Xiao Rong Er, "Sister-in-law."

Xiao Rong Er placed a teacup on the table, "Please sit."

Gongsun Yu sat down with a smile.

A maid served him hot tea.

Gongsun Yu took a sip and exclaimed, "This is top-grade pre-rain Longjing tea! It's so much better than the tea at my brother's and sister-in-law's place!"

Xiao Rong Er asked, "Your brother is busy at the Imperial Observatory, and you're like a dragon, appearing and disappearing. What are you two busy with?"

Gongsun Yu laughed, "Sister-in-law, my brother is busy with state affairs, and I'm just running around. I'm helping my brother with some odd jobs. Is there anything you need me to do?"

Xiao Rong Er asked casually, "How is Chang Le doing?"

Gongsun Yu replied, "I'm not sure."

Xiao Rong Er smiled faintly, "Didn't your brother ask you to find someone to rescue Chang Le from Wushan?"

Gongsun Yu gave an embarrassed smile.

Xiao Rong Er said calmly, "After raising her for so many years, even a dog would have feelings. How much more so for a person? Rescuing Chang Le is also my wish. Just go and do it properly, and you won't be short of rewards later."

Gongsun Yu flattered her, "Sister-in-law, you're so generous!"

Xiao Rong Er continued, "Have you heard about the matter at the Crown Prince's Mansion?"

Gongsun Yu asked, "Do you mean... the new Young Master at the Crown Prince's Mansion?"

Xiao Rong Er nodded, "Yes, him. His background is mysterious, and I fear there's an attempt to confuse the royal bloodline. Investigate this thoroughly, and don't let him ruin Qi Er's good fortune."

Gongsun Yu patted his chest, "Sister-in-law, rest assured. I'll take care of this matter personally. Within three days, I'll investigate his ancestry back eighteen generations!"

After Gongsun Yu left, Xiao Rong Er went to Gongsun Liuying's courtyard.

As the wedding date approached, Gongsun Liuying no longer left the mansion and stayed in her room, preparing for her marriage.

The wedding dress that Xiao Rong Er had damaged was replaced by a new one delivered by the seamstress.

When Xiao Rong Er entered the room, she was speechless at the sight of the new phoenix crown and robe.

How could she describe it?

The previous wedding dress was just that, but this one was like a phoenix's feathered garment. Xiao Rong Er could already imagine her daughter's stunning appearance that would astonish the world.

Xiao Rong Er was very satisfied.

She smiled and said to the seamstress, "Why didn't you bring out such a beautiful wedding dress earlier?"

The seamstress politely replied, "It was only recently made, and I immediately brought it to the young miss."

"Was it made specifically for me?"

Gongsun Liuying asked from the side.

The seamstress smiled, "Of course! Only the best wedding dress in the world is worthy of the future Empress of Great Liang!"

Xiao Rong Er smiled, "You shouldn't say that."

She was delighted, knowing that her daughter was Heaven's Chosen Daughter and was marrying the National Guardian Qilin. It was only a matter of time before she ruled over the world.

Xiao Rong Er rewarded the seamstress generously.

She had something to discuss with her daughter, and the seamstress tactfully withdrew.

"Mother," Gongsun Liuying called out, "You seem to have something on your mind."

"You can't hide anything from me," Xiao Rong Er said.

"The daughter is clever, and from a young age, she has been more perceptive than most. Xiao Rong'er regrets that the daughter wasn't born a man; otherwise, who could be more suitable to inherit the Qianji Pavilion than the daughter?"

She sighed, "Qi'er's mother almost became the Crown Princess, but a second imperial grandson appeared out of nowhere. I just spoke to your father, hoping he would mention this to His Majesty, but I don't know if he will."

Gongsun Liuying replied with a calm and collected tone, "What's destined will eventually come; what's not, don't force it. Mother, everything is fate."

Born as a Phoenix Star, she naturally believed in fate.

Xiao Rong'er was taken aback and wanted to speak but stopped herself.

Gongsun Liuying sensed Xiao Rong'er's unusual reaction and asked, "What's wrong, Mother? Did the daughter say something wrong?"

Xiao Rong'er regained her focus and smiled, "Oh, it's nothing. You're right, but perhaps becoming the Crown Princess is also her fate."

Gongsun Liuying's expression turned serious, "If it's her fate, becoming the Crown Princess will be effortless. It's like the Thirteen Ghost Gates Needles. You once said that only a Phoenix Star can reach the highest realm, and indeed, among the three sisters, only the daughter has achieved it."

People's joys and sorrows are not the same, and what they care about differs.

Xiao Rong'er felt a strong sense of superiority in the daughter, which stemmed from her Phoenix Star fate.

She stood above everyone, even her future mother-in-law.

Xiao Rong'er felt the daughter placed too much importance on fate, and if the daughter knew her own fate—

She spoke with a heavy heart, "In any case, no matter what, when you marry into the Crown Prince's Mansion, you must not be careless with others just because of your Phoenix Star identity."

Gongsun Liuying whispered, "The daughter won't, Mother."

Xiao Rong'er nodded secretly.

The daughter might be proud, but she knew her limits and wasn't stubborn.

Gongsun Liuying asked, "Mother, regardless of whether Qi'er's birth mother is the Crown Princess, the daughter is destined to be an empress. What are you worried about?"

"I..."

Xiao Rong'er opened her mouth, hesitating on how to respond to the daughter, when a maid's voice came from outside, "Madam, something terrible has happened! The Second Young Miss is fighting with someone!"

The speaker was Gongsun Ziyu's personal maid, named Caimy.

Xiao Rong'er dismissed Hongxiu.

Hongxiu asked Caimy, "Who is the Second Young Miss fighting with?"

Caimy replied anxiously, "With the Young Pavilion Master's maid!"

Hongxiu turned to look at the door.

Xiao Rong'er and Gongsun Liuying heard this.

This wasn't the first time Gongsun Ziyu had fought with the maid named Tan'er, but logically, Tan'er was just a maid, and she should have been driven out of the Qianji Pavilion for her insolence.

But Wu You insisted on protecting her.

And Gongsun Liuying had always protected Wu You, to the extent that even the elders of the Qianji Pavilion no longer helped Gongsun Ziyu in this matter.

Because of this, Gongsun Ziyu's resentment towards Tan'er deepened, and she always looked for trouble with her.

But perhaps it was because Wu You had warned Tan'er, as Tan'er usually didn't pay much attention to Ziyu's provocations.

What happened today?

Xiao Rong'er sighed, "Your sister is really giving you a hard time."

Gongsun Liuying said, "The second sister is a bit mischievous."

Xiao Rong'er glanced at her and said, "Ziyu is your real sister."

Gongsun Liuying replied, "In the daughter's heart, Changle and Ziyu are the same."

The daughter might be clever, but her ideas were sometimes too grand, and she didn't always listen to her mother's words. Perhaps only her father could truly control her.

"Madam..."

Caimy was about to cry with worry outside.

Xiao Rong'er sighed, "Alright, I'll go and see what's happening."

Gongsun Liuying said, "I'll go with Mother."

Xiao Rong'er looked at the daughter and said, "You're about to get married, so it's better to stay inside."

Gongsun Liuying whispered, "A child of the rivers and lakes doesn't worry about minor details, and besides, the Qianji Pavilion isn't an ordinary place."

Xiao Rong'er said, "You're grown up and have your own ideas."

"Mother..." Gongsun Liuying wanted to explain, but she shook her head, "Never mind, let's go see the second sister first."

Gongsun Ziyu and Tan'er were arguing in a small garden.

Tan'er was picking flowers when Gongsun Ziyu suddenly lashed out with a whip.

Tan'er dodged.

She didn't want to argue with Gongsun Ziyu, but Gongsun Ziyu started insulting Meng Qianqian, saying she didn't know her place and was imitating her sister's charitable acts, like a clumsy copycat.

Tan'er immediately punched her to teach her a lesson.

When Xiao Rong'er and Gongsun Liuying arrived, Gongsun Ziyu was being pinned down by Tan'er, who was slapping her repeatedly.

Xiao Rong'er was furious. She hadn't even dared to touch her little daughter with a finger, yet she was being humiliated by a lowly servant.

She shot two silver needles at Tan'er.

Just as they were about to blind Tan'er, another silver needle flew through the air and knocked her needles away, pinning them into a nearby rock.

Xiao Rong'er gave a cold glance and saw a young woman dressed as an inner disciple approaching.

Xiao Rong'er recognized her; she was Yan Elder's disciple and had taken on her surname, Yan Xiao Jiu.

"Tan'er."

Meng Qianqian spoke up.

Tan'er released Gongsun Ziyu and walked over to Meng Qianqian.

Meng Qianqian bowed to Xiao Rong'er, "Greetings, Madam."

She also greeted Gongsun Liuying, who was next to Xiao Rong'er, "Greetings, Senior Sister."

Xiao Rong'er said with authority, "How dare you! You even dare to stop me from disciplining a servant."

Meng Qianqian spoke up, "Miss Xiao Jiu was disciplining the maidservant who offended the Young Mistress. It was an impulsive mistake, please forgive her."

Xiao Rong Er scoffed, "What a sharp tongue. How dare you? Can't I discipline the maidservant of Wu You?"

Meng Qianqian stepped aside, "As you wish, Madam."

"Mother!"

Gongsun Ziyu, supported by Hongxiu, pouted and buried her face in Xiao Rong Er's embrace, her face swollen from the beating.

Seeing her daughter's condition, Xiao Rong Er felt like killing Tan'er.

Gongsun Liuying's expression turned serious, "Second Sister, what have you done now?"

Gongsun Ziyu whining, "I'm beaten up like this, and you blame me for provoking her? I'm your real sister! Your own flesh and blood! Yet you always favor that wild child Wu You—"

"Enough!" Gongsun Liuying cut her off sharply.

The servants nearby were all stunned.

What did the Second Miss say?

Wild child?

Meng Qianqian smiled faintly, "So, Miss Xiao Jiu is a wild child. I wonder what the Master would think if he heard this. Perhaps the beating you received was too light."

Xiao Rong Er realized her daughter had spoken out of turn, even if she had a valid point.

She glanced at Meng Qianqian, sensing something unusual about her. There was an aura around her that seemed different from ordinary people, vaguely familiar.

Xiao Rong Er said, "Siblings often quarrel, and some words are unintentional. There's no need to take them to heart. Ziyu, let's go."

Gongsun Ziyu cried out, "Mother! I want to kill her! I'll kill her!"

Xiao Rong Er dragged her away.

Gongsun Liuying remained unmoving.

"Senior Sister, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."

Meng Qianqian turned to leave with Tan'er.

"Wait," Gongsun Liuying called out, stopping Meng Qianqian. "You just used the Thirteen Ghost Gates Needles technique. Who taught you that?"

Meng Qianqian removed the silver needle from the rock, her expression unchanged, and said, "My master."

Gongsun Liuying said, "So Elder Yan has taught you the ultimate skill of Qianji Pavilion. She must value you greatly."

Meng Qianqian replied, "My master only has me as a disciple, so it's natural that she values me. Tan'er, let's go."

"Let's go!"

Tan'er followed Meng Qianqian with a bounce in her step.

As Meng Qianqian passed by, Gongsun Liuying felt a strange sensation in her heart for no apparent reason.

She turned and stared at Meng Qianqian's departing figure with curiosity.

Who is she, and why does she make me feel... anxious?

---

After spending a night at the inn with Bao Zhu Zhu, Liu Qingyun finally entered the city early the next morning.

It was still early because two black-clad men had discovered her son's whereabouts.

"Let's go to the Crown Prince's Mansion."

"What?"

The two men spoke in unison, unsure if they had heard correctly.

Li Laosan asked, "Third Miss, where are we going?"

Liu Qingyun repeated, "The Crown Prince's Mansion."

He Laosi didn't understand, "Aren't we going to Qianji Pavilion? Why the Crown Prince's Mansion?"

Liu Qingyun patted Bao Zhu Zhu's head, "You said earlier that a new Young Master had arrived at the Crown Prince's Mansion. Is this information reliable?"

He Laosi patted his chest, "Absolutely reliable!"

Liu Qingyun asked, "Is he a lowly person?"

He Laosi explained, "Yes, Prince Ming complained bitterly at the teahouse, and all the citizens of the Imperial City know he was cheated!"

"That's him," Liu Qingyun declared.

Using Bao Zhu Zhu's favorite snacks as a vow, she swore that the despicable little brat was her son.

Li Laosan said, "No, we..."

Liu Qingyun interrupted, "Two hundred thousand taels."

Li Laosan whipped the carriage, "Alright, let's go!"

Liu Qingyun crossed her legs, "My son is doing well, even managing to get into the Crown Prince's Mansion."

Halfway through the journey, the carriage suddenly stopped.

Liu Qingyun, concerned about her son, asked, "What's wrong?"

Li Laosan explained, "The alley is narrow, and another carriage is coming from the front. They're asking us to give way."

"No way!"

Li Laosan, a seasoned wanderer of the martial world, was no stranger to dangerous situations. He had a keen eye for such matters.

He observed the seemingly simple carriage, which was secretly escorted by several experts, and said to Liu Qingyun, "Third Miss, they seem to be important people. Should we let them pass first?"

"Why should we give way?"

Her son had managed to enter the Crown Prince's Mansion, so who could be more important than the Crown Prince?

The Emperor himself wouldn't be traveling in a carriage.

Liu Qingyun boasted, "Tell them to give way!"

As the Princess of Miaojiang, she had no reason to yield to others.

He Laosi went to convey the message.

"Third Miss, they refuse to give way and ask who you are."

"Who am I?" Liu Qingyun raised her voice, fearless, "Go and tell them I am the Princess Consort of the Crown Prince!"

Her voice was loud enough to startle not only the carriage driver but also the hidden experts escorting it.

The Crown Prince already had a Princess Consort?

When did this happen?

He Laosi and Li Laosan shuddered. Who are you to impersonate someone like that?

Liu Qingyun was satisfied and showed no signs of guilt, "Can't speak now? Leave your name, and I'll spare your life!"

A calm yet firm male voice came from inside the carriage, "Lu Zhaoyan, the Crown Prince."

Liu Qingyun was shocked.

---

How will this situation be resolved?

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end