https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-459-Taking-Back-What-s-Hers-Meng-Qianqian/13080851/
Chapter 458: The Clever Little Piggy
Chapter 458: The Clever Little Piggy
Little Piggy sat in the Liang Emperor's embrace, holding up her little finger and looking up at him earnestly. "Grandpa Emperor, he's a bad man."
The Liang Emperor found this amusing and couldn't help but ask, "Oh? Why do you think he's a bad man, Zhaoshao?"
Little Piggy's face turned serious as she replied with reason, "He asked where the child lives and who her parents are. He's a child trafficker!"
"Hahaha!"
The Liang Emperor burst into laughter.
Little Piggy waved her tiny hands, "Baby, we can't talk to child traffickers."
"My State Tutor is a child trafficker..." The Liang Emperor laughed so hard his whole body shook.
Every time he thought the little one couldn't get any cuter, she would surprise him with something even more adorable.
The Liang Emperor had been troubled by the matter of the real and fake Qilin all morning, but at this moment, he finally found some relief.
The Liang Emperor laughed for who knows how long, almost to the point of tears, "State Tutor..."
Little Piggy cupped the Liang Emperor's face, "Grandpa Emperor, you can't talk to child traffickers either."
The Liang Emperor smiled and said to the State Tutor, "Look, she's even giving orders to me now?"
"Don't say it! Don't say it!"
Little Piggy was so anxious that she reached out to cover the Liang Emperor's mouth, "Grandpa Emperor, don't talk to child traffickers!"
Eunuch Yu, standing nearby, watched with a pounding heart.
Oh, his little ancestor, this is the Martial Emperor, and you've been climbing all over him, even touching his dragon beard.
The Liang Emperor gently removed Little Piggy's chubby hand, "Zhaoshao, the State Tutor isn't a child trafficker. He came to the palace to show me a portrait of someone."
"A portrait?"
Little Piggy peered around, searching, and finally spotted the portrait on the table.
Gongsun Yanming asked, "Miss Zhaoshao, do you recognize the person in the portrait?"
Little Piggy covered her mouth.
Don't talk to child traffickers!
The Liang Emperor looked at her with amusement, finding her extremely entertaining.
Little Piggy hugged the Liang Emperor's neck tightly and jumped on him, "Scary! Scary!"
The Liang Emperor spoke softly, "Zhaoshao, don't be afraid."
Little Piggy buried her head in the Liang Emperor's embrace, "Scary! Scary! Zhaoshao is scared!"
The Liang Emperor hurriedly picked up Little Piggy and began to awkwardly comfort her as he walked.
Gongsun Yanming watched as the Liang Emperor, busy soothing the child, had no time to pay attention to him. He stood up and bowed, "Your Majesty, I shall visit the palace another day."
Little Piggy jumped, "Baby is scared!"
The Liang Emperor hugged the little one tightly and waved his hand at Gongsun Yanming.
Eunuch Yu, sensing the situation, stepped forward, "State Tutor, I'll see you out."
Just like that, a plan to expose Lu Yuan was easily interrupted by a child.
Gongsun Yanming gazed at the azure sky and said calmly, "Miss Zhaoshao is indeed adorable."
Eunuch Yu smiled, "Indeed, I've never seen a child more lovable than Miss Zhaoshao."
In the Imperial Study.
The Liang Emperor dismissed the palace attendants and said to the little one in his arms, "The person is gone, Zhaoshao, you can come out now."
Little Piggy lifted her round little head and pointed at the folding screen.
The Liang Emperor carried her over.
She carefully inspected the screen, confirming that there was no child trafficker hiding, and then pointed at the cabinet.
The Liang Emperor patiently carried her to search through the cabinet, "Now there's definitely no one here, right?"
"Mhm!"
Little Piggy nodded earnestly.
The Liang Emperor's gaze returned to the portrait, "Zhaoshao, tell Grandpa Emperor, is this person your father?"
Little Piggy shook her head firmly, "No!"
It's clearly Uncle Luo Shan, don't try to fool Baby!
Just as Gongsun Yanming was about to board the carriage, a page boy rushed over, out of breath, "State Tutor, please wait!"
Gongsun Yanming turned, "Eunuch De, did His Majesty summon me?"
The page boy smiled awkwardly and handed him the portrait, "His Majesty asked me to return the portrait to you, State Tutor."
Gongsun Yanming took the portrait, "I understand."
The page boy bowed slightly, "State Tutor, take care."
Gongsun Yanming returned to the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion.
Gongsun Yu had been pacing in his courtyard, and upon seeing him, he immediately approached, "Big Brother, what's the news? Is Lu Lin Yuan actually Lu Yuan?"
Gongsun Yanming's eyes narrowed, "His Majesty doesn't think so."
"Doesn't His Majesty believe you anymore? What did he say?"
Gongsun Yu was shocked.
After all, Big Brother was the State Tutor, the Liang Emperor's favorite, and the benefactor of Dou Qingyi and Lu Qi.
It wasn't an exaggeration to say that if Big Brother hadn't found the National Guardian Qilin for His Majesty, the Liang Emperor would still be the Southwest Qin King, and wouldn't have established his empire.
The Liang Emperor trusted Big Brother more than his own son.
But now...
Gongsun Yanming said calmly, "His Majesty didn't say anything. He just returned the portrait to me."
Given Gongsun Yanming's understanding of the Liang Emperor, if he truly suspected something, he would have kept the portrait and launched an investigation into Lu Lin Yuan.
The fact that he returned the portrait was as good as telling Gongsun Yanming that Lu Lin Yuan wasn't Lu Yuan.
Gongsun Yu wasn't a fool; after a moment's thought, he understood what the Liang Emperor meant. "But I still don't understand, Your Majesty, why don't you believe in Big Brother?"
Gongsun Yanming gazed into the distance and said, "I never said that Lu Yuan was Lu Lin Yuan. I merely informed Your Majesty that the two of them look alike."
Gongsun Yu furrowed his brows. "Even if that's the case, shouldn't Your Majesty understand the implication?"
Gongsun Yanming replied indifferently, "It was a child who disrupted things."
Gongsun Yu was taken aback. "A child? Whose child?"
Gongsun Yanming didn't answer Gongsun Yu's question but instead asked, "Are you sure you're not mistaken?"
"Big Brother, I can guarantee that the person in the portrait is indeed Lu Yuan! Ah, I've got it!"
Gongsun Yu had an idea and excitedly said, "Lu Yuan once suffered from a cold illness. Big Brother only needs to ask Liuying to take Lu Lin Yuan's pulse, and the truth will be revealed! Big Brother, if Lu Lin Yuan is truly Lu Yuan, then he has committed the crime of deceiving the Emperor. Forget about the National Guardian Qilin; he might not even be able to keep his position as a Marquis in the Crown Prince's Mansion!"
"Moreover, the relationship between Miaojiang and the Southwest is unknown to others, but isn't Big Brother aware of it? Years ago, the Old Miao King almost annexed the Southwest. There's still an unsettled score between us and Miaojiang. If he's the National Guardian Qilin, we don't even know if he's protecting Miaojiang or Liang."
Gongsun Yanming pondered for a moment, then went to Xiao Rong Er's room. "You go and tell Liuying that she will accompany me to the palace tomorrow."
Xiao Rong Er asked, "Is His Majesty summoning her?"
Gongsun Yanming replied, "It's another matter. How is her hand injury?"
Xiao Rong Er smiled and asked, "Why are you suddenly asking about this? Is there a problem with a concubine's health in the palace, and you want Liuying to treat her? Her hand injury hasn't fully healed yet, so I'm afraid..."
Gongsun Yanming said indifferently, "It's just a matter of taking a pulse."
Xiao Rong Er spoke gently, "Okay, I'll go and tell Liuying. Tomorrow, I'll accompany her to the palace."
"There's no need."
Gongsun Yanming turned and left the room after speaking.
Xiao Rong Er took a deep breath and calmly trimmed the flowers on the table, snipping one by one.
Meng Qianqian had just changed into her night clothes and opened the door when she was blocked by Yan Madam.
Meng Qianqian blinked. "Greetings, Master."
Yan Madam hummed, "I see you're quite comfortable at Qianji Pavilion."
"I... couldn't sleep, so I'm taking a walk."
"A walk, and you're dressed like this?"
"I'm just afraid of being misunderstood and causing trouble for you, Master."
Living under someone else's roof, one should still follow the rules.
Yan Madam spoke indifferently, "What exactly did you do?"
Meng Qianqian feigned ignorance, "We didn't do anything. I spend my days either drying or brewing medicine. Tan'er occasionally comes to keep me company. That's all."
Yan Madam spoke coldly, "You know I'm not talking about the two of you. If you don't come clean, I won't care if your man gets into trouble in the palace tomorrow."
"Master, please take a seat!"
Meng Qianqian was extremely obsequious as she supported Yan Madam and led her to the main seat. She removed the covering from her face, poured a cup of hot tea, and respectfully handed it to Yan Madam, "Master, please have some tea!"
Yan Madam took a sip of tea.
Meng Qianqian picked up a fan and fanned her.
The night breeze at the end of March was slightly cool, but Yan Madam was slightly sweating, indicating that she had hurried over.
Meng Qianqian wasn't someone who didn't know right from wrong.
Yan Madam's past grievances with the Shang family were real, and her current protection of Meng Qianqian was also genuine.
Meng Qianqian spread her hands, "I only just pried this information from Master Ziwu."
The old man was tight-lipped!
Yan Madam said, "Back then, the Pavilion Master went to Wushan to study, but he didn't learn much. However, Gongsun Yanming, just by reading the notes he brought back from Wushan, mastered the art of star observation. Even the Divine Maiden praised Gongsun Yanming's talent, do you know..."
She stopped herself from saying more.
Meng Qianqian was unconcerned, "He has talent, but he doesn't use it for good. I only believe that evil cannot suppress the righteous!"
"You're still too young."
Yan Madam shook her head, "Tomorrow, the Pavilion Master will bring Gongsun Liuying to the palace to diagnose Lu Yuan. If Liuying discovers his cold syndrome, he won't be able to hide his secret. I know that cold syndrome can be cured, but the focus isn't on whether Lu Yuan recovers or not."
Meng Qianqian nodded, "It's about how Liuying only needs to say a word to make Lu Yuan 'have had' cold syndrome."
Yan Madam spoke with a grave expression, "Liuying is Heaven's Chosen Daughter, and no one will doubt her medical skills or her words. If possible, it's best for you to talk to Lu Yuan and discuss a plan with him."
Meng Qianqian looked deeply at Yan Madam, "Thank you, Master."
Yan Madam took a sip of tea, "Why are you standing there? Hurry up and go!"
Meng Qianqian put on her veil and climbed over the wall, leaving the courtyard.
Yan Madam watched her silhouette disappear into the night, murmuring, "Master Sister, am I doing the right thing? She's already lost her fate once, and now she's about to encounter her own fate. Is this a blessing or a curse? Master Sister, tell me..."
Meng Qianqian moved swiftly through the night, familiar with the layout of Qianji Pavilion thanks to the help of the hunting eagle and Shang Wuyou.
She navigated the heavily guarded areas with ease.
Just as she was about to pass through the small garden, she suddenly heard a familiar voice.
"Liuying, why aren't you resting yet?"
It was Madam Xiao, the Pavilion Master's wife.
Meng Qianqian hid behind a large tree.
"Mother, I want to practice martial arts for a while."
"You've already worked hard enough, no need to practice more."
"But my hand..."
"I told you, it's because you're nervous about the wedding. All daughters are like this when they get married."
Meng Qianqian frowned inwardly.
Gongsun Liuying's hand hadn't fully recovered.
"Mother, this time it's different. I... I have a feeling I can't describe..."
Meng Qianqian heard the hint of panic in Gongsun Liuying's voice. She quietly moved to the side, parted the branches, and saw Gongsun Liuying's figure.
Her clothes were thin, and she looked much thinner than before.
Her condition didn't seem good.
"You're overthinking it." Xiao Madam pulled her hand, "Go back and rest early. You're entering the palace tomorrow."
Gongsun Liuying furrowed her brows, "I don't want to go to the palace."
Xiao Madam spoke softly, "You must have heard that someone is targeting the Marquis. This is your father's decision."
Gongsun Liuying said with dignity, "I am Heaven's Chosen Daughter, and my husband is the National Guardian Qilin. If he is truly destined for this, he can turn danger into safety. Why should I go and deal with it for him?"
Xiao Madam opened her mouth, "Fate is important, but sometimes, fate can be changed."
Gongsun Liuying disagreed, "Change fate? Where did you hear that, Mother? If what you say is true, then my fate should have been taken away by those princesses and ladies long ago. Each one of them wants to become Heaven's Chosen Daughter, each one wants to rule the world."
Xiao Madam smiled, "Alright, enough of this. In any case, it's your father's order, and as his daughter, you should just obey."
Gongsun Liuying said, "I'll take Wu You with me."
Xiao Madam's smile froze, "Why are you bringing that boy?"
Gongsun Liuying said, "He's my brother. He's been back at Qianji Pavilion for many days, and it's time for him to meet His Majesty."
Xiao Madam sighed helplessly, "Fine, it's up to you."
"Miss, I'll escort you back."
Hongxiu said, holding a lantern.
Gongsun Liuying nodded and left with Hongxiu.
Xiao Madam remained where she was.
Meng Qianqian curiously watched her, feeling that she had something else to do.
As expected, after waiting for about half a quarter of an hour, Xiao Madam, having confirmed that Gongsun Liuying was far away, turned and headed towards an abandoned courtyard.
Meng Qianqian waited nearby.
After half an hour, Xiao Madam finally came out and headed towards her own courtyard.
Meng Qianqian quickly entered the abandoned courtyard.
A strange sense of familiarity washed over her.
"Have I been here before?"
She frowned and touched the landscape painting on the wall, feeling that there should be a secret mechanism here.
She pressed it.
Boom!
A passage opened in the ground.
Meng Qianqian jumped down.
Should I take it back together? Do I have a treasure ticket?
(End of Chapter)
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