Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot

Chapter 782: Chapter 646: Choosing a Husband

The Meng Family was bustling about for the matchmaking event.

Little Yin Hu was held down by two aunts, while Si Snake was absent, and Chen Long was nowhere to be found.

Ji Li, lonely as snow, went to the street to tell fortunes for copper coins.

After managing to earn five coins and just about to close his stall, a familiar figure flashed before his eyes.

He frowned suspiciously: "Mao Tu?"

He followed that person.

Entering a quiet alley, he had an unexpected encounter with Uncle Meng coming out from within.

Uncle Meng was surprised: "Is it Master Ji Li? What brings you to this area so late? Are you lost?"

It was understandable for him to guess so, as this long-deserted alley truly had nothing interesting to stroll around for.

Ji Li shook his folding fan and looked towards the dark alley behind him: "I’m looking for someone."

"Someone?"

Uncle Meng turned his head back curiously and said, "There’s only one gentleman living here, no one else."

Mao Tu was a woman, definitely not a gentleman.

Ji Li pondered: "Did this Commander Guard see it wrong?"

Uncle Meng pointed to a lantern-lit residence: "That gentleman is an old friend of my master. If you really wish to find someone, I can inquire for you."

Ji Li said: "No need, I’ll find them myself, you may return."

"I’ll take my leave first."

Uncle Meng boarded the carriage.

Ji Li strolled down the alley alone, searched every empty courtyard, and indeed didn’t find Mao Tu.

Only the courtyard of the old friend of Master Meng was left unchecked.

"It’s inappropriate to trespass, though."

Little Yin Hu’s face should at least be given some respect.

Besides, how could Mao Tu and Master Meng have a mutual friend?

They were completely unrelated.

Ji Li hesitated for a moment, pulled out the Compass from his wide sleeve, intending to divine a fortune, but the needle of the Compass began to misbehave again.

"I’m leaving!"

He impatiently put the Compass away.

In the darkness, beneath the crabapple tree.

Lan Yeyue let out a long sigh of relief, removing leaves from her head: "That was close, why didn’t he stay in Capital City as a Prince Consort, and why did he come to You State to join in the fun?"

After grumbling irritably, she stepped inside the house.

She immediately spotted half-eaten fried pastries on the table, along with an invitation bearing the Meng Family’s seal.

"Throwing an embroidered ball to find a husband?"

-

The next day, the Meng Family held the event.

The location was set in a small pavilion at the front courtyard, surrounded by fences, leaving an open space on the south side.

Every young talent who passed the preliminary selection received a reply from the Meng Family.

Some arrived at the Meng Family early in the morning.

The Meng Family courteously entertained everyone, not neglecting anyone.

Neighbors and folks who wanted to join in the fun wouldn’t be turned away by the Meng Family. They even erected canopies around with tea, fruits, and snacks ready for people to rest.

After noon, the young talents began arriving one after another.

"Why hasn’t the Third Miss arrived yet?"

A young nobleman asked while looking at the empty pavilion.

Another gentleman replied: "It’s not the hour yet."

"Could it be that she’s so ugly she can’t face anyone?"

The third gentleman joked.

He wasn’t there to participate in the matchmaking, just to watch the excitement.

"That’s utterly wrong! The Third Miss of the Meng Family is like a fairy descended from heaven! Ugly? Your whole family is ugly!"

"How dare you speak like that, little girl?"

Tan’er akimbo: "With my mouth! Unlike you! Just filled with pig innards or grass inside your head!"

"You you you..."

The impertinent young nobleman was so furious he nearly fainted.

"What a sharp-tongued little girl."

A familiar voice suddenly entered Tan’er’s mind.

Tan’er blinked and turned around, looking at the man in the wheelchair with puzzlement: "Duan Mingyue? How come you’re here?"

Duan Mingyue smiled: "Passing by, saw such liveliness here, so I came in to see what it’s all about."

Tan’er curiously asked: "How did they let you in?"

Duan Mingyue chuckled: "I said I’m a friend of the Third Miss of the Meng Family."

Tan’er tilted her head: "They believed you?"

Duan Mingyue replied: "They didn’t, so I then said my younger brother is still unmarried."

Tan’er suddenly realized: "You sold your brother!"

Duan Mingyue laughed: "A temporary expedient."

He glanced at the gathering crowd of young talents, "More lively than I imagined."

Tan’er crossed her arms proudly, saying: "Of course! Look whose event this is!"

"It’s too noisy here, could you take me to a quiet place with a view?"

"No!"

Duan Mingyue opened a food box and handed her two shimmering sugared haws.

Tan’er, with her eyes glowing green, grabbed the sugared haws: "Follow me!"

Tan’er led Duan Mingyue to a pavilion across from the loft.

The pavilion, being quite high, provided a clear view of the matchmaking event.

Lu Yuan was also there.

Duan Mingyue smiled: "Third Brother, what a coincidence, we meet again."

Lu Yuan replied calmly: "Is it a coincidence, or do you haunt me like a ghost?"

Duan Mingyue smiled meaningfully: "You seem rather unwelcoming. I’m not empty-handed either; as brothers, let me give you a heads-up. The embroidered ball this time might not be easy to catch, handle it carefully."

Lu Yuan replied nonchalantly: "If you’re referring to your brother, it’s unnecessary."

Duan Wenliang widened his eyes: "Hey! I never said I was going to snatch it!"

Lu Yuan ignored him.

Dusk approached.

A commotion erupted from the pavilion.

Accompanied by two aunts, she entered the pavilion.

Despite the veil and being surrounded by servants, it couldn’t hide the breathtaking glimpse from the young talents.

They weren’t unaware that the Third Miss had returned to the Meng Family after a divorce, but now, no one cared about that.

A celestial beauty with immense wealth, she could elevate her husband’s status greatly.

"You should go too."

Duan Mingyue smiled and said.

Lu Yuan left the pavilion expressionlessly.

Duan Wenliang slumped onto the stone bench.

Duan Mingyue said: "And you too."

Duan Wenliang trembled: "Why should I go?"

Duan Mingyue looked at the packed young talents and smiled: "You’ll be useful."

Duan Wenliang went unwillingly.

Meng Qianqian sat behind a screen on the second floor, she could see the people below, but they couldn’t see her.

Madam Yan stretched her neck: "The Meng Family hasn’t been this lively in a long time."

Madam Ji sat solemnly beside her, without speaking.

Just as the matchmaking ceremony was about to begin, a loud announcement was heard not far away: "The Magistrate is here—"

People couldn’t help but be surprised.

The Meng Family’s matchmaking event’s appeal shocked even the Magistrate into attending, truly astonishing.

Meng Tianhe quickly brought Meng Tianlan forward to greet him.

Meng Tianhe cupped his hands in salute: "Greetings to Prefect Cao from this humble grass-man."

Meng Tianlan also saluted following his elder brother.

Prefect Cao stroked his beard: "No need for formalities, sirs. I heard that the Third Miss of the Meng Family is holding a matchmaking event. Has a worthy young man been chosen yet?"

Meng Tianhe politely responded: "Just about to begin."

Prefect Cao said: "In that case, I came at a good time. I have a nephew who’s still unmarried, and since the matchmaking hasn’t begun, how about letting him participate as well?"