Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot

Chapter 783: Chapter 647: Painstaking Schemes, Loulan Royalty

Meng Tianhe was slightly stunned. "The magistrate’s nephew?"

Prefect Cao was the highest-ranking official in You State, practically a local emperor. The Meng Family was well aware of his family background.

He only had an elder sister, so where did this nephew come from?

Prefect Cao turned around and said, "Xiao’er, come and meet the second and third masters of the Meng Family."

A burly man with a braided hairstyle and pronounced features strode out from the back of the crowd.

At a glance, it was clear he wasn’t from the Central Plains.

Meng Tianhe boldly inquired, "Sir, if I may ask... which nephew of yours is this?"

Prefect Cao, exuding authority, replied, "He is the son of my close friend. Why? Are you trying to say that my nephew is not worthy of marrying a daughter from the Meng Family? In the end, no matter how wealthy your Meng Family is, you’re just lowly merchants. It’s your fortune that I’m willing to lower myself for you."

In the pavilion, Duan Wenliang asked Duan Mingyue, "Elder brother, who is that?"

Duan Mingyue chuckled, "A guest from afar."

Duan Wenliang furrowed his brow. "He doesn’t look like someone from the Great Zhou."

His gaze returned to Prefect Cao’s face, observing his arrogant and condescending demeanor. He wondered aloud, "Does this Prefect Cao know that the Grand Commander of the court is in the Meng Family? Isn’t he afraid he won’t even know how he died? Lu Yuan is no easy character."

They had been investigating Lu Yuan, becoming more and more astounded as they dug deeper.

He was truly a Living Yama.

Duan Mingyue remarked, "Powerful dragons cannot suppress local villains. In the Capital City, he is the influential Grand Commander. But here in You State, this Prefect Cao is like a remote local emperor."

Duan Wenliang clicked his tongue, "Then this Prefect Cao should be careful. Not to mention a mere local emperor, even the actual Emperor can be confined by Lu Yuan at will."

Duan Mingyue laughed, "This Prefect Cao also has his backing."

"Fourth Brother, are you referring to that foreigner?"

After some thought, Duan Wenliang felt this term was most apt, "Where exactly is he from?"

Duan Mingyue replied, "The Loulan royal family."

Duan Wenliang was taken aback, "What? He’s from Loulan? And from the royal family? Isn’t he connected to Chen Long...?"

Duan Mingyue looked at the man emanating a swaggering arrogance and smiled, "The show is about to begin."

Duan Wenliang mumbled, "Hasn’t it already begun?"

Duan Mingyue lifted his teacup, "No rush, there’s another."

"Who?"

Just as Duan Wenliang finished speaking, there was another commotion behind the crowd in the pavilion.

It seemed someone else had arrived.

Unlike before, upon seeing the newcomer, Meng Bo, the chief steward of the Meng Family, immediately put down what he was doing and rushed over to greet him.

Everyone’s eyes followed him, seeing a man wearing a black bamboo hat, draped in a black cloak, and wearing a mask.

The man was completely covered, even his hands were gloved.

"Who is he?"

"Which family’s scion?"

"I don’t recognize him."

"He looks like a swordsman."

The crowd began to whisper.

Meng Bo respectfully clasped his hands and bowed, "Sir, your esteemed visit truly brings honor to my humble abode!"

Even when Prefect Cao arrived, he had not received such a welcome.

The crowd grew even more curious.

Meng Tianhe and Meng Tianlan exchanged a glance.

"Second Brother, do you know him?"

Meng Tianlan asked.

"I don’t recognize him."

Meng Tianhe shook his head, "It must be someone whom the old master knows."

Meng Tianlan examined the man up and down, "So mysterious."

Meng Bo glanced behind the man, seeing no young talents, politely asked, "Our master is in the yard. He was unaware of your visit, otherwise he would have greeted you personally. Let me take you to him."

"I’m not here to see the master."

The man said.

Meng Bo was taken aback.

If he wasn’t here to see their master, could he be here just for the spectacle?

It didn’t seem like something their benefactor would do...

The man took out the invitation and Token left for him by Meng Bo the previous day. "I am unattached. May I partake in the courtship competition?"

Meng Bo: "..."

The man: "If that’s inconvenient."

Meng Bo immediately directed him, "No, no! Please, sir!"

Their benefactor also participating in the courtship? Wouldn’t the old master be thrilled to know?

Prefect Cao’s displeased gaze roved over the man, "Shan’er, are you confident?"

A Mu Shan scoffed disdainfully, "Playing tricks, nothing to fear."

Prefect Cao frowned, "That’s not what ’playing tricks’ means... Never mind, remember you must win, it’s very important."

"I will."

A Mu Shan asserted confidently.

Lu Yuan and Shangguan Ling had also arrived near the pavilion, hearing everything, both the intended and unintended.

Shangguan Ling said, "Grand Commander, that guy is quite arrogant."

He was referring to A Mu Shan, "He seems suspicious. Should I investigate?"

"Let Chen Long investigate."

Lu Yuan stated.

Unconvinced, Shangguan Ling retorted, "I’m not as good at martial arts as him, but I’m better at gathering information!"

Lu Yuan, gazing at A Mu Shan, remarked indifferently, "But he investigates faster than you."

He glanced towards the southeast phoenix tree.

Perched on one of the high and long branches, Meng Lang was leisurely munching on a peach, watching the show.

The idea of this marriage ball contest was this kid’s brainchild.

This rascal, with so many tricks up his sleeve.

More than A Mu Shan, Lu Yuan was intrigued by the cloaked man whom Meng Bo personally received.

It was an indescribable intuition.

When he looked towards the man, it was as if the man sensed it and looked back at him.

Their eyes met.

Lu Yuan felt a challenge from one man to another.

He did not shy away, staring intently at him.

The man was the first to look away.

The Meng family’s guards enclosed the open space in front of the pavilion, allowing only participants in the courtship to enter.

As the copper gong sounded, the young talents surged in like a swarm, packing the space tightly.

Some almost came to blows over the front spots.

Lu Yuan picked a corner.

Coincidentally, so did the cloaked man.

As for A Mu Shan, he used his immense strength to clear aside anyone in his path, standing arrogantly in the center.

Everyone saw his towering figure, exuding an intimidating aura, and coupled with being the nephew of the magistrate, they could only swallow their anger.

Behind the screen on the second floor.

The expressions of Ji Shi and Yan Shi grew increasingly tense.

Yan Shi clenched the handkerchief in her hand, "I’m a little nervous."

Ji Shi appeared calm on the surface, but her internal tension was no less than her sister-in-law’s.

This matchmaking, initially felt absurd to her, but after discussing it thoroughly with her husband, she gradually discerned the old master’s intentions.

The old master was taking a significant risk to test the son-in-law.

If the son-in-law could agree to such an unreasonable request, then his affection for Qianqian must be genuine.

The old master never doubted that the son-in-law would fail to catch the silk ball.

After all, Qianqian practiced Martial Arts, and the son-in-law was no weakling.

With both of them participating, could anyone else snatch it away?

But not even the old master anticipated how the situation had slipped out of control.

The magistrate’s nephew decided to jump in as a wild card—could the son-in-law... successfully seize Qianqian’s silk ball?