Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot

Chapter 808: Chapter 662

Yao Qingluan said, "Since there are only a few of you, I hope you can put aside your differences. No matter how much unpleasantness occurred before, you should consider the bigger picture now."

She was referring to the incident where Hai Pig and Wei Sheep had once sided with Prime Minister Xun, opposing the Governor Mansion.

But Meng Qianqian felt that wasn’t exactly what she meant.

Among the Twelve Guards who have appeared in the Capital City, besides her, Ji Li, Chen Long, Wei Sheep, and Hai Pig, only Si Snake remains.

Could the Empress be inquiring about Si Snake?

Why is the Empress inquiring about him?

Are they close?

Meng Qianqian suddenly recalled something.

Before Yao Qingluan and Zong Zhengxi’s grand wedding, she had asked Si Snake to protect Yao Qingluan for a period of time.

Although Si Snake protected her in secret, judging by Yao Qingluan’s reaction, could it be that she discovered Si Snake?

Meng Qianqian had countless thoughts running through her mind but remained expressionless: "Your Highness’s instructions, Qianqian will remember and will certainly prioritize the bigger picture."

Yao Qingluan seemed to sigh with relief.

"Is there anything else Your Highness wishes to instruct?"

Meng Qianqian asked.

Yao Qingluan inquired, "Is the Old Madam well?"

The Supreme Emperor respects the Old Madam, and Princess Wanping had taken the Old Madam to her residence for a brief stay. As the Empress, Yao Qingluan could not possibly be unaware of her health status.

This certainly wasn’t a mere formal greeting.

It seemed the Empress had lost her composure.

Meng Qianqian replied calmly, "In response to the Empress, my great-grandmother is in good health."

Yao Qingluan asked a few more questions about Lu Yuan and Yu Li, then had the Palace Attendant escort Meng Qianqian out of Jingren Palace.

Meng Qianqian glanced back at the gates of Jingren Palace, murmuring, "The Empress’s feelings for Si Snake, it’s not what I thought, is it..."

Meng Qianqian, Lin Xiaoru, and Wang Rou had lunch at Zhou Nanyan’s Changchun Palace.

The lunch originally took place in the sleeping quarters of the Emperor’s biological mother, and shortly after the Emperor’s grand marriage, the Supreme Emperor’s concubines were all promoted in rank.

Now it housed the Empress Dowager and the Consorts.

Consort Li moved to Xianfu Palace, and the new Imperial Concubine, Zhou Nanyan, resided in Changchun Palace.

A leisurely afternoon passed quickly, and by evening, the welcoming banquet for the Loulan Envoy had begun.

The banquet was held at the Taihe Middle Hall.

Both Yao Qingluan and Zhou Nanyan would be attending.

Additionally, loyal courtiers of the third rank and above, along with members of the royal family, were mandated to attend.

Without any female visitors, Wang Rou and Lin Xiaoru left the palace.

Meng Qianqian attended the banquet as a member of the Twelve Guards.

Lu Yuan was already seated, exchanging toasts with Imperial Censor Wang, General Zhou, and Minister Xing.

Imperial Censor Wang was buoyant, still basking in the joy of becoming a father once again.

The second son of General Zhou and Wang Rou were about to marry, turning their family friendship into a matrimonial alliance, "happy together."

However, Minister Xing’s expression was quite serious, casting frequent glances towards the seats of the Loulan Envoy.

He had already heard about the incident at the city gates yesterday; the Loulan people’s arrogance made him wonder what kind of storm they would stir in the court with their arrival in the capital.

"Be careful,"

Minister Xing reminded Lu Yuan.

He was handling the Xun Family’s case, which had widespread implications; some secrets were suppressed by the Supreme Emperor, unbeknownst to Imperial Censor Wang, General Zhou, and other courtiers.

However, he knew that the Governor Mansion held deep-seated animosity towards Loulan.

And Lu Yuan did not shy away from mentioning to him about Amushan’s death in You State.

Minister Xing finally understood why the Loulan Queen Consort had entered the capital to pay homage to the Emperor.

Her purpose wasn’t solely to enjoy the wine.

"Old Xing, what are you discussing with the Grand Commander?"

General Zhou faintly sensed that the two were hiding something from him.

Minister Xing replied, "Talking about your son’s wedding with Rou’er. If this marriage is settled, as the father, shouldn’t you prepare promptly? Do you want to leave Rou’er waiting until she’s old?"

"I’ll prepare soon!"

General Zhou’s attention was successfully diverted.

Seeing Meng Qianqian arrive, Lu Yuan went over and sat with her at the seating designated for the Governor Mansion.

Beside him were two empty spots reserved for Meng Lang and Treasure Piggy.

Meng Qianqian glanced at the empty seats.

Lu Yuan said, "The little kid fell asleep in the Supreme Emperor’s sleeping quarters."

Ate and slept without a care, treating himself like family.

After a pause, he added, "Meng Lang was also called away by the Supreme Emperor, playing chess with him in Zhaoyang Hall."

"He knows how to play chess?"

Meng Qianqian was somewhat surprised.

Lu Yuan’s lips curled, "He’s playing chess, and yet not playing chess."

After thinking for a moment, Meng Qianqian remarked, "The Supreme Emperor truly is perceptive."

Her two biological elder brothers remained at home, while she specifically brought her half-brother Meng Lang to the capital.

Lu Yuan casually said, "That’s why they call him the old fox, but don’t worry, the kid can handle it."

Meng Qianqian wasn’t worried about this.

The Supreme Emperor isn’t a foolish ruler, and his testing of Meng Lang wasn’t out of malice; most likely, he wanted to learn about Meng Lang’s abilities and see if he could be utilized for the court in the future.

Meng Lang entered with Zong Zhengxi.

To Zong Zhengxi’s left and right were Yao Qingluan and Zhou Nanyan, respectively.

This was not surprising; what was strange was the unfamiliar youth.

Curious eyes couldn’t help but focus on Meng Lang, with nearly everyone speculating which family’s son he was, and why he was previously unseen.

It was Meng Lang’s first time attending such an important banquet; he neither showed fear nor excitement.

Despite the focused stares from the whole assembly, he sat indifferently in the seat belonging to the Governor Mansion.

"On the side,"

Lu Yuan said.

The middle cushion was for the little kid.

Meng Lang expressionlessly shifted over.

Lu Yuan said to Meng Qianqian, "He lost quite a bit in chess."

Meng Lang’s body faintly shuddered: how did you know?!

Who would have thought that the Supreme Emperor, almighty and powerful, would play chess for money with a commoner like him?

He lost miserably, who would understand?!

The old man bullied him, a young boy; it was really shameless!

Meng Qianqian couldn’t help but laugh, a chuckle escaping her lips.

The Loulan Envoys still had not arrived, and the courtiers speculated whether they had developed a habit of throwing their weight around, when, unexpectedly, just as Zong Zhengxi took his seat, the eunuch outside announced.

"Loulan Envoys have arrived for an audience—"

The bustling hall fell into complete silence in an instant.

Led by the Loulan Queen Consort, the envoy group slowly entered the hall.

Everyone felt an overwhelming presence, almost tangible, pressing heavily upon their hearts.

The Loulan Queen Consort was an exceptionally beautiful woman, yet anyone who looked at her would not first notice her bewitching looks.

Her aura was too commanding, her gaze too sharp, akin to staring at an eagle and feeling an involuntary shiver.

Following her were the various envoys of Loulan, each exuding an extraordinary air.

Meng Qianqian’s eyes fell on a man clad in armor beside the Loulan Queen Consort.

Lu Yuan spoke, "Mo Yi."

Meng Qianqian nodded, "So that’s Mo Yi."

Judging by his build, he wasn’t excessively tall or strong, but his eyes revealed an unparalleled ferocity.

Thinking about the various scandalous rumors surrounding him—patricide being the least talked about—Meng Qianqian grew a bit curious.

She wondered if they were true or just stories to intimidate people.

In any case, she wasn’t afraid of these wild creatures; she even looked forward to it, because having opponents too weak would be uninteresting to deal with.