Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot

Chapter 833: Chapter 681: The True King of the Western Regions

Shangguan Ling was astounded: "How come everything belongs to you? Is your family this extensive and wealthy?"

It’s no wonder he asked this, if he remembered correctly, wasn’t the teahouse in the Imperial City of Liang Country also opened by this guy?

But where did this guy get the silver from?

Shangguan Ling was truly shocked into a daze.

To be honest, he had investigated Duan Mingyue, but the information he found was very limited, even the identity of Xun Yi was only discovered in Liang Country.

It is said that the Jinyi Guard is good at espionage and assassination, but that’s only in the Capital City, in Great Zhou.

But to really inquire about the world, you have to turn to Duan Mingyue.

Duan Mingyue simply smiled and remained silent when facing Shangguan Ling.

At this moment, a young man came down from the second floor, approached behind Duan Mingyue, and placed both hands on the handles of Duan Mingyue’s wheelchair.

This person, however, was not his younger brother Duan Wenliang.

Meng Qianqian cast a suspicious gaze upon the person.

The person also glanced at her before looking towards Lu Yuan, who was beside her.

Duan Mingyue smiled and said: "Xiao Wu, aren’t you going to greet your third brother?"

Xun Wu formally addressed Lu Yuan as Third Brother.

Meng Qianqian understood.

So he is Xun Wu.

Xun Wu was not like Xun Yi, so elusive as to appear and disappear at will; therefore, she had seen Xun Wu’s portrait in the Governor Mansion before.

It seems that whether due to severe injuries, the current Xun Wu appeared much weaker and skinnier than before, which is why she didn’t recognize him at first.

"And your third sister-in-law."

Duan Mingyue pointed at Meng Qianqian, telling Xun Wu.

Xun Wu politely called her Third Sister-in-law.

Meng Qianqian nodded.

Xun Wu was a businessman, traveling various countries to do business, yet his face did not show the shrewdness and calculation typical of a businessman.

He seemed quite honest.

This was Meng Qianqian’s first impression.

Meng Qianqian also understood that Xun Wu would never be as simple and honest as he appeared on the surface.

Prime Minister Xun wasn’t a good man, but his discerning eye was exceptionally keen, and every adopted son he took in was outstanding.

Duan Mingyue, unable to stand, had Xun Wu perform the obeisance for Emperor Liang.

Afterward, Duan Mingyue invited everyone to the private room upstairs on the second floor.

Tan’er lay on the windowsill, glancing around the street: "Why haven’t the Loulan people arrived yet, are they scared?"

Shangguan Ling walked up behind her, tugging at her collar from behind: "Watch out or you’ll fall!"

Tan’er pouted: "I won’t fall, no way!"

Chen Long was the last to arrive.

At a glance, he spotted Meng Lang sitting in the corner eating a peach and frowned: "Skipping class?"

Meng Lang hurriedly replied: "Heaven and earth, today Imperial College is on break!"

Chen Long said: "Yu Li hasn’t returned to the mansion."

Meng Lang grumbled: "... Whether he returns has nothing to do with me, it’s a holiday!"

Chen Long glanced at Lu Yuan.

Lu Yuan’s lips curved slightly: "Imperial College is indeed on break. Yu Li is learning with Sacrificial Officer Lin at the Lin Family."

Only then did Chen Long suppress his aura of hostility.

The Loulan people still hadn’t arrived.

Emperor Liang wasn’t anxious, leisurely sipping tea from the main seat in the private room.

Duan Wenliang personally brewed the tea for him, and Xun Wu respectfully served him.

Duan Mingyue gestured to Meng Qianqian and Lu Yuan, and the two understood.

Lu Yuan said to Emperor Liang: "Royal Grandfather, let us go downstairs for a while."

"Mm."

Emperor Liang nodded.

Duan Mingyue called the guards to push the wheelchair and took Meng Qianqian and Lu Yuan to the study.

Hearing the movement, Tan’er glanced back: "Sister, what are you going to do? I want to go too!"

Shangguan Ling pressed her small head: "Stay here and wait, stop running around!"

Tan’er’s small arms flailed: "Playing with knives, let go of me!"

"Please, have a seat."

In the study, Duan Mingyue said to Meng Qianqian and Lu Yuan.

The table was already set with tea and pastries, evidencing prior preparation to entertain the two.

The two took their seats.

Meng Qianqian asked: "How coincidental, to casually choose a place to settle things with the Loulan people, and it turns out to be your Weiyang Building, you wouldn’t... just have bought it?"

Duan Mingyue smiled: "That’s right, just bought it."

Meng Qianqian’s mouth twitched.

Truly wealthy and capricious!

Duan Mingyue’s gaze swept over her, and he turned his attention to Lu Yuan nearby: "Congratulations to Third Brother, soon to be a father."

Lu Yuan arched an eyebrow: "It’s not too late to congratulate now."

Duan Mingyue’s smile grew: "Third Brother is eagerly anticipating the child."

Lu Yuan chuckled: "It’s my offspring, I naturally anticipate it. If you’re envious, find yourself a wife and have one."

Duan Mingyue gave a helpless smile: "I fear I might not be blessed enough to endure it. Alright, back to business. I called Third Brother and Sister-in-law over to thank you both for the medicine guide, which allowed me to save Xun Wu’s life."

Lu Yuan mildly asked: "Is it just verbal gratitude?"

Duan Mingyue smiled: "Third Brother is as pragmatic as ever."

Lu Yuan snorted slightly.

Duan Mingyue chuckled: "Very well, this favor, I’ll return. Regarding the prophecy about the King of the Western Regions, have you heard of it?"

Lu Yuan’s expression was complex: "You’re not planning to repay this favor with just a bit of trivia, are you?"

Duan Mingyue laughed: "That was the original plan, but it seems you already know, so I have to offer other intel. This favor of Xun Wu’s is really hard to return."

Lu Yuan said: "Less chatter, once the Loulan envoy arrives, there’ll be no time to hear you ramble."

Duan Mingyue amusedly said: "For someone waiting for news, you’re more anxious than me, the one providing it."

Lu Yuan arrogantly said: "You didn’t meet me just today."

Duan Mingyue found no grounds to argue and simply refrained from disputing further, straightforwardly saying: "The first person to hear this prophecy was the Loulan King, who believed himself to be the future King of the Western Regions. Unfortunately, he’s not."

"Who is it then?"

Meng Qianqian asked.

Duan Mingyue looked at her with a smile: "Shang Jue."

Meng Qianqian was stunned.

Father?

How could it be...

Lu Yuan subtly observed her reaction, silently gripping her hand, and asked Duan Mingyue: "Shang Jue isn’t from the Western Regions, how could he become King of the Western Regions?"

Duan Mingyue said: "This is my speculation."

Lu Yuan: "Your speculation?"

Duan Mingyue said: "Initially, Loulan’s wizard only envisioned the King of the Western Regions belonging to the Shang Family, but couldn’t pinpoint who specifically. Hence, the Loulan King annihilated the Shang Family, choosing to kill wrongly rather than let it pass. But later, after Xun Wu’s many inquiries and investigations, evidence gradually pointed to Shang Jue."

Lu Yuan further asked: "Why then does the Loulan King want to capture Zhongli Yuan?"

Duan Mingyue answered: "Zhongli Yuan carries a tremendous secret instrumental in helping Shang Jue become King of the Western Regions. To become King of the Western Regions himself, the Loulan King must acquire her. Reportedly, that secret was passed from her to her and Shang Jue’s descendants."

Meng Qianqian frowned.

She... didn’t remember her mother passing any secret to her.

Or, did her mother pass it on to—

"The Loulan Queen arrives—"

Outside Weiyang Building came the voice of the Loulan envoy.

Duan Mingyue warmly smiled: "Here they come, it appears today will present an exciting showdown."