Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot

Chapter 876: Chapter 719

Meng Qianqian winked at Lu Yuan: "Do we need to take him?"

She thought leaving the little one at home would mean she wouldn’t be distracted by taking care of a child.

But now, there are two more to take care of.

Lu Yuan responded with a nonchalant "I follow the command," and took Meng Qianqian onto their carriage.

"What’s with the Empress?"

He frowned.

Zong Zhengxi wanted to go to the Western Regions with him, likely not just out of a desire for adventure, but perhaps at the behest of the Supreme Emperor.

The young Emperor needed achievements.

And pacifying the Western Regions was a godsend opportunity.

The fact he brought Zhou Nanyan along was likely tacitly approved by the Supreme Emperor.

Although the Supreme Emperor trusted Lu Yuan’s character, having Zhou Nanyan there would help Meng Qianqian take care of things better.

As for the Empress... that’s unclear.

Historically, emperors incognito always traveled with their favorite concubines, not their empresses.

However, if it was the Empress who requested it, the Supreme Emperor wouldn’t object.

Meng Qianqian had more or less guessed why Yao Qingluan wanted to go, but without solid evidence, she wouldn’t criticize behind her back.

"You’ll know when we reach the Western Regions."

Lu Yuan stopped pressing the issue.

He glanced at Meng Qianqian and noticed her silent expression: "What are you thinking about?"

Meng Qianqian replied, "I’m wondering if things are successful over at Yucheng Building, and whether the legend of the Seven Stars in a Row is true."

Lu Yuan held her hand: "We’ll find out."

Tan’er wasn’t riding a horse this time; she was sharing a carriage with Ban Xia.

Ban Xia said, "Why not ride a horse?"

Tan’er crossed her arms: "It’s too sunny!"

She didn’t want to turn into a little black egg from the sun again!

In Zong Zhengxi’s carriage, the three sat in awkward silence, staring ahead without a word, filling the whole carriage with extreme discomfort.

Zhou Nanyan whispered, "Your Majesty, I would like to go to Qianqian’s carriage and chat with her."

Zong Zhengxi opened his mouth, "Sure, go ahead."

Zhou Nanyan happily went to find Meng Qianqian.

Only Zong Zhengxi and Yao Qingluan remained in the carriage.

Zong Zhengxi fidgeted with his fingers and lightly coughed: "Cousin..."

Yao Qingluan calmly spoke: "If Your Majesty wishes to go, please do so. I’m a bit tired from getting up early and won’t be able to attend to Your Majesty."

Zong Zhengxi felt relieved.

Being with his cousin was really stressful...

Finally away from the Capital City, Lu Yuan rarely had alone time with Meng Qianqian.

Not long after, Zhou Nanyan got on the carriage.

Soon, Zong Zhengxi came, too.

One clung to Meng Qianqian, while the other sat close to Lu Yuan.

Lu Yuan said to Meng Qianqian, "Ask me again."

Meng Qianqian was puzzled, "Ask what?"

Lu Yuan said, "What you asked at the city gate."

Meng Qianqian nodded and pointed to Zong Zhengxi and Zhou Nanyan: "Do you want to bring them?"

Lu Yuan answered decisively, "No!"

-

After leaving the city, they headed west.

West City wasn’t far on the map, but in reality, it took considerable effort to get there.

The weather was uncooperative; they were delayed several days along the way, and by the time they reached West City, it was late July.

Cui Hu took out the travel permit he had prepared and got off the carriage to negotiate with the city guards.

Ban Xia lifted the curtain and looked at the dusty earthen city walls, remarking, "West City... so much dirt."

She was born and raised in You State, surrounded by lush mountains and clear waters, and followed her mistress to the Capital City, which also had its mountains and scenery.

"Is Loulan also full of dirt like this?"

She asked.

Meng Qianqian softly replied, "Loulan is beautiful."

The Western Regions are a magical place, with the desolation of deserts and the abundance of oases, mirages, islands of amber... a thousand landscapes, a myriad of charms.

After entering the city, Cui Hu quickly found a mark and dug up a note nearby.

He handed the note to Lu Yuan and Meng Qianqian.

Meng Qianqian looked at the note and said, "It’s my brother’s handwriting; they’re at Fulai Inn."

Chen Long and Meng Lang had set out earlier, settling in West City to facilitate their arrival.

Cui Hu busily asked around for Fulai Inn’s location.

The city walls of West City appeared grayish at first glance, but once inside, they realized the inner structure was quite different. The yellow earth was merely a surface; the walls were as solid as a fortress.

"This..."

Cui Hu was deeply impressed.

Standing under the towering city wall, he suddenly felt as small as a grain of sand.

An overwhelming feeling welled up in his chest, as if a warrior spirit within his veins had awakened, evoking visions of battles and the presence of a Divine General.

His eyes felt hot and damp, blurring his vision.

"Brother Cui Hu, what’s wrong?"

Ban Xia’s voice snapped Cui Hu back to reality.

Cui Hu regained his senses and realized he had been facing a wall with tears streaming down his face.

Quickly turning away, he wiped his tears with an awkward smile: "Must be the sand getting in my eyes."

Ban Xia nodded repeatedly: "Same here."

Cui Hu took a deep breath and looked at Meng Qianqian: "Young Madam, this city wall..."

"My father built it."

Meng Qianqian murmured.

She walked to the base of the wall, spread her arms, touched the bricks, and gently rested her cheek against it.

A wave of sorrow hit her nose,

"Father, Little Nine... I miss you so much..."

Cui Hu was puzzled.

Wasn’t Young Madam’s father the head of the Meng Family?

Was this wall his work?

Ah, he understood now!

He must have donated silver!

It must be that!

A noble act indeed!

They went to Fulai Inn and requested the rooms indicated on the note.

Lu Yuan gave the shopkeeper a silver ingot, and the shopkeeper cheerfully led them upstairs: "Honored guests, these are the best suites in the inn. If you need anything, just call for me. My name is Enfu."

Lu Yuan nodded: "Prepare some hot water."

Enfu said: "Right away!"

He quickly instructed the waiter to fetch hot water.

"You must be exhausted?"

Lu Yuan asked Meng Qianqian.

Meng Qianqian shook her head: "I’m alright; the Emperor and the others might not be as well."

Lu Yuan glanced at Zong Zhengxi and the other two.

At the start of the journey, they were excited, but now they were disheveled, looking nothing like a monarch, empress, or imperial concubine.

It wouldn’t be surprising if someone mistook them for refugees fleeing a flood.

"I, I’ll rest first, no need to call me for dinner."

Yao Qingluan expressionlessly entered her room and collapsed onto the bed.

Zhou Nanyan, with huge dark circles under her eyes, said, "I’m going to sleep, too."

Lu Yuan turned to Zong Zhengxi: "Aren’t you eating either?"

Zong Zhengxi tried to maintain his dignity, "Of course, I will—ugh—"

He vomited.

Cui Hu shared a room with Yu Zichuan, while Tan’er and Ban Xia occupied another.

Chen Long and Meng Lang were next door to Lu Yuan and Meng Qianqian, but they were out and the room was empty.

The group returned to their rooms.

Weary from travel, they didn’t have much appetite and soon turned in after a quick meal and wash.

In the dead of night, soft footsteps were heard ascending to the second floor.

This floor was reserved for them, so the footsteps didn’t belong to the waiter or the shopkeeper.

And they weren’t Chen Long’s steps.

The young couple was instantly on alert.

The footsteps stopped at their door.

Lu Yuan, giving Meng Qianqian a glance, threw aside the quilt, stepped forward, and opened the door, ready to strike.

A familiar voice sounded:

"""