Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot

Chapter 893: Chapter 731

After Meng Qianqian returned to the tent, she fell asleep immediately, and when she opened her eyes, it was already daylight.

Inside the tent, only Mo’er was keeping watch over her.

The two sisters had a clear division of labor, with Mo’er responsible for attending to her closely, while Ya’er was in charge of planning her daily affairs such as clothing, food, and accommodation.

However, Meng Qianqian speculated that the task of reporting to Shan Cheng also fell upon Ya’er’s shoulders.

She saw through it but didn’t expose it, keeping everything as usual.

It seemed as if she were not a hostage who had lost her freedom, but a noble lady out on a leisure trip.

This family of herders was a couple.

The two did not know their true identities; Shan Cheng had told them that she was Shan Cheng’s sister, married to an undeserving man, and her brother-in-law was worth nothing at all. To rescue his sister from the abyss of misery, he and their aunt had hurried from their home a thousand miles away.

Now they were planning to take the sister back home.

The herder couple was deeply sympathetic to Meng Qianqian’s plight, and they took extra care of her, especially since they saw she was carrying the child of such a despicable man.

"Poor thing."

The woman sighed, holding Meng Qianqian’s hand with tears in her eyes.

During breakfast, they specially cooked an extra bowl of lamb soup for Meng Qianqian, with more meat than soup.

Neither Shan Cheng nor the Loulan Queen received this treatment.

Everyone had changed into the attire of the herders.

Ayimulan still wore her mask, and neither Ya’er nor Mo’er knew her identity, truly believing she was Shan Cheng’s aunt.

After breakfast, the group prepared to depart.

Shan Cheng gave the couple a little money for food and lodging, which they declined, so Shan Cheng secretly left it in the tent.

As he rode past Meng Qianqian on horseback, she cast him a glance: "While out and about, you do put on quite the show."

Little did they know, who could tell he was the Loulan Great Witch who regarded human life as grass, a master in refining countless puppets? In his eyes, the lives of the living held no importance.

Shan Cheng, being scolded, did not get angry but smiled and said, "That, I do not deny."

"You have some nerve."

Meng Qianqian averted her gaze.

Shan Cheng said, "The next leg of the journey is not suitable for carriages, I will try to make the horses go slower."

Meng Qianqian ignored him and mounted the horse he had prepared for her.

Ayimulan also mounted her horse.

Shan Cheng led the way at the front.

Mo Yi remained by Ayimulan’s side.

Though his gaze occasionally fell upon Meng Qianqian, filled with vigilance and coldness.

Meng Qianqian’s lips curved slightly: "Sir Mo, we’ve been apart for just a few days, is there really a need to miss me so much?"

Mo Yi’s face darkened: "What nonsense are you spouting?"

Meng Qianqian said, "Has no one ever told you, staring at a young lady is an involuntary way of expressing affection?"

Mo Yi’s face instantly turned beet red: "You woman, how shameless you are!"

Ayimulan’s expression remained indifferent, as if she didn’t care.

Meng Qianqian looked at her: "Princess Consort, control your subordinate. Since ancient times, heroes have fallen at the enchantment of their beauties; once a man loses his mind, he won’t be obedient."

Mo Yi drew his blade: "Stop trying to sow discord between me and the Princess Consort!"

Meng Qianqian looked at the Tang blade across her neck, her smile undiminished.

Ayimulan said, "Mo Yi, put down the blade."

Meng Qianqian taunted: "Sir Mo, it’s not good to keep losing your composure like this."

Mo Yi could find no words to respond.

Is it not because this woman is too infuriating?

He had lived so many years and never encountered such an aggravating tongued woman.

Ayimulan said to Meng Qianqian, "I advise you to save your energy, there will be enough for you to bother with later."

Meng Qianqian arched a brow.

Bother?

Does she really think I would be afraid?

However, Ayimulan didn’t intend to take her to Shanshan City, but secretly changed course to Liuli Island.

If Lu Yuan and her brother went to Shanshan City, missing her would be a minor issue, but she feared falling into Ayimulan’s trap once more.

Meng Qianqian tightened her grip on the reins and scrutinized Ayimulan once more.

This woman was by no means simple.

If she could execute a flawless plan in the Capital City, Meng Qianqian didn’t believe she wouldn’t have any arrangements in Shanshan City.

And the reason she withdrew at this moment might well be to clear herself of suspicion.

After all, Chen Long was the Loulan King’s biological son, and regardless of the father’s feelings for him, in old age, softening was inevitable.

Should Chen Long perish in Shanshan City, it would have nothing to do with Ayimulan.

Was Ayimulan really planning things this way?

How should she get a message to her brother and Lu Yuan to alert them that she wasn’t in Shanshan City, and further warn them not to fall into Ayimulan’s trap?

"Yin Hu Guard, if your horse doesn’t move swiftly enough, you may ride with me."

Seeing she hadn’t caught up, Shan Cheng teasingly called back to her.

Meng Qianqian curled her lips: "I don’t like your horse, if I must sit, it will be on Sir Mo’s horse."

Mo Yi gritted his teeth: "Shameless!"

-

At night.

Meng Qianqian finally understood what Ayimulan meant when she urged her to conserve her energy.

They had actually reached the edge of the desert and settled in the only available lodge.

There was no need to mention how basic the accommodations were, and even the bedding was stained with sand.

While tidying up, Mo’er murmured, "It is indeed too much of a grievance for Miss to stay in such a place."

Since Meng Qianqian was assuming the identity of Shan Cheng’s sister, the two sisters also adapted their speech accordingly.

Meng Qianqian did not mind.

While traveling, one’s identity was of no importance.

Her brother was Chen Long, and that was all she needed to know.

Ya’er said, "Say less, haven’t we brought valuables? You can change into them."

Mo’er, mumbling, complied.

"I want to drink some water."

Meng Qianqian said.

Ya’er went to fetch water.

Meng Qianqian looked at the small teapot in her hand: "Not enough to drink."

Ya’er said, "Water is scarce in the desert, and the lodge only has this much."

Meng Qianqian said expressionlessly, "Then have your master find a way."

Ya’er hesitated but ultimately reported to Shan Cheng.

Shan Cheng chuckled: "Understood."

He personally went to the lodge owner to buy water.

Half an hour later, not only was there a sufficient supply of tea in Meng Qianqian’s room, but even bathwater was prepared.

This might be the last chance to take a bath for a while.

Meng Qianqian, without any burden on her mind, enjoyed a comfortable soak.

She faintly overheard the conversations of the two sisters outside the door.

"The water in the desert is more expensive than oil, and for her to use so much, do you realize what the young master had to pay..."

It was Mo’er’s voice.

She spoke in a hushed tone, yet it couldn’t escape Meng Qianqian’s keen hearing.

Interestingly enough, after becoming pregnant, her senses had not dulled, but instead became sharper.

"That’s the young master’s business. We only need to take care of Miss. Never mention such things again."

Ya’er instructed seriously.

Then the sisters started chatting about the lodge’s food, which dish was tasty, and which room was big... all idle chatter, and Meng Qianqian listened no more.

She soaked in the bath, pondering if Lu Yuan could see through Ayimulan’s plan.

If he could, this lodge was her only chance to leave a sign for Lu Yuan.

Once they entered the desert, amidst the vast swirling sands, leaving a sign would be impossible, as both people and camels could be buried.

"How exactly should I leave a sign at the lodge?"