Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot

Chapter 894: Chapter 732

The next day, Meng Qianqian got up late.

When she went downstairs, the guesthouse lobby was already packed.

Half were guests from last night, the other half were new faces who had just arrived this morning.

There were knights, merchants, and nobles.

Ayimulan sat with Mo Yi and Shan Cheng at the far end of the east side of the room.

Ayimulan had switched her full-face mask for a half-face one, revealing her deep eyes, rosy lips, and delicate chin.

She just knew it; covering up so rigorously made it inconvenient to eat.

Ayimulan was leisurely eating lamb stew.

From the looks of it, she was nearly finished.

Meng Qianqian walked over slowly and sat down opposite Ayimulan.

Mo Yi and Shan Cheng were seated on her left and right, respectively.

Seeing Meng Qianqian, Mo Yi’s eyes nearly popped out of his head.

Meng Qianqian gave him a sweet smile, "Good morning, Lord Mo."

Mo Yi glared at her.

Meng Qianqian didn’t greet Ayimulan but picked up her bowl of almost-cold lamb soup and drank it slowly.

Shan Cheng chuckled and asked, "Slept poorly last night? You’re late this morning."

Meng Qianqian replied nonchalantly, "If you could sleep on a pile of sand, I certainly couldn’t. I was raised in comfort, after all."

"Oh?"

Shan Cheng chuckled meaningfully, "Were you raised in such comfort when you went to the border to fight?"

Meng Qianqian said, "Indeed, I dragged a cart of jerky to the battle. You should have found out how much military funding the Meng Family donated to the court."

Shan Cheng smiled, "Seems like Lu Yuan didn’t treat you badly."

Meng Qianqian took a bite of her stew, "Don’t credit all accomplishments to men. I live well due to my talents, unrelated to others."

"Hmph."

Mo Yi let out a disdainful snort.

Meng Qianqian smiled, "Naturally, with Lord Mo around, a little lady like me would happily defer the merit. I wonder if, once we enter the desert, Lord Mo could take care of me?"

Mo Yi felt like drawing his sword again.

Shan Cheng reminded, "Mo Yi, this isn’t good for you. It’ll affect your practice. Have you forgotten the lesson of losing your focus back in West City?"

"It’s not just..."

Mo Yi wanted to say it was because this woman was too irritating.

But he held back.

Knowing this woman was deliberately provoking him, he shouldn’t fall for it.

"Princess Consort, I’ll go prepare the horses."

He left the guesthouse.

Meng Qianqian said with a smile, "Aunt, you should watch over your guard. Don’t let him one day turn against you."

Ayimulan put down her bowl and chopsticks, "Finish eating quickly so we can set off."

Meng Qianqian: "I’m not done yet."

"I’ll give you a quarter of an hour."

Ayimulan issued a final ultimatum and also left the guesthouse.

Only Shan Cheng and Meng Qianqian remained at the table.

Shan Cheng looked at her with a smile.

Meng Qianqian ignored his gaze and continued eating her stew.

Shan Cheng: "Mo Yi won’t betray the Princess Consort. If you’re trying to drive a wedge between them, I suggest you give up."

Meng Qianqian said lightly, "Sowing discord doesn’t necessarily aim for success; sometimes, it’s just to disgust the other party."

Shan Cheng: "..."

Meng Qianqian ate slowly, not only to compete with Ayimulan but also to look for a chance to leave a secret message.

Unfortunately, Shan Cheng watched her from start to finish, making it impossible for her to act.

"Want another bowl?"

Shan Cheng pointed at the empty bowl in front of Meng Qianqian and asked.

"No need."

Meng Qianqian wiped her mouth, "Let’s set off."

Shan Cheng gestured for Meng Qianqian to go first.

Meng Qianqian’s eyes flickered.

Such a cautious guy.

For the journey into the desert, they changed mounts, each with a camel.

"Did you bring enough food?"

Meng Qianqian asked from atop her camel.

Shan Cheng pointed to several large bundles on the camel, "Enough for you. We brought water too."

"Let me see."

Meng Qianqian said.

Mo Yi coldly said, "You’re just a hostage, do you really think you matter?"

Meng Qianqian said, "Your Princess Consort hasn’t said anything, why should you?"

Mo Yi was at a loss for words.

Meng Qianqian opened the bundles, revealing flatbread, naan, jerky, barley, and cheese... even her favorite dried fruits were prepared.

Shan Cheng asked smilingly, "Satisfied?"

Meng Qianqian said indifferently, "More or less."

A little boy came running over, hopping and jumping. He looked very good, though a bit suntanned, with a snot bubble on his nose.

As soon as Meng Qianqian opened the bundle, his eyes were fixed on it.

When the aroma of dried fruit wafted out, he couldn’t contain himself anymore.

These dried fruits were preserved by Meng Qianqian herself with lots of honey and flower petals, making them sweetly fragrant.

"Want some?"

Meng Qianqian asked him.

The little guy nodded.

"Hold out your hand."

Meng Qianqian said.

Mo Yi sternly said, "Don’t give it to him!"

Meng Qianqian’s face darkened, "It’s just some dried fruit a child wants. It’s mine, I’ll give if I want!"

Mo Yi tightly gripped his Tang Blade.

The two were instantly at each other’s throats.

By now, many of the other guests intending to enter the desert looked over at the pair.

Ayimulan gave Shan Cheng a glance.

Shan Cheng understood and handed a handful of dried fruits to the boy, saying with a smile, "Go ahead and eat."

The boy joyfully thanked him and sat on a stone at the entrance, happily munching away.

Shan Cheng nodded to Ayimulan.

Ayimulan covered her face with a veil, "Let’s go."

Meng Qianqian and her sister, Ya’er, also veiled themselves.

It wasn’t to hide their beauty, but to protect against the wind and sand.

There were several groups traveling with them.

Meng Qianqian asked Shan Cheng, "Are they also going to Liuli Island?"

Shan Cheng smiled and said, "Yes indeed."

Meng Qianqian paused momentarily, then curiously asked, "Are they also after the so-called legend of the Seven Stars?"

Shan Cheng said, "You guess."

Meng Qianqian said, "I guess they are, but not everyone is like you all, wanting to obtain something."

Shan Cheng laughed, "That’s uncertain."

Meng Qianqian said, "Maybe they’re just joining the fun."

Shan Cheng said, "The world bustles for profit, the world clamors for gain. Those seemingly ordinary people might harbor the greatest ambitions."

Meng Qianqian gave a slight smile, "Are you talking about yourself? With your talents, couldn’t you support anyone to victory? Ever considered that since she lost to me, maybe she’s not destined for it? Wouldn’t you consider supporting someone stronger?"

Shan Cheng smiled, "Failing to drive a wedge between Mo Yi and the Princess Consort, and now you’re trying to do the same with me?"

Meng Qianqian smiled, "Did it work?"

Shan Cheng rode on his camel, looking ahead, "If you mean Chen Long—he carries the purest royal blood of Loulan and indeed has the right to contend for the King of the Western Regions. However, you don’t know what I seek."

Meng Qianqian said, "Tell me and I’ll know."

Shan Cheng said, "Meng Qianqian, as you are now, you’re not qualified to know what I desire."