Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot

Meng Qianqian went to Yanyu Pavilion.

Everyone already knew she was the closed-door disciple of the owner, and also knew that Wu Xiuniang had been expelled from the sect for framing her. As such, they were all exceedingly courteous to her.

Shopkeeper Liu smiled and said, "What wind has brought the Young Owner here?"

"Please, I don’t deserve the title," Meng Qianqian replied politely. "Is Master around?"

Shopkeeper Liu said, "The Capital City is too cold. The owner couldn’t endure it and left for the south to spend the winter; she just departed the other day. She left this key and instructed me to give it to you, saying that you can enter her quarters anytime and take whatever you need."

Meng Qianqian took the key and said, "Master is so thoughtful. And really, you don’t need to call me Young Owner."

Shopkeeper Liu said firmly, "Young Owner, I, Old Liu, have a good eye for people. One day, Yanyu Pavilion will surely be passed into your hands!"

Meng Qianqian replied, "Even if that were true, you still shouldn’t call me that."

Shopkeeper Liu relented, "Alright, alright, I won’t call you that."

Meng Qianqian picked out a few outfits for Shang Wuyou and settled the bill.

Shopkeeper Liu muttered, "Settle what bill for family... Young Owner, take care!"

Meng Qianqian pressed a hand to her forehead.

"Sugar hawthorn! Sugar hawthorn! Sugar hawthorn!"

Tan’er leaped joyously down the bustling street, searching for the sugar hawthorn she had been craving.

Meng Qianqian carried a handwarmer and followed unhurriedly behind her.

She raised her eyes inadvertently and caught sight of a familiar figure.

It was Lu Mother.

Lu Mother was walking out of a spice shop with her personal maid, Jade Lotus.

It had been some time since they last met, and her cheeks seemed noticeably thinner.

She was the only person, other than the Old Madam, who had truly cared for Meng Qianqian when she was with the Lu Family. Meng Qianqian wanted to step forward and greet her.

Suddenly, a flowerpot came crashing down, aiming straight for Lu Mother’s head without warning.

Neither Lu Mother nor Jade Lotus noticed a thing.

In a flash, Meng Qianqian quickly shot out a silver needle, hitting the edge of the flowerpot and deflecting its direction. The pot smashed onto the ground beside Lu Mother.

Lu Mother and Jade Lotus were startled out of their wits.

"Madam!"

Jade Lotus quickly embraced Lu Mother, shielding her with her body.

Meng Qianqian looked up at the building. The second-floor windows were shut, but those on the third floor were wide open.

Tan’er also heard the sound of the flowerpot shattering, but she paid it no mind.

The affairs of others did not concern her.

However, she soon noticed the silver needle embedded in the wall.

"Sister’s needle!"

She plucked the needle out, turned around, and noticed Lu Mother, whose face was drained of color. "Huh?"

Then, she glanced toward Meng Qianqian.

Meng Qianqian signaled to her with a look.

"Got it!"

Tan’er stored the silver needle, used her Qinggong to leap onto the third floor, and disappeared.

Meng Qianqian quickly walked up to Lu Mother. A shard of porcelain from the flowerpot had grazed the back of her hand just moments before.

Meng Qianqian hurriedly pulled Lu Mother’s hand closer to examine it. "You’re bleeding."

Lu Mother, still shaken, looked at Meng Qianqian. "Qianqian..."

"Young Madam!"

Jade Lotus bowed excitedly.

Lu Mother corrected Jade Lotus’ address. "It’s Lu Young Madam."

This Lu, not that Lu.

Lu Mother did not dislike Meng Qianqian. On the contrary, she cared for her deeply, so much so that she didn’t want Meng Qianqian to become the subject of rumors, which could bring her unnecessary trouble.

Meng Qianqian said, "Madam, you’re injured. Let me take you to Yanyu Pavilion to treat the wound."

"It’s nothing serious."

Lu Mother responded.

Meng Qianqian said softly, "I’m not comfortable leaving it this way."

Lu Mother’s expression turned complicated as she sighed. She followed Meng Qianqian to Yanyu Pavilion.

Business at Yanyu Pavilion was booming today, and all the private rooms were fully occupied. Meng Qianqian, therefore, led Lu Mother to Yun Xiyao’s room.

Yanyu Pavilion was the largest embroidery house in the Capital City. Ordinary customers had to wait even for the private rooms on the second floor, let alone the owner’s exclusive rooms on the third floor.

Despite her noble background, this was Lu Mother’s first time visiting.

"I heard the shopkeeper calling you Young Owner earlier."

Meng Qianqian opened her pouch, took out the golden sore medicine she always carried, along with some clean cotton cloths, and began cleaning Lu Mother’s wound. As she worked, she explained, "The owner of Yanyu Pavilion took me as her disciple. I’m not really the Young Owner—Shopkeeper Liu just speaks carelessly. Does it hurt?"

Lu Mother shook her head. "It doesn’t hurt."

After bandaging her, Meng Qianqian checked her pulse. "Madam, did you not take the medicine I sent to your residence?"

Lu Mother subtly pulled her hand back. "The end of the year has been busy. Sometimes I forget to take it. By the way, with the weather getting colder, is your grand-greatmother doing well?"

Meng Qianqian, knowing her temperament, guessed that it wasn’t forgetfulness but an unwillingness to take the medicine.

She no longer seemed to care about her own illness.

Meng Qianqian replied, "Grand-Greatmother is doing very well. So am I."

Lu Mother let out a relieved sigh. "Then I’m at ease."

"Pardon my intrusion."

Shopkeeper Liu entered cheerfully, carrying a pot of tea. "Young Owner, Madam Lu, have some tea!"

Meng Qianqian responded politely, "Thank you for the trouble."

Shopkeeper Liu smiled widely. "Not at all! If there’s nothing else, shall I take my leave?"