Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot

The Old Madam had fallen asleep.

The weather was freezing, and with her advancing age, Meng Qianqian was worried that she might catch a chill, so she packed quite a few hand warmers into the carriage.

But perhaps it was because she’d taken too many ginger pills given by Princess Wanping, her entire body was drenched in sweat, and she felt as though she needed a fan to cool off.

Lu Yuan noticed her glistening forehead and flushed cheeks and asked, "Should I open the window?"

"No, the wind outside is too strong."

Meng Qianqian didn’t want the Old Madam to get chilled.

By the time they made it back to the residence, Meng Qianqian was already soaked through.

Lu Yuan said, "I’ll escort Great-Grandmother back to her courtyard. You should change into fresh clothing first."

"Alright."

Meng Qianqian did not refuse.

She was on the verge of overheating.

Lu Yuan arranged for a sedan chair to carry the slumbering Old Madam back to the Tinglan Courtyard.

Once he had seen to her comfort, Lu Yuan headed to the main courtyard to fetch Meng Qianqian, intending to accompany her to continue attending the banquet at the Princess Mansion.

Though Lu Yuan didn’t have close ties with Princess Wanping, Ji Li—being one of the Twelve Guards—was closely allied with Meng Qianqian, and he was essentially there as the "family representative" for Ji Li.

They didn’t have to stay for three full days and nights, but they certainly needed to make an appearance for at least a day and night.

As Lu Yuan entered the courtyard, he crossed paths with Nanny Wan, who was carrying a bucket of water.

Nanny Wan quickly bowed. "Young Master."

Lu Yuan nodded slightly and glanced at the bucket. "What’s this—?"

Nanny Wan explained, "The young miss broke into a sweat. She said she wants to bathe and change before heading out."

Lu Yuan decided to wait for her in the study.

At the doorway, Nanny Hu was placing a charcoal brazier and said, "Young Master, the study is cold. Let me bring you a brazier for warmth."

Lu Yuan nodded.

Nanny Hu set the brazier by his feet, poking at the coals with a pair of tongs to make them burn brighter. "It’s really cold this year. One brazier might not be enough; I’ll grab another for you."

Lu Yuan gave a soft "Mm."

Nanny Hu left to fetch another brazier.

Madam Du brought over a bowl of ginger soup for Lu Yuan.

Typically, this sort of task was Ban Xia’s responsibility, but Ban Xia had been reassigned by Meng Qianqian to the courtyard of the dragon-phoenix twins. With both Nanny Wan and Nanny Hu busy, Madam Du had to come in person.

"Young Master, drink it while it’s hot."

Madam Du instructed.

Lu Yuan picked up the bowl and drank half of the ginger soup. It did warm him up considerably, and he began to perspire lightly, though not to the extent of sweating profusely.

Thinking about his chronic cold condition, he considered that ginger’s effects on him might not be as potent as they were for Meng Qianqian.

With his mind clear, Lu Yuan began to sift through the books and letters brought back by Chen Long and Yu Zichuan from the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion, scanning for useful information.

In the neighboring room, Meng Qianqian was far less composed.

Sitting in the bathtub, she broke into sweat after sweat. As a doctor, she knew excessive perspiration could lead to physical weakness, so she quickly instructed Nanny Wan to fetch her a pot of tea.

Nanny Wan poured her a cup of hot tea.

"Not hot, I need it cold."

Meng Qianqian said.

Nanny Wan was surprised. "Miss, in this freezing weather, why on earth would you drink cold tea?"

Meng Qianqian replied, "I’m too hot."

Nanny Wan saw her drenched in sweat, her cheeks flushed red. She had indeed overheated. "Is the water too hot?"

She dipped her hand into the bath. "It’s lukewarm."

Meng Qianqian could barely catch her breath. "I took too many ginger pills. It’s making me burn."

"Alright, I’ll get some cold water."

Nanny Wan dared not truly give her anything ice-cold and instead mixed a little warm water into it.

Meng Qianqian still found it insufficiently cool.

Out of options, Nanny Wan had to fetch the pitcher of chilled tea. "Miss, only one sip, no more."

Meng Qianqian nodded repeatedly.

Nanny Wan poured her a small cup.

The cool liquid slid down her throat, offering her momentary relief.

But soon after, the heat surged back, her entire body feeling ablaze once more.

"Nanny Wan, bring me another cup of cold water."

Nanny Wan noticed Meng Qianqian’s face growing redder by the second and pressed the back of her hand to her forehead. "Oh heavens! She’s burning up! I need to fetch the doctor!"

As she reached the doorway, a thought struck her. "Wait, the miss herself is a doctor, isn’t she?"

She retraced two steps. "No, doesn’t the Young Master always say? Ah, ’Physicians cannot cure themselves!’ I must still get a doctor!"

She rushed out the door and nearly bumped into Nanny Hu, who was carrying another brazier.

The two sidestepped hastily, each startled out of their wits.

Nanny Hu, still shaken, asked, "What are you doing rushing about so?"

Nanny Wan replied frantically, "The miss is ill. I’m going to summon a physician."

"What’s wrong with her?" Nanny Hu was alarmed, glancing at the tightly shut door. "Hurry then."

Nanny Wan headed down the steps in a rush. "Don’t forget to tell the Young Master."

"Got it."

Nanny Hu agreed.

Lu Yuan pushed open the door. "What’s wrong with her?"

The two women flinched.

Wasn’t the Young Master reading just a moment ago? He responded faster than a hare at the mention of Miss being unwell!

Nanny Wan quickly explained. "High fever. Her entire body is burning up."

Lu Yuan frowned. "Yu Zichuan."

Yu Zichuan, who had been perched atop the roof polishing his bow, descended swiftly into the courtyard. "What is it?"

Lu Yuan ordered, "Go summon Doctor Zhang. Be quick about it."

"Understood."

Yu Zichuan departed the courtyard in a flash, using his qinggong.

Lu Yuan glanced toward the bathing room and instructed Nanny Wan and Nanny Hu, "Go look after her. Take a brazier inside as well."

"Understood."

The two women responded in unison, and Nanny Hu carried the brazier into the bathing room with Nanny Wan.

Lu Yuan didn’t return to the study.

He stood under the eaves, waiting.

Before long, Nanny Hu emerged carrying the brazier.

Lu Yuan frowned.

Nanny Hu said sheepishly, "Miss said she’s too hot and doesn’t want the brazier."

From inside the bathing room, Nanny Wan’s voice called out in alarm. "Miss, you can’t go out like this—at least wear a robe—"

Meng Qianqian stepped out of the bathing room in her underclothes. Nanny Wan’s quick reflexes still couldn’t outmatch her speed.

"It’s much cooler out here."

Meng Qianqian closed her eyes, savoring the icy breeze.

Lu Yuan’s expression darkened. He removed his cloak and draped it over her, hurriedly pulling her back inside.

"What are you doing?"

Meng Qianqian clung to the doorway, refusing to let go.

Lu Yuan pried her fingers away and slammed the door shut with a thud, locking it firmly.

"Meng Xiaojiu, do you have a death wish?!"

Meng Qianqian fanned herself with her hand. "I’m seriously so hot. Just open the door." ƒreewebɳovel.com

Of course, Lu Yuan paid her no heed.

It was snowing outside, the wind howling. Even if she were layered in heavy clothing, she’d catch her death of cold, let alone wearing so little.

"You..."

Meng Qianqian gritted her teeth in frustration. Not only was her body overheating, but her brain also started to feel foggy.

She turned to open a window.

As soon as she cracked it open, Lu Yuan pushed it shut from behind.

Meng Qianqian bristled. "I’m seriously overheating!"

Lu Yuan said, "Calm your mind, and you’ll naturally feel cooler."

Meng Qianqian snapped impatiently, "I can’t calm down!"

Lu Yuan gave her a skeptical look.

She wasn’t one to lose her temper so easily, nor was she prone to irritability. Her current behavior was decidedly unusual.

Extending a hand, he pressed it to her forehead.

Lu Yuan’s hand was much cooler than Nanny Wan’s.

Meng Qianqian felt an icy relief touch her forehead. Seizing the opportunity, she grabbed his hand, pressing it against her forehead and even nuzzling it with her face.

Lu Yuan asked, "Meng Xiaojiu, what are you doing?"

"It’s so cooling."

Meng Qianqian moved closer, practically leaning against his chest.

His chronic cold condition made his body cooler than most people’s.

Meng Qianqian wrapped herself around him like someone clutching a giant ice block for relief.

Closing her eyes, she sighed in deep satisfaction.

Lu Yuan’s Adam’s apple bobbed. "Meng Xiaojiu."

His voice was low and magnetic, and Meng Qianqian felt as though he was speaking directly into her ear.

A tingling sensation swept across her chest, and her mind was suddenly flooded with a hundred audacious thoughts.

She raised her head, her wide eyes staring intently at him with the utmost seriousness.

That look—Lu Yuan knew it all too well. The last time she had this "sober" expression, she had been drunk.

But there was no scent of alcohol on her now.

What in the world had she ingested to get herself "drunk" like this?

Lu Yuan sighed helplessly. Bending down, he lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bed.

As he laid Meng Qianqian down and prepared to rise, she suddenly raised her soft arms and wrapped them around his neck.

Lu Yuan frowned. "Meng Xiaojiu, what are you up to now?"

With a swift movement, Meng Qianqian rolled him onto the soft, silky bed.

She declared boldly, "Little Nine wants to rebel against the superior!"