Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot

"The wedding with the Jin Prince Mansion is imminent. Does Miss Gongsun plan to break the engagement?"

Gongsun Liuying took a sip of tea, lowered her gaze, and said, "It's none of your concern."

After Meng Qianqian put the earrings back, she closed the box.

Gongsun Liuying glanced at the box lightly pressed by Meng Qianqian, and her lips curled faintly. "So you've agreed?"

Meng Qianqian asked, "Does it matter whether I agree or not?"

Gongsun Liuying said with utmost arrogance, "You're right, your opinion doesn't really matter. I simply wish to avoid unnecessary trouble and make you retreat sensibly. But if you stubbornly insist today, I wouldn't mind resorting to some measures."

Meng Qianqian sneered coldly, "Do the common people know that this is the true face of Miss Gongsun, bullying others with her power behind the scenes?"

Gongsun Liuying didn't get angry; she wasn't Gongsun Ziyu, who would expend her energy on a few unpleasant words.

She decisively declared, "As long as you're willing to comply, I can not only arrange a good marriage for you but also release your master."

Meng Qianqian chuckled. "Senior sister, you still don't understand what I mean."

Gongsun Liuying looked at her with a puzzled expression.

Meng Qianqian smiled and asked, "Have you asked the Pavilion Master's opinion about swapping the groom with the Imperial Grandson?"

Gongsun Liuying's face froze.

Meng Qianqian picked up the box of jewelry on the table. "Miss Gongsun's sincerity—I'll take it. I will consider it carefully."

After she left, Gongsun Ziyu stormed into the room with indignation, saying, "Elder sister! What did you give her? Have you forgotten how she schemed against you? Not a word that comes out of her mouth is truthful. Don't fall for her tricks!"

Gongsun Liuying replied calmly, "You're not young anymore; you should change your temperament. Stop being so impulsive. It's not fitting of a young lady."

Gongsun Ziyu reacted with hurt. "I'm only looking out for you, yet you call me impulsive! I don't want to talk to you anymore!"

Unwilling to deal with her younger sister's tantrum, Gongsun Liuying let her storm off without following after her.

She reflected on Meng Qianqian's words for a moment, hesitated briefly, and headed to Mingxin Hall.

Gongsun Yanming was in the secret chamber, visiting Shang Wuyou, who was recuperating.

Shang Wuyou had sustained severe injuries that night. Although out of danger, she had only regained the ability to walk in the past couple of days.

"Brother."

Gongsun Yu approached Gongsun Yanming and whispered, "Liuying has arrived."

"Understood."

After saying this, Gongsun Yanming told Shang Wuyou, "I'll come to see you tomorrow."

Shang Wuyou turned over, presenting her back to him without saying a word.

Gongsun Yanming exited the secret chamber and summoned Gongsun Liuying to the study.

The two sat on cushions in the room.

Gongsun Liuying poured a cup of hot tea for Gongsun Yanming. "Father."

Gongsun Yanming picked up the tea cup. "You're about to get married. Don't leave the house in the coming days."

Gongsun Liuying's gaze flickered slightly. She put down the teapot and, with a serious expression, said, "Father, I've come here today precisely to talk about this matter. I... don't want to marry into the Jin Prince Mansion."

Gongsun Yanming paused as he was about to sip his tea. "You want to marry into the Crown Prince Mansion?"

Gongsun Liuying was surprised by her father's perceptiveness but found it entirely reasonable.

Her father's intelligence far surpassed ordinary people; otherwise, he wouldn't have become the Pavilion Master of the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion and served as the State Preceptor of Great Liang.

Gongsun Liuying said earnestly, "I am the Phoenix Girl, and the man I marry should rightfully be a true Qilin. I understand it may be difficult to justify this to Your Majesty, but given His Majesty's favor toward Father, surely he wouldn't force the issue."

Gongsun Yanming replied indifferently, "What kind of person are you taking His Majesty for?"

Gongsun Liuying frowned slightly. "Father, you saw everything that happened at the altar today. Lu Qi is clearly not the Guardian Qilin."

Gongsun Yanming said with finality, "Your husband is Lu Qi."

"Father!"

Gongsun Liuying adamantly argued, "I know there's some misunderstanding between you and the Crown Prince Mansion. However, if I marry into it, I can surely reconcile the differences between the Crown Prince Mansion and the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion!"

Gongsun Yanming fell into a long silence before slowly speaking. "If you truly don't wish to marry into the Jin Prince Mansion, I won't stop you."

Gongsun Liuying's eyes lit up.

Gongsun Yanming immediately added, "But Lu Linyuan is out of the question."

Gongsun Liuying's chest heaved lightly. "Why? Why can't it be Lu Linyuan? He's the heir to the Da Liang throne. What part of him does Father disapprove of?"

Gongsun Yanming set down the tea cup. "This matter is not up for discussion."

Gongsun Liuying suppressed her anger, her tone stubborn. "I don't care; I want to be Da Liang's Empress."

The spring rain had fallen throughout the day and had dwindled to a light drizzle by nightfall.

Gongsun Liuying walked along a cobblestone path filled with puddles, without an umbrella.

Suddenly, she caught sight of a green-clad woman holding a peach blossom umbrella ahead.

From the distinctive attire alone, she immediately recognized the figure. "It's you?"

Lan Yeyue turned around, twirling the oil-paper umbrella lightly over her shoulder, and smiled. "Miss Gongsun, it's been a while. I trust you've been well."

Gongsun Liuying asked coldly, "What are you doing here?"

Lan Yeyue replied with a smile, "I've come to cure Master Gongsun's poison."

Gongsun Liuying frowned. "My father's poison still isn't cured?"

Lan Yeyue said, "Tonight will be the final session."

"Do as you please, Lord Mao Tu."

After speaking, Gongsun Liuying continued forward.

As she brushed past Lan Yeyue, the latter spoke leisurely. "Does Miss Gongsun know why your father disapproves of your marriage to the Crown Prince Mansion?"

Gongsun Liuying halted her steps.

Lan Yeyue said, "Let me clarify first—my information doesn't come free."

Gongsun Liuying tossed her a token. "The holdings of the Money Shop—consider them yours."

Lan Yeyue sniffed the faint fragrance on the token with satisfaction and accepted it. "Lu Linyuan is Lu Yuan."

Gongsun Liuying replied expressionlessly, "I know that."

Lan Yeyue continued, "He has a wife."

Gongsun Liuying retorted coldly, "And what of it?"

Lan Yeyue clapped her hands. "Stealing someone's treasure—no, stealing someone's husband. Admirable, truly admirable! This drama is getting more exciting by the moment! I wonder if telling my father about the news from the Southwest would prompt his early return from isolation, haha."

She laughed with a bell-like chuckle.

Gongsun Liuying said indifferently, "If this is all you've got, it's not worth the price."

Lan Yeyue smiled enchantingly. "Don't worry—I, Mao Tu, have always been fair. Your father and Lu Yuan's wife had a conflict. Lu Yuan wants revenge on your father, and marrying his daughter is clearly out of the question."

Gongsun Liuying said dismissively, "That's all? Just over a woman? I thought it'd be a blood feud. When a man cares deeply for a woman, he may even give up his life for her. Yet the moment he stops caring, her grievances and grudges become irrelevant to him."

Lan Yeyue replied with a playful smile, "Have you thought it through? Lu Yuan wants your father's life. Becoming Lu Yuan's bride means inviting a wolf into your home, which will surely lead the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion to its ruin."

She turned around, twirling the peach blossom umbrella in her hands. "Of course, if your heart is set on becoming Empress, pretend I said nothing."