Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot-Chapter 308 - 288: Elated

"Meng Xiaojiu, you—"

"I’m going to bed first!"

Meng Qianqian fled back to her room as if escaping, quickly shut the door, leaned against the door panel, her heart thumping wildly.

"So strange, why did I run?"

"It’s not like I did anything to him."

Meng Qianqian was confused by her subconscious reaction, even more so by the pounding pulse in her chest.

Even during battle, it never raced like this.

She touched her cheeks again.

So hot.

Her mind involuntarily replayed the events in the hot spring, over and over again, until she pinpointed an even more puzzling detail.

When she’d asked him if he had done anything to her, he surprisingly didn’t deny it, and even said he’d restrain himself next time.

So his meaning was—

Meng Qianqian shook her head vigorously, "Stop thinking about it, stop thinking about it!"

-

In the morning, Meng Qianqian was awakened by the crisp chirping of birds.

Bao Shu was lying on the inner side of the bed, one small foot sticking up high against the wall, sleeping soundly.

A sliver of golden morning light filtered through the curtains, landing precisely on Bao Shu’s little foot, creating a warm scene.

Meng Qianqian lowered Bao Shu’s little foot and gently kissed her small cheek.

"I wonder if your dad’s mood has improved. Last night I ran so fast, I forgot to gauge his reaction."

Meng Qianqian sighed regretfully.

She dressed herself neatly, then woke up the little one for washing up. She also dressed Bao Shu in a lovely riding outfit, strapped a small custom arrow quiver onto her back, and belted her tiny golden bow at her waist.

Bao Shu was extremely pleased with her attire.

She grabbed Meng Qianqian’s hand confidently and marched out of the room.

In the courtyard, everyone was in a jovial mood.

Upon inquiry, they found out that Scummy Dad had given out another round of rewards today!

Each person received a gold ingot, and even Si Snake got a share.

Even Ji Li received a full five copper coins!

Bao Shu, who once again had her spotlight stolen by Scummy Dad, clenched her tiny fists in frustration, "Stinky Daddy!"

Before the hunt officially began, a lengthy sacrificial ceremony was held at dawn. Lu Yuan hadn’t allowed anyone to wake Meng Qianqian; he handed out the rewards and left.

By the time Meng Qianqian and Bao Shu arrived at the hunting ground, the ceremony had already concluded.

All the troops had been assembled and were ready to move out. Besides the Imperial Guard, Jinyi Guard, and the Imperial Guard (金吾卫), there was also the Hu Ben Camp under Great General Han’s command.

A veteran commander like Great General Han naturally had no intention of competing with the young officers. He, along with Chief of Staff Huo from the Ministry of War and the Imperial Guard Commander, were this year’s autumn hunt examiners.

Four robust guards carried a massive cage to the entrance, which Zong Zhengxi personally uncovered.

The cage revealed a vicious, sharp-eyed tiger with a large kingly "王" character on its forehead, exuding dominance—this was the king beast of this autumn hunt.

Whoever could capture it would be awarded the title of Military General.

Though it was only a beast, once released into the mountains, not only capturing it but even locating it would be an immense challenge.

Tracking its trail, fighting for territories, breaking through ambushes—every step required strategy, wit, and bravery in equal measure.

As this was merely a training exercise, no injuries were permitted. Removing the helmet signified defeat.

Even those not affiliated with the major camps were allowed to participate in the hunt, though they’d best pray not to be caught in a pincer attack by the armies.

At Zong Zhengxi’s command, the guards secured the cage onto a carriage and released it into the forest.

Half an hour later, the armies set off.

Xun Yu rode his horse up to Lu Yuan, his expression a mix of smiles and mischief, "Grand Commander, care to join me for a hunt?"

Behind him followed Xun Liu, Xun Qi, and two Prime Minister’s Mansion experts.

Lu Yuan looked at him indifferently, his lips curling into an unruly grin, his gaze devoid of the anger Xun Yu expected to provoke. "Are you certain?"

Overnight, something in Lu Yuan’s demeanor had shifted. Gone was the former torment and struggle; instead, there was an unintentional air of... triumph.

Xun Yu’s eyes narrowed slightly as he smiled, "I’ll be waiting for you in the forest."

Lu Yuan arrogantly retorted, "You’d best wash your neck clean, then."

Xun Yu’s smile faltered slightly before he spurred his horse into the hunting ground.

Ji Li flipped open his folding fan, watching their retreating figures, "Could Luo San be one of those two guards?"

Si Snake replied, "Hard to say."

Ji Li lightly smacked Lu Yuan on the shoulder with his fan, "You worked at the Crown Prince Mansion with Luo San for years. His appearance may be fake, but surely his voice isn’t?"

Lu Yuan replied, "I suspect it’s him."

Ji Li sighed, "That makes things tricky, doesn’t it?"

After thinking for a moment, he added, "Ah, this Commander Guard has an idea! Just capture everyone around Xun Yu. One of them must be Luo San, don’t you think, Si Snake?"

Si Snake mounted his horse and galloped into the forest.

Ji Li was startled, extending his fan, "Hey! Si Snake, you’re just leaving like that? You haven’t even answered my question yet! Oh, I have another thought! Maybe he’s not pretending to be a guard but hiding among the Jinyi Guard. With so many of them, can you catch them all?"

"Ah, impulsive Snake!"

Ji Li also mounted his horse and reluctantly followed.

At this moment, Zong Zhengxi approached eagerly, "Lu Yuan, I want to hunt, too."

"Take me! Take me!"

"Over there."

Lu Yuan pointed to a small enclosed hunting ground on the eastern side of the forest.

Zong Zhengxi turned his head to look and saw Treasure Piggy confidently chasing rabbits inside the small hunting ground.

Zong Zhengxi’s expression immediately darkened, "That’s for children to play in!"

Meanwhile, Princess Wanping had also changed into her riding outfit, equipped with a bow and arrows, and was ready to enter the forest on her Ferghana Horse from the Supreme Emperor.

Riding her horse over, Meng Qianqian beamed sincerely, "Princess, you look truly valiant, a woman as capable as any man!"

Princess Wanping struck precisely at the heart of the matter, "You need something?"

Meng Qianqian: "Yes, I’m asking you to find a Prince Consort."

Princess Wanping sneered, "There are as many flatterers as fish in a river. I can tell at a glance whether you’re sincere or not."

Meng Qianqian tilted her head back with a long sigh, "To be honest, Little Nine has a cousin who’s already of marriageable age but has had poor luck in matchmaking, wasting her prime years. Now the family is worried sick about her marriage and has asked me to find someone dependable in the Capital City. Princess, where can I even begin?"

Princess Wanping: "Speak plainly."

Meng Qianqian smiled, "I was just thinking, given the princess’s extensive connections, perhaps you could help assess a few candidates."

Princess Wanping asked, "How old is your cousin?"

Meng Qianqian: "Twenty... something."

Princess Wanping frowned, "At this age and still unmarried? What scummy man wasted her time?"

Meng Qianqian choked.

Her eyes flickered, and she cheekily said, "Princess, aren’t you... also unmarried?"

Princess Wanping’s face darkened, "What status does your cousin have to be mentioned in the same breath as this princess?" freēwēbηovel.c૦m

Meng Qianqian instantly admitted defeat, "The Princess is absolutely right!"

Princess Wanping: "Fine. Many royal heirs and nobles are participating in the autumn hunt. I’ll keep an eye out for her. By the way, what kind of man does she prefer? Civil servant or military general?"

Meng Qianqian tightened her reins and straightened her back, "Anything works! Whoever the Princess approves, my cousin will definitely be happy!"