Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot

After Gongsun Liuying boarded the carriage, she headed straight to Embroidery Cloud Street in the Imperial City.

This was a long street dedicated to ladies' fabrics, jewelry, and cosmetics.

The shops lining the street were mostly fabric stores, embroidery buildings, and jewelry boutiques, and the pedestrians were predominantly women.

"What a delightful fragrance."

Tan'er jumped off the carriage, taking a deep breath; there was none of that stinky sweat smell from men, just the fragrant scent of ladies' cosmetics.

"Miss."

She reached out her hand to help Gongsun Liuying down from the carriage.

"Tan'er, is this your first time here?"

Gongsun Liuying asked.

Tan'er replied, "Yes! The young master has taken me to all sorts of places, but never here!"

Gongsun Liuying said, "This is a place where ladies shop; no wonder your brother wouldn't come here."

"Oh."

Tan'er showed a curious expression.

Gongsun Liuying led Tan'er into a building called Immortal Cloud Building.

The structure had three floors, offering everything from jewelry to fabrics, embroidered goods, and fragrances.

Her wedding dress had been custom-made by the seamstresses of Immortal Cloud Building.

The shopkeeper, spotting her, greeted her warmly, "Miss Gongsun! Your esteemed arrival truly graces our humble Immortal Cloud Building! Are you here today to inspect your wedding dress?"

Gongsun Liuying said, "Since I'm here, I might as well take a look."

The shopkeeper hesitated for a moment—was Miss Gongsun here for something else?

He smiled and said, "Miss Gongsun, please, to the private room."

He led Gongsun Liuying to the most elegant private room on the second floor. As they ascended, he glanced at Tan'er and remarked with a smile, "What a clever girl, a fresh face around here."

Tan'er replied, "Miss taught me well!"

Gongsun Liuying's lips twitched.

Her reserved demeanor rarely showed more emotion than this—it could be considered a smile.

Tan'er sniffed, "What an inviting Osmanthus Cake aroma!"

The shopkeeper immediately said, "A new pastry shop has opened on Back Street—it makes excellent Osmanthus Cakes. Someone come here!"

A clerk downstairs responded, "Shopkeeper!"

The shopkeeper said, "Go buy some pastries."

"Right away!"

The clerk scurried off.

The three entered the room.

Gongsun Liuying sat down as the shopkeeper personally brought over her wedding dress.

The moment Tan'er laid eyes on the dress, her eyes widened: "This wedding dress…"

The shopkeeper smiled and said, "Little girl, you've likely never seen such a gorgeous phoenix coronet and bridal robe before, have you? This is our signature piece at Immortal Cloud Building. Twelve seamstresses worked tirelessly for two months to create this matchless masterpiece of a wedding dress."

Tan'er blinked, "Oh."

Gongsun Liuying reviewed the dress and then said to the shopkeeper, "I hear Immortal Cloud Building has jewelry as well."

The shopkeeper's eyes lit up, "Indeed, indeed! So, Miss Gongsun is here today to pick out jewelry. Please wait; I'll bring the finest pieces right to your private room!"

Gongsun Liuying stayed at Immortal Cloud Building all afternoon, picking out a box brimming with jewels and accessories.

On the way back, Gongsun Liuying asked Tan'er a question: "Whom do you think is prettier—me or Yan Xiaojiu?"

Of course, it's you, sister!

What does that pest count for anyway?

Tan'er tilted her head and said, "Miss is unparalleled in beauty!"

"But you've never seen Yan Xiaojiu without her veil."

Gongsun Liuying was referring to how Meng Qianqian always wore a face covering.

Tan'er confidently replied, "Even so, Miss is the most beautiful!"

Gongsun Liuying said, "No wonder Wuyou fancies you."

Tan'er nodded earnestly, "Of course, I'm everyone's favorite!"

Gongsun Liuying handed Tan'er a small golden locket, "For you."

"Thank you, Miss!"

Tan'er accepted it.

Whatever my sister wants, she can have it all!

When the carriage arrived at the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion, Gongsun Liuying instructed Tan'er to go to Elder Yan's courtyard.

"Sister, where's that pest?"

Tan'er pushed open the slightly ajar door.

Meng Qianqian was organizing her revenge ledger. Hearing Tan'er's voice, she raised her head, "Tan'er is here."

"Hehe."

Tan'er entered, sitting down beside Meng Qianqian.

Meng Qianqian didn't shy away from her, leaving the ledger open and exposed.

Several names had already been crossed out in cinnabar ink.

Tan'er glanced casually at it and noticed the names of Gongsun Yanming and Gongsun Liuying.

"Sister."

She withdrew her gaze, "Gongsun Liuying is looking for you."

"Oh?"

Meng Qianqian turned a page and wrote the word 'Miaojiang.' "So soon? Seems she's less composed than I expected."

Tan'er rested her chin on her hands, "Sister, are you going to see her? Should I tell her you're out?"

Meng Qianqian's lips curved slightly, "I've been waiting to meet her."

Tan'er tilted her head, "Hmm."

-

Tan'er and Meng Qianqian went to Gongsun Liuying's courtyard.

Gongsun Ziyu had just arrived.

She glared fiercely at Meng Qianqian, "This is my sister's courtyard! What are you doing here? Get out at once!"

Tan'er placed her hands on her hips and said, "Miss sent me to fetch her! You get out—Yan sister isn't going anywhere!"

Gongsun Ziyu seethed, "You wretched girl, acting like no one can put you in your place!"

She swung her hand toward Tan'er.

Meng Qianqian tugged Tan'er back, raised her hand, and slapped Gongsun Ziyu so hard she staggered.

Gongsun Ziyu clutched her face, turning back in disbelief, "You dare hit me? Guards! Arrest her!"

"Stop!"

A commanding voice rang from within the room, "Yan Junior Sister, come in."

Meng Qianqian didn't spare Gongsun Ziyu a glance but walked past her indifferently.

Tan'er followed, sticking out her tongue at Gongsun Ziyu, "Hmmph!"

Gongsun Ziyu stomped her feet, "I'm going to explode with rage!"

Meng Qianqian entered the room.

Gongsun Liuying motioned for her to sit opposite and instructed Tan'er to stand guard outside, forbidding anyone from approaching.

She pushed a delicate wooden box toward Meng Qianqian, "Open it and take a look."

Meng Qianqian opened the box, revealing a dazzling array of jewelry.

Her expression remained unchanged.

Gongsun Liuying stared at her closely, "Do you like them?"

Meng Qianqian said calmly, "That depends on their purpose."

Gongsun Liuying's lips curled faintly, "I've already investigated your background. An orphan, without father or mother, taken in by Elder Yan due to your exceptional talent. Don't think pulling out the Green Simurgh Sword means you can soar like a phoenix. Any one piece of jewelry in this box is worth more than you could earn in a lifetime. If you think this isn't enough, I can give you more."

Meng Qianqian met her gaze steadily, "What are the terms?"

Gongsun Liuying gave her a meaningful look, "Leave the Imperial Grandson."

Meng Qianqian picked up a Purple Gold Dragon and Phoenix Bracelet and examined it closely.

Gongsun Liuying said, "The Imperial Grandson favors you only because you pulled out the Green Simurgh Sword. What he desires is the Phoenix Girl, not you."

Meng Qianqian set down the bracelet, "Has Miss forgotten? I am the Phoenix Girl."

Gongsun Liuying sneered, "A stolen Phoenix Girl is still a Phoenix Girl? Before I dismantle your charade, I suggest taking what you can and leaving while you still have the chance."

Meng Qianqian picked up a pair of earrings, thumbed the golden tassels, and said, "Is Miss perhaps interested in the Imperial Grandson herself?"