Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot

Behind the green silk screen of the neighboring chamber, Gongsun Liuying quietly awaited her mother.

Before her, in the ornate box, lay her most cherished phoenix coronet and bridal crimson gown.

Even though Yan Xiaojiu was the one marrying in her place, she would never let anyone else wear this unparalleled wedding attire of hers.

She would don it herself, marrying the true Guardian Qilin, reigning supreme over all!

Xiao Rong'er entered the room.

"Mother!"

She rose to welcome her.

Xiao Rong'er was pleased by the way her daughter relied on her.

She affectionately held her daughter's hand and sat her down on the chair. "I've arranged everything."

Gongsun Liuying asked suspiciously, "She agreed so quickly? She clearly isn't swayed by coercion or persuasion."

Xiao Rong'er laughed. "She isn't swayed because her weak point hasn't been exploited. Once you strike at the root, there's no one too stubborn to handle."

Gongsun Liuying laughed smugly. "That's true."

Xiao Rong'er warned, "This matter was plotted behind your father's back. You must hide well later and ensure no one discovers you. Once the matter is set in stone, your father won't be able to change it anyway."

Gongsun Liuying asked nervously, "But won't Father be very angry?"

Xiao Rong'er said, "What if he's angry? Could he possibly send you back? Don't worry, knowing your father as I do, he will never take such action."

Gongsun Liuying whispered, "I'm just afraid that this will affect the relationship between you and Father."

Xiao Rong'er chuckled lightly. "It won't."

Where her daughter couldn't see, her smile turned icy.

He only ever cared for that wretched woman who's been dead for years; had he ever given her even a shred of marital affection?

She truly wanted to see—if the one plunging into the abyss of fire today was Shang Changle, would he feel even the tiniest pang of reluctance?

"Madam."

Outside the door came Hong Xiu's voice.

Xiao Rong'er stepped out of the room, lowered her voice, and asked, "Is everything ready?"

Hong Xiu replied, "Yes, Madam."

Xiao Rong'er said coldly, "This time, there must be no mistakes!"

A hunting eagle soared into the sky, circled once, and flew toward the Crown Prince Mansion.

Treasure Piggy was eager to make friends, and the Miao King had already set out with her.

Not knowing the route to the Jin Prince Mansion, Lu Zhaoyan volunteered to accompany them.

Certainly not because he was worried about his father-in-law causing chaos.

Liu Qingyun rose unusually early.

Lu Zhaoyan asked, "Xiao Bai, don't you want to sleep a little longer? I'll send someone to fetch you when it's time for the banquet."

Liu Qingyun replied blandly, "No need."

What's there to enjoy once the banquet starts?

The carriage slowly moved forward.

Liu Qingyun decided to nap in the carriage beforehand.

She yawned.

Lu Zhaoyan softly said, "Xiao Bai, if you're tired, you can lean against me…"

The Miao King coughed heavily. "Ahem!"

Lu Zhaoyan flinched and quickly sat upright.

The sun climbed high into the sky.

Lu Yuan lounged in a vine chair in the backyard, sunbathing leisurely.

Si Snake asked, "Not going to the banquet?"

Lu Yuan removed the book covering his face, glanced at him lazily, and casually said, "If it were your wedding, I'd go before dawn."

Ji Li, standing beside Si Snake, opened his folding fan with a snap. "Indeed, Snake, when will you invite us for some celebratory wine?"

Si Snake looked across at Chen Long, silently polishing his sword. "You might want to ask him instead."

Ji Li turned to open his mouth toward Chen Long.

Chen Long said, "Try dying."

Ji Li instantly exploded. "You big brute, do you really think I'm afraid of you, huh?"

Lu Yuan remarked to Si Snake, "You sure know how to stir the pot."

Amidst the ruckus, a hunting eagle suddenly dove from the sky, with the imposing aura of the overlord of the heavens, hurtling straight toward Lu Yuan.

This dog of a man, charging blind! He absolutely must—

Snap!

Lu Yuan seized the eagle by the neck.

The hunting eagle rolled its eyes and stuck out its tongue.

With his other hand, Lu Yuan removed the book from his face and scoffed: "Do you seriously think you can take me by surprise?"

The hunting eagle was thoroughly cowed.

Lu Yuan untied a ribbon from its talon.

The ribbon belonged to Meng Qianqian, but attached to it was a tassel unfamiliar to him.

Ji Li asked curiously, "What would Little Yin Hu want by sending the big bird to deliver this? A date invitation perhaps?"

Chen Long glared at Ji Li. "If you want to die, just say so."

Ji Li mocked, "Are the lovebirds' rendezvous really bothering you? Look at that, oh my! Good cabbage ruined by a pig; Chen Long feels indignant?"

Chen Long and Lu Yuan simultaneously shot him death glares.

Ji Li snapped his folding fan shut. "Come on, one versus two!"

Lu Yuan turned his gaze back to the tassel on the ribbon. "This looks like a tassel from a bride's phoenix coronet."

Si Snake examined it closely. "It does seem that way."

Ji Li asked strangely, "What's this supposed to mean? Is Little Yin Hu getting married?"

Lu Yuan's eyes darkened. "Not marrying—substituting."

Ji Li paused, then suddenly understood. "Ah, I see now. Thousand Mechanism Pavilion must've decided they wouldn't let their elder daughter marry Lu Qi since he lost the Qilin status. So now they're putting on a charade of swapping brides. Well, how shameless."

Si Snake asked, "Would the Jin Prince Mansion agree to this?"

Lu Yuan mused, "I doubt this is Gongsun Yanming's idea."

Chen Long sheathed the Azure Dragon Sword decisively and strode toward the exit.

"Where are you going?"

Si Snake asked.

Chen Long said coldly, "To rescue her."

Si Snake said, "On the day of the wedding, the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion's defenses will be tightened several times over. Walking into this would be courting death."

Chen Long's gaze was resolute. "Even if it means death!"

Si Snake looked at Lu Yuan. "What about you?"

Lu Yuan removed the tassel and tucked Meng Qianqian's ribbon into his chest. "Rescue her we must—but not at the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion."

Si Snake: "You mean—"

Lu Yuan stood up, hands clasped behind his back, radiating authority. "A bride kidnapping!"

-

"At noon, the wedding procession will depart from the Jin Prince Mansion. Judging from the streets blocked by the Imperial Army, they'll take Chang'an Avenue, reaching the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion in about an hour to pick up the bride."

"At the drop-off—"

The wedding concierge, beaming, summoned the guards carrying the bridal palanquin. "Pavilion Master, Pavilion Master's Wife! The new groom has arrived!"

Lu Qi rode a fine steed, dressed in a red wedding robe, with a giant crimson silk flower tied in front of his chest.

The refined and gentlemanly young man suddenly radiated an enticing, dazzling charm.

The female disciples and maids of the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion blushed crimson.

"Senior Sister is truly fortunate."

"This is what they call a perfect match, made in heaven."

Amid the soft whispers of joy and admiration, Lu Qi dismounted.

On Gongsun Liuying's grand day, Shang Wuyou was released to carry her onto the bridal sedan.

But as he lifted her onto his back, he immediately sensed her body's tension.

Having been close to his elder sister since childhood, he was intimately familiar with her breath and scent.

This person… was not his elder sister!

His elder sister was never this frail.

"You—"

His steps froze.

Xiao Rong'er approached slowly, smiling as she said to Shang Wuyou, "Wuyou, why aren't you moving? Your brother-in-law is waiting at the door."

Shang Wuyou instinctively stepped back.

Xiao Rong'er's smile faded.