Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot-Chapter 339 - 316: The Revelation of One’s Past

Lady Yan frowned oddly, "What kind of nonsense is this?"

She wasn’t pretending to play along; she truly found Xun Qi’s words baffling.

Given Lady Yan was unaware of the sequence of events, her reaction was perfectly reasonable. It also served to prove that Lady Yan hadn’t obtained any further information from the Governor Mansion.

Lady Yan and the Governor Mansion did not appear to be collaborating.

Xun Qi glanced at his foster father, as though he had something to say.

The Prime Minister said to Lady Yan, "Return to Wanflower Pavilion first."

"Yes, my lord."

Lady Yan exited the study.

Xun Qi said to Xun Liu, "Sixth Brother, I’ll trouble you to keep watch outside."

Xun Liu stationed himself at the study’s entrance.

The two were not blood brothers, but among the seven, Xun Liu was the closest to Xun Qi and consistently followed his lead.

Xun Qi cupped his hands in salute, "Foster Father, I spoke out of turn in front of Lady Yan earlier."

The Prime Minister said, "No matter."

Xun Qi’s expression relaxed. Straightening up, he continued, "My speculation arises from a rumored secret technique in Miaojiang. It is said to grant resurrection, albeit under extremely harsh conditions—first, the ritual must be performed within twelve hours of death; second, the only individual proficient in this technique is the Wushan Goddess, who never leaves Witch Mountain. Even the Miao King reportedly struggles to meet the Goddess, let alone his grandson."

From the doorway, Xun Liu reminded Xun Qi, "Seventh Brother, traveling to Miaojiang takes longer than twelve hours."

"I know." Xun Qi smiled. "But if the Miao King sacrifices his own Life Gu and implants it in Lu Yuan, using the Gu Worm to stimulate the organs, the time limit can be extended by up to a month."

Xun Liu scratched his head, "A month? Won’t the corpse decay?"

"Excellent question, Sixth Brother. That is why Lu Yuan will also need a coffin to prevent the body from decomposing."

The Prime Minister declared, "Summon Shangguan Ling."

"Yes, Foster Father."

Xun Liu brought Shangguan Ling forth.

The Prime Minister gravely instructed, "Have people monitor the Governor Mansion closely. Report any activity promptly. Also, keep an eye on caravans heading south, particularly those transporting coffins."

"Yes, Prime Minister!"

Shangguan Ling immediately mobilized the Jinyi Guards.

In less than an hour, Shangguan Ling had made a discovery.

Bai Qingchen had left the city, heading south, accompanied by numerous Miaojiang guards, including the Miao King’s two close aides Ruan Qing and Ruan Ling.

It was remarkable, as the duo scarcely left the Miao King’s side.

Unless... they were escorting the Miao King’s grandson.

The Jinyi Guards kept watch outside the South City Gate all day but noticed no caravans transporting coffins nor citizens leaving the Capital City with funeral processions.

Shangguan Ling probed further and uncovered something indeed.

"A small escort agency called Weiyuan Escort Agency. They don’t have many escort masters, rarely take on big business, and were planning to disband after this year. Yet last night, during the second half, they accepted a big job—someone offered them ten thousand taels of silver to travel to Lingshan to pick up a shipment, specifically a coffin. The destination will only be disclosed upon retrieving the coffin."

Shangguan Ling reported these findings to Prime Minister Xun.

Xun Qi asked, "Where is Lingshan located?"

Shangguan Ling pulled out a map and pointed to a spot, "Here, thirty miles beyond the South City Gate."

Xun Qi mused, "The coffin isn’t in the Capital City but outside the city. Nearly missed it."

Shangguan Ling clicked his tongue, "Indeed. If not for previously handling a case with Lu Yuan related to the escort agency, I wouldn’t have thought to investigate them. Damn it! Whose idea was this? Making a fool of me like this!"

Xun Qi shot a glance at Shangguan Ling, dryly remarking, "Who else could it be? I’ve crossed paths with Meng Xiaojiu. That woman’s cunning rivals Lu Yuan’s."

Shangguan Ling jabbed, "And who’s to blame for slipping up back then and leaving such a massive hidden threat?"

Xun Qi’s expression stiffened.

Clearing his throat, he ignored Shangguan Ling and addressed the Prime Minister, "Foster Father, I’ll head to destroy the coffin with Sixth Brother and retrieve Lu Yuan’s head!"

-

Governor Mansion.

Disguised as Lu Yuan, Luo San flatly refused, "I’m not doing it."

Meng Qianqian asked, "You’re going back on your word!"

Luo San grumbled, "None of you mentioned I’d have to act as the corpse of the Miao King’s grandson!"

Meng Qianqian raised an eyebrow, "You could pretend to be alive instead."

Luo San’s eyes lit up, "Really?"

Meng Qianqian swiftly raised a small knife, "After I castrate you first, you can stay by my side."

Luo San bolted upright, retreating far away!

BANG!

Tan’er slammed the door shut.

Bai Yuwei moved her hands and revealed eight Poison Bottles!

Luo San: "... being a corpse doesn’t seem so bad."

Meng Qianqian chuckled, "You claim you don’t fear death, but are you scared to become a eunuch?"

Luo San replied, "You wouldn’t understand."

Getting decapitated is one thing; losing his manhood is another!

Meng Qianqian put away the knife, saying, "Your cousin and the escort masters should be waiting for you at Lingshan by now. Quickly get going too!"

Luo San, puzzled, asked, "Why can’t I travel with Bai Qingchen?"

Meng Qianqian smirked and produced a pill, "Because the Fake Death Medicine has just been completed."

Luo San said, "Can’t he wait for me?"

Meng Qianqian explained, "He has errands to run, such as purchasing a coffin to ensure you can depart as early as possible. There’s much to do, Luo San! Are you scared of dying?"

Luo San didn’t respond, instead taking the pill and asking, "What happens after I take this?"

"You’ll enter a fake death state."

"Is there an antidote?"

"No. But don’t worry, as long as you see the Wushan Goddess within a month, she’ll awaken you."

Luo San nervously inquired, "What if she refuses? Or I don’t reach Wushan within a month?"

Meng Qianqian shrugged, "Then you’ll die!"

Luo San was speechless, "Must I take this medicine? Can’t I just pretend to be dead?"

Meng Qianqian wagged her finger, "Your tricks wouldn’t fool the Prime Minister."

Luo San’s expression grew complicated, "Then why not disguise a random condemned prisoner instead? Why go through so much trouble?"

Meng Qianqian again shook her finger, "No can do. We need you to deliver a message to the Wushan Goddess."

Luo San said, "Let Bai Qingchen take it!"

Meng Qianqian replied, "Only you can meet the Wushan Goddess."

Luo San was confused, "Why?"

Meng Qianqian bent down slightly to inspect his Human Skin Mask, "Because now, you’re her grandson."

Luo San was utterly stunned!

He’d come to negotiate with Lu Yuan, yet somehow ended up dragged into such a convoluted mess!

He stared at Lu Yuan incredulously.

Lu Yuan, emotionless, replied, "Don’t look at me like that. I just learned this myself."

Bai Yuwei murmured, "Who hasn’t?"

Luo San was shaken beyond belief.

At the same time, he gained a sliver of confidence.

If they needed him to deliver a message to the Wushan Goddess, they would do whatever it took to ensure he reached Witch Mountain.

And surely, the Goddess wouldn’t turn her "grandson" away.

Meng Qianqian opened the door and addressed the Si Snake in the courtyard, "Please escort him out of the Capital City and ensure he takes the Fake Death Medicine."

Luo San thought, Couldn’t I just toss it away?

But then he saw Meng Qianqian hand an entire vial of Fake Death Medicine to the Si Snake, "Take plenty, for extra measure."

Luo San: "..."

The Si Snake stashed the medicine and asked, "Shouldn’t we disguise him as Ji Li first?" freeweɓnøvel.com

Meng Qianqian placed a straw hat over Luo San’s head, "All of Capital City knows Ji Li eloped with Princess Wanping. The number of people tailing him outnumbers those watching Lu Yuan."

"True."

The Si Snake agreed, grabbing Luo San’s shoulders and using Qinggong to whisk him out of the Governor Mansion.

Meng Qianqian turned to Lu Yuan, her lips curving slightly, "Now, it’s your turn."

Bai Yuwei, completely bewildered, pointed at Lu Yuan, "Isn’t he ’dead’?"

Meng Qianqian smiled at her husband, "No, your brother is now Luo San. He’s about to put on quite the show for the Prime Minister."