Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot

Lu Yuan and Shangguan Ling stood outside Meng Laozi's courtyard.

Behind them were piles of gifts for the return visit.

It was Meng Bo who led them to meet the old man, and now Meng Bo had gone to announce their arrival.

A dignified First Rank Grand Commander, waiting like this for someone other than the Supreme Emperor was unprecedented.

Shangguan Ling sneaked a few glances at his master.

Somehow, he felt a bit relieved.

Lu Yuan said casually, "Keep speculating and I'll take your head off."

Shangguan Ling's mouth twitched.

Can't even think about it?

How did he see through it?

With a light cough, he whispered, "Grand Commander, you snatched away Old Lord Meng's favorite granddaughter, I doubt he wants to see you."

Lu Yuan glanced at him, "Want to die?"

Shangguan Ling silently moved a step to the side.

It's been a while since Meng Bo went in.

Unable to resist, Shangguan Ling moved back next to Lu Yuan, "Grand Commander, why didn't you bring the Young Madam along? With her here, surely the old man couldn't bear keeping her outside."

Lu Yuan said coolly, "You want her to be scolded together with me? I never let a woman shield me."

Shangguan Ling was inexplicably fed a mouthful of dog food.

Ji Li was leisurely leaning against a big tree nearby, playing with a folding fan, raising an eyebrow with a smile, "Need me to divine your fate? Friendly price, five copper coins."

Lu Yuan: "Get lost."

Meng Tianlan hurried back to Meng Laozi's courtyard and wasn't surprised to see Lu Yuan blocked outside.

If the old man let this boy in, that would be something.

He patted Lu Yuan's shoulder, "Brother, don't worry, I'll go persuade the old man first."

Lu Yuan cupped his fists, "Thank you."

Meng Tianlan took a deep breath and braced himself to enter Meng Laozi's room.

Meng Bo was trying to comfort Meng Laozi.

Meng Laozi remained unmoved, despite Meng Bo praising Lu Yuan as unparalleled under heaven, in Meng Laozi's eyes, Lu Yuan was just a big scoundrel who tricked his foolish son and ran off with his precious granddaughter.

Meng Bo was at a loss, secretly signaling Meng Tianlan.

Meng Tianlan knew it would be tricky, but didn't expect it to be this tricky.

Better just beat that boy up to vent the anger.

"Father..."

"You shut your mouth too!"

Meng Laozi angrily retorted, "Look at what you've done!"

Meng Tianlan closed his eyes briefly.

He finally managed to get the old man over it.

He was about to rise again in the Meng Family.

Now what?

Again despised by the old man!

Meng Tianlan's bitterness remained unspoken, deciding to pull in a ally for himself.

He signaled Meng Bo to go to the shop to invite his second brother back.

Meng Bo understood and left.

Meng Tianhe heard of Meng Qianqian's return and immediately dropped his business and rushed back to the Meng Family.

He thought Meng Qianqian would be at the old man's courtyard, only to find just Lu Yuan and the other outside.

Both had an elegant demeanor, but clearly, Lu Yuan had a stronger presence.

Meng Tianhe frowned, "You're the Grand Commander who took Qianqian away?"

Lu Yuan looked at him, whose features were remarkably similar to Meng Tianlan's, and perfomed a junior's greeting, "Lu Yuan greets Second Uncle."

Meng Tianhe said, "You can leave, the old man won't see you."

Meng Tianlan, peeking through a narrow crack in the door, shivered!

I asked you to come home to persuade the old man to accept people, not to persuade your niece's husband to leave!

Meng Tianlan lamented.

Meng Tianhe went inside, "Father."

Meng Laozi responded with a hum.

Meng Tianlan approached his side and whispered, "Second Brother, please persuade father."

Meng Tianhe asked curiously, "Persuade father about what?"

Meng Tianlan gritted his teeth, wishing he could cover his mouth.

Can't he lower his voice?

Meng Tianhe thought for a moment and said, "If you mean Qianqian and that man's marriage, father and I are on the same page, this marriage wasn't agreed by the Meng Family and is void."

Meng Tianlan was stunned, "How can it be void? I'm a Meng Family member, am I not? I wrote the marriage certificate myself!"

Meng Tianhe pondered for a moment, "Then we'll expel you from the family."

Meng Tianlan mumbled, "So ruthless..."

Meng Tianhe admonished, "You've already muddled things up in the Capital City once, dare to plead for that kid, don't blame Second Brother for turning against you!"

Meng Tianlan was angry but dared not speak.

Why does he always loaf around and never do any sensible work?

Back when the eldest passed away, Meng Laozi wanted the brothers to share the family estate.

Yet he ate and loafed around, leaving the burden on Second Brother.

Over time, Second Brother became the one who held sway in the family.

Meng Tianhe asked Meng Laozi, "Father, should we throw him out?"

Meng Tianlan quickly said, "Second Brother, don't blame me for not warning you, he's an official of the court! Don't invite disaster upon the Meng Family!"

He originally wanted to say, those two, one being the Grand Commander, the other the Imperial Guard Commander, both kill without batting an eye.

But he held back the words on the tip of his tongue.

Meng Tianhe coldly replied, "Being a court official allows him to snatch respectable women?"

Meng Tianlan sighed, "He didn't snatch her, with formal betrothal rites, it's a proper marriage, parent's mandate and matchmaker's words..."

Meng Tianhe said coldly, "Even though I can't drive him away, I can certainly drive you away."

Meng Tianlan sulkily shut his mouth.

How to help my sworn brother...

-

Meanwhile, Meng Qianqian met her second aunt Ji Shi and third aunt Yan Shi.

Ji Shi was a stern and unsmiling woman, managing the household affairs.

Yan Shi was jovial and plump, very amiable.

"Third Brother said you've lost weight, unlike your childhood self, I wondered how different..."

Ji Shi held Meng Qianqian's hand, eyes reddened with heartache.

Yan Shi also choked up, "Suffered quite a lot in the Capital City, didn't you? Had we known, we shouldn't have married you off to that den of wolves..."

Ji Shi said sternly, "No one could have foreseen the situation back then, speaking such words here is fine but don't let the old man hear."

Yan Shi wiped her tears, "Understood, Second Sister."

Ji Shi told Meng Qianqian, "Your grandfather is angry now. If you see him at this moment, you'll definitely get scolded. For now, stay in your courtyard from before your marriage. Wait till the old man calms down, then pay your respects to him."

"Alright."

Meng Qianqian obediently agreed.

"Heard your husband also returned."

Yan Shi said.

Meng Qianqian replied, "Lu Yuan went to pay respects to grandfather."

Ji Shi held Meng Qianqian's hand, "Leaving you behind, he's considerate."

If today her husband dragged Meng Qianqian to face the old man's fury, Ji Shi couldn't respect him as a person.

The Meng Family cared more than she imagined.

Lu Yuan has a challenging task, whether he can move the old man, it's up to him.

Lu Yuan continued to wait outside Meng Laozi's courtyard, from noon until sunset.

Shangguan Ling suggested, "Grand Commander, how about you rest a while, let me wait here?"

Lu Yuan sternly replied, "No need."