Lu Yuan furrowed his brows in confusion. "How many tis do you plan to use this trick? Finding a father for Tan’er, and now you want to find one too?"
ng Qianqian replied reasonably, "This is called ’a unique trick that conquers the world! Cast a wide net, gather plenty of fish, and choose the best!’"
"Hmph."
Lu Yuan snorted lightly.
Yu Zichuan said, "I think it’s feasible."
Lu Yuan coldly retorted, "When adults are talking, children should not interrupt."
Yu Zichuan glanced at ng Qianqian. "Then isn’t she also a child?"
That final comnt about age got swallowed under Lu Yuan’s sharp glare, but his stubborn little expression couldn’t mask his defiance.
Lu Yuan: Another day of wanting to beat Yu Zichuan.
"If you go to the Crown Prince Mansion to claim kinship, do you think the Crown Prince will believe it?"
"Don’t you already have a token of proof?"
"What token?"
ng Qianqian shot a glance at the brocade bag hanging from his belt.
Lu Yuan’s brows furrowed. "You an... that Peace Lock?"
"Exactly." ng Qianqian smiled. "I suspect the Supre Emperor had this planned from the beginning. He already knew we would accompany Chen Long to seek revenge against the Thousand chanism Pavilion. On the surface, he asked you to find the old King Qin, but in reality, he wanted to grant you an identity."
In the matter of dealing with the Thousand chanism Pavilion, their goal aligned with the Supre Emperor’s.
"If that’s the case, why didn’t he just tell directly?"
"Would you have gone if he had told you?"
Lu Yuan was at a loss for words.
Claiming a wild parent like this was sothing he was absolutely unwilling to do.
Though it seed like re speculation, upon closer thought, it made perfect sense.
The Supre Emperor had always been a cunning old fox. It was entirely possible he had set him up.
While he clearly wanted the Thousand chanism Pavilion and the ten great feudal lords dead, he chose not to reveal it and instead provided covert assistance.
This way, if they succeeded, the Supre Emperor would avenge the humiliation at the border, repay the Shang Family as well as countless soldiers, and eliminate a major threat.
If they failed, the Supre Emperor could wash his hands of the matter entirely, claiming that the Governor Mansion had acted on its own accord.
"That old fox!"
Lu Yuan couldn’t help but curse aloud.
ng Qianqian couldn’t suppress her smile, her lips curving upward. "So, it’s decided then?"
Lu Yuan pondered for a mont before saying, "You just said the Supre Emperor didn’t tell because he thought I’d refuse to play soone else’s son. But isn’t it possible that he himself wasn’t sure if the token was genuine?"
ng Qianqian suddenly seed enlightened. "That’s possible too. Should we take our ti to reassess—"
Lu Yuan calmly interrupted, "No need. I like to gamble."
Risk-free matters were dull to him. The uncertainty and danger were precisely what piqued his interest.
Supre Emperor, have you even accounted for this aspect of my personality?
Lu Yuan spent a thousand gold to unseal the Imperial proclamation.
The guard who had taken ng Qianqian’s gold gave her a knowing wink and mouthed a na: Assistant Shopkeeper Liu.
ng Qianqian nodded gratefully.
The three of them returned to the alley.
Lai Fu, spotting Yu Zichuan holding the proclamation, chuckled. "So quick to unseal it? I thought it would take longer!"
"Heading to... what inn again?"
Yu Zichuan forgot and turned to ng Qianqian.
Lai Fu laughed. "I know! Lin Yue Restaurant. It used to be Lin Yue Inn, but after the proclamation’s preliminary round was set there, they changed the na."
Most likely so inside connection—either tied to the Crown Prince Mansion or the Thousand chanism Pavilion.
The three of them entered the inn.
ng Qianqian moved to ask the staff about soone, but Lu Yuan stopped her and said to Yu Zichuan, "You go."
Yu Zichuan didn’t want to go.
He wasn’t good at dealing with people. In the past, Shangguan Ling always handled such negotiations.
"Let ," ng Qianqian said.
Lu Yuan cast a sidelong glance at Yu Zichuan. "Can’t even find soone? What’s the use of keeping you around?"
Yu Zichuan grudgingly went, looking aggrieved.
ng Qianqian watched his despondent figure vanish and shook her head with a laugh. She turned to Lu Yuan and said, "Can you speak nicely? You’re obviously trying to train him to be self-reliant soday. Why make it sound so harsh?"
Lu Yuan coldly replied, "So you’re admitting that in the past, you only flattered and curried favor with ?"
ng Qianqian was taken aback.
How did this beco about her?
Forget it. Even with ten mouths, she’d never win an argunt against him.
Not long after, Yu Zichuan ca downstairs. "Found him. He’s upstairs."
The two followed him to the accounting room on the third floor.
As soon as they entered, they saw a middle-aged man tied up tightly, his mouth gagged with cloth, veins bulging on his forehead.
Yu Zichuan introduced him, "Assistant Shopkeeper Liu."
ng Qianqian: "..."
Lu Yuan clenched his fist. "I told you to find him, not capture him!"
Yu Zichuan retorted, "But he refused to see us, and you insisted on eting him."
Lu Yuan’s sharp glare was like daggers. "And now you’re the one feeling wronged?"
What was going on lately?
Yu Zichuan was becoming increasingly infuriating.
Lu Yuan coldly ordered, "What are you waiting for? Untie Assistant Shopkeeper Liu!"
His choice of words effectively promoted Assistant Shopkeeper Liu to Shopkeeper Liu.
ng Qianqian discreetly glanced at the man. He looked furious, as though no re title would soothe his anger.
Yu Zichuan untied him.
Assistant Shopkeeper Liu imdiately opened his mouth to shout for help.
Lu Yuan pulled out a thick stack of silver notes. "My guard acted foolishly and caused you grief, Shopkeeper Liu. Please accept this as a small token of our apology."
"Tch."
Assistant Shopkeeper Liu angrily flicked his sleeve. "Do you think Lin Yue Restaurant is so kind of petty place where you can co and go, catch and release people as you please? Who do you think you are—"
Lu Yuan presented a piece of Blood Jade.
Assistant Shopkeeper Liu’s words abruptly stopped, and he sucked in a sharp breath.
ng Qianqian smiled faintly. "Shopkeeper Liu, we’re newcors to your honorable city. We are unfamiliar with local customs and ask for your forgiveness."
Assistant Shopkeeper Liu cleared his throat, forcing his gaze away from the Blood Jade, though he couldn’t resist stealing several more glances.
Lu Yuan stuffed both the Blood Jade and silver notes into his sleeve.
Assistant Shopkeeper Liu coughed a few more tis, putting on an air of solemnity. "Our inn works under orders from the Crown Prince Mansion. There are countless Crown Prince guards watching this place. It’s fortunate for you that I don’t want a scene. With anyone else, one shout and you’d already be pincushions for their arrows."
ng Qianqian smiled. "That’s why I say we’re fortunate to et you. It’s truly our good fortune. Besides, we have another piece of such Blood Jade back ho—it’s part of a matching pair. Left in a rush today, so the other is still at the house."
Everyone present was sharp enough to catch her implied aning.
"Well... this is tricky."
Assistant Shopkeeper Liu sighed. "It’s not solely up to ."
ng Qianqian handed him a hefty money bag. "Please extend a courtesy and treat everyone to drinks."
Assistant Shopkeeper Liu placed the money bag on the table and covered it with a cloth. With a pretentious tone, he asked, "Have you brought the wine?"
ng Qianqian hurriedly replied, "Ah, it’s still on the carriage. We didn’t know if we’d see you, so we didn’t bring it into the inn. I’ll have soone fetch it now."
Assistant Shopkeeper Liu said nonchalantly, "No need. Co with !"
ng Qianqian froze. "Co?"
Assistant Shopkeeper Liu casually replied, "Yes. Weren’t you here to claim kinship at the Crown Prince Mansion? I’m heading there myself and can take you along."
ng Qianqian blinked. "Wait, how do you know—"
Assistant Shopkeeper Liu sneered. "You’re the thirteenth to say you’re not here for the win but just want to enter the Crown Prince Mansion. The twelve before you all claid to be the Crown Prince’s lost children."
ng Qianqian twitched at the corner of her mouth.
Lu Yuan smirked faintly.
ng Qianqian looked at him sternly. "Did you already guess this?"
Lu Yuan raised a brow. "Yes."
ng Qianqian blushed. "Then why didn’t you tell earlier?"
Lu Yuan curled his lips, his smile slightly mocking. "I wanted to see you make a fool of yourself."
To watch her fail?
Real money had been spent!
ng Qianqian silently fud. This was the root of Yu Zichuan’s bad behavior!
Assistant Shopkeeper Liu had already stepped out the door. Seeing the trio still inside, yamring about who-knew-what, he dusted his large sleeves and asked, "Are you coming or not? Let make it clear—the money you gave won’t be refunded."
Lu Yuan addressed ng Qianqian. "Let’s go."
ng Qianqian composed herself. "Are you serious? With so many people claiming kinship, our chances of eting the Crown Prince are slim to none. We might get kicked out before we even step foot inside."
Lu Yuan chuckled aningfully. "Who said you have to enter the Crown Prince Mansion to et the Crown Prince?"
ng Qianqian stared at him, puzzled. "What do you an?"
Lu Yuan cupped his hands smugly, a playful smile tugging at his lips. Without his Grand Commander’s title, he no longer had to play the role of the Great Traitor. But it seed he had no intention to beco a proper upstanding man either.
He walked backward toward the window.
ng Qianqian’s eyes narrowed. "What are you planning?"
Lu Yuan’s lips curved. "Oh, nothing. Just finding myself a father."
Leaning back against the windowsill, he opened the window behind him and tipped himself out.
"Lu—"
ng Qianqian almost blurted out his na but bit her tongue at the last mont.
She rushed to the window, but it was too late.
Lu Yuan had already "fallen" into what appeared to be a humble carriage. In reality, it was an imperial carriage guarded in secret by eight Imperial Guards.
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