Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot

Chapter 32: Encounter with the Grand Commander Again

Chapter 32: Chapter 32: Encounter with the Grand Commander AgainThese past few days, Haitang Courtyard has been exceptionally quiet.

Lu Lingxiao and Lin Wan’er—one recovering from injuries, the other nurturing her pregnancy—haven’t ventured near Meng Qianqian to stir up trouble, and the elderly lady, sulking after taking a hit, has remained in her courtyard "recuperating."

"Who knows what malicious schemes she’s brewing in her gut again?" Ban Xia muttered.

"Exactly, exactly!" Tan’er chimed in while munching on fried pastries.

"Says who?"

"Whatever I want to say, I’ll say it!"

Nanny Li sighed helplessly.

Having Ban Xia, who can’t keep her mouth shut, was already worrisome enough. Now with Tan’er added into the mix, the two young maids chirped away incessantly every day.

Meng Qianqian finished the last page of her book and closed it. "Nanny, I’ll be heading out in a bit."

Nanny Li asked worriedly, "It’s only been a few days since the last time you left the mansion—might it be too frequent?"

Meng Qianqian replied, "It doesn’t matter."

She didn’t care how the Lu Family viewed her.

Unless the Lu Family openly and formally forbade her from leaving, what reason would they have? She hadn’t done anything wrong and had diligently served the elders over the years, even using up her dowry to benefit her in-laws. Who could possibly say a faultless word against her?

Tan’er spoke up, "Sister, I want to go too!"

Ban Xia said, "Miss always takes me when she goes out!"

Tan’er folded her arms. "I don’t care. I’m going. That’s it!"

Nanny Li said to Meng Qianqian, "Miss, please take Tan’er along."

Ban Xia got anxious. "Nanny! You’ve only known her for a short while, so why are you siding with her?"

Meng Qianqian smiled. "Nanny isn’t siding with Tan’er; she’s afraid I’ll encounter danger again."

At the mention of this, Ban Xia remembered their previous encounter with Beiliang spies and immediately fell silent.

Compared to serving at her mistress’s side, her safety was more important.

Meng Qianqian took Tan’er along and left.

The coachman was still Wu Ge’er.

Wu Ge’er drove the carriage straight to the vicinity of Four Directions Hall, near a broker’s shop.

Meng Qianqian asked, "How did you know I wanted to come here?"

Wu Ge’er scratched his head. "Miss had agreed to a three-day appointment with the female broker, and today happens to be the day to fulfill that promise."

A balance of boldness and carefulness—that was Wu Ge’er.

The broker’s business remained as sluggish as ever. The female broker was practically dozing in her chair when Tan’er shook her awake.

At first glance, the female broker didn’t recognize Tan’er. It wasn’t until Tan’er spoke that she bolted upright: "It’s you?"

Tan’er lifted her chin. "Yes, it’s me! Sister, sit here!"

What had transpired in the past three days? Was this still the filthy, untamed wild girl from before? Clean and obedient now—practically unrecognizable!

The broker leaned in closer to Meng Qianqian and whispered, "Is she like this while living in the noble’s mansion too?"

Meng Qianqian nodded.

The broker was stunned. So all the chaos she caused at the broker shop over the past month—what was that supposed to be?

"She didn’t... bite anyone?"

"No."

"Nor hit anyone?"

"She beat up over ten servant boys and guards."

The broker let out a long sigh of relief—she knew it! Old habits die hard. How could this girl possibly change her ways?

The broker immediately stepped back, putting some distance between herself and Meng Qianqian. "We agreed, didn’t we? Once you buy her, she’s yours. No returns, satisfied or not!"

Meng Qianqian smiled. "I’m here today to ask if there’s any progress with the matter I entrusted to you last time."

The term "madam" made the broker’s heart bloom with delight. In their line of work, while nobles were common acquaintances, rarely did they spare them a second glance.

Regardless of Meng Qianqian’s sincerity, the broker was immensely flattered.

The broker hurriedly had someone prepare a pot of the finest Da Hong Pao tea. Speaking courteously, she said, "Oh noble lady, your humble servant cannot bear to accept such a title. Regarding the matter you entrusted me with, I dared not neglect it. I consulted numerous bookkeepers, and all their calculations are here for your review."

Meng Qianqian accepted the documents the broker handed her and read through them one by one. "None of them are correct."

The broker was astonished. "So many people... not a single one got it right?"

Meng Qianqian murmured thoughtfully, her delicate fingertips tapping lightly on the table. "As expected, it’s not that simple after all."

The broker looked nervously at Meng Qianqian. "Madam..."

Meng Qianqian placed an ingot on the table. "Please continue to help me