"Mm? Is that you, sister?"
Tan’er couldn’t wrap her little head around it.
Meng Qianqian said, "Tan’er, you’ve already been exposed, at least to Xiao Rong’er."
Tan’er propped her cheeks up with her fists and replied puzzledly, "I’ve been very careful!"
Meng Qianqian mused, "That maid named Hong Xiu is definitely no ordinary person."
Tan’er pouted and thought for a moment, "Alright then."
"They’re trying to put on an act for me..." Meng Qianqian shook her head, "But I still feel something is off. It was too easy for me to see through it. Is Xiao Rong’er really just this capable?"
Tan’er listened attentively to Meng Qianqian.
Meng Qianqian murmured, "Is it really Gongsun Ziyu? But no matter how I think about it, this seems like an implausible move—the Jin Prince Mansion wouldn’t agree, and Your Majesty wouldn’t be pleased either."
Tan’er said, "Anyway, if it’s not you, Sister, then it’s Gongsun Ziyu. Gongsun Liuying absolutely won’t marry!"
Meng Qianqian nodded in agreement, "Her aspirations are high as the heavens; she’d only marry a true Imperial Family heir."
Tan’er snorted, "Her aspirations may be high, but her fate is fragile as paper!"
Meng Qianqian spoke to Tan’er, "For the next few days, don’t relay any more messages to me. I’m afraid Xiao Rong’er might seize the opportunity to target you."
Tan’er tossed her little head defiantly, "I’m not afraid of her!"
Meng Qianqian tidied her messy locks, "I’ll find an opportunity and have Bao Shu bring you over."
Tan’er wrapped her arms around Meng Qianqian’s, "No, Sister! N wants me to stay in the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion! I want to be with N! I don’t want to leave!"
Meng Qianqian replied softly, "You’ve completed your mission to protect Wuyou; it’s now time to protect Bao Shu."
Tan’er pouted, "Treasure Piggy doesn’t need my protection! You’re just trying to send me away, Sister, to keep me out of danger! I don’t care! Wherever you are, I’ll be there!"
Meng Qianqian sighed helplessly, "You..."
The night before the grand wedding arrived in the blink of an eye, the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion was ablaze with decorations and abuzz with activity.
Gongsun Liuying sat quietly in her room, a luminous phoenix coronet and bridal attire displayed on the table before her.
She raised her hand and touched it gently.
Suddenly, the door was pushed open, and a cool, slender figure stepped inside.
Gongsun Liuying turned her head. A flash of surprise and suspicion flickered in her eyes: "It’s you?"
Meng Qianqian smiled, "I’m here to deliver a wedding gift to my senior sister."
Gongsun Liuying, uninterested, withdrew her hand from the bridal attire inconspicuously.
Meng Qianqian smiled meaningfully, "It looks like my senior sister is quite pleased with the bridal outfit. There’s no need to rush; you’ll be able to wear it tomorrow at daybreak."
Gongsun Liuying replied loftily, "Spare me your pretentiousness."
Meng Qianqian said, "I’m genuinely here to bring you a wedding gift."
Gongsun Liuying turned her head and glanced at Meng Qianqian’s empty hands, "This is your sincerity?"
Meng Qianqian chuckled, "Senior sister, you’ve gifted me countless jewels and accessories. Though it pains me to fail your expectations, I’ve decided to present you a wedding gift that’s truly priceless."
Gongsun Liuying sneered, "You can’t afford even one of my hairpins with your entire fortune. Clearly, you misunderstand the term ’priceless.’"
Meng Qianqian responded gently, "Why not follow me and see for yourself, Senior Sister?"
Gongsun Liuying asked in a peculiar tone, "Follow you and see?"
Meng Qianqian said, "I’ve handled those outside for you. Fancy stepping out for some fresh air?"
Gongsun Liuying hesitated momentarily but, skeptical, walked towards the door.
Seeing that no one indeed stopped her, she freely left the courtyard without obstruction.
"How did you win them over?"
"With the jewels you gave me, Senior Sister."
Gongsun Liuying replied indifferently, "You really excel at borrowing flowers to present Buddha."
Meng Qianqian smiled widely, "This way, Senior Sister."
Gongsun Liuying sneered, "Alright, let’s see what trick you’re playing. If the gift doesn’t satisfy me, I won’t be pleased."
Meng Qianqian did not reply, only offering her a radiant smile.
They walked farther and farther into the outskirts.
Gongsun Liuying kept her composure, never asking where Meng Qianqian was taking her.
Meng Qianqian declared.
Gongsun Liuying stared at the pitch-black, desolate courtyard ahead and asked strangely, "Yan Xiaojiu, what are you up to?"
Meng Qianqian pushed the slightly ajar courtyard door open, "Senior Sister, your wedding gift is inside."
"If you’re playing tricks, you’re dead!"
Gongsun Liuying said coldly as she stepped into the courtyard.
Though having lived in the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion for years, she had never known this corner of the sect existed—a seemingly uninhabited yard whose flowers and plants appeared regularly tended.
The main hall revealed only sparse and crude tables and chairs.
Meng Qianqian triggered a mechanism and pointed to the floor, "The gift is in the cellar. Shall I go down first to guide you, Senior Sister?"
Gongsun Liuying scoffed, "Yan Xiaojiu, if I feared you within the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion, I’d be unworthy of my title as its eldest lady."
Meng Qianqian stepped aside, "In that case, Senior Sister, after you."