Chapter 21 Miss Lin's chaotic dancing leads to a humiliating fall.

Meng's mother was extremely embarrassed, and at this moment, she resented Meng Yanzhi for being so undignified and making her lose face!

Admitting in front of everyone that he was a good-for-nothing would make the entire Meng family a laughingstock among the nobles of the capital.

She gave a slightly awkward smile: "Rouge got injured a couple of days ago..."

"Then this humble woman will make a fool of herself."

Meng Yanzhi stood up, bowed to Consort Wang, and then looked at Miss Lin.

"I've heard that Miss Lin's dancing is unparalleled in the capital. Would you have the honor of collaborating on a piece?" Meng Yanzhi looked at Miss Lin with a smile, her words concealing a dagger.

Miss Lin originally thought that Meng Yanzhi would not dare to agree to play the zither, but she never expected that not only would she have to play the zither, but she would also have to dance.

For some reason, Miss Lin was initially very certain that Meng Yanzhi knew nothing at all, but now, Miss Lin felt as if she had dug her own grave.

"Bring Xiang Liuqin."

Xiao Xingyuan, who had been silent all along, spoke coldly.

As soon as he spoke, almost everyone's eyes turned to him, especially Consort Wang, who stared wide-eyed in disbelief before saying with a smile, "Miss Meng is so lucky! This Xiangliuqin was passed down to the Emperor by the late Emperor. It's usually not allowed to be seen. It's a real treasure."

Before meeting Consort Wang, Meng Yanzhi even thought that everyone in the world was like the Meng family. But now, she finally realized that there were still people in this world with pure hearts.

Consort Wang was completely unaware of the seriousness of the matter and was simply overjoyed. No wonder the Emperor dotes on her so much now; who wouldn't like a simpler girl?

Xiang Liuqin was quickly brought out. At this moment, Xiao Ce also stood up and bowed: "Since there is such fine music, then I am willing to accompany it with a flute tune."

Consort Wang immediately clapped her hands: "That's wonderful! I haven't heard the Crown Prince play the flute in so long. I'm so lucky today!"

Meng Yanzhi smiled slightly, sat down in front of Xiang Liuqin, and then gently plucked the strings with her fingers. Although her movements were a little stiff, it was obvious that the music was still very smooth, and she was not unable to play.

In her previous life, after Meng Yanzhi married Xu Shize, she worked very hard to learn everything from scratch, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. At that time, Meng Yanzhi's ten fingers rarely healed and were always covered in scars, sometimes even bloody and mangled.

She originally thought that she was disliked because of her vulgarity and tried hard to change herself. However, she never expected that the hardships she endured back then would not win Xu Shize's favor, but instead come in handy at this moment.

Xiao Ce followed Meng Yanzhi's zither music, gradually harmonizing with her own notes; the two of them worked together flawlessly.

Miss Lin hesitated for a moment before stepping to the beat and beginning to dance.

Meng Yanzhi sat here playing the zither not only to save face for herself, but also to utterly humiliate Miss Lin.

Her fingers quickly changed their technique and sped up, but Xiao Ce followed without leaving a trace. The originally melodious and gentle tune gradually became more passionate.

Miss Lin didn't have that kind of talent, and she immediately lost her footing and fell to the ground.

"Ouch!" Miss Lin twisted her ankle and screamed in pain.

At this moment, Meng Yanzhi stopped playing the zither and looked at Xiao Ce with a smile: "Your Highness, you are truly amazing, your flute playing is exquisite."

"Miss Meng's zither playing is also exceptional." Xiao Ce smiled slightly, then returned to his seat.

Xiao Xingyuan's face darkened as he coldly watched the interaction between the two, a strange heat rising in his chest.

"Quickly, find the imperial physician and give Miss Lin a proper check-up!"

"Well done! A reward is in order!"

Consort Wang gave Miss Lin a disdainful look, and then immediately gave her a reward. Miss Lin had made a mistake in front of the emperor, and it was already Consort Wang's magnanimity that she was not punished. Naturally, she would not receive any reward!

She limped back to her seat, then gritted her teeth and stared intently at Meng Yanzhi sitting opposite her.

All the other young noblemen present looked in Meng Yanzhi's direction, their eyes filled with admiration.

Sitting to the side, Meng's mother gripped Meng Yanzhi's hand tightly, her eyes stern: "When did you learn to play the zither?"

"I overheard some of what my sister was doing while she was studying." Meng Yanzhi's eyes were red as she looked pitifully at her mother. "Mother, did I do something wrong?"

Meng's mother certainly wouldn't lash out at this moment. Her face was gloomy as she stared intently at Meng Yanzhi: "If you get in your sister's way, I will never forgive you!"

After speaking, Mencius' mother withdrew her hand and looked away.

It was at this point that Meng Yanzhi finally understood one thing: no matter how outstanding she was, no matter how dazzling she was, in her mother's heart and eyes, there would always only be one person.

No matter how hard she tries, in these people's eyes, she can never compare to Meng Anxian.

Since that's the case, Meng Yanzhi didn't want to force the issue.

The banquet proceeded as planned, after which Xiao Xingyuan excused himself and left abruptly. Consort Wang relaxed completely, waved her hand, and told everyone to have some fun.

Meng Yanzhi took a deep breath, then found a corner to sit down and silently stared at the koi swimming around in the pond. Sometimes, Meng Yanzhi even envied these free little fish and wished she could be like them.

"What are you looking at?" Xiao Ce suddenly walked over, looking at Meng Yanzhi with some curiosity, and sat down next to her.

Meng Yanzhi glanced around almost subconsciously, and only breathed a sigh of relief after confirming that no one had seen them.

"What are you afraid of?" Xiao Ce noticed Meng Yanzhi's nervousness, frowned slightly, and looked at her with some curiosity.

Meng Yanzhi said softly, "A lone man and a lone woman, I am afraid."

"Don't be afraid. With me by your side, no one will dare to say anything to you." Every time Xiao Ce saw Meng Yanzhi's pitiful appearance, he would feel a pang of heartache for no reason.

After hearing this, Meng Yanzhi roughly understood what this person was thinking. She knew that she had already achieved the first step she wanted, and the next step was the second.

Meng Yanzhi lowered her head and smiled shyly.

"His Highness the Crown Prince is truly remarkable."

Many people would say similar things to Xiao Ce, but it seems that only Meng Yanzhi spoke from the heart.

He smiled slightly and said, "You're very capable too."