Chapter 50: Seizing power is more important than seizing men
Xu Yunrou was definitely unwilling at first, but after hearing what Meng's mother said, she seemed to have a little bit of an understanding.
"Does Aunt mean that winning a man's heart is the most important thing?"
Mencius' mother never expected that even though she had spoken so directly, her child would still understand so well.
However, Mencius' mother did not refute him. She just smiled and said calmly, "You are not wrong to understand it that way. The key is to see what you really want. Do you want your children's love or a good future?"
"I want them all." Xu Yunrou gritted her teeth. "Aunt, we still need to do everything we can to get Meng Yanzhi to marry into the family. Only then can I truly thrive."
It's likely that you won't find another noblewoman in the entire capital who is more pathetic than Meng Yanzhi.
Meng's mother frowned deeply: "This marriage was annulled by the Crown Prince, so I'm afraid it will be very difficult."
"What's so difficult about turning raw rice into cooked rice?"
"Auntie, isn't there going to be a boat tour soon? What a great opportunity!"
Xu Yunrou looked at Meng's mother with a smile, but her eyes flashed with malice, just like a poisonous snake hiding in the grass, secretive and deadly!
“Yes, Mother, that makes sense. Xu Shize is the best choice. If my sister marries him, her future will be bright!” Meng Anxian immediately understood and hurriedly stepped forward, taking her mother’s other hand to persuade her.
Hearing this, Meng's mother nodded and said with a smile, "Since that's the case, then we can only do it this way. It's all for her own good."
Boat tour.
Meng Yanzhi got up early in the morning and dressed herself up. Today, Meng Anxian was the main character, so Meng Yanzhi wore a very low-key white dress, with only a white jade hairpin in her hair, making her look extremely simple and plain.
But she was just too beautiful. Even without makeup, she could instantly outshine Meng Anxian. Every time Meng Anxian saw Meng Yanzhi's face, she would grit her teeth in hatred!
Seeing Meng Anxian's gritted teeth, Meng Yanzhi smiled generously, nodded to her, and got into the carriage.
At this moment, Xu Yunrou pressed down on Meng Anxian's clenched fist and sneered, "After today, she will have to marry whether she likes it or not. Then I will naturally teach her a lesson for you!"
The moment Meng Yanzhi saw Xu Yunrou, she knew that she was no match for the Xu family and had been defeated. However, she knew that this person had a wicked look in her eyes and that she still needed to be careful.
Soon the carriage arrived at the lakeside, and everyone was stunned the moment they stepped off.
Meng Yanzhi stood frozen in place, staring in disbelief at Xiao Xingyuan standing not far away.
Why is he here?
How could a dignified emperor have such patience to attend his ministers' boat party?
"I have come uninvited, causing trouble for the Meng family."
Xiao Xingyuan stood there and looked coldly at Meng's mother.
Mencius' parents then came to their senses and hurriedly stepped forward, kneeling down to pay their respects.
"We are overwhelmed by His Majesty's presence; how could we dare to say it is a trouble?"
"Your Majesty, please!"
Mencius' father was practically fawning, practically bowing and scraping as he invited the man onto the boat.
Meng Yanzhi glanced at Xiao Ce, but couldn't see anything amiss. She couldn't understand how a small pleasure boat party could attract such a powerful figure as Xiao Xingyuan.
Once aboard the ship, the atmosphere became somewhat tense, but Xiao Xingyuan said he was just there to join in the fun and told everyone not to be nervous and to just do what they were supposed to do.
Everyone appeared to be smiling, but in reality, they were extremely nervous.
Zhao Bailu found Meng Yanzhi immediately and looked at her with a smile: "I've finally met you! I went to your house to look for you a few days ago, but your family said you were busy studying and didn't have time, so I didn't see you!"
Meng Yanzhi had no idea that Zhao Bailu had come to see her. It seemed that someone had deliberately severed her connection with the noble ladies in the capital, which was truly malicious.
"I'm so sorry to have troubled you to come all this way for nothing. I was locked up in the back courtyard and knew nothing. Next time you come, don't go to the front door, go to the back door, knock three times and I'll let you in." Meng Yanzhi tugged at Zhao Bailu's sleeve apologetically and spoke softly.
Zhao Bailu immediately understood what was going on.
She spat in dissatisfaction, then muttered, "Pah! Narrow-minded bastards!"
Before he could finish speaking, Xiao Ce walked over with a smile and tapped Zhao Bailu on the head: "I could hear you cursing from afar. What's wrong? Who's bothered you again?"
Zhao Bailu rubbed the spot where he had hit her head, expressing her dissatisfaction: "Crown Prince, I'm all grown up now. You can't hit my head like that anymore, or I'll become stupid!"
"You're an idiot to begin with, what are you afraid of?"
Xiao Ce smiled slightly, then looked at Meng Yanzhi.
Meng Yanzhi immediately bowed and said, "Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince, and greetings, Mr. Zhang."
Zhang Xuanyun has now gained Xiao Ce's trust and is basically taken by his side wherever he goes.
Seeing that Zhang Xuanyun's clothes had also been upgraded to fine silk and satin, Meng Yanzhi finally felt relieved.
In her previous life, only Zhang Xuanyun had shown her a little kindness, so in this life, she naturally wanted to repay him in every way possible!
Zhang Xuanyun smiled at Meng Yanzhi: "Have you been practicing your calligraphy lately?"
Meng Yanzhi felt embarrassed. Why did this guy only care about these things?
She pouted, somewhat displeased, and said sullenly, "Sir, you haven't seen me in so long, and this is all you care about?"
Zhang Xuanyun blushed slightly.
He coughed and said, "Practicing calligraphy requires perseverance; you can't be lazy."
"I understand, sir. Don't worry, I won't slack off for even a day. I practice every day." Meng Yanzhi hung her head, looking dejected and pitiful.
Upon seeing this, Xiao Ce couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"Mr. Zhang is indeed a strict teacher."
Zhang Xuanyun smiled somewhat embarrassedly and glanced at Meng Yanzhi again.
Not far away, Xiao Xingyuan stood with one hand behind his back, coldly watching the scene before him. Especially when he saw Meng Yanzhi's shy, downcast face, his expression changed, and he said coldly, "What is she shy about?"
The guard stepped forward: "How about I lean closer and listen?"
"No need!"
Xiao Xingyuan snorted coldly.
He didn't know why he came here, but the moment he saw Meng Yanzhi, he seemed to understand; he longed to see this little girl.
This kind of longing was something Xiao Xingyuan had never experienced before, and it made him feel somewhat unfamiliar and dissatisfied.
He was always aloof and had strong self-control, but in front of this woman, he would always unconsciously become emotional, even though they were so far apart now, just looking at her made him feel hot.
This secret and shameful feeling was known only to him, and with nowhere to vent it, he became exceptionally irritable.
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