Chapter 108 The Beauty Trap?
so much?
Xiao Ce stared in disbelief at the names on the paper. Some of these names overlapped with those he knew, but many were completely unknown to him.
"Rouge, are these people accurate?"
"How...did you know?"
Xiao Ce didn't doubt Meng Yanzhi; he simply found it incredibly unbelievable.
“I saw all of these in my father’s study.”
"My father maintained all these relationships. His relationship with the Jade King was closer than we thought."
When Meng Yanzhi got to this point, she suddenly laughed.
Previously, Meng Anxian thought that the Meng family wanted to marry her off to the Crown Prince because they loved her, but it was just a means to deceive Xiao Ce.
In fact, the Meng family had long been part of the Jade King's camp. They didn't care much about Meng Yanzhi or Meng Anxian. All the Meng family cared about was the prosperity of their clan.
Seeing Meng Yanzhi suddenly smile, Xiao Ce frowned: "What's wrong?"
"It's nothing, I just find it funny. Meng Anxian thought she was having a beautiful dream, but in reality, she was just a pawn."
"Your Highness, would you like to make good use of this chess piece?"
Meng Yanzhi's eyes blinked rapidly, as if they possessed magic, bewitching people.
As shrewd as Xiao Ce was, how could he not understand Meng Yanzhi's meaning?
"Since ancient times, there has only been the honey trap, when has there ever been the handsome man trap?"
"Meng Yanzhi, are you really willing to leave me behind?"
Xiao Ce frowned and looked at Meng Yanzhi with some dissatisfaction.
"Your Highness, look at your sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, broad shoulders and narrow waist, you are a beauty too!"
"Besides, whether it's a honey trap or a handsome man trap, it's just a scheme. What's there to be reluctant about?"
Meng Yanzhi felt that this was the most direct and effective method, which could save a lot of trouble.
Seeing Meng Yanzhi's nonchalant expression, Xiao Ce inexplicably felt a tightness in his chest.
He frowned, staring at Meng Yanzhi: "Really? You really don't care? Even if I marry someone else, you still don't care?"
"It's none of my business, why should I care?" Meng Yanzhi was puzzled and didn't understand why Xiao Ce would ask such a question.
With just one sentence, he successfully shut Xiao Ce up.
He had thought that Meng Yanzhi was a sensible and perceptive person, but he never expected that she was still clueless.
Looking into Meng Yanzhi's innocent eyes, Xiao Ce even felt that having such thoughts was simply sinful!
Meng Yanzhi understood Xiao Ce's meaning, of course. She was just pretending to be stupid. After all, she was now the emperor's woman, so how could she have anything to do with Xiao Ce anymore?
Zhang Xuanyun, who was standing to the side, saw through the two people's little schemes and even felt that the next round was getting more and more interesting.
"Your Highness, I also think that Miss Meng is right."
"You can't catch a wolf without risking your cub. The Meng family is already on guard, and even the Jade King is uneasy. Rather than that, it's better to give them some reassurance than to have another hidden pawn."
Zhang Xuanyun stood up and bowed to Xiao Ce, clearly agreeing with Meng Yanzhi's suggestion.
"Sir, you are indeed insightful and intelligent!" Meng Yanzhi immediately beamed with joy.
In front of others, she is always the gentle and elegant eldest daughter of the Meng family, but only in front of Zhang Xuanyun does she act like a little girl.
Xiao Ce was clever and perceptive, and he quickly noticed Meng Yanzhi's different attitude towards Zhang Xuanyun. He neither agreed nor disagreed with the suggestion, but simply said that he would think about it carefully, and then dismissed Zhang Xuanyun.
For a moment, only Xiao Ce and Meng Yanzhi remained in the secret room.
Meng Yanzhi was vaguely nervous. She looked at Xiao Ce expectantly and whispered, "If Your Highness is unwilling, then so be it. Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Do you like Zhang Xuanyun?" Xiao Ce asked bluntly, giving Meng Yanzhi no chance to react.
Upon hearing this, Meng Yanzhi frowned, then shook her head and said calmly, "I respect him, admire him, and respect him, but it has nothing to do with romance. He is my teacher. A teacher for a day is a father for life. I have no romantic feelings for him."
If I had to name any feelings involved, it would only be gratitude.
Xiao Ce looked at Meng Yanzhi's open and honest demeanor and nodded in satisfaction. He then said, "Since the Meng family insists on giving me a daughter, I would rather choose you than Meng Anxian."
What?
Meng Yanzhi had just said she was tired and wanted to drink some water to refresh herself, but she didn't expect to hear these words and immediately spat out all the water.
She looked at Xiao Ce in disbelief, then pointed to her own nose: "Me?"
"What kind of reaction is that?"
"It wasn't what you said; it was all for a grander plan!"
Xiao Ce frowned, quite dissatisfied with Meng Yanzhi's performance.
What exactly does this naughty girl mean?
“Your Highness, it’s not that I’m unwilling to cooperate, it’s just that I’m different from Meng Anxian. In the eyes of the Meng family, Meng Anxian is the only one who is part of their family. So it’s no use for you to marry me; you can only marry Meng Anxian.”
"Besides, once we enter the Eastern Palace, everything will be decided by His Highness. It won't be too unfair to His Highness. Moreover..."
When Meng Yanzhi said this, she glanced at Xiao Ce furtively.
Xiao Ce frowned: "What else?"
"Besides, Meng Anxian is the most talented woman in the capital. Surely this wouldn't be a disservice to Your Highness?"
Although Meng Anxian is not very good-looking, she is still very talented and admired by many people in the capital. Such a Crown Princess must be very prestigious!
Xiao Ce immediately understood Meng Yanzhi's meaning. His eyebrows furrowed tightly, and he suddenly stood up and grabbed Meng Yanzhi's chin: "Won't you wrong me?"
"Your Highness, Your Highness, calm down."
"If I die, no one will help you!"
Meng Yanzhi gripped his wrist tightly, looking at him with pleading eyes, her expression somewhat pitiful.
Seeing this, Xiao Ce suddenly let go of her hand helplessly, looked at Meng Yanzhi, and sighed: "Meng Yanzhi, I really believed your lies!"
Although he spoke through gritted teeth, Xiao Ce knew in his heart that this was indeed the best plan, better than the Meng family making another foolish move.
Just thinking about being with Meng Anxian...
Xiao Ce felt a bitter taste in his mouth.
The next day, early morning.
Meng Yanzhi finally woke up naturally. The moment she opened her eyes, the warm sun shone on her bottom, making her feel incredibly comfortable.
"Miss, you're finally awake! Get up and eat!" Ming Chu entered carrying a washbasin, smiling at Meng Yanzhi. "His Highness the Crown Prince has returned from court and is waiting for you to have breakfast together."
Meng Yanzhi stood up, letting Mingchu tidy her appearance, and said with a smile, "Mingchu, do you like the Crown Prince's residence?"
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