frightfiction Chapter 1292 Dancing Girl
Chapter 1292 Dancing Girl
Chun Tao suddenly realized and quickly replied, "This servant understands! This servant will go and do it right away, and I guarantee to find a woman that Marquis Zhanyi cannot resist."
"Remember, this matter must be handled discreetly; not a single word must leak out," Min Yue solemnly instructed.
"This servant understands the implications, Your Majesty, please rest assured." Chun Tao bowed and withdrew, then turned and disappeared into the night.
Min Yue watched Chun Tao's departing figure, picked up the calming soup on the table, and drank it all in one gulp, her eyes filled with smugness. Zhan Yan, Lin Yiwan, this time, I will definitely ruin your reputations!
Three days later, Chun Tao led a woman into the inner palace. The woman was named Su Mei, and she possessed a stunningly beautiful face, with willow-leaf eyebrows, almond-shaped eyes, skin as white as snow, and a graceful figure. Every smile and frown of hers exuded a captivating charm.
Su Mei bowed gracefully, her voice soft and melodious, like a nightingale singing in a valley: "This servant greets Your Majesty."
Min Yue looked Su Mei up and down, nodding in satisfaction: "Not bad, you are indeed quite attractive. Chun Tao said you are skilled in seduction, is that true?"
Su Mei raised her head, a hint of confidence flashing in her eyes: "Your Majesty, this servant has some skills and I am sure I can make Marquis Zhanyi fall at my feet."
Min Yue smiled, her eyes narrowing: "If you can accomplish this, I will reward you with a hundred taels of gold and free you from slavery, allowing you to find a good home. But if you dare to betray me or fail to do your job well, you should know the consequences."
Su Mei's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly said, "This servant dares not! This servant will do her best to live up to the Queen's expectations."
Min Yue took out a jade pendant from the drawer and handed it to Su Mei: "This jade pendant was worn by Zhan Yan during the Sheng Dynasty. He lost it later. Take this jade pendant and go to Zuixianglou to work as a dancer. I will arrange a chance encounter. You only need to use this jade pendant to evoke his memories and then use your methods. You will definitely succeed."
Su Mei took the jade pendant and carefully put it away: "This servant understands."
Min Yue waved her hand: "Remember, don't be impatient. Take it step by step and make sure Zhan Yan develops genuine feelings for you. Only then can things be done flawlessly."
Su Mei bowed and withdrew, then followed Chun Tao out of the inner hall.
Soon, Su Mei's name became well-known in Zui Xiang Lou.
Her beauty was unparalleled, and her dance was captivating, attracting countless young noblemen and princes to pursue her.
Zhan Yan received a secret letter saying that someone from the Sheng Dynasty's royal family had come to meet him at Zuixianglou.
He had no suspicions and assumed that it was Lin Yiwan's father and mother who had sent people over.
He went there as agreed, and as soon as he went upstairs, he saw a woman dancing gracefully on the stage in the center of the lobby.
The woman was Su Mei. She wore a red gauze dress and danced gracefully, like a blooming poppy, full of allure.
When Su Mei saw Zhan Yan, a glint of light flashed in her eyes, but she quickly pretended to be indifferent and continued dancing.
After the dance ended, she picked up the jade pendant on the table, walked to Zhan Yan, and bowed gracefully: "This humble woman, Su Mei, greets Marquis Zhan Yi. Just now, seeing your extraordinary demeanor, I lost my composure for a moment. I hope you will forgive me."
Zhan Yan's pupils contracted sharply as he looked at the jade pendant in Su Mei's hand. This jade pendant was the one he used to wear frequently.
He asked instinctively, "Where did you get this jade pendant?"
With tears welling in her eyes, Su Mei said aggrievedly, "This jade pendant is a family heirloom of mine. I don't know why Marquis Yi would recognize it? Could it be... could it be that Marquis Yi has a past relationship with my family?"
Zhan Yan was puzzled. This jade pendant was clearly his personal possession, so how did it become Su Mei's family heirloom?
Su Mei wiped away her tears and slowly said, "This jade pendant was given to me by my mother before she passed away. She said it was a gift from a benefactor and asked me to keep it safe. She said that if I had the chance in the future, I must find the benefactor and repay his kindness. My mother also said that the benefactor's surname was Zhan and he was from the Sheng Dynasty. Today, I saw Marquis Yi and saw that he recognized this jade pendant. I guess that Marquis Yi may be the benefactor my mother mentioned."
Upon hearing this, Zhan Yan became even more puzzled. He had indeed saved many people in the Sheng Dynasty, but he had never given this jade pendant to anyone else. Could it be that someone had deliberately arranged this?
He subtly observed Su Mei, noticing her tear-streaked face and pitiful appearance, but a sense of unease rose within him. "This matter can be discussed later. I have important matters to attend to today, so I must take my leave."
After saying that, Zhan Yan turned to leave.
Su Mei quickly stepped forward and grabbed Zhan Yan's sleeve: "My lord, please don't go! I have been searching for my benefactor for many years, and today I finally have a clue. Please give me another chance to confirm whether you are the benefactor my mother spoke of!"
Zhan Yan frowned, trying to break free from Su Mei's grasp, but Su Mei slipped and fell straight into his arms.
Zhan Yan instinctively wanted to push her away, but a rich fragrance instantly filled his nostrils, causing him to pause slightly.
Just then, the door to the private room was suddenly pushed open, and Lin Yiwan walked in quickly with Ling'er.
She saw Zhan Yan holding Su Mei, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.
"Husband, so you were here all along." Lin Yiwan's voice was cold and unreadable.
A sudden flash of anger appeared in Zhan Yan's eyes. He pushed Su Mei away and explained, "Wanwan, let me explain. It's not what you think."
Upon seeing this, Su Mei immediately knelt down and cried, "Madam, you have misunderstood! I only wanted to ask Marquis Zhanyi to verify something, and I did not intend to seduce him. Please, Madam, understand!"
Lin Yiwan walked to Zhan Yan's side, took his hand, looked at Su Mei, and a hint of mockery flashed in her eyes: "Of course I believe him, you don't need to explain any further!"
Su Mei's face showed embarrassment. She knew that Lin Yiwan was not easy to deal with, so she quickly said according to what Min Yue had taught her: "Reporting to the Lady Marquis, I received the jade pendant that Marquis Zhanyi always wore. I only wanted to ask Marquis Zhanyi to confirm whether he was the benefactor my mother mentioned. I had no other intentions."
Lin Yiwan looked her up and down: "I think someone deliberately arranged for you to get close to my husband!"
After saying that, she turned to the guards behind her and said, "Take her away and interrogate her thoroughly. Make sure you find out who ordered her to come!"
The guards immediately stepped forward and dragged Su Mei away from the private room. Su Mei cried and screamed, but to no avail.
Only Lin Yiwan and Zhan Yan remained in the private room. Zhan Yan looked at Lin Yiwan, his eyes filled with guilt: "Wanwan, I'm sorry, I was too careless and almost fell into someone's trap."
Lin Yiwan shook her head and smiled, "I know you're not that kind of person. I just didn't expect Min Yue to resort to such despicable means."
A ruthless glint flashed in Zhan Yan's eyes: "Min Yue has gone too far! How dare she scheme against us. It seems we can't wait any longer; we must find evidence of her crimes as soon as possible and expose her true colors!"