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Chapter 110: Chapter 110: The Maid Meng Ling Appears
Zhang Cheng lowered his voice and said, "The legitimate daughter of the Zhan Family, Zhan Xuerou, has always been affectionate towards you. You might consider starting from there..."
Si Jun also wanted to use the Zhan Family surreptitiously, eliminate other Princes, and ascend to the throne himself.
However, if he directly marries the legitimate daughter of the Zhan Family now, relying on the Zhan Family’s support, he will certainly become a target of other Princes.
That would prematurely expose his ambitions.
Zhang Cheng said with effort, "Young Marquis, if you want to realize your grand ambition, you must rely on a family with an excellent reputation, and the Zhan Family is the prime choice."
Si Jun’s voice was softly cold, "Mr. Zhang, as you know, the Emperor decides my marriage, I don’t have the power to choose."
Zhang Cheng calmly said, "Then we must make others believe that the Young Marquis is marrying Zhan Xuerou reluctantly and without choice."
"Young Marquis can marry her but neglect her, show no intimacy with her, let people know of your dissatisfaction."
"Cough cough..." Si Jun, afflicted with a chronic cough, coughed twice. He was not unaware of Zhan Xuerou’s infatuation with him.
He deliberately strung Zhan Xuerou along because he wanted her to be utterly devoted to him.
Someday, the legitimate daughter of the Zhan Family would even risk it all for him, betraying and ruining her own family. 𝑛𝘰𝑣𝑝𝑢𝑏.𝘤𝑜𝘮
He could quietly eliminate the Zhan Family and leave no trace of his actions in the historical records.
Now, he already had a confidant in the General Mansion, and it was time to place someone beside Zhan Xuerou to relay messages.
His eyes sparkled as he thought of a suitable candidate.
...
Zhan Lan sat in the Mu Residence’s sedan chair, leaning against the sedan wall and dozed off.
She awoke only after Mu Yan’s Hidden Guard delivered her to the General Mansion’s back courtyard.
Zhan Lan lifted the sedan curtain and saw Liu Xi waiting for her at the door.
"Miss, how much did you drink?" Liu Xi asked, smelling the alcohol on Zhan Lan, supporting her all the way into the house.
Zhan Lan sat in front of the bronze mirror, her previously hazy eyes suddenly became clear.
She stood up, and despite slightly unsteady feet, she walked accurately towards the cabinet.
She took out a stack of Xuan paper from a hidden compartment and handed it to the surprised Liu Xi.
"Liu Xi, I’m not drunk," Zhan Lan gestured with her hand.
She passed the stack of Xuan paper to Liu Xi.
"Liu Xi, starting today, you must secretly practice mimicking the handwriting of these individuals. I know your skills, and one day you will be of great assistance to me," Zhan Lan said seriously.
Liu Xi took the Xuan paper from Zhan Lan’s hand.
She was extremely surprised; how had the Miss learned about her ability to imitate others’ handwriting?
Zhan Lan’s lips curved into a smile, "Liu Xi, the things I’m going to do will neither harm the heavens nor people, nor will they implicate you. Just do as instructed, and remember not to tell anyone about this, including your father, understand?"
Zhan Lan’s gaze carried trust but also an imperative pressure that brooked no refusal.
Liu Xi understood the stakes from Zhan Lan’s demeanor and bowed, "Yes, Miss, I am clear on what to do."
Zhan Lan sat back down, and Liu Xi put the Xuan paper back into the hidden compartment, then said to Zhan Lan, "I will prepare a sobering soup for you, Miss."
Zhan Lan rubbed her temples and nodded.
Ever since her last drunken episode, even if she were to indulge in wine, she would not allow herself to lose clarity completely.
What to do, what not to do, with every step she took, she remained cautious.
After Liu Xi left, Xiao Chen entered Zhan Lan’s room without a sound.
The two were old comrades, and that day at Wangjiang Building, Zhan Lan had given Xiao Chen a secret signal, agreeing to meet in the evening.
"Miss, please instruct me," said Xiao Chen, having removed the make-up, now the image of a graceful gentleman.
Zhan Lan handed a handkerchief to Xiao Chen.
"Xiao Chen, this handkerchief bears a seal. Find a trustworthy person to carve the seal, keep it with you for now, I will need it in the future."
Xiao Chen received the handkerchief and nodded, saying, "Your subordinate understands."
After Xiao Chen left, Zhan Lan’s eyes darkened. Going forward, this chess game will involve more and more players.
It is time for some people to make their move.
...
Early the next day, Zhan Xuerou was selecting maidservants in the mansion, with the elderly nanny Cui standing beside her.
Nanny Cui said with a fawning smile, "Miss, these maidservants are the most clever girls in the mansion. Have you taken a fancy to any of them?"
A line of maidservants stood respectfully in front of Zhan Xuerou.
The maids bowed and said, "Greetings, Miss!"
Qiuyue helped Zhan Xuerou to rise from her chair.
Zhan Xuerou wore a proud expression, her gaze sweeping over each of the servant girls.
Nanny Cui truly understood her preferences; the maidservants looked decent but all had a sense of modest upbringing.
Standing beside her, they would only highlight her own refinement.
Zhan Xuerou twirled the silk handkerchief around her finger and pointed toward the ant nest by the flower bed, asking, "Today, while I was walking in the courtyard, I came across an ant nest. One ant even crawled up my clothes and gave me quite a fright. Are you girls afraid of any insects?"
Zhan Xuerou asked with a gentle smile.
The servant girls stood with their hands clasped in front of them and answered orderly.
"I am scared of ants, just like Miss."
"I am scared of cockroaches."
"I am scared of worms."
"I... am scared of mice."
One after another, the maids answered Zhan Xuerou’s questions. Suddenly, one maid took a ladle from the water tank and walked straight to the flower bed, poured a ladle of water into the ant nest.
In an instant, ants scattered in all directions, and the ant nest collapsed.
The maidservant stomped hard on the escaping ants with her foot, then, with a smile, she bowed and said, "Don’t worry, Miss. The ants are all dead!"
Zhan Xuerou’s eyes brightened; this maid was the most clever of them all.
Most importantly, this maid was intelligent—without saying much, she knew what Zhan Xuerou wanted to be done!
Such a maidservant is a rare find.
Zhan Xuerou asked with a smile, "What’s your name?"
"The servant’s name is Meng Ling," answered the young woman with a fair complexion and a small mole on her lips.
Zhan Xuerou nodded with satisfaction, then turned to say, "Nanny Cui, her—teach her well and keep her by my side!"
"Yes, Miss!" Nanny Cui nodded in agreement.
Nanny Cui then hurriedly asked, "Miss, wouldn’t you consider keeping a couple more? General Zhan had instructed to assign at least four maidservants for you!"
Zhan Xuerou smiled lightly, "No need, Father has always liked frugality over luxury, having Meng Ling and Qiuyue is enough."
"Yes!"
Nanny Cui dismissed the other maidservants.
Zhan Xuerou was then assisted by Qiuyue into the house.
Only Nanny Cui and Meng Ling remained in the courtyard. Meng Ling bowed to Nanny Cui and said with a smile, "I’ll have to trouble Nanny Cui to take good care of me in the future."
While speaking, Meng Ling slipped a gold bracelet into Nanny Cui’s palm.
Nanny Cui was overjoyed; indeed, Mr. Zhan Feng was right, this girl was clever!
But who she was or where she came from, to be so generous with her money!
However, it was of no concern to Nanny Cui, as long as she benefited.
Nanny Cui affectionately patted Meng Ling’s hand and whispered, "Meng Ling, if there’s anything you need from Nanny in the future, just ask. Don’t be shy!"
