24 A Crafty Little Plan (1/2)
Meng Fuyao opened her eyes lazily, pointing to her nose and sneering.
”Compared to those shrieking girls, I'd rather be a psycho killer.”
She shut her eyes once more and turned to her side as if getting ready to sleep. However, the next moment, her palm hit the ground, and she shot right out of the temple like an arrow. Her body was in the air while her whip had already formed a black arc that was rolling toward the tree with a sharp, whipping sound.
”Show yourself!”
At the same time, Yao Xun's lanky body jolted, and he vanished from where he had been sitting, reappearing 100 meters away the next second.
Meng Fuyao turned her head in midair, impressed by Yao Xun's shamelessness. Not only was he as good as her when it came to acting, but he also had zero loyalty.
As she was distracted, her whip strayed from its intended path. The person behind the tree snorted, easily trapping her whip under his feet.
Upon lowering her head and spotting a black pair of shoes with flame-colored edges, Meng Fuyao promptly released her hand, all willing to abandon her whip, turned and fled.
She hadn't distanced herself much when someone grabbed the back of her collar forcefully. When the momentum left her striding on the same spot, laughter could be heard overhead as the culprit held her down in a rough motion.
”Why are you following me everywhere? Are you begging for food?” Meng Fuyao growled resentfully
”You're quite a delight, aren't you?” Zhan Beiye expressed sarcastically. ”How am I to bring a girl with such bad upbringing to the palace feast?”
”Look who's talking!” Meng Fuyao snapped. She remembered how Zhan Beiye had fled upon seeing the bold lady, Ya Lanzhu, and figured that a character like that would be off-putting for him. She even added recklessly, ”Your whole family has no manners.”
”You're right.” Zhan Beiye let out a smile, as dazzling as the sun's rays but nothing like Yuan Zhaoxu's. ”It is a fact that my family has no manners, but I'm the exception.”
He kicked Meng Fuyao's whip up, coiled it around her legs and lifted her off the ground in a few swift movements, before conveniently gauging her weight by raising it up and down.
”Still alright, not too heavy.”
”What are you doing!” Meng Fuyao squealed, floundering about close to the ground like a dumpling hanging off its string, and even eating a mouthful of dirt.
”I have a feast to attend, and I am asking you to join me.” Zhan Beiye exhaled. ”I've never failed or been rejected my whole life. I will not let you be the first to spoil my record.”
He flipped his palm, easily pulling her toward him and meeting her eyes.
Just like that Meng Fuyao, who was hanging upside down and feeling all dizzy, heard the weirdest confession ever.
”Listen, woman.” Zhan Beiye flashed his bright teeth, causing Meng Fuyao to shut her eyes. ”I'm about to conquer you.”
Hair full of golden pins, garment full of beads and also holes like those found in hip-hop style clothing, Meng Fuyao hung stiffly beside this certain someone.
King Hunter looked absolutely suave that night. His royal-yellow dragon robe enhanced the brilliance of his thick, black brows. The purple detailing on it, which usually looked gaudy on ordinary men, appeared especially magnificent on him. It was enough proof that clothes would never let a good looking face and body down.
It was the birthday of Taiyuan Emperor, Qi Hao, that day, and a grand feast with 16 seats took place in the Qingyun Palace Hall that afternoon. Local, high-ranking officials were present to receive representatives from respective nations. As the emperor wasn't feeling too well, he attended only for a short while to make a few toasts and exchange some pleasantries before taking his leave, while the rest continued enjoying the feast.
Since Tiansha was the biggest nation, as its representative and the emperor's younger brother, Zhan Beiye naturally received great respect from the guests and was also thrown into the spotlight with his extraordinary looks.
As the female companion of such an outstanding man, Meng Fuyao understood that she would a subject of scrutiny. Thus, she went all out with her ginger juice, golden hairpins, and fishnet outfit, and had two rings on every finger. On both arms, she put on golden-bell bracelets, which jingled loudly as she walked. She even put on some talcum powder that she had purchased from a night market, spreading strong whiffs of fragrance wherever she went.
Meng Fuyao's fishnet-inspired outfit was undoubtedly eye-catching. The beautiful golden butterflies on her original pleated skirt had been torn off, leaving holes all over and revealing white, inner pants.
If not for her fear of being beaten up by Taiyuan guards for looking so obscene, she would've worn the inner layer of clothing on the outside.
Dressed in multiple colors, Meng Fuyao strutted into the dazzling Qingyun Palace Hall, turning the faces of the other envoys purple. Zhan Beiye, on the other hand, entered nonchalantly.
When the emperor returned to get some rest, Meng Fuyao immediately waved to get the attention of a palace maid. ”Waiter!”
At a loss, the waiter was unable to respond.
”Get me one dried fish!” Meng Fuyao demanded, throwing her a scornful glance.