Zhang Yu Was Targeted

"Old Ancestor, you... what did you say?" Xiao Fenghua asked in surprise.

"What? You didn't hear me?"

Xiao Xuan furrowed his brow, his tone growing more emphatic.

"Zhang Yu has boundless potential and abilities that reach the heavens.

"If we can win him over and bind him to our imperial family, it will benefit the Xiao Family's reign in every way and do it no harm.

"Your beauty, intelligence, and status are all exceptional. You are the best person for this task."

Prince Jing, Xiao Jingfeng, secretly nodded at this. Looking at it from a father's perspective, Zhang Yu really was an excellent candidate for a son-in-law.

Xiao Fenghua showed no girlish coyness, either. She replied directly, "Fenghua... accepts the order."

She didn't feel anything special toward Zhang Yu, but she didn't dislike him, either.

And with the imperial family's interests coming first, since Xiao Xuan had chosen her, she couldn't disobey.

Just as everyone thought the matter was settled, a voice, captivating to the bone and laced with three parts languor and seven parts seduction, suddenly rang out from a corner of the hall.

"Old Ancestor, let me handle this sort of thing.

"Sister Fenghua may be both beautiful and talented, but she's far too cold and doesn't understand how to charm a man. I'm afraid... she isn't the best choice."

Everyone turned toward the voice and saw a woman in a long peach-pink palace gown gracefully emerge from a corner of the hall.

Her figure was graceful and lithe. As she moved with delicate steps, her skirt swayed like a peach blossom in full bloom.

Her pair of peach-blossom eyes shimmered with flowing light, captivating with every glance. Every frown and smile carried a natural charm, as though she could steal a man's soul.

She was Xiao Meier, Prince Qi's most beloved daughter, bestowed with the title "Princess Mei."

Xiao Meier walked to the center of the hall and gave Xiao Xuan, Xiao Zhengshan, and the others a graceful curtsy. Her manner was elegant, yet brimming with seduction.

"Meier pays her respects to the Old Ancestor, to Imperial Uncle, and to all the Royal Uncles." Her voice was soft and sweet, as though it held countless little hooks that made one's heart itch.

She raised her head and glanced at Xiao Fenghua, whose face was pale and expression icy. The corners of her mouth curled into a smug, taunting smile as she spoke in a sweet voice.

"Sister Fenghua is cold by nature and has never liked getting close to men. If she tries to approach Zhang Yu, I'm afraid she'll only have the opposite effect.

"If she displeases him, he might think our imperial family sent an 'Ice Beauty' to get in his way."

"As for Meier..."

She gently smoothed a stray lock of hair at her temple. Her eyes shimmered, her gaze seductive as silk.

"Meier knows best how to please a man. Zhang Yu may be formidable, but in the end, he's still a man in the prime of his life.

"There isn't a man alive who doesn't like a gentle, considerate woman."

"Old Ancestor, don't you agree?"

Her words left no room for criticism. She had disparaged Xiao Fenghua as "unromantic" and "likely to ruin things," while praising herself as "understanding" and "more likely to succeed." She made a blatant contest of beauty into something that sounded entirely proper.

Many princes and county princes in the hall couldn't help admiring Xiao Meier's bewitching beauty.

Xiao Meier truly was a born enchantress.

When it came to attracting and captivating men, the cool, noble Princess Fenghua might really not be a match for her.

Seeing someone try to snatch the son-in-law he had his eye on, Prince Rui objected. "Niece, the Old Ancestor's orders have their reasons. Don't make trouble."

Irritated by Xiao Meier's provocation, Xiao Fenghua replied coldly, "It's only seducing a man. What's so hard about that? There's no need for you to trouble yourself, little sister."

Xiao Xuan's gaze moved back and forth between Xiao Fenghua and Xiao Meier. He pondered for a moment, then finally nodded slowly.

"Mm... What Meier says isn't without reason.

"Zhang Yu is a shrewd man. We can't treat him by ordinary means.

"Fenghua is cool and aloof; perhaps she can stir his desire to conquer. Meier is seductive; perhaps she can make him lower his guard.

"Since both of you are willing..."

A sharp glint flashed in his eyes as he made his decision.

"Then go together."

"Fenghua, go to the Heavenly Prison in the imperial family's name to 'visit' Zhang Yu. Discuss martial arts and formations with him, and attract him with your talent and bearing."

"Meier, you may act freely. Use your own methods to approach him and probe his weaknesses."

"Remember, you have only one task: sleep with him at any cost. Whoever succeeds will become a great benefactor to our imperial family. I'll make your father Crown Prince."

"Crown Prince?"

Those two words crashed through the hall like thunder from the Nine Heavens.

Prince Jing, Xiao Jingfeng, and Prince Qi, Xiao Jinglong, both shuddered violently and looked up, their eyes blazing with a brilliance they had never shown before.

The Crown Prince was the future heir to the throne, the ultimate goal that every prince and imperial grandson dreamed of and strove toward all their lives.

How bloody was the struggle among the nine princes for the throne?

Now, over a single Zhang Yu, the Old Ancestor had thrown out the enormous prize of making someone Crown Prince!

This was no longer merely a contest between two county princesses. It had risen directly to the level of the future fates of Prince Jing's Estate and Prince Qi's Estate.

Whichever man's daughter won Zhang Yu over would become the father of the future Crown Prince, and one day rule the world.

Prince Jing, Xiao Jingfeng, suddenly began breathing faster. He glanced at his resolute-looking daughter, Xiao Fenghua, beside him, and a colossal wave surged through his heart.

Prince Qi, Xiao Jinglong, was so excited he nearly jumped to his feet.

He had always doted on Xiao Meier and thought of her as his lucky star. Now, he placed all his hopes in her.