Meng Lan

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Meng Lan (梦岚); surname Zhang 47
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Star Moon Sect; Capital Branch / Hundred Flowers Garden
Occupation/Role	Outer-sect disciple, Hundred Flowers Garden operative, and Xue Mu's assigned assistant 32 48
First Appearance	Chapter 6

Background / History

Meng Lan is one of the twenty-four outer-sect disciples under the Star Moon Sect's Capital Branch. She is relatively well regarded by Branch Master Zhuo Qingqing, which is why she stands with Qingqing when the Sect Master arrives and has the authority to retrieve branch records. 6 48

She first escorts Xue Mu to his Bamboo Pavilion, then attempts to seduce him with the sect's Charm Technique. Her attempt is not an official test; she is personally eager to use him as a means of improving her circumstances. Xue Mu resists, surprising her with his exceptional willpower. 6 7

During Hundred Flowers Garden's financial crisis, Meng Lan admits that its declining business has left outer disciples at risk of being forced into prostitution. Fearing this outcome, she had hoped to leave the branch early and tried to make use of Xue Mu, though she insists she intended him no harm. 10

Meng Lan immediately recognizes the potential of Xue Mu's plan to have courtesans wear imitations of Righteous Path uniforms. She and Yue Xiaochan understand that the fantasy of approaching supposedly untouchable sect disciples would draw customers regardless of whether anyone was truly deceived. Meng Lan nevertheless urges Yue Xiaochan to report the provocative scheme to Xue Qingqiu first. 11

After the plan revitalizes Hundred Flowers Garden, she assists Xue Mu with his writing and business projects. She later reports that his story has spread throughout the Capital and reached the imperial court. 12 13 32

Xue Qingqiu sends Meng Lan to win Xue Mu's affection, but Meng Lan openly reveals the assignment and her own ambitions. Grateful that his plans removed the threat of being forced into the trade, she asks to follow him as a trusted subordinate rather than remain only an outer disciple. Xue Qingqiu permits this and assigns her to serve as Xue Mu's assistant. 32

Appearance

Meng Lan is a curvaceous young woman whose deliberate allure is heightened by the Star Moon Sect's arts.

• Peach-blossom eyes and sensual red lips. 6
• Snowy-white skin and a notably voluptuous figure. 6 13
• Her Charm Technique is accompanied by floral fragrance and orchid-like breath. 6
• Even without using Bewitching Arts, she possesses a naturally seductive presence. 13

Personality

Meng Lan is ambitious, pragmatic, and alert to opportunity. Her initial attempt to seduce Xue Mu stems from fear of her vulnerable status as an outer disciple, but she does not remain blindly self-serving: once he saves Hundred Flowers Garden's prospects, she sincerely admires his ability and seeks to become useful to him. 10 32

She is more cautious than Yue Xiaochan, advising that Xue Qingqiu be consulted before the uniform scheme is implemented. She is also composed in practical matters, quietly supporting Xue Mu's work with branch archives and answering his questions without pressing her personal desires. 11 48

Rather than conceal her motives, Meng Lan chooses blunt honesty with Xue Mu. She believes concealment is pointless before someone she considers exceptionally perceptive, and openly offers both loyalty and service in exchange for a place in his future plans. 32

Abilities & Skills

Charm Technique

Meng Lan is trained in the Star Moon Sect's Charm Technique and associated Bewitching Arts.

• Uses sensual speech, scent, touch, and cultivated allure to stir a target's primal desires. 6
• Attempted to charm Xue Mu despite his lack of cultivation; he resisted her technique, leaving her surprised. 6
• Did not employ her full strength against Xue Mu. 7
• Notes that the sect's more superficial Bewitching Arts had lost their commercial advantage because competitors had already learned similar methods. 10

Cultivation

Meng Lan has attained the Form-Manifestation Stage, where internal and external cultivation are fused.

• Her cultivation had remained stalled at the Form-Manifestation Stage for two years. 48
• Her file gives her little prospect of reaching the Soul-Entwining Realm. 48

Zither

Meng Lan has studied the zither since childhood and considers her ability passable.

• Xue Mu identifies her zither skill as a possible foundation for a public persona. 48
• He suggests the title “Zither Immortal Meng Lan,” though it remains only a proposal. 48

Relationships

• Xue Mu — Initially attempts to seduce him for personal advancement; later becomes his devoted assistant after his business plans save her from the threat of entering the trade. 6 10 32
• Yue Xiaochan — Her young sect master. Yue Xiaochan notices Meng Lan's unusual behavior, listens to her fears during the Hundred Flowers Garden crisis, and works with her on Xue Mu's uniform scheme. 9 10 11
• Xue Qingqiu — Sect Master who sends Meng Lan to win Xue Mu's affection, then assigns her to serve as his assistant after Meng Lan reveals her intentions. 32
• Zhuo Qingqing — Capital Branch Master who holds Meng Lan in relatively high regard. 48

Trivia

• Meng Lan's surname is Zhang, despite being publicly known by Meng Lan. 47
• Her fear of becoming a courtesan is specifically tied to her status as an outer disciple rather than a lack of loyalty to the Star Moon Sect. 10