In ancient times, I just wanted to be a salted fish

Those eyes amazed the time, as if time had frozen.

Chen Ruotong couldn't help but be stunned for a moment, her eyes fixed on the man in front of her.

This man is so dazzling! His appearance is exquisite and perfect, and every line is just right, as if it was carefully carved by God. Especially his eyes, deep and bright, like the brightest stars in the night sky, shining with mysterious light.

Chen Ruotong felt her heart beating so violently at this moment, as if it was about to jump out of her chest. She had never seen such a handsome man before, and for a moment she was a little overwhelmed.

The image of an actor flashed through her mind, Mao Zijun. He looked exactly like him, especially his eyes.

She really wanted to go up and ask for an autograph!

The man also looked at her with a smile in his eyes. After a moment, he looked at Qiao Zien and nodded in a friendly manner.

Chen Ruotong came back to her senses and realized her gaffe. She smiled awkwardly and thought: This is the most natural, unfiltered handsome man! Even an old aunt like me who has seen many handsome men is bewitched by his beauty, let alone those young girls?

She looked around curiously and found that there were many young girls and wives gathered around. They gathered around and their eyes were fixed on the handsome man.

Some of them looked at him secretly, with shyness and admiration in their eyes; others looked at him directly without any concealment, with excitement and surprise on their faces.

For a moment, the whole scene was extremely lively, as if a grand beauty pageant was being staged.

The clerk of the Book Pavilion hurried over and bowed politely, "Sir, you guessed correctly. This Monkey King lantern is given to you, and this brush is a prize."

The young man took the lantern and pen, thanked them, and handed the lantern to Chen Ruotong, saying, "I see that you like this lantern very much, so I'll give it to you!"

Chen Ruotong pointed at her nose in disbelief and said, "Me? But we don't even know each other!"

The young master said, "Now we know each other, right? I am Song Xuanyi, where is the young master?"

Chen Ruotong said, "My name is Chen Guchuan, and this is my good friend, Qiao Zien."

Song Xuanyi seemed very surprised and said, "Oh, it's Mr. Chen Si from Zhenpin Pavilion and Mr. Qiao, a famous student from Zhishan Academy! Nice to meet you!"

Chen Ruotong asked, "Master Song knows me?"

"There is no one in the business community of the capital who doesn't know Young Master Chen Si. Song is also a businessman, so naturally I know your name, hahahaha..."

Qiao Zien and Song Xuanyi bowed in greeting.

The three of them got to know each other.

Chen Ruotong was secretly delighted. She had never expected that she would become so famous. She smiled and said, "It turns out that Mr. Song is also a businessman. I am so disrespectful."

Song Xuanyi smiled and said, "No, no, I am just doing a small business. However, I have a little knowledge of calligraphy and painting. I saw this painting just now and I really like it."

Chen Ruotong followed his gaze and saw a landscape painting hanging on the wall. She nodded and praised, "This painting is really good, with exquisite brushwork and profound artistic conception."

Song Xuanyi turned around and asked Qiao Zien, "Mr. Qiao, what do you think?"

Qiao Zien looked at it carefully and replied, "This painting is indeed a fine piece. However, Qiao prefers flower and bird paintings, which are lively and vivid."

Song Xuanyi smiled slightly and said, "It seems that Mr. Qiao has a good eye for art. If you have time, why not discuss it together."

Chen Ruotong said, "How about we find some time to drink tea and appreciate paintings together?"

Song Xuanyi readily agreed: "Very good. Mr. Chen invites me, and I will definitely attend the appointment."

The three agreed on a time and then left. Chen Ruotong was holding the Monkey King's lantern in her hand, feeling particularly happy.

Qiao Zien looked at Song Xuanyi's departing back and said thoughtfully, "Guchuan, look, Mr. Song is handsome, noble, elegant, and has extraordinary demeanor; the people following him on both sides are all agile and their kung fu is not inferior to mine. I guess he may be a royal noble, not a businessman."

Chen Ruotong then observed carefully, and it was indeed the case. She was mesmerized by the beauty and was careless. "Beauty is so charming! Tsk tsk, I almost lost my judgment. Could it be that the emperor is on a secret visit? Let me think, the little emperor should be twenty years old this year, right? And Mr. Song looks to be around twenty. Don't say, it's really possible!"

Qiao Zien nodded gently, expressing her agreement, "I agree! If I'm not mistaken, he won't come for tomorrow's appointment."

"Yes, the emperor has to attend the morning court, how can he have time to chat with two ordinary people? He is also a worker in ancient times? He is more tired than us and uses more brains than us!"

Chen Ruotong was overwhelmed with joy to have such a handsome emperor as her backer. She had to establish a good relationship with the young emperor, which would be beneficial for her to mix in the business circle in Beijing, and also for Qiao Zien to display her talents in the political arena in the future.

Chen Ruotong and Qiao Zien continued to walk forward holding lanterns.

Just shop and eat. Since you are out shopping, you should eat when you get tired or hungry!

Sure enough, there were many snack stalls in front of us. There were sweet and delicious sugar-fried chestnuts, steaming fried cakes, sweet and sour candied haws, and big red sweet dates...

Chen Ruotong would stop to taste every snack stand she passed. She would eat as she walked, and she would keep praising, "Wow, this tastes really good, and that smells so good too!"

And so she kept eating until her stomach was full.

Qiao Zien carried a lantern and accompanied Chen Ruotong to eat and drink. He was also a little hungry, so he said, "Gu Chuan, let's go to the noodle stall over there and have a bowl of noodles!"

"Hurry, okay, I've had so much snacks along the way that I can't eat any more. A bowl of noodles will do!"

Qiao Zien sat quietly on a stool at the noodle stall and ordered a bowl of steaming hot noodle soup from the stall owner. Chen Ruotong felt bored sitting there, so she said to Qiao Zien, "Zien, you eat slowly first, I'll go to the other side and take a look, it seems someone is setting off fireworks. When you finish eating, come find me!"

"Okay, there are a lot of people here, so you have to be careful!" Qiao Zien said with a faint smile.

Chen Ruotong walked through the crowded street and headed towards the light show area opposite. There were many people gathered there, setting off fireworks with great enthusiasm, and the atmosphere was very lively.

Just as Chen Ruotong ran to the other side, she was in such a hurry that she accidentally bumped into a passerby. The collision was so severe that the bag of sugar-roasted chestnuts in the other person's hand fell to the ground, and the chestnuts were scattered all over the ground.

Chen Ruotong quickly stood firm and said apologetically, "I'm so sorry, I accidentally bumped into you. How much are these sugar-roasted chestnuts? I will compensate you!"

At this time, the man slowly turned around, staring at Chen Ruotong with his eyes, revealing a hint of surprise and confusion, and asked softly: "Xiaotong, is that you?"