Marrying the Crown Prince

Half an hour passed, and Zhou Bai still lost. Zhou Zhou was still not satisfied and felt it was a pity—if he had played the game himself, he probably wouldn't have lost so many pieces.

After having lunch at Yaohua Palace, it was time to leave the palace. Consort Mei reluctantly held the old lady's hand, and both mother and daughter had tears in their eyes.

"Everything is fine at home. You just saw it yourself. The children are all doing well, so please don't worry, Your Majesty." The old lady choked up and wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with her handkerchief.

"I know, I know everything." Consort Mei sobbed, tears falling one by one. The beauty's tears were touching.

After seeing her family off, Consort Mei was still in low spirits. Emperor Chenze saw this and his heart softened. He gently comforted her, "Since you miss home so much, why don't you go home to visit your family?"

A court official has performed a great service, and coincidentally, a relative of his is a concubine in the palace. He is granted the privilege of allowing the concubine to return home to visit her family.

Consort Mei leaned against him and gently shook her head. "Your Majesty need not make an exception for me. Being able to see my family once a year is already more fortunate than most people. I am deeply grateful."

She is sensible and reasonable, which is one of the reasons why Emperor Chenze is willing to dote on Consort Mei.

Emperor Chenze gently embraced her, his large hand patting Consort Mei's back softly, comforting her silently.

That night, Emperor Chenze stayed overnight at Yaohua Palace.

The two of them weren't in a hurry to go to sleep. They chatted with their eyes closed, and eventually the topic of Li Zixi's study companion came up.

"Do you have someone you like?" Emperor Chenze asked. When Li Zichen was chosen as a companion last time, no one from the Yongjing Marquis's mansion came to compete. Now, for both reasons and in principle, one of Li Zixi's two companions should come from the Yongjing Marquis's mansion.

Today, Consort Mei had a deep conversation with the old lady and Madam Zhang, and from their conversation, she guessed that the candidate recommended by the Yongjing Marquis's residence was Zhou Zhou.

Not to mention the Yongjing Marquis's residence, Consort Mei also favored Zhou Zhou more.

First, Zhou Zhou's elder brother, Zhou Cheng'an, is about the same age as his daughter, has excellent character, and is from her own family. They know each other well, and as cousins, they are a loving and trusting couple.

Furthermore, Zhou Heng is a bit more carefree, cute, and innocent, so her aunt naturally prefers this child. However, to survive in this deep palace, innocence alone is not enough; one needs someone as mature as Zhou Zhou.

However, Consort Mei did not say this directly, because judging from Emperor Chenze's expression, she probably already had someone in mind.

She answered irrelevantly, "Has Your Majesty already chosen someone?"

The image of Zhou Zhou flashed through Emperor Chenze's mind, but the name...

He really couldn't remember.

“I think that quiet little girl is quite nice,” Emperor Chenze replied. “Xiao Qi is lively and boisterous. Being with her, one quiet and the other lively, complements each other perfectly. What do you think, my beloved consort?”

"Your Majesty's thoughts are exactly the same as mine." Consort Mei smiled gently, very satisfied with the result.

Ultimately, Zhou Zhou was chosen as the companion for the reading, and Wang Qingwu, the granddaughter of Grand Tutor Wang, was chosen as the other. They entered the palace on the first day of the second month.

Ning was not surprised by this result, but it was a pity. "From now on, you will be studying in the palace and will only be able to take a day off every five days to go home. In this way, the time we spend together will be less than five days a month."

“In that case, we’ll have to speed things up.” Madam Shen said seriously, deciding to use every day of her leave to teach, and to teach enough for five days straight.

Zhou Zhou nodded vigorously, "Master, don't worry, I will definitely not neglect my studies."

Zhou Zhou, who learns everything quickly, grasps concepts instantly, and has a photographic memory, doesn't find learning tedious; on the contrary, she enjoys it.

Zhou Zhou was to enter the palace in February, so on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, he went to visit the Gao residence.

Grandma Gao had already heard the news, and now that she saw Zhou Zhou again, she felt both joy and heartache.

If she had no other choice, she would never have let Zhou Zhou go to that dangerous place. But fortune and misfortune are intertwined. Entering the palace as a companion would be helpful for finding a spouse in the future. Moreover, most princes' principal wives are chosen from among the princesses' companions. This is why Wang Qingwu from the Grand Tutor's family would run for the position of companion.

"A person with a gem should not flaunt it," said Old Madam Gao earnestly. "When you enter the palace one day, do not be competitive or try to steal the limelight. Learn to conceal your talents and think carefully before you act."

Faced with Grandma Gao's heartfelt words, Zhou Zhou nodded emphatically and replied firmly, "I've remembered everything."

After saying goodbye to Old Madam Gao, Zhou Zhou sat in the carriage playing with the rope when he suddenly heard the hawking sounds from the street and called for the carriage to stop.

Granny Gao asked, "Does Miss Zhou want to go out for a walk?"

"Okay." Zhou Zhou nodded and got off the carriage.

Actually, she remembered that on New Year's Eve, she had promised Zhou Yue that she would buy her another sugar painting.

Walking down the street, the roadside is decorated with lanterns, creating a festive and bustling atmosphere that lifts one's spirits.

"Grandma, do you know where I can buy sugar paintings?" Zhou Zhou asked in a light tone, clearly influenced by the festive atmosphere of others.

"Oh, you've come to the right person! I know a sugar painting shop that makes incredibly lifelike figures, and the sugar they make is so thick and sweet," said Granny Gao, then added, "Did Zhou suddenly want some?"

I've never heard her say she likes this before. To be precise, I don't think Zhou Zhou has ever shown any particular preference for anything.

Zhou Zhou thought of Zhou Yue, and the corners of his mouth curled up almost imperceptibly. "It was on New Year's Eve when we went out to play. Ninth Sister's sugar painting fell, and I promised her I would buy her another one."

So this is ah.

This was the sentiment of Granny Gao, and also the sentiment of Li Ziyan standing beside her.

Watching the departing figures of the master and servant, Li Ziyan felt that he and this young girl were quite destined to meet, having encountered each other three times in the past few days.

More importantly, his curiosity was piqued. "Degui, do you think that sugar painting shop is really as good as that person said?"

“This…” De Gui rubbed his hands together, and hesitated before speaking, “This servant has never tasted it and does not know.”

"So you haven't tried it either." Li Ziyan said indifferently, and Zhou Zhou's figure disappeared from his sight at that moment.

Seeing that his master was unhappy, De Gui tentatively asked, "Would the young master like to try some?"

Li Ziyan withdrew his gaze and looked at the misty mountains in the distance. "No need."

He is in poor health and must be careful about what he eats. If he indulges in pleasure today, the imperial physician will be kneeling on his bed tomorrow, looking distressed and begging him to take care of his health.

"Do you know when the school will start this year?" Li Ziyan lowered his eyes, his voice low.

"His Majesty has already issued an edict, saying that the school will be opened at Jingyang Palace on the first day of the second month as usual, and the Imperial Household Department has already purchased and prepared the necessary supplies." De Gui answered after only a brief recollection, and his answer went beyond just Li Ziyan's brief question. No wonder he became a favorite of the Crown Prince.

Is the first day of the second lunar month?

I wait alone.