Marrying the Crown Prince

Zhou Zhou and Li Ziyan turned around at the same time and saw Su Ye with Fang Shi.

The young lady leading the way didn't recognize Li Ziyan and Zhou Zhou, but that didn't mean she didn't know Su Ye, the young master of the Duke of Qi.

Therefore, she followed Zhou Zhou's gaze and, upon seeing Su Ye, quickly bowed, saying, "Young Master Su, Young Madam Su."

Su Ye nodded slightly, then moved aside and looked at Li Ziyan and Zhou Zhou behind her. "Young Master, Young Madam, would you do me the honor of inviting me to listen to the music with you?"

Li Ziyan did not answer, but looked at Zhou Zhou.

Zhou Zhou replied knowingly, "Wouldn't it disturb you two if the two of us went over there?"

“Young Madam, you are overthinking this,” Su Ye said. “It is an immense honor for my wife and me that you have come. How could we possibly disturb you?”

Upon hearing Su Ye's words, Zhou Zhou and Li Ziyan twitched their hands, as if to ask for his thoughts.

The response she received was that Li Ziyan grabbed her hand, telling her not to move.

Zhou Zhou: "..."

This man!

Since that was the case, Zhou Zhou followed her heart.

"Since Young Master Qi has said so, wouldn't it be impolite for my wife and me not to respond?"

"You jest," Su Ye said with a forced smile, his attitude remaining respectful and humble. "Please follow me."

Hearing their conversation, the young woman's heart skipped a beat. She exclaimed in surprise, "Heavens! Who are these two people? Why are they being treated with such respect by the young master of the Duke of Qi's mansion? Thank goodness, I didn't say anything disrespectful."

Su Ye had reserved a good spot, but it was only a two-person table. However, at his request, two tables were joined together to create a four-person table.

There was nothing they could do; the power of the Duke of Qi's mansion was too great for a small music pavilion like theirs to handle.

Moreover, the identities of the two people beside Young Master Qi are still unknown.

According to the distinction between men and women, Li Ziyan and Zhou Zhou sat in the middle, with Su Ye sitting next to Li Ziyan, and Fang Shi sitting next to Zhou Zhou.

In other words, Li Ziyan and Zhou Zhou sat in the same row, while Su Ye and Fang Shi faced each other.

When the shopkeeper saw that Li Ziyan and Zhou Zhou had taken the main seats, he was stunned again. Then, he felt that this was only natural, so he shook his head helplessly and leaned down to ask, "Young master, young mistress, would you like some snacks?"

Actually, when Su Ye made the reservation, she also ordered the snacks.

But now, of course, we need to have extra food.

Su Ye looked at Li Ziyan, "Young Master, is there anything you like?"

Li Ziyan had dinner before going out, and eating too much at night could easily lead to indigestion, which is not good for health, so he declined.

"No need to be so polite, just bring a pot of good tea," he said.

This……

Su Ye looked at Zhou Zhou with some difficulty.

Zhou Zhou didn't make things difficult for him, and simply said, "Two of the signature dim sum dishes here will do, no more."

Since that's the case, Su Ye said, "Bring up everything we ordered before, and add an extra plate of plum blossom cakes."

"Yes."

After ordering, dancers began to walk up to the platform below.

Soon, the soft singing began, and Li Ziyan and Su Ye took advantage of the singing to start talking.

Zhou Zhou glanced at Fang Shi, who was standing to the side, feeling utterly bored. She looked the same as when he saw her in Fengyi Palace, yet different.

What remains the same is that her appearance has not changed; what is different is that the timid and hesitant demeanor of that day is gone. Although she is still a little reserved, she is much better than before.

Zhou Zhou blinked and looked away.

Although Su Ye had been talking to Li Ziyan, his attention had never left Fang Shi, so he immediately noticed the change in Zhou Zhou's eyes.

"Speaking of which, I would appreciate it if you, young mistress, would take good care of my wife." He suddenly spoke up, bringing up the matter.

Zhou Zhou's brow twitched slightly, and she smiled sweetly, "Young Master Qi, you're too kind. It was nothing, not worth mentioning."

"That being said, I still want to thank you, young mistress, for helping my wife out of that predicament on the second day of the Lunar New Year."

Helping Fang out of that predicament was indeed a matter of her own kindness, but if she had known that after helping her out, the old lady of the Duke of Qi would beg her to send someone over, she probably wouldn't have spoken up.

But since it had already happened and didn't have a significant impact, Zhou Zhou remained calm, saying, "It was just something I said casually."

At this point, she added, "Madam Fang is graceful and well-mannered; she's a good girl."

Indeed, Fang was a gentle woman by nature, unlike the old lady of the Duke of Qi and the wife of the Duke of Qi, which is why Su Ye fell in love with her.

But it was precisely because she was too docile and not resilient enough that she was unable to adapt to life in the Duke of Qi's mansion for a long time.

Ultimately, it all stems from her lack of self-confidence.

Su Ye could see all of this clearly, but no matter how many times he comforted Fang Shi, she still couldn't hold her head high and face these things alone.

As time went on, Su Ye began to regret bringing her into the picture.

Now, Zhou Zhou, their teacher, is their last chance.

So when Su Ye saw Zhou Zhou and Li Ziyan at the music hall today, he invited them to listen to music together without hesitation.

As they emerged from the music pavilion, Zhou Zhou took Li Ziyan's hand and asked, "Young Master, what do you think of the dancers in this music pavilion? How well they danced?"

"It looks much the same as the one at home. I'm glad you like it."

"Since you've said so, young master, then it's up to me?"

"Ah."

Upon hearing Li Ziyan's reply, Zhou Zhou's eyes narrowed slightly, and their gazes met.

In his eyes, she saw a tender affection as fervent as ripples on water; in her eyes, he saw a captivating brilliance as dazzling as stars.

"Let's go," Li Ziyan said.

"it is good."

Soon, time flew by, and in two days, it would be time for the government to open its seals.

As we all know, the end of the year and the beginning of the year are the busiest times, so Zhou Zhou spent several days with Li Ziyan handling official business, accumulating more than half a month's worth of work.

After finishing all that, Zhou Zhou was just about to take a few days off when the Duke of Qi's mansion sent a letter requesting that Fang Shi come to the Eastern Palace to study.

Zhou Zhou: "..."

No, did they choose the right day?

Regardless of whether the date was calculated in advance, Zhou Zhou did not intend to make things difficult for herself and directly ordered, "Go and tell them that you will enter the palace in three days."

Yes, let's give them three days off first.

"Yes."

The palace maid who delivered the message bowed respectfully and withdrew.

Three days passed quickly, and Zhou Zhou received Fang Shi, who had come to the East Palace alone, at Changxin Hall.

Fang Shi kept replaying the words of the governess from the Duke of Qi's mansion in her mind. As soon as she stepped into the doorway, she knelt down with a thud and performed a kneeling bow, saying, "This humble woman, Fang Shi, greets Your Highness the Crown Princess. May Your Highness be well."

Zhou Zhou immediately sat up straight and gestured for Dong He to help the person up. "Get up."

It wasn't that Zhou Zhou was making a fuss over nothing, but rather that the kneeling ceremony was used on important occasions; for everyday meetings, a long bow was sufficient.