Marrying the Crown Prince

"Have you decided what you want to perform for me?" Emperor Chenze asked.

Before Emperor Chenze arrived, her answer to this question was to write a line, because it was quick and convenient; but now that the Emperor and the Crown Prince have both arrived, she can't just give a perfunctory answer.

"I remember that Miss Qingwu and Miss Zhou were classmates?" the Imperial Concubine suddenly asked, her words carrying a deeper meaning.

Wang Qingwu and Zhou Zhou were both tutors to the Seventh Princess. As a result, the Wang family's daughter became widely known for her talent, while the Zhou family's daughter seemed to be invisible.

Hearing the Consort's words, Consort De was in a good mood. You see, she specifically mentioned Zhou Zhou's name because she had heard that this companion of the Zhou family had no special skills and wanted to see Consort Mei make a fool of herself.

"Your Majesty, I remember that Miss Qingwu is a child of the Grand Tutor's family?" Consort Shu spoke for the second time, seemingly without revealing any useful information, but inadvertently helping Zhou Zhou once again.

The Grand Tutor was learned and knowledgeable. He treated his juniors, regardless of gender, with strict discipline. Both Wang Qingwu and Wang Yutong were renowned for their talent.

This kind of child is someone that ordinary people wouldn't compare themselves to.

Sure enough, after hearing Consort Shu's words, Emperor Chenze looked at Zhou Zhou with even more kindness. "Little girl, there's no need to feel too much pressure. Most people in the world are just ordinary people, and few can compete with you."

"Thank you for your guidance, Your Majesty. I have already decided what to do." Zhou Zhou looked up at Emperor Chenze, her eyes seemingly sparkling with stars, mysterious and resolute.

Emperor Chenze was slightly taken aback, thinking to himself: It seems that the Zhou family's daughter is not an unknown person.

"Oh?" A hint of anticipation appeared on his face. "What program is it?"

"I am dull-witted and have no knowledge of music or music for the past few decades," Zhou Zhou replied, bowing. "I only have some knowledge of chess."

Those who excel at planning are also skilled at playing chess.

However, many people did not expect Zhou Zhou to make things difficult for them. You know, in matters of music, one can lie through one's teeth and exaggerate, but in the art of chess, the outcome is obvious.

Furthermore, Fu Jingchuan, known as the Little Chess Saint, is present. If His Majesty were to choose him to play against Zhou Zhou, the Zhou family would be a laughingstock today.

As everyone expected, Emperor Chenze named Fu Jingchuan.

Consort Mei's heart tightened, and she felt a little dissatisfied with Emperor Chenze's decision—perhaps you also want to see me make a fool of myself?

Emperor Chenze gave the order, and the palace servants quickly brought over a chessboard and chairs. They also brought over a large chessboard and placed it in the center. Zhou Zhou and Fu Jingchuan would play on the small chessboard, while the eunuchs would place their pieces one-on-one on the large chessboard.

The two people stood in front of the chessboard, bowed to each other, and were praised for prioritizing courtesy and showing mutual deference.

Fu Jingchuan had achieved fame at a young age and enjoyed a great reputation for many years. Seeing that Zhou Zhou was still young and a woman, he couldn't help but look down on her and spoke arrogantly, "Miss, I won't hold back. Don't cry then."

Compared to his arrogance, Zhou Zhou's face was calm and his mind was at ease. "I have learned a lot. Please, Young Master Fu."

Fu Jingchuan was taken aback by Zhou Zhou's attitude, feeling as if he had just thrown a powerful punch but hit a cotton ball.

He thought to himself: I'll make her pay when the time comes!

In the game of guessing size, Zhou Zhou guessed correctly and went first with the black pieces.

At first, both of them played their pieces very slowly, testing each other. But after a short while, Zhou Zhou started playing faster and faster, which prompted Fu Jingchuan to play much faster as well.

The sounds of chess playing echoed across the board, like music, stirring and exciting; like a battlefield, where swords flashed and spears clashed as they aimed to take the enemy's head.

In a game of Go, when masters clash, it's as if an invisible wall has formed around them. One side calmly and collectedly responds to the attacks, while the other slowly and steadily pursues them. Both are waiting for the other to reveal a weakness, hoping to deliver a fatal blow.

The two eunuchs were unable to keep up with their pace of placing the pieces, and they were both somewhat flustered. Such a scene was really affecting the viewing experience for others.

Emperor Chenze waved his hand, summoning his chief eunuch to help. The three of them worked together to restore order to the situation.

Because both sides were fiercely competing, each trying to create traps for the other, those who were not good at the game, like Empress Chu, had already turned their gaze away in frustration; while those who were good at the game, like Emperor Chenze, kept their eyes glued to the chessboard, afraid of missing any important moves.

As time went on, Fu Jingchuan slowed down his moves, but Zhou Zhou continued to press him relentlessly. Every time he made a move, she would follow suit, as if she knew exactly where he would place his piece.

Sweat gradually beaded on Fu Jingchuan's forehead, and the previous ease on his face vanished, replaced by fear and shock.

Finally, as Zhou Zhou placed his last piece, Fu Jingchuan was already drenched in sweat, his clothes soaked through the back.

He closed his eyes resignedly, "I lost."

Zhou Zhou slowly stood up, cupped his hands and said, "Young Master Fu, you admit it."

Seeing that she remained calm and composed, Fu Jingchuan finally couldn't help but speak up in a resentful voice, "Did you foresee this scene all along?"

They're still just kids; they haven't experienced enough setbacks. They get so angry over losing just one game.

Zhou Zhou straightened up and looked down at Fu Jingchuan, who was still sitting in the chair, her eyes full of pity.

Fu Jingchuan immediately exploded like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, "What do you mean by this?"

"Yes." Zhou Zhou nodded.

"What did you say?" Upon hearing Zhou Zhou's calm tone, Fu Jingchuan's surging anger immediately subsided.

“I said, I did expect you to lose,” Zhou Zhou replied.

Feeling looked down upon like this, Fu Jingchuan gritted his teeth, about to retort, when he heard Zhou Zhou say, "You underestimated your opponent."

Those four simple words deflated Fu Jingchuan, causing him to slump into his chair.

Such a scene was beyond the expectations of most people present. They stared in disbelief, unable to believe that Fu Jingchuan had actually lost to an unknown person.

Of course, they wouldn't doubt Fu Jingchuan's abilities, so the eighth daughter of the Zhou family was probably not the mediocre person they thought she was.

"Good, good, good!" Emperor Chenze exclaimed, "The Zhou family's daughter is truly remarkable. She possesses both virtue and talent. No wonder your aunt always mentions you to me."

Consort Mei: "..."

Aside from mentioning Zhou Zhou's name to Emperor Chenze a few days ago, she really didn't know when she had mentioned it before.

Upon hearing Emperor Chenze's praise, the matriarchs present, all of whom had sons of marriageable age, began to scrutinize Zhou Zhou.

Consort De's smile was much stiffer—she had wanted to see Consort Mei make a fool of herself, but instead, she lost out and the Zhou family girl stole the limelight.

Zhou Zhou remained composed. "Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty. My aunt has indeed treated me very well, and I will always remember it."

She was eloquent and perceptive; the more Emperor Chenze looked at Zhou Zhou, the more satisfied he became: not to mention being the fifth prince's wife, she was even fit to be the crown princess.

Therefore, apart from the fact that the parties involved were unaware of and unwilling to participate in the marriage, both sets of parents were extremely satisfied with it.