Marrying the Crown Prince

"There's no need for such formalities, Madam," Li Ziyan said, withdrawing his gaze and making a gesture of support in the air. "May I ask what brings you here, Madam?"

Of course, they are interested in each other, but this is something everyone should know in their hearts and not say out loud.

"Your Highness, I've heard that the incense at Yongxing Temple is extremely efficacious. The sky is high and the clouds are light, the wind is gentle and the sun is shining, so I came here for a spring outing and to offer incense." The Duchess of Qi replied gently, then turned to Li Ziyan and said politely, "I didn't expect Your Highness to also go out of the palace for a trip. It seems that I chose an excellent day."

Li Ziyan lowered his eyes and smiled slightly, seemingly agreeing with the words of the Duchess of Qi, "Today is indeed an auspicious day."

"Then we won't disturb Your Highness's enjoyment any longer," said the Duchess of Qi, intending to take her leave.

"When I saw Miss Zhou playing chess that day, I was thinking about when I could play a game with her," Li Ziyan shook his head regretfully. "Now it seems that you don't have any free time today."

Zhou Zhou fell silent—actually, she wasn't just good at chess, so why did everyone have to bring it up?

When Grandma Zhou heard the Crown Prince's invitation, she was somewhat surprised. She turned to look at Zhou Zhou, her meaning clear: It's up to you.

"If the opportunity arises, I would certainly like to play a game with Your Highness." Zhou Zhou bowed deeply, politely declining Li Ziyan's invitation.

Li Ziyan's gaze darkened, but his expression remained as warm as a spring breeze. "Then, young lady, please don't refuse me again next time."

These words made Zhou Zhou feel like a heartless man, while Li Ziyan was a hardworking and devoted woman in a secluded mansion, patiently waiting for her husband to return home.

"Your Highness's words are etched in my mind." Zhou Zhou thought to herself, but still maintained proper etiquette.

Having escaped from Li Ziyan, Su Ye pondered for a moment and asked Zhou Zhou curiously, "Are you and His Highness the Crown Prince from the past?"

I heard that Zhou Zhou was the Seventh Princess's study companion and lived in the palace for seven years, so she must know the Crown Prince.

Zhou Zhou unconsciously recalled the scene of counting ants with Li Ziyan. This... could it be considered an acquaintance? Although the other party seemed to have forgotten about it.

After considering this, Zhou Zhou looked up at Su Ye and said, "I spoke a few words with His Highness."

Upon hearing this, Su Ye fell silent.

Soon, the group arrived at the guest room. The young monk opened the room and said goodbye, "Amitabha, this place is secluded. You may rest here. If you are bored, you may go to the bamboo forest next door. However, the back mountain is a sacred Buddhist site, and you must not go there alone."

"Don't worry, little master, we won't break the rules here." The group replied in unison.

After being assigned their rooms, the Duchess of Qi and Old Madam Zhou said their goodbyes. Both of them were eager to talk to their grandchildren and ask them about their day's harvest.

Old Mrs. Zhou told Wang and her daughter to make themselves at home and then led Zhou Zhou into a guest room.

The guest rooms in the temple are not divided into different classes. The furniture is simple, with a kang table on the ground and a few futons for people to sit and rest.

Next to the kang table, there was also a tea set and a can of tea.

Wang Gui's mother picked up the teapot and said, "This old servant will go and get some hot water."

The guest room door opens and closes, separating the inside from the outside.

"What do you think of Su Langjun, the son of the Duke of Qi?" the old lady asked bluntly.

Zhou Zhou stroked his chin and asked the old lady, "Grandmother, what do you think Master Minghui meant by that?"

"Huh?" The old lady didn't react for a moment.

"The moon sets and cold mist rises, ah!" Zhou Zhou chuckled softly, "The sun appears in the mountains and forests."

Old Mrs. Zhou frowned, then made a decision, "Marriage has always been a lifelong matter. I will send someone to investigate the young master's character. You are still young, so we are not in a hurry."

Zhou Zhou lowered her eyes, looking obedient and compliant. "Grandmother can decide."

Seeing her like this, the old lady felt sorry for her and hugged Zhou Zhou in her arms, as if to comfort her, or perhaps to comfort herself, "My Zhou Zhou is so good, many people love her, they are all blind, mistaking fish eyes for pearls."

Zhou Zhou chuckled, softened her body, and nestled in the old lady's arms, becoming even more determined in her heart.

At first, she only had some doubts, but after Master Minghui's words and the young master of the Qi State Duke's Mansion's reaction, Zhou Zhou became more and more certain that Su Ye did indeed have someone he loved.

The Duke of Qi's mansion was a family of high-ranking officials and nobles. The Duke of Qi was previously the Minister of Personnel, who held real power. Now that he is old, he has been promoted to a second-rank official position with no real power, which can be considered as a way to retire.

The heir of the Duke of Qi, before reaching the age of forty, had already been appointed as a fourth-rank official. Such a prominent family did not need their children's marriages to maintain their power.

Given this, it's quite intriguing that Su Ye still couldn't persuade his elders to let him marry the woman he loved.

Either this girl is extremely well-protected, innocent and naive, and is really unsuitable to become a matriarch; or this girl's family background is really low, and Su Ye can only manage to get her the status of a concubine by begging and pleading.

If you ask Zhou Zhoujie if he minds this, the answer is that as long as he and his sweetheart stay quietly in their own yard and don't humiliate him, it doesn't matter if he wants to have a few more people in his heart.

Anyway, he was attracted to my character, and what I was attracted to was his family background, wasn't it?

So she deliberately misled the old lady, telling her not to respond to the Duke of Qi's mansion, because she was playing a game of chess.

Firstly, it was to maintain a respectable demeanor and tell Su Ye that I was not yet of marriageable age and was not in a hurry to get married; secondly, it was to imply to Su Ye that I already knew about your love interest.

So Zhou Zhou is waiting for Su Ye to come and negotiate with him.

What if Su Ye cannot understand Zhou Zhou's deeper meaning, or if his choice is not limited to himself?

Zhou Zhou scoffed and said dismissively: Then let's find another one. Three-legged toads are hard to find, but there are plenty of two-legged men.

Soon, it was lunchtime, and someone from the Duchess of Qi's side came.

Old Madam Zhou and Zhou Zhou exchanged a glance, understanding each other perfectly—the Duke of Qi's mansion still intended to form a marriage alliance with the Marquis of Yongjing's mansion.

"I wonder what message the Duchess has asked you to convey?" Old Madam Zhou inquired.

"Madam said it's rare for us to be together, and she would like to invite you and Miss to dine together," the nanny replied in a measured tone.

This answer is not surprising at all.

It was the old lady's turn to perform. She rubbed her temples, looking haggard. "Unfortunately, I got up early today and am feeling a bit tired. I'd like to have my meal in my room. Could you please go and apologize to me?"

“Madam, you flatter me,” the old woman said, her expression changing slightly. “Please rest well. I won’t disturb you any longer. I’ll come back to kowtow to you another day.”

After everyone left, the old lady looked at Zhou Zhou and asked, "What are your plans now?"