Marrying the Crown Prince

When Zhou Cheng'an saw Li Ziyan stop, he followed his gaze and saw Zhou Zhou leisurely enjoying the good life not far away.

He explained, "Since coming to Chengming City, my little sister's personality has become much more lively and cheerful."

"The sunlight is just right; it's definitely a good time for fishing." Li Ziyan withdrew his gaze.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Cheng'an tentatively asked, "Does Your Highness wish to go fishing?"

"Since Brother Zhou has invited me so kindly, I will not stand on ceremony." Li Ziyan nodded his thanks.

Zhou Cheng'an: "..."

When did I invite you?

So when Zhou Cheng'an and Li Ziyan sat down next to him, Zhou Zhou was still confused, "Brother, Your Highness?"

Li Ziyan seemed to be in a good mood, her eyes crinkling with a smile. "Sister Zhou Zhou, do you have an extra fishing rod?"

Upon hearing the word "sister," Zhou Cheng'an slipped and nearly fell to the ground: This Crown Prince is probably up to no good. No, I can't stay here!

Zhou Zhou keenly noticed Zhou Cheng'an's disapproving look. Since her brother was unwilling, then even if there was a fishing rod, it wouldn't matter.

"Your Highness, there's only one left." Zhou Zhou sighed, feigning regret.

“In that case,” Li Ziyan said, somewhat disappointed, looking down at her and reluctantly saying, “then I will use the same fishing rod as Sister Zhou Zhou.”

A question mark slowly appeared above Zhou Zhou's head.

"Ahem!" Zhou Cheng'an suddenly interjected, "Your Highness, I have a fishing rod with me, I'll have someone send it over right away."

Li Ziyan asked somewhat embarrassedly, "Won't this be too much trouble?"

"No!" Zhou Cheng'an practically spat out the words through clenched teeth.

Soon, Zhou Zhou was flanked by two large men, each holding a fishing rod.

She looked at Li Ziyan, who looked back at her with gentle eyes and nodded politely. Zhou Zhou paused for a few seconds, then nodded as well.

Then she looked at Zhou Cheng'an and saw that her brother, whose eyes and brows were always gentle, had a somewhat cold expression.

Zhou Zhou sighed, wanting to leave this place of trouble.

She was drafting her story in her head, but before she could even finish it, the fish took the bait.

"Oh?" Zhou Zhou smiled with delight and put the big, fat fish into the fish bucket.

Once it happens, it happens again. Soon, Zhou Zhou's fishing rod was being bitten by fish again.

At this moment, Li Ziyan also glanced over and thought to himself: Could it be that the feng shui here is not very good?

While he was still hesitating about whether to change his position, Zhou Zhou had already caught his third fish.

Li Ziyan and Zhou Chengan: ? ? ?

Zhou Zhou stood up, smiling brightly. "Your Highness, brother, I've already caught my fish, so I won't play here anymore. You two are having more fun."

After saying that, Zhou Zhou directed the old woman to carry the fish bucket to the kitchen: Today, we're having fish head stew with tofu.

Watching Zhou Zhou leave without looking back, Li Ziyan put down her fishing rod, still puzzled, "Why are the fish over there always biting the bait?"

“Zhouzhou has always been like this since she was little,” Zhou Chengan said coldly, standing up as well. His gaze was sharp as he looked into Li Ziyan’s eyes. “Your Highness, Zhouzhou may just be an ordinary subject in your heart, but to me, she will always be my sister.”

If an ordinary person had made such a threat, Li Ziyan would have simply laughed it off and wouldn't have bothered to even glance at him, but... this person was her own brother.

Li Ziyan also dropped his warm demeanor and stared intently at him. "Brother Zhou, in my heart, she is not an ordinary subject."

Zhou Cheng'an's pupils contracted, and he said incredulously, "Your Highness, do you... know what you're saying?"

Li Ziyan took two steps forward, walked to Zhou Chengan's side, and patted him on the shoulder. "Of course I know."

After saying that, he brushed past Zhou Cheng'an and walked towards the gate.

Li Ziyan had walked four or five steps before Zhou Chengan came to his senses and turned around to question, "Your Highness and Miss Chu... have you ever thought about how Zhouzhou should conduct herself?"

Upon hearing this, Li Ziyan paused, turned around and looked up. A gentle breeze blew by, lifting his robes so that they fluttered and danced like a battle flag hanging high in the sky.

"I will give Brother Zhou an explanation," he said firmly and calmly.

Zhou Cheng'an took a deep breath and continued under pressure, "In that case, Your Highness, please refrain from provoking us before you have finished dealing with this matter."

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Ziyan's aura changed. He looked over with a sharp gaze, his imposing presence making people afraid to look him in the eye. His black pupils were like a calm and deep lake, dark and mysterious, making Zhou Cheng'an feel uneasy.

"I have remembered what Brother Zhou said." Li Ziyan lowered his eyebrows, concealed his aura, and resumed his usual gentle and refined demeanor.

After saying that, he stepped out of the Zhou family's house.

Zhou Cheng'an's legs went weak, and he almost fell to the ground.

During dinner, Zhou Zhou looked at the fish head and tofu stew on the table, and the image of Li Ziyan involuntarily floated into his mind.

She rubbed her temples to calm herself, then scooped up a spoonful of fish and savored it.

After being carefully and meticulously cooked, the fish releases an enticing aroma. One bite reveals its delicate and rich texture, and incredibly fresh and fragrant flavor—it's a true feast for the senses.

Zhou Zhou relaxed her brows and eyes, squinting happily, her wavering heart finally making a decision.

Having eaten and drunk her fill and slept well, Zhou Zhou slept soundly until dawn, feeling refreshed and radiant. Just as she finished washing up, a maid from Chengming Palace came to deliver a message—inviting her to the palace for a banquet the next day.

"Thank you for making this trip so early, Granny. You must be very tired." Zhou Zhou placed her beautiful hands on the table, exuding elegance and grace.

Jufang quickly walked to the old woman's side, took out a purse, and said, "This little bit of silver is a token of my young lady's appreciation. Please take it and use it to buy some snacks."

The old woman took the purse, her smile becoming more genuine. "Miss Zhou, you're too kind. This is what we servants should do."

"What you're saying, Granny, makes me blush," Zhou Zhou said, touching her hair. She then asked about the purpose of the money, "I wonder how many other girls are at this banquet besides me?"

"Her Majesty the Empress invited only a dozen or so girls, all from noble families." Having received a bribe, the nanny naturally revealed everything she knew.

"I see, thank you very much, Granny." Zhou Zhou's eyes sparkled.

"I have delivered the message. Her Majesty is waiting for me to return and report, so I will not stay any longer."

"In that case, I won't keep you any longer, Granny."

After saying that, Zhou Zhou waved to Ju Fang to see the old woman off.