Marrying the Crown Prince

The cicadas chirped in June, the lotus flowers on the lake stood tall and graceful, a gentle breeze blew, and the green lotus leaves swayed in the wind, carrying the fragrance of the flowers.

Zhou Zhou stood beside the lotus pond, feeling relaxed and cheerful, her eyes crinkling with happiness.

However, this tranquility was soon broken when Chu Xuan walked over, nodded and greeted her, "Miss Zhou."

Zhou Zhou regained his composure and looked up at her. She was wearing a light blue soft silk dress with lotus and bird patterns, her hair was tied up in a high bun, and she wore red gold hairpins and hair ornaments, making her look noble and elegant.

While Zhou Zhou was sizing up Chu Xuan, Chu Xuan was also observing Zhou Zhou.

Unlike her usual understated and elegant attire, Zhou Zhou wore a crimson satin blouse embroidered with gold butterflies and flowers. The upper garment was very thin, the fabric was soft and fluffy, and it was embroidered with gold threads, which shimmered in the sunlight.

Her clothes were gorgeous, her makeup was charming and lovely, her eyebrows were delicate, her eyes were like autumn water, her lips were like cherry blossoms, and her skin was as white as jade. She had a sharp beauty that was stunning and even aggressive.

“Miss Chu,” Zhou Zhou nodded in response, “is something the matter?”

She didn't have much interaction with Chu Xuan; she only knew that Chu Xuan existed, but they probably hadn't spoken more than twice.

"I've often heard of Miss Zhou's beautiful reputation and was curious, so I wanted to get to know her," Chu Xuan said with a smile, her eyes clear and without any ulterior motive.

but……

Zhou Zhou was a little curious; where did she get her reputation?

She soon knew the answer.

"At that peach blossom banquet, I saw that you were an excellent chess player," Chu Xuan said to herself. "I have always been bad at chess since I was a child, and I drove away several of my teachers."

Zhou Zhou's eyes swept lightly across her face, knowing that she was trying to be friendly to him, but he didn't understand why she wanted to be friendly to him.

"Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses, Miss Chu, please don't worry about it," Zhou Zhou comforted her softly. "In fact, Miss Chu, do you have any special skills?"

"I'm ashamed," Chu Xuan sighed with a hint of regret, shaking her head, "I have no particular skills, so I really admire Miss Zhou. I wonder what Miss Zhou is not very good at?"

Hearing her words, Zhou Zhou chuckled. This... really wasn't the case.

However, while that's what I think, I can't say it like that.

"My needlework is a little lacking," Zhou Zhou replied.

Compared to those women who do double-sided embroidery or embroidery with different colors on both sides, her needlework is truly unbearable to look at.

It's easy to hit someone who's smiling, so Chu Xuan took the initiative to be friendly. Both of them were talkative and intelligent, and within a short while, they agreed to go out for tea and snacks together.

The hibiscus cakes prepared by Empress Chu for this banquet were fragrant and soft, slightly sweet, with the aroma of flowers and leaves, and also a little bitter, but that little bit of bitterness made the fragrance even better.

Zhou Zhou picked up a piece and took a small bite. Chu Xuan saw this and suddenly said, "What a coincidence, His Highness the Crown Prince also likes to use this hibiscus cake."

Zhou Zhou listened to her words without showing it on his face, but he was a little surprised in his heart. Chu Xuan and Li Ziyan were cousins. Regardless of whether their relationship was good or bad, she should have called him "Crown Prince Brother" like Li Zixi and the others. Why was she so distant and polite?

As for her knowing that Li Ziyan liked hibiscus cake, if she had been by Empress Chu's side for many years, she would have figured out the preferences of the mother and son, so as not to break any taboos.

"This hibiscus cake really tastes good." She slowly swallowed the hibiscus cake in her mouth, and the topic remained the hibiscus cake, without following Chu Xuan's words to shift the topic to Li Ziyan.

Chu Xuan didn't mind and continued, following Zhou Zhou's words, "I just don't like this hibiscus cake. I think it has a bitter taste."

As she spoke, she picked up a lotus flower roll, "I love sweets, I like this."

After Chu Xuan finished speaking, Zhou Zhou finished her hibiscus cake. She picked up her teacup, took a sip, and then smiled faintly. "Sister Chu, the sky's the limit. I will get what I want."

Seeing that Zhou Zhou understood and even had time to make grand promises to her, Chu Xuan smiled and said, "Then I'll take your kind words, little sister."

After the palace banquet ended, Chu Xuan walked down the long street and bumped into Li Ziyan. She bowed and said, "Greetings, Crown Prince Brother."

Li Ziyan walked over slowly, somewhat surprised, "It's over?"

"Yes, Miss Zhou has already returned to the manor." Chu Xuan walked alongside him, and the two did not appear as cold and distant as they had in front of Empress Chu; on the contrary, they seemed to have a good relationship.

Hearing that Zhou Zhou wasn't there, Li Ziyan felt a little disappointed. "Did she...have she had fun today?"

Chu Xuan recalled Zhou Zhou's stunning appearance today and remarked, "Not bad, she was absolutely gorgeous."

"Huh?" Li Ziyan was puzzled. He was delayed by something and could not attend, but there were people watching over everything at the banquet, and he had not heard them report anything unusual that had happened at the banquet.

Seeing that he didn't understand, Chu Xuan was too lazy to explain and brought up the matter they had agreed on before, "Brother Crown Prince, the matter has been settled. You promised me, so you can't break your word."

"Don't worry," Li Ziyan nodded, "I will naturally take my sister's affairs to heart."

“Brother Crown Prince, that’s true, but,” Chu Xuan looked at him indifferently, “it’s just such a simple sentence, but it makes me uneasy.”

Li Ziyan glanced at her sideways, "Five days later."

It was originally supposed to take three days, but now the petty man wants to drag it out for two more days.

Chu Xuan had no idea that this man was so petty. She left happily, leaving behind a remark before she departed: "If Crown Prince Brother is willing, it would be better if he stepped forward himself."

Li Ziyan gave a light hum in response, but inwardly he sighed—of course he wanted to step forward himself, but he didn't dare to gamble without being 100% certain of success in front of Zhou Zhou.

On the other side, upon hearing that Li Ziyan had something to do, she rushed over and met Chu Xuan on the long street. The two chatted happily, and Empress Chu was all smiles.

She cheerfully pulled her personal maidservant along and said, "Granny, I felt a magpie chirping under the eaves early this morning. Do you think good news is coming soon?"

"That's natural." Empress Chu was raised by the nanny, so she was willing to coax her.

In fact, it wasn't just the nanny who coaxed her; the Marquis of Beiping, the Marquis's wife, and... Chu Xuan also coaxed and went along with Empress Chu.

They knew the bitterness of the inner palace, but they could not defy the emperor's will. They could only marry Empress Chu to Emperor Chenze. Because they felt guilty, Empress Chu would always come to accompany Chu Xuan whenever she wanted Chu Xuan to visit the palace.

Even when Empress Chu wanted to matchmake Li Ziyan and Chu Xuan, Marquis Beiping could only sigh silently and did not object.

After all, the Crown Prince's marriage is not Empress Chu's decision. If she likes to make a fuss, let her make a fuss, so she won't be bored when she has nothing to do.

On the other side, in Consort Mei's bedroom, she held Li Zixi in her arms, the mother and daughter snuggling together, a very warm and tender scene.

Consort Mei reached out and stroked her daughter's long hair, which was soft, smooth, and slightly cool. "Have you thought about what I asked you the other day?"