Marrying the Crown Prince

So when her personal maid came in and whispered to Madam Du, Madam Du smiled slightly and looked at Li Ziyan, "Your Highness, the weather is quite nice today."

Indeed, after several days of overcast skies and the chilly autumn winds, the late autumn winds are bone-chilling. Today, the sun has finally come out, and the weather is no longer so cold.

Li Ziyan looked out the window and agreed, "I think this kind of good weather is perfect for a spring outing."

He specially chose this fine weather and day, how could he dare to just come over casually? So, on such a nice day, could we call Zhouzhou out?

“Yes, that’s true. I was thinking of picking an auspicious day to go to the temple to burn incense, but unfortunately I’ve been too busy lately and can’t get away. It’s a real pity.” Madam Du shook her head regretfully, then changed the subject, “Fortunately, there’s a fishpond in the mansion. I sometimes steal a moment from my busy schedule to go fishing there, which can be considered a leisurely and elegant activity.”

"Madam, you have indeed worked hard managing the household." Li Ziyan understood the implication in Madam Du's words, and his eyes couldn't help but show a pleased expression.

"Oh, it's just some trivial stuff, just something for Your Highness to laugh at." Madam Du covered her mouth and laughed, then continued, "But there are indeed many trivial matters. The maid just called me, please forgive me, Your Highness."

"Please do as you please, Madam," Li Ziyan said, indicating his understanding.

Madam Du stood up, met Zhou Laowu's pleading gaze, and smiled sweetly, "Fifth Master, why don't you take His Highness fishing? I'll be right back."

After saying this, she apologized to Li Ziyan again: "Excuse me."

Li Ziyan nodded and stood up. Zhou Laowu also hurriedly got up, and the two of them watched Du Shi leave together.

After Du left, Li Ziyan looked at Zhou Laowu with a half-smile.

Zhou Laowu was on the verge of tears, swallowed hard, and said, "Your Highness, the scenery at that fishpond is indeed quite beautiful. Would you like to come and take a look with me?"

"Thank you for your trouble." Li Ziyan's smile deepened.

"No, no," Zhou Laowu hurriedly waved his hand, "Your Highness, this way please."

Previously, the Yongjing Marquis's residence did not have a fishpond, only a lotus pond. It was at the beginning of this year that Madam Du mentioned that raising fish would be good, as it could generate wealth and provide a place for people to fish in their leisure time.

What was said unintentionally was taken to heart by the old lady and Zhang Shi.

Old Mrs. Zhou brought up this matter with the old Marquis. The old Marquis was a man of refined tastes, fond of things like "an old man in a straw hat and raincoat, fishing alone on a snowy river." Upon hearing that fishing was an option, he nodded in agreement.

Old Zhou didn't have any particular hobbies, but since his wife liked it, he decided to do it.

So, after the lotus flowers faded this year, Zhou Laoda followed the old lady's arrangement and cleared the lotus pond, dividing it into two areas. One area was used to raise carp and water lilies for ornamental purposes; the other area was used to raise grass carp, catfish, turtles, and the like, so that people could go there to fish and pass the time when they had nothing to do.

Before the 15th of August, the fishpond was renovated and officially opened for public use.

When Zhou Zhou had nothing to do, he would go fishing. As for how many fish he caught, it depended on the weather. On cloudy or rainy days, even Zhou Zhou could only catch one or two fish. On sunny days, he could catch five or six fish, and occasionally he could catch one or two turtles.

Now, Zhou Zhou spends his free time fishing there.

She moved a small stool, brewed tea beside her, and sat under the pavilion. Although she couldn't get any direct sunlight, the bright sunshine still lifted her spirits considerably.

Li Ziyan quickly stepped forward and came to her side. "Sister Zhou Zhou, you seem to be in a good mood?"

Zhou Zhou looked up at him, her brows and eyes gentle, her eyes filled with joy. "I am naturally delighted that Your Highness has come here."

Her eyes were bright, and her reflection was clearly visible in them.

Li Ziyan's hand involuntarily reached out and placed on her hair, gently rubbing it.

"I miss you so much." His voice was soft and low, yet it easily penetrated Zhou Zhou's heart, like a cat gently scratching her heart with its paws, soft and tender.

Zhou Zhou blinked and quickly rubbed his ear. Just as he had expected, it was red and hot.

Watching from the side, Zhou Laowu felt a mix of emotions. He felt he should assert his authority as a father-in-law and give Li Ziyan a hard time; but... he was too cowardly.

This father-in-law is really something else.

Zhou Zhou noticed Zhou Laowu, who was extremely embarrassed, and after a moment of silence, she said, "Father, you go ahead and do your work. I will take care of His Highness."

Old Zhou breathed a long sigh of relief, feeling touched: His daughter was the best, knowing to help her father out of a predicament; his wife was the worst, actually abandoning him.

Seeing her father finally loosen his grip on her hand, turn around nimbly, and walk away with a clattering sound, Zhou Zhou's eyebrows curved into a smile.

Li Ziyan leaned down, blocking Zhou Zhou's view, and asked, "Little sister Zhou Zhou, how will you take care of me while you're fishing here?"

He was standing quite close, and Zhou Zhou could clearly see the delicate lines on Li Ziyan's fair skin and his thick, bushy eyelashes. Beneath those eyelashes were a pair of amorous eyes, clear yet alluring.

Zhou Zhou's throat tightened, and he involuntarily leaned back, forcing a smile as he said, "It's my fault. Your Highness has been here for so long, and I've made you stand here. I deserve to die."

"Hmm, how should you punish him?" Li Ziyan's voice was seductive.

Zhou Zhou clenched her fists and leaned back. Then the small stool gave way, and she leaned back, her hands instinctively reaching forward to grab Li Ziyan's collar.

Li Ziyan bent down, looked down at her, and finally felt better after waiting for so long at the Yongjing Marquis's residence to see Zhou Zhou. Satisfied, he straightened up and pulled the young girl up with him.

"How could you be so careless?" he asked with a smile, his face, eyes, and voice all beaming with joy, clearly in a very good mood.

Zhou Zhou blinked, looking at him innocently, pretending not to know what Li Ziyan was talking about.

Li Ziyan gently touched her forehead with his finger, his voice warm and gentle, "Don't look at me like that."

His fingertips were burning hot, making Zhou Zhou feel dizzy.

She touched her forehead, then looked at Sizhu with a silly grin, "Sizhu, go and bring a chair for His Highness the Crown Prince."

Sizhu nodded and quickly left.

Soon, Li Ziyan and Zhou Zhou sat side by side, one holding a fishing rod while the other had nothing in his hands.

Zhou Zhou asked again, "Your Highness, are you sure you don't want the fishing rod?"

Li Ziyan remained silent for a moment, then shook his head and refused, "I'll just watch."

It wasn't for any other reason than that I remembered the last time I went fishing with her, and I was really devastated.

He spoke sincerely, so Zhou Zhou started playing by herself and stopped paying attention to him.