The Eldest Daughter Returns with Power

"Master, has Grandmaster returned?" Accompanied by a clear and melodious call like a nightingale's song, Gongsun Ruotang's light footsteps came from outside the door. The sound was like a clear spring, stirring up ripples in the quiet courtyard.

Inside the room, Zhuang Yichen frowned slightly upon hearing the sound. He quickly turned to look at his wife beside him and anxiously instructed in a low voice, "Hurry up, compose yourself, and don't let Ruo'er notice anything amiss!" His gaze was full of concern as he stared intently at Tang Yuluo.

Tang Yulu took a deep breath, trying to calm the turmoil in her heart. Then she slowly stood up, gently tidied her slightly messy hair, and walked towards the door with a forced calm demeanor.

A moment later, a pretty and adorable little girl in a pink dress came into Tang Yulu's view like a blooming peach blossom. Her face was slightly flushed, and a few glistening beads of sweat clung to her forehead, indicating that she had clearly run all the way there.

"Ruo'er, what's the matter that you're in such a hurry?" Tang Yulu smiled gently as she looked at the lively and charming little girl in front of her, who was like an elf.

Gongsun Ruotang blinked excitedly, then, like a joyful little butterfly, she rushed into Madam Yulu's warm embrace, saying coquettishly, "Master, my cousin the Crown Prince has come to see you and Grandmaster with my eldest and second senior brothers! I was afraid you wouldn't know, so I came to let you know first. They're not far behind!"

Zhuang Yichen's heart skipped a beat when he heard that the Crown Prince had come to visit with his two disciples, but his expression remained calm. He simply nodded slightly and replied indifferently, "Yes, I understand. Ruo'er, go and keep them company. Your master and I will make some preparations and arrive shortly."

Upon hearing this, Gongsun Ruotang nodded obediently, then turned and ran away as quickly as she had come, leaving behind a string of silvery laughter echoing in the air.

Tang Yulu slowly turned her head, her gaze falling on Zhuang Yichen's handsome face, a hint of worry in her eyes: "Husband, the Emperor just mentioned to you that he wanted to choose a husband for Ruo'er, how come the Crown Prince has found an excuse to bring Mo'er and Sheng'er to visit you so soon? Is there some hidden meaning in this...?"

Zhuang Yichen sensed his wife's worry. He gently reached out and patted Tang Yulu's slightly slender hand, softly comforting her, "My dear wife, don't worry. Even if there's more to this than meets the eye, I will have a way to deal with it. Just relax and don't let this trouble you."

After speaking, Zhuang Yichen and Tang Yulu exchanged a smile, their unspoken understanding evident. Then, the two straightened their clothes and walked steadily toward the door.

Outside the Lanyue Pavilion, an exquisite lakeside pavilion stands in the middle of the lake. A gentle breeze ripples across the water, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene.

At this moment, Crown Prince Si Yunchen stood quietly in the pavilion in the middle of the lake with his hands behind his back. His posture was as upright as a pine tree, and his magnificent brocade robe further accentuated his extraordinary temperament.

Standing beside him were Zhuang Yichen's eldest disciple, Yuwen Mo, and his second disciple, Nangong Sheng. Yuwen Mo had striking features and a commanding presence; Nangong Sheng, on the other hand, had a handsome face and a refined demeanor. Both men were exceptionally good-looking, leaving a lasting impression.

Before long, Zhuang Yichen and Tang Yu walked over gracefully, their figures gradually drawing closer.

Before they could even offer their greetings, Crown Prince Si Yunchen, with a smile on his face, quickly stepped forward and said, "Mr. Zhuang, last night at the palace banquet, I saw you chatting happily with the Emperor, so I did not dare to disturb you. Today, I have specially brought Brother Mo and the others to the palace to visit you. I hope you will not take offense!"

Upon hearing this, Zhuang Yichen quickly bowed slightly to the Crown Prince, a perfectly measured smile on his face, and replied, "Your Highness is too kind. It was my great honor to have had a long conversation with His Majesty last night!"

Tang Yulu moved forward gracefully with her lotus-like steps, gave an elegant curtsy, and said softly, "Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Si Yunchen's gaze, like the warm sun in spring, fell gently and warmly on Tang Yuluo. With a smile on his lips, he said slowly, "Madam Yuluo, there is no need for such formality. I have long heard of your name, but now that I have seen your face, I know that seeing is believing! You are truly graceful and have an extraordinary temperament."

Upon hearing the Crown Prince's praise, Tang Yulu quickly bowed and replied, "Your Highness flatters me. I am but an ordinary woman and do not deserve such praise." Her voice remained soft and melodious, as pleasant as a nightingale's song.

At this moment, the Crown Prince smiled slightly, seemingly to ease the somewhat restrained atmosphere, and explained, "At yesterday's banquet, Brother Mo and the others were unable to have a full chat with you two, which was a great pity. Therefore, today, I have specially invited them to the palace and led them here to pay their respects." After speaking, he turned to the side and gestured for the people behind him to step forward.

Upon seeing this, Yuwen Mo and Nangong Sheng quickly stepped forward and respectfully bowed to Zhuang Yichen and Tang Yulu, saying in unison, "Master and Mistress, we have missed you both dearly these past few days." Their words were filled with sincere emotion.

Zhuang Yichen nodded slightly, a gratified smile on his face, his eyes revealing his affection for his two disciples. He slowly said, "Get up quickly, your master and your mistress are both well, there's no need to worry."

Yuwen Mo stood tall and straight, his voice loud and clear, saying, "Master, I know that you and your wife promised Junior Sister that you would stay in the palace for a while, so I specially brought you those books that you usually love to read." Standing beside him, Nangong Sheng also nodded frequently in agreement.

A hint of relief flashed in Zhuang Yichen's eyes as he slowly said, "It's truly heartwarming to see how much effort you've put in."

After speaking, he reached out his hands and carefully took the books from Yuwen Mo's hands, gently stroking the covers of the books.

Tang Yulu smiled, her beautiful eyes filled with tenderness as she gazed at the two disciples before her and asked softly, "You two, your master and I have only been in the palace for two days, is it really necessary?"

Yuwen Mo bowed slightly and replied respectfully, "Reporting to Master's wife, we naturally don't worry about you when you're at the manor, but this is a special situation." Nangong Sheng also nodded hurriedly in agreement.

Just then, Crown Prince Si Yunchen, who had been standing silently to the side, suddenly interjected, smiling as he said to Zhuang Yichen, "Mr. Zhuang, look at Brother Yuwen and Brother Nangong. They are truly outstanding individuals. Not only are their martial arts skills superb, but their literary attainments are also unfathomable, in no way inferior to the top scholar in this imperial examination! This is undoubtedly due in no small part to your careful cultivation and earnest teachings as a renowned teacher."

Zhuang Yichen wore a humble smile and bowed slightly, saying, "Your Highness is too kind. These two children are naturally gifted, and they are also very diligent and hardworking. As their teacher, I only provided some guidance and instruction. I don't deserve such praise!"

Hearing Zhuang Yichen's words, everyone nodded in praise of his humility and politeness. Afterwards, they exchanged pleasantries and greetings, and the atmosphere gradually became relaxed and pleasant.

The group sat down in the pavilion in the middle of the lake. The lake water around the pavilion shimmered, and a gentle breeze caused the lotus leaves to sway softly, creating a beautiful scene that seemed to unfold before their eyes.

A short while later, a group of maids dressed in emerald green filed in, carrying exquisite trays on which were placed various kinds of tea snacks and fragrant tea.

These tea snacks are uniquely shaped, some resembling blooming flowers, others like tiny, exquisite animals; and the cups of fragrant tea are clear and bright, steaming hot, with the aroma rising and gradually permeating the entire lakeside pavilion, making people feel refreshed and relaxed.

"Master, you spent so long at your uncle's place today. What did you two talk about?" Gongsun Ruotang blinked her big, bright eyes and asked Zhuang Yichen with a face full of curiosity. Her charming and lovely appearance made people feel affection for her.

Seeing this, Zhuang Yichen smiled and gently pinched Gongsun Ruotang's nose, saying, "You little brat, why are you so inquisitive?" After saying that, he exchanged a glance with Tang Yulu, who was standing next to him.

When Gongsun Ruotang saw that her master was unwilling to tell her, she pouted and shook Zhuang Yichen's arm, acting coquettishly: "Oh, master~ I'm just curious, please tell me."

Unable to resist her persistent pestering, Zhuang Yichen could only shake his head helplessly and reply, "Alright, alright, I'll tell you. Your uncle and I just played a few games of chess." After saying that, he gently flicked Gongsun Ruotang's forehead with his finger.

Gongsun Ruotang rubbed the spot where her master had tapped her, then looked up and continued to ask, "Chess? Then, Master, who won in the end?" She tilted her head up, looking at Zhuang Yichen expectantly, as if she absolutely had to get an answer.

At this moment, Tang Yuluo, who had been standing to the side, finally couldn't stand it anymore. She stepped forward, took Gongsun Ruotang's hand, and scolded her, "Ruo'er, you're too curious. If your master doesn't want to tell, then so be it." However, Gongsun Ruotang persisted and continued to stare at Zhuang Yichen with eager eyes.

Zhuang Yichen looked helplessly at the stubborn Gongsun Ruotang in front of him, and couldn't help but sigh.

He knew that if he continued to persist, the little girl would probably keep pestering him.

So he finally gave in, shaking his head slightly and sighing as he said, "Fine, fine, I give up. To tell you the truth, when I played chess with your uncle just now, I did have a slight advantage, winning by a single piece."

Upon hearing this, Gongsun Ruotang's already bright eyes instantly lit up with surprise. She clapped her hands excitedly, and her clear laughter rang out like silver bells: "Haha, Master is truly amazing! Even my uncle the Emperor is no match for you!" In an instant, laughter filled the entire courtyard.

Just then, Crown Prince Si Yunchen, who had been silent all along, suddenly interjected seemingly casually: "Mr. Zhuang's chess skills are so exquisite and superb, it is truly admirable. It just so happens that I recently had the good fortune to acquire a chessboard that can be described as a rare treasure. I wonder if Mr. Zhuang would be interested in coming to admire and appreciate it together?"

Zhuang Yichen's heart skipped a beat, and a strange feeling welled up inside him.

He pondered inwardly whether there was any hidden meaning behind the Crown Prince's words, but on the surface he maintained a calm and composed expression, and replied with a smile: "I am naturally more than happy to accept Your Highness's kind invitation."

Before long, the Crown Prince ordered his men to bring over the mysterious chessboard. Upon seeing this, everyone curiously gathered around, eager to see what this legendary rare treasure looked like.

When the chessboard was revealed to everyone, they were all amazed. The chessboard was as smooth and lustrous as jade, its surface intricately patterned, as if countless glittering stars from the night sky had fallen to earth and transformed into this magical stone chessboard. Its exquisite craftsmanship and beautiful design were simply breathtaking.

Just as everyone was immersed in the beautiful scenery before them and exclaimed in admiration, the incomparably noble crown prince suddenly turned his gaze to Gongsun Ruotang, who was standing quietly to the side. With a smile on his lips, he said softly, "Sister Ruo'er, I have long heard that your zither skills are superb and unparalleled. On such a fine day and beautiful scenery, I wonder if you would be so kind as to play a piece for everyone and add to the elegance?"

Upon hearing this, Gongsun Ruotang was slightly taken aback, then turned to look at her master and grandmaster, her eyes filled with a questioning look.

After seeing her master and grandmaster smile and nod, she nodded gently and then softly instructed her maid Tangqiu, "Tangqiu, quickly go and fetch my Qiwu Qin."

Before long, Tang Qiu hurriedly returned, carrying the ancient Qiwu Qin in her hands, and carefully placed it on a smooth, jade-like stone platform not far away.

Gongsun Ruotang moved gracefully to the stone platform and sat down elegantly on the stone bench. With a light flick of her jade-like fingers, she landed on the strings of the zither like a nimble butterfly. In an instant, melodious and plaintive music rippled outwards like waves, lingering in everyone's ears.

Everyone present was captivated, as if they were in a dreamlike fairyland.

However, just as everyone was captivated by the exquisite music, no one noticed that the Crown Prince, taking advantage of the others' inattention, quietly leaned close to Zhuang Yichen's ear and whispered, "Mr. Zhuang, to be honest, I have fallen in love with Sister Ruo'er at first sight and intend to marry her. I hope you can grant my request."

Upon hearing this, Zhuang Yichen was taken aback. He turned his head sharply, looking at the Crown Prince in disbelief, his mouth slightly open as if he wanted to say something, but for a moment he didn't know how to respond.

Just then, the flowing music suddenly stopped without warning, and the entire courtyard fell into silence.

Everyone was stunned and looked at Gongsun Ruotang. Her pretty face was flushed, clearly she had heard what the Crown Prince had said.

Seeing this, Zhuang Yichen couldn't help but sigh inwardly. He composed himself, then turned to face Crown Prince Si Yunchen, clasped his hands in a respectful gesture, and said, "Your Highness, this matter is of utmost importance, concerning Ruo'er's lifelong happiness. Moreover, Ruo'er is still very young and cannot bear such deep affection from Your Highness."

The Crown Prince's lips curled up slightly, revealing a gentle and charming smile. He said slowly, "Mr. Zhuang, to be honest, I have been captivated by Cousin Ruo'er since the moment I saw her. It was love at first sight! I assure you that I will treat Cousin Ruo'er well and will never let her suffer the slightest grievance."

Upon hearing this, Gongsun Ruotang trembled slightly, then slowly stood up and walked gracefully to Zhuang Yichen's side.

She reached out her delicate hand and gently tugged at Zhuang Yichen's sleeve. Her lips parted slightly, and she said in a low voice, "Master..." Zhuang Yichen sensed her unease and gently patted the back of her hand, indicating that she did not need to worry or be afraid.

At this moment, Tang Yuluo, who had been sitting quietly to the side, suddenly smiled and looked at the Crown Prince with her beautiful eyes. She said softly, "Your Highness, Ruo'er is a simple and straightforward child, like a blank sheet of paper that has never been touched by dust. She is completely ignorant of the various rules and etiquette in the palace. If she really enters the Eastern Palace, I'm afraid that with her personality, she will inevitably break the palace rules by accident, thus causing a lot of unnecessary trouble."

Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince showed no anger whatsoever. Instead, his expression became even more serious as he solemnly replied, "What you say makes sense, Madam, but I believe these are not problems. I will personally teach my cousin Ruo'er with care. Moreover, in my opinion, given Ruo'er's intelligence and wit, she will surely be able to memorize the palace rules and handle them with ease in time."

Zhuang Yichen frowned slightly upon hearing the Crown Prince's words, falling into deep thought. After a while, he raised his head, looked calmly at the Crown Prince, and said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, marriage concerns Ruo'er's lifelong happiness. This is a matter of great importance and cannot be decided lightly. This matter requires careful consideration. I hope Your Highness can be magnanimous and give us some time to carefully consider it."

The Crown Prince nodded slightly, indicating his understanding of Zhuang Yichen's concerns, and replied, "Mr. Zhuang is right, and I will naturally not insist. Then I would like to ask you and Cousin Ruo'er to consider this carefully." After speaking, the Crown Prince rose and slowly left.

Zhuang Yichen watched the Crown Prince and his entourage walk further and further away until their figures disappeared from sight. He remained standing there, gazing into the distance, his brows slightly furrowed, as if there were still worries lingering in his heart.