44: Chapter 44 Zhao Zilong Attends the Poetry Gathering!
"Mr. Zhao, what do you think of Yunxi? Could I be considered a good match?"
Princess Zhu Yunxi gathered her courage to ask this, her face flushed bright red at this moment. She was incredibly nervous inside.
However, she knew clearly that Cai Wenjing already had feelings for Zhao Zilong. If she didn't express her own feelings now, she feared she would never have another chance. She didn't want to miss out on someone like Zhao Zilong. She had to fight for it.
Zhao Zilong was stunned. Was Princess Zhu Yunxi confessing to him? It was too sudden; he hadn't expected it at all and felt a bit dazed.
Princess Zhu Yunxi looked at Zhao Zilong quietly, not urging him to answer quickly.
After a long while, Zhao Zilong sighed slightly and said, "I am humbled by your kindness, Your Highness, but what talent or virtue do I possess to deserve such appreciation from you?"
Princess Zhu Yunxi said, "Mr. Zhao, you need not belittle yourself. With your talent and ability, I believe it won't be long before you rise rapidly in your career."
Zhao Zilong hadn't expected Princess Zhu Yunxi to think so highly of him or to trust him so much.
Zhao Zilong said, "The world is unpredictable; perhaps so."
Princess Zhu Yunxi said, "Mr. Zhao, you still haven't answered: can Yunxi be considered a good match?"
"Your Highness, this..."
Zhao Zilong was truly nervous now; he didn't know how to answer Princess Zhu Yunxi's question.
If he said yes, it would mean they had confirmed their feelings for each other.
But given his current status, even if Princess Zhu Yunxi didn't mind, what about the Imperial family? How could they possibly marry a dignified princess to a minor Ninth-Rank Banner Master like him, especially one who had been divorced? It was simply impossible.
If he said no, wouldn't that be rejecting the princess, ignoring her sincere feelings? Moreover, Zhao Zilong did like Princess Zhu Yunxi's beauty and character. He was very conflicted now.
Princess Zhu Yunxi said, "It doesn't matter if you can't answer now, Mr. Zhao. Yunxi can wait."
Zhao Zilong looked at Princess Zhu Yunxi; he finally understood that the princess had taken a liking to him. However, he still remained silent.
Princess Zhu Yunxi said, "Mr. Zhao, if I don't have to marry far away to the Northern Barbarians this time, I will give you one year. After one year, regardless of whether you are a commoner or an official, whether you are still a minor Banner Master as you are now, or have risen to great heights, as long as you have feelings for me, I am willing to marry you."
"This!"
Zhao Zilong was shocked; his heart was in turmoil.
Did Princess Zhu Yunxi like him that much? Was she really this determined?
He was deeply moved, truly wishing he could hold Princess Zhu Yunxi tightly in his arms. A woman like this was rare in his lifetime. And she was a princess, no less.
"Mr. Zhao, Yunxi is a bit tired, I will go rest first. I'll have to trouble you to make some delicious food for me today; I love eating what you make, I'm almost being fattened up by you."
Princess Zhu Yunxi slowly stood up and smiled brightly at Zhao Zilong.
Zhao Zilong was dazed. In his eyes, at this moment, Princess Zhu Yunxi was radiating light, impossibly beautiful. His heart thumped uncontrollably.
Watching Princess Zhu Yunxi's figure gradually walk away, Zhao Zilong couldn't help but clench his fists tightly.
"Princess Zhu Yunxi, one year from now, I, Zhao Zilong, will surely rise in my career and come to propose to you."
Zhao Zilong felt even more motivated now.
"Did you finish discussing, Your Highness? It seems it went well."
Seeing Princess Zhu Yunxi walk over with a faint smile on her face, Caiwei was also happy. Princess Zhu Yunxi smiled faintly as well, then beckoned to Zhao Xiaotian, who came before her.
"Is something the matter, Princess Sister?"
Princess Zhu Yunxi said, "Xiaotian, from now on, don't call me Princess Sister; how about you call me Auntie?"
"Huh?"
Zhao Xiaotian was stunned, and so was Caiwei. What was this? Why did he have to change how he addressed her?
"Xiaotian, look, although your father, Mr. Zhao, and I have a slight age difference, we treat each other as peers. It is inappropriate for you to call me sister; logically, you should call me Auntie."
Princess Zhu Yunxi explained, feeling a bit guilty. Zhao Xiaotian said, "That makes sense. Then I will call you Princess Auntie from now on, but how should I address Sister Caiwei then?"
Caiwei smiled and said, "The princess and I are like sisters, so naturally, you should call me Auntie Caiwei too? Come, nephew Xiaotian, pay your respects to Auntie Caiwei."
Zhao Xiaotian was taken aback and hesitated. Princess Zhu Yunxi said, "Xiaotian, you can still call Caiwei sister; just change the address for me alone."
"Your Highness, is that really okay?"
Caiwei asked with some resentment. Princess Zhu Yunxi said, "You are only a few years older than Xiaotian, so calling you sister is correct."
Zhao Xiaotian really didn't want to call Caiwei Auntie, and hearing Princess Zhu Yunxi say this, he smiled foolishly. Caiwei felt even more resentful, but she could see that Zhao Xiaotian really didn't want to call her Auntie.
"Alright then."
She had to reluctantly agree.
After discussing with Xu Wei how to protect the princess after leaving the manor, Deputy Director Cai Wenjing walked over.
"Caiwei, what's wrong with you? Why do you look so unhappy?"
Seeing Caiwei's sullen face, Deputy Director Cai Wenjing couldn't help but be surprised.
Zhao Xiaotian said, "The princess asked me to call her Auntie from now on, but still call Caiwei sister, and Sister Caiwei is a bit unhappy."
Deputy Director Cai Wenjing was stunned and looked at Princess Zhu Yunxi.
"Your Highness, why would you suddenly want Xiaotian to call you Auntie?" she asked.
Princess Zhu Yunxi repeated her previous explanation, but Deputy Director Cai Wenjing felt something was wrong; she didn't completely believe Princess Zhu Yunxi's excuse. Suddenly, she thought of something. Her heart was shocked.
"Could it be that the princess has also taken a liking to Zhao Zilong?"
In an instant, she felt like she was facing a formidable enemy. However, she quickly composed herself.
"Your Highness is right. We treat Zhao Zilong as a peer, so Xiaotian indeed shouldn't call us sister. Xiaotian, from now on, you are not allowed to call me sister either; you must call me Auntie, do you understand?"
Suddenly having two more aunts, Zhao Xiaotian didn't know whether to be happy or what to do; he was a bit confused. However, he still agreed. Caiwei felt even more depressed.
Princess Zhu Yunxi sized up Deputy Director Cai Wenjing, and Deputy Director Cai Wenjing sized up Princess Zhu Yunxi. Their eyes met; although there was no hostility, it was clearly filled with scrutiny.
"Xiaotian, come over and help."
In the distance, Zhao Zilong called out. "Coming!" Zhao Xiaotian replied and ran over happily.
"Son, what do you want to eat? Dad will make it for you."
Zhao Zilong was in a very good mood right now.
First, he had confirmed his feelings with Deputy Director Cai Wenjing, and then the princess had confessed to him. His goal of having multiple wives and concubines was getting closer. Moreover, one was the daughter of Marquis Wulie, and the other was a princess of the current dynasty; just thinking about it made him feel happy. Good days were coming.
"Xiaotian loves everything Dad makes."
"You rascal, you're getting better at talking."
Zhao Zilong rubbed Zhao Xiaotian's head. Zhao Xiaotian chuckled and let Zhao Zilong rub it, feeling full of happiness. His dad was really great now. He really wanted to have his little head rubbed by his dad like this for his whole life.
"By the way, Dad, the princess and Sister Wenjing, ah, ptooey, they both made me call them Auntie."
"Auntie?"
Zhao Zilong was stunned and looked toward Princess Zhu Yunxi and Deputy Director Cai Wenjing in the distance. He understood in his heart. These two had planned this well in advance. However, it was also quite good.
Zhao Zilong said, "Then call them Auntie from now on."
"Mm, Xiaotian will listen to Dad."
Zhao Xiaotian chuckled and said mysteriously, "Dad, will I have to change my address to call them Mother later?"
"Don't talk nonsense."
Zhao Zilong hadn't expected Zhao Xiaotian to be so smart that he could even think of this.
Zhao Xiaotian said, "Dad, which Auntie have you taken a liking to? I'll get closer to her more often in the future."
"Xiaotian, adults don't make choices; Dad wants them all."
Zhao Xiaotian saw it, and Zhao Zilong didn't need to hide it, so he laughed and said. Zhao Xiaotian nodded heavily and said, "Then Xiaotian will get closer to both of them in the future."
At the end, he grinned at Zhao Zilong, gave a thumbs up, and said with an expression of admiration, "Dad, you're awesome!"
Zhao Zilong laughed again.
Zhao Zilong was in a good mood, so he made four dishes and one soup for lunch. Everyone ate with great relish. During the meal, Zhao Xiaotian behaved extremely sensibly, constantly serving food to Princess Zhu Yunxi and Deputy Director Cai Wenjing, calling them Auntie very fluently, while Caiwei looked resentful.
Zhao Zilong didn't speak the whole time; he felt that the atmosphere between Princess Zhu Yunxi and Deputy Director Cai Wenjing was a bit off. Although it looked harmonious on the surface, it always gave Zhao Zilong the feeling of a secret competition.
"Being too charming isn't necessarily a good thing!" Zhao Zilong sighed inwardly.
"Mr. Zhao, have you thought about what poem you will write for the poetry gathering in three days?" Princess Zhu Yunxi asked.
Zhao Zilong said, "I will just accompany the Princess; as for writing poetry, forget it. My little bit of talent has already been exhausted, so I won't make a fool of myself."
Deputy Director Cai Wenjing said, "That's right, Your Highness. Zhao Zilong only has that little bit of ink in his stomach; I'm afraid he used it all up before. If you ask him to write poetry again, he will definitely make a fool of himself."
"Mr. Zhao's talent is not like that; this is just Mr. Zhao's humble words. Wenjing, you shouldn't speak of Mr. Zhao like that." Princess Zhu Yunxi retorted in a calm tone.
"Your Highness, you think too highly of him." Deputy Director Cai Wenjing rolled her eyes at Zhao Zilong.
Princess Zhu Yunxi said, "It is you, Wenjing, who underestimates Mr. Zhao."
"Zhao Zilong, do you say that I underestimated you?" Deputy Director Cai Wenjing questioned Zhao Zilong.
Princess Zhu Yunxi looked at Zhao Zilong, wanting to hear how he would answer.
Zhao Zilong felt a headache coming on: "Uh, Your Highness, Deputy Director Cai, I'm full. I have things to do, so I won't accompany you anymore. You two eat slowly. Xiaotian, keep your two aunts company and chat."
After speaking, Zhao Zilong didn't care how the others reacted and slipped away.
---
Three days later, the Qingyang County Literary Society poetry gathering was held as scheduled. Zhao Zilong and Deputy Director Cai Wenjing accompanied the Princess to attend the poetry gathering.
Princess Zhu Yunxi was dressed as a man, looking like a dashing young master, very handsome. Xu Wei also followed, while others were guarding in secret.
The group arrived at the Qingyang County Literary Society. This Qingyang County Literary Society poetry gathering was initiated by County Lord Cao Yuan, but Cao Yuan was not present and had only sent his secretary to preside over it.
"Everyone, because a poem was spread in the imperial court a few days ago, sparking a wave of poetry once again, County Lord Cao Yuan specially held this poetry gathering here. I hope everyone will perform well."
"The person who writes the best poem at this poetry gathering will receive a reward of one thousand taels of silver. I hope everyone will perform at their best."
As soon as the secretary's words were spoken, the students in the Qingyang County Literary Society became excited.
"There is even silver to be won; this is a good thing. Everyone must live up to County Lord Cao Yuan's kindness. We thank County Lord Cao Yuan here."
The secretary said, "Everyone, this reward money was not provided by County Lord Cao Yuan. County Lord Cao Yuan said that if you want to thank someone, you should thank Miss Ning, who is standing beside me."
Standing beside the secretary was a woman dressed in a white dress with an excellent figure. However, her face was covered with a white veil, so her appearance could not be seen, but those eyes were very beautiful; she must be a beauty. The students thanked this woman.
Zhao Zilong stared intently at the woman, feeling that those eyes were inexplicably familiar. After recalling carefully, Zhao Zilong couldn't help but frown.
"This is Princess of the Former Dynasty, Ning Hongxiu! This poetry gathering is a trap!"
Zhao Zilong's expression darkened.