Chapter 50 The Arrogant Prince 17

Caught off guard by the sudden confession, Xu Qiuqiu was stunned. This wasn't the scenario she had imagined.

Shouldn't he just let her make him happy and say he'll buy him whatever he wants?

This was completely different from what she had expected.

She miscalculated, but it's okay. Her happiness level has increased, which is something to be happy about. Thinking this, she curled the corners of her lips.

Zhou Zichen kept glancing at Xu Qiuqiu out of the corner of his eye. When he saw her smile, he felt that he had been too harsh in the past. Qiuqiu was so happy because of just a simple response. Qiuqiu had indeed liked him for a long time.

I need to treat her even better from now on; I blame myself for being so ignorant before.

The servants quickly cleaned the water and heating pavilion, and Zhou Zichen led Xu Qiuqiu to the room. He suddenly remembered that there seemed to be no women's clothing or jewelry in the mansion.

He immediately sent people to the shops to buy ready-made clothes and jewelry, and also hired four embroiderers.

Xu Qiuqiu was dumbfounded as she watched boxes of clothes and jewelry being moved into the room. Although she was not short of money in modern times, she had never been this extravagant.

"Qiuqiu, please make do with these ready-made clothes for now. From now on, all your clothes will be custom-made by a professional embroiderer." Zhou Zichen said apologetically. He wanted to give her the best, but it was all his fault for not thinking things through and only realizing it now.

"No, no, I'm not upset at all," Xu Qiuqiu quickly replied. She was overjoyed with such beautiful clothes; with so many boxes, she could wear a different outfit every day for a year.

Seeing the girl smiling contentedly, Zhou Zichen felt that Qiuqiu was too understanding and didn't blame him for not being prepared at all. He felt even more sorry for her.

He coldly told the steward, "Take out the shimmering brocade fabric that the Emperor bestows upon you every year and make a dress for Qiuqiu."

"Yes, Your Highness." The steward acknowledged the order and took his leave. He wiped the sweat from his forehead. Why was the Prince of Yan'an so gentle when he was with that girl, but his tone and aura turned several degrees colder when he spoke to her?

After the butler left, Zhou Zichen didn't even look at the four embroiderers and said coldly, "Hurry up and take Qiuqiu's measurements."

The embroiderers, trembling, went over to measure Xu Qiuqiu's figure.

As the embroiderer measured Xu Qiuqiu's bust, waist, and hip measurements, Zhou Zichen's face darkened. Although the embroiderer was a woman, he still felt uncomfortable.

Then a suffocating atmosphere filled the air again. The embroiderers were already afraid of Prince Yan'an, and now that they felt this atmosphere, they were even more frightened and could only hurry up and finish taking the measurements.

Xu Qiuqiu obediently let the embroiderers finish measuring. When she looked up, she saw Zhou Zichen with a sullen face not far away. She didn't understand what was wrong with him now.

After the embroiderer left, Zhou Zichen's expression softened. He stepped forward and took the girl's hand. "Qiuqiu, I'll go change my clothes first. Tell the servants to make you whatever you want to eat."

“Okay, then Ah Chen, go change your clothes first.” Xu Qiuqiu nodded obediently.

He treated her so well that she felt it was a very wise decision to latch onto him.

Thinking of this, I felt a greater sense of genuine emotion when I looked at him.

Seeing her obedient appearance, Zhou Zichen felt much relieved. He returned to his room to change out of his armor. Just as he finished putting on his civilian clothes, a palace eunuch came to deliver an imperial edict.

Inside the main hall of the Prince's Mansion, Eunuch Wang spoke in his hoarse voice, "His Majesty's decree states that Prince Yan'an has rendered meritorious service in annihilating the Qi Kingdom. The palace has prepared a banquet to welcome Prince Yan'an and all the commanders and reward them for their contributions. Prince Yan'an is hereby ordered to attend."

"Your subject obeys the decree."

Upon receiving the imperial edict, Eunuch Wang did not linger and quickly departed.

As the sunset faded, Zhou Zichen waited patiently for Xu Qiuqiu outside her room.

Soon, Xu Qiuqiu pushed open the door and came out. She was wearing an apricot-colored butterfly and daffodil dress, her hair was styled in a cloud-like pattern, and she had a butterfly tassel hair ornament in her hair.

Her eyes were bright and her face was made up, making her already beautiful appearance even more captivating, like a fairy descending to earth. She walked towards him step by step, "Achen, do I look good?"

Zhou Zichen was momentarily stunned, but he quickly came to his senses and said, "Qiuqiu looks good in anything."

While he was amazed by her beauty, he also felt somewhat uncomfortable. He really wanted to hide Qiuqiu away, so that only he could see her beautiful appearance.

However, the thought of asking his elder brother for a marriage decree made him suppress his discomfort.

He took her hand and led her to the carriage.

The once solemn and cold palace became somewhat more lively and welcoming because of the banquet.

He led Xu Qiuqiu into the Jade Palace. Their hands were clasped under his wide sleeves. She was a little nervous, as this was her first time entering an ancient imperial palace.

However, it must be said that the palace is magnificent and resplendent, and everywhere you look, it feels like a huge waste of money.

As soon as they stepped into the banquet hall, everyone's eyes turned to them.

Xu Qiuqiu felt a little uncomfortable; she was somewhat timid as so many people were looking at her.

Seeing everyone staring curiously at Xu Qiuqiu, Zhou Zichen's expression instantly darkened, and he glared at the people who were looking at him.

Feeling the murderous gaze of the Prince of Yan'an, all the officials lowered their heads, not daring to look any longer. They could only whisper among themselves, all wondering who the woman the Prince of Yan'an had brought was.

After realizing that no one dared to look at him, Zhou Zichen's expression improved considerably, and he led Xu Qiuqiu to sit down.

When facing Xu Qiuqiu, his expression softened again. "Qiuqiu, don't be nervous, I'm here."

"Okay." Xu Qiuqiu nodded. Although she didn't know why he wanted to bring her to the celebration banquet, she would just go along with him to boost her happiness points.

"Qiuqiu, are you hungry? Is there anything you like to eat?" Zhou Zichen let go of her hand and prepared to serve her food.

“Ah Chen, the Emperor hasn’t arrived yet, so it’s not appropriate to eat now…” Although she didn’t understand the etiquette of the palace, don’t modern people wait until everyone has arrived before eating at someone else’s house?

"It's alright, my brother won't mind," Zhou Zichen comforted him.

Xu Qiuqiu thought to herself, "He's too arrogant!" She asked 003 in her mind, "Is Zhou Zichen on good terms with the Emperor?"

“Yes, after all, they are brothers, born of the same mother. Although the Emperor doesn’t dote on the second male lead, he is quite indulgent towards him.” 003 said, looking at the data. Although the second male lead is not a main character and there is very little information about him, there is still some background information that is mentioned only briefly.

"So that's how it is."

Xu Qiuqiu had just finished asking 003 when someone in the main hall announced, "The Emperor has arrived!"

So all the officials and ministers stood up and bowed.

A handsome man dressed in black walked in, his steps brisk and his aura powerful. After taking his seat in the main seat, he said, "No need for formalities, my dear ministers, please treat this as a family banquet."

After everyone was seated, Zhou Ziling continued, "All soldiers who annihilated the Qi Kingdom will be rewarded according to their merits."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your great favor." The commanders present stood up and bowed.

"The Prince of Yan'an's military strategy was excellent, and he returned in triumph. He is rewarded with ten thousand taels of gold." After Zhou Ziling finished speaking, he turned his gaze to Zhou Zichen, who was closest to him. He was stunned to find a beautiful woman beside him.