An unexpected encounter in the city, the warmth of everyday life gradually spreading (2)

Her face turned deathly pale in an instant, and her heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was going to jump out of her throat!

She suddenly realized whose sleeve she had tugged at, and immediately pulled her hand back, her face turning pale: "I...I'm so sorry, Your Highness! I...I didn't mean to!"

Zongzheng Hengyu's body did indeed stiffen almost imperceptibly for a moment the moment she pulled up her sleeve.

He looked down, his gaze first falling on the subtle yet obvious crease in his black sleeve that had been torn, then turning to the girl in front of him who was terrified and almost curled up in a ball.

She lowered her head, revealing a section of her fair and delicate neck, the pearl hairpin tassels swaying and creating a shimmering halo as she trembled.

He frowned almost imperceptibly, his eyes deep and unreadable.

After a two-second silence, just as Jiang Wanzhi was about to succumb to the pressure of the silence, he finally spoke, his voice devoid of emotion, as calm as ever: "It's alright."

Jiang Wanzhi waited anxiously for a few seconds, and only after realizing that he was really not angry did she secretly breathe a sigh of relief.

After this little incident, Jiang Wanzhi became much more obedient, sitting properly and not daring to look around or move around anymore.

The street performance downstairs was still spectacular, with cheers rising higher and higher. She gazed out the window, completely absorbed.

Zongzheng Hengyu looked out the window, his gaze seemingly fixed on the distant street scene, yet also seemingly oblivious to everything else.

Only occasionally would he glance very quickly and discreetly at the girl beside him who wanted to look but dared not look openly, trying her best to sit upright, yet always unable to resist being attracted by the commotion downstairs.

Seeing her slightly pouting lips and her eyes that sparkled even brighter because of her wonderful performance.

After a while, he suddenly turned his head very slightly and whispered something to Yan Cheng behind him.

A fleeting look of surprise crossed Yan Cheng's eyes, but he quickly concealed it, nodded respectfully, and silently left the private room.

Jiang Wanzhi was focused on the artist downstairs who was about to swallow a sword and didn't notice this little commotion.

A short while later, the door to the private room was gently pushed open again. Yan Cheng returned, this time with something in his hand: a crystal-clear, lifelike sugar figurine.

The sugar figurine is sculpted as a majestic yet endearing Monkey King, Sun Wukong, carrying his golden cudgel, and is remarkably lifelike.

Jiang Wanzhi's gaze was immediately drawn to it, her eyes filled with surprise and curiosity. There was actually Sun Wukong in this book world!

Isn't this what they sell at the sugar figurine stall downstairs? She glanced at it several times earlier and thought the old craftsman's skills were really good.

Zongzheng Hengyu took the sugar figurine from Yan Cheng.

Then, he turned around and handed the large candy figurine, which shimmered with an amber luster in the sunlight, directly to her.

Jiang Wanzhi was stunned. She looked at the sugar figurine, then at his expressionless face, and didn't react for a moment: "...Your Highness?"

"Didn't you want to see it?" he asked in a calm tone.

Jiang Wanzhi's heart skipped a beat! He... he specifically asked someone to buy one for her because she had glanced at the sugar figurine stall a few times earlier?!

An indescribable feeling of being flattered overwhelmed her instantly, her cheeks flushed red, and even the tips of her ears turned pink.

"Thank you... thank you, Your Highness!" She took the sugar figurine, her voice barely audible, but inside, it felt like a firework had exploded, crackling and popping.

Holding the sugar figurine, she was a little at a loss, unsure whether to eat it or not.

In the end, she still cautiously licked it once.

Mmm, so sweet!

Zongzheng Hengyu looked at her surprised and delighted, cautious expression, and the corners of his lips curved slightly upward.

After sitting in the teahouse for a while, Zongzheng Hengyu got up to take his leave, as he needed to continue his inspection tour.

Jiang Wanzhi saw him to the door, watching his tall figure disappear at the top of the stairs. She returned to the private room, looked at the unfinished pastries on the table and the sugar figurine of the Monkey King in her hand, and couldn't help but smile.

Today's trip... seems like I made a killing?

…………

On the carriage back to the manor, Yan Cheng asked in a low voice, "Your Highness, what about the pastries..."

"Take him back to the manor." Zongzheng Hengyu closed his eyes to rest, paused, and then added, "Present him here."

"yes."

Silence fell over the car. Zongzheng Hengyu's fingertips unconsciously traced the tiny crease on his sleeve where it had been pulled open. The image of her panicked withdrawal of her hand flashed through his mind, as did the bright, sparkling eyes she had later held when she took the sugar figurine.

After returning to the manor, Jiang Wanzhi hugged the sugar figurine and giggled for a long time, completely ignoring Chun Tao and Qiu Ju's teasing.

She suddenly felt that the iceberg seemed to be melting little by little.

Perhaps... she could try to understand him a little more?

…………

A spring tea party was held at the residence of Lin, a renowned scholar and official of the Hanlin Academy, who was a prominent representative of the Qingliu faction in the capital. Ostensibly for tea tasting and flower appreciation, it was actually an occasion for literati, scholars, and young talents to exchange knowledge and showcase their talents.

Such an occasion would naturally be attended by eligible young ladies from various families.

Jiang Wanzhi didn't want to go. She had a clear understanding of her own image as a talented woman, which was limited to reciting "The bright moonlight before my bed" and appreciating the talented men and beautiful women in storybooks.

However, Prime Minister Jiang felt that his daughter had been wronged recently, and now that the storm had subsided, she should go out more to relax and let people see that the Prime Minister's daughter was safe and sound, so he insisted that she go.

The tea party was held in the Lin family garden, with its pavilions, terraces, and winding streams, truly an elegant setting.

Jiang Wanzhi tried to minimize her presence, finding a spot on the side. While pretending to admire the koi in the pond, she silently prayed that no one would come to ask her to compose poems.

Just as she was lost in thought, pondering what to eat for dinner, a clear and gentle voice sounded beside her:

"Miss Jiang, it's been a long time."

Jiang Wanzhi turned around and saw a handsome man dressed in a moon-white brocade robe with a jade belt around his waist looking at her with a smile.

He had a gentle face, clear eyes, and a humble demeanor, radiating a comfortable and refreshing aura.

It was King Zhao, whose rule was clearly established.

Jiang Wanzhi's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly stood up and bowed: "This humble woman greets Your Highness Prince Zhao." Although the plot had fallen apart, he was still the male lead in the original novel, and his aura was still intact!

“Miss Jiang, there’s no need for such formalities.” King Zhao offered a gesture of support, his smile growing even warmer. “Just now, I saw you watching the fish alone from afar. Your serene expression was more charming than those flowers vying for attention, so I took the liberty of coming to disturb you.”

Look at that! How sweet and considerate those words are!

Compared to that certain succinct and icy person, this is like a gentle spring breeze!

Jiang Wanzhi was a little embarrassed by the praise and quickly said, "Your Highness is too kind. I am just not very good at poetry and was just being lazy here." She decided to tell the truth to avoid being exposed later.

Upon hearing this, King Zhao not only did not mock him, but his smile deepened, filled with understanding and tolerance: "Miss Jiang is so genuine and lovely, why be so modest? Poetry and songs are just minor pastimes. It is rare to know how to appreciate the beauty of life and to retain a childlike heart."

His eyes were sincere and his tone was gentle when he spoke, which made it easy for people to like him.

"Your Highness is right." Jiang Wanzhi relaxed a little, feeling that this Prince Zhao was indeed as approachable as rumored.

Just then, a cheer came from not far away. It turned out that a talented scholar had spontaneously composed a poem about spring, which drew praise from the crowd.

King Zhao glanced over and smiled, “It seems quite lively over there. If Miss Jiang is not interested, why don’t you come with me to sit in the pavilion over there? Lord Lin just acquired some of this year’s pre-Qingming green tea and is inviting people to taste it. I think it is more worthy of appreciation than those noisy poems.”

His invitation was very natural, both relieving her from the possibility of being dragged into writing poetry and giving her an option that wouldn't make her seem out of place.

Jiang Wanzhi was more than happy to oblige and quickly nodded, "Thank you, Your Highness. I am also quite interested in the art of tea." In reality, she only knew how to drink tea like a cow.

The pavilion was indeed quiet and elegant, where Grand Scholar Lin and several senior civil officials were enjoying tea and discussing philosophy. Upon seeing Prince Zhao arrive with Jiang Wanzhi, they all rose to greet him.

King Zhao responded calmly, his words and actions were humble and polite, yet he possessed the dignified bearing of a prince.

Not only did he have profound insights into the art of tea and could converse fluently with scholars like Lin, but he also took care of Jiang Wanzhi from time to time, explaining the types of tea and brewing methods to her. He even noticed that she might be afraid of getting burned, so he carefully cooled the teacup down a bit before pushing it in front of her.

"Miss Jiang, please try this tea. The tea soup is clear, the aroma is delicate, and the aftertaste is sweet. It is a top-grade green tea," he said gently.

Jiang Wanzhi took a sip as instructed. Hmm, it was indeed a little better than the tea in the manor. She couldn't really taste much difference, but more importantly, the feeling of being carefully cared for was very comfortable.

Unlike when he was with King Heng, he was always on edge, afraid of saying or doing the wrong thing. Being with King Zhao was much more relaxed and comfortable.

During this time, a servant accidentally spilled water on the hem of Jiang Wanzhi's skirt, and the servant turned pale with fright. Before Jiang Wanzhi could speak, King Zhao spoke first, his tone gentle but not unquestionable: "It's nothing, just a small matter. Be more careful next time."

With a single sentence, he dispelled the servant's anxiety and avoided Jiang Wanzhi's embarrassment. He even handed her a clean, plain white handkerchief.

This scene was witnessed by several young ladies nearby, who cast envious glances and whispered among themselves about Prince Zhao's gentleness and thoughtfulness.

Jiang Wanzhi couldn't help but feel a bit emotional.

Look! This is the standard "male lead template"!

Gentle, considerate, understanding, and charming!

Being with him is like basking in a spring breeze; you don't have to worry about freezing to death or being scared to death.

In contrast, King Heng... well, although he's good too, his methods are always so unique, even a little scary.

After the tea party, King Zhao specially ordered his guards to escort Jiang Wanzhi's carriage back to the palace to ensure her safe journey.

Back at the Prime Minister's residence, Chuntao and Qiuju excitedly surrounded her, asking about what had happened at the tea party. Their eyes lit up, especially when they heard how well Prince Zhao had taken care of their young lady.

"Miss! His Highness Prince Zhao is so gentle, polite, and considerate!"

"Yes, yes! Compared to Prince Heng's coldness and sternness, Prince Zhao seems to be more... more approachable?"

As Jiang Wanzhi lay in bed, she couldn't help but compare the two of them in her mind.

King Heng is like a snow-capped mountain frozen for thousands of years, powerful, cold, and silent. Approaching him requires courage, but the occasional subtle warmth he reveals is enough to move people's hearts.

He always does more than he says, and he may even do things without saying anything.

King Zhao, on the other hand, was like the warm spring sun—gentle, bright, and considerate. Being with him was easy and pleasant, like basking in a spring breeze.

He is good at expressing himself and always makes people feel his kindness and care.

According to the original story, she should have steadfastly walked the bright path of King Zhao.

But now...

She touched her chest, where she seemed to feel a different kind of attachment to that iceberg.

"Sigh, it's so hard to choose..." She rolled around in her blanket, letting out a happy-worried sigh.

Although she knew it was too early to think about these things, and the plot had already gone completely off track, the feeling of being noticed by two outstanding men... didn't seem so bad!