Yongqi half-supported himself beside Xinrong, having no other choice; any movement would cause the girl to fuss. Yongqi was truly at his wit's end and could only try his best to avoid touching Xinrong's body.
Even though he was supporting himself above Xinrong, and he didn't touch Xinrong's body, after a while, he would unconsciously turn his gaze to Xinrong. After all, there was such a big living person under him, and it was hard for anyone to ignore him.
Xinrong tightened her grip on Yongqi's right hand, a satisfied look spreading across her face. She even smacked her lips slightly, parting them to reveal the tip of her small, bright red tongue.
Yongqi had never been so close to any woman other than Anke and Xiaoyanzi, and he felt extremely uncomfortable. He thought about turning his neck to look at the scenery outside the window or somewhere else. But as soon as he moved, Xinrong started to flinch. She seemed very uneasy, and her pretty, delicate eyebrows furrowed.
Seeing Xinrong's actions, Yongqi was caught in a dilemma and didn't dare to make any rash moves.
Not to mention, Xinrong's hot breath hit Yongqi's Adam's apple. Yongqi's Adam's apple bobbed uncomfortably a few times. He had clearly drunk water, so why did he feel so thirsty?
The two people who were strolling outside the bamboo grove had already taken their seats.
"Did the princess deliberately leave rooms for them to create an opportunity?" Ertai saw it very clearly. The saying "the one involved is confused, while the bystander sees clearly" perfectly describes Ertai.
“That’s right. I want Qing’er and Xinrong to realize their own hearts, and also to Fifth Brother and General Ji to realize their own hearts.” Now, there was no trace of drunkenness in An Ke’s eyes. Her speech was also very clear, without any trace of the drunken haze she had just displayed.
Ertai nodded knowingly. Ji Chu would definitely treat Qing Gege wholeheartedly. After all, he had investigated him thoroughly. Moreover, he admired the princess and understood that Ji Chu looked at Qing Gege with the same eyes he looked at the princess.
As for the Fifth Prince, he knew him quite well, having served as the Fifth Prince's study companion for so many years. Although the Fifth Prince wouldn't admit it, the way he looked at Princess Xinrong was clearly strange.
Feelings, especially for those of them with absolutely no emotional foundation, are bound to start with an interest in each other, and then gradually fall for one another. Isn't that exactly what the Fifth Prince is doing now?
It can only be said that the princess was very observant, noticing even these subtle clues.
Anke: That's an exaggeration~ I'm just a little anxious seeing that neither of them is making a breakthrough, especially after learning that General Ji likes Qing'er, and that Qing'er has a high opinion of General Ji.
Based on his actions today, An Ke felt that perhaps Ji Chu was someone Qing'er could entrust her life to. After all, this Ji Chu was constantly watching Qing'er's every move. He was incredibly attentive, adding tea when Qing'er wanted it and a little wine when she wanted some.
This is their final test. It's to see if Ji Chu can stay true to himself even after Qing'er gets drunk. Fortunately, An Ke wasn't entirely at ease and left Qing'er and Xinrong there.
Yongqi and Jichu act as witnesses to each other's actions. With Yongqi present, Jichu won't lay a hand on Qing'er. Similarly, with Jichu present, Yongqi won't lay a hand on Xinrong. It's a good system of checks and balances!
Seeing the princess's smug expression, Ertai couldn't help but smile. At first, Ertai was genuinely afraid the princess would group him with the Shufangzhai faction and ignore him. Fortunately, through persistent shamelessness, he gradually won the princess's acceptance.
Now, seeing the princess by his side, chatting and laughing with him, he felt extremely content.
The midday sun was so bright, its rays so abundant, gently bathing the entire world.
Ertai followed the princess to a small pavilion in the bamboo forest. The pavilion was perfectly positioned with its back to the sun, allowing them to bask in its warmth while enjoying the view of the bamboo grove.
"The winding path leads to a secluded spot; this bamboo grove is beautifully built." An Ke looked at the bamboo grove before her and the well-arranged buildings, feeling a sense of déjà vu.
"Ertai, do you feel a sense of familiarity here?" Anke felt as if she had experienced something with Ertai, so she didn't beat around the bush and asked directly.
Ertai also sensed something was amiss; indeed, he shared the same feeling as the princess. He also felt a sense of familiarity with the restaurant, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
Ertai nodded, and Anke knew she hadn't misjudged the situation. However, if both Ertai and Anke found the restaurant familiar, then it would only be during an inspection tour.
After all, Ertai did not accompany him when he went out before, and the only time Ertai accompanied him out of the palace was during his recent incognito tour.
The two stared at the bamboo grove for a while, then looked at the chessboard on the stone table. Anke suddenly became interested, but at the same time lost interest in playing chess, so she taught Ertai how to play Gomoku.
Ertai quickly grasped the rules of Gomoku, finding it much simpler than chess.
But once you start playing, you realize it's not that easy; you need at least five pieces in a line. No matter which line you try to expand on, the princess seems to detect it immediately and blocks your escape route.
Ertai chuckled helplessly, not minding it; after all, that's how Gomoku is played. He focused intently on the pieces on the board, wondering where to start extending the line of five.
No matter where Ertai places his black pieces, a white piece will always appear in front of or behind him.
Ertai no longer thought that this little game of Gomoku was simple, nor did he underestimate it. He slowly began to think about it seriously, pondering it carefully, and hesitated to make a move.
Anke seemed completely at ease, even looking at the leaves on the bamboo.
The two played until all the pieces in the chess box were gone, but they still hadn't determined a winner.
"I thought it was simple when the princess explained the rules of Gomoku. But I only realized how difficult it is after I started playing. It's truly an eye-opener for Ertai," Ertai said, staring at the chessboard in front of him, quite impressed.
“It’s really not easy for me, the princess, to break through your black pieces,” Anke said, not holding back her praise for Ertai. “However, if there were one more piece, then this game would be won by my white pieces.”
Anke suddenly changed her tone and spoke with great confidence. Ertai then carefully examined the chessboard in front of him, looking at it from left to right until his eyes were blurry. He didn't know where the princess's white piece should be placed to win.
Seeing Ertai's dazed look, Anke stopped teasing him and kindly pointed out the location Bai Zi was going to take next.
Ertai suddenly realized the truth as if struck by lightning, and cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "Your Highness's chess skills are superb; I am ashamed to admit my inferiority."
"It's already quite remarkable that you've persisted with me for so long. After all, you're not one of those pretentious scholars; your hands are meant to wield swords and spears to stabilize the country and intimidate the enemy, not to play chess. To be able to play like this is truly commendable." An Ke genuinely admired Ertai. After all, according to Ertai, ever since he overheard the conversation between Lord Fu and his wife, he hadn't studied any of these things anymore, instead spending more time playing with chickens and dogs.
But if it were Fu Erkang, who had studied so much, An Ke was confident that he would be no match for her. It was truly remarkable that Ke Ertai could hold his own against her.
"It's about time. They should all be awake by now. Let's go back." Anke silently restored the chess pieces to their original positions. After all, they were just guests here, not the owners. Maybe the chessboard was left behind by the owner himself while playing chess.
They borrowed someone else's chessboard to play a game of chess, and after they finished, they should put the chessboard back in its original place.
The two walked back to the private room, chatting all the way. Although An Ke wasn't completely drunk, she was still a little tipsy, but the sun outside and the breeze had sobered her up.
An Ke coughed softly outside as a reminder before opening the door. All four faces were flushed, heads bowed, none daring to look at the other. Qing'er, the most embarrassed, clutched her handkerchief tightly, her fingers trembling.
"Ahem, what's wrong with you all? Why are you all looking down and not saying anything?" An Ke asked them casually, pretending that nothing was wrong.
Its big eyes blinked rapidly, staring intently at the four people in front of it. For a moment, the four looked at each other, none of them uttering a word.
"Alright, are you two sober now?" Anke wasn't in a hurry to ask them what they were thinking, and quickly changed the subject. "I heard there's a metal flower performance on the street later. If you're both sober, we might as well go out and watch it together."
Qing'er was the first to respond, "Okay...okay. Apart from the iron flower performance in the palace, I've never seen one in the common people." Although Qing'er's face was still red, she was the first to calm down.
Xinrong followed closely behind, stammering that she wanted to see it too. The other two didn't even need their opinions. Ji Chu's eyes were practically glued to Qing'er; he'd follow her wherever she went. Yongqi, needless to say, had come with them and would definitely go back with them.
“Okay, then it’s decided.” Anke said with a big smile.
Just then, the servant from Baiweizhai came over to collect the silver.
Just as they were about to leave Baiweizhai, they ran into the owner of Baiweizhai.
No wonder they felt this place was so familiar; it turned out to be the female innkeeper they had encountered during their patrol who was trapped in Luoyun Village.
"It's you! I never expected to run into you again," the woman said, tears streaming down her face as she held up a handkerchief. "If it weren't for your help that day, I'm afraid I would still be stuck there, unable to come back to see my parents."
Although it wasn't as busy as at noon, it was still right at the main entrance, with people coming and going on the street. Seeing the female boss weeping with her face covered, Anke felt a chill run down her spine.
“It’s all in the past now, isn’t it? Look at your Baiweizhai restaurant, it’s become a well-known establishment. It’s truly a case of reaping what you sowed. Just treat the past as a dream, forget about it.” Anke patted the female boss on the shoulder, trying to comfort her.
The female boss felt Anke's kindness again, but stopped crying after shedding two tears. She understood what Anke meant; as a boss, she needed to maintain her dignity in front of the gate, under the watchful eyes of her many employees.
"Alright, if you dine at Baiweizhai again, everything will be on the house." Although the female proprietor didn't know An Ke's background, the fact that such a high-ranking official could be mobilized to investigate her case that day was certainly not something an ordinary person could do. Since An Ke wouldn't say, the proprietor didn't press further. But now that she had met her benefactor, how could she not repay the kindness?
But I have nothing to repay my benefactor with except this restaurant. Seeing my benefactor eating here, I imagine he must be very satisfied with the food. So I can only repay him by giving him a free meal.
Anke simply nodded without saying anything. After all, she was a princess; how could she rely on past favors to pay for things when she was out and about? But in front of the female boss, it was best to agree first.
Seeing An Ke's actions, the female boss breathed a sigh of relief. She then respectfully saw An Ke and the others outside and returned to Baiweizhai to check the accounts.
"I never imagined that the innkeeper who was stuck in a small village back then would now own such a big restaurant," Qing'er couldn't help but sigh.
"Yes, thankfully, evil has its retribution, and she has finally ushered in her own future." An Ke looked back at Baiweizhai and said with a face full of relief.
"We also owe you a lot. Your meticulous observation back then helped us discover that something was wrong with the inn." Qing'er could only sigh once again that An'an was truly the female innkeeper's benefactor.
After listening to Anke and Qing'er's conversation, Xinrong finally understood the whole situation. "So she was one of the people you helped when you first started learning."
Anke and Qing'er exchanged a glance and nodded, not quite understanding.
Xinrong continued, "I was wondering why that female boss said she had nothing to repay. So that's how it all started." Xinrong stared at Anke with sparkling eyes, as if she were worshipping a hero.
Yongqi watched with a jealous expression as Xinrong moved closer to Anke.
Seeing Yongqi's expression, Ertai couldn't help but shake his head. He was truly blinded by his own emotions. Was this a case of being attracted but unaware of it?
The three girls chatted and laughed, while the three boys faithfully guarded them from behind.
"Wow, look, that's 'Iron Flower' up ahead!" Anke said excitedly. Although she had seen countless performances of "Iron Flower," each one still thrilled her.
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