All eyes turned to them, even Zhou Ziqiong and her maid looked over.
Zhou Ziqiong frowned slightly when she saw Jing Zhe.
Immediately, her brows relaxed, and she looked as if she had suddenly realized who Jing Zhe was.
Her little maid was the same, pointing at Jing Zhe, gesturing excitedly, seemingly saying something to Zhou Ziqiong.
After hearing this, Zhou Ziqiong smiled faintly, but with a hint of doubt in her eyes as she looked at Jing Zhe.
As the center of attention, Jing Zhe looked at Zhang Xiaoyu, then shrugged, somewhat amused and exasperated.
Having made so many grand pronouncements to Zhang Xiaoyu to demonstrate his loyalty, he naturally couldn't go pick up the lanterns now.
"Oh~"
Any normal man, seeing Zhou Ziqiong's lantern so close, would definitely pick it up without hesitation.
But the handsome man didn't pick it up.
To everyone else, Jing Zhe was perfectly normal, because he had a beautiful young woman by his side. Although she couldn't compare to Zhou Ziqiong, her looks were definitely among the best.
What does this tell us?
This shows that he must be concerned about the women around him, so even Zhou Ziqiong couldn't catch his eye!
That's interesting!
Everyone was as excited as if they had been injected with chicken blood. Zhou Ziqiong was the goddess in the hearts of all the men in Ruzhou City. Although there was another goddess in Wuxian Pavilion, she did not engage in worldly affairs. Everyone had the desire for her but not the courage to do so. The only one they could think of was Zhou Ziqiong.
Since they couldn't get Zhou Ziqiong's lantern, they naturally didn't want anyone else to get it either. In particular, if the news of Zhou Ziqiong being rejected by a man were to spread, it would definitely damage her reputation.
Will she still be aloof and untouchable by then?
Thinking of this, everyone became even more excited and started cheering along the moat. Zhou Ziqiong's face instantly turned from red to white.
Her original intention in releasing the lanterns was to attract everyone's attention before announcing the Lantern Festival poetry gathering.
Although she didn't participate in the lantern festival to find a husband, and the note contained other things, she never considered the possibility that no one would pick up her lantern.
If no one picks up the lanterns, she will undoubtedly become a laughing stock, which will not only damage her reputation, but more importantly, she represents the Zhou Family Cloth Shop. This would be a blow to the Zhou Family Cloth Shop as well.
If he becomes a laughing stock the first time he appears at the Lantern Festival, then his plans to participate in the Lantern Festival Poetry Gathering will also be ruined.
Thinking this, Zhou Ziqiong's face turned even paler, and the way she bit her lip and looked at Jing Zhe was truly pitiful.
The commotion on both sides of the moat grew even louder.
...
Jing Zhe saw all of this.
He actually wanted to pick it up, but Zhang Xiaoyu was right next to him, and he had just made a boast, so he was too embarrassed to do it.
You have to finish the act, even if it's tinged with tears in your eyes!
"Husband, just pick them up!"
At this moment, Zhang Xiaoyu suddenly spoke.
"Um?"
Jing Zhe was somewhat surprised and turned to look at her.
Zhang Xiaoyu smiled faintly and said, "Xiaoyu thinks Miss Zhou is quite pitiful. It's her first time at the Lantern Festival, and so many people are watching her. If no one picks up the lanterns, she'll be laughed at! As a woman myself, Xiaoyu can understand how much of a blow this must be to her!"
Jing Zhe paused for a moment, then asked, "What, isn't Xiaoyu afraid that something might happen between me and her after I pick it up?"
Zhang Xiaoyu thought for a moment, nodded first, and then shook her head.
“My lord, if two people are destined to be together, no one can stop them, just like us. And isn’t it also a kind of fate that Miss Zhou’s lantern was able to float from downstream to upstream? So, in my opinion, let’s just let fate take its course!”
After listening to Zhang Xiaoyu's story, Jing Zhe was deeply moved, but he couldn't help but sigh. He had always thought that among his women, Zhang Xiaoyu had the lowest social standing and the lowest perspective.
He never expected that Zhang Xiaoyu would have such a broad mind and vision, which made him feel ashamed.
"Okay, then I'll listen to Xiaoyu!"
"Um."
Zhang Xiaoyu gave a soft reply, then smiled sweetly at Zhou Ziqiong.
Compared to herself ten days ago, Zhang Xiaoyu is now completely different. Ten days ago, Zhang Xiaoyu was like a jealous person, guarding against other women, which made Murong Xi suffer.
Because of Murong Xi's affair, Zhang Xiaoyu understood many things. She realized that there are many people and things that she could not stop even if she wanted to, because when fate comes, you can't stop it.
Of course, her attitude towards different women would be different. Zhang Xiaoyu would not agree to marry a woman she randomly picked up from a brothel or the street!
After all, the threshold for the Jing family is quite high!
But Zhou Ziqiong...
For some reason, Zhang Xiaoyu felt no defense or hostility towards Zhou Ziqiong.
Or was it because the two had long admired each other, with Zhang Xiaoyu always regarding Anguo's top businesswoman as her idol? Or was it because Zhou Ziqiong's beauty was so flawless that it made her feel inferior? Or was it simply because she wanted to help her out?
Zhang Xiaoyu couldn't explain why, but she felt a unique and attractive intimacy with Zhou Ziqiong when they met, which was quite strange...
...
"He's going to pick it up!"
Someone in the crowd shouted first, and everyone held their breath and looked over.
Zhou Ziqiong pursed her lips and clenched her fists.
Under everyone's gaze, Jing Zhe slowly bent down.
He then picked up Zhou Ziqiong's lantern.
Take out the paper slip from the lantern and unfold it; a delicate yet resolute handwriting comes into view.
"May we all live long and share the beauty of the moon, though separated by a thousand miles. Thinking of my brother."
The words written on it piqued Jing Zhe's curiosity. They used the last line of his previous poem, "Shuidiao Getou," along with the words "remembering my younger brother." This indicated that Zhou Ziqiong's participation in the Lantern Festival was not to find a husband.
Was Xu's wish still to remember her younger brother?
Jing Zhe shook his head, somewhat surprised.
After putting the note away, Jing Zhe, following the custom, put the empty lantern back into the river. A gust of wind blew, and the lantern floated smoothly downstream, signifying that the lantern owner's wish would soon be fulfilled.
Seeing Jing Zhe's actions, Zhou Ziqiong, who was standing downstream of him, finally breathed a sigh of relief. She slowly opened her clenched fist and bowed slightly in respect towards Jing Zhe.
He then said, "Esteemed scholars of Ruzhou, today Ziqiong will be attending the Lantern Festival Poetry Gathering at Juxianlou. Moreover, the riddles in this poetry gathering are all provided by Zhou Family Cloth Workshop. Those who guess correctly will receive a reward. I hope you will all do me the honor of attending!"
After Zhou Ziqiong finished speaking, she bowed and made obeisances in different directions along the moat, drawing cheers from the crowd.
————
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