After more than a day of arduous travel, Lu Ziyuan and Zhong Muyu finally arrived in Ling'an County.
Upon landing, Magistrate Fang personally led a group of people to greet them, and the two of them, surrounded by their men, made their way to the magistrate's residence.
Looking at the county magistrate's family kneeling in front of him, Zhong Muyu suddenly felt a little regretful.
With so many people around, she really disliked dealing with the wives and daughters of high-ranking officials.
Lu Ziyuan squeezed her hand to reassure her, and the two entered the front hall, where Lord Fang had already prepared a banquet.
After everyone took their seats, Lu Ziyuan was discussing local affairs with the county magistrate, while the magistrate's wife kept flattering her and trying to find topics to talk about, which Zhong Muyu found very boring.
Can't you just let her eat in peace? She's starving!
Just as Zhong Muyu was feeling down, a beautiful flute melody suddenly rang out from outside.
The crowd looked in the direction of the sound and saw a group of musicians filing in, followed by a group of dancers gracefully entering with their long, flowing sleeves. Among them, a young and beautiful woman was dancing gracefully.
Zhong Muyu watched the dance with great interest. Dance was truly an essential part of any banquet held by the people of Yuanqi.
The woman in the middle also looked somewhat familiar; she seemed to be the legitimate daughter of Lord Fang, who had just greeted them.
Lord Fang had many children, but only this one legitimate daughter, who was exceptionally beautiful, a beauty that could rival the most beautiful women in history.
Seeing the affectionate look in her eyes, Zhong Muyu subconsciously looked in Lu Ziyuan's direction.
But Lu Ziyuan was talking and drinking with the county magistrate, his gaze not lingering on the dance for even a moment.
Zhong Muyu suddenly felt that the red bean cake in front of her no longer smelled good.
"Your Highness, I would like to offer you another toast."
Beside her, the county magistrate's wife poured her a full glass of wine and offered her another toast.
Zhong Muyu couldn't refuse, so after drinking it, she said, seemingly casually, "This dance is really beautiful, especially the lead dancer, her figure is so graceful."
Hearing the princess praise her daughter, the county magistrate's wife was overjoyed: "Your Highness, you don't know, the lead dancer is my daughter Ruotong. She has been rehearsing day and night for many days to welcome the prince and princess."
"That must have been really tough. Your daughter has great perseverance."
Zhong Muyu looked away. This arrangement seemed to be specially prepared for Lu Ziyuan, but they didn't expect Lu Ziyuan to bring her along as well.
interesting.
Speaking of her daughter, the county magistrate's wife seemed very proud: "Ruotong has been a serious and hardworking child since she was a child. Whether it is playing the zither, chess, calligraphy, painting, needlework, or dancing, she always tries her best. No other child can match her perseverance."
"Really? Your daughter is truly an outstanding person."
Zhong Muyu lowered her head and took a sip of tea, concealing the embarrassment in her eyes.
Lord Fang was also intentionally or unintentionally mentioning his daughter, but after seeing Lu Ziyuan's lukewarm reaction, he couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. However, seeing his wife and Zhong Muyu chatting, he felt that there was still hope.
After the banquet, Fang Ruotong changed her clothes and came out. Lord Fang hurriedly said, "Your Highness and Princess Consort must be tired from their journey. Why don't you stay at my residence? I have already sent people to clean the guest rooms, and we are just waiting for Your Highness and Princess Consort to arrive."
"No need. My guards have already booked an inn outside. It's not appropriate for us to make a big fuss about our arrival. We won't bother you any longer."
Lu Ziyuan refused decisively, and there was no need to force him to do such a thing, so Lord Fang had no choice but to agree, but he would not give up easily.
Fang Ruotong watched them leave, her eyes fixed on them, twisting her handkerchief incessantly.
After Lu Ziyuan and Zhong Muyu left, Fang Ruotong immediately grabbed Lord Fang's sleeve: "Father, why didn't you try to fight for it just now?"
“His Highness Prince Ling is a man of his word. This matter cannot be rushed. Besides, His Highness is here to understand the people’s conditions, not to play with you. Let’s find another opportunity later.”
Fang Ruotong pouted. What opportunities? Where are there so many opportunities? For a county magistrate's daughter to marry into the royal family as a concubine is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
The magistrate's wife said, "I think we can still try to persuade her. Her Highness the Princess is friendly and easy to talk to, and must be a generous and virtuous person. If she agrees, that would be fine."
Lord Fang thought about it and it seemed to make sense. Since ancient times, there have been countless instances of wives helping their husbands take concubines. And Prince Ling only has one concubine in his harem. As the princess, it is only right that she arranges for a few more.
"Alright, then you should try to invite the princess to your residence another day so that you can get along well with her."
"Okay, sure."
The magistrate's wife happily agreed, but Fang Ruotong was not so keen: "Does she expect me to serve her?"
"She is the principal wife. Without her consent, even if you marry into the Prince's mansion, you will only be a concubine without a title. How can that be acceptable?"
Fang Ruotong nodded after hearing her mother's words, but as a spoiled young lady, she was still unconvinced.
...
Upon arriving at the pre-booked inn, Zhong Muyu hurriedly took off her elaborate attire and changed into a set of light and simple clothes.
Hearing the hawking outside, Zhong Muyu couldn't help but lean out the window to look. Although it was a small county town, it was full of vitality.
Hearing footsteps behind him, Zhong Muyu didn't turn around: "Are you going to see the magistrate later?"
"It's not too late to start tomorrow. Let's rest for today. Or would you like to go out and have some fun?"
"Of course we should go out and see the world; there's nothing to do if we stay cooped up in the inn."
Zhong Muyu left the windowsill, and Lu Ziyuan smiled and extended his hand: "Then let's wander around around here."
There was a river outside the inn that flowed through the entire county. When a flash flood broke out, the town was saved from being flooded thanks to this river, but other places were not so lucky.
The city was full of traces of the flood. The two came to a pavilion, and the evening breeze felt soft and comfortable on their faces.
"I said, the magistrate's daughter seems to have a thing for you."
Zhong Muyu tucked her wind-blown hair back into place and said, seemingly unintentionally.
"I know."
Lu Ziyuan sat down next to Zhong Muyu: "I saw her once when the reservoir dam was being built in Ling'an County two years ago. I guess that's when she took notice of me. Last time when we came to manage the flood, she kept asking to help, but she always made things worse. So I made her stay in the mansion and forbade her from going out during the flood."
"puff!"
Zhong Muyu couldn't help but laugh. Just by looking at Fang Ruotong's behavior, she could almost imagine what had happened.
"Since she's interested in me, we've been trying to avoid contact with them during this time."
Lu Ziyuan's timely statement pleased Zhong Muyu, but she still felt that the magistrate and his wife would not give up.
"I think this matter will have to be brought to the forefront sooner or later."
How do you know?
"At today's banquet, the magistrate's wife spoke highly of her daughter to me, praising her to the skies. She was practically asking me to agree to take her daughter in. I think it won't be long before the magistrate brings it up to you."
"Bring it up if you want, but I won't take her as a concubine anyway."
He was content with having a smart and beautiful wife.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com