Chapter 427: Chen Zhao's Extra (6)
From a distance, you can see Xia Wanqing lowering her head and wiping her tears.
But Chen Zhaozhi was also very annoyed. He was scolded by a woman in front of so many people and had tea poured on him. It was so embarrassing.
Fortunately, this place was near the Imperial Observatory, so he hurried back and changed his clothes.
While changing, I thought, this woman is so annoying!
Wasn't he good enough to her? From childhood to adulthood, she had always obeyed everything she said, and she was the one who had the final say. She would never give her anything she wanted... How could she let her do whatever she wanted in the court affairs today!
The two of them broke up.
Chen Zhaozhi was angry for several days and couldn't practice well.
I guess I've gotten over my anger, but I also feel that she "doesn't deserve this" and if she apologizes sincerely... I can accept it.
But he waited and waited, but Xia Wanqing never apologized. Even the letter he mustered up the courage to send did not receive any response.
Is it necessary to be so angry? Chen Zhao was so angry that he decided not to take the initiative to contact Xia Wanqing until she took the initiative to talk to him.
However, changes always come faster than planned. The master told him that there would be a flower-viewing banquet in the Moon Palace next year, and the emperor and empress would attend, and he would take him with him.
This is a great opportunity!
In the past, whenever there were activities in the palace, he would beg his master to take him along, but his master always refused because he was too young. This time, he finally agreed!
With his status as a disciple of the Grand Master, if he behaves well in front of the Emperor, he might even be able to gain some fame. It doesn't matter if he doesn't have a real job, as long as he can maintain his status.
Wanqing...should also think highly of him.
On the day of the banquet, Chen Zhaozhi took great pains to dress himself up, neither shabby nor outstanding, but steady and elegant. He also memorized several poems in advance and practiced some pleasing physiognomy techniques.
It was obvious that the master did not like his utilitarianism, but he felt that only with a utilitarian mindset could one gain real benefits.
Everything was ready, but he never expected that there would be women attending the banquet. Moreover, there were so many young people of his age that he didn't stand out at all.
The only consolation is that because of his status as a disciple of the national master, no one dares to call him a monster anymore.
He also saw Xia Wanqing in the crowd.
...Xia Wanqing is alone.
He always knew that Xia Wanqing had few female friends since she was a child. She liked to play with boys, fighting, playing in the mud and having water fights.
This results in girls still not liking her when they grow up, and some boys are reluctant to let her go, but have to break off contact with her due to the barriers between men and women.
What's more, I hate her for being a "tomboy".
So now Xia Wanqing is sitting alone, looking pitiful.
Chen Zhaozhi wanted to walk over, but he knew Xia Wanqing's character too well. When she got angry, she would act like an emperor, regardless of the occasion.
If she loses her temper with him at this banquet, his purpose will be ruined and he will become the laughing stock of the entire capital.
He could only watch from a distance, trying to make eye contact.
Xia Wanqing actually noticed his presence. Their eyes met twice, then she looked away indifferently.
It was a little unlike her. She didn't seem like she should be happy or angry.
"The emperor will be here soon. Please take your seats quickly, officials!" A palace servant came running over and shouted.
Everyone dared not to be idle anymore and quickly took their seats.
Chen Zhaozhi was delighted to discover that his and the Grand Master's seats were very close to the front, and closer to the emperor than Xia Wanqing's.
He sat up straight, hoping to make a good impression on the emperor.
"The Emperor has arrived, the Empress has arrived!" With a sharp shout, the Emperor and the Empress walked into the garden hand in hand and took their seats.
This was the second time Chen Zhaozhi met the emperor. He still had a black beard, which was longer than before, and he looked much older.
He had never met the Empress, but he heard that she was the eldest prince's biological mother. The Emperor and Empress were very affectionate, and rumors were circulating that the eldest prince would be named Crown Prince.
The emperor seemed to be in a good mood today, and he was smiling as soon as he arrived.
"Today is the Qixi Festival, my dear ministers, please feel free to do as you please and don't be too restrained." He said this as soon as he came up.
Chen Zhaozhi then remembered that today was Chinese Valentine's Day, a festival for girls, so no wonder all the girls were called here.
It is also a festival of late Qing Dynasty.
After three rounds of drinking, the emperor said drunkenly, "Today, in addition to enjoying the flowers, I have an important announcement to make."
Everyone was busy paying close attention.
"Today, I want to order a marriage proposal and betroth the daughter of the Xia family, Miss Wanqing, to the young master Xiao Yu! Today, the two families will arrange the marriage."
When Chen Zhaozhi heard this, it was as if his head was hit by a hammer.
What?! Xia Wanqing is being betrothed to someone else?!
Engaged? How old is she? She's already deciding on her lifelong event?!
Why her?
But in reality, it wasn't just Chen Zhaozhi; everyone was stunned. Lord Xia was the top candidate for the future Minister of War, and his only daughter was the one many high-ranking officials and nobles wanted to marry. So, how could he, marry that Young Master Xiao...
Didn't he get a strange disease and be expelled from the royal family? He was even forced to change his surname.
He was obviously his biological son, but he still called him Young Master Xiao. Some people couldn't help but feel embarrassed for the emperor.
If you've already reconciled, why not just change it back?
If they hadn't reconciled, why would you arrange such a good marriage for him?
Is this to praise Young Master Xiao or to put down the Xia family?
Everyone was stunned for a long time before realizing that Young Master Xiao was also present today, sitting alone in the very corner. He listened to the emperor's marriage proposal without much reaction, and just sat there with his head down.
The originally lively flower-viewing banquet is now in complete silence.
Xia Wanqing stared at Chen Zhaozhi, as if expecting him to stand up and say something.
But what could Chen Zhaozhi say? Stand up and intercept the marriage? How would the emperor view him then? He didn't understand the overall situation and was obsessed with the relationship between men and women...
Chen Zhaozhi's heart sank to the bottom. Although he and Xia Wanqing knew that they liked each other, they were still young after all and had never considered the specific matters of proposing a marriage.
What should I do now?
Chen Zhaozhi placed his hopes on Mr. Xiao, hoping that he would have some self-awareness and come out to refuse.
Once upon a time, Chen Zhaozhi and this Young Master Xiao were considered the two weirdos in the capital. It was said that one of them had a strange disease and the other had a monster, and both of them were not good people.
Now Shen Zhaozhi has been basically cleared of suspicion, at least everyone is willing to interact with him, but Mr. Xiao's illness has not improved at all.
Is this worthy of Xia Wanqing?
Not only Chen Zhaozhi thought so, but others also felt so.
But this Young Master Xiao just hung his head and didn't move, as if he was petrified.
"Your Majesty is wise!" A woman suddenly rushed out from the crowd and knelt before the emperor and empress.
It turned out to be Xia Wanqing’s mother, Madam Xia!
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