wild man
Xie Zhuo was very satisfied after spending most of the day with Fu Zhi Qiao. When he left the winery, he even bought two jars of premium Taibai wine to take with him.
Fu Zhiqiao offered to give him the wine, but he insisted on paying for it, so Fu Zhiqiao let him have his way.
Back in the city, it was already quite dark. Wang Qianxin drove his carriage to the gate of the Fu residence.
Just as Fu Zhi Qiao was about to get out of the car, Xie Zhuo grabbed her hand. The two were very close, close enough to smell a faint fragrance emanating from her.
Xie Zhuo's Adam's apple bobbed: "I'm very happy today."
An ambiguous atmosphere filled the air.
Meeting Xie Zhuo's bright, star-like eyes, Fu Zhi Qiao was momentarily speechless, and could only reply, "Well, whatever makes you happy."
Xie Zhuo watched her enter the Fu residence before instructing Wang Qianxin, "Go back."
As soon as she returned to the manor, Ginkgo came up to her and looked her up and down. "Miss, are you hungry? The kitchen has prepared some osmanthus cake."
"Okay, bring it over."
Yinxing pushed open the door and came in, carrying a tray with a bowl of minced meat porridge, a bowl of fragrant chicken soup, and a small dish of osmanthus cake.
"Madam knows that the young lady has worked hard, so she specially instructed the kitchen to prepare this."
The night is not as hot as the day, and there is a slight coolness when the evening breeze blows.
Fu Zhiqiao picked up a spoon and took a sip of chicken soup to warm her stomach. The chicken soup was simmered over low heat, and the chicken skin and meat were tenderized in the soup, making it very flavorful.
After eating and washing up, Fu Zhi Qiao went to bed early.
Bailu Academy has a ten-day break every month, with each ten-day period lasting fifteen days. Students get a day off every fifteen days so they can go home to pick up their clothes and see their families.
After Zhou Lizhang went down the mountain, he learned that Fu Zhiqiao had been granted the title of County Lady. He was very conflicted. Miss Fu was such a good person, and now she had been personally granted the title of County Lady of Ming'an by His Majesty. He felt even more unworthy of her.
The next time I went down the mountain was to participate in the provincial examination.
Zhou Lizhang knew he should prioritize the provincial examination, but he had many questions and his mind was in turmoil.
Miss Fu is so beautiful and intelligent, and she was even granted the title of County Lady by the Emperor... What kind of husband could she not find? Why would she choose me, a poor student from a family with nothing to his name?
Zhou Lizhang knew in his heart that he would not presume to think that Fu Zhiqiao had fallen in love with him. What worried him was that when Fu Zhiqiao came to see him last time, she had not yet received the emperor's reward. Now that she was a county lady personally appointed by the emperor, would their agreement still stand?
Without a clear answer, Zhou Lizhang's heart remained suspended in mid-air. This feeling of being caught between uncertainty and uncertainty made him extremely anxious, making it impossible for him to concentrate on his studies.
He had to see her and get to the bottom of things. After much deliberation, Zhou Lizhang finally wrote her a letter inviting her to meet.
Zhou Lizhang delivered the letter to the door.
The Fu family's doorman had been receiving too many people these past two days. Knowing that his daughter's business was booming, he was afraid of missing any important information, so he didn't dare to delay and handed over Zhou Lizhang's letter immediately.
In his letter, Zhou Lizhang said he wanted to see her.
With the provincial examination just around the corner, Zhou Lizhang must have something important to discuss with her when he contacted her at this time. Fu Zhiqiao made time to meet him.
Zhou Lizhang hadn't slept well all night. When he got up in the morning, his eyes were still a little swollen. He splashed some cold water on his face and immediately felt refreshed.
Zhou Lizhang was secretly excited about meeting Fu Zhiqiao. He changed into his best robe, which he had specially starched so that it was wrinkle-free. He wet his hands and smoothed his hair, and the water reflected his radiant appearance.
The meeting place was Guyuan Tower.
Guyuan Tower is a landmark building in Qingzhou. It was built by the emperor of the previous dynasty for Dong Yi, the top scholar in the imperial examination at that time. In the past hundred years, Qingzhou has only produced one top scholar, so Guyuan Tower holds a significant place in the hearts of Qingzhou students.
Zhou Lizhang invited Fu Zhiqiao here to express his determination to pass the imperial examination.
Zhou Lizhang had arrived early and was waiting downstairs at Guyuan Tower.
It was still early, and there were few people in Guyuan Tower. Zhou Lizhang was a little absent-minded, worried that Fu Zhiqiao wouldn't come today.
Soon the appointed time arrived, and Zhou Lizhang secretly breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Fu Zhiqiao appear.
Yinxing stood guard downstairs while Fu Zhiqiao and Zhou Lizhang climbed up to the Guyuan Tower.
The main building of Guyuan Tower is three stories high, with flying eaves on each floor, making it majestic and stable. Guyuan Tower has a corridor on all four sides. Standing on the corridor on the third floor, you can see the continuous waters of Qingzhou and the bustling streets and markets in the city.
Zhou Lizhang was a little nervous when he met Fu Zhiqiao. He first congratulated her on receiving the award, and then chatted with her for a few polite words.
Zhou Lizhang's face flushed red, and a light sheen of sweat appeared on his forehead. He didn't know which foot to step with. Just as he was trying to figure out how to start the conversation, Fu Zhiqiao asked, "Young Master Zhou, have you been under a lot of academic pressure lately?"
"Huh?" He was confused.
Fu Zhi Qiao only asked because she noticed the faint dark circles under Zhou Li Zhang's eyes. Little did she know that Zhou Li Zhang had been so nervous about today's meeting that he hadn't slept all night.
Zhou Lizhang chuckled twice, "It's alright, it's alright."
The results of his ten years of hard study will be revealed in a little over ten days. He is indeed under a lot of pressure, but what bothers him the most right now is not the provincial examination, but Fu Zhiqiao.
Zhou Lizhang composed himself and mustered his courage: "Now that the County Lady has received His Majesty's reward, I wonder if what you said to me last time still stands?"
Zhou Lizhang himself didn't realize that he had already listed Fu Zhiqiao as his future marriage partner in his heart, which is why he couldn't wait to hear the answer from her.
During the time she was granted the title of County Lady, Fu Zhi Qiao had been busy with social engagements and hadn't really thought about this matter with Zhou Li Zhang. But now, hearing Zhou Li Zhang mention it, she suddenly realized that she was now a County Lady. As a County Lady, she was no longer required to pay taxes, not to mention the penalty of not paying five times the usual amount.
Fu Zhiqiao thought about the question seriously. To be fair, Zhou Lizhang was not bad-looking. Although he did not have the stunning appearance of Xie Zhuo, he had a kind of gentle and pleasant feeling.
In Fu Zhiqiao's view, Zhou Lizhang is a promising talent. He comes from a poor family, is quite gifted, and ranks among the top students in Bailu Academy.
It's impossible for her and Xie Zhuo to be together. Rather than staying where she is, she should look further ahead.
If you're going to cut ties, cut them off cleanly, leaving no room for lingering thoughts, right?
Seeing Zhou Lizhang's shy and nervous expression, Fu Zhiqiao found it a little funny: "Of course it counts."
In the few breaths of waiting for her reply, Zhou Lizhang felt that time had never passed so slowly.
Fu Zhi Qiao's affirmative reply sounded like heavenly music to Zhou Li Zhang's ears, making his heart tremble.
Zhou Lizhang laughed. He had been nervous before coming, but now he could finally relax.
"No need to keep calling me 'County Lord,' just call me by my name."
Zhou Lizhang was a little embarrassed, "Miss Fu... Miss Fu."
The name "Zhi Qiao" circled in his mouth, but he ultimately didn't say it.
Let's wait until he passes the imperial examination and becomes a scholar.
Fu Zhi Qiao was naturally unaware of Zhou Li Zhang's thoughts. She assumed that Zhou Li Zhang was just embarrassed and didn't say anything more.
"Just do your best and have a clear conscience." Knowing that he was about to participate in the autumn examination, Fu Zhiqiao encouraged him to let go of his burdens and keep a calm mind. During the conversation, Zhou Lizhang was no longer as reserved as when they first met. His expression gradually relaxed, and his eyes were filled with determination and hope.
The two talked for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn in the ancient building.
The provincial examination is about to begin, and Qingzhou is much more lively than in the past. Students are coming to Guyuan Tower one after another to share in the joy of the top scholar and hope to achieve good results.
As more and more people arrived at Guyuan Tower, Zhou Lizhang knew that their meeting for the day was coming to an end.
The two returned to the entrance of Guyuan Tower and said goodbye to each other.
Just then, a gust of wind blew by, the branches swayed overhead, and the dappled sunlight on the ground changed with the movement of the branches. A green leaf suddenly fell, landing squarely on Fu Zhi Qiao's hair.
Zhou Lizhang stared at the green leaves that had fallen on her head and called out, "Miss Fu."
Fu Zhi Qiao turned around blankly, "What's wrong?"
With skin as white as snow, bright eyes and white teeth, Fu Zhi Qiao was already exceptionally beautiful, and this glance was even more captivating. Zhou Li Zhang's heart skipped a beat. He first pointed to the top of his head, and then pointed to the ends of her hair.
Fu Zhiqiao tilted her head, somewhat confused.
Zhou Lizhang whispered, "There are leaves."
Fu Zhi Qiao touched her head twice but couldn't find it. Zhou Li Zhang approached and said, "I'm sorry for the intrusion." He reached out and removed the leaf from her head.
Fu Zhiqiao looked at the green leaf in his hand and chuckled, "Thank you, Young Master Zhou."
Xie Zhuo happened to see this scene.
The imperial decree has been delivered, and the alcohol deal has been finalized. Xie Zhuo came to see Fu Zhi Qiao today to ask if she wanted to return to the capital with him. She has been away from the capital for so long, it's time for her to go back and check on the business of Taibai Restaurant.
When Xie Zhuo went to the Fu residence, he found out that she was not at home, so he asked the gatekeeper which direction she had gone.
The gatekeeper had met Xie Zhuo on the day the imperial edict was announced and knew his identity as the heir apparent, so he dared not conceal anything and honestly confessed that Fu Zhi Qiao was heading east.
Xie Zhuo followed the clues given by the gatekeeper and happened to see Zhou Lizhang helping her remove the leaves from her hair.
She's actually smiling so happily at another man!
His breathing quickened, his heart clenched, and anger engulfed him.
Xie Zhuo gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. Thinking about Fu Zhi Qiao's recent attitude towards him, he became increasingly panicked, feeling as if his heart was being gnawed by a thousand insects.
Xie Zhuo closed his eyes, trying hard to suppress the urge to rush up and beat the man up.
However, jealousy is uncontrollable. He also noticed that the smile on the man's lips standing opposite Fu Zhiqiao was clearly... shy, yes, shy!
Where did this random guy come from? How dare he seduce Ah Qiao right in front of him!
If looks could kill, Zhou Lizhang would probably be dead a thousand times over.
Xie Zhuo's eyes were calm, and on the surface he looked like a calm lake, but little did people know that a raging storm was brewing beneath the surface.
He secretly memorized Zhou Lizhang's appearance.
Anyone who dares to covet me is asking for death!
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