"A marriage alliance? Does he want to marry the princess of Daqian? Or does he want to marry the princess of Wuhuan to him?"
Cheng Tingrui shook his head and said, "I don't know. There's only a rumor about it right now, but there are no specific details."
He Youyou couldn't hide her joy: "Whether he's marrying or being married off, the royal family will need to prepare a lot of things for the wedding. This is our chance."
"Yes, I'll have someone prepare."
Cheng Tingrui agreed and pushed a plate of food towards her.
Looking at the dishes, He Youyou asked in confusion, "Minzhi, why did you order so much food today? There are only two of us, can we eat all of this?"
Cheng Tingrui smiled, his handsome face beaming. "It's been a long time since I've eaten out. I want to try every new dish I see. I'm sorry you had to. Just think of it as me being greedy. Keep me company. If we can't finish, we can eat a little longer."
He Youyou said helplessly, "Alright, but I'm just keeping you company. I really can't eat anymore. If you're craving it, then eat more."
"good."
"But Minzhi, why did you choose such a remote restaurant today? Aren't the best restaurants all on Zhuque Street?"
The restaurant that Cheng Tingrui chose today is located in a slightly remote area.
It is quite a distance from the busiest and widest Zhuque Avenue.
Cheng Tingrui had just picked up a slice of lotus root with his chopsticks.
Hearing her question, he paused for a moment with his chopsticks.
He looked at the lotus root slices with a calm expression: "Those most famous restaurants are certainly good, but going to the same few all the time gets a bit tiresome. I was thinking, why not try some other flavors? This restaurant serves Chu cuisine, which is quite rare in the capital. I'd like to bring you here to try it."
As the two were chatting, they suddenly heard a noisy commotion coming from afar outside the window.
He Youyou raised her head and listened intently.
"Huh? What's going on outside? Why is it so lively?"
Cheng Tingrui's face suddenly turned pale.
He stared incredulously in the direction of the window.
He Youyou had already left her seat and walked to the window.
Cheng Tingrui also rushed over and peered out the window.
He Youyou rarely saw him so flustered, and found it amusing.
A large crowd was gathering on the street next to the restaurant.
"What's that?" He Youyou asked, pointing at the crowd. "Why is there also the sound of gongs and drums?"
Cheng Tingrui said casually, "Perhaps it's a happy occasion. Let's go back and have dinner."
He Youyou continued gazing into the distance: "Wait a minute? Why do I think I see a lot of flags? And people on horseback?"
Cheng Tingrui gripped the window frame tightly, his thin lips pressed into a thin line.
Just then, a waiter from the restaurant came to the window, leaning out to watch the commotion.
He Youyou casually asked him, "Waiter, do you know what kind of group is coming from over there? Why is it so noisy?"
The waiter carefully examined the documents and replied, "Madam, I have heard people say that today is the day when the King of Yue's Youzhou army returns to the capital in triumph."
Cheng Tingrui suddenly spoke up: "When the army returns to the capital, shouldn't it enter through the Desheng Gate and then proceed along Zhuque Avenue?"
The waiter scratched his head, completely baffled: "That's right, Zhuque Avenue is the widest avenue in the capital, leading straight to the Imperial City. Logically, it shouldn't be on our street, so why is it here?"
He Youyou, however, was in high spirits: "Hey, who cares? Let's go down and see what's going on."
Just as I was about to turn around and go downstairs, I suddenly felt someone tugging at my sleeve.
Turning around, he saw Cheng Tingrui.
"Minzhi, why are you pulling me?"
Cheng Tingrui looked somewhat anxious: "Youyou, it's crowded down there and not very safe. It's better not to go down."
The waiter chimed in, "Yes, Madam, you can see much better from upstairs."
He Youyou thought about it and agreed.
So he turned around, clung to the window frame, and peered down.
Cheng Tingrui stood beside her like a pillar, his expression solemn and motionless.
A short while later, the procession drew closer, and some details became clearer.
Within the ranks, flags fluttered in the wind, each embroidered with a large character "干" (gān, meaning "to do") and "赵" (zhào, meaning "Zhao").
On hundreds of warhorses, generals clad in silver helmets and armor gleamed in the sunlight.
The weapon held firmly in his hand reflected a blinding light.
The most eye-catching one in the cavalry was dressed in a white robe and silver armor, with a silver-white crown on his head; he was handsome and extraordinary.
He Youyou overheard the waiter beside her exclaim in a low voice, "Prince Yue's trip has been truly remarkable... In just a few months, he has pacified several neighboring countries, and I heard that on his way back to the capital, he also wiped out several bandit gangs. Now, with such outstanding military achievements, who in the court and the public doesn't admire him?"
"Really? That's amazing?"
"Yes, I heard that the Prince of Yue hasn't married yet. With such great merit this time, he'll surely be highly valued by the Emperor. The noble families and officials of the capital will be lining up at the gates of the Prince of Yue's residence to try and arrange a marriage..."
Under the sunlight, Zhao Changqing's face seemed to glow with a shimmering light, like a jade sculpture.
He Youyou leaned on the windowsill, resting her chin on her hand.
"Waiter, you don't know this, but the King of Yue has someone he likes."
Cheng Tingrui felt a chill run down his spine.
To everyone's surprise, the waiter chuckled nonchalantly, "Hehe, is Madam referring to the Prince of Yue's mistress? Then there's no need to worry. A mistress is still a mistress, and the Prince of Yue's mansion will always have a legitimate princess."
"What mistress? Zhao Changqing has a mistress?!" He Youyou exclaimed in surprise.
The waiter said mysteriously, "Yes! I heard that the King of Yue has set aside a piece of land in his palace and built a small courtyard specifically for keeping his mistress. Some curious people have gone to see it. The courtyard is right next to the palace, with a black lacquered gate and a sign that reads 'He Family'. I bet the mistress's surname is He."
He Youyou's mouth was slightly open, but she couldn't say a word.
When did the rumors start?
The rumors spread faster than she made money?
She stared blankly at Cheng Tingrui, wanting some comfort.
Cheng Tingrui seemed to be shocked as well, his face turning pale.
He Youyou last saw Zhao Changqing half a year ago.
He put on his clothes, let his hair down, and jumped over the wall to find her.
He pulled her into the room and questioned her about why she had moved...
Half a year of trials and tribulations seemed to have transformed this person into a different person.
He has become more composed.
Men who are focused on their careers are indeed more attractive.
The procession happened to arrive at the window of the restaurant, where Zhao Changqing's figure on horseback was right below.
He Youyou looked at him and blurted out, "Zhao Changqing, it's been a long time."
The sound wasn't loud.
It should have been submerged in the cacophony of noise.
However, the person on horseback seemed to hear her the moment she spoke.
Zhao Changqing slowly raised one hand.
At the same time, pull the reins.
Zhao Changqing's horse stopped, and the horses of the entire troop also stopped.
The surging crowds on both sides of the line also came to a stop.
Only Zhao Changqing's gaze did not stop, looking straight up, piercing through the sunlight and air, towards the people upstairs.
He Youyou rested her chin on her hand, quietly nestled in the carved window, like a painting.
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