As Prince Li listened to the subtly sharp conversation between Consort Cheng and the Eldest Princess, his brows furrowed into a deep frown.
He opened his mouth, about to interrupt the two, when he heard a loud round of applause coming from the doorway, growing louder as it approached.
“Aunt is right. Rules are rigid, but people are flexible. Those who make the rules can also change them.” Zhou Xingzhi strode into the hall and walked straight toward Song Zhiyu.
Among the crowd, his eyes could only hold her.
Ling Chen and Xiao Xun followed closely behind, one waving a fan and laughing playfully, the other with piercing eyes, fixed on Ye Linxi in the corner.
Ye Linxi noticed a burning gaze that could consume her completely falling on her. She suddenly looked up and met Xiao Xun's deep and dark eyes, which held intense longing and burgeoning desire.
Her heart skipped a beat; that look in his eyes…
It was just like the way a man loses his mind when he's doing that in bed, wanting nothing more than to tear her apart and devour her, to completely merge with her.
Seeing this, her hand holding the teacup trembled, and some of the scalding tea splashed out, wetting her sleeves, but she was completely unaware, while her ears slowly turned red.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince."
Everyone stood up and bowed, their faces beaming with joy. They had thought that His Highness the Crown Prince would not attend the lake tour banquet, since he had never even shown his face in previous years, but this year was different.
"Royal Grandmother."
Zhou Xingzhi stood shrewdly beside Song Zhiyu, his tall figure contrasting sharply with Song Zhiyu's petite waist. From behind, the guests thought they were a perfect match.
"He's here." Upon seeing Zhou Xingzhi, the Empress Dowager's expression softened considerably.
But seeing the two of them standing together, he couldn't help but scoff inwardly.
They were so worried that Song Zhiyu would be made things difficult for them that they rushed over in a hurry.
In the past, the crown prince didn't care about anyone or anything.
Now that there's an exception, they're watching it like it's their own eyes.
In comparison, Consort Cheng's expression was much more unpleasant.
"Without rules, there can be no order. I'm sure the Crown Prince understands this. Although the rules for the lake excursion banquet aren't a big deal, everything has its limits, and we can't be careless about them." Consort Cheng was still unwilling to budge, but her momentum had clearly weakened.
Zhou Xingzhi stood with his hands behind his back. Although he was standing on a lower step, his aura was not diminished at all. His fierceness was aimed directly at Consort Cheng's vital point. "Although the Lintian Dynasty has strict laws and clear systems, there is still a spirit of tolerance under the strict laws."
The Emperor values medicine and has always been kind and benevolent to physicians who are knowledgeable and skilled in medicine. Besides outstanding talent, good character is of paramount importance to the winner of the lake excursion banquet.
Only those with both virtue and talent deserve such a title; those whose virtue does not match their position are perhaps unnecessary. Does Your Highness have a different opinion?
This is a life-or-death question; a slight mistake could lead to utter ruin.
Consort Cheng had no words to express her bitterness and was filled with hatred. Could she possibly refute the emperor's words? That would be courting death.
“Father’s meaning is naturally Mother’s meaning.” Prince Li spoke up at the right time, relieving half of Consort Cheng’s sense of pressure.
Seeing this, Consort Cheng breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly agreed, "Yes, I also wanted to see Miss Song's medical skills."
No matter how many times she faced the Crown Prince, she always felt that every time she met his eyes, it was as if the Emperor was in front of her, and the powerful pressure made it hard for her to breathe.
Consort Cheng forced a smile, but in her heart she harbored deep hatred for Song Zhiyu.
What a femme fatale! Look how infatuated the Crown Prince is with her.
To publicly humiliate Song Zhiyu.
The Crown Prince of the past, though aloof, treated everyone as if they were nothing, never with such an imposing and terrifying aura as he is now.
“Miss Song, you may begin.” Zhou Xingzhi turned to look at Song Zhiyu, his expression unchanged, but his tone softened considerably.
Such drastic differential treatment even made the eldest princess feel some sympathy for Consort Cheng.
As expected, Consort Cheng's face turned completely black, and she almost lost her smile, her eyes bloodshot with anger.
Li Wang's expression changed several times, but he was good at disguising his emotions, making it impossible for others to discern his true feelings.
"To be fair, and to convince everyone of Miss Song's abilities, we will decide on the selection." Consort Cheng, as expected of someone who had been immersed in the palace for many years, quickly adjusted her expression and calmed her emotions in no time.
She wasn't going to let Song Zhiyu get what she wanted so easily.
Consort Cheng leaned close to her personal maid and whispered a few words in her ear.
"Okay." Song Zhiyu nodded slightly and readily agreed.
Zhou Xingzhi turned to look at her, his eyes filled with deep worry.
He believed in Song Zhiyu's abilities, but he couldn't stand the trouble caused by some people.
He secretly gave Jiang Huai a look, signaling him to keep a close eye on Consort Cheng's people and not let them resort to any underhanded tactics.
Jiang Huai's eyes sharpened, and he nodded slightly in a corner where no one was watching to indicate that he understood, before quietly leaving the banquet.
The eldest princess had the same idea as Zhou Xingzhi and sent her personal maid to accompany him.
"Trust me." Song Zhiyu felt a warmth in her heart. She had seen everything Zhou Xingzhi had done for her, and a bright smile appeared on her face. She whispered three words to him in a voice that only the two of them could hear.
For a moment, Zhou Xingzhi's eyes glazed over; it was the first time he had ever seen such a radiant smile on Song Zhiyu's face.
Even though she was always smiling, he always felt a distance between them.
Now he felt that the two of them had taken another step closer, and she was slowly accepting him.
It was rare for a man who rarely showed his emotions to do so openly, and even the Empress Dowager, sitting in the main seat, could tell that Zhou Xingzhi was in a rather pleasant mood at this moment.
She narrowed her eyes in astonishment, never expecting that Song Zhiyu had already occupied such an important place in the Crown Prince's heart, so easily able to sway his emotions.
But she could also see that Song Zhiyu's feelings for the Crown Prince were not that deep.
*
While waiting, the other noble ladies seized the opportunity to showcase their talents in painting, sword dancing, and so on. Each had their own strengths, and for a time, it was impossible to determine a winner.
Song Zhiyu watched with great interest. As expected of a woman from a prominent family with strict upbringing, not only was her appearance exceptional, but her talent was also outstanding. It was truly a visual feast.
Mingzhu stared resentfully at Song Zhiyu's profile, unable to understand why such a talentless and immoral person could win the Crown Prince's favor.
It's a pity that her plan backfired. She thought she could make Song Zhiyu look bad, but she easily foiled it.
Mingzhu was unwilling, but when she caught a glimpse of Shen Jinshu's stiff smile not far away, her mind suddenly calmed down, and she even had the mind to laugh.
I'm afraid there are people who are even more upset than her.
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