"I am Zhao Xile." Zhao Xile looked at Princess Anping, her face showing no sadness.
She had given it her all; the princess was truly amazing.
She was less skilled than others.
Princess Anping stood up, walked over to Zhao Xile, squatted down, looked her up and down a few times, her eyebrows slightly curved, and her smile grew wider and wider: "You are so cute."
After saying that, he pinched Zhao Xile's cheek.
Zhao Xile stood there in a daze, never expecting this beautiful woman to act this way.
Jiang Bai was also a little curious. Princess Anping of the current dynasty was renowned throughout the world, but he did not expect her to have such a cheerful personality.
Zhao Xile came to her senses, but Princess Anping looked at her with a doting smile.
The people below were somewhat at a loss. Princess Anping actually liked Zhao Xile so much, even though they were rivals.
If it were someone else's daughter, she would probably be showing off to Zhao Xile right now.
Playing chess is different from playing the piano; it doesn't require someone to judge it, and the winner and loser are decided on the spot.
However, just as He Yu was about to announce the results, An Ping stood up and said, "Lord He Yu, the winner is Zhao Xile."
"What?!" the people underground exclaimed in unison.
The Zhao family members were also quite surprised: "Princess, this is unacceptable, you have won."
“Zhao Xile is young, and besides, I’m just here to have some fun. I don’t want to go to that damned Imperial Academy.” After saying that, Princess Anping went straight off the stage and sat back down in her seat.
Now that everyone has thought of it, Princess Anping is different from ordinary women. She is completely ignorant of all the arts except chess, and she never learns needlework like other young ladies. Instead, she is quite interested in swordsmanship.
She had previously argued with the Empress about whether or not she should be admitted to the Imperial Academy.
In short, Princess Anping was no ordinary person.
Upon hearing this, He Yu did not refute it further, but instead chuckled, "Since the princess has made up her mind, Zhao Xile will win this round."
Zhao Xile looked somewhat bewildered, then glanced at the pretty older sister.
Princess Anping made a funny face at her instead, which made Zhao Xile giggle.
Jiang Bai leaned down and said to Zhao Xile, "After the competition ends, Le'er will personally thank Princess Anping."
Everyone initially thought Zhao Xile was unlucky to have to play chess with Princess Anping, but now everyone was heartbroken. This wasn't just bad luck; it was like the god of fortune had possessed him! Wasn't this a free opportunity?!
Zhao Xile sat back down in his original seat. Li Mi, looking exasperated, clenched his fists and said a few more words to Wang Xuan before leaving his seat.
However, with so many people on the field, no one cared about the departure of Li Mi, an insignificant person.
The players are paired up in pairs, and the winners then play against each other.
After playing a few rounds with Princess Anping, Zhao Xile felt that the people in front of him were all of very average skill, and he won the top three in the chess competition almost without any suspense.
The last item is calligraphy and painting.
Even if Zhao Xile doesn't participate, from now on, no one will forget that the Zhao family had such a talented woman.
Even the name Zhao Xile has become a focus of attention for the old scholars in the capital. They greatly admire her, and some have even considered taking her as their disciple.
The prevailing social atmosphere was relatively open at the time, and the students included both men and women.
However, most of the women who could become students of great Confucian scholars were sent there through connections from their families because of their illustrious backgrounds. Zhao Xile was the first person to gain the attention of these great Confucian scholars through her own abilities.
Most importantly, at the young age of five, he already possessed such talent.
It is truly astonishing and amazing.
Time flew by, and ten minutes had already passed since lunchtime, so after the second game, it was time for a short rest.
Two hours later, the final calligraphy and painting competition will continue.
To prevent cheating or in case of unforeseen circumstances, even during rest periods, one cannot leave the Imperial College.
The summer afternoon sun was quite strong. The stewards and nobles had already set up fans and ice to dispel the heat, but the merchants, due to their limited authority, could not yet summon servants from their homes, and many were already showing signs of heatstroke.
Since the Zhao family and Lei Yun were sitting together, everything was naturally the best for them.
Not only was the location shady and had ice to cool it down, but the food was also prepared by the chefs of the Lei family mansion.
Even Princess Anping had her cook send some things to Zhao Xile, and Jiang Bai and Zhao Yi also tried them.
In short, the Zhao family has become a thorn in the side of other merchants. Although many people are jealous, they have already made up their minds to build a good relationship with the Zhao family in the future.
Suddenly, the Zhao family, which had just established itself in the capital, became a hot commodity and an undeniable force in the business world.
As Jiang Bai sipped his chilled lotus seed soup, he thought to himself that participating in the Imperial Academy selection this time was definitely the right decision.
Heaven has been too kind to them.
"Mother, I need to use the restroom," Zhao Xile said to Jiang Bai.
Jiang Bai gave a few instructions to the maidservant who was serving Zhao Xile, and then told her to take Zhao Xile away.
Lei Yun looked up: "What do you mean by 'going to the toilet'?"
Jiang Bai was slightly embarrassed: "General Lei, I think you probably don't want to know when I'm eating."
Lei Yun paused, his hand holding the spoon still, and then fell silent.
Fang Xiaocui followed Zhao Xile downstairs, and the two of them soon found a place to use the restroom.
"Miss, please go ahead, I'll wait for you here."
"Okay." Zhao Xile nodded with a smile, but when he came out a short while later, he didn't see Xiao Cui.
She looked around: "Sister Xiao Cui? Sister Xiao Cui?"
But no one responded to her.
"Miss, who are you looking for?" A man with a pointed face and monkey-like features squatted down and grabbed Zhao Xile.
He gripped her wrist quite tightly, causing Zhao Xile's delicate white wrist to ache. "Uncle, you...you're hurting me."
Zhao Xile spoke in a soft, gentle tone. The man paused, seemingly finding the child too adorable, and felt a pang of pity.
However, Li Mi behind him coughed twice, immediately interrupting his hesitation: "How about I take you to find Sister Xiao Cui?"
Zhao Xile looked at this person. Her mother had told her not to listen to strangers. She shook her head and said, "I don't want to. I'll wait for Sister Xiaocui here."
"Listen to me, Sister Xiao Cui isn't here. I'll take you there."
"I don't want to!" the man said, and forcibly dragged Zhao Xile away. Zhao Xile burst into tears.
For some reason, Jiang Bai's hand, which was drinking lotus seed soup, suddenly trembled, and the porcelain spoon fell into the bowl with a clatter.
Zhao Yi turned around: "Bai'er, what's wrong?"
Jiang Bai felt a little uncomfortable: "I don't know, I feel a bit down."
Why hasn't Le'er returned yet?
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