Chapter 6

The next day.

As Zhou Shan was imprisoned, the rumors in the capital were automatically broken. The Imperial Court had given a death order that no one was allowed to talk about it. If anyone was caught, they would be directly sentenced to a heavy sentence. At best, they would be sent to the border, and at worst, they would be imprisoned.

However, the effect was still unavoidable to the higher-ups.

For example, on the Crown Prince’s trip today, although he was visiting the Grand Tutor in name, his true intentions could be seen by anyone with discerning eyes.

The Grand Tutor was one of the three dukes and was highly respected. He was an elder of three dynasties and had disciples all over the world. Although he rarely went to court now, he was the stabilizing force of the Great Xia Empire. With him in the imperial court, it would not be chaotic.

He did not have a son and only had a daughter. Her name was Ji Xueyan, and she was skilled in both civil and military matters. She was proficient in poetry, songs, and paintings. She had the noble aura of a famous family, and there was also the quietness of a woman. She was also a great scholar of the Jixia Academy and had comprehended the Righteousness Qi. She was the leader of the young generation of the Jixia Academy and the future successor.

Three years ago, they were already engaged. After the Crown Prince’s ceremony, they would hold a wedding.

(Note: The legal age is 16 years old.)

Once the strong joined forces and the marriage was successful, with the support of the Grand Tutor, the support of the Jixia Academy, and the empress’s influence, the status of the Crown Prince would be as stable as a mountain. Even if Emperor Xia wanted to change the Crown Prince, he had to consider if there would be any unrest in the Great Xia Empire.

Such a genius was famous throughout the capital.

As a Grand Tutor, his daughter’s happiness was more important than anything else. Even if the other party was the Crown Prince, if this matter was confirmed, this marriage would be over and this scene would happen.

The Grand Tutor lived in the Vermilion Bird Workshop, near the Serene Heart Lake, not far from Zhang Ronghua’s new home.

The Crown Prince’s carriage stopped at the main door.

From this morning, the Grand Tutor’s residence had been sprinkled and cleaned. It was spotless. The old butler, Uncle Zhong, personally brought people to welcome him at the door. Although he was the butler, he had followed the Grand Tutor for 60 years and was deeply valued by him.

“The Crown Prince has arrived!” Qing’er said.

“Greetings, Your Highness!” Uncle Zhong and the others bowed.

Qing’er lifted the curtain and placed her right hand on the top of the carriage to prevent the Crown Prince’s forehead from touching it.

Stepping on the stool, the Crown Prince got out of the carriage and stopped in front of Uncle Zhong. “Uncle Zhong, please stand up!”

“I don’t dare!” Uncle Zhong knew his limits.

“Master is waiting for you in the hall. Your Highness, please!”

Move aside.

The Crown Prince walked into the Grand Tutor’s residence. Zhang Ronghua, Qing’er, and Shuang’er followed behind. The rest of the people guarded outside and were on guard to prevent the thieves from approaching.

Although this was unnecessary, the rules could not be broken.

When he arrived at the front yard, he was a hundred steps away from the hall. The Crown Prince stopped.

There were more than a hundred runes carved on the ground with the Five Elements Technique. They were complicated, profound, and obscure, emitting a dense water element power.

“This was set by Master.”

The Crown Prince glanced at him, but Uncle Zhong’s expression did not change. He calmly met his scrutinizing gaze and smiled, “Since it’s set by the Grand Tutor, I naturally have to abide by it.”

He took a step forward and entered the Five Elements Array.

Boundless water element power circulated, forming a light screen that enveloped the Crown Prince.

Letting this force scan his body, the Crown Prince did not resist.

Zhang Ronghua narrowed his eyes. Although this matter had been resolved, even if it was a rumor spread by someone with ill intentions, the Grand Tutor was still worried, causing this test to happen.

If the Crown Prince was a woman, under its stimulation, the power of the five elements array would dissipate on its own.

If not, the array would be intact.

He was also very curious if the Crown Prince was a woman. He looked at it seriously and did not miss any details.

A few breaths later.

The Crown Prince smiled calmly and walked past the Five Elements Array Formation towards the hall.

Uncle Zhong smiled from the bottom of his heart. He was happy for his Miss. After marrying over, she would be happy.

“He’s not a woman?” Zhang Ronghua did not know what was going on, but he was a little disappointed.

Outside the hall.

He did not go in and casually found a place to stay outside.

A while later.

After the Grand Tutor left, the Crown Prince brought them to the backyard.

As he got closer, an elegant and light tune sounded from the backyard.

Beside the lake, a white-clothed woman was wearing a veil and sitting on a soft cushion. Her ten slender hands were playing the zither. Even when she heard footsteps behind her, she did not stop.

From the back, she was devastatingly beautiful and mesmerizing. Her temperament was unique and untainted, like a fairy walking out of a painting.

A few minutes later.

She stopped and stood up from the soft cushion. She bowed slightly and said in a very pleasant voice, “Greetings, Your Highness!”

“Yes.” The Crown Prince nodded.

“I haven’t seen you in a while. Xueyan, your zither skills have improved again.”

“It’s still far inferior to Her Highness.” Ji Xueyan shook her head.

As they chatted, Zhang Ronghua was only responsible for listening. Although her face was covered by a veil and her true appearance could not be seen, from her facial features, she was a beauty.

Her actions were elegant and she carried nobility everywhere. As expected of the daughter of a top official family.

After chatting for a while.

The Crown Prince and Ji Xueyan left and walked around the lake. They chatted as they walked. Zhang Ronghua and the other two waited here.

Qing’er said, “Shuang’er, another round?”

Beside the zither was a Go board.

“No! You only know how to bully me. If you have the ability, go find His Highness.” Shuang’er shook her head like a rattle.

“Boring!”

Looking at Zhang Ronghua, Qing’er’s beautiful eyes darted around cunningly, “Want a round?”

Zhang Ronghua looked around, his meaning self-evident.

“Every time His Highness chats with Miss Xueyan, it takes two to four hours. This is how we pass the time.”

“Alright.”

The two of them sat down at the Go board.

Qing’er handed the white Go piece to him and raised the corners of her mouth proudly, “I’ll give you an advantage.”

Zhang Ronghua smiled. Did he need an advantage? How much did she look down on him?

He placed a white Go piece in the center of the Go board in a majestic manner. Qing’er followed and exchanged blows. After more than ten moves, Qing’er’s face frowned like a bitter gourd. Her black Go pieces were defeated by the encirclement of the white Go pieces. Every piece she placed required a long time to think.

Then…

After more than 20 moves, her black Go piece was forced to a dead end. The white Go piece had already become a dragon slayer. No matter how she placed her Go piece, there was only one result, and that was to lose!

“Phew!” Qing’er let out a shaky breath. Her competitive spirit was aroused, and she refused to admit defeat, “Again!”

Five rounds in a row.

Zhang Ronghua tortured her like she was a noob. With his terrifying talent, no matter what he learned, his Go skills were naturally perfect.

“Heh heh! Have you also tasted the feeling of being tortured?” Shuang’er teased.

“It’s my turn to go first with the white piece.”

“Alright!”

The result was still the same. Even if she made the first move with the white piece, Qing’er would still be unable to change her fate of losing and being tortured.

After a while.

She resigned herself to fate. “I can’t win against you!”

“Actually, your Go skills are very high. I was just a little lucky.”

“Hmph! A loss is a loss.” Qing’er raised her chin.

Looking at the zither, her beautiful eyes lit up, “You know how to play the zither?”