After the milk ball arrived, the father who had no heirs had a string of good luck.

He had this idea, but he couldn't say it out loud!

This girl is incredibly bold.

Don't they know that walls have ears?

Ok!

Qin Zhiyan is one thing, but Situ Che still hasn't let his guard down around Gu Ruoxue.

Even if she mistook him for someone else, she has liked the Crown Prince for so many years. If she were to have a brain fart and pass these words to the Crown Prince, wouldn't that be handing him a handle to use against her?

Tang Rui was just like him; she didn't use people she doubted, and she didn't doubt people she used.

Unless Gu Ruoxue betrays her on her own initiative, she will continue to believe in her.

Tang Rui bit her finger, staring innocently at her father: "Why can't it be changed? If the emperor is incompetent, won't it be the people of Great Xia who suffer? Do you think Uncle Crown Prince will be a foolish or a wise ruler in the future?"

Situ Che gently tapped her forehead: "I told you to stop talking, but you kept going. Do you want me to punish you?"

Tang Rui covered her forehead, pouted, and snuggled into Qin Zhiyan's arms: "Mother, Father hit me."

"Rui Rui, be good. Your father is just worried that you might say something that could cause trouble. Don't cry." Qin Zhiyan said, then looked at Situ Che: "Your Highness, Rui Rui is young and speaks without thinking. There are no outsiders here, so please don't take it to heart."

"Just keep indulging her." Situ Che snorted, glanced at Gu Ruoxue subtly, and said nothing more.

This incident quickly passed, and Tang Rui soon recovered her spirits, her attention drawn to the bustling street scene.

Throughout the journey, the carriage was filled with her sweet, childlike voice.

"Wow, Mother, look at that little rabbit lantern! It's so big! Can we buy it?"

"This lotus lantern is so beautiful!"

"Father, please don't lift the curtain! Lots of young ladies are staring at you and drooling."

...

Situ Che: "..."

Qin Zhiyan and Gu Ruoxue couldn't stop laughing as they looked at Situ Che's darkened face.

Situ Che's face darkened further, but he didn't forget to buy the lantern that Tang Rui had praised.

More and more pedestrians filled the road, and it gradually became completely congested.

Tang Rui lifted the curtain and looked out; a large crowd of passersby was gathered in front of her.

Qin Zhiyan followed her gaze and looked outside, a smile playing on her lips: "That's the Lantern King of this year's Lantern Festival. You have to beat the champion to win it. Ruirui, look at that dragon lantern, isn't it beautiful and majestic?"

Tang Rui nodded repeatedly.

She saw it; the dragon lantern was entirely golden, its scales shimmering brilliantly under the light.

The dragon's whiskers swayed gently in the wind, as if it were about to take flight at any moment and soar into the sky.

His imposing appearance instantly captured Tang Rui's heart.

Most importantly, she saw that the Crown Prince's carriage was also parked to the side, and she knew without guessing that he was there for the dragon lantern.

Tang Rui immediately tugged at Situ Che's sleeve: "Father, I want that dragon lantern!"

"This..." Situ Che looked down at his legs, somewhat embarrassed, and slowly clenched his fists on his legs.

He also wanted to win the dragon lantern for his daughter, but there were many people crowding in front of him, and he had difficulty walking.

We can't exactly let Mingyue push his wheelchair through the crowd, can we?

Gu Ruoxue then spoke up, "Your Highness, I shall go!"

Situ Che's eyebrows twitched: "You?"

Gu Ruoxue smiled slightly: "This concubine is willing to win the dragon lantern for Ruirui and the Prince."

Qin Zhiyan added, "That's right. Sister Gu was a renowned talented woman in the capital back then. If she's willing to take action, who can be her match?"

Situ Che hesitated for a moment, then nodded: "Thank you for your trouble. Let Mingyue go with you."

"I want to go too! I want to go with Madam Gu!" Tang Rui loved to join in the fun.

I must see the ancient lantern festival, or the so-called "King of Lanterns".

"Okay!" With Mingyue around, Situ Che was not worried about their safety.

With his permission, Gu Ruoxue put on her veil, took Tang Rui's hand, and got out of the car. Two guards escorted them as they squeezed into the crowd.

Mingyue also disappeared into the crowd, following the two at a distance.

Finally, Tang Rui led Gu Ruoxue to the very front.

The champion was an old man in his sixties with a kind and gentle face.

Gu Ruoxue recognized the old man and whispered to Tang Rui, "This is Mr. Du, a literary master who is as famous as Scholar Zhou. He is also the head of Qiushan Academy. Although he does not hold an official position, many officials in the court are his students. Qiushan Academy is second only to the Imperial Academy. He presides over the annual Lantern King Competition almost every year."

Tang Rui nodded, indicating that she understood.

At this moment, Old Master Du also saw Gu Ruoxue. His eyes lit up, and he condescended to step down from the arena and approach her: "Young friend Gu, you've come to join the fun too?"

"Greetings, sir!" Gu Ruoxue curtsied, displaying impeccable manners. "You are still as vigorous and spirited as ever, no less so than before."

"Hahaha..." Old Mr. Du laughed heartily, then shifted his gaze to Tang Rui, and said with a smile, "This must be your husband's daughter, right?"

Although he did not hold an official position, he still paid attention to the current situation in the court.

The news that the only daughter of the Prince of Li was granted the title of Princess Zhaohua by the Emperor is no small matter.

Moreover, the name "Zhaohua" alone is enough to show the emperor's fondness for Tang Rui.

It seems that the emperor still favored Prince Li, as the saying goes, "love me, love my dog."

Gu Ruoxue nodded slightly: "Yes, I will have to trouble you to take good care of me in the future."

Tang Rui also used her sweet talk skills at the right time: "Hello, Grandpa Du! I feel so close to you when I see you, just like seeing my maternal grandfather."

A child's remark made Mr. Du laugh out loud again: "You flatter me, sir. What merit do I have to deserve such praise?"

Tang Rui looked disapproving: "How is he lacking in virtue and ability? The old gentleman has a venerable and wise appearance, with white hair and a youthful face. My stepmother said that you are also very knowledgeable, and it would not be an exaggeration to call you a great Confucian scholar of our time."

"Hahaha... You flatter me, you flatter me..." Mr. Du was so flattered that he felt like he was floating on air, and he had a very good first impression of Tang Rui.

There are quite a few children in his academy, but none are as eloquent and articulate as Tang Rui.

Moreover, she is a princess, yet she has none of the airs of one; it's truly rare: "You two have come here also to request a dragon lantern?"

Gu Ruoxue nodded with a smile: "Yes, my daughter really likes this dragon lantern, so I can only do my best."

"Very well, then I'll wait and see!"

After exchanging pleasantries, Mr. Du returned to the ring.

The surrounding crowd was buzzing with discussion, occasionally casting curious glances at Gu Ruoxue.

Mr. Du held a high position among scholars, so why would he show such favor to a young woman?

Tang Rui was also very curious and asked the question that everyone wanted to know.

Gu Ruoxue smiled faintly: "Before I got married, I had the honor of playing a few games of chess with Mr. Du."

Tang Rui understood, and exclaimed in exaggerated surprise, "Mother Gu, I knew you were capable, but I never imagined you were this incredibly capable!"

"..." Don't praise me so bluntly, it's embarrassing.

Gu Ruoxue couldn't help but smile, a hint of smugness in her eyes: "So-so..."

The Crown Prince, accompanied by Situ Wei, stared at Gu Ruoxue with an expressionless face.

Even though she was wearing a veil, he recognized her at a glance.

Gu Ruoxue wasn't unaware of his gaze, but... how should I put it...

Aside from feeling nauseous, I didn't feel anything else.

Finally, the tournament began.