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Chu Xuyuan had made rapid progress in chess and could now play a hundred moves. However, this was against Tang Jinghong. His opponents in the next day’s competition wouldn’t be as strong, so he should be able to achieve a moderate level.

A guard approached, “Miss Chu, General, Miss Yuan Qingqing and her brother Yuan Baozhang have come to visit.”

Yuan Qingqing, the granddaughter of the General of Agile Cavalry, held a high status. Such connections were naturally something Chu Qingzhi wanted to build. Upon hearing the guard’s message, she personally went out to welcome them, “Qingqing, Third Young Master Yuan, please come in.”

When Yuan Qingqing saw Chu Qingzhi coming out personally, she immediately felt closer to Chu Qingzhi. At the very least, she would reciprocate Chu Qingzhi with equal cordiality in the future.

“Qingzhi, sorry to disturb you.”

“Not at all, please come in.” Chu Qingzhi guessed that Yuan Qingqing came for her brother’s matter, so she led them to the courtyard where Chu Xuyuan and Chu Xuyao were.

Upon entering the yard and after introductions, Chu Qingzhi instructed a servant to bring two more chairs for Yuan Qingqing and her brother.

Yuan Qingqing, seeing Chu Xuyuan playing chess and Chu Xuyao playing the guqin, asked with a smile, “Are you also participating in tomorrow’s competition?”

Chu Xuyuan replied, “Yes, the headmaster wants us to gain experience.”

Yuan Qingqing smiled, “My brother is also going to gain experience, but he is participating in the calligraphy competition, different from yours.”

“Haha, it’s good that it’s different; otherwise, we would have been competitors,” Chu Xuyuan remarked, glancing at Yuan Baozhang, who sat upright with a distinguished air.

Everyone laughed, easing the atmosphere.

Yuan Qingqing seized the opportunity to bring up the topic of seeking Chu Qingzhi’s guidance in calligraphy, “Qingzhi, your calligraphy is excellent. Could you give some advice to my brother?”

Chu Qingzhi agreed readily, “Third Young Master Yuan, please write down a phrase in your preferred calligraphy style, and I’ll take a look.”

“Okay.” Yuan Baozhang stood up to write. He thought to himself, Chu Qingzhi is only two years older than me, and she’s a lady. Is her calligraphy really so good that even Wang Lingxi praises her?

The pen and paper used by Chu Xuyuan were placed on the table.

Yuan Baozhang placed a paperweight on the white paper, holding up his right sleeve with his left hand, displaying the air of a scholar. He then wrote the phrase “The conduct of a gentleman is to cultivate oneself in tranquility and nurture virtue in frugality” in running script.

After putting down the brush, he turned towards Chu Qingzhi and said, “Miss Chu, I have finished writing.”

Chu Qingzhi stood up to look.

The characters, written vertically from right to left, were clear, showing a certain style. They were well-written, but perhaps due to his age, they seemed a bit deliberate and rigid, lacking fluidity. In short, the writing was good, but it felt like it was printed on paper.

Chu Qingzhi picked up the brush, dipped it in ink, and rewrote the same phrase on another piece of paper, “Third Young Master Yuan, take a look. Can you spot the difference?”

The characters on the paper were lively yet steady, watching her writing felt like viewing a painting, with a graceful and refined touch of the brush.

The moment Yuan Baozhang saw the characters, he recognized the problem, “I see it now.”

His calligraphy had already reached a bottleneck and someone had guided him before. However, for some reason, he couldn’t quite get it. When he wrote, he still made the same mistake.

But now, Chu Qingzhi didn’t say anything, letting him observe for himself, and his mind became clear, leading to a new understanding.

He took up the brush and rewrote the phrase again.

When his mindset changed, so did his actions. This time, the characters he wrote were significantly different, no longer rigid but much more fluid and dynamic.

Chu Qingzhi commended him, “Third Young Master Yuan, your understanding of calligraphy far exceeds the ordinary. You will certainly shine in tomorrow’s competition.”

Yuan Baozhang modestly smiled, “Thank you for your guidance, Miss Chu.”

Yuan Qingqing, listening to their conversation, smiled slightly. She would remember Qingzhi’s kindness.

When leaving, they presented a carefully prepared gift to Chu Qingzhi, sincerely expressing their gratitude.

In the residence of Prince Zhao.

Lin Yingmin changed his name to Li Tingzhao and was conferred as Prince Zhao. He was granted a mansion, which had just been renovated and moved into yesterday. He was currently the most inconspicuous prince in the Daling Dynasty.

It was precisely because he was inconspicuous that he could reside in the capital. Otherwise, he would have been conferred a fief and made to live there.

His first request after being conferred was to have Consort Xin move in with him in the mansion to fulfill his filial duties. The emperor immediately granted this request.

A prince could request his biological mother to live in the mansion, but once she left the palace, she couldn’t return.

Consort Xin, having adapted to the life in the nunnery, was pleased when Li Tingzhao had the servants convert the courtyard into a nunnery to make her feel more comfortable.

Seeing her son’s thoughtfulness, Consort Xin settled in with peace of mind.

In the courtyard, mother and son sat chatting.

Consort Xin happily said, “Tingzhao, now that you are a prince and have reached the age to marry, isn’t it time to consider marriage?”

Li Tingzhao’s heart sank slightly, “Mother, I’ve just become a prince. There’s no need to rush the marriage.”

“How can we not be in a hurry?” Consort Xin observed her son’s unhappy expression, “Is there some difficulty?”

Li Tingzhao quickly denied, “No, Mother, don’t guess blindly.”

Consort Xin asked curiously, “Then why do you disagree?”

Li Tingzhao avoided the question, “Mother, can we talk about marriage later?”

“It cannot wait; you must explain to me now.” Consort Xin sensed something was wrong with her son’s reaction; there must be a problem.

“Mother, can you not force me?” Li Tingzhao was in pain. He had fallen in love with a woman he shouldn’t have, ascended to a position he never dreamt of, and his mother’s pressure about marriage was becoming overwhelming.

Seeing his state, Consort Xin dared not pressure him further, “I won’t mention it. When you want to talk, we can discuss it.”

“Mother, you rest well. I’ll go out for some fresh air.” Li Tingzhao wanted to hide away from the world like a turtle.

After watching her son leave, Consort Xin summoned a young nun, “Go find out why Tingzhao is so averse to marriage.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Sister Qingshuang.” A young girl in a goose-yellow dress called out to Chu Qingshuang ahead.

Chu Qingshuang was currently shopping with Li Shaoliang and her two senior brothers for the things they still lacked at home. At this moment, she was a little lost as she walked around the streets.

Hearing the voice, Chu Qingshuang turned around. A charming young girl who looked about her age approached, “Who are you?”

The girl introduced herself, “I’m Yang Zhenzhen from the Yang Porcelain Shop.”

With this introduction, everyone knew who she was.

Chu Qingshuang curiously asked, “How do you know me?”

Yang Zhenzhen smiled innocently, “I saw you at the Porcelain Competition. I’m also learning porcelain making, but I’m not as good as you.. Can I ask you for some advice?”