Chu Zhao laughed heartily and looked at Eunuch Qi: “Eunuch Qi, have you seen me concede defeat so many times that you’re afraid I can’t match Ah Yu?”
As she spoke, she made a show of rolling up her sleeves.
“After the literary gathering, I’ve improved greatly. I’m not afraid of not matching Ah Yu.”
Xiao Yu smiled and clenched his small fists: “I’m also not afraid of not matching Elder Sister.”
After saying this, he turned to look at Xie Yanlai.
“Uncle, you should also compete with Ah Yu.”
Xie Yanlai said straightforwardly: “I don’t know how to write.”
Xiao Yu’s small face showed a surprised expression. In his understanding, there was no one in the world who couldn’t write, especially people from the Xie family, his uncle—
His other uncle, the one his mother constantly mentioned, that young master of the Xie family—renowned throughout the realm, learned and talented, capable of anything.
“He can’t match us.” Chu Zhao said with a smile, patting Xiao Yu’s arm. “When Ah Yu learns archery and horsemanship, we’ll compete with your uncle then.”
After saying this, she raised her eyebrows at Xie Yanlai.
Let’s see what he says now—will he say he doesn’t know archery and horsemanship?
Xiao Yu also saw that Chu Zhao was teasing his uncle.
Actually, the uncle his mother constantly mentioned was also very skilled at archery and horsemanship. His mother said he was even better than his father.
But so what?
The child also laughed along with Chu Zhao.
Xie Yanlai looked at the one big and one small laughing at him, rolled his eyes internally, and raised his hand: “Your Majesty, I’ll go attend to my duties first.”
After saying this, without waiting for Xiao Yu and Chu Zhao to speak again, he turned and walked out on his own.
Low laughter came from behind him. How boring! He sneered inwardly. Looking back, he saw the one big and one small in the hall already sitting squeezed together. Not knowing what was said, they leaned their heads together and laughed.
This girl really was—naive yet worldly, heartless yet sentimental.
What did it matter to him how she was? It had nothing to do with him. Xie Yanlai withdrew his gaze and strode away, but after walking not far, he stopped again, as if deliberating, hesitating, remaining motionless for a long time.
The Imperial Guards around him also turned a blind eye, letting him stand there like a wooden post.
……
……
Chu Zhao spent a moment chatting and laughing with Xiao Yu. When Eunuch Qi came to request he attend lessons, Chu Zhao actually went along as well and wrote five sheets of characters for Master Qi to evaluate.
She didn’t deliberately lose to Xiao Yu, bringing out all her skills, and received praise from the teacher.
After the next lesson began, Chu Zhao left Xiao Yu’s study. Just as she stepped out, she saw Xie Yanlai.
Chu Zhao was stunned for a moment and hurried forward: “You didn’t leave? You’ve been waiting here for me this whole time? What’s the matter?” She looked at the eunuchs around them. “Why didn’t you come tell me?”
The eunuchs bowed their heads to say “This servant is guilty,” but Xie Yanlai impatiently stopped them.
“Naturally, I didn’t let them,” he said. “I don’t have any particular matter.”
No particular matter—what kind of matter was this? Chu Zhao looked at him and made an acknowledging sound. She waved her hand at the eunuchs, and they immediately retreated like water. Outside the great hall, only the two of them remained.
Chu Zhao said softly: “Go ahead and speak.”
Why send people away? As if he had something unspeakable to say. Xie Yanlai frowned.
He stepped forward: “Chu Zhao, you should go see your father.”
Chu Zhao was slightly stunned, looking at this young man.
Besides her, there was still someone who kept her father in mind.