43: Chapter 43 Zhu Yunxi also confessed his feelings!

Zhao Zilong had not heard about the Qingyang County Literary Society hosting a poetry gathering, and he was not interested in it either.

Now that Princess Zhu Yunxi was asking him, Zhao Zilong guessed her intentions.

"Princess, do you wish to attend this poetry gathering?"

Princess Zhu Yunxi naturally meant just that. She said, "Since arriving in Qingyang County, I have been staying in the official residence and have not been out once. It is somewhat stifling. With this event happening, I would like to go and take a look."

"Princess, you are fond of poetry, so you should not miss such a gathering. I support you, Princess."

Zhao Zilong said this very sincerely, but no sooner had he finished speaking than Cai Wenjing scolded him with a dark face, "Zhao Zilong, do not talk nonsense."

Zhao Zilong asked, "Deputy Director Cai, how am I talking nonsense?"

Cai Wenjing said, "Now that people from the Northern Barbarians have infiltrated Qingyang County and intend to assassinate the Princess, you are encouraging the Princess to attend a poetry gathering. What if something happens to the Princess?"

Zhao Zilong argued, "We cannot keep the Princess from going out forever just because people from the Northern Barbarians have infiltrated Qingyang County, can we? If we do that, what is the difference between the Princess and a prisoner? Staying in the residence all the time will stifle a person."

Hearing Zhao Zilong refute Cai Wenjing's words, Princess Zhu Yunxi's eyes held a look of gratification.

This was why she had not discussed the poetry gathering with Cai Wenjing earlier, because she knew that Cai Wenjing would certainly not agree.

Although she had not been in contact with Zhao Zilong for long, Princess Zhu Yunxi could tell that he was an open-minded person.

This point could be seen from how Zhao Zilong and his son, Zhao Xiaotian, got along and their daily conversations.

If it were any other father and son, how could the son start eating before the father had sat at the table?

Zhao Zilong was a man unbound by worldly conventions.

She just knew that Zhao Zilong would support her.

Although she was a Princess and could disregard anyone's opinion and force her way out to attend the poetry gathering, Princess Zhu Yunxi was not the type of person to use her authority to suppress others.

With Zhao Zilong coming forward to support her, it would be easier for her to persuade Cai Wenjing.

"It is not as if she will stay in the residence for a lifetime, so how could she be stifled? As long as we capture the people from the Northern Barbarians, the Princess can naturally go out."

Cai Wenjing still insisted on her own opinion.

Princess Zhu Yunxi did not speak; she was waiting for Zhao Zilong to refute Cai Wenjing.

Zhao Zilong indeed began to refute, "Deputy Director Cai, according to what you say, if we never catch the people from the Northern Barbarians, the Princess can never go out for the rest of her life? It is true that there are potential dangers if the Princess goes out now, but as long as we take proper protective measures, nothing might happen."

Cai Wenjing did not expect Zhao Zilong to actually oppose her; she really did not take her, the Deputy Director, seriously.

Could it be that after the two of them confirmed their feelings, Zhao Zilong was no longer afraid of her?

Cai Wenjing glared at Zhao Zilong, about to scold him, when Princess Zhu Yunxi spoke up, "Wenjing, I think Mr. Zhao makes sense. As long as we take proper protective measures, I will be fine."

"But, Princess..."

Cai Wenjing also understood that the Princess would feel stifled if she stayed in the residence for too long, but it was truly dangerous to go out now.

Emotionally, she supported the Princess, but her reason told her it was not possible; she had to be responsible for the Princess's safety.

"Wenjing, there are three of us involved in this matter now. Mr. Zhao and I both agree, so your objection alone is invalid. Mr. Zhao, would you say so?"

Princess Zhu Yunxi looked at Zhao Zilong and asked.

Zhao Zilong said, "The Princess is right. Deputy Director Cai, the Princess is able to discuss this with us out of fairness. Otherwise, the Princess could just issue a decree directly; would you really dare not to obey?"

"Zhao Zilong, you... you make me so angry."

Cai Wenjing was furious and knew she could not dissuade her anymore. It was all Zhao Zilong's fault; if Zhao Zilong had opposed it, given the Princess's temperament, she certainly would not have gone out.

Zhao Zilong smiled faintly. Seeing Cai Wenjing's angry expression at this moment, she was actually quite cute.

Princess Zhu Yunxi also smiled faintly. She knew that Cai Wenjing had agreed, and she was very happy.

Finally, she did not have to stay in the official residence all day like a prisoner.

She was finally going to go out and get some fresh air.

At this moment, looking at Zhao Zilong, Princess Zhu Yunxi's eyes were full of appreciation, and there was an inexplicable feeling.

Zhao Zilong was talented but not arrogant, and he was extremely open-minded.

Princess Zhu Yunxi had seen too many royal nobles, but none of them were like Zhao Zilong.

If she did not have to marry far away to the Northern Barbarians this time, and if she, Princess Zhu Yunxi, could choose a husband, she would choose Zhao Zilong.

Although Zhao Zilong was currently just a small Banner Master of the Fuzheng Division, and his status and position were worlds apart from hers.

But Princess Zhu Yunxi knew in her heart that when marrying a husband, one marries the cause, not the result.

What is the cause?

Although Zhao Zilong was currently just a small Banner Master, given his talent and ability, he would surely be extraordinary in the future.

Confirming her feelings with Zhao Zilong now—this was the cause.

And the result? That would be waiting for Zhao Zilong to grow, for his status and position to become higher, and then confirming her feelings with him.

But by then, what would Zhao Zilong think?

Would she be valuing Zhao Zilong the person, or would she be valuing his status and position?

Although she was a Princess and this factor might not have much influence, as a man, he would inevitably overthink it.

Would it affect her future relationship with Zhao Zilong?

The saying goes, "A virtuous wife supports my lofty ambitions, and I repay her with ten thousand taels of gold."

"If you do not accompany me when the sun sets in the west, who are you when I rise again in the east?"

Princess Zhu Yunxi was well-read in poetry and books, so she naturally understood these principles.

As for what feelings Cai Wenjing had for Zhao Zilong, Princess Zhu Yunxi did not care.

It was true that they were sisters, and she could yield to Cai Wenjing in many things, but there were some things she could not yield on.

She would not use her status as a Princess to suppress Cai Wenjing; they could compete fairly. As for who would be able to stay with Zhao Zilong in the end, that would depend on Zhao Zilong's choice.

"Wenjing, I will leave the matter of this outing to you."

Princess Zhu Yunxi said calmly.

Cai Wenjing knew she could not dissuade her, so she simply stopped trying. What she had to do next was to protect the Princess well, so she acknowledged this.

Princess Zhu Yunxi said, "Wenjing, I will discuss the poetry gathering with Mr. Zhao, you go and get busy first. Caiwei, take Xiaotian over there to play."

"Yes, Princess."

Caiwei agreed readily and took Zhao Xiaotian away from the pavilion.

Cai Wenjing acknowledged, glared at Zhao Zilong, and left.

"Mr. Zhao, please sit."

Princess Zhu Yunxi spoke calmly, and Zhao Zilong sat down opposite her.

Zhao Zilong asked, "Princess, what would you like to discuss?"

Princess Zhu Yunxi did not answer Zhao Zilong's question, but asked directly, "I have heard about your divorce from your ex-wife, Jin Rong, Mr. Zhao. Have you thought about remarrying?"

Zhao Zilong was stunned. Why was Princess Zhu Yunxi asking this? Could it be that she had noticed his relationship with Cai Wenjing?

Was she trying to set him up with Cai Wenjing?

Zhao Zilong said, "To tell you the truth, Princess, I naturally want to remarry, but it is not so easy to meet someone you truly care about. Moreover, having been hurt in my last relationship, I am now a bit afraid of matters of the heart."

"Is Mr. Zhao afraid of being betrayed again?"

Princess Zhu Yunxi asked.

Zhao Zilong said, "Yes. In the past, because my status was low, my ex-wife, Jin Rong, betrayed me. I have come to realize that if a man does not have sufficient status, position, and wealth, he cannot keep a woman. Now, my mind is entirely on performing meritorious service and rising in rank and fortune."

Princess Zhu Yunxi said, "There is a saying: 'When you meet a good partner, start a family; when you meet a benefactor, establish a career.' Why must you be so persistent, Mr. Zhao?"

Zhao Zilong did not understand why Princess Zhu Yunxi was saying these things to him. He sighed slightly and said, "But where is this good partner? I have not met one yet."

"Mr. Zhao, what do you think of me, Yunxi? Could I count as a good partner?"