"I was very ambitious, but after I left home, I realized that I was useless as a scholar. Later, I finally settled in this antique shop, and I didn't want to settle down for a few days, but I changed the owner again, and today I learned that the new owner is actually a princess. Lin Ze added tea to Zhou Ying again, but he was also calm, "I don't know if the princess wants to open her own store in this store, if so, let me be cheeky and recommend myself to be an accountant." ”

"You have been reading books for so many years to be an official for the imperial examination, not to be an accountant." Zhou Ying groaned, "I'll go back and inquire, let people make up for your fame, and in two years, you will take the exam again, you can prepare and take the exam again." ”

"Thank you for the princess's kindness, but this matter ......" Lin Ze shook his head, his eyes were a little complicated, "This dynasty rules the world with filial piety, and the crime of disobedience of the father to the son is unforgivable." This matter is a foregone conclusion, and the princess really doesn't have to worry about me. ”

Zhou Ying had never been in contact with the matter of removing his fame before, thinking that there was still room for change, seeing Lin Ze say this, he couldn't help but be surprised and sympathetic. She knew that Lin Ze would not joke about her future, and finally became dumbfounded.

Lin Ze was more accepting of the facts than Zhou Ying, and persuaded Zhou Ying: "I don't know how many students take the exam every year, and how many can finally be named on the gold list?" Actually, I did take the entrance examination, but I may not be able to pass it. Now that I don't take the exam, maybe it will save me the embarrassment of losing my name. ”

Although Lin Ze said so, Zhou Ying also knew that whether or not to pass the test was one thing, and whether to take the test or not was another.

Who has read a book for more than ten years, and will assert that he will definitely lose his name without even trying? Not to mention that Lin Ze himself is famous, take 10,000 steps back and say, even if he doesn't learn well, but there will be a chance. In case the exam questions happened to be done the night before, in case you happened to meet a grader who appreciated your style...... After ten years of hard work, who would be willing to give up until the last moment when the gold list was posted.

But things have come to this point, and these words are open, which is a kind of torture for Lin Ze.

So Zhou Ying simply didn't mention it, she pondered for a moment and looked at Lin Ze, "Okay, learn literary and martial arts and sell them to the emperor's family." Even if you don't participate in the imperial examination, you and I are friends in trouble, and I will give you a ride to Qingyun, how about it? ”

Lin Ze's hand pouring tea trembled, and hot water droplets splashed on the back of his hand, but he didn't notice it at all.

There was silence in the room for a while, and the noise of people on the street outside the window made the room even quieter, only the slight sound of tea flowing into the cup echoed in the room. Zhou Ying stretched out her hand, raised Lin Ze's wrist, and said softly, "The teacup is full." ”

Lin Ze looked at the tea that almost overflowed in the cup and smiled to himself. It turns out that no matter how much he deceives himself, he is unwilling in his heart after all. Otherwise, he would not have been stirred by Zhou Ying's simple words. He put down the teapot and said, "Let the princess smile." ”

Zhou Ying made a gesture of innocence and waited for Lin Ze's answer.

Lin Ze didn't answer and asked, "Dare to ask the princess, how does this Qingyun Road go?" ”

Zhou Ying was not surprised, and only said: "There are two paths, I can recommend you to my father or the eldest brother." ”

Thinking about helping people to the end, Zhou Ying further explained: "There is no shortage of people around my father, you want to be reused, and hundreds of people are robbing you." But the benefits are also ready-made, direct contact with the Son of Heaven, if there is meritorious service, promotion is also fast. There is no one around the eldest brother, and you will be reused if you go. But on the other hand, he is only a prince now. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages, depending on how you choose. ”

Lin Ze smiled, "Please forgive me for not knowing what to do, I'm afraid I'm going to disappoint the princess's kindness." ”

Zhou Ying leaned back in her chair and raised her eyebrows, "Could it be that I read it wrong?" "But Lin Ze clearly never gave up and was a mediocre person for the rest of his life.

"Of course the princess is not mistaken." Lin Ze smiled back, lifted the corner of his robe, knelt down on one knee towards Zhou Ying, and looked directly into Zhou Ying's eyes, "But neither of those two are what I want, the person I want to follow is the princess, I wonder if the princess can accept my allegiance?" ”

Zhou Ying stood up in shock, stepped back and said, "What is this, hurry up." ”

Lin Ze couldn't afford it, and only stared at Zhou Ying quietly.

Zhou Ying slowly came back to her senses, tasted Lin Ze's words, and her eyes changed slightly, "You have to think clearly, I'm just a princess." ”

Lin Ze only glanced at Zhou Ying deeply, and said with a smile: "After I separated from the princess, it was only a little more than three years to qu yuan plow, dry salt methods, open a academy, and write books and biography...... Shinong businessman, who doesn't know the merits of the princess, why should the princess be arrogant? ”

Zhou Ying lowered her eyes and played with the small teacup, "You investigate me?" ”

The atmosphere in the room was tense, but Lin Ze didn't realize it, and only smiled: "The princess didn't deliberately hide it, and someone who inquired about it will know." ”

Zhou Ying said in her heart, that is because even if someone hears it, it will only be the heart of Princess Ruyang Bodhisattva, not a bold association.

Seeing that Zhou Ying was silent, Lin Ze only thought that Zhou Ying didn't believe it, and said frankly: "If it weren't for being woken up by the princess, I would still be getting by, spending time in this antique shop day after day." As for the princess's past, I have crossed paths with the princess after all, and out of curiosity, I inquired a few more words, and if I was offended, I asked the princess to confess. If the princess doesn't believe me, she can go and find out, and I was here before she found out. ”

Zhou Ying also smiled, "What you said is also reasonable." But there is one thing that you still haven't answered positively. ”

She glanced at Lin Ze, a little suspicious if she was thinking too much, but after pondering for a while, she finally asked: "You still haven't said it, why do you want to abandon your father and brother, these two people who can better allow you to show your strength and future, and choose me?" ”

Lin Ze blinked, "It's better to be raw than cooked, I still have some friendship with the princess, go to the emperor or the eldest prince, who knows who I am." ”

Hearing this unserious words, Zhou Ying breathed a sigh of relief and quipped: "I'm sorry, I'm afraid you and I don't know each other that well." ”

Lin Ze lowered his head and smiled.

Zhou Ying was half-true and half-annoyed, and when she walked to the door, she finally heard Lin Ze's voice coming from behind, "Because I am more optimistic about you, princess." ”

Zhou Ying couldn't help but pause, and said for a while: "I'm afraid you are looking at the wrong person." ”

With that, Zhou Ying pushed the door open and left.

Su Zhi glanced at the princess who left in a hurry, and then glanced at Lin Ze who stood up in the room through the half-open door, puzzled, but didn't dare to ask anything. She hugged the cloak, hurried slowly, and chased until she reached the door of the first floor, and finally caught up with Zhou Ying, "It's windy outside, should the princess put on a cloak?" ”

Zhou Ying stopped and closed her eyes, "Put it on." ”

Su Zhi put on Zhou Ying's cloak and tied a belt, and Zhou Ying had regained her usual composure. Huang Qian escorted Zhou Ying into the carriage, and before getting into the carriage, Zhou Ying looked upstairs as if she had a feeling. I saw Lin Ze standing by the window, smiling at Zhou Ying and bowing.

Zhou Ying unconsciously clenched her fingers, but she refused to be rude on her face, nodded and smiled reservedly, and got into the carriage.

Su Zhi asked, "Does the princess want to go home?" ”

Zhou Ying leaned against the wall of the carriage and said in an indistinguishable tone, "If you don't go back, let's go around Chongde Street first." ”

Vendors on the street are hawking, and pedestrians are joking and asking for prices...... These secular voices finally calmed Zhou Ying's mood gradually. Su Zhi looked at Zhou Ying's face better, and then said cautiously: "It's already noon, is the princess hungry, do you want to go back to the house for lunch?" ”

Zhou Ying didn't want to go back, lifted the curtain, and looked out the window, "I'm tired of eating in the house, let's try the dishes outside today." ”

Of course, Su Zhi cheered, smiling and applauding, "That's good, but we have a mouthful." ”

As a palace maid who is excellent in all aspects, Su Zhi remembered all the humanistic features of the capital after Zhou Ying left the palace and opened the mansion. At this moment, as soon as Zhou Ying had this intention, Su Zhi immediately located the closest place in his mind that was most in line with Zhou Ying's taste preferences, and said: "There is a restaurant in front of it, called Xixiang Building, his whole fish banquet is a must, do you want to try it?" ”

Regarding Su Zhi's construction, Zhou Ying couldn't be more relieved and nodded in agreement.

Su Zhi knocked on the carriage door, told the coachman, and turned to Xixiang Building.

The carriage soon stopped in front of Xixiang Building, which obviously had a good reputation and business was booming, the first floor was already full, and there were still people waiting in front of the counter. However, Zhou Ying reported her name, so naturally she didn't have to queue, and the shopkeeper personally led her, and Zhou Ying and her party went up to the second floor. The middle of the second floor is the lobby, and the four sides are private rooms. The box is partitioned, with a one-person tall bonsai on each side. The bead curtain is the door, looking in from the outside, the shadow is sufficient, but it is quite elegant.

Zhou Ying led Su Zhi into the box, and asked Huang Qian to lead the guards to open another table in the lobby. However, Huang Qian has always been cautious, letting his subordinates go to eat by themselves, but he did not leave an inch and guarded in front of him. Zhou Ying knew that he was stubborn, and he didn't persuade him deeply, so he only asked Su Zhi to pass the message to the deputy commander Qi Jian, asking him to eat faster, so that he could replace Huang Qian for a while.

Xiao Er made tea and came in, and the shopkeeper personally served it and poured tea for Zhou Ying.

Zhou Ying was not surprised by the shopkeeper's courtesy, she only smiled and ordered. The shopkeeper personally went to urge, and when the tea was just poured for the second cup, the dishes were served, and when Zhou Ying moved two chopsticks, the dishes were already ready.

The fish here is indeed made with some characteristics, braised and steamed, and fried...... Zhou Ying tasted good, but she had a small appetite, and after eating a few chopsticks for each one, she was full. She stopped her chopsticks, beckoned Su Zhi to eat, held a cup of tea herself, stood by the window to watch the scenery, and ate by the way.

Zhou Ying was out of her mind when she suddenly heard an unfamiliar female voice behind her, her voice was like a yellow warbler coming out of the valley, and she said timidly: "Girl, do you want to listen to a little song?" ”