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Even if the noble ladies of the capital could set aside their pride, they would not choose such a life. In the end, they belonged to different worlds.

Can people from two different worlds be together?

The answer is definitely… no!

Back then, when Tang Jinghong took his father’s place in military service, he never expected to be involved in a war for over a decade. Although he eventually rose to the position of a national general, this was not what he had actively sought. What he desired more was to live a simple, ordinary life.

His wants were not many.

Princess Changle’s tightly clenched hands slowly relaxed. Such a life, perhaps only Chu Qingzhi could share with him.

Her obsession began to loosen.

On the street.

“Jinghong.” Chu Qingzhi stood by the roadside, hands behind her back, a faint smile on her face.

“Why are you here?” Tang Jinghong walked towards Chu Qingzhi, a smile curling up on his lips, his heart slowly filled with joy.

“I went to see Yuru.” Chu Qingzhi thought for a moment, deciding not to mention that she had followed him. The matter between Tang Jinghong and the princess was already in the past; there was no need to bring it up again.

“What did Yuru tell you?” Tang Jinghong walked with Chu Qingzhi towards Xilin Garden.

“She said Bei Chunyi wants to marry her and asked me for help. So, I gave her an idea.”

Tang Jinghong was impressed with her quick thinking, given the ministers and even the Emperor were still troubled by the issue. “What idea did you come up with?”

Chu Qingzhi recounted their conversation in the teahouse.

After hearing it, Tang Jinghong couldn’t help but admire her, “Qingzhi, if you were to become an official, 1 guess there wouldn’t be a problem you couldn’t solve.”

Chu Qingzhi smiled modestly, “You flatter me.”

The two chatted leisurely as they arrived at Xilin Garden.

Tang Jinghong glanced over the square, “When is Qingshuang competing?”

“This round is hers.”

“Just in time.”

The two joined the Chu family, and on the square, competitors were placing their finished porcelain blanks in designated spots. The second round of competitors began to take their places one after another.

Chu Qingshuang was among the crowd, dressed in a narrow-sleeved dress embroidered with Longevity Flowers, her bright eyes sparkling. The young girl, about thirteen or fourteen, stood gracefully.

Li Shaoliang watched Chu Qingshuang and thought to himself, “My junior sister is really beautiful.”

After entering the square, Chu Qingshuang didn’t follow the crowd to observe the porcelain piece but chose a seat to work on her clay.

Preparing the clay is an important part of testing a porcelain maker’s skill. The quality of the clay affects the shaping of the blank, its smoothness, and whether it will deform when fired.

Once she had prepared her clay, the crowd observing the porcelain piece had thinned, making it easier for her to take a closer look.

Chu Qingshuang carefully noted down the details she needed to pay attention to. After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, she returned to her seat and began shaping her porcelain blank.

Every move Chu Qingshuang made was steady and composed, resembling that of a seasoned craftsman.

The Chu and Li families watched her intently.

Many connoisseurs in the crowd noticed her, but considering her young age and potential lack of experience, they gradually shifted their attention elsewhere.

Chu Qingshuang immersed herself in shaping her porcelain blank, completely focused.

By this time, several participants had already shaped their blanks. Yan Helin glanced at Chu Qingshuang and smiled to himself, thinking she was after all just a young girl. To create such a complex porcelain embryo in an hour, she didn’t realize the importance of racing against time. Instead, she kept looking around, wasting so much precious time!

He decided not to worry about a proud young girl and focused on his own work.

Outside the square, Li Qingyu clutched the edge of her garment, visibly nervous, “Qingshuang is so much slower; can she shape that complex porcelain blank in just an hour?”

Chu Rong patted her shoulder, reassuring her, “You have to believe in our daughter. Qingshuang will surely be among the top.”

Li Qingyu looked at Chu Rong, “You don’t seem worried at all?”

Chu Rong said seriously, “Who says I’m not worried? My worry is all inside.”

Chu Qingyue spoke up to ease the tension, “Mother, you know father always keeps his feelings to himself. He’s definitely concerned about Qingshuang.”

“Hmm,” Li Qingyu didn’t say anything more.

Chu Rong touched his nose, deciding it was better to speak less in the future to avoid upsetting Qingyu.

Tang Jinghong suggested, “Uncle Chu, there’s a tea stall over there. Shall we sit there and wait?”

Chu Rong looked back, “Father, Mother, Qingyu, shall we sit there?”

Grandpa Chu and Granny Chu both refused. Li Qingyu waved her hand. “We’re not going. You guys go.”

Chu Rong turned to Tang Jinghong, “You go ahead, I’ll wait here.”

“Alright.” With more than half an hour left in the competition, Tang Jinghong, Chu Qingzhi, and Chu Qingyue walked over to the tea stall, ordered a pot of tea, and sat down to wait.

Not far away, Jiao Qinqin, with a troubled expression, entered Xilin Garden with her maid.

Jiao Qinqin scanned the crowd, “Which one is Chu Qingyue?”

The maid pointed towards the small tea stall, “The lady in the white dress embroidered with hibiscus flowers.”

Jiao Qinqin looked over and focused her gaze on Chu Qingyue. She observed her for a while, feeling a complex mix of emotions.

Chu Qingyue had a serene and gentle demeanor, her bright eyes like tranquil autumn waters. She resembled the hibiscus flowers embroidered on her dress—elegant and soft.

Although Chu Qingyue came from a village, she lacked any hint of rusticity. Her temperament was on par with those of the young ladies from the city, but what stood out was her innate gentleness, which seemed to make the whole world more tender.

Sitting next to her was Ning Yuting, who looked at Chu Qingyue with a gentle and affectionate gaze, a look Jiao Qinqin had never seen him give her.

Jiao Qinqin grew up alongside Ning Yuting, but why had he never looked at her that way?

A sense of discomfort surged in Jiao Qinqin’s heart. These attentions, which she believed should have been hers, were now all taken by a village girl.

Clutching her handkerchief tightly, a feeling of resentment grew within her.

“Chu Qingyue, just you wait!” With a flick of her sleeve, Jiao Qinqin turned and left.

Chu Qingyue was currently with her family, and Jiao Qinqin, alone and unsupported, knew she would be at a disadvantage if she confronted her now. She needed an opportunity.

Chu Qingyue glanced in the direction of Jiao Qinqin, catching only a glimpse of her retreating figure.

Strange, she had felt someone watching her just now.

After looking around and seeing no one else, Chu Qingyue withdrew her gaze and let it go.

As time passed, the main porcelain blank in Chu Qingshuang’s hands gradually took shape. Although she started later than others, she had already surpassed many competitors, and her piece was smoother and better crafted.

Next came the addition of decorations to the main porcelain blank.

The decorations were numerous and intricate, requiring utmost care to avoid any mistakes. Some competitors, reaching this stage, found themselves having to redo their work or going back to observe the model piece again..