s going to do."Zong Yu wasn't usually like this; he only got particularly nitpicky about things concerning Fang Jinxiu. When Zhao Xingzhou walked over, Zong Yu gave him a cold stare.His eyes were icy...Chapter 1142: How Can You Be So Stubborn

The Xi Xia emissaries lost face and hurriedly carried their prince back, leaving only a few people behind to sit in the palace.

The eunuch shouted for the competition to continue. Bai Yu and Zong Yu took turns walking in front of the stones. Even the most tricky and difficult stones seemed insignificant in the face of absolute strength.

Bai Yu gave up at the seventh stone. Zong Yu lifted all ten stones in one breath, and was also the only contestant who could lift all ten stones and do so the fastest.

Fang Jinshu showed a satisfied smile upon seeing this, while Wen Xiaorou, seated beside him, was so angry that her handkerchief was crumpled in her fist.

Tana hurriedly congratulated Fang Jinxiu.

"Congratulations to Sister Jinxiu and Marquis Wuding, this piece of dragon's saliva is yours."

The next round, the eunuch in charge gave all the lucky charms to Fang Jinshi. The others watching could only feel envious.

The emperor, seated on his high platform, was also quite pleased. Martial Duke's victory in the first round meant that Daxia had secured the priority right to trade spices with Xixia.

Ambergris, this rare commodity, might not be traded in large quantities, but Xixia still has many excellent spices.

At the same time, Zongyu stepped down from the platform and walked towards King Jing.

"I didn't expect you to help me either."

Fu Shangyuan let out a smile that held an unknown meaning.

"There were many things that Marquis Wuding hadn't expected. There was no need for us to say thank you, after all, I'm considered your elder."

He felt very pleased with himself after taking advantage of this opportunity. Seeing Zong Yu's confused and angry expression, he felt even more satisfied.

His son, why is he so preoccupied with others.

"Congratulations to Marquis Wuding, you secured the first victory for Great Xi in this first battle. The Emperor is very pleased and there should be many rewards awaiting you later."

Zong Yu didn't care about any rewards at all, and Fu Shangyuan's words just now didn't seem like he was joking or trying to take advantage of him.

Zong Yu was quick-witted and strode after Fu Shangyuan as he was about to leave.

On the stands, Fang Jinshu saw Zong Yu walking with Fu Shangyuan and her heart skipped a beat. She had a bad feeling about this.

Fu Shangyuan held the secret to Zong Yu's reputation in his hands. He wouldn't be so foolish as to tell Zong Yu, would he

No, she has to go and see for herself.

Fang Jinshi stood up and instructed Zong Bo, "I'm going to check on your older brother. You stay here with Tanna, I'll be back soon."

Zong Bai immediately became nervous when he heard his sister-in-law wanted him to be alone with Princess Tiana.

He grabbed Fang Jinshu's arm, "Sister-in-law, it wouldn't be good for me to stay here alone, would it"

Fang Jinshi was worried that King Jing would gossip with Zong Yu, and she felt a little anxious. She was in a hurry to leave, so she found any excuse to comfort Zong Bo.

"It's okay, Tanna won't eat you. You just take care of her for a while, I'll be back soon."

"There are so many people here in broad daylight, even Muguet is here. There's no need to worry so much, it's fine."

Of course, Zong Bai knew what his sister-in-law was talking about. This was a public place, and he wasn't exactly alone with Princess Tanna. But, but it just felt...

Just as he was hesitating, Fang Jinshu had already pushed his hand away and hurried off. Zong Bai turned his head to look at Tanna, and found that she was also looking at him.

Both of them were easily shy and innocent young people. When their eyes met, it was like an electric shock, and both of them simultaneously averted their gaze out of embarrassment.

The hibiscus bush beside her couldn't help but find the situation amusing.

She seemed to detect a subtle difference in the air between the Second Master and Princess Tiana, a feeling that was just out of reach. Unfortunately, Princess Tiana had been bestowed upon the Second Prince by the Emperor, as a concubine.

If I could marry their second son, life would surely be blissful.

The second young master is also a very, very good person. He is not only handsome but also of good character and keeps himself clean.

Both of the men from that family are good men.

The sister-in-law left the princess with him to take care of, and Zong Bai didn't want to ignore her. He had no choice but to grit his teeth and sit down.

"The horse, the second round of the competition is about to begin."

He stuttered, and the two of them looked like quails, seeming to stare straight ahead while in reality no one knew for sure if they were looking at anyone in the audience.

Tana nodded in agreement.

Just now, with Jinshuu sister here, the atmosphere was relatively natural and harmonious. But after Jinshuu sister left, she felt nervous whenever she was alone with Zongbei.

Tana didn't know what she was nervous about. The Second Young Master was a kind person with a pleasant personality.

But she just didn't dare to look straight at him when he was speaking.

After a brief exchange, an awkward silence descended upon the room. In an attempt to ease the tension, both individuals instinctively reached for the teacups on the table.

But accidentally touched the wrong thing, Zong Bo didn't even look and reached out to pick up the cup on the table, but he got the wrong place. What he felt was a very smooth, soft, and slightly warm touch.

When Hibiscus saw Second Master touch the princess's hand, she couldn't help but let out a tiny gasp.

Tana simply couldn't believe it, Second Young Master Zong would actually take the initiative to hold her hand. Her first reaction wasn't to retract her hand, but to turn her head and look at him.

Zong Bai was also dumbfounded, staring at the hand he had mistakenly touched. The two of them reacted belatedly, separating as if they had been electrocuted. The embarrassment on their faces doubled instantly.

"Yes, yes, I'm sorry Your Highness, I, I didn't mean to."

"It was abrupt of this prince, I apologize. Your Highness, if you are angry in your heart, please punish me as you see fit. Zong Bai will not resist."

How could he, how could he even manage to mess up holding a teacup.

But Your Highness's hands are really soft, unlike anything He has ever touched before.

Although it was only a brief moment, it brought a great and strange shock to Zong Bo's spirit.

He felt a nameless fire burning inside him, with no way out but to rage within. It quickened his heartbeat and flushed his cheeks, leaving his thoughts in a chaotic jumble.

Tana tightly held her hand where Zong Bai had touched it, her face flushed red as well.

If someone else had bumped into her, she wouldn't have reacted this way at all.

What's wrong with her

"Master Zong, there's no need to blame yourself. I know you didn't mean it. Punishment is too harsh a word."

"Don't take it to heart, I'm fine."

Zong Bai, this stubborn fool, is adamant. Even if he didn't mean to, his actions just now were disrespectful to the princess. He feels he deserves punishment.

"The princess is kind and benevolent, but Zong Bai must not forget propriety."

"When my sister-in-law returns, I shall go down and accept the punishment of ten lashes. I implore Your Highness to forgive me."

"I already said I'm not angry," Tana said, her brow furrowing.

Zong Bai insisted, "Although I'm not angry, these ten lashes are what I deserve. I was too unrestrained just now."

Tana's shyness gradually gave way to helplessness as she turned her head to look at Zongbei.

"You're such a stubborn person."

"I know you didn't do it on purpose, and I don't blame you. Why suffer ten lashes for nothing"

Tana was always emotionally stable and rarely got angry, but Zongbei's stubbornness inexplicably angered her. Her inability to understand his insistence on taking punishment made her see red.he's already tired enough today. She lay down and fell asleep in no time, even when Hu Ailan had dinner ready and called her, He Shi didn't wake up.Hu Ai-lan held a pair of scissors in her hand and st...