Gu Chaoyan looked at Zhou Huaijin. She was a little surprised that the date and place for the contest was settled so fast. She had thought that it would still take some more time. After all, the King had just made this decision and Zheng Chenyi should be given some time for preparation. How could it be made so fast?
“Where is it?” Gu Chaoyan asked.
“On the playground of the court, in three days. General Liu will be the judge. Zheng Chenyi would have sent his men to inform you about this, but I happened to be there and heard of this matter, so I came to tell you instead,” Zhou Huaijin said. “I will keep you company there. I will be free on that day. I am not so sure about your being there alone.”
Gu Chaoyan nodded.
The time arrived too fast, but there was no other way to turn it around now that the decision was made.
Maybe it was because of the busy schedule at the end of a year, so they wanted to get the rank fixed as soon as possible.
However, Zhou Huaijin…
“Didn’t you say that you will be engaged in receiving the princes and ambassadors from other countries? How can you be so free?�� Gu Chaoyan asked confusedly.
Zhou Huaijin showed a slightly complicated look on his face. Normally, he was in charge of this reception, but when Zhou Huailing mentioned that he wanted to be in charge of this errand, the King gave it to him directly.
Zhou Huaijin sighed and confessed. “Zhou Huailing is taking it over, so I am free to keep you company.”
Gu Chaoyan was startled, then she understood what happened.
She felt concerned about Zhou Huaijin, the King had changed a great deal.
“That is good, I have no other errands to deal with in winter, and it is so boring to stay at the mansion day and night. If you have time to keep me company, we can think of a name for the mansion. I believe that we should come up with a name for the mansion, and when Young Duke is done, we can work on that together.” Gu Chaoyan said calmly.
Zhou Huaijin felt his heart fill with warmth.
Since his mother resided in court he had been going through a lot of difficulty alone. Now he had someone next to him and someone who needed him, he felt so happy.
Zhou Huaijin took hold of Gu Chaoyan’s hands.
“We will come up with a nice name!” Zhou Huaijin said modestly. “Oh right, General Liu will be the judge for the contest this time. I somehow sense that he wants to gather forces from General Liu, otherwise he would not have made such a decision. The former Princess Consort of Lord Ling is General Liu’s daughter and because of what happened to her, General Liu and Lord Ling have been estranged.”
Gu Chaoyan nodded.
That made sense. She recounted what happened between her and Prince Muyi to Zhou Huaijin.
Zhou Huaijin had a complicated look on his face. “What is father up to anyway!”
“Chaoyan, you have suffered for my sake. Please don’t worry, I will make sure all of this goes away. Don’t be too concerned.” Zhou Huaijin held Gu Chaoyan’s hands tightly. Anger arose inside his heart, but he did not want to infect Gu Chaoyan with it. So he was trying his best to stay calm.
“Okay.” Gu Chaoyan answered sweetly.
***
On the day that the Contest between the Zheng Family took place…
It was still snowing.
Zhou Huaijin and Gu Chaoyan went into the court very early..