With the cannon fodder script in hand, it is easy for the king to change his fate

Chapter 1013 The Heir Takes the Empire as Dowry 25
To Xie Ping's surprise, Ji Zixing came to Wen Ao Pavilion today, saying he wanted to talk to her alone. Chen Fangjin was right next to her and immediately became nervous.

Xie Ping gave Chen Fangjin a reassuring look and decided to talk to Ji Zixing.

She had anticipated this; Ji Zixing would probably want to try again. It was good that he had expressed his thoughts, as they probably wouldn't see each other much in the future, which would save her some trouble.

As expected, the two arrived at a secluded place, where Ji Zixing expressed his feelings and asked Xie Ping if she could give him a chance.

No matter how expectant Ji Zixing looked at her, Xie Ping firmly shook her head. She had no feelings for Ji Zixing, and no matter how good he was, she would resolutely refuse him, which was better for everyone.

Ji Ziyuki sighed, "I knew this would be the answer."

"I was always a little unwilling to accept it until I heard you say it yourself, but now it's all over." He smiled bitterly. "If you like someone, you like them; if you don't like someone, you don't like them. Brother Chen and I each have our strengths in other areas, and we are evenly matched. The only thing that's lacking is that I can't win Princess Ping's favor."

“Brother Chen is indeed very good, and he is worthy of Princess Ping.”

"Then I wish Brother Chen success in the spring examination, and that you both achieve your goals."

Ji Zixing left, and Xie Ping didn't say much.

Saying one more word gives people a glimmer of hope. She hopes that Ji Zixing can completely let go of this matter. There are many good girls in the capital, and he can find another good match.

The capital city seemed to have returned to calm all at once.

Winter arrives, the Lunar New Year comes, spring arrives—time flies by in the blink of an eye.

Ever since everyone learned that the Prince An's Mansion was very satisfied with Chen Fangjin, the others gave up the idea of ​​marrying their daughters to him. After all, who could compete with the Prince An's Mansion? Besides, Chen Fangjin and Princess Ping were in love with each other.

"With Chen Fangjin's abilities, he's probably one of the strongest contenders for the top spot this time. Cousin, you'd better be careful," Zhou Huo warned, sighing as he saw Ji Zixing looking dejected.

Ever since being rejected by Princess Ping, my cousin has been like this.

When they're focused on their studies, they're fine, but when they hang out with them in their free time, they're always like this.

“Cousin, you still think about Princess Ping, don’t you?” Zhou Huo asked.

When Xie Ping was mentioned, Ji Zixing's eyes lit up, but then he smiled bitterly: "Forgetting someone is not so easy. Apart from Princess Ping, I can't have any feelings for any other woman."

“If my cousin really can’t let go, there are ways…” Zhou Huo paused here, but had already attracted Ji Zixing’s attention.

Zhou Huo waved to the people around him, but in that instant, he didn't notice that when Ji Zixing lowered his eyes, a meaningful glint flashed in his eyes.

After everyone had left, Ji Zixing looked up at Zhou Huo with some urgency: "Cousin, do you have any way to make Princess Ping change her mind?"

“When choosing a husband, someone of Princess Ping’s status would not only value a clean family background, but also, and most importantly, a good character. She certainly wouldn’t tolerate her future husband’s philandering. And how many of these scholars are not philanderers? In recent years, how many of the scholars who have come to the capital for the imperial examinations have not frequented such places? Even if they don’t go to the red-light district, they will go to places where people perform, pretending to be cultured, and they will even help write poems and compose songs.”

“Princess Ping will certainly not tolerate someone like that,” Zhou Huo said with certainty.

Ji Zixing frowned: "As far as I know, Chen Fangjin does not have these hobbies. If he did, the Prince An's Mansion would have found out long ago. How could they possibly be satisfied with him?"

“Cousin, you don’t understand. You’re really only interested in academics.” Zhou Huo shook his head. “You should know a little about the Chen family’s traditions. Chen Fangjin, who grew up in the Chen family, certainly didn’t have the opportunity to come into contact with those things. If he had, do you think he wouldn’t have been attracted?”

“But I’ve been in the capital for so many years and I haven’t been attracted to these things,” Ji Zixing said. “I don’t think Chen Fangjin is that kind of person.” Zhou Huo shook his head: “Cousin, not everyone is like you. Don’t be fooled by Chen Fangjin’s good appearance. Who can guarantee that he won’t want to see more in the future? Besides, he might be faking it.”

"So, what does my cousin mean?"

“What I mean is, whether things work out or not, it’s not a bad thing for us. It can also help Princess Ping test Chen Fangjin’s character. If he can really remain unmoved by beauty and temptation, then this matter will be over. If he can’t resist the temptation, isn’t that a good thing too? It will save Princess Ping from being sad in the future.” Zhou Huo said, which sounded very reasonable. “Even if it’s for Princess Ping’s future, cousin, you should still give it a try.”

Ji Zixing seemed to have made up his mind and nodded: "Okay, but I don't know how to do it? I'll have to ask my cousin for advice on this."

Zhou Huo laughed, his eyes slightly narrowed.

Princess Ping marrying his cousin is much better than marrying Chen Fangjin, whom she can't win over.

When the other party first arrived in the capital, the Zhou family arranged for someone to make contact with him, and even considered marrying their daughter to Chen Fangjin. Unfortunately, the young man was unmoved by their advances, and his attitude revealed little respect for the Zhou family.

Not to mention the plagiarism incident involving Zhou's ancestors, it's definitely impossible to win Chen Fangjin over again.

Chen Fangjin will be a formidable competitor in the upcoming imperial examinations.

Although few in the Zhou family could compare to Chen Fangjin, there were many people connected to the Zhou family, and they hoped that these people would be the top scholars in the imperial examination.

The Zhou family's lack of interest in court affairs does not mean they have no one in the court.

This time, it just so happened that his cousin had the talent. If Chen Fangjin hadn't appeared, his cousin would most likely have been the top scholar in the imperial examination.

Not only is Chen Fangjin possibly surpassing his cousin, but he has also gained the favor of the Prince An's mansion, which is not good news.

The Prince An's residence was the closest to the one mentioned above.

To be honest, it's quite baffling that Prince An didn't even covet the throne.

But if they have more contact with the Prince An's mansion, even if the Prince An's wife has no ulterior motives, what about the others?

To reiterate, the Zhou family doesn't care about the court or the throne, but it's best if these people side with them.

“As long as my cousin agrees, I’ll take care of the rest. We’ll find out whether Chen Fangjin is a good person or a bad one by testing him,” Zhou Huo said. Since he had decided to get involved, he certainly wouldn’t let his efforts go to waste.

Whether Chen Fangjin is a human or a ghost, in the end he can only be a ghost.

"Thank you for your trouble, cousin."

After Ji Zixing left and got into the carriage, he smiled silently.

He knew the Zhou family would definitely get involved in this matter. Sure enough, the trip was worthwhile.

Playing with the white jade pendant in his hand, Ji Zixing leaned back leisurely on the cushion, now just waiting to see what surprise his cousin would bring him.

A family with a thousand-year history, indeed, their hearts are utterly black, but that suits his tastes perfectly.