My father is a Confucian sage, but the system forces me to be a crude warrior

Chapter 427 I've long heard that you have a close relationship with the Crown Prince. You two wouldn't happen to be... *cough cough*
"uncle!"

Little Tiger came running over.

After returning from the Taoist sect, Zeng Rongyu has gotten used to living in the Duke's mansion.

During this time, Hu Zi's master, Xu Mingxin of the Xuanzhen Division, went to the border with the imperial army to attack Wan Yao Mountain.

Therefore, during this period, Hu Zi's studies at the Xuanzhen Division fell to Sai Chuxue.

"Tiger!"

Zeng Anmin smiled and held Huzi to his chest, his eyes filled with a teasing glint:
Do you miss your uncle?

"I want to!!"

Tiger nodded his head like a millet pecking at grains.

"hehe."

Zeng Anmin gently stroked Xiaohuzi's head, then looked at Zeng Rongyu beside him and smiled:
"My cousin is really good at teaching him; Tiger looks much more well-behaved than before."

Upon hearing this, Zeng Rongyu's face darkened slightly. She glared at Hu Zi with hostility, then looked at Zeng Anmin with an apologetic expression and said:

"It was only recently that I realized how lawless Tiger had been in the manor."

"Fortunately, I came back not too late. If I had waited until he was an adult to discipline him, it would have been too late."

It's hard to do something to someone who isn't your own mother.

When Aunt Lin was raising Hu Zi, she treated him as her own son, but he was not her biological mother, so she mostly spoiled him.

Now that my cousin has returned, seeing how arrogant Tiger was in the house, she whipped him with a leather whip dipped in cold water quite often, which finally corrected some of his bad habits.

"If my cousin had been here earlier, I'm afraid Tiger wouldn't have dared to hit the monk on the head with the wooden sword."

Zeng Anmin couldn't help but recall the past, and a smile involuntarily appeared on his lips.

"What?" Upon hearing this, Zeng Rongyu's face darkened, and then she glared at Hu Zi with extreme hostility, her voice turning cold:
"You even knocked a monk on the head?"

Upon hearing this sound, Tiger felt as if he were hearing the low murmur of a demon king from hell; his little face instantly turned to terror.
No! Don't talk nonsense!

Her little hands gripped Zeng Anmin's collar tightly.

"This matter..." Zeng Anmin looked at his cousin seriously: "It really is true."

"Really not!!" Tiger looked directly at Zeng Anmin with pleading eyes.

"Don't scare him." Qin Wanyue glared at Zeng Anmin from the side.

"Miss Wanyue is here too." Zeng Rongyu finally turned her attention to Qin Wanyue, and her gloomy face instantly brightened like a flower.

"It's been so long since I've seen Wanyue!"

Qin Wanyue visited Zeng's residence during Zeng Anmin's trip to Xiliu.

Zeng Rongyu had a deep impression of Qin Wanyue.

"I've been cultivating my inner strength at home these days and haven't gone out," Qin Wanyue explained to her cousin.

"I'll come here more often in the future," Zeng Rongyu said with a smile.

Her expression froze for a moment, then she seemed to remember something.

He suddenly winked at Zeng Anmin:

"Quan Fu, there is an instrument in my courtyard that needs Wan Yue's guidance, so I will take her to my courtyard first."

With that, Zeng Rongyu led Qin Wanyue toward the courtyard gate.

"Oh?" Zeng Anmin was taken aback, then his interest was piqued, and he looked at Zeng Rongyu:

"What instrument? What a coincidence, I also know a little about music, I can come with you."

"You shouldn't go. It's not appropriate for a young lady to be playing an instrument there." Zeng Rongyu pulled Qin Wanyue towards the courtyard exit, her eyes constantly gesturing to Zeng Anmin.
"You can stay here and watch over Tiger for me."

"Give Tiger to the servants."

Zeng Anmin frowned. He could see that his cousin was giving him meaningful glances, but he was still a little confused.

This is my home, what could be inconvenient to talk about?
As he spoke, he followed behind Zeng Rongyu and Qin Wanyue:

"If it comes to the art of the zither, I happen to know more about it."

Zeng Rongyu opened her mouth, as if she wanted to say something, but at that moment a familiar voice rang out from outside the courtyard.

“Sister Rongyu, Tiger’s array inscription tools are right here. Although these two days are a rest day, we can’t let him forget to practice.”

After that sound rang out.

Zeng Rongyu stopped abruptly.

Then she looked helplessly at Zeng Anmin and gave him a look of resignation.

Zeng Anmin's mouth also opened...

A figure appeared at the entrance of the courtyard.

The figure was dressed in a black uniform, with deerskin boots clattering on the soft snow, creating a crisp, rustling sound.

Xuanzhen Division, Sai Chuxue.

She was also carrying a rather large package in her hand.

Hear this sound.

Qin Wanyue's expression froze for a moment, then she looked at Zeng Rongyu, her eyes revealing a hint of melancholy.

Zeng Rongyu's smile was a little stiff. She tidied the hair hanging by her ears, then stood there without saying a word.

Zeng Anmin touched his nose, looking somewhat embarrassed.

After Sai Chuxue put the bundle on the ground, her gaze fell on Zeng Anmin.

Her eyes suddenly lit up:
"Didn't you go on duty today?"

A soft, sweet voice rang out.

"Uh, I just came back from the palace."

Zeng Anmin gave an awkward laugh.

"Oh~" Sai Chuxue wanted to say something more, but suddenly realized that someone seemed to be watching her.

She looked up.

I noticed Qin Wanyue's expressionless face.

She subconsciously lowered her head, then clenched her fists under her sleeves, and stubbornly looked up.

Eyes facing each other.

The air became eerie.

Until a childish voice rang out:

"Aunt! Can you please stop making me practice formations? I want to spend these next two days with my mother."

?

Zeng Anmin's pupils suddenly contracted.

Aunt? ?
Who the hell taught you that?!
Sure enough, after that voice rang out, Sai Chuxue's face turned bright red.

A delicate pinkish-red hue spread from her neck to her face.

She was even a little flustered, and then stammered:

"You...you don't want to practice, then you won't...you won't practice..."

Even so, she still glanced at Qin Wanyue after saying those words.

Qin Wanyue's expression did not change at all.

But after Hu Zi called her "aunt," her eyes became somewhat unfocused.

His posture wasn't as straight as before.

"I...I'll go first..." Sai Chuxue's social anxiety kicked in, and she quickly put down Hu Zi's bag and fled the place as if she were escaping.

She was ultimately not like the eldest princess.

If the eldest princess were here, she would surely raise her chin in a triumphant manner and look at Qin Wanyue with a defiant expression.

Look at her back.

Zeng Anmin opened his mouth, but ultimately resisted the urge to rush forward.

His gaze fell upon Qin Wanyue.

Qin Wanyue continued to stare blankly into the distance.

Uh.

Zeng Anmin took a deep breath and cast a questioning look at his cousin.

The meaning is clear. 【Why didn't you tell me Sai Chuxue would be coming?!】

My cousin shrugged helplessly, glanced at Qin Wanyue, and then pointed to herself.

It means, "Didn't I just give you a meaningful look?"

Zeng Anmin was somewhat annoyed, and he glared at Hu Zi with resentment.

Who taught him to call his maternal aunt? You, right?

My cousin sighed softly, "Wasn't that just so she could take better care of Tiger?"

"What do we do now?" Zeng Anmin glanced at Qin Wanyue, then looked menacingly at his cousin.

Zeng Rongyu puffed out her chest. "Leave it to me."

Then, Zeng Rongyu smiled and came to Qin Wanyue's side:

"Wanyue, my instrument really needs your guidance."

Upon hearing this, Qin Wanyue seemed to wake from a dream. She then glanced expressionlessly at Zeng Anmin and lowered her head, saying:

"it is good."

Then I followed my cousin toward her yard.

"Mother, I want to go too!" Tiger broke free from Zeng Anmin's embrace and followed Zeng Rongyu.

Zeng Anmin was left alone, bewildered in the wind in the courtyard.

……

When Zeng Anmin saw Qin Wanyue again, he found Zeng Rongyu, Hu Zi, and Qin Wanyue chatting and laughing as they came out of the courtyard.

The atmosphere that was in the courtyard just now has disappeared.

Zeng Anmin was stunned. When he saw the three people getting close to him, he subconsciously greeted them:

"You're out?"

Qin Wanyue's previously smiling face regained its composure. After nodding to Zeng Anmin, she looked at Zeng Rongyu and said:

"Then, Sister Rongyu, I shall take my leave now."

"Okay, go ahead. Come to the Duke's mansion again when you have time to teach me music theory!" Zeng Rongyu's smile was very warm.

"Okay." Qin Wanyue nodded with a smile and walked outside.

During this time, his gaze did not linger on Zeng Anmin for even a moment.

"Uh……"

Zeng Anmin watched Qin Wanyue's departing figure.

I was a little anxious and wanted to catch up.

But Zeng Rongyu grabbed him.

"Would things get better if I didn't try to coax him?" Zeng Anmin asked in a low voice.

"That's not how you coax a woman." Zeng Rongyu glanced at him, then gently kicked Hu Zi's foot.

Tiger immediately understood, a bright smile spreading across his face, his childish voice echoing throughout the mansion:
"See you next time, Auntie!!"

Qin Wanyue's body trembled.

Then, her face lit up with a smile, and she turned to look at Hu Zi, waving vigorously at him:
"Next time I come to see Tiger, I'll definitely bring him some delicious food, okay?"

Tiger's eyes immediately lit up, and he nodded vigorously:
"Okay, okay!!"

…………

What a wonderful aunt!

Wonderful! !
Zeng Anbian's eyes immediately lit up, his gaze towards his cousin filled with stars. He gave her a thumbs-up and said:
"Brilliant!! Wonderful!! Excellent!!"

"Heh." My cousin sneered, glancing at his face as she asked:

"Luckily I was here this time, otherwise, with Qin's stubborn nature, you don't know how long it would have taken to coax her."

Zeng Anmin sighed, "Thank you, cousin."

"No need to thank me." Zeng Rongyu crossed her arms and looked Zeng Anmin up and down.
"I didn't realize you were such a romantic."

"Let's not even talk about Sai Chuxue; all the rumors going around are about the two of you."

"That princess is a daughter of the imperial family, yet you and she have some kind of bond."

Zeng Anmin stroked his chin, pondered for a moment, then shook his head and sighed:
"I don't know what happened, but the peach blossoms were falling on me like snowflakes. Maybe it was just my nature to be like this."

Zeng Rongyu...

Zeng Anmin also realized what was happening, and he stared wide-eyed at Zeng Rongyu:
"Wan'er even told you this?"

Zeng Rongyu clicked her tongue: "Besides Concubine Lin, there are no other women in the Duke's mansion. Wan'er has no chance to learn more about you."

"Now that I'm with her, she naturally wants to get along well with me."

"No matter what, she still cares about you. You must never let her down in the future."

Zeng Rongyu watched the Qin family's carriage drive further and further away and sighed:

"Wan'er is a good girl."

Zeng Anmin nodded seriously: "Of course not."

"Yes, Sai Chuxue is the same. She is innocent by nature and her heart is as white as a sheet of paper."

My cousin stroked her chin thoughtfully for a moment, then looked at Zeng Anmin and said:
"But the eldest princess comes from the royal family and has been surrounded by intrigue since childhood. She is definitely more cunning than Miss Bi and Wan'er combined. If you live together in the future, you should be more careful."

At this point, Zeng Rongyu sighed again:
"I reckon in your backyard from now on, it will be the Princess fighting alone against the combined forces of Miss Sai and Miss Wan'er."

"Hehe, a battle of two titans." My cousin looked at Zeng Anmin with a hint of schadenfreude:
"If the two sides were evenly matched, that would be fine, but judging from the current situation, Miss Sai and Wan'er combined might not be able to defeat the Princess."

"You're in for a rough time."

Zeng Anmin paid no attention to his cousin's gloating.

He shook his head: "No, no, no."

"It's not a battle between two giants."

"Oh? You still expect them to form a three-way balance of power?" My cousin sneered. "If that were the case, the Eldest Princess would definitely have absolute power in the Duke's mansion!"

“It is indeed a three-way power struggle.” Zeng Anmin looked at his cousin earnestly.

"But not three people."

He held up a finger: "There are four people."

Ok?
My cousin's gaze froze for a moment: "There's someone else?"

"You'll see her in two months." Zeng Anmin stroked his chin, recalling Gu Xiangnan's appearance in his mind.

He also imagined that in his own backyard, the eldest princess and Gu Xiangnan would be outwardly respectful of each other, but inwardly they would be estranged.

The scene depicts a covert struggle between swords and shadows, while in private, they try to win over Qin Wanyue and Sai Chuxue.

"Tell me who it is first?" My cousin's eyes blazed with gossip.

"You'll find out when the time comes," Zeng Anmin said, keeping everyone in suspense.

"You tell me first, let me guess!" After thinking for a moment, my cousin's expression suddenly froze:
"You spoke so confidently about the three-way power struggle... that proves you have absolute confidence in this person's skills in palace intrigue."

"His status and position must be quite high."

My cousin's brain is truly amazing. She suddenly looked at Zeng Namin and said, "I've long heard that Grand Secretary Li Zhen has a granddaughter named 'Lian'er.' Could it be her?"

“No.” Zeng Anmin shook his head: “I’ve never even met her, and compared to the Princess, he’s not that high in status.”

"Could that be the granddaughter of Grand Tutor Qi?"

"No."

"I know! His Highness the Crown Prince has a younger sister! Her name is Princess Anning. Although she is a bit eccentric, I heard she is extremely beautiful. Is that her?!"

When my cousin guessed An Ning's identity, her expression was already extremely certain:

"Her status is definitely not low."

The image of Princess Anning flashed into Zeng Anmin's mind, and his body trembled inexplicably.
“Even if I never marry in this life, I will never seek her out! Besides, does she have the noble status of a princess? Does she even have the brains to compete with a princess?”

Could it be just a matter of being eccentric?
That guy is a complete jinx, even dogs would run away from him.

“But there aren’t many people with a higher status than Anning!” My cousin blinked blankly.

Then, as if she had just thought of something unbelievable, she looked at Zeng Anmin:
"I've long heard of your close relationship with the Crown Prince... Could it be... him??"

Zeng Anmin's face turned green.

(End of this chapter)