My mind cleared instantly. The Tang clan’s hidden weapons and mechanical arts were famous throughout the three countries. If he could truly learn from Tang Wei, our elder brother’s chances of winning would be significant.
With Song Sitian’s introduction, Tang Wei agreed to teach my elder brother mechanical arts. For two months, my elder brother studied mechanical diagrams late into the night, rising at dawn to create wooden mechanisms and solve the mechanisms Tang Wei gave him, working extremely hard.
As the white poplar seeds of spring in Yanfeng City gradually disappeared, the competition teams from Xiliang and Nanrui were about to enter Qi’s borders. To show their high regard for this competition, both countries sent noble-born representatives. Nanrui sent the Second Princess and the Cavalry General, while Xiliang sent the Emperor who had just married the Seventh Princess.
I wasn’t worried about my elder brother’s situation, but Anjin seemed increasingly uneasy as the competition approached.
Several times I caught him secretly looking at me, and when I noticed, he would quickly look away, pretending to read or admire the scenery, like a youth lost in a secret love, nervously watching his beloved.
The problem was we were long past that innocent age, and he was no longer the naive youth. His gaze made me think of Yuan Feng crouching by the mouse hole, carefully afraid someone might steal something.
Moreover, he would occasionally ask me roundabout questions about my thoughts on the competition. Annoyed, I’d tell him to go do something, and he’d purse his lips with a somewhat aggrieved expression.
The sparrow revealed the truth. “Madam, the master is worried.”
After pondering for a long time, I understood. He was probably worried because I had once had a connection with Xia Zhichun, who was about to return to his country, and he was jealous.
To prevent his sour water from turning into aged vinegar, when he casually mentioned Xiliang and the competition again, I snuggled up to him with a smile, saying that besides my own husband, I care about nothing else.
He was quite pleased, and his face indeed brightened.
He happily ground ink and brewed tea for me, showing attentive care and being extremely considerate.
