Three Kingdoms: My Strategy Simulator.

Chapter 123: This is Etiquette!

Looking at Cai Zhaoji's elegant profile as she focused on repairing books, a touch of gentleness appeared in Li Ji's calm gaze.

Perhaps initially, it was based on a slight infatuation with Cai Zhaoji, and Li Ji was also well aware that he would eventually need to establish the position of his primary wife, which is why he intended to marry Cai Zhaoji, who seemed to be an excellent choice in terms of talent, appearance, and character.

As for love or free romance?

Unfortunately, let alone whether Li Ji could spare the energy to slowly cultivate a relationship, more importantly, the restrictions of etiquette also meant that Li Ji would not have any opportunities to interact with women.

Of course, situations similar to Cao Zhi's interaction with Zhen Ji don't count; Cao Zhi was interacting with… his sister-in-law.

Therefore, Cao Pi was indeed quite considerate of brotherly affection in a sense. Cao Zhi even coveted his sister-in-law and even wrote the eternally famous "Ode to the Luo River Goddess," making Cao Pi wear a green hat that would be remembered for ages, yet Cao Pi still didn't kill Cao Zhi.

And Li Ji would naturally not covet his sister-in-law; moreover, since Liu, Guan, and Zhang were all unmarried, Li Ji had no sister-in-law to speak of.

It's just that, after truly interacting with Cai Zhaoji, Li Ji felt that Cai Zhaoji was even better than he had imagined.

Cai Zhaoji's life was quite simple. Every day, besides repairing books and reading, she would play the zither for her own amusement, quiet, elegant, neither sorrowful nor joyful.

And Li Ji knew that Cai Zhaoji had been working hard to memorize classics these days, which was quite tiring.

However, Cai Zhaoji never declined or complained in the slightest, silently supporting and helping Li Ji in this way.

Compared to Cai Zhaoji's talent and character, Cai Zhaoji's originally stunning appearance seemed to Li Ji to be merely icing on the cake.

Apart from her personality seeming a bit too aloof, Li Ji didn't feel that Cai Zhaoji had any shortcomings.

And Cai Zhaoji, who had been immersed in repairing books, seemed to sense something and looked up towards Li Ji's direction, their eyes meeting through the falling plum blossoms.

Then, Cai Zhaoji's gaze slightly shifted, and she spoke with her usual aloofness.

"Since you've arrived, why not come over?"

Hearing this, Li Ji lifted his foot and walked into the pavilion, sitting down in front of Cai Zhaoji.

However, Cai Zhaoji looked at Li Ji and didn't turn her back to him, a hint of confusion appearing in her eyes as she looked at Li Ji.

Li Ji thought for a moment and said, "The water conservancy plan for Wu Commandery, I finished it last night. I won't be coming over tomorrow. You've worked hard during this time."

Cai Zhaoji nodded and said, "Then what are you here for today?"

After a pause, Cai Zhaoji seemed to realize that her words were a bit problematic. Before Li Ji could speak, she added again.

"I mean, is there anything else that needs me to recite?"

Li Ji gradually understood Cai Zhaoji's unique way of expressing herself and replied, "There is, and there isn't."

"What do you mean?" Cai Zhaoji asked.

"Saying there isn't, is because I know you're tired and want you to rest for a while," Li Ji replied.

"Then what is there?" Cai Zhaoji asked again.

A smile couldn't help but appear on Li Ji's face as he said, "Then it's that after we get married, if possible, I'd like to hear you recite classics every day, as a joy in life."

Cai Zhaoji seemed to be startled by Li Ji's slightly bold statement, her gaze subconsciously shifting to the side again.

After a moment, Li Ji finally heard Cai Zhaoji's response, saying.

"It's good enough if Master Zikun doesn't find me annoying."

Li Ji looked at the seemingly aloof yet shy expression on Cai Zhaoji's face and suddenly realized that even though Cai Zhaoji was three years older than him, she was actually just a young girl of about twenty.

"Actually, there's no need to be so polite, just call me Zikun."

However, Li Ji's words, which were intended to bring the two closer, were rejected by Cai Zhaoji, who replied.

"Master Zikun, this is etiquette. You and I are not yet married, so we cannot be disrespectful."

After a pause, Cai Zhaoji continued with a serious face.

"And even after we get married, I must never directly call Master Zikun by his given name, but should call him…"

When she said this, Cai Zhaoji paused and directly lowered her head, picking up a scroll of bamboo slips and a carving knife, seemingly coldly busying herself, as if unwilling to answer such a boring question.

However, Li Ji glanced and found that Cai Zhaoji was holding the bamboo slips upside down, and that scroll of bamboo slips was a classic that didn't need to be carved with a carving knife for long-term preservation; it was just annotations written with a brush.

Looking at Cai Zhaoji's seemingly crystal-red earlobes, Li Ji couldn't bear to expose Cai Zhaoji. His gaze wandered left and right, trying his best to cooperate with Cai Zhaoji's performance, wanting to find some topics to divert Cai Zhaoji's attention.

However, almost subconsciously, Li Ji's mind was filled with political and military orders related to Wu Commandery, and for a moment, he couldn't think of anything suitable to share with Cai Zhaoji.

After a long while, Li Ji finally thought of a question and said.

"Miss Zhaoji, regarding the wedding half a year from now, I heard that the wedding gown needs to be embroidered by Miss Zhaoji stitch by stitch. But how should my wedding attire be prepared?"

Because all the matters related to the wedding were prepared by Liu Bei, and Li Ji was also getting married for the first time, even though Li Ji was the person involved, he really didn't understand these things at all.

Now that he thought of it, he asked casually to ease the awkwardness just now.

However, upon hearing this, Cai Zhaoji paused with the carving knife in her hand, and after a long while, she replied somewhat coldly, "Master Zikun's wedding attire will also be prepared by me."

After a pause, Cai Zhaoji's voice seemed to become even colder as she said.

"Master Zikun doesn't need to worry that my daily book repairing will delay the time. My needlework is also still quite good, and I will definitely be able to prepare the wedding attire and gown before the wedding."

Li Ji shook his head and replied.

"No, Ji doesn't mean that, but rather that Miss Zhaoji usually needs to repair books and take care of herself, and also needs to prepare the wedding attire and gown in just half a year. I'm afraid Miss Zhaoji will be too tired."

Hearing this, Cai Zhaoji raised her beautiful eyes and asked with a hint of surprise in her eyes, "Master Zikun doesn't feel that my daily book repairing… is a problem?"

"Why would it be a problem? Miss Zhaoji is full of talent, and I only feel fortunate," Li Ji replied matter-of-factly.

And Cai Zhaoji took a deep look at Li Ji, and then her cold tone became a bit more serious as she replied.

"Master Zikun, you are truly different."

"Just a common person," Li Ji said casually.

Then he said.

"Miss Zhaoji, if you don't mind, I'll prepare a few maids for Miss Zhaoji, who can also take care of Miss Zhaoji's daily life and slightly reduce Miss Zhaoji's usual burden. How about it?"

Cai Zhaoji thought for a moment and replied, "I'll leave it all to Master Zikun's arrangements."

Hearing this, Li Ji smiled, which could be regarded as fulfilling the main purpose of today.

After this, the water conservancy plan has been initially completed, and it has been nearly half a month since he used his injury to continue pushing the political affairs to Jia Xu. Li Ji should really start arranging the water conservancy matters.

In this way, in the future, he won't have much time to specifically visit Cai Zhaoji's residence.

However, besides feeling a slight reluctance towards Cai Zhaoji's voice, recalling the previous deductions, Li Ji couldn't help but worry about the safety of the Cai residence.

Li Ji is a pure and upright gentleman. Even if he knows that he can easily abduct Cai Zhaoji, he won't do such a thing, but it doesn't mean that others might not have this idea.

Moreover, in the vast Cai residence, besides Cai Yong and Cai Zhaoji, there is only an old servant who has followed Cai Yong for many years, and the defensive strength is really too weak.

Therefore, Li Ji intends to arrange a few special maids for Cai Zhaoji. Firstly, it will be convenient to take care of Cai Zhaoji, and secondly, it can also play a certain defensive role.

And after receiving Cai Zhaoji's permission, Li Ji also roughly talked about the future arrangements, saying that from now until the wedding, he probably won't have much time to come and meet.

To this, Cai Zhaoji replied with a slightly unnatural expression.

"I never thought of meeting you."

"However, if I leave Wu County to go to other places, I will also regularly exchange letters with you," Li Ji replied.

"I will reply to the letters according to etiquette," Cai Zhaoji replied.

It's just that although Cai Zhaoji's voice was still cold and calm, Li Ji suddenly heard a hint of anticipation from it.

Perhaps, the talented woman who is nestled in the depths of her boudoir and entrusts her feelings to classics and music has also had the fantasy of exchanging letters and confiding her feelings with a beloved man, so there is an unconscious hint of anticipation in her tone?

And as Cai Zhaoji also seemed to gradually relax, Li Ji, who no longer needed to seize the time to listen to water conservancy classics, also tried to chat with Cai Zhaoji about the trivial matters of both families, talking about the past, talking about the future, and also talking about many interests.

Cai Zhaoji is not good at dancing, but her zither music is like the sound of nature, lingering endlessly…

When Cai Zhaoji took out the "Burnt Tail Zither" treasured by Cai Yong and played zither music for Li Ji, even Li Ji, who was used to listening to countless pop songs, felt deeply immersed and shocked.

After listening to a song, Li Ji couldn't help but sigh and say, "Unfortunately, I don't know much about music theory, otherwise I could have played a duet with Miss Zhaoji, which would also be a beautiful thing."

"The world doesn't lack a Cai Zhaoji who is good at music theory, but how rare is a Li Zikun who can govern the country and bring peace to the people?"

Cai Zhaoji retorted.

"This zither music is only used to cultivate one's sentiment. If Master Zikun is immersed in it and develops the intention of specializing in music theory, I would be guilty of the sins of hundreds of thousands of people in Wu Commandery."

This time, Cai Zhaoji rarely looked at Li Ji without backing down, as if she was afraid that Li Ji would really develop such thoughts, intending to persuade him to the end.

Seeing this, Li Ji couldn't help but chuckle and said.

"Ji was just joking just now. Intending to specialize in music theory is false, but being reluctant to part with Miss Zhaoji's zither music is true."

This was already a blatant compliment, causing Cai Zhao Ji to retreat and shift her gaze, keeping her head lowered. Only her glistening, rosy ears were somewhat unable to be concealed.

'So… she's a bit of a social awkward person!'

Li Ji thought silently.

Cai Zhao Ji didn't speak for a long time, nor did she raise her head, but instead, with a delicate hand, she began to play the scorched tail qin before her once more.

It was a melody to 'send off a guest'…