It seemed he never claimed to be a peasant; that was her assumption.
A Mo smiled and pointed at his feet: “Besides, I never intended to disguise myself.”
These straw sandals are woven from phoenix-tail grass, known to everyone in Qi. A small bunch costs several taels of silver, and making a pair costs nearly a hundred taels. How could the princess think I’m a peasant when I’m wearing these shoes?”
Ruan Ning, feeling mocked, puffed up angrily, grabbing a plate of lotus powder cake. “No eating!” she declared fiercely.
“Has the princess ever seen a pufferfish?” A Mo suddenly asked.
Ruan Ning stared at him, confused, and didn’t answer.
“Poke a pufferfish, and it swells up into a ball,” A Mo said, clapping cake crumbs from his hands before walking away laughing.
Realizing he was comparing her to a pufferfish, Ruan Ning shouted, “Little brat, stop right there!” and grew even angrier.
A Mo grinned and ran faster, disappearing beyond the wall.
The nursemaid coughed worriedly, surprised that a noble princess used the word “brat.” The feng shui of Qi was truly terrible—what had become of this princess?
“My family,” A Mo said with a smile, “they’re all dead.”
Ruan Ning was startled, feeling a sense of shared misfortune. She didn’t expect he was also alone in this world. Her voice softened, “How old are you?”
“Almost seventeen,” A Mo laughed again. “Don’t worry, there weren’t many good people in my family. It’s best they’re all dead.”
Ruan Ning, confused, thought to herself, Why aren’t you acting normally?
Unable to continue the conversation, Ruan Ning suddenly became angry, throwing the clay pufferfish into his arms. “Go away, I don’t want to see you.”
A Mo chuckled, his little tiger teeth flashing white. “In two days, we’ll be in Ji Jing. The princess is about to enter the palace.”
Only two days left? Ruan Ning’s heart sank. “Can you help me with something?”
“What?” A Mo rubbed his chin, intrigued.
Ruan Ning leaned close and whispered, “I’ve been in the carriage all day and can’t go out. I’m feeling suffocated. I want to walk around.”
