“Years ago, I also really disliked my brother-in-law,” I recalled. “I wouldn’t have bullied him so much, always stealing his sugar cakes and toys.”
She shuddered, puffing out her cheeks, her fingers twisting together. “That’s completely different.”
I ignored her and continued reminiscing. “Youth is wonderful. When you meet someone you like, you fight with them to get their attention. It might be naive, but isn’t it also sweet?”
She covered her ears and shouted, “Who said I like him?! Who would like a man who keeps turtles as pets?”
“Really don’t like him?”
“Of course not!” She was resolute, her face full of determination. “He’s not even that good-looking, has no literary talent, and always has a clay figurine’s face, constantly making cold remarks. What’s there to like?”
“So General Shen has so many shortcomings?” I feigned sudden realization. “So you really have no interest in him?”
“Absolutely no interest!”
She opened her eyes wide, trying hard to maintain eye contact, probably to show she was speaking from the heart.
“That’s good,” I said.
“Huh?” Her almond-shaped eyes were filled with confusion.
General Shen,” I pointed outside the door. “He just left. He must have heard everything you said. Since you have no interest in him, let him know clearly.”
Little Sister’s expression instantly froze, and she quickly turned her head to look.
General Shen would certainly not coincidentally be standing at the door hearing these words, but my attempt revealed her true feelings. I had a sense of this and secretly laughed to myself.
“This is good,” I sighed. “You know that your brother-in-law is now missing and probably can’t be found. His Majesty the Emperor has always thought highly of General Shen and wants to match me with him. Now that I think about it, it’s not impossible…”
“Elder Sister!” She looked shocked. “How can you forget about your husband so quickly?”
“If I don’t forget, what else can I do?”
“—Then you don’t have to choose that turtle of a general!” She began to get agitated. “He’s completely incomparable to my brother-in-law! Aren’t there any other choices?”
“I think he’s quite good! Although he doesn’t talk much, he’s very reliable and knows martial arts. He’s much better than those useless pretty boys.”
Her expression was conflicted. “In any case—in any case, he’s not good. I don’t want him as my brother-in-law!”
I sneered, “Then what do you want him to be?
“I—” She was speechless, then suddenly realized. “Elder Sister, are you scheming against me?”
I smiled noncommittally. She turned her head and sat down, gritting her teeth: “You’re playing favorites, bad elder sister.”
“Elder Sister is doing this for your own good,” I sighed. “A man like General Shen is worth entrusting your life to. If you don’t want him, someone else will snatch him up. If he’s taken away and you regret it, it’ll be too late.”
Little Sister said nothing, lowering her head and lost in thought.
Because we were rushing to attend the first-month celebration of the Western Liang Crown Prince, we traveled urgently. Since that conversation with Little Sister, she seemed to no longer oppose General Shen as before, instead becoming quite silent. Not only did I notice this, but General Shen probably sensed it too, and I often caught him casually glancing in Little Sister’s direction.
It seems there’s hope. It’s not just Little Sister’s one-sided affection; General Shen must also have feelings for her. Otherwise, with his calm temperament, how could he care about a girl’s changing attitude? But with one being stubborn and the other cold-faced, I could almost foresee their long, complicated path ahead.
However, Xia Zhiyuan remained calm and indifferent, seemingly not paying special attention to anyone. As a result, the frustrated princesses turned their gaze to General Shen.
General Shen was driven to hide in his room by this scene. My younger sister looked down on them, believing these princesses were far from regal and that they were so desperate to marry that even a “turtle general” would do.
I just smiled silently. I had a feeling that this trip to Xiliang would not be in vain.
Chapter Fifty-Nine: Three Men
“Princess, please.”
After several invitations, I finally could not refuse and agreed to have tea with Xia Zhiyuan. There were a few osmanthus trees in the guest inn. It was late autumn, and the fragrance of osmanthus lingered. He had someone set up a jade stone table under the trees, prepared fine tea and snacks, and dismissed the attendants to sit across from me. Unusually, he was not wearing elaborate robes but a simple white cotton robe.
I knew he would not choose to harm me here and must have something to say. Yet, after several rounds of tea, he only made small talk, urging me to have some snacks.
I remained still, maintaining a standard polite smile.
The wind rustled the leaves, dropping osmanthus petals. He stared at his teacup and suddenly fell silent.
“Your Highness, is something wrong?
” I asked tentatively, seeing him staring blankly at the teacup.
He said wistfully, “It’s late autumn again. Does my lady remember the White Crane Plain from last autumn?”
How could I forget? Looking back, the Eastern Palace must have already known my background and deliberately approached me, hinting that An Jin could no longer hide me. Unfortunately, I was dull-witted then, knowing he had ulterior motives but not thinking deeply.
“Your Highness, please speak directly,” I refilled his tea.
“Previously, threatening the princess to marry through her family, I did not expect you to be magnanimous,” sadness fell on his otherworldly beautiful face, making one’s heart tremble.
This is the advantage of being a beautiful person. Even knowing he was not kind, I could not help but be moved.
“Regardless, we have paid respects to heaven and earth, become husband and wife. Even if you escape, whether you resent me or not, this is a fact.” He looked at me deeply. “In my heart, you are my wife. As for past mistakes, I will try to make amends.”
He took out a white silk from his sleeve and gently unfolded it before me.
The silk depicted a graceful dancing woman, signed “Lantern Festival Thirteenth Young Master”.
Having been soaked in water, the ink was blurred, and the woman’s original image was unrecognizable.
“I have kept this painting until now. Not for anything else, but because it is something you left behind.” He lowered his eyes, his long eyelashes lush. “A Yao, give me a chance, will you?”
This was the first time Xia Zhiyuan did not refer to himself as “this palace,” and the first time I truly looked at him. After a long look, I sighed and asked, “Isn’t this tiring?”
He looked up in confusion.
“You are like this, Xia Zhichun is like this, and Yan Or is also like this.” I gave a bitter smile. “For your ambitions, forcing yourself to please someone you don’t love, working hard to please, pretending to be deeply in love, performing such touching plays. Isn’t this tiring?”
His expression stiffened, and after a while, he curved his thin lips, laughing with a hint of bitterness. “Sometimes when people act for too long, they often become too involved and find it hard to extricate themselves.”
“Do you think I would believe you now?” I felt helpless. Why did I look so easy to deceive? Could the same trick still work after being used so many times?
The previous “it’s settled—” I was about to ask him to clarify his meaning when I heard someone announce.
“Reporting to the Crown Prince’s Palace, Grand Princess Zhao Hua, there is an imperial messenger seeking an audience with the Grand Princess.”
Seeking me?
I turned around and saw Mo Qu standing behind the reporting guard, bowing to me. “His Majesty invites the Grand Princess to the palace for a conversation.”
