The side hall of Fengqi Palace.
Zhao Yang Princess Yan Zi Yi smashed her teacup into pieces, sitting there with a furious pout. At a time like this, who would dare to approach and try to pacify her?
She was famously known in the palace as a troublemaker; even her brothers couldn’t rival her in creating chaos.
Earlier, the Empress had departed with the Emperor to perform the Heaven Sacrifice, and the eldest prince, Yan Yu, was preoccupied with official duties. Under such circumstances, she had become even more unrestrained and lawless.
No one knew who had provoked her this time, causing such a fit.
A small head peeked from outside the door—it was the three-year-old third princess, Niu Niu.
Seeing her beloved elder sister looking over, Niu Niu grinned: “Big sister.”
She rushed in, grabbing her elder sister’s hand. The little girl spoke earnestly: “Big sister, what are you doing? Why are you angry again? You look scary like this, and it makes Niu Niu afraid.”
Even though her big eyes sparkled and her long lashes made her look as cute as a little fairy, Jiao Jiao knew exactly what kind of child she was.
This little one was a little demon of the palace.
“Scared? You?” Jiao Jiao glanced at her, still fuming.
The little girl raised both hands, mimicking surrender: “Big sister, I didn’t provoke you at all. Why are you giving me the evil eye? Waaah, I’m so sad, so upset, I need comfort~”
Seeing her act like this, Jiao Jiao couldn’t help but laugh, all her previous displeasure vanishing. She happily pulled the girl into her arms, frowning slightly: “Chubby girl, have you gotten even fatter again?”
This earned a protest from the little one: “Have not! Big sister is mean.”
Looking at the little girl’s chubby face, Jiao Jiao pinched her cheeks: “You say that, and I feel really sad!”
Taking the opportunity, the little girl spoke up: “Then, sister, take me outside to play.”
Her eyes sparkled with excitement.
Seeing her younger sister’s adorable expression, Jiao Jiao couldn’t help but smile.
This time, when their parents left the palace, they had taken the second princess, Hahe, and the youngest, Xiao Liu’er, with them, which had upset Niu Niu greatly.
However, Jiao Jiao eyed Niu Niu suspiciously and hesitated before asking: “You aren’t trying to trick me, are you?”
She wasn’t sure if that rascal was still in the imperial garden.
Niu Niu twisted her garment corner, looking genuinely upset.
“How can sister not trust Niu Niu?”
Seeing her little sister pouting with such a pitiful expression, Jiao Jiao finally relented.
“Okay, okay! I’ll take you out to play. I don’t know how you have so much energy every day.”
Jiao Jiao had been doted on by everyone in the family since childhood. Even after more siblings were born, she remained the eldest princess most favored by the Emperor. Because of this, she had grown up to be very innocent and straightforward.
She didn’t notice the brief flash of mischief in her sister’s eyes.
“Sister, sister, let’s play hide-and-seek!”
Third Princess Xiao Niu Niu immediately took out a silk scarf from her arms and tried to tie it around her sister’s eyes.
The Empress’s three daughters in December: the eldest, Jiao Jiao, was domineering and flamboyant but the least scheming. The second daughter, Xin Xin, had a personality similar to the fifth child—quiet and aloof. Only this youngest one, Niu Niu, was the most cunning.
Jiao Jiao was genuinely kind to her younger sister, but the little girl was constantly scheming against her beloved elder sister.
“You catch me…”
With the scarf around her eyes, Jiao Jiao randomly reached out—”Eh?”
This person was clearly too tall to be Niu Niu. She quickly realized and yanked the scarf off her eyes.
Sure enough, it was Yi Xun.
Her expression immediately turned cold. Looking around for Niu Niu, she had already vanished without a trace.
“This brat. Whose sister is she, really?” Jiao Jiao turned to leave.
“Jiao Jiao.” Her sleeve was tugged.
“Let go.” Her face was colder than frost-covered ice.
Seeing that he wouldn’t release her, Jiao Jiao tried to fight back, but being raised in the palace, she was no match for Yi Xun and was quickly subdued. Before she knew it, she was half-held in his arms.
“Let me go.”
What kind of scene was this?
His cool breath brushed against her ear: “In a few days, I will become your husband. What are you worried about?”
Upon hearing this, Jiao Jiao became even angrier: “I don’t want you! You’re just good at flattering my father and mother. I won’t marry you, and I definitely won’t go with you to that wretched Diwa. Don’t even think about it.”
Yi Xun felt a moment of sadness but then leaned his lips closer to her ear.
“I’ve already said I’ll stay in Nanqin. Your father also promised to make me your husband. We won’t return to Diwa.”
Jiao Jiao continued to resist: “I don’t like you either. You’re not even good-looking. You can’t compare to my eldest and second brothers, or anyone else.”
Yi Xun replied gently: “They may be handsome, but they can’t be your husband. I want you, only you. Jiao Jiao, I will treat you well. Just like your father treats your mother.”
Yi Xun was different from other men in Nanqin. He was tall and muscular, but with Jiao Jiao, he was always gentle, warm, and considerate.
Otherwise, how could this domineering princess agree to marry him?
In fact, Yi Xun wasn’t foolish. He could clearly see that Jiao Jiao genuinely had some feelings for him. Otherwise, she would have simply refused. If she had adamantly refused, following Emperor Jing’s and Empress Shen’s principles, they would never have forced their daughter against her will.
It was precisely because he saw her hesitation and a hint of affection that they decided on the marriage.
Hearing his words, Jiao Jiao frowned: “My father treats my mother with unparalleled kindness. How can someone like you even compare?”
He had already been in Nanqin for two years. In this time, even Yan Yu, who had initially been the most skeptical of him, had nothing more to say, showing how much effort Yi Xun had put in.
“Yes, I’m not good enough. But Jiao Jiao, believe me, I will keep improving. I will do everything you like.” He sounded like
a well-behaved big puppy, almost wagging his tail to please his master.
Despite blushing at his words, Jiao Jiao still snapped at him: “You’re just a liar. Then why did your cousin come here? Tell me!”
Yi Xun smiled: “So Jiao Jiao is jealous.”
That explained why she had been ignoring him all day.
“I’m not! Our men in Nanqin are much better than you. No one as shortsighted as you would travel so far for a woman.”
She had overheard his cousin urging Yi Xun to return to Diwa, where he would still be the most likely contender for the throne as the eldest prince. Now he had given up the possibility of becoming emperor to become the consort of a spoiled princess—how could he stoop so low?
Even someone as naive as Jiaojiao understood that even if he became her consort, her father would never entrust him with any important state affairs, since he was not from Nanqin.
“What does it matter? Everyone’s needs are different. Yan Yu is also an eldest prince, but he doesn’t want the throne either. Everyone has different aspirations. What I pursue is my own heart. Even if I can’t achieve my full potential, being with the person I love is the greatest happiness!”
Though he looked somewhat simple, every word he spoke struck a chord in Jiao Jiao’s heart.
She bit her lip and looked at him, hesitating slightly yet still defiantly: “If you deceive me, I’ll have my brothers beat you to death.”
Upon hearing this, Yi Xun finally smiled and suddenly lifted her up in his arms.
“Ahh—”
He spun her around a few times, completely disregarding decorum.
Joyfully, he said: “Yes, if I betray you, let them kill me!”
“Quickly put me down, quickly! If my eldest and second brothers see this, they’ll beat you again…”
“I won’t. I won’t put you down.” Yi Xun had a silly grin on his face.
…
As the two finally reconciled, three figures in a nearby corner all let out cold snorts.
“She’s too easily swayed by outsiders,” Yan Yu muttered in dissatisfaction.
“If it weren’t for his sincerity, I wouldn’t want such a foolish Diwa man as our brother-in-law,” Yan Jia spoke up.
“Jiao Jiao’s personality needs a man like him who can tolerate her. Besides, his status is quite prestigious,” Yan Yu frowned but still spoke.
“Why think so much? If he’s not good, there are a thousand ways to make him disappear,” Yan Jin said lightly. Glancing at his two older brothers, he left with his hands behind his back, seemingly completely unaffected.
The two exchanged glances and shook their heads.
Indeed, the fifth prince was the most suitable for the throne.
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