The palace was buzzing that morning. Lady Mingzhu, the daughter of the Emperor's old friend, had finally arrived after so many years. She carried herself with such grace that everyone who laid eyes on her felt instantly charmed.
Her polite bow, her soft smile, her gentle voice — all made her look like she had walked straight out of a painting.
The Empress greeted her warmly. Grandma pulled her close with affection. Even Lianhua giggled, clapping her hands:
Lianhua: "Finally, someone who can handle our stiff Prince!"
And indeed, the whole family began whispering among themselves. They had always secretly hoped that Haoran, their serious and aloof Crown Prince, would one day soften his heart… and Mingzhu, who shared his calm and refined nature, seemed like the perfect match.
Meanwhile, Xiaoxi sat stiffly at the corner of the hall, stabbing her rice with her chopsticks like it had personally offended her.
Xiaoxi (muttering): "Gentle, polite, elegant, sweet… tch. What's so great about being gentle? Can she climb walls? Can she wrestle guards? Can she eat ten dumplings in one sitting? Hmph!"
She glanced toward Haoran, who was — annoyingly — actually smiling while talking to Mingzhu. SMILING. The same Prince who usually only gave Xiaoxi glares, scoldings, or his infamous "brainless puffer fish" insult.
Xiaoxi (gritting her teeth): "Unbelievable. Absolutely unbelievable. He never talks to me like that! Frog Prince."
From the corner, Grandma and Lianhua noticed Xiaoxi's sulky expression.
Grandma (whispering to Empress): "Oh, look at her. She's fuming like a kettle."
Empress (chuckling): "Let her. A little jealousy will do her good."
Lianhua (excited): "Yes, yes! The way she's glaring right now — priceless!"
Just then, Mingzhu, with her ever-gentle smile, turned toward Xiaoxi.
Mingzhu: "And you are…? A guest, I presume? You seem… very lively."
Her tone was kind, but in Xiaoxi's ears, it sounded like: "You chaotic little outsider, what are you even doing here?"
Xiaoxi forced a smile.
Xiaoxi (sweetly): "Yes, I'm a… special guest. Very, very special."
Haoran's eyes flicked between the two women. He cleared his throat.
Haoran (calmly): "Mingzhu grew up alongside me. We were childhood friends."
The way he said it — so casually, so warmly — made Xiaoxi's chest tighten. She immediately puffed her cheeks.
Xiaoxi (snapping): "Childhood friend, huh? How very… wonderful."
Mingzhu tilted her head, confused at the sharp tone, but still smiled sweetly.
Mingzhu: "It's been a long time, Haoran. You haven't changed at all. Still so composed."
Xiaoxi nearly choked on her rice. Composed?! This man who locked me in a room yesterday and shouted like a jealous ox?!
But the rest of the family sighed dreamily.
Empress (to Grandma): "Look at them. Don't they look good together?"
Grandma (nodding): "Perfect match. Like two phoenixes from the same nest."
Lianhua (barely containing her laughter, whispering): "Ohhh, Xiaoxi's face is turning red! She's about to explode like a firecracker!"
Haoran, noticing Xiaoxi's sulking, hid a tiny smirk. He knew exactly what she was thinking. And though he didn't say it aloud, he thought:
So, you're jealous, little puffer fish? Good.
Xiaoxi, meanwhile, stabbed her dumpling again and muttered under her breath:
Xiaoxi (muttering): "Gentle Mingzhu, sweet Mingzhu, polite Mingzhu… tch. Let's see how long you last around this frog prince. Hmph!"
The palace that day was full of whispers, stolen glances, and laughter… and Xiaoxi had just discovered a new, dreadful rival for Haoran's attention.
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