The Little Princess's Secret Guard - Chapter 17

Chapter 17: Conflict

After this incident, Shen Panyan lost any desire to continue talking, saying listlessly, “May I ask why Miss Zhao invited me to the teahouse?”

Seeing her state, Zhao Wenyao sighed inwardly, wishing she could beat her foolish younger brother thoroughly.

But even if the matter was difficult to broach, she had to speak.

She looked at the two people behind Shen Panyan. “May I ask if Your Highness could let the people behind you step out?”

Shen Panyan hesitated, somewhat unwilling, but since she was already here, she could only agree.

Lin Xiao and Muying went out. Only then did Zhao Wenyao speak. “It is like this, Your Highness. Are you aware that His Majesty intends to grant a marriage to my younger brother?”

Shen Panyan paused. “I have heard some rumors.”

“You know? That’s excellent.” Zhao Wenyao smiled. “Since my younger brother returned to the capital with my father three days ago, His Majesty inquired about my younger brother’s marriage once. However, my father temporarily declined, stating that my brother is too mischievous and not suitable for marriage yet.”

Shen Panyan was puzzled. “Why are you telling me this?”

She couldn’t help but clench her fingers. “Could it be that the Emperor has chosen me?”

“If only it were you, it would be easy,” Zhao Wenyao sighed. “No, the person His Majesty chose is Princess Chengle.”

Princess Chengle, her fourth sister, Shen Xu, Consort Hui’s daughter.

Shen Panyan breathed a sigh of relief. It wasn’t her; that was good.

However, since it wasn’t her, why had Zhao Wenyao invited her for a chat?

Just as Shen Panyan was about to ask, Zhao Wenyao spoke, looking at her earnestly.

“Princess Mingyue, actually… my father and mother favor you. While Princess Chengle is fine, her temperament is truly incompatible with my younger brother’s. Even if they marry, they would only turn a good match into a resentful couple.”

“But you are different. You have a kind temperament and a good heart. There is no noble lady in the capital as refined in word and graceful in manner as you. I know, Your Highness, that you generally keep to yourself and do not enjoy socializing, but that is fine. If you marry my younger brother, everyone in the General’s Mansion will respect and cherish you…”

Hearing this, Shen Panyan finally understood. Zhao Wenyao was here as a lobbyist, trying to persuade her to marry Zhao Yun.

Shen Panyan frowned. She had thought about marriage, but Zhao Yun’s impression on her just now was too poor. She didn’t like him. After much hesitation, she finally spoke. “I apologize, Miss Zhao, but I truly have no interest in your younger brother…”

Hearing this, Zhao Wenyao’s heart sank. It must be because her foolish brother didn’t leave a good impression on the Princess. She quickly explained. “Your Highness, please don’t rush to refuse. Would you first listen to me finish?”

Shen Panyan wrestled with herself but ultimately did not get up to leave.

Zhao Wenyao sighed with relief. She quickly said, “Your Highness, my younger brother’s appearance, while not the best in the capital, definitely ranks highly. Furthermore, you just saw that his physique is excellent—broad shoulders, narrow waist, skilled in martial arts, and great strength. For someone like Your Highness, he could easily carry you away…”

Shen Panyan widened her eyes, her cheeks gradually flushing. Did this Miss Zhao know what she was talking about?!

“You… don’t say such things to me…” Shen Panyan covered her face, looking flustered.

Seeing her reaction, Zhao Wenyao smiled knowingly, realizing she was shy. She quickly stopped herself and changed the topic. “Your Highness, if you marry my younger brother, if you encounter danger when out, he can fight ten men alone. He can be both a bodyguard and a husband. Where else can you find such a good Consort? And, the most important point is that from the day my younger brother was born until now, aside from us immediate family members, let alone being touched by any other woman, no woman has even touched his hand. Rest assured, he is clean from head to toe, completely untainted by anyone.”

“It has never happened before, and it never will again. He will live his whole life devoted to you.”

“I presume you have heard of our General’s Mansion. Our family style is upright, and my father and mother are easy-going. If you marry into our family, we absolutely guarantee you will not suffer any grievance.”

“What do you think?”

With that, Zhao Wenyao looked at her expectantly.

Shen Panyan felt a heavy weight in her throat. Her words were squeezed out one by one.

“I… I think… think…”

Zhao Wenyao’s eyes brightened further. “What do you think?”

Shen Panyan turned her head, her voice strained. “I think… this kind of thing… it’s better… better to have mutual affection…”

Hearing this, the light in Zhao Wenyao’s eyes dimmed, and she sighed.

She picked up the tea on the table and took a sip. Her mouth was dry after speaking so much.

“But, Your Highness, affection is something that can be cultivated. My younger brother is certainly not one of those indecent men. He has a simple and sincere heart. Even without feelings, he will definitely treat Your Highness well after marriage.”

“Furthermore…” Zhao Wenyao paused. “Your Highness, you won’t find a better candidate for a Consort than my younger brother.”

Hearing this, Shen Panyan fell silent. Indeed, in the capital, she truly couldn’t find a better Consort than Zhao Yun. No wonder Consort Hui wanted to deal with her. Who wouldn’t want such a prize?

Zhao Wenyao’s voice continued. “Your Highness, you turned fifteen almost a year ago, yet the Empress still hasn’t shown any intention of selecting a Consort for you. His Majesty is busy with state affairs and is even less likely to care about your marriage. You must plan for yourself.”

Zhao Wenyao’s words were blunt. “Forgive my presumptuousness, but given Your Highness’s temperament, if you choose any other Consort, you are highly susceptible to being manipulated. Whether your life will be good or not, you know in your heart. I dare not guarantee anything else, but I dare to guarantee that my younger brother would absolutely not dare to bully you.”

“Everyone in our General’s Mansion is loyal to the Emperor, and naturally, we deeply respect and love Your Highness.”

Shen Panyan bit her lip. She was still confused. “I heard Young Master Zhao is a military genius of his time, and General Zhao intends to entrust the future of the General’s Mansion to him. With such a promising future, can Young Master Zhao willingly become a Princess’s consort?”

Zhao Wenyao chuckled. “Those are just exaggerations from outsiders. What ‘military genius’ or ‘little war god’? He merely won two battles with his soldiers. Aren’t they afraid of overstating it? Didn’t Your Highness just see his foolish display? Which General walks like that, tripping on flat ground?”

“Moreover, whether he is willing or not is out of his hands. His Majesty is determined to grant the marriage. My father also feels his character is too unstable. The battlefield is no place for jest; a single lapse in judgment can lead to total defeat. His nature is too restless to shoulder this responsibility. Besides, besides Zhao San, which of my two older brothers doesn’t have more extensive combat experience and a more steady character than him? The General’s Mansion will not be handed to him; those are just random rumors spread by outsiders. Your Highness, please don’t believe those rumors lightly.”

Were they truly just rumors?

Shen Panyan felt a sense of bewilderment.

Zhao Wenyao continued to persuade her. “My father and mother also wish for my younger brother to have a harmonious and stable life after marriage. You know Princess Chengle’s temperament. I also don’t wish for my younger brother to live a life of misery, which is why I took the liberty of telling you all this.”

“Knowing your temperament, and fearing I would put too much pressure on you, my father and mother asked me to be the lobbyist. You and I are close in age, so it’s easier to talk. If I hadn’t accidentally run into you on the street today, I would have sent you a calling card to invite you for a chat after your return to the capital in a few days.”

“Your Highness, I hope you will seriously consider my words. The promises I have made to you are not empty words. Everyone in our General’s Mansion genuinely welcomes your arrival.”

Shen Panyan’s head was swimming from her talk. “Give me some time to think carefully…”

Zhao Wenyao curtsied. “Then I won’t disturb Your Highness. If Your Highness is interested, simply send a message to the General’s Mansion. The rest can be left entirely to us to handle.”

With that, Zhao Wenyao rose and excused herself. Shen Panyan watched her gradually departing figure, her mind a mess, unsure of what to say. It was at this moment that the downstairs suddenly erupted. People clapped and cheered, the noise nearly lifting the roof.

“Good!”

“As expected of the Little General Zhao! That skill is magnificent!”

“The man in black is also excellent. His movements are quite elusive. It’s been several rounds, and General Zhao still hasn’t taken him down.”

“What do you know? General Zhao fights with a grand, open style, a righteous technique. That man in black clearly uses a less honorable style, only dodging and ambushing. Give General Zhao a little more time, and he will surely defeat him. How can the two be compared?”

“That’s true!”

“Good!”

When Shen Panyan walked out, she saw the two men fighting on the storytelling platform on the first floor of the teahouse. Her face immediately turned pale, and Zhao Wenyao’s face was utterly black.

This foolish younger brother! While she was inside exhausting herself with talk, he was outside fighting the Princess’s guard.

She knew he wasn’t even trying to fight; he was just constantly dodging. A vein throbbed on her forehead. She roared, “Zhao San!!!”

“What are you doing??”

At this moment, Zhao Yun was fuming. “If you’re a man, fight me fairly! What kind of man only knows how to dodge?”

Lin Xiao glanced at him but remained silent.

“What is that look?!”

Zhao Yun was enraged. Just then, Lin Xiao exposed a weakness. Zhao Yun threw a punch, but Zhao Wenyao’s voice suddenly rang out from the second floor, freezing his movements.

“Sister?!”

He looked up. Zhao Wenyao was rushing toward him, full of anger.

Shen Panyan also rushed downstairs, quickly reaching Lin Xiao’s side, her eyes filled with concern. “Lin Xiao, are you alright?”

Lin Xiao shook his head. “This subordinate is fine.”

Shen Panyan looked him over from head to toe. Finding that he was truly unharmed, she let out a sigh of relief and turned to Zhao Yun, her face showing indignation.

However, Zhao Wenyao was already sternly scolding him and pulling his ear, making it difficult for Shen Panyan to say anything further.

“Sister! Sister! It hurts! Be gentle!”

Zhao Wenyao looked at him, completely beside herself with fury. She quickly forced Zhao Yun to apologize to Shen Panyan, then dragged him away, scolding him as she went. “Look at you! You’ve completely disgraced yourself! When we get home, I will definitely tell Mother and Father to punish you severely!”

“Sister, Sister, I’m your brother! No, no!”

With the two of them gone, they left plenty of gossip for the teahouse. Shen Panyan disliked being stared at, so she quickly left with Lin Xiao and Muying.