The Little Princess's Secret Guard - Chapter 20
Chapter 20: Paper Folding
A graceful figure walked in, followed by two maidservants. Beside her was Zhao Yun, wearing an exceptionally sour and unpleasant expression.
The person was none other than her fourth younger sister, Princess Chengle, Shen Xu.
The private box in the theater was so named, but the side facing the stage had no cover whatsoever, only carved wooden railings. Anyone below who looked up could see clearly.
Afraid of being discovered, Shen Panyan quickly got up and moved inward, trying to hide.
Lin Xiao looked at her with confusion.
“Prin—” He was about to speak, but Shen Panyan reached out a hand and made a “shush” gesture.
“Lin Xiao, quickly help me see what they are saying and which private box they went into.”
Just yesterday, Zhao Wenyao was telling her that the General’s Manor favored her, yet today, Zhao Yun and Shen Xu were entering the theater together to listen to a play.
She already had a bad impression of Zhao Yun, and now, her impression of him was even worse.
Lin Xiao’s gaze fell upon the two people downstairs.
Zhao Yun did not speak, maintaining his sour face. Shen Xu didn’t speak to him either, but instead instructed the waiter to take her to a private box.
The two went up to the second floor and, coincidentally, chose the box right next to theirs.
“Brother Tingzhi, don’t be angry anymore. The Fengqu Tower has arranged a new play today; I heard it’s quite wonderful. Come on, look!”
“Princess, please mind your demeanor. Do not pull and tug at this humble official, lest it cause misunderstanding.”
“Brother Tingzhi!! Why do you dislike me so much? What exactly have I done to displease you?”
“Nothing. The Princess is very good. It’s just that this humble official doesn’t enjoy listening to plays. If the Princess has no further important business, this humble official will take his leave.”
“You—!!”
“Zhao Tingzhi, stop right there for this Princess!!”
“What urgent matter does the Princess have? This humble official is very busy and has other things to do…”
“Busy?! Who are you fooling? Do you think this Princess doesn’t know you are now just a Colonel with the title but no real power? What kind of business could you possibly be busy with? Imperial Father has already agreed to grant us the marriage! This Princess respects you and is willing to give you a little face, so don’t push your luck and actually think this Princess can’t live without you?”
“Is that so? That is wonderful. The Princess should go back to the palace now and tell His Majesty that you wish to choose another consort. This humble official couldn’t ask for anything more.”
“You—!!”
This was followed by the sound of porcelain smashing to the ground.
“Zhao Tingzhi!!”
Shen Panyan quickly retreated a few steps, not daring to press her ear to the wall to eavesdrop anymore.
Shen Xu’s temper was indeed as bad as ever!
As she retreated, she accidentally bumped into someone.
Shen Panyan looked back and saw it was Lin Xiao. He was looking down at her, his eyes slightly heavy. Shen Panyan immediately recalled the image of herself with her ear pressed to the wall, secretly listening to their conversation. Her face instantly flushed red, and she felt deeply embarrassed.
Oh dear!
She forgot Lin Xiao was present.
He wouldn’t think she had some strange habit, would he?
She truly didn’t!
Fortunately, another suppressed roar from next door caught her attention.
“Princess Chengle, will you stop making a scene!!”
“This is a theater, not your Lu Lin Palace. Do you want everyone to laugh at us?”
“Heh! When has this Princess ever cared about such empty talk? Do they dare say a single extra word in front of this Princess?”
The eavesdropping crowd thought: …They certainly do not!
“Zhao Tingzhi, don’t think this Princess doesn’t know that your General’s Manor is secretly trying to get that good-for-nothing Shen Panyan! But Imperial Father has made up his mind to grant the marriage to us. You will marry, whether you like it or not.”
Shen Panyan: …
She was being insulted for no reason. This was truly an undeserved calamity.
“…Why?” Zhao Yun’s low, gritted voice rang out. “Why must it be me?”
“What exactly is it about me that attracts the Princess’s favor? I’ll change it; won’t that suffice?”
“This Princess likes you alive. If you want to change, do you want to die now?”
Zhao Yun: …
Shen Panyan: …
She patted her chest. Shen Xu’s verbal attack power was definitely strong as ever.
It was a relief that the person facing her was not herself.
The next moment, Zhao Yun’s furious voice was heard. “I truly regret saving you that day.”
“A twisted melon is not sweet. Even if we marry, you may not have a happy life. Why are you clinging to me like this?”
“Whether it’s sweet or not, we’ll talk later. This Princess will twist it first and then we’ll see.”
“Come, sit down and listen to the play with me!”
“Otherwise, you wouldn’t want your good brother to die unexpectedly, would you?”
“You—”
Following a crash of objects, Shen Xu’s gentle voice finally rang out again.
“That’s better, Brother Tingzhi. Be obedient. Once this Princess is happy, I will release your good brother.”
“After all, your good brother almost ran into this Princess with a mad horse. This Princess only temporarily locked him in the dungeon. That is already a kindness, considering you.”
“You—If you hadn’t secretly entered the military camp and injured the horse, causing it to go mad, how would it have hurt you? Now you’re framing someone else for this matter. You, you truly are—”
“Shameless!!!”
“Who told you not to see me? I had no choice but to try to sneak into the military camp to see you!”
“Brother Tingzhi, this is the last time I will allow you to insult me. Next time, if you curse me, I will have them chop off one of his fingers for every curse. Two curses, two fingers. Three curses, three fingers…”
“You—You really are a lunatic!!”
“Hmm? Say that again?”
“…”
“Now, kneel down and apologize to this Princess, and I will let him go. Otherwise, Yue Zhi, make a note of this. When we get back…”
“I apologize!!”
With a thud, Zhao Yun’s suppressed voice came through, “It was this humble official’s loose tongue that offended the Princess. I beg the Princess to punish me!”
“Since that is the case… this Princess will be merciful and spare you this time. However, today, you will remain kneeling here. You may only rise when this Princess is in a good mood.”
“Yes… This humble official obeys.”
The neighboring box fell silent after that, with no more noise. Shen Panyan finally sat down and calmed her mind.
She truly hadn’t expected to hear such gossip just by coming out to listen to a play.
No wonder she felt something strange in her heart since yesterday.
Zhao Wenyao had been so eager to talk to her and promise her all the benefits of the General’s Manor on their very first meeting. It was a bit too urgent, and now she knew why.
Given Shen Xu’s personality, if she were to marry into the General’s Manor, the Manor would likely never have a peaceful day again.
Furthermore, Shen Panyan had heard a crucial point: even before Zhao Yun returned to the capital, Consort Hui had already set her sights on him. It was just that Zhao Yun was unwilling; he didn’t want to marry any Princess. If not for this, Shen Xu wouldn’t have secretly snuck into the military camp to see him.
Thinking of this, Shen Panyan sighed.
From beginning to end, she was the one who knew nothing and suffered an undeserved calamity.
The General’s Manor wanted to switch people, likely just because her personality was easy to manipulate.
The things Zhao Wenyao had said probably lacked much sincerity.
If she really took her advice and married Zhao Yun, considering his attitude toward Lin Xiao yesterday, he probably didn’t have much affection for her either. If she married him, she would likely be the only one tormented.
She didn’t like him in the first place. Now that he was being tormented by Shen Xu, Shen Panyan only felt he deserved it.
Evil people are tormented by other evil people; let them torment each other!
She absolutely did not want to get involved in this mess!
Thinking about the whole affair made Shen Panyan very annoyed. She wrung the handkerchief in her hand and sighed deeply again.
Suddenly, an origami rabbit appeared before her eyes.
Shen Panyan was startled and looked up.
Lin Xiao was looking at her, gently pushing the origami rabbit closer to her.
“Princess…” He seemed to want to say something, but not knowing how to phrase it, he finally gave up. His voice was very dry.
“Princess, with this subordinate here, no one will be able to harm you.”
Shen Panyan was surprised.
She picked up the small origami rabbit and chuckled. “Are you trying to comfort me?”
Lin Xiao hesitated, then nodded seriously. “Yes.”
This time, it was Shen Panyan’s turn to feel embarrassed.
Her face warmed. “When did you fold this rabbit? You know how to fold these things?”
“Just now.” Lin Xiao pointed to the side. Most of the people who chose private boxes to listen to plays were refined individuals. Sometimes, guests would become immersed in the drama, sigh, and be inspired to write poetry or draw. Therefore, paper was often kept ready in the boxes. Lin Xiao had simply pulled out a sheet just now.
His craftsmanship was excellent. The rabbit he folded was very cute and endearing.
Shen Panyan held it dearly, asking repeatedly, “Lin Xiao, when did you learn to fold these things? Besides rabbits, what else can you fold?”
“I learned when I was bored… I can also fold flowers, daggers, paper cranes…”
He was very uncomfortable being looked at by Shen Panyan’s sparkling apricot eyes, so he averted his gaze and spoke slowly.
Hearing him, Shen Panyan’s eyes grew even brighter.
It was the first time she realized Lin Xiao possessed such a skill. Looking at the endearing little rabbit in her hand, and then at the expressionless, imposing Lin Xiao in his black clothes, she found it hard to imagine that this adorable rabbit came from his hands.
Shen Panyan curved her apricot eyes. “Thank you, Lin Xiao. I like it very much.”
“As long as the Princess… likes it…” Lin Xiao’s voice became even slower.
Because Shen Xu was sitting right next door, Shen Panyan didn’t want to be recognized. She stood up and sat beside Lin Xiao, leaning close to speak in a low voice.
“Lin Xiao, what kind of flowers can you fold? Can you fold another hibiscus flower for me?”
She liked hibiscus the most.
The Princess’s sudden closeness caused Lin Xiao’s body to stiffen abruptly, but he quickly recovered and nodded.
“Yes.”
Lin Xiao took another sheet of paper. His fingers danced as he folded, occasionally pausing, then continuing. Before long, a graceful hibiscus flower appeared on the table.
In truth, he didn’t fold it very well. He only knew how to fold a few simple types of flowers and wasn’t particularly skilled with the hibiscus, but for Shen Panyan, this was already incredible. “Lin Xiao, you are amazing!”
Shen Panyan had watched him fold it this time. She still hadn’t figured it out, and Lin Xiao was already finished.
“Lin Xiao, can you teach me?”
Lin Xiao hesitated. “Princess, this one isn’t actually folded very well…”
“But it’s already very impressive!” Shen Panyan looked at him with a beaming smile. “Please teach me!”
“If the Princess wishes to learn, then this subordinate certainly—”
“Alright, stop talking so formally! Lin Xiao, quickly teach me!”
Shen Panyan took a piece of paper herself, looking up at him with eyes full of anticipation.
Lin Xiao: …
He seemed to sigh.