Meanwhile, back in the palace prison, the princess was happily munching through the mountain of snacks her "brothers" had brought her earlier. Her cheeks were stuffed, crumbs scattered everywhere, and she was grinning like a very satisfied little fox.
Half eaten already… but wait… is it dinner time yet? she wondered. Why am I eating snacks when a proper dinner could be here?
"Big brother!" she suddenly called, leaning over to one of the prison guards. "Isn't it dinner time now? Why hasn't anyone brought me dinner yet?"
The guard scratched his head, looking a little guilty.
"Well… maybe they forgot there's a prisoner here today. Or… maybe they didn't inform the cook. You're the only one here, so…"
Her eyes widened in horror.
"You mean… I'm not going to get any dinner today? 😢"
The guard softened and smiled a little pitifully.
"Maybe not… but don't worry! We have plenty for dinner. We can share it with you."
Her eyes lit up like fireworks.
"My life is back! Thank you, thank you, uncle! 🥹"
Just then, another guard appeared, carrying a tray of dinner for themselves. She clapped her hands excitedly.
"Look! Dinner has arrived! Let's eat!"
But one guard hesitated.
"Uh… she's… still… well, you know…"
The other guard waved him off.
"Who will know? Look at her. Does she look like she would run away? She loves food more than her life. And besides… she already shared her snacks with us. Now it's our turn to share with her!"
With that, they gave her freedom of movement, and she immediately bounced up, bowing dramatically as if she'd been freed from a great curse.
"Thank you, thank you! I, Xiaoyun — or Xiaoxi, as my friends call me — shall forever remember this kindness! Now… what are your names, oh heroic guards?"
The guards blinked, then all laughed and introduced themselves:
"Brother Wonton, Brother Baozi, Brother Tangyuan, and… me, Brother Mochi!"
Xiaoxi squealed with delight.
"Perfect names! Very suitable! Now let us feast!"
The prison table, which had looked dull and empty just moments ago, transformed into a miniature banquet hall. Plates clattered, bread was passed, soup was slurped, and Xiaoxi insisted on trying everything. Every now and then, she would dramatically proclaim:
"Delicious! Ten thousand times more delicious than my morning snack!"
Once the feast was over, Xiaoxi noticed a deck of cards lying on the table.
"What's this?" she asked.
The guards exchanged glances.
"It's for cards. Want to play?"
"I've never played cards before…" Xiaoxi admitted sheepishly.
"Don't worry," Brother Mochi said. "We'll teach you."
Within minutes, Xiaoxi had not only learned the rules but was winning every single round. The guards groaned in mock despair:
"How does she do that?! She just learned five minutes ago!"
Xiaoxi giggled, leaning back with a victorious grin.
"Intelligence, gentlemen, is a gift!"
The game turned into full-on laughter, teasing, and storytelling. Between rounds, Xiaoxi recounted the whole saga with the frog prince — from being soaked in the lake to sneaky plans and absurd arguments. The guards laughed so hard they nearly spilled their drinks.
By the end of the evening, the prison had completely transformed in Xiaoxi's eyes — from a lonely, confining place into a feast, games, and laughter party zone.
Finally, with tummies full and card games paused, everyone yawned loudly. Brother Wonton flopped onto a bench, Brother Baozi curled up in a corner, Brother Tangyuan stretched dramatically, and Brother Mochi nearly fell asleep sitting upright. Xiaoxi, cheeks still slightly pink from laughter, rubbed her eyes, and snuggled down on a pile of cushions.
"Goodnight, my heroic brothers," she murmured with a sleepy smile.
"Goodnight, little sister Xiaoxi," they all whispered back.
And with that, the prison fell into peaceful, food-coma slumber, full of dreams about cards, snacks, and the next day's adventures…