Prince Haoran, still covered in flour memories from last time, looked straight at Xiaoxi and said in his strictest tone:
Haoran:
"I'll give you one week. In this week, you will learn everything — from washing clothes to cooking — without destroying half the kingdom. If you fail… prison will welcome you."
Xiaoxi (clapping happily):
"Yayyy! A challenge! And after that, I'll be the palace's top chef, top maid, and top… oh wait, no thanks. Too much work."
Haoran (glaring):
"Just get out of my sight before I regret giving you even seven days."
---
🏕️ The Training Grounds
Haoran ordered an open area far inside the palace grounds to be prepared for her "training." Guards, servants, and one of his most trusted men were assigned to supervise her.
That man's name: Liwei — calm, steady, serious, and absolutely unshakable. Perfect for stopping Xiaoxi's disasters… or so Haoran thought.
But within the first hour, Xiaoxi had:
Flooded the washing area with bubbles again.
Made noodles that stuck together like one giant rope.
And convinced Liwei to play "rock, paper, scissors" with her instead of guarding.
By the end of the day, instead of chaos in the palace, all the chaos shifted to the training grounds.
---
😂 Xiaoxi the Social Butterfly
Xiaoxi, of course, never stayed serious. Within two days, she was friends with every servant and guard there. She shared jokes, chattered endlessly, and even dragged Liwei into helping her stir soup.
Xiaoxi (grinning):
"Liwei! You look too serious. Come here, stir this. Look, teamwork makes the dream work!"
Liwei sighed but obeyed. From that moment, he became her unofficial partner in disaster.
---
👀 The Prince Observes… and Burns Inside
Prince Haoran visited every day to check her progress. At first, he told himself it was just duty. But then… he saw her laughing with Liwei. Saw her dragging him into the kitchen. Saw her… feed him snacks while giggling.
Every time Haoran appeared, Xiaoxi would greet him with her usual nonsense:
"Ah, Frog Prince! You came to see me fail again? Don't worry, I'm improving!"
But Haoran's eyes were always on her and Liwei. He noticed every time she stood too close, every time she touched his sleeve to get his attention.
Inside, he was boiling. Outside, he pretended calm.
---
🍲 The Dish That Broke Him
On the fifth day, after endless trials, Xiaoxi finally managed to cook a dish that didn't explode, burn, or poison anyone. Everyone clapped for her. She proudly lifted a spoonful of food.
Haoran straightened, waiting. Finally, she'll feed me first, he thought.
But no.
The first bite went to the maid who helped chop vegetables.
The second bite went to Liwei. She even fed him with her own hand!
Haoran's eyes widened. His blood pressure shot up.
Haoran (snapping):
"Enough! All of you are wasting time! No one here is working properly — just chatting, playing, feeding each other like children!"
Everyone froze. Xiaoxi blinked innocently, holding the spoon mid-air.
Xiaoxi:
"Eh? But they were helping me! Why are you so angry? Do you also want me to feed you? Come here, open your mouth—"
Haoran (furious, ears red):
"Silence! Don't say another word!"
He stormed out, his cape flying dramatically.
---
😤 The Prison Order
That night, Haoran couldn't sleep. He kept picturing Xiaoxi feeding Liwei. Feeding him. With her own hand. He tossed and turned, muttering to himself:
"She… she dares ignore me like that? I'm the Crown Prince! Not that… that Liwei!"
By morning, his jealousy reached peak level. Without thinking, he made an announcement:
Haoran:
"Enough of this nonsense. The puffer fish has failed her training. She will be sent to prison immediately."
---
🚨 The Arrest
Guards rushed to the training grounds, where Xiaoxi was busy teaching Liwei how to fold dumplings (and failing spectacularly).
Guard:
"Princess Xiaoxi, by order of the Crown Prince, you are to be taken to prison."
Xiaoxi (eyes wide, dramatic gasp):
"PRISON?! Wait, wait, wait. Did the Prince forgive me and decide to take me back to the palace? Am I finally a well-behaved girl now?!"
Guard (awkwardly):
"…No. He ordered you to prison."
Xiaoxi (jumping up, shocked):
"What?! I didn't even burn the palace this week! Why prison?! Is your Prince crazy?!"
The guards struggled to hold their laughter while dragging her away, as Xiaoxi kept yelling:
"Tell your Prince that I am INNOCENT! And also that his cooking is worse than mine! And also—hey! Don't pull my hair!"
Meanwhile, far away in the palace, Prince Haoran sat with his head in his hands, muttering:
"She can laugh with anyone she wants, but not with Liwei… definitely not Liwei."
---