The door slammed with a thunderous BANG, echoing through the palace corridors. Outside, the Empress, Grandma, and Lianhua froze, wide-eyed, peeking at each other with equal parts horror and curiosity.
Empress (whispering): "Do you think we should intervene?"
Grandma (smirking): "No. Let them stew. This is their drama, not ours."
Lianhua (excited): "Drama? No, this is romance! Oh my, I can't wait to see what happens next!"
Inside the chamber—
Xiaoxi blinked at Haoran, who looked like a mix between a furious lion and a sulking child.
Xiaoxi (innocent tilt of her head): "Why did you drag me here? Did you miss me that much? You could've just invited me nicely, no need to yank my hand like a stubborn turnip from the garden!"
Haoran (gritting teeth, arms crossed): "Turnip? You… do you even realize what you've done?"
Xiaoxi (cheerfully oblivious): "Ate noodles? Played cards? Shared jokes? I don't see any crime here, Your Highness."
Haoran stepped closer, trying to exude authority, but Xiaoxi only cocked her head cutely.
Haoran: "Not that! Why did you feed him first? Why did you laugh with him?"
Xiaoxi (innocent eyes widening): "Who? Liwei? Ohhh, he's my friend. Are you… jealous?"
Haoran's ears instantly turned pink. He spun away, fists clenched in frustration.
Haoran: "I am not jealous! I am the Crown Prince! I do not—"
Xiaoxi (dramatic gasp, throwing hands in the air): "Aha! So you are jealous! Wahhh, you're so cute when jealous! Like a dumpling someone forgot to steam properly!"
Haoran's face turned crimson. He tried to keep his composure, but Xiaoxi was relentless.
Xiaoxi (pretending to cry, grabbing his arm): "Ahhh! Poor me! Sent to prison for nothing! Everyone there loves me—guards, cooks, even Liwei! But you… you hate me. Heartless Prince!"
Haoran's eyes narrowed. He suddenly grabbed her by the shoulders, pinning her gently but firmly against the wall.
Haoran (low, almost growling): "Don't call me heartless. You… you drive me crazy with all your nonsense. And when you laugh with someone else, I…"
He stopped, choking on the words.
Xiaoxi (blinking, impatient): "You what? Spit it out! Don't leave me hanging like a poorly written drama!"
Outside the door, the women whispered to each other.
Grandma (snickering): "Should we… knock?"
Empress (shaking her head, amused): "No. This looks… delicate."
Lianhua (grinning): "Delicate? This is so romantic! I want popcorn!"
Inside, Xiaoxi struggled, twisting and turning.
Xiaoxi: "Let me go! If you're angry, go break some wood or yell at the sky! Don't glare at me like I stole your dumplings!"
Haoran sighed, finally letting her go, but a dangerous smile lingered on his lips.
Haoran: "Fine. From now on, you will only smile at me. Only feed me. Only play with me. Understand?"
Xiaoxi (eyes widening, feigning shock): "Ehh? Did the Prince just confess? Should I call the imperial scribes to write this down?"
Haoran (turning crimson, trying to hide it): "Shut up, puffer fish!"
Xiaoxi laughed, loud and irrepressible, twirling in the room like a mischievous sprite.
Xiaoxi (mock bowing): "Yes, Your Highness! Your humble, brainless puffer fish will obey all orders!"
Haoran groaned, running a hand through his hair.
Haoran (muttering): "Brainless… puffer fish… I cannot believe this."
Xiaoxi sneaked closer, poking his arm.
Xiaoxi: "You think I can't be mischievous even when I obey? Watch this!"
She suddenly tickled his side. Haoran yelped, stumbling back onto the bed.
Haoran (glaring, but failing): "Stop it! You… you're impossible!"
Xiaoxi (giggling, mock-saluting): "Mission accomplished, Your Highness. Puffer fish is officially impossible."
Outside, the women pressed their ears to the door.
Grandma (whispering, laughing softly): "He's done for. Completely done."
Empress (sighing, smiling): "At least she's lively… but poor boy."
Lianhua (giggling uncontrollably): "Oh, Mother! Just wait until they start bickering over breakfast tomorrow! I want front row seats!"
Inside, Haoran finally flopped onto a chair, covering his face with both hands.
Haoran (muttering): "Cute… little… puffer fish… no, just a brainless puffer fish… and a walking disaster for me."
Xiaoxi (tilting her head, teasing): "Did you say something?"
Haoran (gritting teeth, embarrassed): "Yes. I said… you are a walking disaster. Ever since I met you, I've been… constantly in trouble."
Xiaoxi's eyes sparkled with mischievous delight.
Xiaoxi: "That's me! A brainless puffer fish… constantly bringing chaos and smiles to your royal life!"
Haoran groaned, burying his face in his hands again as Xiaoxi twirled around, laughing.
The locked room echoed with playful bickering, laughter, and the unspoken beginnings of a peculiar, chaotic romance.