The next morning, the palace dining hall buzzed with chatter.
Xiaoxi strolled in, humming happily, plopping herself on a cushion beside Lianhua. Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she stretched dramatically.
Xiaoxi (loudly): "Ahhh! The Prince's bed was soooo soft! I slept like a cloud hugged me! I love it!"
The entire hall froze.
The Empress nearly choked on her tea. Grandma smacked her chest to stop coughing. Lianhua spat out her porridge, then quickly covered her mouth, eyes sparkling with gossip.
Lianhua (whispering, failing to hide grin): "Mother… MOTHER! Did you hear that? She slept in his bed!"
Grandma (snickering): "Soft bed, eh? No wonder the boy has dark circles today!"
Everyone turned their heads just in time to see Haoran enter. He looked miserable—dark circles under his eyes, hair slightly messy, his jaw clenched.
Court Lady (to another servant, whispering): "Oh my heavens… His Highness didn't sleep at all. Too busy with…?"
Other servant (giggling): "Young people these days…"
Haoran slammed his chopsticks down on the table.
Haoran (dead serious, voice loud): "Do. Not. Misunderstand! NOTHING happened between us!"
The hall erupted into whispers, barely suppressed laughter. Xiaoxi blinked innocently, chewing her dumpling.
Xiaoxi (mouth full, waving her chopsticks): "Oh, but I did tell the truth! Your bed really was soft. Soooo much better than the prison floor. I think I left a mess though—"
Haoran's eyes widened in horror.
Haoran (gritting his teeth): "What… did you… do?"
Xiaoxi (brightly, counting on her fingers): "Hmm, let's see. I tried on your crown, checked your drawers, opened your scrolls, played with your sword, and accidentally knocked over a vase. Oh! And I might have kicked you in my sleep—heh—sorry about that."
The Empress coughed violently to hide her laughter. Grandma's shoulders shook uncontrollably. Lianhua's eyes gleamed like fireworks.
Lianhua (loud whisper): "She kicked him in bed! Hahhh, this is better than a drama scroll!"
Haoran's face turned crimson.
Haoran (snapping, pointing at Xiaoxi): "You… You are never allowed in my room again!"
Xiaoxi (pouting, arms crossed): "Hmph! Fine! I don't want to visit a grumpy lion's den anyway! Your bed might be soft, but you are HARD as stone!"
The servants gasped. Someone dropped a tray. Grandma almost fell off her chair from laughing.
Haoran buried his face in his hands.
Haoran (muttering, half-dead inside): "Heavens save me… She'll be the end of me…"
Meanwhile, Xiaoxi happily reached for more dumplings, completely unbothered.
Xiaoxi (cheerfully): "Ah, these dumplings are so soft too! Maybe even softer than your bed, Prince!"
Haoran's chopsticks snapped in half.
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