The palace had never been so lively. Ever since Lady Mingzhu arrived, everyone was suddenly talking about her and Haoran.
Grandma (smiling knowingly): "They really suit each other. Calm and serious — like yin and yang in perfect harmony."
Empress (nodding): "Finally, someone who can balance Haoran's coldness. She's gentle, cultured, and elegant. Perfect Crown Princess material."
Lianhua (giggling): "Perfect, perfect! But what about Xiaoxi? Look at her face — she's chewing her chopsticks instead of her food!"
Indeed, Xiaoxi sat at the table, glaring at Haoran and Mingzhu, who were talking softly about their childhood memories.
Xiaoxi (thinking): Hah! Childhood friends, childhood dumplings, childhood nonsense! Let's see if you still smile when I bring out my secret weapon…
That's when she spotted Liwei, the cheerful young officer who had been her partner-in-crime during her time in the dungeon. Without hesitation, Xiaoxi waved dramatically.
Xiaoxi (sweet voice): "Liwei! Come sit with me! I saved you a seat~"
Liwei blinked in surprise but sat down happily.
Liwei (smiling): "Xiaoxi! Long time no see. How are you?"
Haoran's chopsticks froze mid-air. His jaw tightened.
Xiaoxi (leaning closer to Liwei, giggling): "Ahahaha, Liwei, you're so funny! Your jokes are way better than frog Prince's lectures!"
The whole family nearly spat their tea. Lianhua choked, Grandma covered her mouth, and the Empress tried (and failed) to hide her smirk.
Haoran, however, was silent — too silent. His eyes darkened ever so slightly.
He leaned toward Mingzhu, voice calm but with an edge:
Haoran: "Mingzhu, remember the time we sneaked into the peach orchard? You fell, and I had to carry you all the way back. You were so light back then."
Mingzhu blushed softly.
Mingzhu: "I remember. You scolded me the whole way back, but you never let me go."
Xiaoxi (thinking, fuming): WHAT?! He never carried me anywhere! He only drags me like a sack of rice!
Slamming her chopsticks down, Xiaoxi turned to Liwei:
Xiaoxi: "Liwei! You remember when we cooked instant noodles in prison? You said I was the best cook you ever met!"
Liwei (scratching his head, confused): "Uh… yes? But didn't the noodles catch fire?"
Xiaoxi (ignoring him): "See?! He appreciates me!"
Haoran's fingers twitched. His usually calm eyes were now sharp daggers. He leaned closer to Mingzhu again, voice lower:
Haoran: "Mingzhu, I'm glad you came back. Everything feels… peaceful with you here."
Xiaoxi (smacking the table, shouting): "LIWEI! You should visit me every day! Your presence makes my heart full of joy!"
Mingzhu's soft laughter and Haoran's intense gaze were enough to make Xiaoxi fume even more. Both were now subconsciously trying to make each other jealous… but instead, each glance, each laugh, each brush of hands made Haoran's blood boil.
Haoran (muttering, grinding his teeth): Focus on work? Focus on work? I can't focus with these two acting like kittens over me!
Finally, he slammed his chopsticks down, standing abruptly. The entire table froze.
Haoran (voice sharp, controlled fury): "Xiaoxi! Enough with this nonsense!"
Xiaoxi (wide-eyed): "Huh?"
Liwei (stammering): "Your Highness—"
Haoran (pointing at Xiaoxi): "Stop this game. You're not here to flirt with Liwei or anyone else. Focus on your work, not… him!"
Before Xiaoxi could protest, Haoran grabbed her small wrist and guided her out of the hall. Mingzhu rose gracefully behind him, a slight smile tugging at her lips, clearly amused by the "Jealousy War" spectacle.
The silence lasted two seconds—then Grandma cackled so loudly the servants outside jumped.
The palace was no longer peaceful. The Jealousy War had officially escalated… and Haoran had declared himself the referee.