The hall was still buzzing from Xiaoxi's overly dramatic introduction when suddenly Xiangyun sighed deeply and stepped forward. Straightening his robes, now clean and fresh, he gave a princely smile that made everyone in the hall freeze.
"I apologize for all the chaos we have caused today," he said warmly, bowing slightly. "And on behalf of this little dumbo…" —he gestured toward Xiaoxi, who was puffing her cheeks— "…I also ask for your forgiveness. I don't know what messy, stupid, or inappropriate behavior she usually does, but I beg your kindness to overlook it."
"HEY! Who are you calling stupid and messy?!" Xiaoxi protested, waving her hands.
But nobody was listening to her. Their eyes were glued to Xiangyun.
Especially Princess Lianhua.
She was staring at him with the gentlest eyes, her heart fluttering. The dirty man she had once tumbled into was gone. Now, standing before her was a dazzling royal prince. His aura was noble, his smile like spring sunlight.
Haoran, noticing her dazed expression, leaned closer with a sly grin.
"Oh? Princess, should I fetch you a handkerchief? You might drool on the floor."
Lianhua snapped out of her trance, her cheeks burning. "Wh-what nonsense are you spouting?!"
Haoran leaned in even closer, whispering just enough for her to hear:
"Careful, or your gentle gaze might pierce a hole right through him."
Lianhua stomped her foot. "Y-you! Shameless frog prince!"
Haoran smirked. "Better shameless than lovesick."
The guards—Chubby Bao, Tiny Dumpling, and Long Noodles—had already started whispering among themselves.
Tiny Dumpling: "Princess Lianhua looks like she just found a peach blossom."
Chubby Bao: snorting with laughter "More like she's ready to write poetry about the handsome stranger."
Long Noodles: with a dramatic pose "Ah, the sweet tragedy of love at first sight. Will her heart survive?"
Lianhua, hearing them, stomped her foot furiously. "You three shut up before I throw dumplings at your faces!"
——
Later that evening, the palace staff brought out a grand feast for the guest. Xiangyun, having confessed earlier how hungry he was, dug in with elegance but also with a shocking appetite that made everyone blink.
Halfway through, Xiaoxi suddenly slammed her chopsticks down. "Wait! I forgot to ask you something! First, why are you here, and second, how in the world did you find me?!"
Xiangyun calmly wiped his mouth, then glanced dramatically at Grandma and the Empress. "Well… it's a long story. I'll tell you later. But right now, I have a small request."
Grandma raised a brow. "What is it, child?"
He blinked innocently. "Permission."
The Empress leaned forward. "Permission? For what?"
Xiangyun smiled. "To stay here. For a few days."
Xiaoxi's jaw dropped. "WHAT?! You're going to live here?!"
The Empress chuckled gently. "Of course you may. You are Xiaoxi's brother, and since Xiaoxi has already become like one of our own family… naturally, her brother is our family as well."
Xiangyun smiled, bowing gratefully. "Then I will trouble you."
The whole hall welcomed him warmly. Everyone except Xiaoxi, who sighed loudly, her face buried in her hands. "Why do I feel like my life is about to become ten times more troublesome?"
Meanwhile, Haoran's smile faltered just slightly. His hand tightened around his chopsticks.
If Xiangyun finds out about Xiaoxi and me… how will he react?
And across the hall, Lianhua clasped her hands together, her face glowing.
He's staying… in the palace…
The night had only just begun, but new storms of comedy, jealousy, and secret love were already brewing in the palace.