Perhaps sensing the intensity of Zong Jincheng's furious gaze, Zhao Rong finally took pity and remembered to consider the fragile heart of the little boy.
Thus, the fourteen-year-old princess pretended to be a mature elder, patting his shoulder and saying, "Good child, go play."
The little devil: "!!!"
Who are you calling a child!!
Are you even that much older than me?!
Play your hammer!!
Zong Jincheng angrily shook off Zhao Rong's arm, wanting to retort but remembering her status as a princess, he snorted heavily and ran off.
Zhao Rong, surprised, turned to Xu Wan and said, "He’s really troublesome, isn’t he? Look at that rebellious attitude. You must have a hard time."
Xu Wan chuckled and explained, "Actually, Jincheng has been much better recently. He didn’t even snap at you just now."
Zhao Rong laughed heartily, "Let him snap! I promise I won’t use my princess status to pressure him. He’s just an eight-year-old brat. Worst case, we’ll fight it out! I’m pretty good at fighting, you know."
Xu Wan: "..."
You’re a princess! What are you doing fighting?!
Zhao Rong linked arms with her and continued, "I’ve loved martial arts since I was a child. Even my brother the Crown Prince’s martial arts instructor praised my talent. It’s a pity I’m a girl. Not only can I not go to the battlefield, but I can’t even decide my own marriage."
Hearing her mention marriage, Xu Wan asked, "Your Highness is still a year away from coming of age. Has the palace already started looking for a husband for you?"
Zhao Rong shook her head, "Not yet, but it’s coming soon. My father has been thinking about arranging a political marriage for the past few years. There are only a few unmarried princesses of the right age. If I don’t marry soon, I might end up being sent off for a political alliance."
Though a princess marrying for political reasons strengthens the bond between two nations, it also means enduring a lifetime of separation from her family and homeland.
Xu Wan pondered and said, "As far as I know, Princess Suining was in the same situation. She quickly married a consort as soon as she came of age, and half a year later, when envoys came to propose a political marriage, the Emperor had to send a cousin instead."
Zhao Rong nodded vigorously, "Exactly! That’s why my mother also agrees that I should settle on a consort first and marry as soon as I come of age."
Xu Wan understood and asked, "So, Your Highness, are you planning to look for a consort while you’re out of the palace today?"
Zhao Rong, having her thoughts exposed, shyly pulled Xu Wan into a secluded pavilion and whispered in her ear, "Actually, I already have someone in mind."
Xu Wan turned to her in disbelief, "So soon?"
What she really wanted to say was, "So young!"
Although people married early in ancient times, at this age, in her time, it would be considered middle school puppy love, and the parents would have a fit.
So Xu Wan swallowed her words and kept reminding herself: Stay calm, don’t act rashly. She’s only a year away from coming of age. At most, it’s just an engagement for a year. Arranged marriages can happen even earlier than this.
Zhao Rong shyly said, "It’s Chen Shigeng, the younger brother of today’s groom, Chen Yunyu."
"Who?!" Xu Wan was shocked, "Chen Shigeng?"
A month ago, when she found out that Xu Lian'er was marrying Chen Yunyu, Cui Liu had filled her in on the situation at Duke Jin's Manor.
The eldest son, Chen Yunyu, had already achieved a fourth-rank official position by the age of twenty. On the surface, he was a highly sought-after bachelor among the noble daughters of the capital, but in reality, he had a mistress from a brothel, hidden away, waiting to be brought into the manor after his official marriage.
Xu Wan had even complained to Cui Liu that he was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, only to hear that Chen Yunyu’s younger brother, Chen Shigeng, was also a scoundrel who followed in his brother’s footsteps, keeping multiple mistresses outside.
Zhao Rong, still oblivious, excitedly said, "Yes, Chen Shigeng! He’s incredibly skilled in martial arts. Last time, when the swing rope broke in the palace and I was about to fall, he saved me. I would’ve been badly hurt otherwise."
Xu Wan took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.
Although she hadn’t known the eighteenth princess for long, she felt a motherly rage, as if her daughter had been deceived by some scoundrel. At this age, young girls are particularly impressionable, and if she were to expose Chen Shigeng’s true nature directly, it would only make Zhao Rong defensive and unwilling to believe her.
Meanwhile, the lovestruck Zhao Rong was still daydreaming, clasping her hands to her chest and saying, "You don’t know how handsome he was at that moment, like a god descending from heaven. I crashed into him, and his chest was so firm, yet it felt so safe. My heart was pounding so fast, and the nanny said my face turned red. The books say that’s what love feels like!"
Xu Wan: "………………"
That’s the suspension bridge effect, girl! That’s not love!!
Even though Xu Wan was screaming internally, she had to remain calm and explain, "In such a situation, anyone’s heart would race, and their face would flush. Your Highness, this is just a misunderstanding. Don’t mistake nervousness for love."
"Ah… ah?" Zhao Rong stopped her fantasy and looked at her, puzzled.
Xu Wan tried to keep her tone gentle and caring, "If you don’t believe me, I can have Cui Liu help you experience it again."
...
"Ahhh!" Zhao Rong screamed as Cui Liu brought her down from the sky, still shaken.
She gasped for breath and asked, "Is martial arts always this thrilling?"
Xu Wan said, "A racing heart, flushed cheeks, and rapid breathing—these are all signs of love according to the books. How can Your Highness tell if it’s love or not?"
"Of course I can tell. Cui Liu is a woman," the lovestruck princess replied honestly.
Xu Wan facepalmed, thinking, "Your Highness, as a princess, no man would dare touch you. Besides, you were in the palace at the time. There should have been maids skilled in martial arts to protect you. Why would Chen Shigeng need to step in to save you?"
Upon closer thought, he was even an inconsiderate rogue.
But Xu Wan didn’t dare to say too much, fearing that Zhao Rong would turn against her, which would only backfire.
Even so, Zhao Rong was a bit displeased. She asked, "Do you have a bias against Chen Shigeng? You don’t want me to marry him, do you?"
Xu Wan smiled and said, "Not at all. I just think Your Highness is still young. Choosing a consort should be done with great care to avoid being deceived. After all, marriage is a lifelong commitment, and I want Your Highness to be happy every day."
Zhao Rong smiled again, linking arms with her and saying, "I understand, Sister Xu. Don’t worry, I’ll have my mother help me vet him carefully. I won’t be easily fooled."
Xu Wan nodded, still concerned.
She thought to herself, "I hope the vetting goes well."
After speaking with Zhao Rong, Xu Wan hurried to the main hall, where the bride and groom were performing the wedding ceremony.
The little devil was there too.
But because he couldn’t squeeze in and was too short to see anything, he was sitting on Bu Yan’s shoulders, craning his neck to get a look.
Zhao Rong laughed and teased, "This kid sure loves a spectacle. Nothing can stop him. By the way, when you married into the Marquis’s household, he must have found a great spot to watch the ceremony."
