Chapter 764: What Do You Think of Her?

Chapter 764: What Do You Think of Her

Xingxing thought to herself, *You’ve got some nerve saying that.*

Some "good brother"!

The kind of "good brother" who sends disguised soldiers to ambush and slaughter the other, leaving no body to bury?

Xingxing looked at Pang Jinkang, observing the flushed cheeks and wistful expression on his seemingly honest and sincere face.

Someone who didn’t know better might truly be fooled by his act.

But Xingxing knew the truth. Watching coldly, she found Pang Jinkang's performance completely phony.

Xingxing said with a knowing smirk, "So, it's your good brother's sister, huh?"

Pang Jinkang had intended to say yes, but under Xingxing's mocking gaze, he suddenly found himself speechless.

Xingxing said coolly, "Is there anything else, Young Master Pang?"

Pang Jinkang jolted back to reality and awkwardly stepped aside. "Have I delayed Your Highness's stroll? Please, Your Highness, go ahead..."

No sooner had he spoken than a voice came from the end of the path. "Well, well, did I just hear my nephew Kang's voice?"

Xingxing turned to see Tuo Bachi, that so-called "uncle" from the Western Regions whom she had met before, smiling as he approached from the end of the path.

Xingxing remained composed, putting on her best aloof noblewoman act.

Tuo Bachi wore a smile, but his deep-set eyes gave Xingxing the once-over.

Though Pang Ruhai had warned him, Tuo Bachi wasn’t about to back down.

After all, if a favorite princess of Emperor Jiazheng were to die at the hands of those southern barbarians, wouldn't that really stir up trouble between Great Xia and the southern tribes?

The thought made Tuo Bachi's smile widen.

"Uncle," Pang Jinkang greeted Tuo Bachi with a bow.

Tuo Bachi gave a friendly nod at Pang Jinkang before turning his gaze to Xingxing.

"My, what noble bearing—this must be the esteemed guest of the Pang household, Princess Fusui?" Tuo Bachi spoke perfect Great Xia court dialect. Though his features were somewhat sharp, such appearances weren't rare in Great Xia. Had Xingxing not known of his Western Regions heritage, she might not have suspected him at all.

Pang Jinkang jumped in to introduce, "Uncle, this is indeed Princess Fusui."

"Your Highness, this is a close friend of my father's, an uncle of mine."

As a commoner without rank or office, Tuo Bachi had to bow deeply to Xingxing.

With perfect form, he bowed and saluted. "This humble commoner pays respects to Your Highness."

Xingxing nodded slightly, "No need for formalities."

She maintained the aloof, tight-lipped manner of a capital noble.

Yet Tuo Bachi, like some street magician, produced an enameled mirror from his robes and presented it to Xingxing with both hands. "I had long heard of Your Highness's legendary beauty, and today, seeing you in person, I find you absolutely breathtaking. I happened to acquire this mirror from the Western Regions—please accept it as a small gift."

Xingxing felt a twinge of suspicion.

As the saying goes, *Unwarranted flattery hides evil intentions.*

If it were someone else being so attentive, they might be seeking an official position, future prospects, or wealth. But this "uncle" of Pang Jinkang, who had done such things and now inexplicably came to flatter the princess of Great Xia—the intention was clear: this Western Yí man must be plotting something.

Thinking this, Xingxing smiled.

She wasn’t afraid of what this Western Yí man might do—in fact, she feared he might retreat into his shell and take no action at all!

"How thoughtful," Xingxing said with a faint smile, carrying herself like the pampered noble she was. She gave Qing Shuang a slight nod, gesturing for her to accept it.

Qing Shuang stepped forward and took the enamel mirror from Tuo Bachi’s hands.

Tuo Bachi’s grin widened.

He understood the principle of going too far and knew he had already scored points with Princess Fusui—that was enough.

Tuo Bachi bowed to Xingxing. "Your Highness, please excuse me. This unworthy one has other matters to attend to and must take his leave."

Xingxing gave a slight nod, her aloofness intact.

As Tuo Bachi left, Pang Jinkang hesitated. He wanted to catch up and ask his "uncle" a question—after all, this uncle had also seen Feng Yongyong before, and his sharp eye might give him answers to ease Pang Jinkang’s anxious heart.

But while Pang Jinkang hesitated, Xingxing paid him little mind and continued forward with her maidservant.

Seeing this, Pang Jinkang’s face fell, and he made up his mind to chase after Tuo Bachi.

Qing Shuang noticed and murmured something into Xingxing’s ear.

Xingxing glanced around and pointed to a pavilion ahead. "I’m tired. Let’s rest there for a while."

But as soon as she sat down, she let out an "Oh!" "This spot has such a lovely view, and it’s so pleasantly cool. I’d like to read here for a bit... *A-Shuang*, go get my novel for me."

Qing Shuang understood. "Right away."

She quickly departed, but after turning a deserted corner, she doubled back stealthily and pursued Pang Jinkang and Tuo Bachi.

...

Pang Jinkang chased after Tuo Bachi, gasping for breath before finally catching up.

Tuo Bachi looked at Pang Jinkang’s flushed face and chuckled at him. "Nephew, is something the matter? Why are you running like this?"

Pang Jinkang braced his hands on his knees, catching his breath before stammering, "...Uncle, now that you’ve seen Princess Fusui, what do you think of her?"

Tuo Bachi grew wary.

He thought to himself that his plans must not be discovered by this foolish nephew—otherwise, his dear elder brother would surely interfere and ruin everything.

With a smile on his face but caution in his eyes, Tuo Bachi replied, "The princess is, of course, divinely beautiful... But why do you ask, nephew?"

Pang Jinkang stammered awkwardly for a while before finally blushing and stammering, "...Uncle, remember that girl I brought to the teahouse before? Do you think... the princess and that girl look somewhat alike?"

Hearing this, Tuo Bachi felt he understood.

This boy had likely taken a fancy to Princess Fusui, drawn by her beauty, and was now asking if the two resembled each other—in Tuo Bachi’s eyes, it was just an excuse for his shifting affections!

Tuo Bachi couldn’t help but laugh. "How could they be alike? The girl you brought before—though I only glanced at her—I remember she had a slightly darker complexion and was merely ordinary at best. Princess Fusui’s skin seems to glow, and every feature of hers is exquisitely refined. Beyond that, nephew, didn’t you notice the natural haughtiness in her bearing? That girl you brought before had none of that bearing or grace."

Hearing this, Pang Jinkang thought it over and realized it was true.

Partly reassured, he smiled. "Wise words, Uncle."