Chapter 56

Chapter 56

The little princess, rarely venturing outside the palace, was utterly captivated by every sight in Wuwei City. She would watch a sturdy woman, basket on arm, stride briskly until she vanished from view; observe a child crying and squabbling with its parents until its tears dried; and even listen with keen interest to the haggling between shopkeepers and customers.

Whenever the princess lingered too long in one spot, Qin Ren would subtly glance at Zhang Su. Much as he adored his younger sister, he couldn't quite fathom her fascination.

Zhang Su, however, offered no response, simply standing guard by the princess’s side.

As she surveyed her surroundings, Princess Qingyang suddenly turned her attention to the two young men beside her.

Qin Ren: “What is it?”

Princess Qingyang said to her Third Brother, “There’s a girl in a green dress at the entrance of the tea shop up ahead to the right. She’s been stealing glances at both you and Zhang Su.”

Zhang Su remained still, while Qin Ren feigned a casual glance around. His gaze briefly settled on the girl his sister had mentioned. Seeing that she was indeed looking their way, Qin Ren hurriedly said, “Let’s go. We should move someplace else.”

Princess Qingyang: “...Is Third Brother afraid of being stared at by girls?”

Qin Ren wasn’t scared, but he was deeply uncomfortable.

Princess Qingyang then turned to Zhang Su. Zhang Su: “...I am here to protect you, my lady. Where we go is entirely up to you.”

Princess Qingyang: “Then if I stay here, aren’t you afraid of being stared at?”

Zhang Su’s gaze followed a burly man who had just passed by, shifting toward the rear, and said, “My duty is to stay alert. I pay no mind to unrelated people.”

Qin Ren had had enough and urged his sister, “Let’s go. Another girl has joined her now.”

Princess Qingyang, humoring her Third Brother, smiled and walked ahead.

After finishing their breakfast, they continued browsing the stalls and shops. Princess Qingyang even bought a charming set of stationery to write about her experiences for her mother, planning to present it to her upon returning to the palace.

“It’s a pity there aren’t any gifts worth bringing back to the capital,” Princess Qingyang said regretfully after walking half the street. Having been away for so long, she missed her mother, the Consort, and her elder sister, and wished to find some suitable gifts for them.

Qin Ren: “That’s because everything at home is of the highest quality. Of course, you wouldn’t be impressed by anything here.”

If his sister didn’t find them appealing, their mother and the others wouldn’t either. Gifts that couldn’t bring joy were simply not worth giving.

“Let’s go to a teahouse for a while.”

“Alright.”

Inside the teahouse, a storyteller was recounting a supernatural tale. Perhaps because Princess Qingyang and her two companions had brought along several disguised guards, making the place seem more crowded, the storyteller switched to recent major events in Wuwei City. He might not have known much about the battlefield, but he was intimately familiar with the former General Yuan Zhaoxiong. He vividly recounted the private affairs of Yuan Zhaoxiong that the locals had long heard of but dared not discuss openly—such as how Yuan Zhaoxiong had seized his sixth concubine by force, or how he had acquired eight celestial horses through smuggling.

The locals chimed in with their own comments: “All that greed came to nothing. Now he’s lost his life, and even those celestial horses belong to the Emperor.”

“Our current Emperor is truly mighty. In one visit, he not only dealt with Yuan Zhaoxiong but also crushed the West Hu. I reckon we’ll enjoy peace here for the next decade or so!”

Princess Qingyang glanced at her Third Brother. Qin Ren wore the same proud smile as his sister. Having such a wise and mighty father made them, as his children, feel immense pride.

After resting for about half an hour, the three of them left the teahouse.

“Third Brother?”

As they walked, a familiar voice called from behind. Princess Qingyang turned and saw her cousin Qin Liang and the Duke of Ding’s heir, Deng Kun, riding side by side on fine horses.

The Qin Liang Princess Qingyang knew was the talented scholar and warrior from the Chongwen Pavilion and the Martial Training Hall. However, due to their age difference, Qin Liang hadn’t spent much time playing with her, so the cousins weren’t particularly close. As for Deng Kun, he resembled his father, Deng Chong, not only in appearance but also in speech and behavior—traits that had always made Princess Qingyang somewhat dislike him.

“Eldest Cousin,” Princess Qingyang greeted with a smile as the two gave their horses to their guards and approached.

Qin Liang: “Out for a stroll? Why didn’t you bring more people along?”

Princess Qingyang signaled subtly toward the front and back. Qin Liang immediately understood and instead asked about the places the siblings had visited.

Unable to join the royal siblings’ conversation, Deng Kun looked Zhang Su over and said, “I heard you killed eleven men beyond the pass? You don’t look the part. Could it be you lied about your achievements to claim credit?”

Though only fifteen, Zhang Su was nearly as tall as the twenty-six-year-old Deng Kun. He looked Deng Kun almost directly in the eye and replied, “Lying about military merits is punishable by dismissal or even execution. If you have no evidence, I advise you to watch your words carefully.”

Deng Kun chuckled, pointing at Zhang Su and turning to Qin Liang with a laugh. “Listen to this! I was just joking with him, and this kid took it so seriously. Just like his elder brother—can’t take a joke.”

Qin Liang frowned. “Your joke was inappropriate. Don’t make remarks like that in the future.”

His lack of support left Deng Kun feeling embarrassed, which only fueled his dislike for Zhang Su. Unable to find fault with Zhang Su’s military achievements, Deng Kun suddenly smirked and stared at Zhang Su’s face. “I get it now. Those nomads must have gone after you because you look like a frail scholar, but they ended up becoming your kills.”

Zhang Su lowered his gaze, refusing to engage in such a war of words.

Qin Ren didn’t like what he heard, but facing the fierce and intimidating Deng Kun, he felt a bit apprehensive. He gave Qin Liang a look, urging him to intervene.

Just as Qin Liang was about to speak, the little princess, who only reached chest high beside them, said coldly, “Deng Kun.”

The four tall figures surrounding the little princess simultaneously looked down.

Princess Qingyang stared directly at Deng Kun and said, “Zhang Su is Third Young Master’s study companion and a guard appointed by His Majesty himself to protect us. Insulting him is tantamount to insulting us. Considering you are the son of a distinguished noble and have contributed in the recent campaign against the nomads, today I will only punish you with three slaps to your face. If you dare repeat this offense, Third Young Master and I will not go easy on you.”

Deng Kun was stunned and looked at Qin Liang in disbelief.

Qin Liang, more familiar with the little princess’s temper, knew it was unwise to intervene. Using his height as an advantage, he signaled Qin Ren with his eyes. It was just a couple of jokes—hardly worth such severity. After all, Deng Kun was the heir of the Duke of Ding, while Zhang Su was merely the non-inheriting Third Young Master of the Duke of Wei’s household. In terms of status, Deng Kun outranked Zhang Su.

Qin Ren didn’t compare their social standings, but given Deng Kun’s temperament, would he willingly slap himself? Since Qin Liang had already expressed disapproval, if his sister insisted on punishing Deng Kun and Deng Kun left in anger, it would only embarrass her.

Qin Ren instinctively put on a smile and bent down, preparing to mediate with his sister.

But before he could adjust his expression, his sister shot him a sharp look. “Third Young Master, a scholar prefers death to dishonor. It’s because you’re usually too mild-tempered that others dare insult your confidants right in front of you. If you continue like this, next time it will be me who suffers the humiliation.”

Qin Ren’s expression changed.

Princess Qingyang turned back to Deng Kun. “Why haven’t you started? Are you defying my order?”

The nine-year-old princess was short and still carried the innocence of youth, but her eyes held a presence that commanded respect even without anger. Now, with a stern expression, her presence was even more imposing.

But Deng Kun wasn’t easily intimidated. Since childhood, he had faced his father’s fierce scowls. He didn’t even fear the Crown Prince, let alone a little princess.

He pretended to smile apologetically and said, “Your Highness, isn’t that too severe? I was just joking with Zhang Su. I certainly didn’t mean—”

Princess Qingyang smiled back, then called out to her sides, “Guards!”

Sixteen guards who had been stationed nearby immediately approached from both sides. One team placed their hands on their sword hilts, forming a protective barrier behind the two royals, while the other team blocked Qin Liang and Deng Kun’s retreat in the same manner.

Qin Liang’s eye twitched. Deng Kun could no longer maintain his smile.

Princess Qingyang: “Slap yourself, or be taken away by them. The choice is yours.”

Deng Kun finally thought of Emperor Xingwu and his immense indulgence toward the little princess. Even if he hadn’t actually slighted the Third Prince today, even if he were completely blameless, if the little princess threw a tantrum, Emperor Xingwu would likely punish him anyway as a formality.

Left with no choice, Deng Kun gritted his teeth and raised his hand. After delivering a light first slap, he noticed the little princess frown and quickly followed with two heavier slaps, afraid she might impose additional punishment if displeased.

By now, a crowd of onlookers had gathered. Though they couldn’t guess the identities of Qin Liang and Deng Kun, they deduced from Deng Kun’s address of “Your Highness” that the imposing little girl was none other than Princess Qingyang, whom Emperor Xingwu had brought from the capital.

“Who is that man? How did he manage to offend the princess?”

"I don't know, but he just doesn't look trustworthy."

The frustrated Deng Kun: "..."

Having vented her anger, Qingyang had no desire to waste any more time on such a killjoy. She took her third brother and Zhang Su and headed back.

Deng Kun shot a sideways glare at the small princess, though most of her figure was blocked by the guards. Only after the group had walked far away did he spit on the ground.

Qin Liang, who prided himself on being a princely mansion heir, took a deep breath and tried to console him: "That's just Qingyang's temper. Why did you have to offend her, of all people?"

Deng Kun: "Who offended her? I was clearly mocking Zhang Su!"

Qin Liang: "Then didn't you know the three of them are pretty much joined at the hip? Besides, what good does mocking Zhang Su do you? Stop doing things that cut off your nose to spite your face."

Deng Kun snorted: "You've been in the palace these past few years, so you haven't seen Zhang Jian's pretty-boy act. Whenever he's around, the Emperor only finds the rest of us too rough around the edges. That's why I can't stand the three brothers either."

Qin Liang: "Enough, say no more. Be careful—loose lips sink ships."

.

Recognized by the commoners, Qingyang returned bummed out. As they approached the General's compound, where there were no bystanders around, she said to Zhang Su: "Next time he insults you, just hit him directly—unless you're not confident you can win."

It must be because both Zhang Jian and Zhang Heng were too hung up on being gentlemen that they had indulged Deng Kun and made him increasingly arrogant.

Zhang Su, looking at the still-annoyed little princess, explained: "I don’t mind these things, and please, Your Highness, don’t sweat it."

Qingyang: "No. You’re one of us. I won’t allow others to insult you, and I won’t allow you to just take that crap."

Zhang Su: "..."

Qin Ren sighed: "It’s all my fault. I should have stood up for you."

His words only made it worse. As soon as he said it, Qingyang gave her third brother a dirty look, then entered the General's residence alone and went straight to find her father, who would understand her.

Coincidentally, Deng Chong, Meng Ji, Hou Wanzhong, and several other generals were there, having just walked out of the main hall with the Emperor Xingwu.

The Emperor Xingwu could tell at a glance that his little princess was annoyed and asked with concern: "What happened?"

Out of respect for Deng Chong, Qingyang said: "I ran into someone on the street who made me angry. Although I punished him, I’m still pissed. You attend to your matters first, Father. I’ll tell you about it later."

The little princess stormed off, clearly upset, toward the inner quarters.

Seeing the Emperor still watching the little princess, Deng Chong grumbled: "Whoever dared to offend our little princess—if I find out, I’ll give him a good beating."

The Emperor Xingwu warned: "It might have been a commoner who accidentally crossed Liner. Since Liner has already handled it, none of you are to make any further trouble."

The generals accepted the order.