Compared to Qing Yao and Duoming, who were both thoroughly shocked, Xiao Ji—the person directly involved—was surprisingly calm.
Beneath the lantern-lit glow of South Street, his cold yet strikingly handsome features became even harder to look away from.
His eyes remained deep and inscrutable, though there was less of the intimidating sharpness they usually held. His thin lips pressed together slightly, as if he were considering how he ought to address Shang Changge.
Shang Changge believed that a considerate person should know how to spare others embarrassment.
So she very considerately—and mischievously—came to his rescue.
“Brother A-Ji, why are you ignoring Jiaojiao?”
Xiao Ji: …
Looking at Shang Changge, something akin to amusement flickered in his eyes.
His broad, powerful frame leaned closer as he lowered his voice so that only the two of them could hear.
“Your Highness, stop teasing me.”
But Shang Changge had no intention of listening. Once her interest was piqued, rebellion and pushing boundaries came naturally to her.
Her long lashes trembled with laughter, and she boldly made things up on the spot.
“Brother A-Ji wants to go shopping with Jiaojiao? That’s wonderful!”
“But Brother A-Ji attracts too much attention. We should find a private room in a teahouse instead.”
With that, she stepped to his side and wrapped an arm around his.
Ignoring the instant stiffness that seized his body and giving him no chance to refuse, she half-pulled, half-dragged him toward a storytelling teahouse.
Qing Yao: …
Duoming: …
The two were nearly petrified.
All they could do was mechanically follow behind their masters.
At the teahouse, the attendant recognized Xiao Ji immediately.
His expression went from fear, to shock when he noticed the young lady accompanying Xiao Ji, and finally to sudden enlightenment when Xiao Ji shot him a cold glance.
Suppressing both his fear and overwhelming curiosity, he hurriedly bowed and led the group upstairs to a private room.
Inside the room, Shang Changge still hadn’t released Xiao Ji’s arm.
She even sat right beside him.
Anyone looking at them would think they shared some unspeakably intimate relationship.
It was as though she was afraid people might not misunderstand.
“Four pots of flower tea, a plate of candied fruits, and some melon seeds…”
After ordering, Shang Changge pushed the menu toward Xiao Ji and continued in a sweet, coquettish tone.
“Brother A-Ji, is there anything else you’d like?”
Xiao Ji was normally a man of few words.
The phrase “No need” was already on the tip of his tongue, but when he met the eager sparkle in her beautiful eyes, the words somehow changed.
“Nothing else. You can order whatever you like.”
His rich, mellow voice was calm, yet inexplicably captivating.
Shang Changge did not insist further and signaled the attendant to leave.
The attendant obeyed, though his mind was completely numb.
Only after walking a considerable distance and closing the door behind him did he come back to his senses.
Then he dashed downstairs like a monkey scrambling down a tree.
Good heavens!
He had to tell everyone this earth-shattering piece of gossip immediately!
A young lady had fallen for Qingyan’s infamous God-of-Death General!
Good heavens, it was terrifying!
How could that poor girl be so reckless?
Inside the private room, Duoming—who still hadn’t recognized Shang Changge—felt the need to step outside and collect himself.
So he tactfully said,
“General, I’ll stand guard outside.”
Xiao Ji nodded.
“Mm.”
Before leaving, Duoming shot Qing Yao several meaningful looks, hoping to bring her along.
Although he had no idea what history existed between the General and this unfamiliar young lady, the possibility that the General’s lifelong bachelorhood might finally come to an end was undoubtedly a good thing.
Qing Yao pretended not to notice.
She wasn’t leaving.
She was staying behind to protect the Princess.
Duoming: …
Since he didn’t know her well enough to drag her out by force, he gave up and left alone.
With Duoming guarding outside, speaking openly became much easier.
Shang Changge released Xiao Ji’s arm and stopped sitting so close.
Returning to the dignified bearing expected of Qingyan’s Eldest Princess, she sat elegantly in her seat.
It was as though none of the earlier antics had happened.
Smiling, she asked,
“General Xiao, how did you recognize me?”
Xiao Ji ignored the faint trace of peony fragrance that still lingered after she had moved away and replied,
“The first look Your Highness gave me outside Drunken Flower House was very unusual.”
Just as Shang Changge was about to ask what was so unusual about it, Xiao Ji continued on his own.
“In Your Highness’s eyes, I saw dissatisfaction.”
“And a challenge. You looked eager to test me.”
Shang Changge: …
Was it really that obvious?