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Lin Mengyao softly removed the pastry from Xiao Junhao’s hand.

Upon seeing her, a hint of warmth glowed in Xiao Junhao’s eyes. “You’re back?”

“Apologies for keeping you waiting, Your Highness.”

Observing the man’s familiar demeanor, a hint of delight emerged on Lin Mengyao’s face. “No worries at all,” he replied calmly.

“Why don’t you come and sit in my courtyard, Your Highness?”

“Sure.”

Xiao Junhao gave a nod of agreement, then followed her to leave, leaving Lin Mengxin alone in the pavilion. As she watched them depart, Mengxin clenched her fists tightly.

“Why did you visit the manor today, Your Highness?”

Lin Mengyao didn’t ask about the prior incident. After serving Xiao Junhao a cup of tea, she turned the conversation to serious matters.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Junhao’s face turned serious. “My father has already betrothed Jiang Peihuan to King Cheng.”

“Betrothed to King Cheng?”

Lin Mengyao’s eyes were wide with surprise and mixed emotions at Xiao Junhao’s revelation.

She felt a rush of joy upon learning that Jiang Peihuan was betrothed, which meant she no longer had to worry about marrying Xiao Junhao. However, the reality that Jiang Peihuan was betrothed to King Cheng, a man of unparalleled power, stirred a sense of unease in her.

Is Jiang Peihuan truly that fortunate? she pondered.

“Jiang Hong willingly surrendered his commander seal. Soon after, my father arranged Jiang Pcihuan’s betrothal to King Cheng. As it stands, I can no longer rely on the general’s mansion,” Xiao Junhao revealed.

“Yao Er, the only one who can help me now is you.”

“What does Your Highness need me to do?”

“My father plans to construct a palace in the outskirts. If I could oversee this project, I would have frequent opportunities to be in his presence. You should visit the Eldest Princess more often in the coming days. I hope my father entrusts me with this responsibility.”

“Alright, Yao Er understands. I’ll pay a visit to the Eldest Princess later.”

“Thank you for your effort.”

Hearing Lin Mengyao’s words, Xiao Junhao extended his hand to caress her long hair. Seeing the tenderness in his eyes, she firmly grasped his hand. “Yao Er is willing to do anything for Your Highness, so it doesn’t feel like a burden at all.”

Since her rebirth, Jiang Peihuan continued to exercise daily. She believed her stamina was more than adequate, but in that moment, she truly felt the weariness seeping into her.

Noticing Xue Yan and Liu Xiu pressing on with their shopping, Jiang Peihuan could not help but voice out, “Mother, we can’t possibly finish shopping in a day. Maybe we should come back in a couple of days. Let’s call it a day and head home.”

“Yes, Mother. My legs are about to break.” Jiang Sijin chimed in, rubbing her waist. She regretted her decision to tag along, unaware of the exhaustion shopping could bring.

“You two simply need to exercise more. Look at your third aunt, she’s no martial artist, yet she isn’t complaining,” Xue Yan chided them.

Hearing this, Liu Xiu reddened slightly, “Sister-in-law, although I’m no expert in martial arts, I used to play outside with my brothers since childhood. In terms of stamina, I’m not far behind.”

“Why don’t we rest and grab a bite at the Pine and Crane Pavilion?” suggested Jiang Peihuan, spotting the restaurant nearby.

Xue Yan, herself feeling a bit worn out, nodded in agreement upon hearing Jiang Peihuan’s suggestion.

The four of them walked into the Pine and Crane Pavilion. Spotting them, a waiter immediately attended to them, “Madam, would you prefer to be seated in the main hall or a private room?”

“We’ll take a private room.”

“Very well, please follow me upstairs.”

Leading the way, the waiter escorted them to a private room on the second floor. Once the tea was served, he addressed Xue Yan with a polite smile, “Madam, enjoy your tea. Your food will be up shortly.”

“Thank you,” Xue Yan responded.

Jiang Peihuan poured tea for each of them, first setting a cup before Xue Yan, then passing one to Liu Xiu, “Mother, third aunt, have some tea to refresh yourselves.”

“Huan Er, you’ve also been on your feet all day. Relax a bit,” Liu Xiu said softly, accepting the tea from Jiang Peihuan’s hand.

As Jiang Peihuan was about to respond, a ruckus erupted outside, filled with the clatter of fighting and heated arguments. They would have dismissed it, but Jiang Songbai’s name caught their attention.

They didn’t care at first, but they heard Jiang Songbai’s name.

Outside the door.

Yan Kuan glared furiously at a woman shielded by Jiang Songbai, “Jiang Songbai, you better stay out of this, or else I won’t mind giving you a beating too.”

“Yan Kuan, you’re crossing a line. She’s my cousin, and you dare to humiliate her in front of me. Do you see me as a pushover?” Jiang Songbai fired back.

“Oh…cousin? The Liu family is nothing more than a bunch of merchants, and she is just a merchant’s daughter. What makes her so high and mighty? At most, I’ll just make her my concubine.”

“You…”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Songbai’s eyes blazed with fury. But the woman behind him held his sleeve, “Cousin, let it be. I’m fine.”

“Cousin Xin, don’t be scared. I’m here today, and I won’t let anyone bully you,” assured Jiang Songbai, before launching a kick at Yan Kuan.

Yan Kuan, who was already twenty and had over a decade of martial arts training, clearly held an upper hand against Jiang Songbai, whose martial arts experience was relatively brief

When Jiang Peihuan pushed open the door, she found Yan Kuan pinning Jiang Songbai to the ground, relentlessly raining punches onto his face. Despite the assault, Jiang Songbai refused to cry out in pain. He gritted his teeth, waiting for the right moment. When Yan Kuan was momentarily distracted, Jiang Songbai seized the opportunity, kicked Yan Kuan off him, and quickly gained the upper hand.

However, Yan Kuan had a trick up his sleeve – he swiftly pulled out his dagger.

Witnessing this dangerous turn, Liu Xin couldn’t contain a shriek, “Song Bai, watch out!”

Fortunately, the dagger didn’t find its way to Jiang Songbai. Jiang Peihuan had reacted promptly, pulling out the long whip fastened to her waist, and skillfully ensnaring Yan Kuan’s wrist.

With a firm tug, Yan Kuan found himself crashing to the ground.

“Elder sister?” Jiang Songbai, surprised and relieved, locked eyes with his savior.

“Did you get hurt?” Jiang Peihuan asked in a soft voice, examining Jiang Songbai for injuries.

Jiang Songbai shook his head, “I’m alright.”

Enraged, Yan Kuan glared at Jiang Songbai, his words seething with contempt, “Are you even a man, relying on a woman to fight your battles?”

Jiang Peihuan fired back sharply, “Master Yan, you are eight years older than my brother. Is it a mark of a gentleman to bully those younger than you?”

“I… It’s Jiang Songbai’s fault for poking his nose where it doesn’t belong!”

“Even so, do you have the right to humiliate my cousin publicly? Yan Kuan, you’re nothing but a coward!”

“Jiang Songbai, repeat that, and I swear I’ll… Ah…” Yan Kuan’s threat got cut off mid-sentence when a sudden sharp pain shot through his mouth. He clutched his mouth, and when he pulled his hand back, it held two of his teeth.

“You…” Yan Kuan glowered at Jiang Peihuan, his eyes dark with malice.

“If you think you can lay a hand on my brother, you’re mistaken. I won’t hesitate to take you down first.”