Volume 1: The Initial Appearance of Beauty Chapter 7: A Strange Negotiation

  Qin Shuyan gazed at Ruocheng, who had already fallen asleep. Her thoughts were still turbulent and unpredictable. This little princess, who usually seemed a bit eccentric, was now frowning in her sleep. Had she dreamed of something unpleasant?

  Qin Shuyan was told to follow him out, and only when they reached the door did he say in a low voice, "The princess doesn't like people standing guard by her bed, so just stand guard outside the door. When the princess wakes up, you can go back in." Qin Shuyan nodded in agreement. Only then did Qinghong feel at ease and leave.

  Shen Yu sent someone to invite Ruochuan to have lunch, and she woke up at that time. In fact, she had only dozed off for a moment, so when she heard some movement outside, Ruochuan immediately opened her eyes. "Shuyan, who is it?"

  Upon hearing Yvonne's voice, Qin Shuyan stood at the door and said respectfully, "Miss Hui, it's Shen Lao Furen who sent someone to invite you for a meal." Yvonne sat up, thought for a moment, "Tell them I'm still a bit tired and don't want to go. Have them bring the food over instead. Shuyan, come in."

  Before long, Qin Shuyan pushed the door and came in. Seeing Ruochuan sitting steadily on the bed without a hint of fatigue, she couldn't help but say: "Your Highness, you won't be unhappy if you don't go to see Madame Shen."

  "What can she do if she's unhappy?"

  Qin Shuyan hesitated for a moment before saying, "The princess is a delicate flower, she wouldn't dare do anything to you. But in the end, the princess will have to marry into the Shen family..." Wu Chen turned his head away, ignoring Qin Shuyan's suggestive words. He was well aware of what Qin Shuyan was getting at. As the wife of the Duke of Protection, Old Lady Shen probably wouldn't really care about a powerless princess like him, but... she wanted exactly this effect.

  "Light red?"

  "Light Red Auntie went out, seemingly saying she was going to buy some fun little trinkets for the princess from outside."

  Qīng Hóng realized since she was four years old that she wouldn't be interested in anything without practical use, so why bother buying any trinkets?

  "Well, in that case, let's go buy some small things too." She jumped off the bed and let Qin Shuyan help her tidy up. Yu Chen said. Qin Shuyan paused for a moment, somewhat surprised, "Are you going out, madam?"

  "Why else would I come to the General's residence?" Yu Chen pulled Qin Shuyan's hand and rushed out. After two steps, she couldn't pull him anymore, turned back and said: "What are you doing not walking?" Qin Shuyan looked embarrassed and said: "Princess, you can't go out." Yu Chen shook off his hand, pouted her small mouth, "You don't have to go, I'll go by myself." She walked to the door and was still pleased with herself in the blue cloth dress, which was specially prepared for her by Hong. It was said that ordinary girls outside wore this kind of clothes, but she didn't know where he got it from.

  "Qin Shuyan! What are you doing?" Rufei glared at the person blocking her way.

  "Princess, I... Shu Yan will accompany you." Qin Shu Yan reluctantly compromised.

  The two men had just left the small garden of Ruoxin's residence when they encountered another Chen Yaoguang. Seeing that it was too late to hide, they could only go forward head-on.

  "Shen Yu has seen the princess."

  "Where is General Shen going?" Shen Yu smiled and looked at the little princess in front of him, who was speaking in a childish voice but using adult words, and said softly: "I'm here to invite the princess to have dinner."

  "Didn't I say it's fine as long as you send her to Xiaoyuan?"

  "...I wonder where the princess is going now?" Shen Yu looked at the little princess's plain clothes.

  "Huh? This... Ru Chen blinked her eyes, pouted her small mouth, and said with a straight face: 'I want to go out and buy something.'"

  "What's the big deal, I'll just send someone to buy it." Shen Yu said without batting an eye. Ruocheng stamped her foot, "No! I want to go myself!" Shen Yu said calmly, "Doesn't the princess know that as a member of the imperial family, she can't show her face in public?"

  "As long as you don't say it, I won't say it, who will know that I am a royal princess? Alright, alright. I'm going out now." Ruoxue pulled Shen Yu's hand and shook it hard, but unfortunately, her charm was not enough, and Shen Yu only spat out two words, "Impossible."

  If Dust Heart is secretly resentful, this Shen Da Jiang Jun really doesn't know how to show respect and isn't on the right path. Shu Yan is still more lovable by comparison.

  "General, lean in a bit closer, I have a secret to tell you." The little princess batted her lovely eyes and spoke in a mysterious tone. Shen Yu didn't think the little princess could possibly have any earth-shattering secrets, but he couldn't bear to refuse her smile. However, as a seasoned general who had led many battles and commanded three armies, how could he possibly make a childish gesture in front of others? He waved his hand, signaling for everyone behind him to retreat, and Shen Yu smiled, saying: "Princess, you may speak now."

  Ruoxuan glanced around and said to Qin Shuyan, "Shuyan, you also retreat a bit further away, this is a secret between the princess and the general." Qin Shuyan retreated tens of steps away and asked, "What does the princess want to say?"

  "Does General like Lin's sister?"

  Shen Yu was taken aback, but still nodded and said, "I like it." Ru Chen smiled with a dazed expression, "Do you really really like it?"

  Shen Yu nodded again, saying: "Yes, I truly like Yan Xin's gentle and kind nature. She will take good care of Your Highness in the future." The princess was still young and wouldn't understand romantic feelings, perhaps it would be easier to convince her that way.

  "Hmph! You deceived me." "I also like shopping very much."

  "What does 'princess' mean?"

  "If I don't allow General to marry my sister Xiāo Xīn, and instead marry her off to someone else, it would be very bad for her. Would the General not be very angry?" Shen You's face turned cold, and he said calmly: "I believe Your Highness knows what is proper." He respected her because of her status, but that didn't mean he was afraid of her. If he could really be intimidated by a child who was only a few years old, then he might as well not be the Guardian General.

  Ru Xuan blinked, looking wronged, "You're bad! The Empress said you were a good person, but you're not! You're mean to me, I'm going to tell the Empress! You only want to marry Liang Xin's sister, you don't want to marry me. And I don't want to marry you either!"

  At this moment, Shen Yu finally began to pay attention to the six-year-old little princess. She was threatening him! And Shen Yu, he was actually a bit afraid of this threat. Why did the Emperor insist on giving the princess to him, he understood very well in his heart. What the Empress was thinking about him, he also understood. If it were to let the Emperor and Empress think that he was unwilling to marry the princess because of his concern for Lin Xin, or that he might treat the princess poorly, he feared that Lin Xin's life would be in danger. Even if the Emperor spared him from harming Lin Xin, this matter would likely become a thorn in the Emperor's heart.

  Looking at the little princess who was about a head shorter than him, Shen Yu couldn't help but smile wryly. He had thought that this little princess would be his best choice, but it seemed he had chosen a big trouble for himself instead. His handsome face, which was normally calm and collected, now had a hint of anger, but unfortunately, it didn't seem to have any effect on Ruo Chen at all. She continued to smile sweetly, looking at Shen Yu with a puzzled expression, "Why are you so angry? I said 'what if' after all. What if I let you marry Xian Xin as your concubine and treat her very well, would you take me out to play?"

  Shen Yu was stunned, and the disgust he had initially felt had vanished, replaced by a sense of cuteness. He thought to himself, "She's really adorable." After saying so many threatening words, it turned out to be for this reason. He couldn't help but laugh and say, "Why don't we eat first before going out?" Ruo Chen was secretly delighted in his heart, "No, we have to go now!" Ruo Chen continued to play the role of a spoiled brat, protesting.

  Shen Yu helplessly bent down and picked up Ruochuan, smiling: "Alright, let's go now."

  Although Ru Xuan didn't like being held, she was in a good mood now and still young, so she reluctantly snuggled into Shen Yu's arms and waved at Qin Shuyan standing on the other side, signaling him to follow.

  Qin Shuyan had been paying attention to the commotion on their side, and when he saw the princess being carried away by General Shen, he knew that the princess had already persuaded General Shen. Just now, he saw General Shen's face looking very unsightly, and he was also startled, almost rushing over, but this little princess seemed to have no feeling at all, still talking non-stop. When did he start really caring about the princess's safety? Qin Shuyan hesitated for a moment, shook his head and followed them.

  The capital of Longteng Country was very prosperous. After all, it was under the emperor's feet, and if Dust allowed herself to be held by Shen Yu and walked among the crowd, with her height, she would probably easily get lost in the sea of people.

  "So many people."

  Shen Yu smiled and said, "It's not always this crowded every day. Today is the annual Flower God Festival, so there are more people than usual."

  "The Flower God?"

  "Does the princess not know?" Shen Yu raised an eyebrow, and only smiled after seeing Ruochuan shake her head: "The princess has been living in the deep palace for a long time, perhaps she doesn't know. The Dragon Teng Nation... actually it's not just the Dragon Teng Nation, nowadays all five nations under heaven except for the Northern Jin have the Flower God Festival. The origin of the Flower God Festival dates back over a thousand years, every year on March 3rd people gather together, especially girls who are normally not allowed to go out can also come out to welcome the Flower God, and many unmarried men can also get close to their admired women on this day. Over time it became a very important holiday, later when the five nations were divided, each country still kept this festival."

  Ruoxue smiled and nodded, "Why doesn't General bring out Introspective Sister to have fun?"

  Shen Yu just smiled and didn't speak, he was originally going to bring Yan Xin out, but now that he has to pair up with this little princess, he believes Yan Xin isn't such a petty person. Looking at Shen Yu's expression, Ruo Chen also roughly guessed what he was thinking, and couldn't help but secretly laugh in his heart. After returning, Shen Yu will probably have a hard time passing the test of his lovely younger cousin. Hehe, but that has nothing to do with her.

  Seeing the vendors selling various snacks by the roadside, Shen Yu used her eyes to ask Ruoxuan if she wanted any. Ruoxuan averted her gaze in disgust and said, "No!" She hated eating those sweet and sticky things the most. Shen Yu shook her head helplessly, hugging Ruoxuan as they followed the crowd, "Where are we going?" Shen Yu said, "You'll know when we get there."

  Shen Yu took Mo Dust to a very large wine house, said to be one of the best in the capital. The name was also elegant, called Qingfeng Mingyuelou. Shen Yu seemed to be a celebrity in the capital. Although holding a child made the welcoming shopkeeper stunned for a moment, fortunately he immediately came back to his senses and respectfully welcomed the two into the best elegant room on the top floor. He even personally served Shen Yu with wine and dishes before retreating.

  "Shu Yan, come on in." Yu Chen looked at Qin Shu Yan standing outside. Qin Shu Yan walked in and still stood stiffly by the wall, not moving an inch. Yu Chen found this situation quite helpless. "Sit down."

  "Princess, this is not in line with etiquette." Qin Shuyan said calmly. Although he had only been to the Qingning Palace for two days, he also saw that the little princess and people like Qinghong and Ruiting usually didn't pay much attention to rules of seniority, but now they were outside, or in front of General Shen.

  "It's fine now, you can go do whatever you want. Don't waste human resources by lingering here." Qin Shuyan slightly furrowed his brow, half-understanding her words. "Taking care of the princess is my responsibility." Yu Cen rolled her eyes and grabbed a bunch of flowers from the vase on one side of the table, counting them to be around twenty or thirty, and handed them to him.

  "Princess?"

  "Take these flowers out to the streets, and when you meet children, give each of them one, and make them laugh, don't scare them to tears." Qin Shuyan held the flowers, looking at Ruocheng with a difficult expression for a day, "Princess, this..." Ruocheng smiled at him with a full face, "Do you want to stay and have dinner with us, or go give out flowers?" Qin Shuyan lowered his head, "Shuyan will go give out flowers."

  "Remember to eat after you come back. We won't save food for you."

  Shen Yu looked at Qin Shuyan who was walking away with his head down, then turned around to size up Ruocheng, "General, what are you looking at me for?"

  "The princess is very kind and considerate of others." Yuruo smiled with curved eyes, "Yuruo is great, will the general often take me out to play?"

  Shen Yu nodded with a smile, "The princess just needs to send someone to inform Shen Yu and that's all." Upon hearing this, Wen Ru dusted off her smile, waiting for exactly these words.