Chapter 52: The Princess Arrives

When everyone saw that Xie Yixing was about to take Yaoyao out, they instantly became highly alert.

First, it was Granny Zhao: “Young Master, it’s New Year’s and the estate is busy. We’re short on staff—please don’t go out.”

Nanny Wu also quietly advised, “Young Master, Miss Yaoyao is still so young. If something like last time happens again…”

Xie Yixing’s expression darkened.

He’d already moved out of the marquisate—couldn’t he even go out in public?

A single look from Xie Yixing was enough to make both Granny Zhao and Nanny Wu lose the will to persuade him.

The young heir’s decisions were never to be questioned.

But it was nearly the New Year. If something happened to him or Yaoyao, none of them could bear the consequences.

Still, Xie Yixing didn’t allow them to follow. He simply took Yaoyao by the hand and continued walking toward the gate.

Seeing the threshold they were about to cross, Yaoyao grew excited.

“Brother Persimmon, where are we going to play?”

Xie Yixing replied with purpose, “To the south of the city.”

“What’s in the south of the city?”

“Puppet show.”

Caiwei, who was quietly following behind the two, looked surprised. The young master almost never left the house—how did he know there was a puppet show in the southern part of the city?

Was he just guessing?

But when Caiwei followed them to the south of the city, there really was a puppet troupe performing.

The crowd was massive, and Caiwei didn’t dare take her eyes off the pair for even a second, afraid of losing them.

Fortunately, Xie Yixing carried Yaoyao into a nearby teahouse and went straight up to the second floor.

Their private booth was positioned perfectly to view the performance below.

When the tea server came to deliver flower tea and pastries, he didn’t say a word. He set the tray down and fled without even daring to glance at Xie Yixing.

Could he know who the young master was? That didn’t seem likely.

Caiwei grew suspicious.

Yaoyao picked up a pastry from the table and was about to put it in her mouth when Caiwei kindly reminded her, “Yaoyao, if you eat too much now, will you still have room for New Year’s dinner?”

Sure enough, that worked like a charm. At the mention of the feast, Yaoyao quickly put the pastry back.

Xie Yixing noticed the little flower snake in Yaoyao’s pocket starting to stir. Pretending to fix her hair, he deftly pinched the snake by the neck and yanked it out, tossing it on the floor.

Hua Hua landed headfirst and nearly fainted.

Luckily, it recovered, flicked its tongue twice, and fixed its bright eyes on Xie Yixing.

Danger!

Snakes were highly sensitive. If any malicious presence appeared within several miles, they could immediately sense it.

Hua Hua lifted its head and straightened its neck.

Xie Yixing noticed its unusual behavior and a cold gleam flashed in his eyes.

Someone was coming?

Noises came from outside the booth.

“This princess graces your teahouse with her presence. It’s your honor that I’m here, and I will sit here to watch the puppet show!”

“But Princess, this booth is already reserved, and the guests are still inside. We… we can’t just evict them.”

“Guests? What guests could be more noble than this princess?!”

Upon hearing the person outside reveal her identity, Xie Yixing lowered his eyes, a sharp glint flashing as he looked toward the door.

The door was suddenly kicked open.

Standing there was a girl about the same height as Yaoyao, holding a horsewhip. She wore a red jacket trimmed with gold and had a head full of ornate accessories, clearly denoting her status.

Princess Junhe arrogantly raised her chin toward those at the table. “In the presence of this princess, why are you not kneeling?!”

Yaoyao was engrossed in the puppet show and hadn’t even noticed the little flower snake being pulled out of her pocket. The loud voice snapped her out of her fascination.

She turned and looked at the girl in the doorway—same height as her, but half as skinny. She curled her lip in displeasure. “I’m not kneeling to you.”

Hearing Yaoyao’s response, Princess Junhe immediately flew into a rage. “Do you even know what you just said?!”

Yaoyao met her furious glare, unfazed, and responded firmly, “I know.”

Princess Junhe hadn’t expected to meet someone this defiant. She put her hands on her hips, her pretty brows furrowing. “Where did you crawl out from, you little wretch? How dare you disobey my orders!”

Seeing the princess grip her whip tightly, Xie Yixing stepped in front of Yaoyao.

His eyes, dark as ink, suddenly flickered with a chilling green glow.

That deadly glint in his gaze froze everyone in their tracks—including Princess Junhe, who flinched in surprise.

But the next second, she got a good look at his face—and her eyes widened in disbelief.

Who was he? How could someone look like that?!

Princess Junhe immediately stopped raising her hand. Her gaze, once fierce, softened as it fell on his face.

She had never seen anyone so handsome in the palace.

Today, Xie Yixing was wearing a dark robe embroidered with floral patterns. Though he had gained some weight from eating meals with Yaoyao recently, he was still leaner than most boys his age. His silhouette on the wall appeared delicate but not sickly.

His brows and eyes were clean and refined. His hair was tied with a jade crown, and a jade belt wrapped around his waist. The cloud pattern at his collar was sewn with top-quality silk. His attire was both luxurious and tasteful—clearly the mark of a noble household.

Princess Junhe stared directly at him, openly admiring him. “Do you… want to come to the palace?”

Though phrased as a question, her tone made it feel like a command.

The teahouse manager, who recognized both of them, gasped sharply.

One was the emperor’s most beloved youngest daughter, a princess by rank; the other was the young heir of the Marquis of Chengming, known for his decisive and ruthless methods.

He couldn’t afford to offend either of them!

Yaoyao was still shielded tightly by Xie Yixing, but upon hearing the words “come to the palace,” she mumbled to herself, “If we go to the palace, can we eat something delicious?”

Hearing her mutter, a cold gleam surged in Xie Yixing’s eyes.

His face darkened, his gaze like a blade slicing across Princess Junhe’s face.

“I’m not going with you.”

He would go to the palace—but not with her.

Hearing his rejection, Princess Junhe’s petite face flushed with anger and embarrassment.

The eunuch beside her shouted, “Insolence! Her Highness is showing you favor by inviting you to the palace!”

“You dare reject her and provoke her?!”

“You deserve punishment!”

The teahouse manager, seeing that tension was rising, quickly stepped forward to explain Xie Yixing’s identity.

“This is the heir of the Marquis of Chengming—not someone to be trifled with.”

He wiped the sweat off his forehead with his sleeve.

Normally, if the princess took a liking to a young boy and wanted to bring him to the palace, it was easy enough. But not this young heir.

Even if the emperor himself came, it would still depend on whether the young master was willing.

The Marquis of Chengming had a glorious military record and still held military power.

He had only one heir—this very boy—who was treasured beyond measure.

It was said the entire household was managed by him. He was the marquisate’s sky and earth—the true pillar of the house.

If the princess tried to drag him into the palace, would the Marquis allow it?

And judging by the young heir’s attitude, he clearly had no intention of going with her. Forced fruit is never sweet—Her Highness should give up that thought while she could.

But when Princess Junhe heard his identity, she sneered mockingly, “Just a mere heir of a marquisate, and you dare challenge this princess?”

She hadn’t even finished delivering her threat when she suddenly noticed the small head poking out from behind Xie Yixing.

Her expression darkened further. “And her—daring to defy this princess? Once I bring both of you back to the palace, I’ll deal with you one by one!”