Note: Don't Forget to join my .com/flokixy to get access to +60 Advance Chapters or unlock the full story from the shop support so I can bring more Chapters for you
In the imperial garden...
"Jun Ce, stop right there!"
Jun Ce acted as if he hadn't heard a word and quickened his pace, as though something terrifying was chasing him from behind.
Wanyan Xue grew furious and leapt forward in a few bounds, blocking Jun Ce's path.
Jun Ce turned to leave again.
"Jun Ce, why are you running?!" Wanyan Xue shouted.
Jun Ce could no longer endure it and sighed. "My lady, please let me go. You've been pestering me for days now—aren’t you tired?"
He had returned to the capital to attend his eldest brother the Crown Prince’s wedding, so how did he end up encountering this troublemaker?!
Seeing that he wasn’t running anymore, Wanyan Xue released his sleeve and said, "Not tired at all! Yesterday you beat me in a match—I want to win one back!"
Jun Ce was speechless.
If she lost, she wouldn’t give up until she won.
If she won, she’d accuse him of letting her win on purpose.
For days, she had forced him into endless competitions—poetry, music, chess, calligraphy, painting—it was driving him insane.
He couldn’t understand why, after the Crown Prince’s wedding festivities were over and other envoys had already departed, the Crown Prince of the Southern Borderlands and the Seventh Princess of Beiyan were still lingering in Tianqi.
They claimed they were here to experience the diverse culture and local customs of Tianqi.
If that were true, why not go sightseeing instead?
One of them clung to him day and night, challenging him to contests, while the other stayed holed up in the embassy doing who-knows-what.
"Seventh Princess, my brother’s wedding was ages ago. Aren’t you returning to Beiyan?"
"Don’t you miss your father and mother?"
"Aren’t you afraid they’ll miss you?"
She added with a grin, "Without me around, they’ll finally have some peace and quiet—they’re probably celebrating secretly."
So even you know how annoying you are?
Wanyan Xue continued, "Everyone says you’re the most talented man in Tianqi. If I don’t compete with you, then who should I compete with?"
She wrinkled her nose in mock indignation.
Jun Ce felt like tearing his hair out. Who exactly was the gossipy busybody who spread the rumor that he was Tianqi’s most talented scholar?!
His eyes flickered as he said, "Seventh Princess, you’ve got it wrong. The most talented person in Tianqi isn’t me—it’s my seventh younger brother, Jun Mo."
Sorry, little brother, but I’m out of options.
Wanyan Xue frowned. "But Prince Jing said you were the most talented! And honestly, Prince Jing is terrible—his handwriting is atrocious, and his flute playing sounds like nails on a chalkboard."
The slight guilt he felt earlier vanished instantly in embarrassment.
How dare she say his calligraphy—which even the Grand Tutor praised as top-tier—was unreadable?
And his flute playing sounded like nails on a chalkboard? Since when did Prince Jing become tone-deaf?!
If only he hadn’t agreed to her challenge the first time... He regretted it deeply now.
"Alright, alright," Wanyan Xue pressed on. "Today we’ll only compete in two things: chess and painting. How’s that sound?"
Jun Ce groaned. "Not good."
Wanyan Xue immediately placed her hands on her hips and declared loudly, "If you refuse, I’ll go straight to the Emperor and Empress Consort of Tianqi and tell them you’re neglecting me!"
Jun Ce felt utterly helpless.
Though this girl was young, she was an honored guest of Tianqi.
"Fine, fine! But we’re only competing in these two matches today—no matter the outcome!"
Ultimately, Jun Ce resigned himself to his fate, deciding firmly to leave tonight. If he stayed any longer, he feared he’d start dreading the very things he once loved.
"Alright. By the way, you probably didn’t know—I went to see the Emperor of Tianqi this morning and told him that as long as I stay in Tianqi, you must accompany me every day. He agreed, so don’t try to run away~"
"What?!?" Jun Ce ruffled his hair in frustration.
He knew exactly what his father was plotting—a marriage alliance.
His father believed that because this girl stuck close to him, she must be fond of him.
Little did he know, this girl was completely clueless about matters of the heart. All she cared about was winning or losing—how childish!
Turning away to hide his irritation, Jun Ce began walking briskly, wondering how he could possibly escape this torment.
"Where are you going?"
"To my room—to play chess!"