For the first time in her life, Shen Shuang looked at a woman and was stunned by her beauty.
After all, she had never seen such a gorgeous woman before. Everything, from the floral hairpin on her forehead to the sleeves that swayed just so, was perfect.
The smile at the corners of her eyes had to be just right - not too much, not too little - and it was only this woman before her who could pull off a white gown and a gentle, shallow smile.
Shen Shuang couldn't take her eyes off of Chu Shao's stunning face, her own amazement almost overflowing.
At first, Xiao Jin thought Shen Shuang was looking at her, but when she realized that Shen Shuang's gaze wasn't directed at her, she knew something was off.
Following Shen Shuang's unwavering gaze, she saw Chu Shao's smiling face.
Shen Shuang was lost in thought, her expression hazy.
Of course, Chu Shao's smile didn't seem particularly kind, either.
Taking all of these factors into consideration, Xiao Jin felt like this misunderstanding was probably too big to resolve easily.
To ease the awkwardness, she coughed and asked, "Miss Shen came to the Yan Mansion today. Is there something you need?"
It wasn't until Xiao Jin spoke that Shen Shuang recovered from Chu Shao's beauty attack.
She pursed her lips, feeling like it was really hot out today.
So she turned all of her vexation into words and aimed them at Xiao Jin, saying, "Your Highness Yan, you're actually asking what instruction this common girl has to give?"
Xiao Jin frowned, still not entirely sure what the other woman was talking about. Then, she saw Shen Shuang become angry enough to laugh and demand, "Have you forgotten what His Highness did all those years ago?"
...
"Have you forgotten?"
This sentence carried a devastating impact.
Not only did the courtyard fall into an eerie silence, even the birds perched on the withered trees had shrunk into balls and dared not chirp.
Don't talk about the deathly silence that enveloped the courtyard; even the birds perched on the withered trees were cowering and too afraid to chirp.
Xiao Jin had no idea what the original owner had done to Shen Shuang, but her intuition told her that it wasn't anything good. It was an absolute disaster, and she was having a terrible experience in this transmigrated world.
Xiao Jin's silence was in sharp contrast to Chu Shao's smile. While one grew increasingly quiet, the other's smile deepened.
It was at this point, with the eerie atmosphere reaching its peak, that Chu Shao released the wheelchair's handgrip, took a step forward, and kindly looked at Shen Shuang as she softly asked, "Miss Shen's words have piqued this princess's curiosity. I wonder, what did Her Highness the Prince do to you all those years ago?"
To Xiao Jin, this sentence was like the sound of a death knell.
But to Shen Shuang, it was a different story.
She never expected that this woman was the rumored Prince Yan Wife.
Xiao Jin was really unworthy.
In Shen Shuang's eyes, Chu Shao's words were gentle, and the smile on her lips was as thick as the blossoming flowers in spring.
A woman as peerless as her deserved the best man in the world.
Even if she wasn't the best, she certainly couldn't be paired with someone like Xiao Jin.
What did Xiao Jin know?
As a man, how could she possibly understand a girl's thoughts?
Did Xiao Jin...deserve it?
At the thought of this, the inexplicable anger surged up in Shen Shuang heart. She turned her head and asked Xiao Jin, "Back then? Her Highness the Prince did so many despicable things, but did she never confess to the princess?"
"..."
Xiao Jin was now utterly confused.
Although she didn't know what the original owner had done, her head was already starting to hurt.
She pressed her fingers to her forehead and took a deep breath before calmly asking, "What shameful things did I do back then? Miss Shen, please tell me."
Xiao Jin didn't believe in the original owner's character, but rather in her reputation.
What could a straight woman do?
So before Shen Shuang could answer, Xiao Jin coldly continued, "In front of the princess, I hope Miss Shen can speak clearly and not confuse right and wrong, saying things that are not convincing to anyone."
Of course, the implication was to remind Shen Shuang to watch her words and not offend Chu Shao, this Buddha-like figure.
After all, spoken words are like spilled water and cannot be retrieved, and both of them would suffer if things went wrong.
Stirred up by Xiao Jin's words, Shen Shuang stamped her feet in anger and said, "Your Highness, do you even have to ask why?"
She didn't notice that the smile on Chu Shao's lips had become even more odd.
"Ever since I lost to you on the training ground all those years ago, whenever I wanted to spar with you, you would bring up that incident as an excuse and ridicule me, claiming that I was already your defeated subordinate and there was no need to fight anymore... for so many years, don't you feel shameless?"
"As a man, why resort to mocking a woman even when you win? What kind of principle is that?"
...
As a series of questions came down, Xiao Jin was left speechless.
Her heart was full of shock.
Is that all?
For such a small matter, Shen Shuang was able to make such a fuss... she thought the original owner had caused some earth-shattering trouble.
Turns out it was just kids fighting, not knowing any better, using sneak attacks.
That's it?
And they've been holding a grudge for so many years?
Chu Shao also seemed to be slightly stunned, and even a little regretful.
The solution she had thought up in her mind just now seemed to be unnecessary.
However, she still believed that Shen Shuang was troublesome and asked gently, "So, Miss Shen came to the Yan Mansion to compete with the Prince?"
"No," Shen Shuang shook her head.
Facing Chu Shao, her expression was slightly awkward, "This commoner was ordered by Princess Zhao Yang to teach the Prince swordsmanship and spear technique."
"Princess Zhao Yang said that the Prince is currently unable to walk with both legs, and she is slightly inferior in archery, spear technique, and swordsmanship. Recently, the capital has not been very peaceful, so she asked this commoner to teach him a thing or two."
Xiao Jin did not expect such a ridiculous reason.
Then she remembered what Xiao Shuang had said before.
On the surface, Xiao Shuang seemed to want her to practice swordsmanship, but in reality, her intentions were probably more than that.
If she wanted to win over the Minister of War by using Shen Shuang, it would be reasonable.
However, Chu Shao had just caught Xiao Shuang and the Fourth Prince's secret conversation last night, and Xiao Shuang sent Shen Shuang to teach swordsmanship right after that. It seemed a bit suspicious.
Although the possibility was very small, if Shen Shuang was really Xiao Shuang's spy, then...
Did Shen Shuang come to test Chu Shao on purpose?
Thinking of this, Xiao Jin frowned and was about to refuse Shen Shuang.
Unexpectedly, Chu Shao spoke first and smiled, "Miss Shen, if you came here to teach the Prince swordsmanship, I'm afraid there is no need."
Looking at the smile on Chu Shao's lips, Shen Shuang didn't know why, but she didn't want to appear weak in front of her.
She just straightened her back, but when she saw Chu Shao's eyebrows and eyes, her voice unconsciously became low and slow, "Why does the princess say that?"
Chu Shao didn't notice Shen Shuang's awkwardness at all, she just smiled and said, "Because I am already here."
Shen Shuang thought, teaching Xiao Jin swordsmanship seemed to have no conflict with standing here with Chu Shao?
But Chu Shao said slowly, "With me here, no one can harm the Prince."
This statement had a strong sense of dominance.
However, Xiao Jin did not feel sweet, but rather stunned.
Chu Shao knew that Shen Shuang was sent by Xiao Shuang.
Then, did she... expose her own martial arts secret so blatantly in front of Shen Shuang?
This crazy behavior really shocked Xiao Jin.
She had evidence and reasonable suspicion that Chu Shao was actually a spy sent by the opposing side.
In fact, Chu Shao didn't intend to reveal this.
But when she heard that Shen Shuang was going to teach Xiao Jin swordsmanship and made a gesture of wanting to protect her, her mood inexplicably became less pleasant.
Chu Shao's lips were curved in a smile, but she was thinking, why does Shen Shuang want to teach Xiao Jin swordsmanship?
Since Xiao Jin already has her, why does she still need Shen Shuang?
Looking at Shen Shuang's bewildered expression, Chu Shao knew she didn't understand her meaning, so she smiled and looked at Xiao Jin, asking, "Your highness, don't you have me? Isn't that enough?"
"..."
Faced with Chu Shao's gentle gaze, Xiao Jin replied awkwardly, "Yes."
Although Shen Shuang didn't want to teach Xiao Jin anything, she still didn't quite understand what Chu Shao was saying.
She asked in confusion, "But, Your Highness, you don't know martial arts..."
She didn't say the next sentence, but those who understood it, understood.
If you don't know martial arts, how can you protect Xiao Jin just by standing here?
Chu Shao was now with her back to Shen Shuang, and the smile on her face had disappeared completely.
But when she turned around, her smile was as bright as the courtyard's blooming tung flowers. "Miss Shen, would you like to try?"
...
If impulse is the devil, then the devil of impulse is definitely more terrifying than impulse itself.
At this moment, Xiao Jin was starting to experience it.
For example, Chu Shao, this devil, knew that Shen Shuang might have been sent by Xiao Shuang to spy on them, but still smiled and challenged her.
Of course, Shen Shuang didn't even notice the hidden killing intent in Chu Shao's eyes.
When she heard Chu Shao's words, she was even a little stunned, thinking she was joking.
But when Shen Shuang realized that Chu Shao was probably not joking, her gaze towards Chu Shao became even more shy.
So it turns out that the Princess also practices martial arts. That's great.
Now Shen Shuang finally understood why she would unconsciously sweat and feel excited whenever she saw Chu Shao.
It turns out that the other party is such an outstanding woman. Not only is she gentle and beautiful like moonlight, but she also shares the same hobby as her.
Although Shen Shuang didn't know what the substantive significance of having a common hobby with Chu Shao was, she always felt happy when she saw Chu Shao's charming eyes.
So much so that when they arrived at a secluded place and Shen Shuang watched Chu Shao lift up the sword she had found from somewhere, her heart thumped wildly.
She watched as Chu Shao's fingers lightly stroked the blade, set off by her unparalleled eyebrows and eyes, looking handsome and cool. It made her even more nervous than when she saw Chu Shao for the first time.
However, this nervousness caused Shen Shuang's gun skills to become crooked and unable to match Chu Shao. Furthermore, she was worried about injuring Chu Shao, so she had intended to let her win, and as a result, she was defeated miserably after only three moves.
Although she had lost, Shen Shuang, who had always been competitive, did not feel discouraged at this moment.
All she could think of was the moment when Chu Shao took up the silver sword and came at her. It was too beautiful, just like a painting.
Shen Shuang shook her goose-yellow sleeve and looked shyly at Chu Shao, ready to praise her, saying "Your Highness, the Princess is so amazing!"
But holding her red tassel gun, she turned around shyly with a grin still on her face, only to see Chu Shao bending her eyebrows and smiling at Xiao Jin, saying, "Your Highness, I won."
Shen Shuang was stunned for a long time, with only one thought in her mind - Damn it.
Meanwhile, Xiao Jin, who had been hit by countless plants from Shen Shuang before, was not in a good mood at the moment.
That was too close.
Xiao Jin had seen it clearly just now. Chu Shao had made that strike towards Shen Shuang without any mercy. The hilt of the sword trembled slightly, obviously overjoyed and completely disregarded the consequences of the strike.
If she had not shouted, "Your Highness, the Princess," in a moment of urgency, Chu Shao's action would have slightly paused and missed Shen Shuang's neck.
Otherwise, she really didn't know how it would have ended.
Although Chu Shao did not achieve her goal, Xiao Jin inexplicably felt that this person's mood seemed to have become more joyful.
In order to keep this Buddha statue in a good mood, she adhered to her own principles and praised her, "The princess is very powerful."
This kind of praise can't be considered sincere, basically the same as saying "you're great" casually.
However, the corners of Chu Shao's mouth lifted into a smile. She lowered her voice and whispered in Xiao Jin's ear, "Since you are so powerful, does your highness still need Shen Shuang to protect her?"
Her warm breath spilled into Xiao Jin's ear, causing a slight tickling sensation.
But Xiao Jin was a party pooper.
Feeling Chu Shao's breath, she stiffened and reflexively turned her head, accidentally bumping into Chu Shao's nose.
It wasn't too heavy, but it wasn't exactly light either.
Xiao Jin had been a modern person for more than twenty years, and the words "I'm sorry" were almost about to blurt out.
As she raised her head, she saw Chu Shao's slightly stunned expression and the smile that had yet to fade from her lips.
She knew that the other person was a bit of a masochist, but she inexplicably found it...kind of cute.
Realizing that Chu Shao's words and expression were disconnected, Xiao Jin could only hold back her laughter and nodded seriously, "Yes, the princess is the most powerful."
"So this prince only needs the princess."
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Author's note: Thank you to the little angels who voted for me or gave me nutrients during 2022-03-0523:59:492022-03-0623:59:22.
Translator's note: Damn it!. It's too sweet, maybe I'm also a masochist it's weird that I love this kind of genre!. Yandere~~~
TO BE CONTINUE...