There was no doubt in Yun Shu's mind about the influence of Capital Weekly in Tian Sheng's capital.
Just a few days ago, she had openly mocked the entire diplomatic party from Bei Xiang through that very publication. Given that, how could the Eldest Prince of Bei Xiang possibly still greet her with such enthusiasm?
She didn't need to think twice. There was clearly something suspicious about this.
Yun Shu still had to deal with the Empress today and had no interest in entertaining this group. After exchanging a few polite words, she turned, intending to leave.
But the Eldest Prince stepped forward in a deceptively courteous yet undeniably forceful manner, cutting off her path.
"Princess, pray wait a moment."
Yun Shu's steps halted, the smile on her face fading.
The Eldest Prince continued to beam at her, as though oblivious to her change in mood.
"We've just arrived from Bei Xiang and know few people in this capital. The only one we are even slightly acquainted with is Your Highness, the Fifth Princess.
If we were to walk alongside you and meet your friends, it would be our honor. How could such a thing be considered an intrusion?"
"So what the Eldest Prince means is… you insist on walking with me?"
It was clear from his persistent manner that he would not be so easily brushed off.
Yun Shu shifted her gaze toward the young heir of Prince Lian who stood behind the Eldest Prince. Her lips curved faintly, and her tone grew less polite.
"Yet the way Prince Lian's heir is glaring at me, as if he could kill me on the spot… makes it rather difficult not to suspect your motives."
"Ayi!"
Only then did the Eldest Prince appear to notice the hostility in his companion's eyes. He turned and gave a low reprimand before turning back with an apologetic smile.
"To tell the truth… Ayi's displeasure stems mostly from me.
Your Highness's suspicions are not unfounded. I do indeed have something to say to you."
"Then speak."
Pretending not to notice the Eldest Prince's deliberate display of gentle affection, Yun Shu nodded calmly. Internally, though, she was already grumbling about her not-so-reliable shadow guards.
This Eldest Prince might as well have written "attempting to flirt" across his face, yet the guards remained eerily silent.
Were they napping in the shadows?
Unbeknownst to her, Wukong had already shifted silently from his original position to stand beside Ah Ku. The two were engaged in a quiet, serious exchange.
"Would this fall under the category of 'plotting mischief or attempting seduction' as Her Highness described?" Wukong asked.
"No," Ah Ku replied with solemn focus. "Her Highness said the suspect must be of similar age and suitable to become her prince consort.
"The Eldest Prince of Bei Xiang is already twenty-six. Any older and he could be her father. He's definitely not a viable candidate."
"Are you sure?"
Wukong, whose sensitivity to emotional cues was slightly better than Ah Ku's, hesitated. "But his expression seems off."
"He's… a little effeminate," Ah Ku frowned. "Do you think he's a woman in disguise?"
"???"
Wukong blinked in confusion.
…
The Eldest Prince had no idea that the tender gaze he had so carefully cultivated was being interpreted by Ah Ku as evidence that he might be a woman pretending to be a man.
With a soft chuckle, the Eldest Prince said, "There are words best left unsaid in the presence of too many ears. If the Princess does not mind, may I trouble you to walk with me for a moment?"
He even dropped the usual "this prince" form of address, switching directly to "I."
He had assumed Yun Shu, at thirteen, was just a girl at the cusp of adolescence. Even if she acted more cleverly than her peers, she must be emotionally naïve. Easy to sway.
He was the Eldest Prince of Bei Xiang, a man of noble blood and good looks. If he simply displayed some tender affection, surely it would not take much to make her heart flutter.
He was confident.
What he did not know, however, was that in Yun Shu's eyes, his performance came across less like a refined noble and more like a preening peacock—overdone and unpleasant.
What kind of grown man, already twenty-six, tried to court a girl barely out of childhood?
If this were the modern day, she would have just graduated elementary school!
Yun Shu didn't even hesitate.
"I mind."
"…What?"
The Eldest Prince was momentarily stunned.
"Does Your Highness perhaps misunderstand me?" he asked, his smile almost faltering. Thankfully, he recovered in time, forcing himself to maintain a courteous air.
"Is it because of our first meeting?"
"Perhaps."
Yun Shu had always spoken bluntly, even in front of Emperor Xuanwu. She had no reason to temper her words for the Eldest Prince of Bei Xiang.
Her response was casual, without the slightest pretense of diplomacy.
"I get the feeling that Bei Xiang doesn't think too highly of Tian Sheng. It's like you're just waiting for something bad to happen to us."
The Eldest Prince said nothing.
He was beginning to regret this approach.
Why had no one warned him about the Fifth Princess's temperament?
Could their plan still succeed?
"Why has the Eldest Prince fallen silent?" Yun Shu asked sharply. "Is it because I was right?"
"…Very well. I admit it."
She might be difficult now, but once she married into Bei Xiang, he would have plenty of ways to tame her.
There was no turning back. He thought of the promises made and the goals they had sworn to reach. Gritting his teeth, he chose to speak plainly.
"But I believe Your Highness can understand."
Sensing that Yun Shu preferred directness, the Eldest Prince altered his strategy and adopted a more candid tone.
"Bei Xiang and Tian Sheng were once enemies. Bei Xiang lost. For years, we have been paying tribute. Be honest, Princess. If you had been born in Bei Xiang, would you truly wish Tian Sheng well?"
"If I were a subject of Bei Xiang, I could perhaps understand your sentiment." Yun Shu gave a slight nod, her expression placid, yet somehow condescending despite her shorter stature.
"But I was born in Tian Sheng. So I especially enjoy watching your frustration when you can't bring us down."
"You go too far!"
Before the Eldest Prince could react, Prince Lian's heir had already erupted, veins bulging with anger.
"You think the Eldest Prince likes you, and now you dare look down on us?
Our delegation came to celebrate the Emperor's birthday. We are guests!
How can you—"
"That is enough."
Yun Shu waited until Prince Lian's heir had said everything he wanted to say, then cut him off coldly.
The Eldest Prince met her eyes, unsure what to make of her gaze. He forced a bitter smile.
"Your Highness must find this all hard to believe. But truthfully, I've spent quite some time reflecting on this in the post house. Perhaps this is what they call love at first sight. Unreasonable. Overbearing. And entirely without logic."