"Well, Brother Law... who is that stinky boy?"
"He... remember, the first place in the martial arts exam?"
"Um! Of course I remember—— Hmph, that man actually dared to use crooked methods to steal my... Wait, Brother Lu, do you mean he is that person?!"
"Um!"
"Ah! What a shame to meet such a narrow road, its him—— Hmm... Hey, what are you looking at, hmph... a pervert!"
"Ajun, what are you so absorbed in?"
As Ah Jun was walking and staring at the girl, he couldnt help but freeze. The little princess across the way suddenly seemed to catch on. She turned her head, shot him a fierce glare, and then protested loudly. At this moment, Xiao Xi also came to Ah Juns side, wanting to console him—— but due to the chubby boys excessive talking, everyone talked about him again.
"What are you saying, your —— brother, ignore her, this girl is spoiled!"
"Have you ever thought that she is cute now—— completely different from before?"
"Oh, this one—— Well, you know how they say birds of a feather flock together —it all started with that old witch Empress... Back in her day, she was still decent..."
"Cough, cough, young Master Xiao Xi, please watch your words!"
"No, Uncle Li, why do you always repeat the same two sentences—— I didnt say anything wrong..."
"Xiao Xi!"
"Well... you have to be half as conscious as Young Master Xiao Jun, then I can keep quiet!"
"Ha? You dare say only these words..."
"Uncle, you call me Ah Jun, I am not a young master!"
"Of course, you are a very important guest—— Also, you can call me Uncle Li just like Xiao Xi!"
Ah Jun found the old mans attitude somewhat unsettling. Having grown up surrounded by gossip since childhood, he was unaccustomed to such treatment. Xiao Xi had also mentioned that Uncle Li was a key minister of the imperial court, a three-generation veteran official, and the head of internal affairs in Purple City. His status was second only to the emperor and empress, who even addressed him with respectful "Uncle" in formal settings.
So its no wonder that the little princess and Xiao Xi are so obedient to him. Of course, since theyre a generation apart and not blood-related, Uncle Li hasnt been too strict. After all, theyre just kids!
However, to Ah Jun, the old man seemed to be quite polite and had a strong sense of kinship, even Xiao Xi was a little puzzled—— Perhaps it was because Ah Jun was really good-behaved and liked by people!
"Ajun... Brother, why are you still looking at her? Whats so interesting about this little girl—— Let me tell you quietly, she was just a tomboy back in her day. Compared to our Ning er, shes nothing...""
"Um... nice, dont you think? Look at her now..."
Xiao Xi had always been fond of Ning er. Now, while showering her with praise, he turned to glance at his girl and continued pouring out his affection—— However, since Ah Jun had firmly protected her, Ning er had been following silently, as if burdened with thoughts. Perhaps Ah Juns actions had broken her defenses, or maybe it was his special treatment of the little princess that made her vulnerable. Like Ah Jun himself, she remained completely absorbed in the man ahead, completely unfazed by the other boy.
" elder brother!"
After a while, Xiao Xi finally turned her attention back to Ah Jun. Then she exclaimed in surprise: "You must have fallen for her... Oh, my silly brother, this little girl..."
"Shh... Soften up, what are you saying... I just think shes in a good state right now—— its very much like..."
"Okay... I dont think ——you are too simple, dont be fooled by this, thats what it was just now!"
"Hmph! What are you two whispering about me..."
When Xiao Xi gave him warnings, Ah Jun didnt take them to heart—— Watching the little princess and Yuwen Lu chatting merrily together, he found the scene utterly delightful. He even thought they looked such a perfect match. As for his own inner turmoil...
Anyway, Ah Juns intuition was that he actually liked this girl. Additionally, it reminded him of a childhood promise—— the words he had said to Lan er when he was very young. Though it was just at a family gathering, the boy had been quite serious about them.
This is also one of the few little secrets that he cherished in his heart——Laner, when I succeed in my training, I will be qualified to fulfill that promise, I will do what I say!
"Xiaojun, we are at a players home, we dont need to be so serious!"
"No, my master said that one should be honest and trustworthy. When I grow up, I must..."
"Oh... Okay, okay, okay, lets draw a line!"
——Fat妞, I always remember that promise, you... what?
"Sister Lan, do you remember our agreement?"
"Um... ah, you mean that, I remember, you said that when you grow up, you want to be a hero to protect me, right?"
"Ah... Well, yes,..."
——Sister Lan, you... really dont remember? It seems that fish can only remember seven seconds, ok, I just remember!
"Lan, I will try to complete the training, when I come back... we..."
"Um, yes, I and pudding have made a plan—— when you succeed, we will celebrate together!"
"Ouch..."
"Right, right ——Brother Law, whats the wait for that star of the sea you mentioned?"
"Well... it needs some time, it just finished its first metamorphosis, wait ——and by then it wont be stabbed again!"
"Uh... Hey, Brother Lu, Im fine. Roses have thorns too, but thats just to protect themselves better, right? —— Im so excited! I love roses the most. Do they really exist as ever-blooming roses?"
"——Princess!"
"Huh? Little swallow... Oh, its really you!"
Just as Xiao Xi was chatting idly with Ah Jun, almost forgetting Ning er, the princesss laughter stopped everyone.
At this moment, Ah Jun noticed a girl around the princesss age jogging along the left side of the path. Her attire reminded him of a gardener—short hair, yellow skin, and a radiant smile—— She suddenly embraced the princess, and the two were overjoyed, as if welcoming a guest from afar...
"Master Lius!"
"Um!"
"Little Swallow... How did you come? Are there no classes today?"
"Um! Hehe... Princess, Ive passed the imperial gardener certification and got my pass. From now on, I can come here anytime to help you tend to the roses—— and even assist with managing Grandpas garden. Oh, hes been having back issues lately...""
"You child... polite —— Your Highness, Young Master Law, Chief Manager Li..."
"Uncle Xiao!"
"Grandpa Xiao!"
"Grandpa, whats wrong with your back?"
"Absolutely, twisted it..."
"Cough, cough, little swallow —— is fine. Shes old and shes like this... Is there a guest?"
As the two girls were enjoying their gathering, a sight caught their eyes: an elderly gardener with silver hair in his work uniform was approaching them energetically. This was Xiao Yanzhis grandfather, the garden manager who looked about the same age as Yuwen Lus grandfather. Everyone present, including Uncle Li, showed him the utmost respect.
Ah Jun was the first to find this old man. He looked like he had been a gardener in the royal family for a long time, so everyone regarded him as their elder. But Grandpa Xiao did not want to rely on his old age, and he was polite to everyone.
After a few words of greeting, the old man turned his eyes to the visitors, his eyes full of kindness, and Ah Jun also smiled and greeted the old man, and they nodded at each other.
"Grandpa, why do you pay attention to him? That boy is a pervert!"
"Hey... you!"
"Xiao Xi!"
"Heh, how... hes upset with our Xiner..."
"Not so —— Hmph, you peeping at me and... and watching a girl shower!"
"O... Yes, you saw it with your own eyes? Remember what grandpa taught you... seeing is believing!"
"I? No... but ——Grandpa, why are you helping that boy?"
"Okay, okay, no more. Lets calm down—— Hehe, our princess has a lot of energy. Dont argue with him. Okay... A girl needs to be happy, otherwise she wont be pretty—— Hmm... Is he that child?"
" grandfather～"
After soothing the little princess, Grandpa Gardener turned his attention back to Ah Jun and the others. He glanced at Uncle Li and asked a question that left everyone puzzled. Then, while nodding again at Ah Jun, he stroked his granddaughters hair with evident satisfaction—— This was a situation Ive never seen in any grandfather, but why did it feel so strange and even a bit warm?
"Sister, there are many pink ladies in the rose garden today. They are all blooming —— Shall I take you to see them?"
"Really... thats great. Can you pick some petals for me later—— Lets go..."
"Um!"
Then, the granddaughter of the old gardener, little Swallow, seemed to remember something and suddenly came up with a great idea. And the little princess looked very excited and smiled her mouth shut.
So the two girls ran hand in hand to enjoy the flowers, and took Yuwen Lu with them. Then, only Ah Jun and others were left there chatting.
"Well, its a little late—— Uncle Xiao, I have to take the child to Taihe Hall, so Ill say goodbye—— The children, lets go!"
Okay... hurry up, dont miss the hour—— Xiao Jun, come when you have time!
"O... Grandpa Shaw, goodbye!"
"The boy... is really here!"
"Uncle Li... does that old gardener know me?"
"Well... I dont know. Ask yourself next time!"
"Hi! How is that possible... Ive been there a few times, but Ive never seen this guy —— Ah Jun. You must be imagining!"