Chapter 340: I'll trade my good stuff with you

Bateer crouched down, putting his eyes level with Tuan Tuan's, and sighed helplessly: "Princess, you care about my younger brother; I thank you on his behalf for this kindness."

"However," he shifted tone, "you've come at an inconvenient time."

"A few days ago he made a grave mistake, angering the Father Khan. Now he's been ordered to reflect in a quiet place."

A smile appeared on his face again: "You've made a wasted trip this time; you won't see him."

Tuan Tuan looked puzzled: "What mistake did he make?"

How this Central Plains girl keeps getting to the bottom of things!

Bateer's smile began to falter.

He rose to his feet, scanning Xiao Ningxun and the others: "The Father Khan is deeply grieved by this and has ordered that no one may visit."

"Alas, this is the Father Khan's strict order; I can't do anything about it."

Afterwards he exchanged a few more pleasantries, then took his leave with his guards.

The group entered the largest tent and looked around.

Inside the tent was very spacious, with thick, soft carpets on the floor and low tables and couches arranged around.

The low tables were prepared with fresh dairy, dried meat, and milk tea.

As the tent flap fell, Xiao Ran plopped onto the soft cushion and let out a long sigh: "This prince is really thoughtful."

Qing Qing checked the milk tea and food, then gave Xiao Ningxun a slight shake of the head to indicate everything was fine.

Xiao Ningxun walked to the tent's edge and, through a gap, glanced outside at Tie He and his retinue.

He returned to his sister's side: "Having come, we should make ourselves at ease."

"Tuan Tuan, are you hungry? Have something to eat."

Tuan Tuan placed Fanfan on the carpet and looked around curiously.

"Mm!" She picked up a small piece of beef jerky from the low table and brought it to Fanfan's mouth.

The little creature twitched its nose, sniffed, then gulped it down in one go, still licking its lips, making Tuan Tuan giggle.

In the evening, Tie He sent over a lavish dinner.

Fanfan would only eat if Tuan Tuan fed him; otherwise he refused.

Helpless, Tuan Tuan had to tear the fragrant grilled lamb into strips and feed Fanfan bite by bite until he was full.

Watching it curl up contentedly on her leg and purr, Tuan Tuan then picked up a lamb leg to satisfy her own hunger.

Just as she took a bite, a haughty girl's voice came from outside the tent.

"Move aside! I want to see the wolf pup the Central Plains people brought! Dare you block my way?"

Tie He said awkwardly: "Prince Mu Ren, Wuya Biejie, they are honored guests from afar; the Great Prince has ordered that they not be disturbed……"

"I just want to take a look! Just a quick glance!" the girl insisted.

A gentle boy's voice chimed in: "Forget it, sister; we have our own wolf pups, why insist on looking at the guests'? It's getting late; let's head back."

"No! I want to see what the wolf pup the Central Plains people brought looks like!"

Qing Qing whispered: "Mu Ren is the Father Khan's youngest son, ten years old."

"Wuya Biejie—'Biejie' means princess—she's only eight and dearly beloved by the Father Khan."

Before the words had finished, the tent flap was flung open from outside.

A little girl in a scarlet robe, her face round and smooth, rushed in first.

Behind her followed a youth in a sky‑blue robe, with delicate features.

Tie He hurried in after them, giving a helpless salute: "Sorry to disturb the guests, this is……"

Xiao Ran set down his meat, waved a hand: "No problem; since the prince and princess have graced us with their presence, there's no talk of disturbance—please step back."

Tie He hesitated, seeing Xiao Ran's calm demeanor, and withdrew.

Mu Ren's face flushed slightly as he made a fist‑to‑chest salute to everyone in the tent: "Greetings, travelers from afar. I am Mu Ren, and this is my sister Wuya."

Wuya, however, was not as polite as her brother.

She instantly spotted the silver‑gray furball beside Tuan Tuan's leg, her eyes lighting up as she lunged toward Fanfan, reaching out to touch him.

Tuan Tuan immediately shifted sideways, scooping Fanfan into her arms, her little face setting firm.

"This is my wolf! If you want to touch it, you must ask me first—I'll allow it only then."

Wuya's hand froze mid‑air.

She had never been refused like this before, and she shouted: "What gives you the right to stop me? On this grassland I can touch whatever I want!"

Saying that, she reached out again.

"Wuya!" Mu Ren rushed forward, grabbing her arm: "They are the Father Khan's honored guests; you can't be so rude."

Wuya struggled against her brother's hold, couldn't break free, and glared at Mu Ren, cheeks puffed.

She glanced at the wolf pup in Tuan Tuan's arms, then couldn't bring herself to leave.

She snorted, plopped down opposite Tuan Tuan, adopting the stance: "If you won't let me touch it, I'm not leaving."

Mu Ren offered the people inside another embarrassed smile.

Seeing Tuan Tuan ignore her, Wuya began nibbling the lamb leg in small bites, pursing her lips: "Hmph! My mother was right after all!"

"You Central Plains women have tiny appetites, eating everything in little nibbles!"

She pointed at Xiao Ran, who was tearing at the lamb meat: "Even your Central Plains men eat meat in such a feeble way!"

"On our grassland, a man like that would be laughed at!"

Tuan Tuan's eyes shifted, she lifted the lamb leg in her hand and raised her chin: "Hmph! We're not even grown up yet!"

"Just this lamb leg—my dad, when he's home, can eat a whole one by himself!"

"Bluffing!" Wuya instantly flared with competitive spirit, lifting her chin even higher than Tuan Tuan's.

"My Father Khan is the greatest khan on the steppe; he can eat two of these in one sitting!"

My dad can eat three!

My Father Khan can eat four!

Five!

Six!

Seven!

Eight!

……

Two little girls sat across a low table, faces flushed and necks thick, competing to see whose father could eat more.

The numbers shot up rapidly, leaving everyone laughing and crying.

"Pfft—cough cough cough!" Xiao Ran couldn't hold back, choking and coughing repeatedly.

Mu Ren's face flushed red, both amused and helpless, wishing he could find a crack in the ground to hide in.

"Alright, alright, stop! You two little ancestors, quit talking!"

Xiao Ran finally caught his breath, laughing and waving his hand: "If you keep going, whether it's Prince Ning or the Great Khan, they'll become rice buckets! And extra-large ones at that!"

Inside the tent, a burst of laughter immediately erupted.

The two girls stopped, both feeling a bit embarrassed.

Wu Ya looked at Tuan Tuan, smiling, this little princess from Zhongyuan, and thought she wasn't so hateful after all.

"My name is Wu Ya, a Biejie of Xilu! What's yours?"

Tuan Tuan saw she was speaking nicely, and immediately replied: "My name is Tuan Tuan!"

"Tuan Tuan?" Wu Ya said, her voice softer this time, "I... I won't just touch your wolf for nothing."

"I'll bring good stuff to trade with you, okay?"