Chapter 35: The Debauched Princess's Daily Loafing Chapter 35: Chance Encounter

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Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

The two arrived at the teahouse, and Qianqain, familiar with the place, asked the waiter, "Waiter, do you have private rooms?"

The waiter replied, "Yes, yes." The waiter walked ahead while Yan Xiner and Qianqian followed behind, going upstairs together. Just as they reached the door of the private room,

they heard a man's voice from beside them say, "Miss Yan, please wait." Yan Xiner turned back and saw a man dressed in a white long robe, his hair meticulously combed, appearing as if something had been applied to it, looking slick and shiny. He held a folding fan, and although the weather had not yet grown hot, he fanned himself with it. His features were rather ordinary, with upturned eye corners, making him look greasy and self-important.

Yan Xiner had no impression of this person, so she asked, "I wonder if this Young Master has something to say?" The man replied, "Miss Yan, this humble one pays his respects."

After finishing, he cupped his hands and continued, "This humble one is Liu Rui, nephew of the Vice Minister of Justice. I have long heard that Miss Yan is blessed with both talent and beauty, and today, upon seeing you, I find the reputation is well deserved." Liu Rui fanned himself, thinking he looked suave.

A wave of nausea rose in Yan Xiner's heart; she had seen many such foppish young masters. She responded coldly, "So it is Young Master Liu, my apologies for the discourtesy. However, I have urgent business with my friend and cannot chat further."

After speaking, she grabbed Qianqian to turn and leave. But Liu Rui, lacking tact, blocked the door to their private room and said with a grin, "Miss Yan, why rush off? Why not have a cup of tea with me and chat about poetry and songs?"

Seeing Yan Xiner's already gloomy face turn pitch black like the bottom of a pot, Qianqian hesitated not at all and immediately shouted like a thunderclap, "I don't care if you're Young Master Liu or Seventh Young Master, get out of my way right now, don't block our path!" Her voice was crisp and childishly fierce.

Liu Rui had been haughty, but hearing Qianqian's rebuke, he did not get angry and instead smiled, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes. He drawled, "This must be Miss Yan's younger sister? You are truly adorable. Why not come with Big Brother to the private room next door for a cup of tea and a chat?"

Seeing Liu Rui had no intention of leaving, Qianqian said nothing more. Her right hand shot out, instantly drawing the slender whip from her waist, lashing toward Liu Rui like a spirit snake leaving its hole. Liu Rui was startled and instinctively stepped back, avoiding vital spots, but the whip still landed solidly on his hand, making a crisp "crack."

The smile on Liu Rui's face froze instantly and could no longer be held; a flash of annoyance and resentment appeared in his eyes.

However, he knew these two sisters were daughters of An Wang. If he fought them, he would surely not fare well, so he suppressed his anger, forced a smile, said "Farewell," and left dejectedly.

Seeing this, Qianqian carefully rewound the whip around her waist, then entered the room with Yan Xiner.

Not long after, the storyteller walked out with measured steps, holding a wooden clapper, murmuring as he began today's story—a person who strangely reincarnated as a cat demon, and then, by a twist of fate, fell in love with the mighty prince, unfolding a series of dramatic tales.

Qianqian sat quietly, listening to the familiar plot, feeling it was very familiar but not thinking much of it. After the two finished listening, they walked out of the teahouse together. Qianqian ran so fast that her steps could not stop in time. With a loud "bang," she slammed solidly into a man.

The man was like someone frozen by an immobilization spell, not moving a muscle, while Qianqian nearly fell due to inertia. At this critical moment, in the blink of an eye, the man shot out a hand like lightning and firmly grabbed Qianqian's slender arm, successfully preventing her from falling.

Qianqian finally steadied herself, quickly rubbing her aching head, filled with guilt, just about to apologize to the man.

Suddenly, a voice warm and jade-like, like a clear spring flowing, came to her ears: "Little girl, are you alright?" Qianqian instinctively looked up, and a face that made her heart race instantly entered her sight.

She saw another man dressed in a pure white robe smiling at her, a sharp contrast to the greasy fellow she had bumped into. This man's hair was neatly styled high, as if containing endless mysterious aura. His eyes were gentle as if they could embrace all things in the world, and Qianqian was completely stunned, her mind filled with exclamations: "Wow, so handsome, really so handsome, aaaah!"

Just then, Yan Xiner, walking behind, saw from afar that her little sister had bumped into someone. Anxious, she hurried forward, taking two steps at a time, pulled Qianqian behind her, gently rubbed her head, and said apologetically to the white-robed man, "Young Master, truly sorry, my little sister accidentally bumped into you. I hope you won't take it to heart."

Qianqian, coming back to her senses, also quickly said, "Handsome Big Brother, sorry, Qianqian didn't mean it." The man smiled gently and said, "It's fine, as long as you're not hurt."

Just then, a slightly thin, limping little boy slowly walked over from behind. The light of surprise flashed in his already small eyes, and when he saw Qianqian not far away, it was as if a switch in his heart was flipped. His childish voice urgently called out, "Qianqian?" Qianqian's originally calm face instantly showed excitement, and she shouted excitedly like a little bird, "Ai Jiao!" Immediately, as if they had agreed, they asked in unison, "Why didn't you go to the Shangshufang today?"

Qianqian panted slightly and replied softly, "I accidentally ate something bad yesterday and had diarrhea, so I didn't go to the Shangshufang today."

Ai Jiao scratched his head a little embarrassedly and said, "I accidentally fell off the horse while riding yesterday, so I need to rest for a day."

After speaking, the two little ones chirped away like two happy sparrows, their voices clear and pleasant, as if they could dispel all the gloom around them.

Ai Jiao slowly raised his head, a hint of joy in his eyes, and said to the handsome man in a white robe beside them, "Big Brother, this is my classmate from the Shangshufang, Yan Qianqian. She's my best friend~"

Upon hearing this, the white-robed man immediately thought of the name his brother often mentioned at home—Qianqian. So she was actually An Wang's daughter. He quickly showed a gentle smile and said, "Hello, Qianqian!"

Qianqian blushed and replied obediently, "Hello, Handsome Big Brother!"

Then she turned around, took Yan Xiner's hand, and said smilingly, "Elder Sister, this is my good friend Ai Jiao, and this is his older brother."

A warm light flashed in Yan Xiner's eyes as she said gently, "Hello, Ai Jiao. I often hear Qianqian mention you."

Ai Jiao obediently replied, "Hello, Elder Sister."

At this moment, the white-robed man cupped his hands toward Yan Xiner and said, "Miss Yan, greetings. I am Ai Chun, Ai Jiao's older brother."

Yan Xiner also bowed to return the greeting and said, "Greetings, Young Master Ai. I am Yan Xiner, Qianqian's elder sister."

After the four introduced themselves, Qianqian said to Ai Chun, "Big Brother Ai, the storyteller has finished. You came too late~"

Ai Chun smiled and said, "Really? What a pity. Then let's not listen and go back."

The group walked out of the teahouse together. Ai Chun said to Yan Xiner, "Did the two young ladies not come by carriage?" Yan Xiner blushed and replied, "No, we originally came out together to stroll the streets." Ai Chun continued, "I often hear Ai Jiao say An Wang is so formidable, yet I have never been to An Wangfu. Do I have the honor today to send the two ladies back to the residence?"

Yan Xiner hesitated, and Ai Chun immediately understood, saying, "There's also Qianqian and little Jiao. Riding together in one carriage is also proper." Qianqian immediately chimed in, "Okay, okay, let's go together."

At this time, Ai Jiao also chimed in, "Let's go, let's go. Qianqian, I want to go to your home to see Honghong. I still haven't seen her yet." The four walked to the carriage together. Ai Chun, being very gentlemanly, helped Yan Xiner and Qianqian into the carriage, then tossed his own lame little brother onto the carriage, and got on last himself. The four sitting in the carriage were not crowded, because the two little ones chirped along the way, so it was not awkward. Soon they arrived at the gate of the Wangfu...