The grand hall was buzzing again, though this time with a slightly tense atmosphere. Everyone had finished eating, and Haoran had just stood up, clearing his throat like a serious commander:
"Everyone, gather in the hall. I have something important to announce."
Xiaoxi yawned exaggeratedly, dramatically flopping onto her chair:
"Then… I don't have to attend, right? I can go back to sleep now?"
Haoran's voice instantly dropped like thunder.
"No way. This is about you."
Xiaoxi's eyes widened. "😮💨 What did I do now?"
Sleepy faces trudged after them. The empress whispered nervously, "Son… is this really necessary? Did Xiaoxi do something?"
Haoran, arms folded, said flatly:
"Hasn't enough happened because of her already? She's caused chaos, disrupted my palace, and… she sneezes in sync with me now. I can't take this anymore. She needs to go home." 😤
She's caused enough trouble. I called you all here because… I want her sent back to her home. She's not from this kingdom, she has no relatives here, and there is nowhere she can live." 😤
Xiaoxi's jaw dropped. "What? But I have my three brothers! They're here!"
Haoran's eyebrows furrowed. "Then go live in their home. Not here. This is not their home, they work here. They are soldiers, not like you."
"I don't care! I met them here! For me, this is their home!" Xiaoxi protested, flailing her hands.
Haoran's anger surged. "I said you have to go home. No options left!"
The hall went completely silent. Even the grandmother didn't dare interrupt. Only the two of them sneezed—together. "AAAAAaaaaaachuuu!!!" 🤣
The sister whispered: "Are they… twinning again?"
Xiaoxi leaned forward, whispering, "So… you have to take responsibility for me?"
Haoran nearly choked. "What?! I didn't do anything to you! Why would I?"
Xiaoxi crossed her arms dramatically:
"You wrongly accused me of being an assassin! I spent a night in prison because of you! Now you want to get rid of me?"
Haoran's eyes widened, disbelief written all over his face. "If that's the case… don't you think you also have to be responsible for all the trouble you caused me since we met?" 😤
Xiaoxi grinned mischievously. "Yes! Yes! Of course! I will repay you… with my body!"
The hall almost exploded. Every jaw dropped, even the grandmother stifled a gasp. Haoran's face turned red as he shouted:
"What… what… what nonsense are you saying?! Did you even think about what you just said?!" 😳😤🫣
Xiaoxi continued, completely unbothered:
"Yes! I will even sacrifice my body for you!"
Haoran, flustered and embarrassed, waved his hand frantically. "Guards! Take her away! Send her out! Don't let her come back!"
Xiaoxi jumped in protest, rushing toward him.
"I said I'll repay you! I'll be your maid! I'll do everything! And you… ungrateful Frog Prince… you sent me away after all I went through in prison!"
Haoran blinked, trying to act stern—but he couldn't hide a twitch in his lips.
Xiaoxi pressed on, almost whispering, "So… I repay you by becoming your maid? Or should I repay you with my face? Or my brain?"
Haoran's eyes nearly popped out. "Oh… so you have a brain?"
"Of course!" Xiaoxi grinned. "Unlike some people I know!"
"Then… why don't you ever use it?" Haoran snapped. "Brainless puffer fish! Puff your cheeks all you want, but using your brain? Never!"
The sister, leaning against a column, whispered teasingly:
"Keep going, Xiaoxi. You're winning this argument."
The empress gasped behind her hand: "Is this really our Crown Prince?"
Xiaoxi folded her arms, voice dripping with mock seriousness:
"Can you stop talking nonsense?! Tell me now what I did wrong! I said I'll be your maid! My brothers work here, so I can stay here too!"
The grandmother leaned forward, voice quiet but firm:
"Let her be, grandson. Sometimes, a puffer fish needs freedom."
Haoran's smirk slowly returned. He turned to Xiaoxi, eyes twinkling with plotting mischief:
"You know… she's right. She's caused me trouble… but I can't just let her go. I'll let her stay. And… I'll make her work for it." 😏
The empress clapped softly, the sister laughed, the brothers sighed in relief, and Xiaoxi squealed with delight.
But in his mind, Haoran thought: This little brainless puffer fish… no way. She's a walking disaster… but… she's mine to punish… for now. 😏