Jing Wu squeezed his eyes shut, unable to bear the sight!
"Your Highness, actually, I could kiss you too..."
"Get lost!"
Xia Siheng sent him flying with a kick, leaving him with one final order. "Go clean the latrines for a month!"
Jing Wu: Boohoo.
Jing Er snickered on the sidelines. He approached Xia Siheng and said, "Your Highness will soon be able to marry Madam Liu Wan."
Xia Siheng lifted his chin with a touch of pride. "Of course. She's already kissed me. Can marriage be far behind?"
"Congratulations on getting your wish, Your Highness. May you and your princess consort share everlasting love, a hundred happy years, and grow old together."
"Now that's what I like to hear! Go collect a reward from the accounts office!" Xia Siheng left with a cheerful smile. He wanted to find Wanwan first.
Then he would tell his Imperial Consort mother the good news!
Meanwhile, Jing Wu sat on the ground, dumbstruck!
He looked at Jing Er indignantly. "Jing Er, do you realize you're making me look like an idiot?"
Jing Er reached out and pulled him up. "Of course not, Brother Latrine!"
That nickname sent Jing Wu hopping mad!
In the courtyard.
Xie Zimu was playing with his younger brother and sister.
Xia Wanwan sat in a dirt pit beneath the Coral Tree, scooping up dirt and piling it onto her two brothers. "Bwothers... eat more."
Xie Zixing was telling his older brother about recent events, including how their sister had earned merit and been granted the title of princess.
As they talked, the two suddenly realized they were covered in dirt. Their sister had nearly buried them!
Xie Zimu froze for a long moment, then tapped his sister's forehead. He settled into the dirt pit and gathered her into his