Xiao Yan had sounded utterly solemn when she answered the Princess, but under the Princess's gaze, a trace of embarrassment appeared on her face. Then, as though begging for mercy, she said, "All right, Aunt, I do have a little scheme of my own. Please stop looking at me like that."
"You little rascal, always full of crafty ideas," the Princess said. "Did you think you could hide those thoughts from your aunt?"
"I was just hoping I might get lucky. You certainly deserve the name 'Jade-Faced Rakshasa,' Aunt. In front of you, I can't hide anything in my heart." Xiao Yan stuck out her tongue and spoke with a touch of mischief.
"Enough, I don't want to keep going on about this." The Princess waved a hand. "You must have seen the Song Dynasty's envoy by now, haven't you? Are you satisfied?"
At the Princess's words, Xiao Yan's cheeks immediately flushed red. Twisting the corner of her clothing between her fingers, she said softly, "I've only seen him once, from a distance."
"Enough, stop putting on an act in front of me," the Princess said. "Xiao'er is the Arrest Sage, after all. Are you still not satisfied?"
"Aunt, this is all so sudden. I haven't prepared myself at all. What do you expect me to say?" Xiao Yan said, pouting.
"What's so difficult about saying it? I told you about this years ago precisely so you could prepare yourself," the Princess said. "Although various circumstances over the years led Xiao'er's adoptive parents to move away from their original village, and we lost their trail for a time, haven't we found him now? The two of you were betrothed in the womb. Your Aunt Xiao and your father personally agreed to it."
"Aunt, I know," Xiao Yan said.
"Silly girl,