Whether it's obvious or not is no longer important; what matters is...

Shang Changge: "General Xiao, did you come back to find me because you have something to tell me?"

Xiao Ji: "No."

This answer was a bit illogical, and Shang Changge didn't understand, so she asked:

"The reason why the general turned back was...?"

The storyteller's expressive and melodious voice, resonating throughout the teahouse's main hall, clearly carried to the private rooms on the second floor.

Xiao Ji stared intently at Shang Changge, seemingly pondering whether or not to say what he should say, before finally speaking:

"Having wanted to see the princess, I returned to see her."

Shang Changge: ?

Good grief, what is this? A confession? Love just appears out of nowhere?

Qingyao was the first to react, and in her anger she briefly lost her temper, forgetting that the person in front of her was a god of death. She drew her sword and pointed it directly at Xiao Ji, shouting:

"lecher!"

The guard at the gate first learned that the girl he had never met before was a princess, and then he heard his own general's lewd words that could kill at any moment:

...

Well, as a professionally trained subordinate, shouldn't he rush in to protect the general now?

But that's someone close to the princess; it seems he can't really do anything to her.

So what should he do now? The threat of death outside the door is both difficult and perplexing.

Behind the door, the sharp edge of a sword was inches away.

Xiao Ji remained unmoved, still looking at Shang Changge as if waiting for a reply.

Shang Changge was confused and bewildered, and asked Qingyao to move the sword away.

The tense atmosphere eased, and Shang Changge paused before asking a question uncertainly:

"General Xiao...does he love me?"

No way! Whether it was the last banquet or everything that happened tonight,

She was only trying to win him over, and also had a mischievous sense of humor in teasing this cold-hearted general.

He's already fallen for her? When did she become so charming?

That shouldn't be happening!

Although she is flawless in both beauty and character,

But this man is a great general, what kind of beauty hasn't he seen?

She'd only met him twice, and he already liked her? ...Love at first sight?

No way, this is so melodramatic and fantastical, she doesn't believe it! How terrifying.

Xiao Ji: "No."

The woman's expressions were so varied and undisguised that Xiao Ji's eyes flashed with amusement once again.

"I just don't know why I want to see the princess, that's all."

Shang Changge breathed a sigh of relief, but then became alert again, his face serious and earnest as he earnestly advised:

"Then General Xiao should be careful. Wanting to see someone for no reason is often the beginning of falling in love."

"Let me make this clear first: loving me will only lead nowhere. I know I'm incredibly charming, but General Xiao, please don't become infatuated."

I might occasionally get playful and think of teasing you, General, but I won't take responsibility for it.

Of course, this playful attitude only applies when Xiao Ji has no wives or concubines who are interested in him.

Although she wasn't a good person, she still had principles.

Xiao Ji watched the woman speaking with such enthusiasm and seriousness, suppressing a barely perceptible unease that surfaced in his heart.

His right hand knuckles habitually tapped the table, and he got straight to the point:

"Forgive my boldness, but what was the reason the princess spoke up for me and my soldiers at the banquet some time ago?"

An expression of disbelief appeared on Shang Changge's beautiful face. Without even thinking:

"I'm trying to win you over, General Xiao. Can't you see that? I thought my intentions were quite clear."

Why not be more tactful?

Don't ask, the answer is that sincerity is always the ultimate weapon.

Xiao Ji: ...

Xiao Ji admitted that he was touched by Shang Changge's sincerity.

He had considered that the princess would think carefully before answering him, or perhaps just make up some excuse to brush him off.

Or perhaps they would avoid answering altogether, but no one expected the princess to be so honest and even candid.