"Zhang Ran".
The burly man lowered his arms, smiled, and then introduced the two men one by one.
“This is my younger sister, Zhang Zisheng.” The girl bowed and greeted her softly, “Princess.”
"He is my little brother, Zhang Jian." The stubborn boy lowered his head shyly, seemingly becoming bashful. His eyes looked down, not daring to look directly at the handsome and radiant Xiao Changge.
Xiao Changge's gaze swept over the three siblings one by one before she finally understood.
It turns out that the guests who came to the General's Mansion tonight were the children of the Heavenly Official.
While at the Prince's residence, Xiao Changge had overheard her brother discussing the Heavenly Official in private on several occasions, saying that he was sharp-tongued, arrogant, and utterly detestable. As a result, Xiao Changge learned that the Heavenly Official had four children.
Besides the two sons and one daughter who are here tonight, there should also be a second son named "Zhang Ye". Of these three sons and one daughter, Xiao Changge is most familiar with the name Zhang Ran.
The reason is that his elder brother, Jin Jianren, always mentions him. Both Zhang Ran and he are rising stars in the army and outstanding among them. They have made a name for themselves on the battlefield at a young age.
The eldest brother, Jin Jianren, was highly skilled in martial arts and had never lost to anyone in a fight since childhood. However, he was defeated by Zhang Ran in an all-army martial arts competition two years ago.
Xiao Changge remembered that her second brother had said that her eldest brother had lost face in that martial arts competition. He had lost to Zhang Ran in all aspects, including fist fighting, archery, and melee combat.
Especially in that final melee, both of them were skilled with knives, but Zhang Ran defeated his elder brother within ten moves.
"Girl! You didn't see it! You have no idea how powerful that strike was. I bet if Zhang Ran hadn't held back, that strike could have cleaved Big Brother's men in two! Big Brother always boasts, and now look what he's done! He's strutting off the stage in front of the whole army, he's lost face!"
These were the words of the second brother himself, which left a deep impression on Xiao Changge. This was not only because of the event itself, but also because the second brother was particularly happy that day, and he was secretly happy almost all day long.
After all, the eldest brother had always looked down on the second brother, who was often indignant about this. However, Xiao Changge didn't think that the second brother was exaggerating, since the eldest brother had been depressed for a long time after that martial arts competition.
Now, Xiao Changge knows why her second brother was unwilling to compete with her.
At this moment, Zhang Ran suddenly laughed and said, "I've heard that the princess is also skilled in martial arts. Is that true?"
Before Xiao Changge could speak, Jin Jiande interjected, "Yes, she's not only good at fists and kicks, but also at swords and spears."
"The martial arts instructors in the manor all say she has good physique and is a good candidate for martial arts, but what use is martial arts for a girl? Will she learn martial arts to teach her future husband how to fight?"
The somewhat tense atmosphere was lightened by Jin Jiande's words, and everyone chuckled.
Only Xiao Changge blushed and kicked Jin Jiande hard in the foot. Jin Jiande cried out and squatted down. Xiao Changge was furious.
"Don't talk nonsense, and don't laugh!"
The laughter gradually subsided, but Xiao Changge noticed that General Huwei's son still had a grinning expression. She frowned and called out to him:
"you!"
"Come and fight me!"
"Let's settle this with fists and feet!" Little Changge imitated what the martial arts masters in the manor always said when they had a dispute.
This lifelike imitation made Jin Jiande, who was squatting on the ground, no longer feel the pain in his legs. He smiled and said, "I think it's good."
"Kid, come on. If you can't even beat my sister, then I won't blame you for saying you two are just amateurs."
Qin Ze crossed his arms but shook his head and said, "I'm not interested in that."
"Oh, scared now." Jin Jiande laughed loudly, and Zhang Ran followed up, "Qin Ze, show us your true skills. You were holding back in that fight just now, don't think I didn't know."
Zhang Zisheng smiled at Qin Ze, her eyes crinkling at the corners, and said, "If you win, I'll give you candy." Then she looked down at her younger brother beside her and said with a smile, "I'll give you one too."
“The princess has one too.” She then looked at Xiao Changge.
Qin Ze curled his lips, looking completely unconcerned: "Why are you all making such a fuss? If I lose, you'll laugh for the rest of your lives. If I win, the little princess will definitely hold a grudge against me. It's not worth it."
"I don't want her to have her eye on me."
"Nonsense! I don't hold grudges. If anyone makes me angry, I'll beat them up right now! Besides, you might not even be able to beat me, yet you're spouting such big talk. I think you're just saying this because you lack confidence." Xiao Changge wasn't initially unhappy, but Qin Ze's nonchalant attitude suddenly annoyed her.
She hated it when people didn't take her seriously, so she was determined to fight tonight. She rolled up her sleeves, walked to the grass, and waved to Qin Ze.
"Come!"
Even so, Qin Ze did not move. Instead, he yawned and said he was tired, making excuses and saying he would do it another day.
But when will that be?
Xiao Changge knew that it was already difficult enough for her brother to secretly bring her to the Qin residence tonight, since her father never allowed her to go out without permission, let alone come to the Qin residence.
Therefore, she must do everything she wants to do tonight.
"How can you have no manly spirit at all! Get over here right now!" Xiao Changge urged stubbornly, her face displeased, finally revealing her willful and spoiled princess nature.
No sooner had he finished speaking than a timid voice suddenly rang out.
"I have manly qualities, let me have a contest."
Following the sound, Xiao Changge saw that the speaker was Zhang Jian, the boy who had just been fighting hard with his brother with a defiant look on his face. But now he was like a little lamb, his tone of voice softened, and when she turned her gaze to him, his eyes became evasive.
Xiao Changge initially wanted to refuse outright, but then thought that doing so would embarrass him, so she raised her head and said:
"That's fine, let's have a match first."
As she spoke, she looked at Qin Ze, frowned, and glared at him, saying, "It'll be good to show you what I'm capable of."
"After I finish fighting him, you have to come and fight me!"
Qin Ze remained silent, only looking at Zhang Jian with a half-smile, which made Xiao Changge even angrier: "Kid, did you hear me!"
He then slowly said, "Alright, alright."
Xiao Changge huffed angrily, turned to look at Zhang Jian who was walking towards her, straightened her face, and said in a deep voice, "Let me give you a heads-up."
"Don't hold back just because I'm a princess. You've already fought two matches, so you must be weaker now. If you still hold back, you'll definitely lose to me."
The boy assumed a fighting stance, but his gaze was somewhat unfocused. Upon hearing this, he muttered, "Yes, I will use all my strength."
"Princess, you must be careful, after all, fists and feet have no eyes."
As soon as she finished speaking, Xiao Changge grinned, her dimples shimmering like rosy clouds, her bright eyes sparkling with charm, like a nightingale flitting among branches, its song echoing as she moved:
"Take this!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
