"Oh, my brother, hurry, hurry, give me that jade pendant with the carved dragon and phoenix pattern!"
Su Mianmian was getting worked up. Vulgar, trivial trinkets? Please, this was millennium-old spiritual jade. She wouldn’t mind if someone threw such "trivial" items at her face—she’d take as many as they wanted to throw.
Fearing she might scratch herself, Imperial Concubine Chun quickly took the small box and held it out to her. "Many thanks, Third Prince. It seems Mianmian really likes your gift."
"Su Mianmian..." The Third Prince softly repeated her name. It was truly... pleasant to hear!
Su Mianmian quickly placed her hands on the jade pendant. Imperial Concubine Chun pretended to suddenly realize something. "So, Su Mianmian likes this, does she? Shall Mother hang it on you?"
*Mother, you are my heart, my liver, and my kidneys!*
The jade pendant nearly slipped from Imperial Concubine Chun's hands, and two beads of awkward sweat broke out on her forehead. My precious baby, if you don't know how to give compliments, you don't have to force it; it’s a bit hair-raising to hear.
The Third Prince managed to compose his expression only after a long struggle. "Little Imperial Sister, I searched the treasury for a long time, and since this one looked the most beautiful, I brought it for you."
*Thank you, Third Brother, you have such great taste!*
Su Mianmian hugged the pendant tight, refusing to let go, her eyes narrowing with delight.
Noticing she had stopped speaking, the Third Prince felt a bit anxious. If this little girl didn't speak up, how was he supposed to know his own fate? He thought for a moment, a flash of wit appearing in his eyes. Feigning a casual tone, he began to tell Imperial Concubine Chun about how he had nearly hit someone with his carriage yesterday.
"Oh?" Imperial Concubine Chun gasped. "Was anyone hurt?"
"The coachman was experienced and stopped in time," the Third Prince quickly assured her.
"That's a relief," Imperial Concubine Chun sighed, then listened as he continued.
"But a young woman rushed out and cursed at my carriage, claiming it was all my fault and demanding an apology."
*Here it comes, here it comes! Third Brother, that love-addled brain of yours is about to trigger the plot!*
With a trembling, excited hand, Su Mianmian cast the jade pendant aside. *Tell me, Third Brother, did you fall for her at first sight and decide to begin a life as her pathetic, groveling lapdog?*
*What kind of dog?* Imperial Concubine Chun didn't quite understand, but she continued the conversation anyway. "Why would they blame you for that?"
"If she was startled, you could just give her some money as compensation."
The Third Prince said, looking indignant, "I did! But then they started cursing me, saying I was insulting them!"
Well, this! Su Mianmian thought: that’s hard to judge!
*Even though I don't get it, isn't this exactly the kind of girl you like best, Third Brother?*
Imperial Concubine Chun cast a subtle, strange look at the Third Prince. "And so, Third Prince, how did you handle it in the end?"
"I just shouted for the coachman to drive off. I was afraid she was trying to extort money from me," the Third Prince said, his heart still racing at the memory.
...
*Why aren't you following the script?* Su Mianmian was shocked. This was the original plot beat; there was nothing wrong with the narrative. Why was his reaction different?
Seeing the expressions shifting across her little face, the Third Prince couldn't help but smile proudly. Now that he knew that woman would be his ruin, of course he would steer clear of her. He wasn't stupid.
Although Su Mianmian didn't understand, this was actually quite good for her Third Brother.
*Third Brother, you’ve actually been clever for once.*
*That girl is a transmigrator; she’s the heroine of this world. The heroine is meant for the hero, and for a cannon-fodder lapdog like you to try and muscle in is very dangerous.*
*If you can keep this up, maybe I can actually save you.*
But if he continued to be a sycophant, constantly fawning over the heroine, then even if the King of Heaven himself came down, he’d surely have a headache.
The Third Prince understood. His little sister wanted to save him; as long as he stayed away from that heroine, his little sister would protect him. I want that protection! His eyes instantly became brighter than the most loyal puppy's. *Don't you worry, Little Imperial Sister, I will absolutely not be attracted to that woman or act like any kind of "dog."*
Watching him stare at her, Su Mianmian flashed a gummy smile back at him.
*My silly Third Brother, just remember to stay far away from Consort Shu. Be careful or you'll be swindled until you’re left with nothing but your underwear.*"With your lack of guile, how do you expect to play this game?"
"Consort Shu?"
Third Prince felt a moment of conflict. He had been sickly as a child, and it was thanks to Consort Shu’s care that he had survived. Why would the Little Princess say that she would harm him?
As if to answer his doubts, Su Mianmian continued her prattle:
[You really owe her a debt of gratitude for taking care of you when you were little.]
[If it weren’t for her, you probably would have been sick a lot less often.]
[I’d bet that by the time you meet the King of Hell, even he’ll take one look at you and say, 'You look awfully familiar, kid.']
What?
Imperial Concubine Chun could no longer sit still, her hand tightening around her handkerchief. So, the Third Prince’s frailty was actually the work of Consort Shu? She had truly believed that Consort Shu was genuinely caring for the child. But Consort Shu had no biological son of her own; why would she treat the Third Prince this way?
[It just goes to show, if it isn't your own flesh and blood, you don't really care. She always assumed she would have a son of her own eventually, so she treated Third Brother with complete indifference.]
Su Mianmian held such people in utter contempt.
[If it weren't for the fact that Third Brother has grown up and is no longer so easy to fool, she wouldn't even be bothering to put on this act of a gentle mother.]Thinking of this, she looked up at her Third Brother with a bit more sympathy. (Don't be sad, little sister will protect you from now on.)
The Third Prince felt rather touched. Thank you, little sister, boo-hoo-hoo.
"Imperial Concubine Chun, may I hold my little sister?"
He raised his eyes, his eye rims damp, looking like an obedient little puppy.
No one can refuse a puppy.
Not even Imperial Concubine Chun.
She hesitated for a moment, but still agreed.
"Be careful, Third Prince. Little babies are very soft, and you mustn't use too much force."
The Third Prince wore a solemn expression, memorizing the essentials of holding a baby more seriously than he did in class.
Just as he was about to reach out toward Su Mianmian, a bright yellow figure snatched Su Mianmian up ahead of him.
The Emperor turned sideways, shoving the Third Prince aside. "Let Us hold her instead."
A wave of warmth washed over the Third Prince's heart.
He had been sickly in his childhood, and His Majesty had never been willing to let him waste his physical strength.He was surely afraid of tiring him out.
"You’re so scrawny, you don't even have two taels of meat on your bones. You'll end up bruising the Little Princess."
Third Prince: "..."
Would you like to listen to what you’re actually saying?
But then he thought about it—the Emperor doted on the Little Princess, so it didn't matter.
Su Mianmian: [It’s not that bad, actually. My Third Brother has a pretty good build. If only he weren't my brother...]
What?
Third Brother!
The Emperor was shocked, the Emperor was wounded, and the Emperor was jealous.
You’ve never once called me "Father," calling me a "tyrant" at every turn, yet you call this brat "Third Brother."
The Emperor looked at the Third Prince now, finding fault with everything from his nose to his eyes.
The Third Prince felt a sudden, inexplicable chill run down his back.
Did the temperature drop?
"Third son, how are your studies coming along?" the Emperor’s voice drifted over lazily.
The Third Prince replied obediently, "I have nearly finished reviewing them."
"Then go review them a few more times."
The Emperor shot him a glance. The Third Prince was startled by the expression on his face and hurriedly nodded, scurrying away in a panic.
Imperial Concubine Chun stood to the side, unsure of how to intervene, and could only say, "The Third Prince is very fond of the Little Princess, so he came specially to bring her some gifts."
Hmph, sugar-coated bullets!
The Emperor’s teeth itched. He glared at Su Mianmian: *Are you really bought off by these petty little favors? I’ve given you so many gifts, why won't you call me "Father"?*
[This tyrant, is there something wrong with his eyes? Why does he keep staring at me?]
Su Mianmian rolled her eyes slightly and reached the conclusion that the tyrant was having another episode.
The Emperor stood up, scooped her into his arms, and walked out. "I am taking the Little Princess with me to review the memorials."
Imperial Concubine Chun reached out, wanting to stop him, but he had already vanished from sight.
Imperial Concubine Chun: I give up. Why is he in such a rush?!