Chapter Ninety-Two: Children Playing House (Mass Update)

In truth, how could Liu Ling’er not know how to dance with a sword? With her master, she had practiced sword dancing every morning as a form of exercise. Yet restoring her inner strength was her trump card; at critical moments, it could prove invaluable. If she revealed it, it would no longer be a hidden advantage.

Thus, before Bai Li Xian, she had to keep up the act. Think about it—the so-called useless daughter of the General’s household, famed for her incompetence, suddenly displaying fine sword skills without anyone teaching her? How would people react?

When Bai Li Xian arranged for someone to instruct her in sword dancing, Liu Ling’er almost suspected he was just brushing her off. If he truly cared, he should be teaching her himself.

But Bai Li Xian acted swiftly. By midday, a servant reported that someone claiming to be sent by the prince to instruct the princess had come to see Liu Ling’er. Muttering to herself, Liu Ling’er resolved to see who this so-called expert was. If they didn’t suit her, she wouldn’t care who sent them—she’d send them right back.

Arriving at the front hall, Liu Ling’er saw a woman in white standing in the center, looking from afar like a tranquil, exquisite painting. Strangely, she felt a sense of familiarity.

As she drew near, Liu Ling’er nearly stumbled over the threshold—what a disaster! She actually knew this person, and had even once composed a ridiculous poem about her. This woman was none other than Bing Feng, the leading courtesan of Moon Phoenix Pavilion.

When Bing Feng saw Liu Ling’er, she immediately recalled their first meeting: Liu Ling’er, disguised as a man, had come to the pavilion, grabbed her hand, and recited a silly poem: “Sister is lovely, her curves are lively! I wish to touch, my heart is jumpy!”

Though the prince said Liu Ling’er was his princess, Bing Feng hadn’t expected her to be the ‘pretty boy’ she’d met at Moon Phoenix Pavilion. Her face twisted in a bitter smile; she couldn’t fathom how her master had ended up marrying this person. Perhaps fate enjoyed such ironies.

Liu Ling’er forced a laugh. “Hehe, so you’re the one Ah Xian invited to teach me sword dancing. First meeting—I’m Liu Ling’er. Privately, you may call me Ling’er.”

First meeting? That was rich. Since Liu Ling’er was pretending ignorance, Bing Feng would not expose her. After all, Bai Li Xian was her respected master; offending his wife and having him seek retribution would hardly be worthwhile.

Bing Feng snorted coldly. “That wouldn’t do. A princess should be addressed as such. Calling you by another name would break etiquette. If the prince calculated the consequences, I couldn’t bear them. I am Bing Feng.”

Quite a temper! Liu Ling’er didn’t blame Bing Feng; after all, it was her own foolish actions that left a poor impression. “Would you like some tea first, Miss Bing Feng?”

“No need. I am here to teach the princess sword dancing. Shall we begin, Your Highness?” Bing Feng shook her head, cutting directly to the point, clearly wishing to fulfill her duty as soon as possible.

Liu Ling’er led Bing Feng toward Bai Li Xian’s training hall—a spacious place, perfect for sword dancing.

Bing Feng was secretly amazed. She had been to Bai Li Xian’s training hall before, but it wasn’t a place just anyone could enter. Unless there was something very important to report, she would have been stopped at the door.

On their way, Liu Ling’er heard the gentle voice of a child ahead: “This big bowl is yours, this small one is mine. Everyone eats their own, no snatching mine!”

A few steps further, Liu Ling’er understood the situation—a little girl, Shuang Shuang, was squatting by the road playing house with her personal maid, Xiao Tao. Recalling how clingy Shuang Shuang could be, Liu Ling’er hesitated, wondering whether she should take another route.

Before she could decide, Xiao Tao, Shuang Shuang’s companion, spotted Liu Ling’er, quickly dropped the clay bowl in her hands, and stood up, hands clasped behind her back, calling out, “Miss, why are you here?”

Playing house with Shuang Shuang was embarrassing enough; being caught by her mistress made it even worse.

Shuang Shuang turned around, saw Liu Ling’er, and instantly dropped her clay bowl. She skipped over, grabbed the hem of Liu Ling’er’s skirt, and hugged her leg tightly. “Sister Ling’er, where have you been these days? You haven’t told Shuang Shuang any stories.”

Looking down at the dirty handprints on her skirt, Liu Ling’er felt a headache coming on. “Shuang Shuang, sister has been very busy lately. Today I have to practice sword with this lady. Why don’t you play with Sister Xiao Tao for now, and after I finish, I’ll come play with you, all right?”

In the end, Liu Ling’er was like the big bad wolf coaxing Little Red Riding Hood, making promises. But Shuang Shuang wouldn’t let go. “No! I want to stay with Sister Ling’er. You can’t abandon me.”

Listen to that—she made Liu Ling’er sound like a heartless villain. Liu Ling’er was utterly helpless. She squatted down, took out a handkerchief, and said, “All right, Shuang Shuang. Let me clean your hands first, then Sister Ling’er will hold your hand and walk with you.”

Shuang Shuang’s face lit up with joy, releasing her grip and stretching her hands toward Liu Ling’er, who gently wiped them clean.

Bing Feng watched from the side, observing Liu Ling’er’s every move. For some reason, her hostility toward Liu Ling’er diminished a little.