Chapter 20: Chapter 16: Really Want to Be Hit

After Shen Jingxian left, complex emotions flickered in Song Yan’s eyes.

In her previous life, she spent years in the inner chambers, acting as a dutiful wife, managing the household for her husband. Her impression of Shen Jingxian was that of a man-stealing vixen, who had nothing to offer besides her looks.

But now, it seemed that Shen Jingxian was much more challenging than she had imagined.

Perhaps she shouldn’t rely too much on memories from her past life, for after all, she had been raised in the cloistered inner chambers, viewing things inevitably from a limited perspective.

Shen Jingxian returned from the carriage with her small cushion and stress ball.

As she passed by Song Yan, a bad premonition struck her, and she instinctively wanted to distance herself to avoid any false accusations.

Unexpectedly, her movements didn’t keep up with her thoughts, and she stumbled over her own feet, landing flat on the ground.

The ball in her hand flew out.

Aware of what was happening, Shen Jingxian’s eyes locked onto the ball. To her surprise, the stress ball became even bouncier than before, bounced over a meter high from the ground, changed direction off a pillar, and finally aimed straight at Song Yan’s forehead!!

What a ball!!! Perfect accuracy… gods no!!

Shen Jingxian remembered from the story, the first time the Princess came to the Imperial College, she also had an altercation with Song Yan. Back then, the Princess hit Song Yan with a stone, and Song Yan quietly retaliated later, causing the Princess to be hit with poo.

This meant that even if their timing in entering the Imperial College differed from the original script, being at this setting could trigger the plot.

Shen Jingxian understood some quirks of this world; specific conflict details could change, but the outcome remained the same.

That is to say, as long as she bullied Song Yan and Song Yan retaliated, it would suffice.

Now, without a doubt, the ball represented the stone from the story. Accidentally hitting Song Yan with it was equivalent to the Princess hitting Song Yan with a stone in the text!

By this logic, Song Yan would retaliate! And she would get hit with poo!

How could this be? She did not want to be hit with poo!

Shen Jingxian thought of alternatives. If the stone could be replaced with a ball, perhaps the poo could be substituted with something else.

Thus, disregarding her pain and ignoring the “brothers” who gathered to help her up, Shen Jingxian stood up and approached Song Yan.

Her small frame exuded an unexpectedly formidable aura!

Song Yan assumed Shen Jingxian was looking for another excuse to trouble her, and she lowered her eyes to conceal her emotions.

She knew, Shen Jingxian disliked her and would seize any opportunity to bully…

“I’m sorry, Sister Song Yan, I didn’t mean to hit you. It must’ve hurt when the ball hit you. As compensation, you can hit me with the ball too!”

Song Yan: ?

Others: !

Mr. Zhao: Taking responsibility for one’s actions! Well done, Princess!

Wen Ranchen watched Shen Jingxian with a silent smile; in his eyes, Shen Jingxian was adorable no matter what she did.

Song Yan wasn’t sure if this was a trap set for her—would a trap be so obvious?

She definitely couldn’t hit the Princess; given her status and the current situation, injuring the Princess in any way would make her life difficult.

Although last time she was clearly the victim, the Princess had splashed ink on her writing and cried. Yet because the Princess cried because of her, she was punished and had to kneel for one whole night, unable to sleep.

She would never forget the look her half-sister gave her back then; it was as if she was responsible for her demise and that of her own child in a past life.

Shen Jingxian, whether in this life or the past, I have never wronged you. Why must you always oppose me?

Shen Jingxian saw that not only did Song Yan refrain from hitting her because of her words, but her aura also became even more dangerous. She could guess what Song Yan was thinking.

She must be delving into conspiracy theories.

Probably contemplating why the Princess would do such a thing, why she would harm her, and so on.

Shen Jingxian sighed, realizing softness wouldn’t work.

Sorry, Song Yan, but I really don’t want to be hit with poo.

Shen Jingxian no longer waited for Song Yan’s decision. She picked up the ball from the ground and placed it in Song Yan’s hand, her tone changing completely, “I don’t like owing others. Whether it’s what happened last time or this time, I didn’t do it intentionally. So you should hit me once too, and we’ll be even!”

Song Yan couldn’t decipher Shen Jingxian’s intentions, so she initially feigned, “Your Highness need not worry about it. Song Yan has thick skin, a hit does no harm. Yet it would not be good for you to get hurt…”

There was no way Shen Jingxian would be easily swayed, she shook her head vigorously, her voice adorable yet firm, “No! You must hit me today! Otherwise, I’ll get angry! If I get angry, my father and mother will get angry too, and the consequences will be severe!”

Shen Jingxian was making what she thought were threats, unaware that she emitted no malice, turning her words into mere childish tantrums.

Song Yan began to realize, perhaps Shen Jingxian truly meant what she said.

She simply wished to be hit with the ball once.

But Song Yan couldn’t take the risk.

“Your Highness, you are the Princess, you may hit Song Yan, but Song Yan absolutely cannot hit back.”

Song Yan spoke earnestly and sincerely. Shen Jingxian could understand her meaning, grasping her concerns and difficulties…

But what could she do!!! She really didn’t want to be hit with poo!!!

In the original text, it seemed to be a pile of cow dung, flying perfectly onto the protagonist’s face. The agony of it, Shen Jingxian didn’t even dare to imagine!

Yet Shen Jingxian considered, with her status, it was difficult for Song Yan to openly make a move against her, which would easily lead to gossip.

In other words, even if she didn’t hold a grudge, her father and mother would surely be distressed if they found out. Who knows what they would do in response.

Thus, Shen Jingxian retracted the ball from Song Yan’s hand and said earnestly, “I accidentally hurt you today and allow you to hurt me back. However, I won’t hold you accountable for any accidents that happen in the next three days, nor would I know which of them are because of you, this way you won’t have to worry about me troubling you!”

“Your Highness!” Mr. Zhao couldn’t help but interrupt, but Shen Jingxian merely shook her head at him.

Seeing this, Mr. Zhao thought of Shen Jingxian’s remarkable intelligence, suspecting there might be deeper meanings behind her actions, he didn’t intervene further.

The other children, seeing that Mr. Zhao had said nothing, dared not question it. They could only watch as the gentle and adorable Shen Jingxian exuded an overwhelming presence, amazed in their hearts.

Still… so adorable!

Song Yan’s eyes widened slightly in reaction. Did this Shen Jingxian know what she was really doing?

Expressing that nothing would be pursued for the next three days—if word of this got out, how many with ill intentions would take advantage of it, and what kind of pawn would the most doted-on Princess become?

Song Yan dared not think.

She didn’t believe that this young-looking Princess couldn’t have thought of this. Despite her mere four years of age, the intelligence she displayed had already raised Song Yan’s heightened awareness.

Song Yan’s perception of Shen Jingxian: assured, strategic, bordering on cunning, using innocence as a guise.

The reality of Shen Jingxian: Song Yan!!! I believe that you are kind, believe in your character!! Wouldn’t really let me fall into danger, right? Please stop me!

Song Yan pondered deeply. Gazing at Shen Jingxian’s delicate, innocent face, she ultimately chose to compromise, “Your Highness, Song Yan trusts you.”

Then, she took the ball from Shen Jingxian’s hand and threw it forcefully at Shen Jingxian’s little belly.

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