The cruel little princess

Early in the morning, the sky was still a bit gloomy, as if shrouded in a thin veil. However, Shen Youyou had already risen and had begun a new day of training with vigor and energy. She was still dressed in her sharp, drawstring-fitting outfit, looking exceptionally dashing. Her hair was casually pulled into a bun, revealing her fair neck. Her bare face radiated youthful vitality and a healthy glow.

Today's training was still tough, but Shen Youyou felt neither tired nor bored. With heavy three-kilogram sandbags strapped to each leg, she ran lightly across the training ground. One lap, two laps... until the tenth lap, her stride remained firm and powerful, without a single slack. After finishing her run, she immediately settled into a horse stance, her body remaining straight and erect, like a tall, upright pine tree.

After these warm-up exercises, Shen Youyou stood quietly by, intently observing the soldiers' drills. Her eyes were sharp and observant, not missing a single detail. Over time, she gradually grasped the subtleties of the practice. It turned out that martial arts here emphasized not only individual strength but also teamwork and precise strikes against the enemy.

As she watched, her hands moved involuntarily, as if trying to imitate the warriors' movements. Each swing was filled with power, as if it could rend the air. She was completely absorbed in this wonderful atmosphere, savoring the joy of learning.

An Er watched his own prince staring intently at Miss Shen across the training ground, thinking to himself, this family would be broken up without me! I have to remind the prince! He stepped forward and came to his own prince, "Prince, Miss Shen seems to like learning martial arts!"

Prince Jin nodded slightly in agreement, then continued, "Indeed, I've noticed she's been running before, lap after lap, doing horse stance afterward, and even going out of her way to watch me practice swordplay." At this point, he couldn't help but chuckle. "Now I see her running again, still with sandbags tied to her legs. Is she trying to practice Qinggong?" Prince Jin frowned slightly, musing doubtfully. "But Qinggong isn't practiced that way! If she keeps practicing like this, it'll probably take ages to show any results," he commented objectively. "I began training with the foremost martial artist at the age of three, continuing until I was eight, when I gradually grasped the inner cultivation techniques. By the time I was twelve, I could learn ten moves from my master; by fifteen, I could exchange over a hundred moves with him; and only last year, when I turned eighteen, was I able to defeat him. Since then, I've sparred with masters from all corners of the martial arts world, never once losing. The hardships involved are self-evident. Furthermore, she's only just begun training, and while she's a bit old, her bones are already formed, making it difficult for her to withstand the pain of a fracture. Since I alone am capable of protecting her, it doesn't matter whether she learns this martial art or not."

An Er secretly shook his head, it's me who's been worrying about this family...

"Your Highness, no matter whether Miss Shen can learn it now or not, she wants to learn it now. Shouldn't Your Highness follow her wishes and let her learn it or even take her to learn it? Your Highness, think about it, if Miss Shen follows you to learn martial arts, wouldn't you teach her more attentively?" An Er said in a gentle and persuasive manner, hoping to enlighten his prince.

However, His Royal Highness Prince Jin did not seem to understand An Er's intention. He frowned and thought about An Er's words.

Seeing that His Royal Highness Prince Jin hadn't reacted yet, An Er thought to himself: It seems that it is impossible for His Royal Highness to understand it on his own. I still have to rely on this clever little guy to give His Royal Highness some pointers! So, he continued, "Your Highness, think about it, what would happen if Miss Shen learned martial arts from General Shen?"

When His Royal Highness Prince Jin heard this, a picture emerged in his mind - Shen Youyou standing next to Shen Zijin, imitating his rough movements and postures. He couldn't help but shake his head, muttering to himself: How can Shen Zijin, such a reckless person, teach Youyou well?

At this moment, His Royal Highness Prince Jin suddenly realized that if other soldiers in the army were to teach Shen Youyou martial arts, they might guide her step by step, or even use their hands to correct her movements or postures... Thinking of this, his eyes instantly turned cold, and a chill emanated from him.

He clenched his fists tightly and swore in his heart: I absolutely cannot let this happen! If anyone dares to touch Youyou, he will tear them into pieces!

His Royal Highness Prince Jin raised his head, looked at An Er with a determined gaze, and said solemnly: "I will never let anyone get close to Youyou!"

An Er sighed helplessly, thinking: "Alas, the prince is too stupid!" However, since the prince was so determined, he could only continue to advise the prince. After all, for the prince, Shen Youyou's safety was the most important thing.

"Then what do you think I should do?" His Royal Highness Prince Jin asked An Er quietly.

"That's easy, Your Highness. Just wait and see how I perform!" An Er patted his chest and assured His Royal Highness Prince Jin with a solemn promise.

After saying that, he was seen flashing, and in a few takeoffs and landings he was already above the training ground.

At this time in the training ground, the soldiers were conducting training in an intense and orderly manner, and no one noticed the changes in the sky.

An Er lightly tapped his toes and landed steadily on a soldier's shoulder like a light bird. His movements were light and agile, without alerting anyone.

Then, An Er jumped up again, tapped his toes on the shoulder of another soldier, and quickly crossed the entire training ground like a dragonfly skimming the water.

Finally, he landed steadily in front of Shen Youyou like a soaring roc.

Shen Youyou had been concentrating on the training at the training grounds. Seeing An Er's display, even though it was a bit of a show-off, she was still impressed by his skill. She couldn't help but stare wide-eyed, her mouth agape with amazement.

"Wow, that's amazing!" Shen Youyou couldn't help but exclaimed.

An Er looked very proud and was very satisfied with Shen Youyou's praise.

An Er smiled and said, "Miss Shen, you are too kind! Compared with my prince, my little ability is nothing. My prince once studied under the most powerful master in the palace and graduated last year. Even his master was defeated by my prince! Later, my prince went everywhere to find famous figures in the martial arts world. He fought with them and defeated all of them! If you say that my prince is the most powerful master in the Golden Dragon Kingdom, then he is truly worthy of the title!"

At this point, An Er became increasingly excited, praising his own prince non-stop, "Especially the prince's swordsmanship, it's superb! There are so many young masters from noble families in our capital, and they all say that the prince is the real..." He also gave Shen Youyou a thumbs up, "The prince is undoubtedly the number one young master in the capital!"

Shen Youyou silently glanced at An Er, "Your prince is indeed powerful! And then?"

An Er... No, why aren't you playing by the rules?! I've been praising my prince to the skies, just so you can naturally ask to learn a few moves from him! But why aren't you getting the message? Why aren't you asking?

An Er changed his strategy again. "How many young ladies from noble families in the capital have asked our prince to teach them some sword techniques, but they all have other intentions."

Shen Youyou thought to herself, is this a hint for me to stop thinking about things that are not suitable for each other? "Oh, I see. Don't worry, I won't have any other intentions towards your prince."

An Er... I'm going to die, I'm really going to die right here and now!

An Er didn't beat around the bush and said directly, "Miss Shen, my prince has seen that you have amazing bones and a spirit that can break through your head. You must be a martial arts genius. If you can get guidance from my prince, you will definitely become a peerless master in the future!"

Hearing this, Shen Youyou finally couldn't help but burst out laughing.

An Er was baffled by the laughter.

Shen Youyou looked at him and said with a smile: "Sorry, I really couldn't help laughing...haha..."

Her laughter was clear and sweet, like a silver bell. In the morning sunlight, her face looked even more crystal clear, emitting a dazzling light.

"Why didn't you just say it earlier? Why did you have to beat around the bush?" Shen Youyou smiled for a moment before she faltered. "Your Highness wants to teach me martial arts?"

An Er: "You can say that!"

Shen Youyou asked again, "Why?" She suddenly thought of the tribute rice from last time, "Is your prince always so kind to others?"

An Er? ...The Prince? To whom? Doesn't the Prince only smile when he's facing Miss Shen? ...

An Er: "We, as servants, dare not interfere in the master's affairs. Please ask the prince directly about these matters, Miss Shen! I believe the prince will give you a satisfactory answer."