After the system set its sights on the dragon throne, the princess started courting death every day.

It must be admitted that Xiang Xin's some abnormal actions in the previous game really frightened Xiang An.

Xiang An had countless thoughts of killing Xiang Xin to end it all, but in the end, he was dissuaded by the various consequences he would have to face if he had to kill him.

In fact, Xiang An had been avoiding Xiang Xin for the past year in order to avoid actually killing him out of fear.

If she couldn't overcome her fear, she would eliminate the person who caused it; she knew all too well what kind of person she was.

But this person, as if he were fearless, would send gifts to his door from time to time.

Suddenly, the music on the high platform became intense, eliciting cheers from the young masters and ladies watching the dance below.

Xiang An looked up and saw that the dancer on the stage had suddenly leaped onto the high plum blossom stakes, and the lion dancers on the stakes were jumping around following the wooden stakes that the dancer stepped on.

The two figures, one in front and one behind, seem to be chasing after the lion dancer, drawn by her graceful movements.

Outside the plum blossom stakes, five drums stand tall in a circle. The dancers, while being chased by the lion dance, use their feet as drumsticks to strike the drumheads one by one. Their snow-white ankles and insteps, tied with red ropes, appear particularly white under the lights.

Xiang An didn't understand what kind of dance this was, nor did she know what kind of touching story was behind it, but judging from the current situation of them chasing each other, she thought to herself, "A real-life version of a lion chasing a beauty."

That's what I thought, but I have to admit that with the dancers and lion dancers working in perfect harmony, and the music and drums playing in sync, I was already quite engrossed in the dance, and I was deeply worried that the dancers might not be able to escape the lion's jaws.

A woman who was equally captivated by the dance murmured in praise: "This dance is truly innovative; no wonder she is a dancer from the palace."

“Originality? You’re right to praise it. This dance was created with lives on its hands. If it weren’t original, who knows how many more people would have died.” Someone chimed in, their tone tinged with schadenfreude.

"Don't scare me, no one can die from dancing."

"It seems you don't know this, but His Majesty initially used a real tiger for this dance, since there happened to be two tigers in the palace's animal park. But as soon as the dancer stepped onto the stage, the tiger pounced on her and killed her. Several imperial guards tried to restrain the tiger, but it killed them as well. It was absolutely terrifying!"

"and then?"

"And then? What does it matter if people die, especially lowly dancers, if His Majesty wants to see this? Of course, they should continue practicing!" The woman said, her voice suddenly dropping. "It is said that twelve dancers and three imperial guards died in the palace because of this dance."

"My God!" The person who heard it couldn't help but cover their mouth and exclaim in surprise, then kindly reminded, "Then why did you say that? Be careful..." His eyes flickered over the emperor who was sitting above watching the dance.

"What's there to be afraid of? It's not like I'm the only one saying it; plenty of other people are too."

"Ignore her, continue. Why is it a lion dance troupe instead of a tiger now?"

"On that day, the Crown Prince happened to be entering the palace to pay his respects, and he suggested that we go up on the plum blossom stakes to watch the beauties dance in the air, which would add to the artistic atmosphere. His Majesty agreed. Later, fewer people were bitten to death, but more people were chased by tigers and, in their panic, fell off the plum blossom stakes and died."

The woman said mysteriously, "The lion dance troupe on stage is said to have been created by Princess Miankang when she flew a kite in the palace. I don't know how she came up with this idea. I've never heard of any lion dance in the capital. Anyway, because Princess Miankang's idea was novel, the real tiger has been replaced by a human performer."

Some people sighed, "His Majesty truly dotes on Princess Miankang, and Princess Miankang is genuinely kind."

Xiang An thought to himself: What kind of kindness is this?

A few days ago, she pretended to fly a kite, but actually went to the palace to inquire about the details of Ogiwara Ao's trip to the capital. She just happened to run into him on the way.

That day, as she entered the garden with her kite, she saw Changfu instructing several eunuchs to drag a corpse out, a bloody scene that immediately struck her eyes.

After stopping Changfu, and learning that a tiger in the zoo had killed someone during a performance, she was shocked but couldn't help feeling sorry for the tragic death. So she secretly gave Changfu an idea.

When she spoke of it, she didn't expect it to be adopted, nor did she know that the matter of the dance had already been taken over by Xiang Xin, and she didn't know why the emperor and Xiang Xin agreed to the change.

Unexpectedly, a few unintentional words saved a life.

"Princess." Xiao Ru came over with a plate of plum blossom cakes and whispered in my ear, "Princess, these cakes were taken separately from the Imperial Kitchen. I've secretly washed the plate several times, and I've replaced the original cakes. I brought them from the Princess's residence on my own. Please eat a little something, Your Highness. How can you possibly eat more than what you had this afternoon?"

Xiang An asked in surprise, "You—" Did you see that I wasn't actually eating anything?

Xiao Ru gently shook her head, stopping Xiang An from saying anything more. She picked up a piece of plum blossom cake and held it to Xiang An's lips, saying gently, "Princess, you don't need to tell me. No matter what you do, I will always be loyal to you."

"Oh?" Xiang An took a small bite as she did so. "You'd be willing to let me commit murder and arson?"

“I don’t want to,” Xiao Ru said with her smile unchanged. “This servant wants to strike before the princess.”

These words sounded strangely familiar. Xiang An paused in her chewing of pastries and smiled. The first time she wanted to make Spring Breeze Smile, didn't Xiao Ru eagerly want to do it?

Xiang An couldn't help but chuckle: "Xiao Ru, I finally understand why I made you serve me."

"Princess, please speak."

"Because we're both ruthless enough."

"Pah, pah, pah! The princess is kind-hearted; it is this servant who is ruthless."

After saying that, she immediately reached out and covered Xiang An's mouth, not allowing him to say any more outrageous things.

Despite the blatant disrespect shown to him, Xiang An remained unperturbed and simply chuckled to himself.

After covering her mouth for a while, Xiao Ru realized that people were watching, so she reluctantly let go. Xiang An's muffled laughter turned into loud laughter, attracting many people's attention. Her face turned red, and she hurriedly stuffed the remaining pastries into Xiang An's hands, saying, "Princess, eat your pastries, stop laughing."

“Alright,” Xiang An quickly finished his pastries, then glanced at Fu Qingbai, who was kneeling before the emperor, and whispered, “Go and quietly ask Fu Qingbai why he knelt down.”

“No,” Xiao Ru protested, her voice trembling as she explained, “His Majesty knows that Fu Qingbai doesn’t like the princess, and he even had the princess spread rumors about him.”

Xiang An was enlightened and exclaimed, "It was my oversight!"

“Princess, you need not think too much. I am merely an observer. If Diao Xi were kneeling like this, I would be restless and unable to sit still.” Xiao Ru picked up another piece of plum blossom cake.

“I know. However, my relationship with Fu Qingbai is not the same as yours with Diao Xi.” Xiang An took a bite of pastry, then hesitated before speaking. “I will tell you the details when I get back. To make a long story short, I just forgot that I am the ‘protagonist’ tonight.”

The death of a princess tonight is already big news, but to add the death of a general, especially one who has just returned from a victory, would truly ruin the emperor's reputation tonight.

"Greetings, Princess Miankang." Two clear voices rang out in unison.

Xiang An put down the jade chopsticks in her hand: "Why are you here?"