Reborn Daughter: The Young Lady Wants to Make a Trouble

Li Xueyue tried to ignore their clasped hands, but found her eyes drifting to them every few seconds. Finally, she spoke. "What are you doing here? Why are we holding hands?"

Yu Zhen studied her expression, and when he saw that she was fine, his shoulders relaxed a little. He let go of her hand, and in an instant, her eyes were filled with disappointment. Before he could react and grab her hand, she avoided it and pulled her hand closer to her chest.

Yu Zhen took off his gloves and handed them to the servant. He didn't waste a second and took her hand again, squeezing it gently. "Well, so what? What are you doing in the palace?" he asked, pulling her towards him, but she looked around nervously and pulled her hand back.

Yu Zhen understood her fear. He nodded to his men, and their formation changed until they formed a wide barrier around them, their backs facing the couple.

"Let's take a walk among the many gardens." Yu Zhen suggested, pulling her in one direction.

"You didn't answer my question," Li Xueyue whispered, her eyes resting on their clasped hands. She marveled at the warmth he provided her, and the sense of security she felt from his simple gesture. Maybe being guided by someone wasn't so bad after all.

"I was forced to live in the palace as a guest." Yu Zhen looked down at her with a happy smile on his face. "Now, it's your turn to answer."

"I came here because the emperor insisted on seeing me." Li Xueyue sighed and looked up at him. She immediately wished she hadn't done that. He had been looking at her intently, memorizing her features. All she saw was a reflection in his eyes. Suddenly, she thought of a saying: "The eyes are the windows to the soul."

"Why does he want to see you?" Yu Zhen asked as he reached out and pushed aside her baby hair. To his amusement, her baby hair bounced back into place, framing her face.

"Let me tell you about my marriage."

Yu Zhen stopped. It was not until Li Xueyue felt the pressure of their clasped hands that she realized he had fallen behind by two steps.

she asked, noticing the storm clouds that had settled over his features. His eyes were like a raging hurricane, filled with a variety of emotions, from indignation to frustration.

"What did he say?" Yu Zhen asked coldly, his voice not matching the anger in his eyes.

"Nothing, the topic was avoided." Li Xueyue didn't understand why she reacted like this. He acted as if she was already betrothed to another man.

Yu Zhen pursed his lips and walked forward again. This time, he got closer and closer to her until Xueyue's shoulder brushed his upper arm.

Li Xueyue wondered if he knew how tightly he held her hand, as if he was afraid that she would suddenly disappear. As if... he was afraid of losing her. She shook her head at this stupid thought. Why would he be afraid of such a thing? It wasn't like... She paused and decided not to think about this stupid thought anymore.

"How long will you stay in Wuyi?" She looked straight into his eyes and asked suddenly.

"How long do you want me to stay?"

forever.

Her lips opened, and the answer was clear on the tip of her tongue, but she knew that this would be an impossible dream. He was the second prince of Han Jian, and his position was with his family and country.

She suddenly realized that if she chose him, she would have to go with him, away from Wuyi, away from her revenge plan, away from the Li family, but far enough away that the emperor and queen would have no influence over her.

Li Xueyue stared at the ground nervously, unable to answer. She was selfish, but not to the extent of forcing him to stay.

“That’s up to you,” she said. “Not me.”

Yu Zhen didn't know what to tell her. With fate hanging over his head, he couldn't promise her something he couldn't prove. Finally, they reached the garden and he abandoned the guards at the entrance.

He led her deeper into the garden until flowers of all colors surrounded them, providing them with a pleasant scent and a layer of protection to prevent their eyes from wandering. The proud trees stood tall, adding more protection, but he knew that she would not be satisfied with this alone. So he led her to a secluded pavilion in the garden. It was not surprising that she was too concerned about the public's opinion of her.

One rumor can ruin a woman, a thousand rumors can ruin a man.

"If I go to Hanjian, will you go with me?" Yu Zhen asked patiently, giving her a choice that she couldn't decide.

Li Xueyue bit her lower lip, not noticing his eyes suddenly dropped. Although it was just a small movement, he immediately calmed down.

“Social norms expect me to do this.”

They sat down on stone benches in the pavilion. The domed ceiling shielded them from the sun while eliminating shadows. A pleasant breeze blew past them, carrying the scent of roses and lilies.

Yu Zhen sensed her hesitation and could do nothing but smile at her. He knew it was a difficult decision, but he wanted her to go with him. Her place was with him, not in Wuyi, where there were too many dangerous things that could catch her, especially that shameless Commander Wen.

Yu Zhen suddenly remembered something. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the topaz. Despite the lack of sunlight, the amber gem still sparkled.

"What is this?" she asked, looking at it curiously.

"I'll give me a volcanic opal, and you'll give me a golden topaz." Yu Zhen thoughtfully handed her the dazzling gem.

"But my eyes aren't that bright," she mused, holding the stone between her fingers.

Li Xueyue held it outside the pavilion, and the light shone straight in. Holding the topaz was like holding the sun. She had never seen such a lovely color, the melting gold blending into the warm sunlight that came through the window on a summer afternoon.

"My eyes aren't as beautiful as opals." Yuzhen chuckled, watching the stone reflected in her eyes, changing the hazel color to a glittering autumn leaf. He watched her turn the gem in her hand, curious about the different colors it took on.

Yu Zhen never thought that he would be so satisfied looking at her, but from the faint smile on her face to her narrowed eyes, he was satisfied. The gentle breeze gently swayed her hair and Hanfu, and the sun bathed her arms.

Li Xueyue was like a miniature of a vivid painting, but she was completely unaware of it. Thinking of this, he chuckled, and the sound easily attracted her attention.

She gave him a shy smile. "Sorry, it's so confusing."

"Now you know how I feel." His brows knitted together and he smiled as she was confused by his words.

“It would be a great pair of earrings that would flatter your face and bring out the beauty in your eyes,” he said.

"Or a ring," she whispered.

"what?"

"Nothing." Her smile widened as he narrowed his eyes in suspicion. He clearly didn't believe her.

She handed the gem back to him with a smile on her face. He grasped her finger instead of the gem.

"I'd rather have you," Yuzhen muttered, pulling her hand back, the gem in his palm. He reached out and took it, putting it back in his pocket. He would return it to her after forging it into something suitable for her.

"Who says we can't?" She teased him, not realizing that it irritated him in many ways.

Yu Zhen's eyes darkened, and in the blink of an eye, he was in front of her. She held back a gasp and tried to control her pounding heartbeat.

He cupped her face gently, careful not to put her in any harm's way. "I can do it if I want to," he whispered, bending too low for comfort.

Her eyes fluttered shut, her shoulders tensed, and she held her breath, anticipating his next move.

When he placed a chaste kiss on her forehead, light as a feather but leaving a heavy impression on her, Li Xueyue's heart leapt. Even after he left, she could still feel its weight. Her stomach churned and her heart roared in her ears.

"What's stopping you?"

"My respect for you."

Her eyes widened in surprise, but she gasped when she realized how close they were. He was kneeling at her level now, his face inches from hers. His lips curved into a tiny, lopsided smile as he brushed her hair out of her eyes.

She was lost in the abyss of his eyes, bright and fierce, yet dark and limitless. His smile, her favorite sight, his laugh, her favorite sound, and most of all, his eyes, her favorite art.

Li Xueyue didn't understand her strong feelings for him, and he didn't understand either.