Reborn Daughter: The Young Lady Wants to Make a Trouble

Li Xueyue didn’t know how long she sat on that bed, mesmerized by his rejection and heartbroken. The pain was too much to bear. It felt as if the whole world was against her and she could never feel happy again. Her chest hurt, her eyes hurt, everything hurt.

The longer she stayed there, the sadder she became. She climbed out of bed and went to the door of the tent. She observed that the entire tent was made of heavy cloth and supported by wooden poles. It was very sturdy and reminded her of the tent at the spring tournament, only this one was much larger.

Li Xueyue walked out of the tent and prepared to go home. The playground outside was bustling with activity. The sun had already set and night was falling quickly. Soldiers were huddled around the fire, some cooking, others talking and laughing. The festive atmosphere was lively, and the air was filled with the hum of music.

In the far corner, there was a group of men being disciplined. From their familiar faces, she knew they were the soldiers who had kidnapped her here. Half of them were practicing, while the other was being forced to train until they collapsed.

"Princess Li." A voice came from beside her.

Li Xueyue turned around. What greeted her was the familiar smile of Hu Dengxiao, who looked like a big puppy, very much like Wenmin.

"How can I help you?" he asked.

Li Xueyue realized that they were receiving unwanted attention. Several soldiers were staring at her now. It must be because of her messy appearance that she looked like a bird's nest. Or rather, she walked out of the commander's tent - a strange woman.

"I'm here to see Yu Zhen."

Hu Dengxiao's expression softened a little. "Princess Li is not available now."

"He stole my things." Li Xueyue said expressionlessly.

"Imperial order?"

Li Xueyue blinked in surprise. "Yeah, how did you know?"

"That's why he's immobilizing the army."

"I do not understand…?"

"You won't unless the commander tells you what he did," Hu Dengxiao said.

"What did he do?"

Hu Dengxiao smiled apologetically. "This is his private matter. Princess Li, you have to ask him in person."

"I can't do that because you said he was busy."

Hu Dengxiao nodded slowly. He didn't expect her to be so bold and so confident. Although he has a happy-go-lucky personality, there are not many women like her who have the courage to speak out.

Hu Dengxiao wondered if she really grew up in a terrible past. "Princess Li, you must be hungry. I'll bring you some food. Although it's not as rich as what you eat at home, it's also delicious."

"Can you lend me a horse?" Li Xueyue asked.

"what for?"

"I want to go home."

"You can't!" Hu Dengxiao blurted out.

Li Xueyue was startled by his unexpected shout.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to raise my voice."

"Why can't I leave?" she asked. "Your people kidnapped me from my father's territory."

"I know." Hu Dengxiao winced. "We didn't mean to be so rough. My men thought you were an illegal trespasser. They didn't know you were the commander's woman."

"I'm not his woman," she said.

"But where else could his pendant be?" Hu Dengxiao frowned slightly. "I noticed it was missing. He couldn't have lost it."

Li Xueyue twisted her fingers. "It's okay."

Hu Dengxiao scratched his head. "You know, it's easy to catch them."

"Catch who?"

"It doesn't matter." Hu Dengxiao laughed.

Li Xueyue narrowed her eyes. Never mind, Hu Dengxiao didn't remind her of Li Wenmin. This guy was much more cunning.

Hu Dengxiao smiled brightly. "I'm going to bring you dinner. Princess Li, please go back to your tent."

Li Xueyue had no other choice. "I don't want to eat dinner." She nodded reluctantly and walked back to the tent, leaving Hu Dengxiao stunned.

Hu Dengxiao thought she would lose her temper. He thought she would make a fool of herself, but she didn't. Apart from her confident remarks, there was nothing to complain about.

Hu Dengxiao sighed. "At least she's good at controlling her emotions." Hu Dengxiao shrugged nonchalantly. "Oh, well, if she doesn't want to eat, then she won't get anything. It's not my fault that she's hungry."

"You'll be in trouble when the commander finds out that you starved his woman to death." Lu Tianbi walked out from the shadows.

"Gah!" Hu Dengxiao jumped up. "Where are you from?"

"I just finished taking a bath in the river." Lu Tianbi frowned at his frightened expression. "Are you a timid cat?"

"You shouldn't take a shower when the men are awake." Hu Dengxiao hissed. He grabbed the towel from her shoulders and threw it over her head, wiping her wet hair vigorously. Seeing her exposed neck, he swallowed.

"What if someone sees you?" he scolded sternly.

“Well, people do see me.”

"What?!" Hu Dengxiao paused.

“I was taking a shower with other female soldiers,” she said.

"Oh." Hu Dengxiao blinked. "It would be better if you take a bath at night when everyone is asleep."

"We won't be able to see who's trying to spy on us in the night."

"real…"

Lu Tianbi slapped his hand away. "You wiped my hair too hard."

"Yes, I'm sorry..." Hu Dengxiao said embarrassedly.

"Anyway, let's go get some food for the princess first." Lu Tianbi wished she wasn't so tall. She couldn't look over his shoulder. She wanted to see if the food was ready, but couldn't because he blocked her view.

"But Princess Li doesn't want it!" Hu Dengxiao wailed, shaking his shoulders angrily like a whining child.

Lu Tianbi frowned. "That's impossible. I heard that she loves to eat."

"Well, maybe she's not in the mood to eat. We kidnapped her and she's being held hostage."

"We didn't kidnap her on purpose, it's just that the commander wouldn't let her go," said Lu Tianbi.

"It is true, but what can we do?"

"We should send her home." Lu Tianbi said expressionlessly. "Don't leave her in that tent."

"Why didn't you tell the Commander?"

"You want me to die early?" she retorted.

"Do not."

"Then I won't tell him." Lu Tianbi rolled her eyes. "You need to think about it more."

"I really think so!"

"About what?" she mused.

"You." A wide smile stretched across his lips.

The smile on Lu Tianbi's face could not be wiped off. She turned her back to him. "You are so stupid."

"I know."

"Don't agree with me."

"Okay," he smiled.

"Deng Xiao!"

"Okay, okay," he said, holding up his hands. "You girls get angry so easily."

"It's hard to believe I'm the voice of reason here," she muttered.

"Me too," he agreed, snickering when she gave him a stern look.

"Shut up and get her something to eat. I'll go take a look." Lu Tianbi said, throwing the wet towel to him.

Hu Dengxiao caught it effortlessly. He swallowed and watched her walk away. He wondered how long it would take for her to finally look at him. As Lu Tianbi walked toward the tent, she stopped and smiled when she heard what the passing soldier told her.

Hu Dengxiao's face was gloomy. What on earth did that man say to make her so happy? He hoped that she could smile and laugh like him.

"Don't be stupid anymore." Hu Dengxiao said to himself. The soldiers were their comrades. It was stupid to get so excited over a little conversation, but he couldn't help it.

Hu Dengxiao had known Lu Tianbi for as long as he could remember. She had never smiled at him so foolishly. She always looked at him, but not in the way he wanted. She saw him as a friend, and he saw her as a woman.

"Go grab some food." Hu Dengxiao snorted. "Don't hang around here." He warned himself.

He ignored his instructions and stood there, watching Lu Tianbi walk into the tent. Suddenly, she ran out with a look of horror. Their eyes met, and in an instant, Hu Dengxiao rushed in front of her.

"what happened?"

"Princess, she's gone!"