Reborn Daughter: The Young Lady Wants to Make a Trouble

"Let's go somewhere." Yu Zhen said.

"A private place...?" She hesitated, ready to reject him.

They were already in a private area - her bedroom, but she wouldn't even count this private library as part of her huge bedroom. A large waiting room with a table and chairs separated the library from her bunk area.

One has to go through two doors to reach the library.

Yu Zhen raised an eyebrow. He already knew what was going on in her mind. She was an open book, but maybe only to him.

"Do you have any dirty thoughts, Sunshine?"

Li Xueyue frowned. He was the culprit. She crossed her arms and looked up.

"Just because what you say always has double meanings."

“It only has a double meaning because you think it does,” he said.

"No, I don't," she argued.

"Yes you are."

"I do not."

"you do."

"I do not."

"you do."

"I have a whole day to argue!" Li Xueyue snapped back. If she was really bored, she would continue to argue like this. She was petty, he knew.

Yu Zhen raised his eyebrows. "Why waste time arguing if we can just go—"

"Yuzhen," she warned.

"—to the capital," he said at last.

Li Xueyue hoped her face didn’t heat up at his words. He did this on purpose. She was sure of it. Especially when he smiled down at her with an amused glint in his eyes. He knew what he was doing.

Still, she was excited by his words.

"When?" she asked immediately, eager to explore her new surroundings.

Li Xueyue finally wanted to see a change of scenery. The palace was beautiful, but the capital must be more breathtaking.

"Now." Yu Zhen said.

Li Xueyue was cheered up after hearing his words. "Really?"

"Have I ever lied to you before?" he retorted.

"Really?" She checked it again.

"I'm beginning to think that you haven't read any vocabulary books during the time we've been apart." Yu Zhen said expressionlessly.

Li Xueyue patted his chest, completely forgetting the rule she had broken.

“I mean it,” she said.

"Me too."

“Yu Zhen!” She was annoyed, growing increasingly frustrated with his teasing.

Yu Zhen grinned. He looked down at her, his eyes sparkling with laughter. "I prefer you to scream like this--"

"I dare you."

"—in the carriage," he said at last.

"That makes no sense," she retorted.

"You don't even have such dirty thoughts." Yu Zhen had a blank expression on his face.

"I didn't!" Li Xueyue defended.

Li Xueyue completely forgot that he should use the formal title. But it never mattered to him. It wouldn't start now.

Li Xueyue was sure that Yan Xi would have high blood pressure if the old maid was in the room. But they were in the private space of the library. No one dared to eavesdrop on what was going on here.

"Of course, you don't," he said sarcastically.

“I mean business here,” she said.

"Me too."

"No you're not," she deadpanned.

"Why do you think so?" he teased.

Li Xueyue looked up and glared at him. She craned her neck so she could look him in the eye. Seeing that he had the advantage over her, she became even more irritated, and he knew it.

Yu Zhen covered his ears. He lowered his head, pretending not to know. "What is that? You're too short. I can't hear it."

Li Xueyue forced herself not to kick him even if she wanted to. This man was her death.

"Humph, if the sky falls, you will be the first to die."

"The air here is so fresh," Yu Zhen retorted.

"I hope your neck will hurt if you bow your head like this." Li Xueyue said.

"I bet it hurts more when you stick it up," Yu Zhen snickered.

Li Xueyue shut up. She refused to participate in this conversation. They would quarrel until the sun went down. She just knew it. He was so petty. So was she.

"What are your plans for Beijing?" Li Xueyue asked him, deciding to change the subject. She ignored the mischievous glint in his eyes. Yu Zhen knew he had won this round.

He told her: “During my routine trips to the capital, I have to speak to representatives from each class to make sure everything is going smoothly.”

Li Xueyue nodded slowly. "Should we disguise ourselves?"

"It better be," he said.

It was much easier for him to move around if no one recognized him. People were even less willing to tell the truth in front of the royal family.

Furthermore, he had to ensure that there was no corruption. It was not uncommon for nobles to wear masks around the royal family.

"That's fine with me... Your Highness," she said. The title was familiar to her, yet foreign to her. She was not used to addressing him by his formal title.

She was surprised when he looked at her with disappointment in his eyes.

"You already know my opinion on this," he said sharply.

Li Xueyue fiddled with her fingers nervously. "I just think this is more appropriate--"

"Did I ever complain about it?"

"No..." She trailed off.

Yu Zhen shook his head at her. He pinched her chin and forced her to look up at him. She suddenly became unhappy after being scolded.

"Li Xueyue, listen to me," he said. "You can call me anything except Your Highness."

"What if others disagree—"

"Then they won't have a frown on their lips tomorrow," Yu Zhen said.

"Why are you so violent?" she blurted out.

"Why aren't you violent?" he mimicked.

"Because...it's the right thing to do."

"Who said that, Sunshine?" he asked.

“Morals and ethics?”

"So, you decided to stick with some made-up concept?" he chided.

Li Xueyue was hesitant at his words. He just liked to win arguments. And he just scolded her for being stubborn. Why did he like to argue with her so much? She had never seen this side of him in anyone else.

Yu Zhen showed her a sinister and evil smile. "No one should have the courage to insult you, and if they do, they don't need the courage."

"Yu Zhen." She said sternly.

Yu Zhen smiled brightly. This time, its tone was softened, just like his stern gaze. “Hanjian’s situation is different.”

Li Xueyue begged to differ. She knew that only he could be so violent. There was no doubt that his words were not threats. They were promises. She knew that he was cruel enough to do any form of punishment.

"Are we getting you ready for a walk?" Yu Zhen asked, knowing she was trying to change the subject. He played with her face, pinching her cheeks with his fingers.

Li Xueyue nodded. "Yan Xi is probably waiting outside. She will dress me soon."

"Are the palace servants treating you well, Sunshine?" he asked.

Li Xueyue found his voice a little sharp. As if he was going to hurt someone.

“They were nice, but as quiet as anyone in the house,” she said.

"Ok."

Li Xueyue disagreed with this statement. She hoped they would talk to her more. Maybe then, she wouldn't be so lonely.

Yu Zhen observed her face. Although she was smiling, her eyes were lonely. "Do you want to find a maid younger than you to accompany Yan Xi and serve you? Someone of similar age and with a more cheerful personality?"

Li Xueyue was sure that she had enough servants. In addition to Yan Xi, the middle-aged woman was followed by a small group of familiar but silent maids.

“That would be better,” she said.

Yu Zhen was delighted to hear her request. She seldom wanted anything from him.

"But wouldn't this be too much trouble?" she asked.

"No wish is too difficult." Yu Zhen responded in less than a second.

"You spoil me too much."

"It is a husband's duty to pamper his wife," Yu Zhen declared.

Li Xueyue smiled at his words. She grabbed his upper arm for support, stood on tiptoes, and kissed his cheek, surprising him.

But before Jane could ask for more, she ran to the other side of the room. As she ran through the door, she was accompanied by little laughs. They were sweet and light and filled his heart with warmth.

Yu Zhen was helpless and could only touch that place. Unconsciously, a faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.