Reborn Daughter: The Young Lady Wants to Make a Trouble

After dinner, everyone returned to their comfortable bedrooms, except Mr. Li Chenyang, who entered his study.

Duchess Li Qixing sat quietly in front of the dressing table, her eyes full of reverie. The head maid began to carefully take out the hairpins that made up the complex hair accessories.

"Milady?" The maid-maid spoke in a low voice, her old face full of worry. "Are you okay? You look very pale. Do you want the chef to make some medicinal tonic?"

“No thanks, I’m fine, Jinxia.” Duchess Li Qixing ran her fingers over the sharp part of her specially made hairpin. It could dangerously stab someone’s eye if needed. Xueyue’s hairpin was designed in the same way. A deadly weapon disguised as beautiful jewelry.

“I just have some stuff on my mind, that’s all,” she sighed.

"Well, how about using lavender and eucalyptus essential oils tonight? It can relieve stress." Jinxia said as she combed the Duchess' hair.

"Yes, I do," said Duchess Li Qixing. She frowned. If Xueyue became a candidate, would she be able to enjoy the same luxury? Fear seized her heart. No, no, no. It couldn't be Xueyue.

Duchess Li Qixing felt guilty because she was too selfish and put such a fate on others. This was immoral for her, but what else could she do? Once the emperor made up his mind, no one could change it.

Just the image of Setsugetsu standing before the enemy is enough to bring the Duchess to tears. Such a beautiful and innocent little thing... How could anyone think of sending Setsugetsu to fight? Of course, she won't go to war, but every day of her new life will be a hard battle. What kind of husband will she find?

What if Seol-Yul ends up with an abusive husband who doesn't understand that "no" means no? What if Seol-Yul is degraded by her husband's harem? What if she gets hungry? Or worse...the marriage won't be a marriage at all, and more than one man will touch Seol-Yul.

Duchess Li Qixing’s thoughts spiraled down the rabbit hole of morbid things until her face turned as pale as a full moon tonight. No, no, no. She began to tremble, her eyes quivering. Could it be that the heavens were so heartless? She had already lost one daughter. She didn’t want to lose another.

She was lost in thought and did not hear the prince enter the bedroom to apologize to Jin Xia.

"No!" she screamed as a pair of hands were placed on her shoulders and she was forced to turn around.

When Prince Li Chenyang saw the crazy expression on the Duchess's face, his eyes widened. Her trembling eyes revealed anxiety and fear.

"Honey, what happened?"

"It can't be Xue Yue!" she shouted.

King Li Chenyang’s expression softened a little. He understood what frightened his wife. It also frightened him and the twins.

Starting tomorrow, Xue Yue will be hidden at all costs. But how? She has signed up for two of the most watched competitions. It would be reckless if they withdrew. Her reputation will be ruined, and people will always talk about that timid woman.

"The emperor is willing to give his daughter, and he is also willing to give his niece." Lord Li Chenyang said. He could not promise his wife anything. He did not want to comfort her with false hope.

"Wouldn't this damage the emperor's reputation?"

“At the cost of five daughters, thousands of sons will be saved from slaughter. Do you think anyone will cry except the families of those girls?” King Li Chenyang was helpless and could only pinch her shoulders gently.

"Then what should we do?"

"For now, let's not do anything. If we bring up the idea of ​​exempting Xue Yue, it will only bring her unnecessary attention."

"What if she is chosen? What should we do then?" Duchess Li Qixing burst into tears: "Is there really nothing we can do?!"

"I'm afraid not."

Duchess Li Qixing's eyes were moist. At such a critical moment, she didn't want to cry, but she couldn't control herself.

"Baby, why are you so upset? The selection hasn't even been finalized yet and you're reacting as if she's already been sent away."

"I...I just have a bad feeling."

"That's because your biggest hobby is thinking too much." Li Chenyang smiled, trying to ease the atmosphere. "Maybe taking a bath will cheer you up." Without waiting for her to respond, he called the maid.

Jinxia bowed deeply. "My lord, my lord."

"Get ready for a bath," King Li Chenyang ordered, then left.

“Where are you going?” Duchess Li Qixing frowned.

"Talk to your sons, don't worry, everything will be fine." King Li Chenyang comforted her and then went out.

- - - - -

the next morning.

"Okay, Xueyue, I need you to put this on your face." Li Wenmin handed her the purified soil.

"What?" She was confused by the idea.

"And put on this rag." He handed her the dark brown garment.

"Are you trying to make her look like a beggar?" Li Chenyang rolled his eyes and retorted. "It will only draw more attention to her."

"Well, do you have any better ideas?" Li Wenmin frowned and crossed his arms, saying, "I want to see what you can come up with."

"Dress normally, not too eye-catching, nor too plain. You should be able to blend in with the crowd." Li Chenyang waved his hand and asked the maid to take away the rag that Li Wenmin gave her.

Li Wenmin frowned. Okay. So maybe this is a better idea.

"I don't want to admit it, and I don't want her to be arrogant, but you also know that Xueyue... may not have the ability to 'blend in with the crowd', right?" Li Wenmin sighed and pointed at the porcelain doll in front of the dressing table.

Her long, shiny hair was tied into a bun that resembled rose petals. The small butterfly hairpins further accentuated her youthfulness. It was hard not to notice her when everything she did drew attention to herself.

"So unless she is participating in a competition, she has to stay in the tent all the time. She has to hide in the tent." Li Chenyang said.

He frowned when he saw the maid walking up to Xueyue in Hanfu. "No, she will wear a light blue Hanfu. The pink one will make her more feminine, more gentle, and will attract attention."

“But I’m not attracted to femininity and timid looks,” Mr. Li said. “What if the officials who select the candidates want someone with a serious look?”

Li Chenyang frowned, "Can you stop refutating me?"

Li Wenmin wrinkled his nose. "No."

"Of course not." Li Chenyang sneered. "Little boys always like to quarrel."

"We are the same age!" Li Wenmin defended.

"Really? I feel like I've aged several years." Li Chenyang retorted.

"Besides, your idea of ​​hiding her is too stupid." Li Wenmin snorted. "If she was a new face in the crowd, the officials would be keen to observe her."

"Then what should we do?" Li Chenyang snorted. "One thing always contradicts another."

"Maybe we should do nothing? Let nature take its course." After the maids had laid out the clothes, Xueyue finally spoke.

“Oh.” Li Chenyang frowned. “Won’t we feel useless by not intervening?”

“We feel bad no matter what,” Li Wenmin said. “We intervene only when it’s too late—”

"It's better not to have a 'too late' moment." Li Chenyang sighed, stood up, and pulled Li Wenmin to go together. "Xueyue, we'll see you when you get dressed."

She nodded and comforted him, "Brother Chen, don't worry too much."

"No, I inherited my mother's favorite qualities." Li Chenyang muttered.

"It's a double-edged sword."

"Just like you." He smiled and said goodbye to her.

"I'll see you later, okay?" Li Wenmin said. "Don't overthink it like our idiot brother. You'll never be okay."

"Great, idiot, you brought bad luck to her." Li Chenyang frowned and grabbed Li Wenmin's collar. "Let's go."

Finally, Li Wenmin left in a depressed mood, but before leaving, he peeked at the door and waved goodbye.