Reborn Daughter: The Young Lady Wants to Make a Trouble

Li Xueyue simply smiled. Years ago, if someone had told her that she would become the empress of a prosperous kingdom, she would have thought that person was insane. Yet, at this moment, she was in the palace where she would soon be the one to rule.

"You're only noticing now?" Li Xueyue teased, continuing to write furiously. She didn't care at all about her messy handwriting. The more illegible the handwriting, the harder it was for others to understand. That was just an excuse; perhaps she hadn't practiced writing properly since the Li family hired a tutor to teach her two and a half years ago.

"Where's my praise?" Yu Zhen muttered, arms crossed, like a spoiled child. She was only focused on writing down her thoughts and didn't even glance at him.

Yu Zhen gently tapped the table, on the empty space next to her parchment. Thinking he was lonely, she slid her hand onto his and gently stroked it with her thumb.

“I’m busy,” she explained calmly, like an adult soothing an impatient child. Even as he stared intently at her, she continued writing.

"I was also very busy before you came in and chatted with me, my Wang Fei."

“My dear husband, we are discussing the well-being of this country.”

I was busy at the time.

“You’re always so busy.” Li Xueyue pretended to still be writing, but she had already finished when she touched his hand. But his persistent attempt to get her attention made her want to tease him.

But I will always make time for you.

"I never said you didn't."

"That's exactly what you're saying."

"Only you think so."

Yu Zhen stared at her sullenly. His attention shifted to the parchment in her hand, and he squinted. He couldn't decipher her messy handwriting. What was she writing that had taken her so long?

“I need another parchment,” Li Xueyue lied. She released his hand, held out one hand, and waited to take the parchment. However, what greeted her was his tightly clasped fingers and a sudden yank.

Li Xueyue's lips twitched slightly; she found it amusing. He was such a childish person… “Yes, dear husband?”

“Read what you’ve written to me,” Yu Zhen said.

“These are the key points we’ve been discussing,” Li Xueyue explained.

"I still want to hear it."

"You've already heard it."

"Okay, say it again."

Li Xueyue snorted coldly: "Should I worry that you're already senile at only twenty-five?"

Yu Zhen sneered, "Should I worry about you losing your mind at such a young age?"

Li Xueyue laughed when she heard his words. She really could be a little crazy sometimes, couldn't she? But his whole family was crazy, so it wouldn't be long before they influenced her.

Another topic came to her mind. She put down her brush and placed it on the inkstone.

“It’s been so long since I’ve seen my brother,” Li Xueyue suddenly said. She looked up, her gaze falling on him. He leaned over the table, hooked her chin with his finger, and pulled her closer to him.

Li Xueyue's gaze briefly lingered on his lips before quickly averting it. Since that incident, he hadn't touched her again, not even a light kiss. She couldn't help but wonder if he no longer found her attractive.

"It's best not to see him, baby."

"Why not?" Li Xueyue asked immediately. Bai Yihao must be very lonely being alone in this huge palace.

"He's being looked after by Yan Xi now. The child will be fine."

“I still don’t understand why I can’t see him,” Li Xueyue interjected. She grabbed his wrist and pulled away from his touch.

Yu Zhen didn't care at all. With a flick of his wrist, he took her hand and gently stroked her knuckles. His touch was soft and playful, like the caress of a feather.

"There will be rumors that you are taking care of a child who looks like you."

Li Xueyue was startled by his words; she fully understood what he meant. People would gossip. They would believe that Bai Yihao was her illegitimate son.

“The servants are terrified of you, especially after what you did this morning. They won’t gossip about it.”

“They’ll keep this idea to themselves, and every time they see you, it will remind them of this unrealistic belief,” Yu Zhen warned her in a low voice.

Li Xueyue slumped her shoulders in disappointment. He was right. She stared at the floor in frustration, hoping it wasn't true. Hoping the words weren't so malicious, that the gossip wouldn't ruin a woman's life. But this was the price she had to pay.

"Yi Hao has been well taken care of. He has been smiling more lately and has started going to school. His teachers speak highly of him, and although they don't look alike, many people think he is the nephew of Yanxi Palace."

Li Xueyue nodded numbly. He lifted her chin, making her raise it.

“My Queen, don’t bow your head,” he said softly. “Some risks are not worth taking.”

Li Xueyue bit her lower lip. His thumb brushed across her lips, forcing her to loosen her grip.

“I know, I know,” Li Xueyue sighed. She only wanted to get closer to Bai Yihao, but this would ruin their reputations. Moreover, she bore a resemblance to the late Viscountess Bai Yihua, which might touch upon something deep within him…

“And also, Little Sunshine,” Yu Zhen said, cupping her cheeks, “if you want a child, we can make one—”

"Don't you think I'm disgusting?" she blurted out suddenly.

Yu Zhen froze, staring at her in disbelief as if she were a fool. Then, his confusion turned into anger.

“Who’s stupid enough to tell you something like that?” he snapped, standing up abruptly.

No, it's just—

Li Xueyue was startled. She blinked, and he was already standing in front of her. Yu Zhen pulled her up, one arm protecting her waist. He looked down at her, his gaze lingering on her face for a moment, then shook his head.

“You’re both clever and foolish,” Yu Zhen said softly. He placed his hand on the back of her head and pulled her close. She enjoyed his warm and comfortable embrace.

“But…” Li Xueyue’s voice suddenly choked up, sounding somewhat desperate. She silently hugged him back, holding him even tighter.

"What is it?" he asked in a low voice, his tone calm and patient. Nevertheless, she could still detect the anger hidden in his words.

Yu Zhen thought someone had given up on life. How could she not understand? Yu Zhen was captivated by her, even intoxicated. He had been like this ever since their first meeting. And every day, he loved her a little more than the day before.

Her laughter was his symphony, her smile his masterpiece. Yu Zhen loved everything about her, even her stubbornness and her unruliness. Of course, sometimes she would annoy him, and to no avail; she also had some minor flaws he didn't like, but that was normal. There is no perfect love in the world, only imperfect love is real.

"It's nothing," Li Xueyue said calmly. She could hear his heart racing, pounding urgently. Yu Zhen held her tightly, as if his life depended on her.

"Are you sure?"

Li Xueyue smiled. "Really."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Are you really, really sure?"

Li Xueyue laughed. "If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I would have truly thought you had become me."

Yu Zhen sneered, "If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I would have thought you were delusional."

Li Xueyue gently shook her head, unable to hear his words. She would cherish these moments forever, even in the distant future, when only one of them remained in the world…