267 Why Dont You Run Faster? (1/2)

Li Xueyue had just entered the house when she noticed servants were speed walking down the hallway. They bowed upon seeing her, but would quickly excuse themselves.

The corner of her lips turned upwards into a slight smile. Someone was home! She excitedly rushed down the corridors, ignoring how unladylike she behaved. She reached the front entrance in time to see Li Chenyang walking down the stone pavement leading into the Li Manor.

”Chen-ge!” she called out, stepping outside with her indoor shoes. She would probably get scolded for it but she didn't care.

”Xueyue,” Li Chenyang gently called and smiled upon seeing her. He seemed visibly exhausted but still had the energy to place a warm pat upon her head.

”You look like a mess, as usual,” he said and chuckled upon seeing her messy hair and crumpled training robes.

”You're home later than usual, Chen-ge,” Li Xueyue said as she noticed the sky had finally darkened into nighttime. But where was the Duke?

”I am,” he agreed. ”It was a very tiring day in court today,” Li Chenyang said in a heavy voice. He had argued so much with the other Ministers in court, enough for his voice to be slightly hoarse.

”You've been biting your nails too much,” Li Xueyue muttered when he retracted his hand and she caught a glimpse of his fingers. ”Was today that hectic?”

”Yes, we were arguing about who'd take over the position of the throne,” Li Chenyang wearily said. ”It's such a stupid argument since the Second Prince was known to be sickly. Everyone still has high hopes that the Fourth Prince would recover.”

”The Second and Fourth Prince are still alive?” Li Xueyue asked. She was astonished by this news, her eyes growing wide. Wouldn't this mean there were two more people in line for the throne?

”Unfortunately, they are. But you don't have to worry about these kinds of things. They won't affect you at all, so you should put your mind elsewhere,” Li Chenyang reassured her.

”Nonetheless, I'd still like to help in any way I can. Please inform me if there's something I can do,” Li Xueyue argued.

Li Chenyang placed a thumb in between her eyebrows and let out a soft chuckle. ”If you keep worrying like this, you'll get wrinkles,” he chided.

Li Xueyue blinked. She touched her forehead and didn't realize her brows were scrunched together. ”I can't help it. I want to give back to you guys for all that you've done for me.”

”There you go with that stupid talk again,” Li Chenyang mused. He smiled a bit at her determined expression. ”The only help you can give is enjoying your life with a smile.”

”But—ow!” Li Xueyue grumbled when he flicked her forehead. She clutched the burning spot and glared at him.

”I was just checking that it's still working,” Li Chenyang snickered as he knocked upon it. ”Hello? Anyone home?”

Li Xueyue angrily kicked him in the shin. He let out a loud laugh at her reaction.

”You act like a feral animal,” Li Chenyang commented. He had never seen a lady as unruly as her. Well, she pretended to be a lady quite well.

”I hope that hurt,” Li Xueyue mumbled under her breath.

”What was that?” he asked whilst cupping his ear towards her.

Li Xueyue rolled her eyes. ”Just come inside already.”

Li Chenyang simply shook his head at her attitude. ”And here I was, hoping for a cute little sister.”

”Well, I wanted a good-looking brother. Guess we both didn't get what we wanted, huh?”