340 The Things on My Mind (1/2)

Yu Lingluo gulped as she stared down at her hand that was turning white from Yu Zhen's tight grip.

”O-ouch! It hurts!” she complained.

No less than a second later, he released her.

Yu Lingluo sighed in relief and rubbed the throbbing spot. In the midst of her distraction, Hu Dengxiao had slipped away. But she was occupied with something else now.

She had always known her brother had a short temper. But he rarely lost it in front of her. Today was different.

A thunder cloud had rolled over his face, creating a deep scowl. Lightning crackled in his eyes, vicious and stormy. He was deeply irritated. The temperature around them dropped, but his anger wasn't directed towards her.

”What's wrong?” Yu Lingluo asked in a sullen voice. She pouted, despite knowing he wasn't mad at her.

”Nothing, go.” He flicked his wrist.

Yu Lingluo's shoulders dropped in disappointment. She opened her mouth to protest, but Wu Xiang came forward and shook his head.

”Come, Princess. Let's visit my wife. I'm sure my children will love to see you,” Wu Xiang gently said.

Paradise hadn't even begun, but there was already trouble brewing. He took a hesitant peek at the quarreling couple whose silent glower thickened the tension.

Wu Xiang shook his head, knowing it wasn't his place to chime in.

”But…”

”Don't be stubborn, Princess,” he encouraged whilst opening the door to give the couple some space.

Yu Lingluo reluctantly nodded her head. She peered at her older brother and saw his attention had shifted elsewhere. She knew he didn't mean to vent his frustration out on her. But it still hurt to see him ruthlessly grab her like that.

Yu Lingluo wondered what provoked him. He was never this possessive with any other women. Usually, a woman touching a woman was fine. Right? She didn't have a chance to ask before shuffling out of the room with Wu Xiang.

Wu Xiang closed the door behind him and began to guide her down the hallways.

”Was my brother arguing with the Crown Princess?” Princess Yu Lingluo quietly asked whilst tugging at the edges of her sleeves.

It was a force of habit that she had picked up on as a child. Whenever her mother scolded her for misbehaving, she would pluck at her sleeves. Someone had told her it was a coping mechanism, but she didn't understand it.

”There is no need to worry about them, Princess,” Wu Xiang stated, despite the anxious look in his eyes.

Wu Xiang was hesitant to leave them alone. He didn't want to see a battered woman. But then again, Yu Zhen would never strike a woman. It was just… everyone knew the Crown Prince's temperament wasn't the finest.

Wu Xiang worried if the Crown Prince would be too harsh to his fiancee. The possibility of that was highly likely—even if Yu Zhen was fond of her.

”I believe my wife baked green bean pastries. You'll enjoy them, she added extra molasses. You have the same sweet tooth as my children,” Wu Xiang said.

Yu Lingluo was young, but she wasn't stupid. She knew he was deliberately trying to change the subject. She held back a sigh. She just wished everyone around her would stop treating her like a child. She was sixteen, not six.

”Really?” Yu Lingluo forced herself to say, hoping to sound excited.

Wu Xiang knew she was faking it. Regardless, he smiled and nodded his head.

”Yes, I'm sure everyone will be ecstatic by your arrival.”

Yu Lingluo revealed a dubious smile. She wondered if everything was fine in the Crown Prince's private study…

- - - - -

”What is wrong with you?” Li Xueyue demanded, pushing his hand away. ”You're riled up all of a sudden.”

”We had a promise,” Yu Zhen seethed. ”Why are you suddenly shutting me out?”

Li Xueyue scowled.

She didn't voice her complaints because she didn't want to burden him. He should be appreciative of this. Besides, it wasn't like she could tell him anything and everything that came to mind or he'd view her as a whining child.

”Why are we arguing again?” she asked. ”This is the second or third argument we've had since my arrival.”