Though my family didn’t have a single scheming courtier in its bloodline, I could change my expression faster than any of my ancestors.
I beamed at Li Xun as if I’d just won the lottery: “Your Highness, are you serious?”
Li Xun looked at my grinning face—as joyful as if I’d just grown two hundred pounds overnight—and frowned, then smiled back.
“Absolutely serious.”
“So, Your Highness has come to break off our engagement? Ruolan, don’t just stand there, serve tea!” I was so excited I wanted to perform every weapon routine in the armory for him.
“You…”
“It’s fine! I’m perfectly fine, Your Highness. If you don’t like me, just say it loud and clear!”
Say it out loud, and I’ll be free!
My father will have no more reason to keep me out of the army!
This is what you call a blessing from heaven! I’m thrilled that Li Xun is here!
“You’d better not be joking.”
Me: ?! I was about to put on a show for him, and now he’s making fun of me!
“Ruolan, I think we’re out of tea, aren’t we?” I grinned maliciously.
Ruolan stood frozen, teacup in hand.
Tea: So, should I just leave?
“But,” Li Xun said with a gentle smile, “while the engagement can’t be broken, you and I both know the truth.
However, after I ascend the throne… I can set you free. After all, the empress must be a model for all women, and your swordplay might be considered inappropriate.”
Even though he was criticizing me, for the first time, it felt better than any compliment.
I quickly said, “Ruolan, what are you waiting for? Serve tea!”
As the tea was about to be sipped, I couldn’t resist asking, “Your Highness, do you always keep your word?”
Li Xun paused, his smile weak. “Of course.”
“You really don’t like me?”
“Of course not.” Li Xun lowered his eyes, the brown tea reflecting the storm beneath his calm surface.
He should have looked beautiful when he smiled—delicate as he was—but for some reason, his smile made my skin prickle.
Suddenly, his lips parted:
“Of course not… I like you.”
The wedding went smoothly—no one dared to cause trouble on my father’s proudest day.
The only thing that didn’t go smoothly was me.
Thinking our relationship would soon be “water doesn’t mix with oil,” I was ready to discuss the sleeping arrangements with Li Xun.
But before I could even open my mouth, Li Xun—with his frail, willow-like body—pushed me onto the bed.
“Wh—what are you doing!”
His scent—light and orchid-like—filled my senses, making my heart race.
Damn it! Not only does he look delicate, but he even uses perfume!
If possible, can we just swap genders?
Li Xun looked at me—less beautiful than he—and raised an eyebrow, his voice husky.
“What do you think?”
Alright, I’ll admit I blushed.
But I still had my wits about me… right?
“Li Xun, do you remember our agreement?”
He smirked. “Our agreement was only that I’d set you free after I become emperor. For now, you’re the Crown Princess. The Crown Princess has her duties and responsibilities. Don’t tell me you’re the type to shirk your duties. If so, how can I entrust the army to you?”
His logic was so persuasive, I found myself nodding.
“Why didn’t you say so earlier!” I flipped him over and started untying his sash.
Looking at his slender waist, I scoffed.
So thin—probably not even worth it.
I’ll just consider it a bite from a dog. I can endure it.
“Yan’er,” his cool lips brushed my eyelid with gentle affection, “don’t look at me like that.
You’ll regret it…”
I smirked.
Ha! Men!
Soon, I was crying in a mess.
How could someone with such a slender waist be so strong?!
In the haze of passion, I heard a voice filled with joy and love:
“Yan’er, I’m so happy you married me.”
Ever since I was little, my father would talk about the glorious achievements of the Liu family.
I always wondered—with such talent and courage, why didn’t they just start their own dynasty?
If they had, by my generation, I’d at least be an empress.
Finally, after being cooped up in the Zixiao Palace so long I felt like I was growing moss, I realized the truth:
The Li family are master manipulators!
On our wedding night, he used the “duties of the Crown Princess” to coax me into bed.
In our first year, he used the same excuse to persuade me to have a child.
In our second year, cradling our son under the cold moonlight, he used the same line to talk me into having a daughter.
By the third year… No! There was no third year. The Liu family finally woke up—it was time to fight back!
How could he keep fooling me, the same poor soul, over and over?!
I flipped the table, laughing in anger. “Fine! Since the Zixiao Palace is so empty, why not bring in a few more sisters? That way, you can have more heirs, and I won’t be called jealous!”
Honestly, it’s infuriating!
It’s Li Xun who refuses the women sent by others, but he blames it on me, making me out to be a shrew.
In just a few years, the good reputation my father spent his private savings to build for me was completely ruined!
Seeing my anger, Li Xun wasn’t flustered. He calmly handed our son to Ruolan.
“Don’t take him!”
“Take him away.” Li Xun’s gentle tone carried an authority I couldn’t match, and Ruolan had no choice but to leave with our son.
“Yan’er,” Li Xun walked to me, his tall frame blocking the moonlight. I realized with a start how much he’d grown since we first met, “take back what you just said.
If you do, I’ll still be your Li Xun alone.”
His words were calm, but there was an underlying sorrow.
He made me feel like a heartless villain!
“Li Xun…” I wanted to reason with him.
“Don’t.” He silenced me with a kiss.
His lips were passionate, but his hands trembled.
In the silence, Li Xun—who always seemed untroubled—smiled bitterly. “Yan’er, you still don’t like me, do you?”
I opened my mouth.
This time, I wasn’t as decisive as two years ago.
After so much time together, did I really still dislike Li Xun?
Unfortunately, fate didn’t give me time to figure it out.
The emperor, after listing the tenures of past emperors—really just making excuses—announced his retirement and set off to travel the world with my lovely mother-in-law.
All I can say is: the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree!
Li Xun didn’t seem happy about taking the throne early. He was always brooding, as if someone had stolen his wife.
“Three more days…” Li Xun murmured, holding me at night.
I knew what he meant.
In three days, he’d be emperor, and I could leave.
“Will you miss Ning’er… and…” His “me” never left his lips.
Strangely, my heart ached, even though I should have been overjoyed.
“I’ll come back to see him.
This time, choose a loyal and virtuous empress.” I gently wiped the redness from the corner of his eye.
“Li Xun, don’t cry.
Even if I’m not your wife, I’ll still be your subject, Your Majesty.”
Li Xun suddenly laughed, but the flickering candlelight couldn’t hide the sorrow in his eyes.
In the haze, his self-mocking voice was painfully clear:
“Yan’er, I lost the bet, didn’t I?
But… I’m so unwilling…”
Chapter 03
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