Li Xiaochen’s other hand, which wasn’t holding Lin Yuxin’s, clenched and then loosened behind his back.

He suddenly realized—this girl’s ability to annoy him was back!

Should he hold off on requesting an imperial decree for marriage?

That way, he might live a few days longer?

“Let’s go! Hurry up and take me home; it’s almost time for dinner! If I’m late, my mother will nag at me again.”

Lin Yuxin, feeling delighted that she hadn’t had to give away her jewelry, grabbed Li Xiaochen’s hand and led him toward the mansion gates.

Li Xiaochen looked down at their intertwined hands, the corners of his lips curving upward. His entire demeanor softened.

Along the way, the servants of the royal residence noticed their clasped hands, their faces lighting up with knowing smiles and affectionate gazes.

It seemed inevitable—soon, their residence would have a mistress.

The two boarded the royal carriage and headed toward the Zhao residence.

Li Xiaochen never let go of Lin Yuxin’s hand. It was only when the carriage finally came to a stop that the driver’s voice sounded from outside.

“Your Highness, we’ve arrived at the Zhao residence!”

Li Xiaochen frowned, his mood instantly souring.

Lin Yuxin chuckled at his expression.

“What? You can’t bear to let me go?”

“Mm.”

Li Xiaochen played with Lin Yuxin’s soft, small hand, reluctant to release it.

Lin Yuxin felt ticklish from his touch and instinctively tried to pull her hand back, but he held on tight.

She was speechless.

[What’s with Li Xiaochen? The moment he falls in love, he turns into a clingy puppy? Where’s my cold and aloof prince? Where’s my domineering warlord?]

“Enough already, I need to go home,” she said, deadpan.

“Lin Yuxin, you don’t value me at all! You’re even scolding me!”

Li Xiaochen stared at her, eyes filled with grievance, as if she had betrayed him.

Lin Yuxin raised her other hand in front of his face, slowly clenched it into a fist, and made a cracking sound with her knuckles.

“I’m counting to three. If you don’t let go, you’re not allowed to speak to me for ten days!”

Her eyes narrowed as she issued her warning.

Li Xiaochen fell silent for three seconds.

Then, reluctantly, he let go.

He couldn’t afford to take that risk.

Lin Yuxin retracted her hand, smoothed out her clothes, and looked at him seriously.

“I’ll be busy for the next three days. Before leaving, I need to take care of affairs at home and prepare medicine for my grandfather and uncle. Three days from now, you can come pick me up.”

“Mm. Do you need any help?”

“No need, I can handle it myself. It’s nothing major.”

Lin Yuxin waved dismissively.

“Alright, I’m leaving now. If my mother sees us, I’ll get scolded again.”

She was about to step down from the carriage when Li Xiaochen suddenly grabbed her wrist and pulled her back.

Off guard, she fell into his warm embrace.

“Is my dear Xinxin really leaving just like that?”

He wrapped her in his arms, his face inching closer to hers, voice dripping with grievance.

(I’m doomed. Who taught this man to act cute? Who can resist this?!)

Looking at him, Lin Yuxin felt her heart flutter.

She had only just confirmed her feelings today, but she wasn’t at the stage where she couldn’t live without him.

She prided herself on staying rational.

But right now… he was playing dirty.

He, the once cold and aloof prince, now gazed at her with those innocent, pitiful eyes—like an abandoned puppy, tugging at her heartstrings.

“Then what do you want?” she asked with a smirk.

“What do you think, Xinxin?”

Li Xiaochen’s voice was low as he leaned even closer.

“Li Xiaochen, you know what? Your cold and aloof persona is completely shattered!”

Lin Yuxin pinched his cheek, teasing him.

Li Xiaochen didn’t mind at all.

He just gazed at her expectantly, still hoping for some kind of reward—even if he didn’t quite understand what she meant by “persona.”

Lin Yuxin lifted her chin and pressed a light kiss on his lips—quick and fleeting.

Then, before he could react, she swiftly jumped to her feet, grabbed the imperial sword that had been abandoned all afternoon, and leaped off the carriage.

All in one seamless motion.

She knew that if she hesitated even a second, she’d end up trapped in his embrace again.

But just as she landed, she locked eyes with Lin Shaoyang, who had just returned and was standing at the entrance.

“…!”

[Oh no! What do you do when you get caught dating? Asking for a friend. Urgent!]

Lin Yuxin wished she could vanish into the ground.

“Uh… Second Brother! You’re back!”

She forced an awkward smile.

“…What were you just doing?”

Lin Shaoyang had overheard something about dating and, although the wording was strange, he got the general idea.

He glanced at the royal carriage and had a sudden, dreadful realization.

“Oh! The Regent prince was just escorting me back from the palace,” Lin Yuxin replied, quickly changing the subject. “Come on, Second Brother, I’m starving!”

She grabbed his sleeve and pulled him toward the house, eager to avoid further questioning.

Lin Shaoyang, forced along, decided not to press her for details—for now.

Inside the carriage, Li Xiaochen’s gaze darkened as he watched Lin Yuxin cling to Lin Shaoyang’s sleeve.

After a long pause, his usual cold demeanor returned.

His voice was devoid of emotion.

“Leng Han. Deliver this to her.”

He gestured toward a food box beside him.

“Yes, Your Highness!”

Leng Han appeared out of nowhere, took the food box, and vanished.

“To the palace,” Li Xiaochen commanded coldly.

“Yes, Your Highness!”

The carriage turned and headed toward the imperial palace.

Meanwhile, at the Zhao residence, Lin Yuxin had just dragged Lin Shaoyang into the front hall when she spotted Lin Chenglie.

“Big Brother, you’re back!”

Feeling guilty, she greeted him with a bright smile.

“You still remember how to come home?” Lin Chenglie shot her a glare. “I told the regent prince to send you back—why did it take this long?”

“Oh, Big Brother, the prince and I were discussing matters regarding our journey to Jibei City. That’s why we were delayed.”

Lin Yuxin spoke with utmost seriousness.

[Not a lie! We did discuss official matters… and also romance!]

Lin Chenglie suddenly had a bad feeling. Romance? What kind of romance?

He examined Lin Yuxin closely.

She looked more radiant than usual. Normally, she was beautiful, but today, there was an extra touch of soft femininity.

And… was it just him, or were her lips unusually red?

Lin Chenglie’s heart sank. Had that bastard taken advantage of his little sister?

How far had they gone?!

He wanted to demand answers—but realized he couldn’t, or else he’d expose his ability to hear people’s inner thoughts.

Frustrated and helpless, he sighed.

If his sister and the prince were truly serious, he would accept it. But if Li Xiaochen ever dared betray her…

Even if it cost him his life, Lin Chenglie would make him pay.

For now… all he could do was wait and see.