Reborn Daughter: The Young Lady Wants to Make a Trouble

The trip to the capital was as wonderful as Li Xueyue had imagined. Hanjian culture and Wuyi culture have similarities and differences.

Han Jian likes bright colors, such as ruby ​​red, sapphire blue, emerald green, etc. This can be seen from the decorations and banners hanging from the poles fluttering in the wind. Looking around, the symbols of the royal family are everywhere.

"Wait for me!" one child exclaimed as they ran after their friend.

Children played with their toys as they moved through the crowd. Little girls, with wooden swords in their hands, chased their brothers, who were holding shields and other wooden weapons. There was laughter and joy all around, creating a lively scene.

But what caught Li Xueyue's eyes were the women in fitted training robes, bustling about. Some of them even carried swords. They walked confidently, and Xueyue flattered them, her eyes lingering on them.

"Princess, this is very different from Wuyi, right?" Lu Tianbi said beside her.

The group dismounted at the town's stable and were about to reach the people's representative's house.

“Yes, in Wuyi, you really rarely see many women exercising and working out.” Li Xueyue said as she looked at everything in front of her.

"Our opinions are as important as a person here," Lu Tianbi explained. "So if you have any hesitation about speaking out, don't speak out."

Li Xueyue listened to her words and smiled. She nodded and turned her gaze to Yu Zhen. He was currently talking to the people’s representative near a secluded alley.

Yu Zhen doesn't like meeting in other people's homes, despite the privacy it offers. A stranger's house is an unpredictable battlefield. Who knows what dangers might lurk inside?

"…yeah, no complaints as usual. Even the civilians accepted the war taxes being levied and were actually happy to help."

"Where are their supplies?" Yu Zhen asked.

"Don't worry your highness, they have enough food, shelter, etc. Our future shapers - the children - are well fed. Your highness has nothing to worry about."

Li Xueyue listened attentively with a straight face. She continued to observe the capital through the narrow alley where Lu Tianbi and Hu Dengxiao were standing guard.

Suddenly, something caught her attention: a child wearing thin clothes that made it difficult to tell their gender.

Li Xueyue had to squint her eyes and carefully judge the child's facial features before she knew it was a boy. He stood at the entrance of the alley, holding a small object in his hand, with a hesitant look on his face.

"Are you sure?" Yu Zhen asked, although he asked for it.

Seeing the child's anxious brow, Li Xueyue tilted her head. She walked out of the shadows, smiled at him, and motioned him to move forward. Is his home on the other side of this alley?

The child's heart brightened at her encouraging smile. He dropped the object, which sparkled in the sun.

Li Xueyue touched her hair. Could it be her hairpin that had fallen off?

She moved her chin towards Yu Zhen and found that he was still busy discussing. Lu Tianbi also listened attentively, while Hu Dengxiao continued to guard on the other side.

Not wanting to disturb them, Li Xueyue stepped forward and approached the child.

"Is that my hairpin?" she asked softly, as the child continued to wave the shiny object in his hand.

But the kid seemed frightened by the crowd behind him. He slowly walked to the edge of the alley, poking his head in every few seconds.

"It's okay, I'll come find you." Li Xueyue said to him as they walked. When they were about to turn the corner, she stretched out her hand.

"Can I have it back--" Before she could finish her sentence, he cut her hand with the object in his hand.

Li Xueyue gasped and pulled her hand back in time before she cut herself. But it was only a distraction, because another child ran over and sneaked up behind her. Without warning, she felt a tug at her waist.

When she looked down, the bag of coins on her belt was gone. She blinked, and the little boy disappeared.

Li Xueyue then realized that the thing in his hand was not her hairpin. It was a knife. He originally wanted to cut her.

"Xueyue."

Li Xueyue was startled by the unhappy voice behind her. As soon as she turned around, she bumped into Yu Zhen's chest. He looked down at her and grabbed her wrist.

"You shouldn't have left me and walked away." Yu Zhen checked her palm and was slightly relieved to see that there were no scars on her fair skin.

"He was just a little kid, I didn't expect him to hurt me." Li Xueyue explained. Hearing her words, a hint of anger flashed in his eyes.

"You're too trusting," he fumed.

"I know." Li Xueyue muttered.

Seeing that she was not going to argue with him, Yu Zhen changed the subject. He put one hand on her waist and pulled her closer to him.

"Go find those guys." He said to the guard next to him.

"No, don't!" Li Xueyue argued, grabbing the soldier's sleeve and not waiting for him to leave.

Yu Zhen saw this and his face was furious. The next second, she let go of her hand, but he caught her and entangled their fingers.

Li Xueyue lamented that her possessiveness was too strong. She found that he finally revealed his true nature on Han Jian.

"Let the children go," she said.

"They stole your stuff."

"They need money more than I do," Li Xueyue explained.

“It doesn’t change criminal behavior.”

“They are children,” she stressed.

"They are the thieves of the future," he roared. "Like robbers--"

"Your Highness," she interrupted coldly, frowning.

Yu Zhen pursed his lips. "Is this what you want to show? Calling me by my title when you're angry?"

"Yes."

Yu Zhen sighed through his nose. He was irritated by her words and actions. She was just so stubborn.

"We should focus on other relevant issues at hand," Li Xueyue pointed out. She stepped away from him and glared at the people's representative.

“You said the civilians had everything they needed,” she said.

"Wha-well, look—"

“Why are there thieves?”

"It seems that some civilians lack resources, which is normal. Or maybe, they are orphans and have nothing to do. Who knows? They are just farmers."

Yu Zhen turned his head sharply upon hearing this. He rushed towards the man and grabbed him by the throat, surprising many people.

"You should be respectful when you talk to her." Yu Zhen roared. He threw the man against the wall and wiped his hands with a handkerchief. He curled his lips in disgust.

Li Xueyue squinted at the man. She didn’t like his tone, but it didn’t bother her. His words did it. Farmers are people, too.

"He seems to be corrupt," Li Xueyue pointed out.

"You're fired." Yu Zhen said without hesitation.

"W-what? Your Highness, please——"

"Shut him up."

Yu Zhen grabbed Li Xueyue and covered her with his body. She hadn't seen anything yet. He didn't let her see the weird scene behind her. But she heard it - the gurgling sound of someone suffocating on blood.

She looked up at him with wide eyes, pale as a sheet. Her lips were parted in shock.

“Useless people should be disposed of,” Yu Zhen told her. He showed no remorse for the murder. Instead, he reached out to hold her hand, but she pulled away. He tried again, but she relaxed her body back.

"Sunlight-"

"Kids," she deadpanned.

"Forgiven and forgotten."

Li Xueyue listened to his words and smiled. This time she grabbed his hand and held it.

Her smile faded as Yu Zhen pulled away from her, until he interlocked their fingers and pulled her forward.

“Just hold my hand properly next time,” he grumbled.

Li Xueyue was amused by his words, but her laughter was awkward. Despite killing Li Taojun, the thought of death and murder still worried her.

Yu Zhen must have noticed this, too. He said nothing, but gently held her hand. He held her with his other hand and pressed her face against his firm chest. She resisted. She raised her head and stared at him.

“We have to discuss this during the roundtable as well — about the neglect of civilians,” she said.

"How do you know they were ignored?"

“Oh, well said,” she said. “I’d like to talk to some of them in person.”

"Do not."

Li Xueyue frowned. "Why?"

"This is dangerous. I'll take care of it."

"You're terrible." She deadpanned.

"I should be, my little sunshine."

Li Xueyue bit her lower lip. "They won't want to talk to you."

"I won't take you to where they live," Yu Zhen told her sternly. He loosened their hands and brushed his thumb across her lips.

"Don't bite," he whispered.

Li Xueyue hadn't realized she had this habit at all, but when his thumb stroked the side of her face, she nodded reluctantly.

"At least let me talk to some of them, either in the market stalls or—"

"I never said you can't talk to them like this, Sunshine." Yu Zhen said. He smiled at her blank face and shook his head.

"Do you think I've restricted you to this extent?"

"Maybe..." She trailed off, scratching her head. He took her finger and brought it to his lips. His eyes sparkled with amusement.

"Little hamster, your freedom is very important to me." Yu Zhen said. "I only disapprove of things that will bring you harm."

Hearing his low voice, so gentle, Li Xueyue's heart moved. He spoke to her with patience and understanding. He was so different from the man in Wuyi, yet so similar. It was hard to explain.

"How cute," he teased as she looked sullenly at the ground. His cold gaze softened. She was cute even when she was upset.

"Let's go." Li Xueyue said, ignoring his sarcastic smile.

"But stay close to me," he instructed.

Li Xueyue blinked. His voice was gruff. There was no room for argument, he was sure of that. However, she was not irritated by him. They reached a compromise, and she fully agreed.

"Okay," she nodded firmly.