The return of her highness

Chapter four

"So, you have nowhere to go?" Prince Wu asked, staring at the innocent Xiao Yao.

She nodded in response.

"If that's the case, you can stay here until you regain your memory," Prince Wu said.

"You're cold on the outside but warm on the inside. Thank you!" Xiao Yao replied with a bright smile.

"Follow me," Prince Wu said before turning to leave.

Xiao Yao quickly followed him. Soon, they entered a large and beautiful room.

"You will stay here from now on. And don't cause any trouble," Prince Wu said.

Xiao Yao's eyes widened in surprise and excitement.

"What? Don't you like it?" Prince Wu asked.

"I love it!" Xiao Yao exclaimed happily. "You're such a nice man!"

"Nice?" Prince Wu scoffed.

What would it be like if I married someone like him? Xiao Yao thought to herself, smiling.

"What? Why are you smiling?" Prince Wu asked.

"I'm just happy and lucky to have met my future husband!" Xiao Yao said cheerfully.

Prince Wu glanced behind him, wondering if she was talking to someone else.

"Who are you talking to?" he asked.

"Who else would I be talking to?" Xiao Yao replied. "I'm obviously talking to you!"

She smiled brightly before adding, "Don't you want to marry a beautiful girl like me?"

"I think it's not too late to send you back to wherever you came from," Prince Wu said as he turned to leave.

He paused at the door and glanced back at her.

"And stop dressing like a man. You look terrible in those clothes."

With that, Prince Wu finally left the room.

Xiao Yao stood there, pouting slightly before breaking into another smile.

"What a strange future husband..."

The next morning, Xiao Yao woke up lazily and yawned.

"I need to take my bath before Mr. Handsome wakes up," she said to herself.

She headed toward the hot spring, took off her clothes, and stepped into the warm water. As soon as she entered, she heard footsteps approaching.

"Oh no! He's already awake! What do I do?" Xiao Yao thought nervously.

She quickly submerged herself beneath the water so that no one would notice her.

A moment later, Prince Wu arrived. Unaware that someone else was already in the spring, he undressed and stepped into the water. However, Xiao Yao accidentally made a noise beneath the surface.

Hearing it, Prince Wu swiftly moved toward the sound and grabbed her.

"It's you?!" Prince Wu exclaimed in surprise as Xiao Yao emerged from the water, coughing.

"Have you no shame?" he said coldly. "Do you realize this is my private bath? No one dares to enter this place, yet you did. You have a lot of nerve!"

"I'm sorry!" Xiao Yao replied, wrapping her arms around herself.

"It seems I made a mistake sparing you last night," Prince Wu said.

He seized her by the neck.

"It seems you don't know who I really am. If you did, you wouldn't have dared to enter my private chambers."

"I'm sorry! I won't come here again!" Xiao Yao said as she struggled to free herself from his grip.

"You'd better not," Prince Wu replied before releasing her.

Just then, they heard footsteps approaching.

"Someone is coming!" Xiao Yao whispered and quickly hid beneath the water again.

"Your Highness, Lady Li has summoned you to the palace," Xu Bo, one of Prince Wu's guards, announced as he entered.

"Very well. You may leave," Prince Wu said.

"One more thing—" Xu Bo began.

"You can tell me later," Prince Wu interrupted.

"What is he still doing here? I don't think I can hold my breath any longer," Xiao Yao muttered to herself.

Unable to stay underwater any longer, she raised her head above the surface.

"Your Highness, you..." Xu Bo stopped in surprise when he noticed Xiao Yao. She gave him a faint, awkward smile.

"What were you going to say?" Prince Wu asked.

Xu Bo quickly shook his head.

"Nothing. But you certainly have good taste," he said with a grin.

"Get out!" Prince Wu snapped.

Xu Bo turned to leave, still smiling.

"Okay," Xiao Yao said as she attempted to climb out of the water.

Before she could, Prince Wu grabbed her arm and pulled her back.

"Not you," he said.

Startled, Xiao Yao looked at him.

"What are you doing?" she asked nervously.

Xu Bo, who had paused at the doorway, turned back, thinking Prince Wu was speaking to him.

"Don't be shy. You may soon become our lady," Xu Bo joked.

"Why are you still here?" Prince Wu asked coldly, fixing Xu Bo with a sharp stare.

"Oh, I'll leave now!" Xu Bo replied. "Enjoy your day, Your Highness."

With that, he finally left.

Prince Wu turned his attention back to Xiao Yao.

"If you cause any more trouble," he said sternly, "you'll see a side of me you won't like."

"I understand. I'm sorry," Xiao Yao replied.

Prince Wu stepped out of the spring.

"And stay in your room until I return," he ordered.