Chapter 14- Romace is Unnecessary 2
1185 Words
“Don’t test my patience,” Ji Ling said, his tone low but not entirely sharp.
“Too late,” she muttered under her breath, stabbing at another dumpling.
The silence stretched for a moment, filled only with the clink of chopsticks. Then Ling Yu’er suddenly whispered, eyes wide with mock seriousness, “What if one day you choke on a dumpling? Should I save you or pretend I didn’t see?”
This time, Li Tian couldn’t hold back her laugh. She burst into giggles, earning her a glare from Ji Ling.
“You dare,” he muttered, though the corner of his mouth betrayed the faintest flicker of amusement.
Ling Yu’er leaned back with a satisfied grin. “Ah, breakfast is so much better with a little life in it, don’t you think, Your Highness?”
Ji Ling set his chopsticks down deliberately, his gaze locking onto hers. “Finish your meal, Princess. And remember… this is only the first of many mornings.”
Her smile faltered. “Many… mornings?”
“Every day.”
Her jaw nearly dropped. Every day?!
Ling Yu’er groaned and buried her face in her hands. What kind of nightmare is this marriage?
When Ji Ling finally set down his chopsticks, the room grew uncomfortably still. His sharp eyes swept across the servants before landing on Li Tian.
“Leave us,” he ordered.
Li Tian blinked, hesitating. “Your Highness—”
“Now.”
Everyone quickly bowed and slipped out, leaving only Ling Yu’er and Ji Ling in the chamber.
She fidgeted with her sleeve, her nerves prickling. “So… am I free to go now?”
Ji Ling calmly wiped his hands with a cloth, ignoring her impatience. Then he stood, his voice as steady as ever.
“Walk me around the palace.”
Yu’er blinked. “What?”
“You heard me.” He turned slightly.
“I refuse,” she said flatly, lifting her chin with fake pride.
Ji Ling’s lips curved into the faintest smirk. “That wasn’t a request.”
Yu’er’s eyes widened. This man! Who does he think he is?
In her head, her thoughts spiraled: Hmph. I don’t believe you’re this cold. I don’t believe I can’t make you fall for me. Just you wait.
Unfortunately, she had been muttering aloud.
The few guards left at the door turned their heads slightly, staring at her as if she’d grown two heads. Yu’er coughed awkwardly into her hand. “Ahem… I mean—fine. I’ll walk with you.”
“I didn’t leave you a choice in the first place.” His tone was smooth, final, and he began to stride out.
Yu’er glared at his retreating back, her face twisting into an exaggerated pout. “Jerk,” she muttered under her breath before rushing to catch up, her pink skirts swishing as she nearly tripped over them.
Ji Ling didn’t turn, but the corner of his mouth twitched. Just slightly.
The palace corridors stretched endlessly, sunlight pouring through tall latticed windows and casting golden patterns on the marble floor. Ji Ling walked ahead, his posture straight and calm, while Yu’er trailed behind, half jogging to keep up.
“Hey, slow down!” she called, puffing slightly. “Do you always walk like you’re being chased by assassins?”
Ji Ling didn’t slow. “If you can’t keep up, perhaps you should have refused my order more firmly.”
Yu’er glared at his back. Unbelievable. Does he even know how to smile?
Determined, she picked up her pace until she was right beside him. She clasped her hands behind her back and leaned in, tilting her head at him with a cheeky grin. “So, Husband… are you really planning to walk the entire palace in silence? How romantic.”
Ji Ling’s eyes flicked toward her for the briefest second before shifting back ahead. “Romance is unnecessary.”
Yu’er gasped dramatically. “Unnecessary?! Then what am I doing here? What is this marriage for if not romance?” She threw her hands up, nearly hitting a guard passing by. The poor man stiffened and lowered his head quickly to avoid laughing.
Ji Ling’s lips twitched almost imperceptibly, though he quickly masked it. “You talk too much.”
“Someone has to,” Yu’er shot back instantly, grinning. “Otherwise this would be the dullest walk in the history of palace walks.”
They rounded a corner where plum blossoms decorated the courtyard. Yu’er suddenly darted ahead, plucking a single blossom from the branch. She turned dramatically, holding it up like a prize. “See? This walk isn’t so bad if you actually look around.”
Ji Ling stopped, watching her quietly. For the briefest moment, something unreadable flickered in his gaze. Then he said flatly, “That’s against palace rules.”
Yu’er froze, her mouth opening and closing like a caught fish. “What?! Against palace rules? For picking one flower?”
Ji Ling resumed walking, his tone calm. “The rules apply equally to everyone—even a princess.”
Yu’er stomped after him, waving the blossom like a weapon. “You’re a tyrant, you know that?”
Ji Ling said nothing, but the corner of his lips curved just slightly, hidden from her view.
As they continued walking, Yu’er trailed after Ji Ling like a mischievous shadow.
“So,” she began, clasping her hands behind her back again, “do you always order people around so coldly? Or is this your special way of showing affection?”
Ji Ling didn’t even glance at her. “Affection has nothing to do with it.”
Yu’er gasped and placed a hand dramatically on her chest. “Oh, poor me! Married to a man who doesn’t know affection. Truly, what a tragic love story.” She sniffled loudly, making a few nearby guards choke back laughter.
Ji Ling’s voice cut in, low and sharp. “You enjoy making a spectacle of yourself.”
“And you enjoy pretending you don’t find me amusing,” Yu’er shot back with a grin. “Don’t deny it—I saw your lip twitch earlier.”
Ji Ling stopped abruptly, turning his head toward her. His face remained expressionless, but his eyes betrayed the faintest spark of surprise. “You imagined it.”
Yu’er narrowed her eyes, stepping closer until they were almost face-to-face. “Oh, I definitely didn’t imagine it. You nearly smiled. Admit it.”
Ji Ling stared down at her in silence, his height casting her in shadow. For a moment, Yu’er thought he might actually say something… but then he turned and walked on without a word.
Yu’er huffed, clutching the blossom in her hand. Stubborn mule!
Still, she skipped a little to catch up, her grin returning. “Fine, don’t admit it. But I’ll make you laugh one day. Just you wait.”
Ji Ling gave no reply, but his fingers, hidden within his sleeve, curled slightly tighter than usual.
Just then, the sound of soft footsteps approached, and a gentle voice rang out.
“Your Highness.”
- Writer
