When Thrones Collide, Hearts Unite

Chapter 17- Fun is Overrated 1

Li Tian entered the chamber with her usual cheerful tone.

"Princess-"

"I know. My daily routine." Yu'er groaned, already tying up her hair.

"So early?" Li Tian blinked in surprise, then her eyes widened. "Wait-Princess, you're already dressed?"

Yu'er smirked in triumph, adjusting the pale green robe. "Surprised? Even I can be serious sometimes."

Li Tian snorted. "Heaven must be falling apart today."

Ignoring her, Yu'er swept out of the chamber with exaggerated dignity.

When she entered Ji Ling's chamber, she didn't wait for permission. Without so much as a glance at him, she sat opposite him at the table overflowing with fragrant dishes.

"No formalities, huh?" Ji Ling's deep voice cut through the silence.

Formalities. You're not the emperor, Yu'er thought with a roll of her eyes. But then, she got up with dramatic grace, bowed low, and said sweetly, "Good morning, Your Highness."

She sat down again like nothing happened.

Ji Ling's brow twitched. "What kind of sarcasm was that?"

"Sarcasm? I wasn't being sarcastic," Yu'er replied innocently, fluttering her lashes.

"Eat up," Ji Ling said curtly. "We're leaving soon."

Yu'er's chopsticks froze halfway. "Leaving? Where are we going?"

"You'll know when we get there."

Yu'er smirked to herself. Another day to try my luck.

Ji Ling, meanwhile, spared her a quick glance. Let's see the tricks you'll pull today.

"Hao," Yu'er chirped and began stuffing food into her mouth with zero elegance. "Hm... so delicious."

Ji Ling's glare snapped to her.

"Can you not behave like a lady for once?"

"It's boring," Yu'er said with a cheeky grin, cheeks puffed like a squirrel.

Ji Ling sighed heavily, turning his attention back to his food. He told himself he could ignore her antics. He was wrong.

Ling Yu'er's chopsticks clattered against the bowl as she shoveled food in with enthusiasm.

Ji Ling stared, unimpressed. "Do you always eat like a bandit?"

Yu'er paused, cheeks puffed out, and mumbled through her food, "Isn't that how you're supposed to enjoy it?"

Ji Ling pinched the bridge of his nose. "You're supposed to chew before speaking."

"Oh, but that's so slow." She swallowed with a satisfied sigh, leaning forward dramatically. "Besides, these dishes are too good. Whoever cooked them deserves a title."

"You think titles are given for cooking?"

"Why not? If someone can cook this well, they can definitely rule a country. I'd vote for them."

Ji Ling gave her a flat look. "This is not a democracy."

Yu'er giggled and picked up a dumpling. She held it out toward him. "Here. Try it. Don't just glare at me the whole time."

"I don't need you to feed me."

"Who said I was feeding you? I'm offering. There's a difference."

Ji Ling arched a brow but took the dumpling anyway, biting into it without changing his stoic expression.

"Well?" Yu'er leaned in eagerly.

"...It's fine."

Yu'er gasped in mock offense. "Fine? That was heavenly! Your standards are ridiculous."

"Perhaps my standards are simply higher than yours."

She smirked, leaning back. "Or maybe you just don't know how to have fun."

Ji Ling's jaw tightened. "Fun is overrated."

"That explains why you're always so grumpy." She reached for another bun, waving it in the air as if it were a sword. "See, food is joy. It's meant to be enjoyed with laughter and terrible jokes."

Ji Ling glanced at her waving bun and muttered, "One more stunt like that and I'll personally throw you out of my chamber."

Yu'er pouted, then set the bun down delicately like a defeated warrior laying down their weapon. "So strict."

Silence followed for a beat-until Yu'er suddenly leaned forward again, eyes gleaming.

"So... where are we going after this?"

"You'll know when we get there," Ji Ling repeated calmly, sipping his tea.

Yu'er narrowed her eyes, tapping her chopsticks against the table. "Mysterious, are we? Don't think I won't figure it out."

Ji Ling didn't answer. He simply continued eating, though a faint twitch at the corner of his lips betrayed his amusement.

Ji Ling rose from his seat, his movements as calm and deliberate as always. Without waiting for her, he strode toward the door.

Ling Yu'er stuffed one last bite into her mouth before quickly standing. "Wait for me!" she called, hurrying after him.

The morning air in the palace was fresh, touched with the faint scent of blooming plum blossoms drifting from the gardens. The sun was still soft and golden, painting the tiled roofs in a warm glow.

"Where are we going?" Yu'er asked again, jogging to match his long strides.

Ji Ling didn't answer.

She narrowed her eyes. "You know, a gentleman at least tells a lady where he's dragging her off to."

He spared her a glance, his tone flat. "You talk too much."

"Hah! That's your excuse for everything," she muttered under her breath.

They turned down a quieter corridor, and that's when Yu'er's ears caught the faint whispers of two maids tucked at a corner, their heads bent together.

"No one knows what happened to her," one whispered anxiously.

"Did she... commit suicide?" the other breathed, eyes darting nervously around.

"No, why would she? She had just been married..."

Yu'er's steps slowed, her brows shooting up. Suicide? Just married?

She glanced at Ji Ling, expecting some sort of reaction-but his face remained as calm and unreadable as ever, his pace steady. He might as well have been deaf for all the attention he paid them.

"What are they talking about?" she thought, curiosity burning in her chest. She tugged lightly at his sleeve. "Did you hear that?"

Ji Ling didn't stop walking. "Ignore them."