Chapter Four: Love at First Sight

The group made their way along the main road, and although Xue Fanzhi kept as far to the side as she could, Xiao Yi still pressed closer to her, whether unintentionally or by design, she couldn’t say.

Wen Xian walked beside Xiao Yi on his other side, seizing every chance to strike up a conversation. “My benefactor, you saved my life, and yet I still don’t know your name.”

Xiao Yi kept his gaze straight ahead. “Xiao Yi.”

He added, “But isn’t this young lady your true savior?”

He glanced toward Xue Fanzhi as he spoke.

Xue Fanzhi thought to herself, I don’t need Wen Xian’s gratitude—no need to dig myself into a hole.

“Forget it, it’s nothing. I didn’t save her for her sake, just couldn’t bear to see a girl being bullied.” She was being honest; she hadn’t acted because it was Wen Xian, but simply because she was a girl in need.

Xiao Yi replied, “Still, that’s rather kind-hearted of you.”

No matter how Xue Fanzhi turned it over in her mind, she couldn’t help but hear a note of irony, as if he were implying she had other faults. But when she looked at him, his expression was as serene and unblemished as ever, as if he were incapable of sarcasm.

Was she just overthinking things again?

Even though Xiao Yi had pointed out her true rescuer, Wen Xian persisted, “But in the end, it was you who saved me, Master Xiao!”

“Oh, by the way, Master Xiao, are you of imperial lineage?”

“I am the Ninth Prince,” Xiao Yi replied.

As he spoke, Xue Fanzhi saw Wen Xian feign surprise, as if to say something more, but Xiao Yi quickly cut her off.

He called out to his attendant, Xiao Yi, “See Miss Wen off first.”

Wen Xian, finding all her attempts at intimacy rebuffed, could only fall silent.

She had no choice but to take her leave. As she departed, her eyes narrowed as she glanced at Xiao Yi, and Xue Fanzhi’s gaze sharpened.

No wonder. No wonder Wen Xian had called for Xiao Yi to save her; no wonder she seemed to know him; no wonder she tried to build rapport—Wen Xian had been reborn as well.

There could be no mistake. Wen Xian had spent eight years in the palace; she had once tried to harm a newly arrived concubine, who in turn managed to injure Wen Xian’s eyes with a clever scheme. Though Wen Xian was eventually healed, she was left with a lingering weakness, and her eyes would involuntarily squint in the light—a habit that remained, and Xiao Yi was standing with his back to the sun.

So Wen Xian had returned as well, and she hadn’t given up on Xiao Yi; in this life, she would surely try her best to win his favor.

That settled it—she herself would never be forced to marry Xiao Yi and suffer his disdain.

Absolutely not!

“What are you thinking about?” A not-so-gentle voice suddenly sounded beside her.

Xue Fanzhi shook her head quickly. “Nothing!”

“Is it because your legs are too short that you’re walking slowly?” Xiao Yi asked in his usual indifferent tone.

She nearly choked. Wasn’t that rather rude?

After all, this was Xiao Yi!

What sort of person was he? He was never particularly warm to anyone without cause, but his reputation was that of a true gentleman. Before ascending the throne, he never put on any airs, nor did he ever speak out of turn.

Once, his favorite imperial sister disliked a dog he kept and asked their father, the Emperor, for it under the pretense of needing it for medicine—only to have it prepared and eaten. Xiao Yi, unfazed, courteously handed over the dog, showed no sign of displeasure, and later even hosted a banquet featuring dog meat, sharing it with friends and family. He had even published a book on cooking dog meat. His imperial sister, however, suffered an unfortunate fate—her tongue was ruined by something she ate and she could never speak clearly again.

A gentleman conceals his talents and bides his time—this was Xiao Yi.

So why was his tongue so sharp today?

Xue Fanzhi racked her brain, recalling their encounters in her past life. In truth, Xiao Yi had been just as cold then, but after their marriage, he had confessed that it was love at first sight.

Pretending again? Surely he already liked her, and was only saying harsh things to attract her attention.

She replied lightly, “Just because you’re a prince doesn’t mean you can insult people. I can give as good as I get. I’m not like you—your legs are like chopsticks, so of course you walk faster than I do!”

For a second, it seemed as if the corner of Xiao Yi’s lips twitched, but it happened so fast that Xue Fanzhi wasn’t sure.

They walked the rest of the way in silence, and soon reached the main road.

Xue Fanzhi knew her mother and elder brother would be stopping at a nearby estate; as long as she found them, she’d be safe.

She hurried her pace, ignoring everything else, but Xiao Yi stepped in front of her again. “You can’t just leave like this…”

“What do you want?” she snapped, wary and bristling with hostility.

Even Xiao Yi’s good temper seemed to be wearing thin. “I saved your life, and you’re just going to walk away?”

What did he expect, a promise of lifelong devotion?

“Oh, looking for money? Even a prince needs money these days? I’m from the Xue family of Huaichu, but I don’t have a penny on me. You can get it from my brother, Xue Jingren!”

Xiao Yi’s tone turned cold. “You do so enjoy insulting princes, don’t you? Whatever you offer, I’ll take it!” He left it at that, blocking her way with a chilling presence that made it hard to breathe.

She was sure he wanted something from her. Heart pounding, she clutched her collar and said shakily, “Don’t even think about anything else!” She would never, ever be with him in this life.

“What are you implying I want from you?” Xiao Yi frowned in confusion.

In her heart, Xue Fanzhi recalled that in her previous life, he’d already taken a fancy to her at this very moment. Matters of the heart wouldn’t change in this lifetime.

She said, “If it’s not money, then what else could you want but my beauty? But I will never offer myself to you!”

Xiao Yi, who had only wanted to remind her of something, was left speechless.

Honglian, unable to hold back, whispered, “Miss, you’re not even of age yet! Try thinking of something else; I’m sure the young master meant something different!” With two little buns on her head, who would covet the beauty of a child?

Xue Fanzhi blinked. “What do you mean? What, I’m not pretty enough?”

Hongxiao and Honglian looked equally bewildered.

Xue Fanzhi thought, She’s right. I’m still a child, not grown up yet!

But in her last life, Xiao Yi had said he liked her beauty, hadn’t he?

At this point, Xiao Yi seemed to lose patience. “Are you going to keep admiring yourself, or are you coming with me?”

“Why would I go with you?” Xue Fanzhi flared up, like a cat with her tail stepped on.

“What business do I have following you?”

“Don’t think just because I’m little I don’t understand. You just want to claim me for yourself because I’m pretty, don’t you?”

“Let me tell you, just because you saved me doesn’t mean I have to be grateful—no, not at all!”

“And don’t think I’ll look up to you just because you’re handsome. I won’t ever pay you any mind, I won’t get involved with you, and I will never, ever like you—not ever, for all eternity!”

Everyone else was left dumbfounded.