Chapter 12: The Harmless Princess of Beiyang vs. the Ruthless Prince of Beiyang Who Betrayed His Own Kin, Part 12

Xiao Zexuan’s gaze fixed intently on her, taking in her simple white dress with a hint of irritation in his eyes. “Don’t wear that dress anymore,” he said.

“Does it not look good?” Wen Yurou’s delicate hand brushed lightly over Xiao Zexuan’s chest. Noticing the expression on his face, she softened her voice deliberately. “But I think this dress is quite beautiful.”

Their eyes met, and a complex emotion flickered in Xiao Zexuan’s. “If you still want to see the Crown Prince, then by all means, wear it!” His voice carried a trace of jealousy.

“See the Crown Prince?!” At his words, a glint of triumph flashed in Wen Yurou’s eyes. She leaned closer, her voice dripping with sweetness. “So if I never wear it again, Prince Won’t you be less angry?”

The faint, elegant fragrance wafted from her as she drew near, causing Xiao Zexuan to furrow his brow. “Stay away!”

Wen Yurou’s expression shifted. This man really had no sense of romance at all! She looked at him, deliberately widening her eyes until they shimmered with unshed tears. “Does the Prince not trust me?”

Seeing her look so aggrieved, Xiao Zexuan frowned deeply. “Why are you crying?”

“Because your words just now made me feel like you don’t trust me,” she said softly, full of hurt.

He glanced over the white dress she wore once more, his brow tightening. “I just think that dress might cause others to misunderstand your relationship with the Crown Prince.”

“Really?”

“Really. Don’t read too much into it.” Xiao Zexuan’s voice was tinged with coldness.

At his response, Wen Yurou’s heart was clear. This man was nothing but a jealous fool! She softened her tone, eyes reddening as she feigned grievance. “Prince, are you jealous?”

“Who’s jealous?!” His face changed, cold and aloof. “I, the Prince, jealous?”

She was speechless at his stubbornness.

“Then why were you angry just now?” she teased, leaning in slightly with a hint of challenge.

Xiao Zexuan’s gaze swept over her face, dangerous glint in his eyes. “Stay away from me!”

Wen Yurou frowned. Are all men this stubborn?

She softened her voice once more, feigning frailty. “Prince, please don’t be angry anymore, okay?”

Her coquettish tone made Xiao Zexuan’s brow furrow deeper. Seeing her so pitiful, he said coldly, “Don’t come so close!”

Their eyes met again, his ears tinged slightly pink. A victorious smile crossed Wen Yurou’s face. So he was a silent tease after all!

She masked her delight with a demure tone. “Alright then, I won’t come near the Prince anymore.”

Sitting up straight, she ceased talking.

Seeing her pull away, Xiao Zexuan relaxed slightly, but his gaze once again fell on her white dress.

The white seemed to make her appear even more slender and delicate.

Wen Yurou’s gaze drifted outside, pausing suddenly.

She caught sight of a shop sign along the street, advertising freshly baked Hibiscus Pastries.

“Freshly baked hibiscus pastries from the Lotus Pavilion, the most delicious,” read the sign.

Wen Yurou swallowed hard. “Hibiscus pastries…”

“Stop the carriage.”

Hearing this, Chunmei quickly guided the carriage to a halt.

“Prince, shall we buy some hibiscus pastries?”

Seeing her hopeful expression, a trace of fondness flickered in Xiao Zexuan’s eyes. “Are you hungry?”

Wen Yurou blinked brightly. “Yes, yes.”

Xiao Zexuan pressed his lips together, then said, “Chunmei, go buy some hibiscus pastries.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

Soon, Chunmei returned with the pastries as the carriage resumed its journey.

Wen Yurou’s eyes sparkled with joy as she looked at the pastries. “Thank you, Prince!”

She picked up one and began eating, quickly devouring half the bag.

“Eat slowly, no one’s going to snatch them from you,” Xiao Zexuan said gently.

She nodded and looked at him. “Then… would the Prince like to try one?”

She offered one to Xiao Zexuan.

He hesitated briefly, a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes.

Wen Yurou caught it and secretly grinned. This man seemed like someone who could only be won over through persistence.

She softened her voice with a hint of pleading and leaned closer. “They’re really delicious, Prince, please try one?”

Her delicate face and cherry-red lips so near made Xiao Zexuan press his thin lips together, his gaze falling on the pastry in her hand.

“You eat it,” he said dryly.

Wen Yurou’s eyes filled with helplessness.

She looked up at him, her tone dripping with sweetness. “Prince, this is especially for you.”

She tugged his sleeve. “Please try it, it’s really good.”

Xiao Zexuan’s expression darkened slightly.

Was she… flirting?

“You eat it,” he insisted, looking at her seriously.

At that moment, Wen Yurou gently pressed the pastry to his lips, cooing, “Prince, open your mouth.”

His brow furrowed as he looked at the hopeful light in her eyes, then at her white dress again.

“I don’t like this…”

“But I do,” Wen Yurou blinked up at him, her voice filled with innocence.

Hearing her, Xiao Zexuan’s brow tightened, a strange glint flashing in his eyes.

Noticing his reaction, Wen Yurou leaned in a little closer, her voice soft. “Please? I want you to try it, Prince.”

Xiao Zexuan sighed in resignation and opened his mouth, allowing Wen Yurou to place the pastry inside.

She smiled as she watched him eat, a touch of triumph in her eyes.

“Is it delicious?” she asked softly.

“No,” Xiao Zexuan replied with a slight smirk.

Wen Yurou couldn’t help but laugh at his expression, feigning indignation. “Prince, how can you say it’s not delicious? I clearly saw you enjoying it!”

Xiao Zexuan looked toward the carriage window, his voice low. “I don’t like sweets.”

He seemed somewhat vexed now.

Wen Yurou’s eyes filled with displeasure, tears welling. “Prince, you’re lying! I saw you eating happily just now.”

Xiao Zexuan turned to look at her tearful, aggrieved face and frowned. “No, I’m not!”

Just then, Chunmei’s voice rang out. “Prince, Princess, we have arrived at the residence.”