Mama's Princess is Daddy's Beloved

"What are you doing here? And from when did you start walking inside the palace according to your own will? Didn't you remember that before appearing you must ask permission for it?" 

Shin You Jun said and hearing his grudgeful tone, Li Xue turned to look at him in perplexity, seeing him getting forward with his steps aggressively. 

What happened to him again? Did he get his monthlies? Why is there again with the changed attitude? And who is this guy? 

She thought internally before turning to look at the person who appeared uninvited. Though the young kid looked all riled up because of him, he was there standing with utmost calmness as if the war has never been in his books. And he has been born solely for peace. 

"Your Highness!" He walked in to greet before sending a deliberate smirk to Shin You Jun again. And his such sly act of provocation didn't go missed by Li Xue. With just one gesture of his, Li Xue got to understand what type of personality the man holds. 

A really sly and cunning one! Nothing less than a fox. 

Getting pricked by his provocation, Shin You Jun was ready to jump on him but just when he was about to, he was held by Li Xue. Her hands reaching him to hold him back by her side. 

"What are you doing? Let go of me." Scrunching his brows in a frown, You Jun said to Li Xue. His words came out through gritted teeth. 

Li Xue raised her brows at his attitude. "What? Did you already forget what attitude you should follow when talking to your Elder Sister?" 

"We will play brother-sister game afterward. For now, just let go of me. I want to go and murder my enemy first." Feeling all itchy at the appearance, the boy sounded desperate.

Li Xue gazed at him and something in her eyes got changed. First into a smile then turning with the hints of warning. "Murder!" Keeping a showy nonchalant smile at the front, she said in a voice that was only audible enough to the ears of the boy standing next to him and not others. "Your intent is all clear in your eyes. Do you think I don't know it?" 

"You …"

"Ma has been already upset with you before. Don't give her another reason. She was already coughing because of you moments ago and now if there would be another attack neither honey tea would help nor the thyme cough syrup." Li Xue said, keeping nonchalance at the front while deep thoughts behind. 

Shin You Jun's eyes went to look at his mother, who was looking at him indeed. And her instruction was all clear in her gaze. 'Better not cause any scene.'

"But he is deliberately provoking me. You won't understand." Complaining under his breath, Shin You Jun could only hold back, making Li Xue just turn to look at him. 

"Who said I won't?" 

Shin You Jun turned to look at her in confusion; to which Li Xue added with a smile, "Of course, I have seen him provoking you and I am sure Ma would have seen it as well. But who said you to give in to his urge? Isn't he an enemy to you?" 

"What do you mean?" Not quite understanding the words of the woman, Shin You Jun asked and Li Xue at once revealed to say. 

"I mean if he is your enemy, then you shouldn't follow his direction. Choose the direction of your own, just opposite to his thoughts. Wouldn't it be better?" She said and on the explanation like that, he came to understand what it was actually for. 

He blinked his eyes at Li Xue firmly, who simply shrugged her shoulders with ease. 

Chen Rui didn't miss the sight of the conversation the two had. Though she wasn't able to hear their talks, the bright but controlled smile of Li Xue was enough to tell that the boy was enlightened. Keeping the curl on her lips, she finally turned to look at the boy who appeared, "You are here, Su Ce. I wasn't expecting you this soon. I think since Butler Cao is getting old, he might have confused with the time." 

Su Ce's eyes were looking at Li Xue with amusement. Though the Crown Prince was young and could be easily targeted, he was not the one to be easily tamed. But seeing her actually taming him was really a surprise to him. 

When heard the queen referring to him, he didn't miss the meaning that she beautifully hid in between her words. Smiling with pretentious politeness, Su Ce said, "Ah, Your Highness, please don't blame Mr. Cao. Even he is old, he is the perfect one. He would never mistake with timings. It was just that I wanted to see Crown Prince, so came a bit early from our decided time. I hope you won't mind." 

Chen Rui didn't say anything, still, her smiling but sharp look revealed it all. 

"Prince of East City really knows well to talk with double meanings." Shin You Jun said as keeping a slight curl he walked to take the seat on one of the sofas beside his mother. "On one hand you referred me with the title of Crown Prince but on the other hand, you didn't think it was necessary to seek permission before appearing. Are you intending to offend the title of Crown Prince?" 

He said and hearing his composed tone like that, Chen Rui was all amazed. She didn't expect him becoming all mature in such a short time. But seeing him actually like that she could believe all rightfully that siblings do learn and grow together. And with Li Xue, her son would definitely be growing for the better. 

Su Ce's thoughts paused for a moment as he looked at Shin You Jun. Though his eyes held something within, it didn't come at the front to reveal all openly. "How could I dare to offend the Crown Prince? I would never. Please don't take my intentions wrong." 

Shin You Jun sneered, "Really? Anyway, I could never take your intentions wrong as I have known it all clearly from always." He said and the two shared a gaze that looked no less than the declaration of war. 

Right at that moment, Chen Rui looked at Li Xue, who has been standing at a distance, enjoying the scene. "Xiao Xue, why are you still standing there? See, You Jun have already come to sit here. You as well come and sit." She said, gesturing to her to come and sit beside her. 

At the call of her name Su Ce's eyes at once went to stare at Li Xue, who didn't even care to see him for another glance. Instead, her lips curled up in a smile as she nodded to the lady before taking her steps beside her. 

"And this lady is …" Even though Su Ce has known Li Xue already, he didn't miss the chance to ask about her. Like he has never seen her before. 

Li Xue's steps paused as she was about to turn to introduce herself, but before she could Chen Rui interjected to introduce, "She is Li Xue, my daughter."