Double Rebirth: The Scumbag Heroine is Terrified of the Yandere Prince! - Chapter 30

Shen Ruoli actually smiled that sweetly at Xie Xuanyu?!

How come she had never smiled at him like that?

Fine. Aside from him, she was capable of smiling that radiantly at any other man, was she?

“Someone, take Prince Zhou to the dining hall.”

Xie Xuanjin didn’t give Xie Xuanyu a chance to refuse; he spoke with an iron authority that practically forced his people to “escort” the prince away.

Yun Yue and Feng Qing tactfully withdrew. Before leaving, they both cast worried glances at Shen Ruoli.

Yet, she acted as if nothing were wrong, seemingly oblivious to Xie Xuanjin’s simmering rage. She even had the nerve to pull him toward the small kitchen. “Your Highness, you’ve returned quite early today!”

“Look at the delicacies Second Brother and I prepared for you!”

After dragging Xie Xuanjin into the kitchen, Shen Ruoli presented the plate of Salt-Baked Chicken like a proud treasure. She took a sniff and let out a long sigh of contentment. “The fragrance is intoxicating!”

“Your Highness, take a smell!”

It was indeed fragrant. Even though Xie Xuanjin was known to everyone as a notoriously picky eater who was exceptionally difficult to please, the plate of Salt-Baked Chicken actually managed to stir his appetite.

However, he remained motionless, his expression unchanged. His stony silence made Shen Ruoli feel a bit guilty. She set the plate down. “Does Your Highness not like Salt-Baked Chicken?”

“Who told you that I care for such things?” Xie Xuanjin stared at her coldly.

Things?

She had painstakingly attempted this dish several times, swallowed her pride to ask Xie Xuanyu for help after failing, and spent half the day busying herself to produce this chicken—and he called it a mere “thing”?!

“Since Your Highness doesn’t care for such ‘things,’ I might as well feed it to the dogs.” Furious, Shen Ruoli grabbed the plate and headed for the door.

Seeing Feng Qing standing guard outside, she shoved the plate into his arms. “Eat!”

Feng Qing: “???”

Am I the dog?

The plate of chicken in his arms smelled so good that Feng Qing’s mouth began to water. However, he didn’t dare eat it; instead, it felt like he was holding a tray of hot coals.

“Master.” Seeing Xie Xuanjin’s face darken further, Feng Qing spoke up cautiously. “It smells wonderful! The Crown Princess was truly diligent. Look at these drumsticks—golden and bright, with a scent that’s better than anything from the Imperial Kitchen!”

“Master, why don’t you try some?” Feng Qing picked up a drumstick and offered it.

This dog is quick-witted today; he knows how to give me a way out, Xie Xuanjin thought to himself.

But just as he intended to take the “exit” Feng Qing provided and reach for the chicken, Shen Ruoli snatched it back!

“What is Your Highness doing? Didn’t you just say you looked down on such ‘things’?” She emphasized the word “things” once more. “Since this is beneath the Crown Prince’s palate, don’t eat it! I plan to feed the dogs anyway.”

She reclaimed the drumstick. Feng Qing’s hand was empty, and his face turned pale. I can’t stay here; it’s too easy to get burned! He quickly set the plate down and vanished.

Xie Xuanjin watched the drumstick being snatched back by Shen Ruoli and began to grit his teeth. “Shen Ruoli, have I given you too much face?”

“Does Your Highness want to eat?” Shen Ruoli gave a thin smile. “Then come and take it.”

Xie Xuanjin glanced at her. “Who gave you the courage to invite others to dine at the Crown Prince’s Estate without permission?”

Shen Ruoli’s “little scheme” had fallen through. She felt a bit deflated and put the chicken back.

“Xie Xuanjin, let’s speak plainly.”

Playing these games with him was exhausting. Since being reborn, she woke up every day thinking of revenge while simultaneously worrying about Xie Xuanjin stabbing her in the back. Sometimes she would even startle awake in the middle of the night, terrified that he might suddenly decide to kill her.

If they continued like this, they would destroy each other before they ever got their revenge on Xie Xuansong!

“I am like you. We have the same goal, the same place of origin! And something that makes us different from everyone else.” Shen Ruoli stared intently at him, reminding him that she, too, was a soul returned from the dead for vengeance. They were the same kind of person!

She couldn’t say it explicitly, but her hint was unmistakable. She thought he would realize it, but seeing his gaze remain gloomy, she added, “Before the day Xie Xuansong dies, I am not your enemy.”

“Of course, I know you hate me! You wish you could kill me! But we agreed—we have a deal, and you cannot go back on it.”

“And so?” Xie Xuanjin asked coldly.

Shen Ruoli sighed. She had said so much, hinted so clearly, and all she got was an “And so?”

“The reason I keep trying to please you is not because I am plotting against you! First, I want to join forces with you to destroy Xie Xuansong. Second, I… I truly want to be good to you. I ask for nothing in return, only that you don’t push me away.”

Tears shimmered in her eyes. She forced them back, refusing to let them fall. “This is the last time I will declare my heart to you!”

Regardless of whether he accepted it or not, she did it to make amends to him.

“And so?” Xie Xuanjin’s eyes flickered.

Shen Ruoli: “…You are forbidden from speaking like that ever again!” It grated on her ears.

“Oh? And so?” Xie Xuanjin raised an eyebrow.

Perhaps because he was used to her “pampering” him lately, seeing her throw a small tantrum actually felt quite novel. A trace of a smile appeared in his eyes; his mood was clearly improving.

Shen Ruoli stamped her foot in frustration, wanting to hit him but restricted to helpless fury. If she actually struck him, all her words would have been for nothing.

Seeing her like this, the gloom that had followed Xie Xuanjin from the Imperial Study vanished, replaced by a visible smile. He picked up the plate and the drumstick. “Mm, it does smell quite good.”

“Do you want some?”

“What?” Shen Ruoli was stunned.

“It seems you don’t want any.” Xie Xuanjin took a bite. Mm, it’s actually delicious.

He took another bite. Remembering that his preferences shouldn’t be exposed, he set the plate down and slowly backed Shen Ruoli into a corner. “You haven’t answered me yet.”

“Who gave you the courage to invite Prince Zhou to the estate?”

He kept his hands behind his back, strolling leisurely toward her. Shen Ruoli backed up cautiously until her back hit the wall. Beside them, chicken soup was simmering on the stove, steam rising in thick clouds.

She didn’t know if it was the heat of the steam or the way Xie Xuanjin’s handsome face looked so mesmerizing through the mist, but her cheeks began to flush. Her voice dropped low. “I didn’t just invite Prince Zhou! I… I also invited Jiaojiao!”

“What?” Xie Xuanjin paused.

This woman’s courage was truly immense. Was she really testing his limits, or was she searching for his weakness?

“Shen Ruoli, what exactly are you testing?” Xie Xuanjin laughed from extreme anger.

He reached out a long arm, bracing it against the wall and trapping her firmly against his chest. “What do you really want to know? You’ve gone through such a large circle that you even invited Jiaojiao.”

“I am right here in front of you. If there is something you want to know, why not ask me directly?”

Shen Ruoli stiffened, realizing he had misunderstood her intentions once again. She opened her mouth to explain, but then her tone shifted. “Since Your Highness has put it that way! I do indeed have a few questions I’d like to hear your answers to!”

Xie Xuanjin raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”