Princess, Don't Run Away! The Prince Says He Wants To Mend His Ways - Chapter 2

Hearing the young man’s bold words, Xiao Yingxun narrowed his finely arched brows. A flicker of subtle displeasure appeared on his peerless, handsome face, making his already cold demeanor feel even more frigid.

How could the person being divorced have the right to write a letter of divorce? How could he have forgotten the laws of the Northern Qi Kingdom? If he, the Prince, did not write the divorce letter, the young man would never be able to leave him for the rest of his life.

“The matter of the divorce letter ends today.” Xiao Yingxun’s voice was cool and devoid of emotion.

Gu Lingwan raised his eyes and observed Xiao Yingxun’s expression discreetly before asking, “Your Highness, why have you decided to drop the divorce letter today?”

Why does he seem angry?

How could he not be frustrated? Xiao Yingxun closed his eyes for a moment to collect himself before picking up the divorce letter to show Gu Lingwan. “An accident occurred.”

Gu Lingwan’s beautiful phoenix eyes fell upon the paper. He saw a large patch of black ink obscuring the text. Gu Lingwan knew that a ruined divorce letter had to be discarded, but…

“Your Highness, you can simply write another one.”

Xiao Yingxun replied, “My hand hurts.”

Hearing this, Gu Lingwan shifted his gaze to the man’s hand and noticed a layer of gauze wrapped around his wrist. Gu Lingwan realized why it had taken so long for him to write a single letter; he was injured.

Gu Lingwan feigned concern. “Your Highness, how did you get injured? Is it serious?”

Xiao Yingxun looked down at the gauze on his wrist. “My Imperial Brother wounded me accidentally. The tendons and vessels were damaged, so the injury is quite serious.”

Earlier that day, his brother had invited him to spar with swords and had accidentally hurt him.

Gu Lingwan continued to pretend he cared. “Your Highness, please take care and get plenty of rest to recover.”

Accidentally wounded by your brother? Heh, what a lie. He did it on purpose. He has long viewed you as a thorn in his side, and in three months, he will be the one to poison you to death.

Xiao Yingxun lowered his eyes. Beneath his long lashes, his expression was complex and profound. Why is his inner voice so certain every time, as if he can foresee the future?

However, his words sounded like the prattle of a child, lacking any persuasive power or credibility. How could he easily believe what he heard in the young man’s heart? Furthermore, he and his brother were born of the same mother and were twins; they did not have the shallow emotional bond shared by other princes born of different mothers.

Xiao Yingxun lifted his eyes to look at the young man. “The matter of the divorce letter will be put aside for now.”

Gu Lingwan looked gentle. “I will follow whatever arrangement you see fit, Your Highness.”

Perhaps if more time passes and he calms down to consider it, he will change his mind. That would be for the best.

Xiao Yingxun listened quietly to Gu Lingwan’s inner voice. He had always felt that something was off; the heir loved him so deeply, so how could he truly be willing to divorce him?

As the man thought this, Gu Lingwan’s next inner thought drifted over. Xiao the Second is so rich, yet he only offered me five thousand taels for the divorce. How stingy! Let him calm down for a few days; maybe he will realize how petty he is being and decide to pay more out of fear of losing face. If he is thick-skinned enough not to add more money, I will go out and spread rumors that he is abusive and keeps a mistress. I will force him to come to me, pay up, and settle the matter. Then I will take Dongming and leave the Northern Qi Kingdom.

Gu Lingwan was busy planning his escape route in his mind.

Xiao Yingxun’s long fingers moved toward his left sleeve. Inside the sleeve pocket was a bank note for five thousand taels, which he had prepared as compensation for the heir. A faint, almost imperceptible sigh escaped the man’s perfect, thin lips.

It seemed that the person before him truly could foretell the future, which meant his earlier words had some credibility after all.

“Your Highness?” The young man’s clear, pleasant voice reached his ears. “Is there anything else? If not, I will not disturb you further.”

“There is something.” Xiao Yingxun lifted his cold, painting-like eyes to study Gu Lingwan carefully.

The young man had been by his side since childhood, but this was the first time he had examined him so closely. There was no denying that this was an incredibly beautiful face. The features were exquisitely carved, the skin delicate and fair, and the lips were bright and teeth white. He was touching, yet a man who was too delicate lacked masculinity and leaned toward femininity. Even if he was exceptionally good-looking, Xiao Yingxun did not like it. Wait?

Xiao Yingxun narrowed his eyes, his gaze fixed on Gu Lingwan’s eyes.

The young man’s phoenix eyes were full of spiritual energy, bright and clear. The corners of his eyes turned up elegantly, and his eyelashes fluttered with a touch of playfulness, like a sprite from the mountains. The past femininity and timidity had been swept away. Even though he was wearing his usual bright red, gold-embroidered robes, there was no longer a hint of effeminacy; instead, he exuded a refreshing sense of youth.

“Your Highness, is there something the matter?” Gu Lingwan scanned Xiao Yingxun’s eyes. “You seem to be scrutinizing me.”

Xiao Yingxun did not intend to hide his intent. “Nearly everyone in the imperial capital knows that the heir loves me deeply, and you have grown up by my side. I have always known your feelings for me, but why were you so quick to accept the divorce letter today?”

Gu Lingwan had prepared for this, and his expression showed a hint of sadness. “To love someone sometimes means learning to let go. You loathe me and do not wish to see me for even a moment. When I am by your side, you are mostly unhappy. I love you deeply, and ultimately, I hope to bring you happiness, not trouble.”

Xiao Yingxun replied, “Why do I find it hard to believe what the heir is saying?”

The heir’s obsession with him had reached the point of madness; how could he give up so easily? If he did not divorce him, he would pester him for a lifetime.

Gu Lingwan looked miserable. “Your Highness, if you insist on being suspicious, I have no way to defend myself.”

I have explained myself. Believe it or not, it is up to you. My legs are aching terribly, and I want to go back to my bedroom and lie down!

Hearing this string of inner thoughts, Xiao Yingxun’s temple twitched. How old is he, still using reduplicated words like a mischievous child? Still, it was easier to accept than the spineless, timid attitude he had shown in the past.

Regardless, he wanted some peace and quiet. The bizarre events of the day still felt like a dream, unreal and distant.

Xiao Yingxun was about to open his mouth to tell the young man to go back to his bedroom and lie down when a knock sounded at the door, followed by the steward’s voice. “Your Highness, Mr. Liu heard about your wrist injury and has come to visit you.”

Gu Lingwan’s eyes lit up immediately. The hypocritical Liu Rujin is here. Oh my, I haven’t even divorced the Prince yet, and the mistress is already dying to take over.