The Obsessive Crown Prince Can't Let Me Go
Chapter 192 - 190 Xue Ling May Not Want to Marry You

Chapter 192: Chapter 190 Xue Ling May Not Want to Marry You

Xue Ling lowered his gaze at the handkerchief, then glanced at the unruly girl in pink outside the pavilion.

He clicked his tongue in annoyance, ignoring the girl’s demand, and walked straight out of the pavilion.

After taking only a few steps, the girl in pink, flushed with anger and shame, rushed to block his path. "Hey! What kind of person are you?! Don’t you even have the basic manners a man should possess?!"

"Helping you would be a favor. Not helping you is my duty. Stop whining. Step aside."

"You—" The girl was furious. "They say sons of noble families are well-read, humble, and courteous. Who would’ve thought someone like you would turn out to be such a disgrace!"

Xue Ling raised an eyebrow, looking her up and down.

After a moment, he said, "Are you the one arranged by my mother for me to meet?"

The girl froze momentarily.

She was the daughter of the Magistrate of Jiangnan, the younger sister of Prince Wu’s consort. This time, she had followed her sister and brother-in-law to the Capital, with her family indeed planning an arranged marriage between her and the Fifth Prince, Lu Zhengliu.

Could this rude, unreasonable boy actually be Lu Zhengliu?

Luo Wanxiang scrutinized Xue Ling. The northern boy was tall, clad in a red wide-sleeved silk robe. His lips were red, teeth gleaming, and he had strikingly handsome features. The curve of his nose was elegant, and his narrow, foxy eyes held an air of arrogance. His gaze, looking down at her with a hint of scrutiny, was domineering, almost suffocating her with its raw intensity and wild aggression.

He didn’t resemble a pampered prince raised in the luxury of the Imperial Palace. Instead, he looked like a fierce bandit who had fought his way out of a cage.

She had never met such an extraordinary young man in her life.

Both in looks and temperament, Luo Wanxiang quite liked him. She spoke crisply, "That’s right. I’m the one destined to marry you!"

Xue Ling sneered, "I never said I was going to marry you."

"You—"

Once again, Luo Wanxiang was lost for words.

She was known as the top beauty of Jiangnan, coveted by countless noble young men and sons of esteemed families. How dare he say he didn’t want to marry her?!

Did he think of her as one of those dull, ordinary girls?

To prove herself unique, Luo Wanxiang drew the soft whip coiled around her waist. "You don’t want to marry me? Do you think I want to marry you?! You’re seriously underestimating me! Mark my words, I’m different from those tearful, weak little ladies. If you dare bully me, I won’t let it slide! Prepare yourself!"

As her words landed, the soft whip lashed toward Xue Ling!

Xue Ling dodged her attack with ease. "Why must you resort to violence at the slightest disagreement?"

Pleased, Luo Wanxiang tilted her chin proudly. "I’ve already said I’m not one of those pampered, delicate ladies locked away in boudoirs. Since you dared provoke me, you better be ready for the consequences! What’s the matter? You’re a young man, aren’t you? Surely you’re not scared to spar with a girl like me? Fight back! Either defeat me, or be defeated by me—don’t make me look down on you!"

With those words, she launched another attack at Xue Ling.

From afar, Xue Mianmian exclaimed in shock, "What’s going on? How did an arranged marriage meeting turn into a fight?"

Shen Yinning observed Luo Wanxiang thoughtfully. "That’s definitely not the daughter of the National Academy Sacrificial Officer."

The fight outside the flower pavilion quickly attracted the attention of several young men and ladies, who gathered to watch.

Xue Ling dodged thirty of Luo Wanxiang’s attacks in succession, believing he had already given her enough face. However, this woman seemed brainless, entirely oblivious to the fact that he was holding back. Instead, she grew even fiercer in her assault.

He began to grow impatient. Sidestepping another strike of her whip, he casually broke off a plum blossom branch about the length of an arm.

The soft plum branch in his hand became as sharp as a sword.

Effortlessly, he knocked the whip aside. His movements were so quick they left only afterimages. In the blink of an eye, he appeared behind Luo Wanxiang.

His large hand pinned the one holding her whip, while the plum blossom branch was poised horizontally at her neck like a blade.

Lowering his gaze, he asked, "Do you yield?"

Luo Wanxiang’s breathing grew rapid.

The boy’s hand was broad and warm, tightly enveloping her smaller one...

The branch at her neck shed a few petals, releasing a faintly sweet fragrance that spread to her nostrils.

It felt as if the unruly boy behind her carried with him part of the soul of the plum blossom.

All the boys she had encountered before would fawn over her eagerly. Even when she demanded a sparring match, they would always let her win on purpose. But now, here stood someone who not only dared challenge her but even asked if she would yield...

Her cheeks flushed bright red, and she shoved Xue Ling away. "You’re bullying me!"

"Xiang’er."

From the crowd, Luo Wanzhao’s voice called out.

Luo Wanxiang quickly ran to her, clutching her sister’s arm and stomping her embroidered shoes with a pout. "Sister, look at him! He bullied me!"

Luo Wanzhao gently patted her hand in reassurance before smiling at Xue Ling. "Forgive my younger sister’s rudeness, Young Master Xue."

Luo Wanxiang asked in confusion, "Young Master Xue? Isn’t he the Fifth Prince?"

Luo Wanzhao dotingly replied, "Silly child, how could you mistake him? He’s the eldest legitimate son of Chief of Staff Xue, Xue Ling."

Xue Ling raised an eyebrow slightly. "So you’re not the daughter of the National Academy Sacrificial Officer."

"National Academy Sacrificial Officer’s daughter? Nonsense!" Luo Wanxiang haughtily lifted her chin. "I’m Luo Wanxiang. My father is the Magistrate of Jiangnan, my elder brother is the Salt Transport Commissioner of Jiangnan, and my sister is Prince Wu’s consort!"

Xue Ling gave her a slight bow. "Pardon me."

Then he turned and walked away.

"Hey—"

Luo Wanxiang wanted to say something more but saw that he had already walked off into the distance.

She pursed her lips. "What a hateful guy."

"Alright," Luo Wanzhao said while tidying her sister’s hair. "We still have to meet the Fifth Prince later. How can you be so careless about your appearance?"

"Sister..." Luo Wanxiang rubbed her arm affectionately. "This Xue Ling, has he married or had children? I really feel like we were brought together through fate from our little quarrel!"

Luo Wanzhao frowned. "You’ve taken a liking to Xue Ling? But Father hopes for you to become the Fifth Prince’s concubine—"

"Sister, you’ve already married Prince Wu. The bond between our two families is solid enough; there’s no need for further alliances. But if I marry Xue Ling, it’ll be different. I could bring Chief of Staff Xue over to our side along with their family’s support."

Luo Wanzhao hesitated. "But Xue Ling may not want to marry you."

"Why wouldn’t he? I’m nothing like the dull and lifeless noble ladies of the Capital. After that sparring match, he must think I’m special. Besides, I’m Jiangnan’s number one beauty. Even in the Capital, no girl could surpass me in beauty. How could he not be taken with me?!"

Luo Wanzhao looked conflicted. "This matter will need careful consideration."

"By the way," Luo Wanxiang suddenly remembered something, "Sister, have you seen this woman named Shen Yinning? I heard she was Brother-in-law’s first love back in his youth and is said to be the most beautiful woman in the Capital. Is she as beautiful as me?"

Luo Wanzhao glanced at her sister.

Her sister was indeed beautiful, but it was a common, conventional kind of beauty—completely lacking the stunning, heart-stopping allure Shen Yinning possessed.

In her twenty years of life, Luo Wanzhao had never thought that the world could hold a woman whose beauty could topple nations... until she met Shen Yinning.

Luo Wanxiang tugged on her hand impatiently. "Sister?"