"Young Master Su is truly humorous."

Li Changle's lips twitched.

She found that she couldn't understand Su Jue at all; her impressions of him were too numerous.

Was he the enigmatic man who casually produced a poem at the tavern that day, and then declined her invitation with a graceful departure?

Or was he the unparalleled prodigy who shone brilliantly at yesterday's Prodigy Tournament, like a rising sun?

Or perhaps today, he was the one who cared not for fame, full of knowledge, speaking eloquently as if the reincarnation of the God of Literature.

Or maybe he was just the mischievous youth who spoke so unpredictably, leaving people both amused and exasperated.

No matter how she looked at it, she couldn't see through Su Jue. He seemed invulnerable, beyond anyone's control.

Thus, trying to control Su Jue was impossible; one could only go along with him to gain anything from him.

For a moment, Li Changle was intensely curious about Su Jue, wanting to study him and find out what kind of person he truly was.

Su Jue asked, "The princess hasn't said yet, what brings you to the Su Mansion to see me?"

"It's nothing much."

Li Changle initially wanted to say she just wanted to chat, but she felt a bit embarrassed, perhaps even shy?

"Could it be you just want to chat with me?"

Su Jue glanced at Li Changle skeptically, thinking it was quite possible.

Li Changle had no familial ties with him, and the Su Clan held no significant position in the court, so how could they be of any use to her?

"That's right."

Li Changle replied calmly, though her snow-white ears tinged with a faint blush.

"I didn't expect the princess to come to the Su Mansion just for this."

Su Jue speculated that it might be to discuss poetry with him.

To read the uncut version, go to [p𝘢wread.com].

But he had nothing much to say about poetry; those were works of great masters from his previous life.

"Indeed, I didn't expect to come to the Su Mansion, especially for a man."

Li Changle's beautiful eyes were sharp as she stared at Su Jue, wanting desperately to see through him.

But when she looked into Su Jue's clear and candid eyes, she found herself defeated.

There was nothing else; Su Jue seemed like a simple person without any pretense.

Yet the more he appeared this way, the more Li Changle found him unfathomable.

"To be precise, I'm only eighteen this year; the princess can call me a young man."

Su Jue coughed lightly, wondering if she had to speak so suggestively.

Coming here for a man—if that got out, it would surely cause a stir.

After all, she was the Eldest Princess of the current dynasty.

"Alright, then it's for a young man that I'm here."

Li Changle suddenly found Su Jue very amusing, smiling as she looked at him.

"Why is the princess looking at me?"

Su Jue met her gaze openly and asked with a smile.

"To see if you're the God of Literature descended to earth."

Li Changle replied honestly.

Su Jue said leisurely, "Then the princess might be disappointed; I'm not the God of Literature."

"From what Young Master Su says, there's more to it. So what star are you?"

Li Changle tilted her head and asked.

"I'm the one who can't do without you." Su Jue blinked.

"Pfft~"

Li Changle was momentarily stunned, then burst into a delightful laugh.

Like the rosy clouds at the horizon, she was captivating and made one willing to be lost in her.

Su Jue said earnestly, "The princess should smile more."

"Why?"

Li Changle's eyes curved, her beauty unparalleled.

She found that being with Su Jue was incredibly comfortable, free from the intrigues of the imperial family, and she didn't have to wear a mask.

And Su Jue always managed to make her laugh, bringing her genuine happiness.

Women are complex, wanting everything in the world, but they are also simple, only wanting happiness.

But this happiness encompasses countless challenges.

"This way, the princess will easily find a husband."

Su Jue said truthfully.

Li Changle's smile was enchanting, her dignified and elegant demeanor making her very attractive.

It must be said, Li Changle was a true beauty, on par with An Ke and his master.

"Then I better not smile."

Li Changle's pretty face immediately turned somber, as Su Jue's words reminded her of her mother, who had been obsessively arranging marriages for her recently.

"What? Are you being set up for an arranged marriage?"

Su Jue immediately saw the issue and asked with a smile.

Li Changle was puzzled, "How do you know everything?"

"Smart, you know."

Su Jue pointed to his head.

Li Changle pouted and sighed, "I'm alright, I have the right to refuse, but my mother keeps urging me about it."

"It's normal; you're at the age to marry, yet you spend all day on literature and art. Of course, they're anxious for you."

Su Jue chuckled, surprised that the Eldest Princess of the Zhenguan Dynasty had such worries.

"I don't want to marry."

Li Changle's gaze lingered on Su Jue, her eyes flickering.

No one knew what she was thinking.

"Could it be?" Su Jue stroked his chin, sizing up Li Changle.

"Could it be what?"

A blush flashed across Li Changle's pretty face—could he have figured it out?

She hadn't done anything, just thought to herself that if she were to marry, it would have to be someone like Su Jue, a perfect and impeccable man.

She wouldn't settle for those unworthy suitors!

Su Jue guessed, "You want to become a nun?"

"......."

Li Changle's pretty face darkened, "You're the one who should become a monk, it'd suit you better!"

"Then why don't you want to marry?"

Su Jue also thought it unlikely; why would a royal daughter endure the hardships of being a nun, unless she were a fool.

"Because I haven't found someone I like."

Li Changle huffed, then rested her chin on her hand, smiling slightly, "I, Li Changle, if I were to marry, it would be to the reincarnation of the God of Literature!"

After speaking, whether intentionally or not, her gaze flicked towards Su Jue.

Su Jue clicked his tongue, "Why not marry a good person instead of a star, how strange."

"Annoying, you know what I mean!"

Li Changle's chest heaved.

She realized that in all these years, she hadn't felt as many emotions as she did when she was with Su Jue.

"Li Changle."

Su Jue smiled, his handsome face serene, his clear eyes watching Li Changle.

"Hmm? Why did you suddenly call me by my full name?"

Li Changle was taken aback; Su Jue had always addressed her as princess, so hearing her full name felt unfamiliar.

Su Jue shook his head with a smile, "I wasn't calling you; it's just that now, you are Li Changle."

Li Changle looked directly at Su Jue's handsome face, slightly stunned.

Then she smiled, "You mean, I'm not Li Changle on normal days?"

"No, at those times, you're the Princess Changle of the Zhenguan Dynasty, not Li Changle."

Su Jue smiled slightly.

"......"

Li Changle had the illusion that Su Jue's clear eyes had seen right through her.

After a long silence, she sighed, smiling bitterly, "On normal days, I'm Princess Changle; today, I've finally been Li Changle for once."

The mask had been worn for so long that she had forgotten to take it off.

Yet today, in her unguarded conversation with Su Jue, she had removed the mask and returned to being Li Changle.

"You are Princess Changle, the pride of the Zhenguan Dynasty, knowledgeable and virtuous."

"But you are also Li Changle, a young woman in her prime, who needs to pursue what she truly loves."

"When I said you should smile more, I meant that Li Changle should smile happily, not the false smile of Princess Changle."

"Don't lock yourself in the chains of being Princess Changle."

"Li Changle is Princess Changle, but Princess Changle is not Li Changle."

"In this lifetime, one must always live for oneself, not in the world or eyes of others."

"Wearing a mask for too long, one loses their true self."

Su Jue's lips curled into his signature gentle smile, "Break the chains of the past, and only today will you know who you truly are."