13⚫Passing Time by Gambling Again

As a man who often uses smug face, blushing was definitely a once in a year expression he would reveal. Gentle and laid-back yet considerate was his usual behavior, he had always been calm, but not now.

Initially Yamato was a sensitive and lonely person who tried his best to be liked, as time goes by his effort gradually became his natural personality. He kept himself distracted with any issue at hand, partly in order to forget his loneliness and anxiety, and it worked. However right now, knowing that he was against a child, he subconsciously let his guard down, and accidentally leaked a bit of his anxiety.

As a self proclaimed mature gentleman, he was always considerate, yet he refuses people to be considerate to him. He was extremely afraid of mindful lip service, that way he couldn't determine if someone secretly dislikes him. Behind those carefree attitude, lies a delicate and sensitive self. He hides the personality people might found troublesome, and only displayed those that people might enjoy to befriend.

But that troublesome anxiety leaked, he was being overly considerate it was plainly annoying. He guessed Qing Youya must have felt internally displeased thus he swept it lightly. It only adds to his embarrassment to make a child act this polite.

Yamato turned his head down and took a deep breath while closing his eyes for a few seconds. The moment he lifted his beautiful face, the usual relaxed yet bewitching smile was already plastered, "Alright! Many thanks for accompanying me!"

Slightly raising half his brows, Qing Youya were having second thoughts, 'oh, this person sure is fast at sorting herself out'. "It's alright," still with a mild smile, he tenderly glanced towards his awkward twin, "Lian'er wants to play as well right?"

Clinging unto her brother, Qing lian timidly nodded a few time. Her pale cheeks flushed with a tint of red as she indecisively turned her sight right and left, avoiding Ren Xiu's eyes.

At this moment Yamato already completely wiped clean his previous embarrassment, instead he was squealing internally, 'HOW ADORABLE! MOE!'. However contrary to his internal screaming, he spoke with the most gentle doting tone, "Is that so! Then let us play.. I'll explain the rule.. Ah!" Yamato turned to Wang li, the twin's maidservant who sat beside him, "Wang Jie should also pay attention."

"This servant understood," Wang Li was a middle aged high ranked servant who has no expression on her face. She won't speak unless needed, her bearing and temperament resembled that of a doll, because even artificial intelligence has emoticons, yet she's not.

Understanding her natural disposition, Yamato helplessly smiled and nodded, "Thank you!" the servant didn't even show the slightest care at how Yamato called her 'big sister', she just pretended like she didn't notice because it was unimportant. Even with his high eq, Yamato actually wasn't that proficient in initiating conversation with this kind of ice block.

Yamato began explaining the simple rule of uno, the twins quickly comprehend it, while Wang Li only nodded, whether she really understood or not, Yamato have no idea.

"Oh! To make it more interesting, how about we gamble on it?" Yamato initiated.

Still with his mild smile, Qing Youya slightly narrowed his eyes, "... What are we supposed to bet here?" as a cautious person who had been betrayed time and times again in his previous life, Qing Youya sneered at whatever Yamato was up to, he wasn't surprised if this game reeked of ulterior motives, it wasn't even itchy.

Tilting his head, Yamato contemplated, "Hmm.. Instead, if i lose, what is it that your highness want?"

'That sounds like a bait, oh well', Qing Youya revealed an apprehensive pitiful face with a hint of traceless wickedness, "Umm.. I heard Shen Yang is very stubborn, and i'm worried should he turn down our request when we get there.. So, would sister-in-law make sure Shen Yang will accept our request by any means if you lose?"

Yamato burst into a sudden laughter, startling Qing Lian she flinched, "I accept the bet! I shall risk my life into persuading him!"

The expressionless Wang Li suddenly widened her eyes in bewilderment upon hearing Yamato's words. Only mad lunatics would gamble their life on a game which merely intended to pass travel time.

Qing Youya knew the madman would somehow reply with something out of the norm, he expected her stupid answer, but hadn't expected the contents. Rather than being dumbstruck like his previous reactions, he only slightly sneered, though inwardly still felt quite unbelievable. "Thank you sister-in-law!" he beamed a forced gentle smile.

"Then you have to offer something equal as your bet!"

Qing Youya flinched and slightly tensed, didn't expect Ren Xiu to boldly ask him something rather than with cunning roundabout way, "What do you want in case i lose?" he didn't really care though, with his arrogant disposition, he was sure he would win.

Yamato lifted the corner of his lips into a playful smirk, "If i win, i want his highness to sit on my lap for one day of the journey."

With her flattest face, the corner of Wang Li's lip seemed to be restraining a twitch, she was concealing her laughter, making Qing Youya who was shocked silly shot her a glare.

As the most feared demonic cultivator who's also a royalty in his previous life, Qing Youya was basically made out of pride. However this kind of bet, could only be done by shedding every single pride he got on himself. It was practically putting his identity at stake.

Does a mere crown princess life equal at value with his highness Qing Youya's dignity? No! As he was made of pride, of course his pride contained vanity, he was 100% sure he wouldn't lose at such a simple child game if he want. Thus while he internally sneered at the lowly Ren Xiu, Qing Youya replied, "Alright."

Yamato beamed so brightly, his face shines with joy as though he was given a chest full of gold. Initially he didn't expect Qing Youya to accept the stake he had suggested. How happy he was could be seen by the beaming smile he maintained for the whole 2 minutes while staring at the gradually annoyed Qing Youya.

Although his expression were still that of a mild smile, Qing Youya was in fact very annoyed, 'snap out of it you lowly pedophile pervert' was what he wanted to say but restrained.

"Umm.." Qing Lian broke the silence by catching Yamato's attention.

Snapping out of it, Yamato immediately turned to Qing Lian, "Yes, what is it her highness?"

Though their eyes didn't met, Qing Lian mustered her courage to face Yamato, "H-how about me? What.. What should i bet?" although shy, Qing Lian didn't want to be left out.

Yamato melted, "Her highness can propose whatever you want!"

Flustered, Qing Lian couldn't think clear nor straight, however she also refuse to make Ren Xiu wait for her to contemplate, thus she blurted, "How about- the same condition as brother?"

"Deal!" Yamato beamed once again, he was very delighted and motivated. However before he lose himself, he managed to turn towards Wang Li, "How about you Wang Jie?"

And as expected, the servant coldly replied, "this servant would only obey her and his highness's command."

"Sister-in-law could decide for Wang Li," Qing Youya suggested in her stead, he was punishing Wang Li for laughing at him earlier. He knew Ren Xiu would suggest something good.

Realizing Qing Youya's mischievous behavior, Yamato slightly chuckled, "Then, if Wang Jie lose, she should tell us a joke at least 5 times a day for the whole journey, how about that?"

Qing Youya laughed sweetly, his young and soft voice had lulled Yamato into a pleasant feeling.

"I accept," imagining the ever so expressionless Wang Li telling jokes, Qing Youya was quite amused. As expected it was not a wrong idea to let Ren Xiu choose. Suddenly he was struck by a realization, as a child, he had never been mischievous towards anyone beside his concubine mother. However now he subconsciously let his guard down and was able to joke around. Though in his previous life he was merciless, demonic, and proud, in fact he wasn't so cold. It's just that no one had dared to treat him casually.

"Then, we will play a few rounds, the firts one to win 3 times will be the winner! No cheating!" Yamato declared cheerfully. Actually his neck stung like crazy hence he was eager to diverse his attention with the game.

Along the not so bumpy common road, with the soldiers marching calmly and steadily, inside the following carriage which held the red flag of a royalty, four people played a game. The four of them was smart, thus the game would be won by the one with strongest luck.

Yamato didn't tamper with the shuffling for the sake of a fair game, though in fact he really want the twin angels to sit on his lap.

Qing Youya thought he would definitely win, but everything didn't go as smooth. Ren Xiu was as expected smart, while Wang Li seemed as though she was desperate not to tell jokes 5 times a day. Even his herbivore timid twin seemed like she bore her supposed to be non-existent fangs. However in the end Qing Youya still has a few tricks up his sleeves, initially he didn't plan to use any for a mere game, but as the condition worsen, he was forced to use it, after all he himself refused to sit on a woman's lap even if he die.

After about an hour, the winner is decided.

"Aaaaaah no ones gonna sit on my laaap..." Yamato sighed in utter disappointment. In fact he was confident he would win.

Qing Youya only smiled mildly like he always did, "Sister-in-law remember the deal right?"

"Yes yees~ leave Shen Yang to me!" Yamato patted his chest proudly.

Glancing subtly, Qing Youya smirked, "And you Wang Li, remember the deal, you lose."

Gulping slightly, Wang Li bowed, "As your highness command."

The also losing Qing lian were fidgety with a blushing face, everyone thought she was frustrated. However the moment Yamato and Qing Youya were about to cheer her up, she stood and stepped rigidly towards Ren Xiu. No one expected that Qing Lian actually sat on Yamato's lap.

Unable to utter any words out of the surprising delight, Yamato could only daze for a few seconds and embraced Qing Lian right after. He was very happy, making Qing Lian flush even redder.

"Lian'er!!" Qing Youya half shouted, for his shy sister to do such a thing was really out of his every expectations, "Why do you sit there??"  he couldn't help but to ask, he was worried lest Yamato secretly plans to harm her. Qing Youya trusts no one.

While being wrapped by Ren Xiu's slender long arms and billowing sleeves, Qing Lian somehow felt very warm and embarrassed at the same time. Ren Xiu's chin were nestled on her pale white neck, their cheeks touching, with the obvious joy and affection Ren Xiu displayed, Qing Lian felt fifty times more shy her face basicly burn. By a few seconds, she already forgot how did she muster the courage to brace herself to sit there.

She heard her brother's question, however she was too flustered she cannot even fathom the meaning. Her brain overloaded, "I-i.. I.. Was i lose" she stuttered out of grammar.

Everyone understood her meaning, no matter who's the winner, as long as she lose she still had to sit on Ren Xiu's lap nonetheless.

"Yes yes her highness lose, hehe, you're sooo cute!" Yamato squeezed.

Qing Youya frowned, "You don't have to comply Lian'er, here, come back, sit beside me."

"No!" Yamato shouted with a sulking voice, "Her highness must stay here! Rule is rule!"

Hearing the childish sulking argument, Qing Youya felt ridiculous and helpless. This way he must be even more alert, in case anyone would harm Qing Lian. It was easier when Qing Lian were in his arm's length.