CHAPTER 692: CHAPTER 278: DISPUTE, TREATING SONG YANQING (THREE UPDATES)

Xiao Jinxing sat on the soft couch, reviewing the memorials.

Due to the sudden demise of the Emperor, no one was dealing with the affairs of the court. As the only adult Prince of the former Emperor, Xiao Jinxing naturally had to take charge.

As Ye Qichi approached.

Xiao Jinxing glanced up at her.

Then continued to review the memorials with his head bowed.

Today, most of what the ministers discussed in the memorials was the matter of the Emperor’s demise and the accession of the new Emperor.

A nation must not be without a ruler for a day.

Yet, Xiao Jinxing did not wish to ascend to the throne so swiftly.

One must establish legitimate authority to awe all sides.

"Is there something you need?" Xiao Jinxing asked while endorsing the memorials.

"I wish to leave the Imperial Palace," Ye Qichi stated frankly.

"The Emperor has not yet been buried. We’ll discuss this after the funeral rites," Xiao Jinxing refused.

"I will go and persuade Song Yanqing to submit to you."

Xiao Jinxing put down his brush.

"You are currently desperate for talent and manpower, and I also think Song Yanqing is a good choice," Ye Qichi stated bluntly.

In the original text.

In the end, Song Yanqing did submit to Xiao Jinxing.

But the narrative did not elaborate much, only mentioning that Song Yanqing willingly followed Xiao Jinxing afterwards.

And then became a minister to Xiao Jinxing, comparable to Gu Xingchuan.

"I’ll send Wu with you," Xiao Jinxing compromised.

Ye Qichi glanced at Wu.

Wu always felt as if the Princess was looking down on him.

"Yuan Wenkang was injured while saving Hezhen and has been recuperating in Prince’s Mansion, so he can’t be by your side. Now you’re having Wu follow me, what will you do?"

"Wu Xufan is in the Imperial Palace."

"..."

"Don’t worry, I won’t encounter any trouble," Xiao Jinxing’s voice seemed gentler.

Damn.

Who cares if you encounter trouble or not?

She just wanted to take the opportunity to leave the palace and escape once and for all.

But it seemed.

Not entirely necessary.

After the Emperor’s burial and Xiao Jinxing’s ascension to the throne, when she directly expresses her wish to leave, Xiao Jinxing would likely agree readily.

She didn’t need to take the extra step of running away.

After all, Xiao Jinxing, a man who detests evil, might take such actions amiss. Under the feet of Daxuan’s ruler, how could she then live freely?

Ye Qichi agreed.

Then she walked out of the sleeping quarters with Wu.

Just as they reached the doorway, they saw Bai Mowan walking towards them.

In recent days, Bai Mowan had indeed been constantly beside Xiao Jinxing.

One could say that whenever Xiao Jinxing did not sleep, Bai Mowan also, despite her injuries, continuously stayed with him.

Unlike Ye Qichi.

Whenever she had the time, she would go rest on her own.

If she was not fully awake or if it wasn’t significant, she definitely wouldn’t get out of bed.

Just like Bai Mowan, who was here again just as dawn broke.

Moreover, last night Xiao Jinxing had ordered her to go back to rest; otherwise, she might end up staying with Xiao Jinxing for another night in his quarters.

"Where are you going?" Bai Mowan clearly saw that Ye Qichi was intending to leave the palace with Xie Ruotong.

"Just going out of the palace for some fun," Ye Qichi said nonchalantly.

"Prince Chen has been so busy these past few days, hardly getting any proper rest, yet you want to go out for fun?" Bai Mowan completely failed to understand and her tone was sarcastic, "Moreover, neither the Emperor nor the Empress Dowager have been buried yet. How is it proper for you to go out like this?"

Ye Qichi shot Bai Mowan a glance, "Xiao Jinxing hasn’t been resting well, but isn’t it because you’ve been by his side?! Besides, if I’m being improper, doesn’t that just highlight your noble generosity? What are you still unhappy about?"

"Princess Chen, I mean well. There’s no need for you to speak in such a sarcastic tone," Bai Mowan was clearly displeased.

"Am I not also meaning well?" Ye Qichi raised an eyebrow.

It was a look that said, even if you’re dying of anger, I still couldn’t care less.

Bai Mowan gritted her teeth.

She couldn’t say much to Ye Qichi now.

After all, Ye Qichi was still Princess Chen.

"Then this official shall see Princess Chen off," Bai Mowan stifled her irritation and deliberately performed a courtesy.

Ye Qichi smiled, "Then I’ll trouble you to take good care of Prince Chen."

Bai Mowan’s face immediately changed.

She just felt that Ye Qichi was mocking her now.

Clearly, she and Xiao Jinxing had no relationship at the moment.

Ye Qichi also did not wish to waste any more time on Bai Mowan.

It was just that during this period, Bai Mowan had been far from pleasant to her.

She was not the type of person to just endure and keep silent.

Ye Qichi turned around and left the Imperial Palace with Xie Ruotong.

After Xie Ruotong escorted Ye Qichi to the prison, he respectfully said, "Princess, I will not accompany you any further."

"Won’t you go see Song Yanqing?"

"I have already seen him." Xie Ruotong replied coldly, then added, "I need to go to the Duke Mansion."

Ye Qichi naturally knew what Xie Ruotong was going back to do.

"Go ahead." Ye Qichi did not hold Xie Ruotong back from seeking revenge.

Xie Ruotong bowed, then rode his horse away with his trusted aides.

Ye Qichi went into the prison cells with Xiao Wu.

Inside, it was dark and damp.

And somewhat eerie and terrifying.

Ye Qichi stopped in front of a cell door.

Inside the iron bars, Song Yanqing was lying on the ground covered in hay, his body covered in blood.

Not moving at all.

She ordered the cell doors to be opened.

Ye Qichi walked in and squatted down to check Song Yanqing’s pulse.

She thought to herself, if she had come any later, she wouldn’t need to bring people over for Xiao Jinxing to recruit anymore.

He’d be dead.

Xie Ruotong truly showed no mercy.

She called out, "Song Yanqing."

Song Yanqing did not respond.

At this moment, not only was he severely injured, but the wounds had gotten infected, and he was running a high fever.

"Xiao Wu, take Song Yanqing back to Prince Chen’s Mansion."

"Yes." Xiao Wu responded respectfully.

He naturally knew that the Prince wanted to take Song Yanqing under his wing.

And he could tell that if they did not save him now, he might not survive.

Xiao Wu quickly had men lift the bloodied and wounded Song Yanqing back to Prince Chen’s Mansion.

Within Prince Chen’s Mansion.

Ye Qichi paused in her steps, "Xiao Hezhen?"

Unexpectedly, Xiao Hezhen was here.

Xiao Hezhen was also surprised to see Ye Qichi return.

Wasn’t she supposed to stay in the Imperial Palace all this time?!

Why did she suddenly come back.

And with a man covered in blood, his appearance unrecognizable.

Could it be...

No way.

The color drained from Xiao Hezhen’s face.

"Not your elder brother, what are you thinking?" Ye Qichi was speechless.

She could immediately see what Xiao Hezhen was thinking.

"Who is that?" Xiao Hezhen asked anxiously.

"Song Yanqing, someone Xiao Jinxing wants to recruit. His life is hanging by a thread, I’m going to treat him," Ye Qichi said, "You do as you please."

"...Yes." Xiao Hezhen seemed somewhat embarrassed.

Ye Qichi did not expose him.

Naturally, she knew why she was here; she came to see Yuan Wenkang.

Yuan Wenkang was heavily injured while saving her; of course, she couldn’t rest easy.

Poor Wu Xufan was still in the palace, bustling around, almost worked to death.

While his wife was taking care of another man.

With Xiao Wu’s help, Ye Qichi moved Song Yanqing into a guest room, then began treating his wounds and reducing his fever.

The whole process was quite lengthy.

After all, Song Yanqing was already in poor health, having sustained such heavy injuries, it was not easy for him to hang onto his life.

She cleaned Song Yanqing’s face.

Then she saw that the originally handsome face was ruined beyond recognition by a ghastly sword wound!