CHAPTER 713: CHAPTER 299: DOES IT HURT? (FOUR UPDATES)

Xie Ruotong didn’t know what was troubling Ye Qichi.

She always felt that she wasn’t the kind of person to fuss over trivial matters.

In this regard, she should be bolder than her.

Xie Ruotong didn’t ask further.

Anyway, as long as Ye Qichi and the Prince are fine, that’s what matters.

She really disliked how Bai Mowan acted as if she owned the place, being around Xiao Jinxing.

"I need to change my clothes," Ye Qichi suddenly said.

"Are you trying to cover your neck?" Xie Ruotong asked.

"Of course." Who would want these marks to be seen by others?

The key was, she and Xiao Jinxing really hadn’t done anything.

"This spot, it seems like clothes from autumn can’t cover it," Xie Ruotong observed.

It was slightly below the earlobe, parallel to the jawline.

Although Daxuan Kingdom was traditional and would never allow women to bare their arms or legs, it wasn’t so strict about neck exposure.

Thus, according to the clothes of each season, there were different designs.

"Maybe the Prince did it on purpose," Xie Ruotong joked, "As a way to assert his ownership over you..."

"Stop fantasizing. He just didn’t notice," Ye Qichi was certain.

If Xiao Jinxing knew he would leave a mark on her neck, he definitely wouldn’t have kissed her.

Right now, he’s probably regretting it as much as she is.

Ye Qichi went to search through her clothes.

She compared and tried on different items.

She found that except for the winter cloak, nothing could cover it.

Wearing a heavy cloak in this weather, she would be the laughingstock.

People might think she had a terminal illness!

"It’s okay," Xie Ruotong consoled, "Really, don’t worry about it. Besides, it’s too late to worry now, all the civil and military officials and soldiers have seen it."

"..." Ye Qichi suddenly calmed down.

Xie Ruotong’s words seemed to make some sense.

Her trying to hide it now was pointless, like trying to hide one’s head but exposing one’s bottom.

Forget it.

She resigned herself to the situation.

As if bitten by a dog.

Outside the room.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door.

"Princess, it’s me," came the voice of Xiao Wu.

Ye Qichi opened the door.

Xiao Wu stood at the doorway, respectfully saying, "The Prince has invited you and General Xie to have a meal in his quarters."

"Is there something urgent?"

"I do not know."

"I’ll be there in a moment," Ye Qichi said.

"I shall immediately inform the Prince," said Xiao Wu as he left.

Ye Qichi took another look in the copper mirror.

With a resigned to fate attitude, she and Xie Ruotong headed to Xiao Jinxing’s courtyard.

They hadn’t walked far.

When coughing sounds came from behind them.

Ye Qichi turned her head.

Xie Ruotong did not even look back.

Both knew it was Song Yanqing.

"Are you cold?" Ye Qichi asked Song Yanqing.

"It’s not that."

Just that traveling today was tiring and when the old afflictions acted up, he couldn’t help but cough a few times.

"Remember to take the medicine according to my prescription."

"Okay." Song Yanqing nodded.

The three of them then proceeded, one behind the other, into Xiao Jinxing’s room.

Xiao Jinxing was naturally with Bai Mowan.

Upon seeing them arrive, they gathered around the table to sit down.

Once seated.

Everyone started dining together.

Ye Qichi was hungry, so she concentrated on eating.

She just felt someone’s gaze on her, and when she looked up, she saw Bai Mowan.

Bai Mowan averted her gaze.

She lowered her head and ate gracefully.

Ye Qichi touched her own neck.

She knew Bai Mowan was still holding a grudge.

And this action of hers was caught by a fleeting glance from Xiao Jinxing.

But there was no fluctuation in emotion.

He said, "We will arrive at Gujiang City in two days. After arrival, everyone will stay in the military camp."

Meaning that after getting there, there’s no need to lodge in the city.

Always be ready to stand by.

"Alright." Everyone agreed.

"The journey for the next two days will be quite rushed, and there won’t be much time for rest. Song Yanqing, you are relatively frail, so inform me in advance if you feel unwell. If you really can’t endure, you may arrive later."

"Thank you, Prince Chen, I can still persist for now." After saying this.

He coughed silently once more.

Which made what he had just said seem particularly insincere.

Xiao Jinxing took a look at Song Yanqing, "In any case, don’t push yourself too hard. Anyone’s misfortune is a loss for the army."

"Alright." Song Yanqing agreed again.

"Rest early after the meal, and we set off in two hours."

"Yes."

Xiao Jinxing finished his meal and left the table first.

Then it was Bai Mowan’s turn.

Bai Mowan and Xiao Jinxing had always been inseparable.

Ye Qichi had a larger appetite.

So she took longer to eat.

Xie Ruotong just kept her company.

Song Yanqing took a particularly slow time to eat, and so was slightly delayed.

"At this rate of eating when you’re in the camp, you might not even get any soup." Ye Qichi reminded.

"Mhm." Song Yanqing responded, "I will slowly adjust. I am full now, Princess, please take your time."

"Is that all you ate?" Ye Qichi looked at the more than half bowl of rice left in his bowl.

Because Song Yanqing was sitting opposite her.

She had barely seen him eat any vegetables.

"I’m not hungry. I will take my leave now."

With that, Song Yanqing stood up and performed a courtesy before leaving.

Xie Ruotong didn’t even glance at Song Yanqing.

Just stayed beside Ye Qichi.

"Does Song Yanqing always eat so little?" Ye Qichi asked Xie Ruotong.

"I don’t know."

"Didn’t you two get married?" Ye Qichi frowned.

Xie Ruotong pursed her lips.

She simply didn’t want to respond.

She didn’t want to talk about Song Yanqing.

Ye Qichi seemed to notice Xie Ruotong’s thoughts and spoke for herself, "I just think that with Song Yanqing’s current health, in such a state, he might not even make it to the border before passing away. Prince Chen’s concern for him is not unwarranted."

Xie Ruotong didn’t join in the conversation.

Ye Qichi smiled.

After all, it wasn’t Xie Ruotong’s concern anymore, was it?

She didn’t say much more either.

She finished eating quickly in just a few bites, put down her utensils, and planned to go back to her room to sleep.

They have to hit the road again soon, and she’d better take the opportunity to get more rest.

Just as she left the courtyard.

"Ye Qichi." Behind her, the voice of Xiao Jinxing called out.

Ye Qichi paused in her steps.

Xie Ruotong tactfully left first.

Ye Qichi turned to look at Xiao Jinxing.

Xiao Jinxing was looking at her just the same.

Then his gaze lowered to her neck.

Feeling somewhat embarrassed, she said, "It wasn’t on purpose, I truly didn’t notice."

Meaning that showing it off so brazenly today wasn’t her fault.

"Does it hurt?" Xiao Jinxing asked.

The sudden question made her startled.

She thought she had misheard.

According to the script, Xiao Jinxing should be scolding her for being indecent.

She was stunned for several seconds, "It doesn’t hurt."

Such marks, truly, she didn’t feel a thing.

Maybe it’s because there’s no feeling, that’s why the bruises won’t fade easily.

Her body with such strong self-healing ability, even after a night, was still there.

"Mhm." Xiao Jinxing responded.

The affair of the kiss marks.

What happened last night.

As if it had all evaporated like smoke.

Xiao Jinxing, with a serious expression, asked, "Is there any problem for Song Yanqing to travel with us in his current state of health?"