Chapter 20: Like Is Not Enough

med chicken" Yun Qianyue saw Rong Jing still standing and walked forward. She turned back to call him, as if she hadn’t noticed how large and luxurious the restaurant was with a faint aroma of food wa...Chapter 20 Not Enough Like

Yun Qianyue glared at Rong Jing in embarrassment and shame, pretending not to hear him.

"A beauty like a flower, just waking up from a night of revelry, her rosy cheeks shyly conceal themselves, soft as gossamer." Rong Jing reached out to lift a strand of Yun Qianyue's black hair, smiling lightly and softly, his tone gentle and delicate.

Yun Qianyue felt that even the tips of her toes were red. She reached out and removed his hand, exclaiming angrily: "You look like an upright gentleman in your fine clothes, but it turns out you're a pretentious rascal who harasses virtuous women!"

Rong Jing chuckled softly, with a voice that was extremely pleasant to hear. Yun Qianyue realized that men were naturally skilled at flirting. Even Rong Jing, the gentleman who seemed aloof and refined, could be so revealingly playful sometimes. She really didn't know what she could do to save her heart which was being roasted by this fire inside her. She blushed and glared at Rong Jing; suddenly, she stretched out a foot towards him and kicked him, barking: "Move away quickly, I'm going back home!"

"Going back" Rong Jing sobered up his smile.

"Of course I have to go back!" Yun Qianyue thought that if she stayed any longer here, she would be cooked alive.

"There's no need for you to return home. After lunch, I'll send you out of the city." Rong Jing got up and stood up.

"I don't need your escort! I can go myself." Yun Qianyue thought that according to her grandfather, she always ascended Mount Mist on her own every year, so naturally this year was no exception.

"I'm not going to Cloud Mist Mountain with you. Rather, I have to pick up the Seventh Prince and take you out of town at the same time." Rong Jing stood by the bed as he looked at Yun Qianyue; when mentioning the Seventh Prince, his expression was calm, showing no unusual signs.

"Huh" Yun Qianyue froze in surprise, asking: "The Seventh Prince Which Seventh Prince"

"The Seventh Prince of Northern Frontier." Rong Jing said gently.

"Is it the one whose mother was implicated and exiled to the Northern Frontier because she offended someone, who later repeatedly established military achievements there and refused to return upon Emperor's decree" Yun Qianyue pondered for a moment before suddenly recalling that she had seen some records about the Seventh Prince in her Celestial Holy Memoirs; she tilted her head and asked.

"Yes!" Rong Jing nodded.

“What does picking up the Seventh Prince have to do with me You go your way, I’ll go mine.” Yun Qianyue felt an extremely familiar sensation when mentioning the Seventh Prince. She thought sensitively that perhaps the person who sent her a letter was this Seventh Prince because he had written in his message “I will be back soon”, and today the Seventh Prince returned to the capital city. Could it really be him Regardless, she would find out sooner or later, so she disregarded Rong Jing's proposal without taking him seriously: "Why should I go with you No way!"

"Since we were attacked on that day, all four gates are now tightly guarded and everyone must register. Few people know about the burial of Cloud Princess at Mount Mist; most think she was buried in her family's mausoleum in the capital city instead. Your visits to Mount Mist are also very secretive. If you leave town openly, you're bound to be followed or interrupted. Although ancestral precepts have been abolished, your surveillance hasn't decreased by a bit. Are you sure you don't want to go out of the city with me"

Yun Qianyue frowned and then shook her head: "What's there to be afraid of I've regained my martial arts skills! Moreover, they're even higher than before; leaping over walls is no problem!"

"You've regained your martial arts" Rong Jing raised his eyebrows, a flash of something passing through his eyes.

“Of course!” Yun Qianyue nodded proudly. "Don’t know Yesterday I jumped right into your Purple Bamboo Grove from the city walls!"

"In broad daylight with heavily armed guards on the wall, do you think you could leap over without being noticed Or are you simply not in a hurry and waiting for night to escape If your lightness skills are high at night, indeed it's hard to be discovered." Rong Jing said.

The smug look on Yun Qianyue’s face vanished. She glared angrily at Rong Jing, “Do you just want to go against me”

"You sit in my carriage and leave once outside the city gate; as Cloud Mist Mountain is so high, I currently have no martial arts skills and am injured, even if I wanted to follow you, it's impossible. How about this" Rong Jing suddenly softened his voice, looking at Yun Qianyue商量。

Yun Qianyue thought she had no choice but reluctantly nodded her head, "Hmph!"

"Sometimes I really feel you are like a child." Rong Jing sighed softly and turned to walk out of the door.

Why didn’t he say that he was a kid too, just bullying her for fun Yun Qianyue grumbled as she got off the bed and bent down to put on her shoes. She heard Rong Jing giving instructions at the door, "Old Medicine Master, please bring lunch once it's ready."

Yun Qianyue’s hand paused; indeed she could see the sun was already overhead, time really wasn't early anymore.

"Yes, Young Master!" Old Medicine Master's voice drifted over from afar.

"Green Spring, prepare the carriage! After a while you'll go with me to pick up Seventh Prince outside of the city gate." Rong Jing instructed Qing Quan next.

"Yes, Your Highness!" Qingquan sounded extremely delighted and happily went off.

"Qingshang, go to Cloud Prince's Manor once and bring over the items Miss Qianyue needs for mourning. She will set out directly from Glory Manor shortly, so there’s no need for her to return to Cloud Prince's Manor," Rong Jing instructed.

"Yes!" Qingshang answered promptly.

Yun Qianyu didn’t object and thought that it was good to have someone handle all these arrangements without her having to worry about them.

"By the way, bring over the items she needs for wearing as well. She will be a guest at Glory Manor for some time," Rong Jing added.

"Yes!" Qingshang responded again.

Yun Qianyu was just thinking about how helpful Rong Jing was when she suddenly heard him say this. She quickly looked up and shouted, "Wait a moment!", then turned to look at Rong Jing, “When did I ever mention staying as a guest at Glory Manor Why would I stay with you if I have my own home”

Rong Jing waved Qingshan away who immediately understood and went down. He turned around to look at Yun Qianyu, his gaze lingering on her face for a moment before settling on her neck, then he said in a gentle tone, "Look in the mirror and you’ll understand."

Yun Qianyu felt her heart flutter under Rong Jing’s stare. She walked over to the mirror, stared at it, and her face turned dark with anger. But even if she was angry, the reflection showed her rosy cheeks, moist red lips like spring peaches in February, extremely beautiful, and a snowy neck covered in fine red marks that couldn’t be hidden by the high collar of her dress.

"Do you think you can go back to Cloud Prince's Manor looking like this" Rong Jing came up behind Yun Qianyu.

"Rong Jing, what do you want Don't you want me to see people at all" Yun Qianyu turned around and glared at him. Seeing that he was properly groomed with a temperament as gentle as jade, the only difference from his usual self was a faint spring-like sentiment in his eyes, she angrily said: "Why don’t you leave these marks on yourself instead!"

"I couldn't help it!" Rong Jing looked down at Yun Qianyu's angry face and innocently stated: "Actually, I do want to put some of those marks on myself. But you were sleeping so deeply, motionless, and didn’t do anything to me, so there’s nothing I can do either. Or for compensation, shall we start now"

"Dream on!" Yun Qianyu pushed him away and turned around to look at the mirror again, secretly angry that she couldn't go out like this. Anyone who saw her would know what had happened.

“That’s why I said you should stay in Glory Manor. Since my arm is injured, I need your help with recovery. Your injuries have mostly healed now; how can you neglect mine My arm still hasn't recovered enough to hold anything!” Rong Jing whispered.

"Your arm isn’t better Don’t make me laugh! You seem able to move quite well and even hug me!" Yun Qianyu snorted coldly.

"I only used my healthy arm to hug you. I didn't dare use the injured one," Rong Jing said in an innocent tone again.

“Even if I stay here with you, show me how am I supposed to go out like this” Yun Qianyu pointed at her neck and wondered why all men liked leaving marks on women. Especially during her unconsciousness, what parts of her had he kissed Not telling him about his lack of self-control left her covered in these marks everywhere. She could cover the ones on her body but how was she supposed to hide them on her neck

“Wear a veil,” Rong Jing suggested quietly: “Besides, if you leave with me, you’ll be seated inside the carriage and won’t see anyone. Once we’re out of town, go straight to Cloud Mist Mountain where there’s always fog and it's hard for people to see each other clearly. Plus, no one usually goes to Cloud Mist Mountain even when they do meet someone there, they probably won't notice you anyway. How does that sound”

Yun Qianyu realized this was her only option! She nodded slightly and somewhat gloomily said: "The veil needs to be long!"

"Of course!" Rong Jing smiled.

"And don't ever do that again!" Yun Qianyu emphasized, believing she had to stop him from doing such things.

"What are you not allowing me to do Not kiss or hug you, or not leave marks" Rong Jing's voice softened as he reached out and pulled Yun Qianyu into his arms. Without waiting for her response, he continued: "I’m afraid I can’t comply."

"Can't comply Then stay away from me! I'm hungry!" Yun Qianyu pushed him.

Rong Jing saw that Po Master had already brought in some food and let go of his hold on her.

As soon as Po Master entered the door, he saw Yun Qianyu turn around to face them. The worried old man’s face immediately broke into a wide smile, greeting her: "Miss Qianyue! You're awake again! Old servant didn't agree, but Your Highness insisted on giving you a soul-reviving pill so that you could wake up faster..."

Yun Qianyu’s face had already returned to its normal color, but now it was tinged with red as she forced a smile at the old man: "Thank you for Po Master's soul-reviving pills!"

"No need, no need. As long as Miss Qianyue and Your Highness are well and happy, old servant is content," Po Master put down the dishes and rarely spoke so much: "Old servant has followed by Your Highness’s side for over a decade. When Your Highness was troubled by cold poison, unable to sleep soundly at night every day, old servant tried all methods to create drowsiness powder. It worked initially, but as the cold qi on your body intensified, it lost its effect. Later, I created Midnight Powder; usually people who take this would fall into a deep sleep for days, but with Your Highness and the Warm Jade Bed, you can only sleep half a night..."

Yun Qianyu looked at Rong Jing, recalling how the cold qi was piled up like mountains in his heart when she used all her strength to detoxify him in the underground temple of Lingtai Temple. Could ordinary people bear such severe cold qi Ten years of hardship and suffering, unable to sleep well day or night, what kind of unbearable weight is that! Any anger Yun Qianyu had earlier instantly dissipated.

Rong Jing smiled at her and said casually, "It's all in the past!"

Yun Qianyue remained silent.

"If not for Qing Quan being mischievous and putting half of the Midnight Scattering into the Sleep Powder, Miss Yun Qianyue wouldn’t have needed to use Soul-Dispelling Pills." Old Medicine changed the subject and walked out of the room.

"So it turns out that you were the one who used this medicine. You lied to me and said that it was Master Medicine who took it," Yun Qianyue glared at Rong Jing, suppressing her worry for him in her heart as she asked, "Are you still using it now"

"I’ve gotten used to it, and I can’t change overnight. If you knew that I was the one taking it, wouldn’t you be worried sick How could I bear to let you worry about me!" Rong Jing shook his head. He lied without any preparation; since no one had exposed him for drugging her yesterday intentionally, he didn't mind flattering her. With a smile, he hugged Yun Qianyue again and whispered into her ear in a low voice, "If you spend every night with me here, I wouldn’t need this thing anymore. When you’re around, I’ll sleep very peacefully."

"So your lustful heart is at ease" Yun Qianyue elbowed him lightly; she didn't use too much force this time. She frowned and said, "Won’t long-term use of such things harm the body"

"Of course it would harm the body because all medicines have some toxicity," Rong Jing shook his head.

"Then don’t use them anymore!" Yun Qianyue said.

"Then move in with me!" Rong Jing took this opportunity to make a request, which was what he wanted from the start.

Yun Qianyue frowned. "A man is unmarried and a woman is unwed; it’s inappropriate for us to live together. Are you planning to let people spread rumors"

"Leave that to me; I will come up with an excuse, ensuring no one would spread rumors. Would that be okay" Rong Jing asked. Seeing Yun Qianyue didn’t respond, he lowered his voice and said, "Actually, I really want to propose to you at the Cloud Manor… but the Emperor surely wouldn’t allow it..."

"Who wants to marry you Don’t dream on!" Yun Qianyue thought that her body was only fifteen years old, she hadn't had a birthday yet and wasn’t of marriageable age. She couldn’t marry so early. Before, when she wanted to get married, it was out of fear that the old emperor might arrange a marriage for her; now, things were different from before. Of course, she couldn’t marry at such an early age.

"Do you still want to marry Rong Feng" Rong Jing’s voice dropped as he tightened his grip on Yun Qianyue's body. "Yesterday, you asked the Emperor for permission again! Are you seriously trying to upset me"

"Who told you to save Qin Yuceng Am I not allowed to talk about it!" Yun Qianyue lowered her head.

“So you’re jealous!” Rong Jing was enlightened, and laughed softly.

Yun Qianyue harrumphed, which could be taken as an admission. Considering the relationship between her and Rong Jing now, if she didn’t feel jealous when seeing him break his bones to help Qin Yuceng, that would be abnormal. Feeling jealous proved that he had already won her affection. Now perhaps it was even deeper than just liking him; though not yet love, it made her heart heavy enough for her not to be too upset about the marks left by his kisses.

"Then live here What do you think" Rong Jing asked again.

“It’s fine if I stay here, but you must promise not to treat me like this anymore. At least don’t leave any traces that would make it impossible for me to go out and see people.” Yun Qianyue considered his injury and the problem of taking Sleep Powder every day; she reluctantly agreed, “If you can do that, I’ll agree to live here for a while."

"Alright!" Rong Jing immediately agreed. He couldn’t hide his joy as he lowered his head and lightly kissed Yun Qianyue’s lips.

“Time for breakfast! Hurry up and wash up; we’re leaving after eating.” Yun Qianyue saw the look of happiness on Rong Jing’s face, so she couldn’t help but laugh as well. She pushed him away to go wash her face.

Rong Jing watched Yun Qianyue walk to the basin, saw her delicate wrists scoop up water and saw how droplets slid down from between her fingers like dewdrops. After watching her use his handkerchief to dry off her face naturally, he was suddenly at ease as she sat in front of the mirror and called out for him, “Come over and comb my hair.”

In this lifetime, if there was anything that must be protected with all his strength, it wasn’t the hundred-year foundation of the Rong王府 but rather the person in his room. This person had been dodging her since their first encounter years ago. Even after losing her memory, she still tried to avoid her until finally being caught.

But she never avoided Ye Tianyi...

Ye Tianyi was much luckier than him...

Shouldn’t it be his turn now

"What are you standing there for Hurry up and come over to comb my hair!" Yun Qianyue saw Rong Jing standing still, so she urged him.

"Yes!" Rong Jing stepped forward behind Yun Qianyue, lifting her black tresses. With a gentle touch, he combed through her hair like silk flowers, entwining and weaving to form an elaborate bun in no time.

Yun Qianyue quietly sat before the mirror and finally understood why people praised tying one's hair up and applying makeup as beautiful scenes. At this moment, watching a person who should not be doing such things do it, anyone would become gentle like water. Especially when that person was someone she liked.

"Rong Jing, did I ever tell you that I like you now" Yun Qianyue suddenly said.

Rong Jing's hand trembled slightly. The jade hairpin he was about to insert into his hair slipped and his neat hairstyle became disheveled.

"Oh dear, how could you let go of the hairpin You'll have to redo it!" Yun Qianyue complained.

"You... what did you just say" Rong Jing asked softly in a slightly hoarse voice that seemed to quiver a little.

"I said you're an idiot! Did you hear me" Yun Qianyue glared at him from the mirror and urged, "Hurry up! Look at what time it is! If we keep dilly-dallying like this, when will we ever get out of the city!"

Rong Jing didn't ask any more questions. He bent down to pick up the jade hairpin again and started redoing Yun Qianyue's hairstyle.

Yun Qianyue looked at Rong Jing from the mirror for a long time but saw no significant change in his expression besides that brief moment earlier, so she asked dissatisfiedly, "When I said that I like you, is this all the reaction you can give"

Rong Jing paused. This time he inserted the jade hairpin steadily into Yun Qianyue's hair and secured it in place before adding a jade pendant to her hair. After placing two pearl flowers in her hair, he looked deeply at the person in the mirror and said warmly but firmly, "It’s not enough!"

With that, he turned around to wash himself.

"Not enough Then what else is needed" Yun Qianyue asked as she turned back to look at Rong Jing. Did he mean her love wasn't enough

Rong Jing didn’t answer.

Yun Qianyue stopped asking and thought about him. Some people spend their whole lives without finding someone they like, some might find a person they like but that wouldn’t necessarily result in anything, while others keep talking about love every day yet have no idea what it is all about.

She wasn't sure if there was something deeper than affection called love. But she didn’t think she would ever experience it. From the time she was young, her soul had been cold and indifferent; without parents or family to rely on, she had never tried to seek out such things. Now with her grandfather, father, and brother, although she felt happy, that happiness wasn't indispensable.

Once upon a time, she liked someone quietly for twenty years. But after he left, life went on as usual for her.

Now liking Rong Jing made her feel something quite heavy to bear, perhaps deeper than just affection, but only slightly so.

"What if it’s a bit deeper than love Would that be enough" Yun Qianyue asked again.

"Still not enough!" Rong Jing paused in his face-washing and shook his head.

Yun Qianyue smiled faintly at him. "That's all I can give you. If you say you don’t want it, then I’ll take it back. You could look for something else..."

Rong Jing’s expression changed slightly; he suddenly stopped and stared straight into Yun Qianyue's eyes.

Yun Qianyue fell silent instantly. She knew these words would hurt, but they were indeed her true thoughts. The future was full of uncertainties, so she couldn't promise him anything. Anything deeper than affection had already stretched beyond the limits she set for herself; if he still wasn’t satisfied and wanted to claim all of her soul, then she simply couldn’t do it.

Not now, nor in the future! She was stubbornly inflexible!

She knew better than anyone what kind of person she was.

"Anything deeper than love is already too much," Yun Qianyue lowered her head and said softly but clearly, tearing off the mask of pretense completely: "Before, my beliefs came first; any feelings had to be restrained under that. Now I'm changing. For example, yesterday when you saved Qin Yunque, even though I knew it was right for you to save her, I still couldn’t help feeling jealous. This has surpassed the boundaries I set for myself."

She didn't mention that once, she had full control over a mission and, knowing how dangerous it was, could have stopped him from going based on their relationship, yet she remained silent. As expected, he went but never came back...

Later on, she drank tea for two people by herself...

The days continued as usual...

Rong Jing looked at Yun Qianyue without speaking. She was unusually quiet now; her coldness emanated from the core of her being. He seemed to see restraint, rigor, and cool-headed rationality in her. Although he could sense her sadness, he couldn't see it with his eyes. If anyone else were there instead of him, even if they wore the same clothes and had the same face as hers, they wouldn’t recognize her as Yun Qianyue, the illiterate, idle, simple-minded, unrefined, lawless, and utterly uncultured eldest daughter of the Cloud王府.

"What should I do if I still want more" Rong Jing stared at Yun Qianyue's face intently, not missing any expression on her face.

Yun Qianyue was taken aback and looked up at Rong Jing.

"Hmm What if I want you to like me even more" Rong Jing asked again.

"There are two ways. First, cut it off; second, see what you can do." Yun Qianyue said each word carefully.

Rong Jing suddenly smiled and put down the handkerchief before walking over to her. He gently rubbed Yun Qianyue's head with his jade-like hands and said softly, "Then I'll choose the second one, now comb my hair for me!"

Yun Qianyue sat there motionless and coldly replied, "You're really greedy!"

Doesn't that mean he wants to take out her heart so she can worship him even in her soul How could it not be greedy

"Alright then, let's say I am being greedy! If you make this expression again later, people will think Miss Yun Qianyue of the Yun王府 has been switched!" Rong Jing handed a comb to Yun Qianyue and said, "Be good now and comb my hair for me. Aren't you in a hurry The food is getting cold!"

Yun Qianyue was instantly chilled by his words as she looked at the comb in her hand and stiffly replied, "I can't comb hair!"

"You will eventually learn. Today we'll start with practice," Rong Jing said.

"Who combs your hair every day" Yun Qianyue asked as she twirled the comb in her hand.

"I do it myself every day now that my hands are injured, so I can't raise them to comb my own hair," Rong Jing replied.

Yun Qianyue could only pick up the comb and say before doing anything, "Don't blame me if you don’t like how it looks."

"Alright, I won't blame you!" Rong Jing nodded.

Yun Qianyue stood up, thought about how Rong Jing combed his hair daily as a man, and started to comb it accordingly. Since he was going out of the city today to meet the Seventh Prince, she needed to make sure not to mess up his hair too badly. She paid great attention to every detail, down to each ribbon and jade hairpin.

Rong Jing sat in front of the mirror watching Yun Qianyue's serious face and smiled slightly. It surprised him that she could say she liked him; liking him even more was very satisfying for now. He thought he would be happy if it wasn’t for the Seventh Prince returning to the capital, but since the prince had returned, liking him even more wouldn't be enough...

After a long while, Yun Qianyue finished combing Rong Jing's hair and looked up at him. "Take a look. Is this alright This is as good as I can do! If you're not satisfied, wait till Qing Shang returns and she'll comb it for you!"

"It’s already very good," Rong Jing smiled as he stood up and kissed Yun Qianyue's lips lightly. "Practice every day from now on and your skills will improve."

“You’re too full of yourself!” Yun Qianyue teased him, but she was still proud that she could comb the ancient hairstyle so well for the first time and receive praise.

"Young Master, Miss Yun Qianyue. I’ve brought her clothes and daily necessities, as well as the amulets embroidered by the Empress Dowager and the one made by her maidservant," Qing Shang stood outside the door and saw through the gauze that Rong Jing was kissing Yun Qianyue; she hurriedly lowered her head and reported with a red face.

"Bring them in!" Rong Jing smiled as he instructed. He pulled Yun Qianyue to sit at the table, saying softly, "Let's eat quickly so we can set off."

“Okay,” Yun Qianyue nodded and felt that her face had become thicker under Rong Jing’s training.

Qing Shang brought in everything and placed them on Rong Jing’s table. She put the two embroidered bags at the top of all the items. Just as she was about to leave, she heard Rong Jing instruct, "Go get a veil."

Yun Qianyue blushed. Qing Shang first froze for a moment and then saw the kiss marks on Yun Qianyue’s neck; she understood what had happened and immediately left.

"Drink this bowl of chicken soup!" Rong Jing brought a bowl of chicken soup to Yun Qianyue.

“I don’t need it anymore! My menstrual period is over!” Yun Qianyue glared at him.

He smiled gently and glanced at her body. "Although your menstrual period is over, you still need to replenish your strength; there’s no meat on you."

Yun Qianyue's face turned dark as she recalled the kiss marks all over her body. She blushed in anger and asked, “How much does my body weigh How much does yours weigh”

"So I’ll also drink a bowl; let’s share it," Rong Jing said as he brought another bowl of chicken soup to his own side.

Yun Qianyue was speechless.

Rong Jing's lips curled into a smile.

The two of them didn't speak further.

After finishing their meal, Qing Shang brought the veil. Rong Jing took it and covered Yun Qianyue’s head with it. The veil was neither too big nor too small; it perfectly concealed her face down to her neck. Through the veil, only a faint outline of her face could be seen, making it impossible to see the love bites on her neck. However, Yun Qianyue could clearly see things through the veil. She looked at herself in the mirror and nodded with satisfaction. "It’s fine!"

Rong Jing chuckled, "If you were to replace this veil with a red bridal veil, it would be even better!"

Yun Qianyue retorted, "Wouldn’t it be even better if you changed your moon-white brocade robe for a grand red wedding gown"

"Indeed!" Rong Jing nodded with a smile.

Yun Qianyue glared at him and turned around to take the amulet embroidered by Empress Dowager Cai Lian and others, then walked towards the door.

Rong Jing followed Yun Qianyue.

The moment they stepped out of the door, Qing Quan ran up to Rong Jing with a dove in his arms. "Young Master, it’s Brother Xiang Ge’s pigeon message!"

"Open it and see what it says." Rong Jing stopped in his tracks.

Yun Qianyue also halted; she saw that the pigeon was smaller than ordinary pigeons, all white. When it noticed her gaze, it watched her warily. She thought to herself how ancient people used homing pigeons for messaging, which wasn’t much slower than modern communication methods. Otherwise, why would trivial matters in the capital spread across the entire country within a day or two Perhaps this was thanks to such homing pigeons.

Qing Quan replied and immediately took off the message tied to the pigeon’s leg and opened it. Yun Qianyue only saw blank paper but heard Qing Quan say, "Brother Xiang Ge says he has already met Seventh Prince a hundred miles away. But Seventh Prince said that he wouldn’t return to the capital today as he wishes to visit an old acquaintance. Thus, Young Master needn’t go out to meet him."

Yun Qianyue thought Rong Jing probably used special markings for his messages so that even if someone intercepted and saw blank paper, they wouldn't disclose any secrets. She tilted her head to look at Rong Jing. "So you don’t have to leave the city Then I’ll go alone!"

"How can I defy the Emperor’s edict In that case, I shall go a hundred miles out to meet Seventh Prince," Rong Jing smiled at Yun Qianyue and said softly, "I will escort you all the way there for a hundred miles. That way, you won’t have to walk."

"You’re still scared of the Emperor’s edict It’s not as if Seventh Prince needs you to meet him; even if the Emperor finds out, he won’t blame you. When did you become so eager" Yun Qianyue looked at Rong Jing with suspicion.

“It is a grand occasion for me to be specially ordered by His Majesty to receive Seventh Prince back into the capital. How can I shirk my duty” Rong Jing raised his eyebrows and continued, “Moreover, the hundred miles of mountain roads leading from the capital to Cloud Mist Mountain are extremely difficult to traverse. With me escorting you, you won’t have to endure a bumpy horse ride; what’s not to like about that”

"So I’m still benefiting from Seventh Prince" Yun Qianyue looked at Rong Jing and saw him nod with a smile. The expression in her eyes under the veil flickered quickly, and she smiled and said, "Then let's go!"

With that, she stepped out into the courtyard.

Rong Jing also took a step forward simultaneously; his gait remained as light and graceful as ever.

The two of them left the Purple Bamboo Garden.

Qing Quan was stunned for a moment before hurriedly scribbling on that piece of white paper, then re-tied it to the pigeon’s leg. He let go of the pigeon and rushed after Rong Jing and Yun Qianyue.

The homing pigeon flew into the sky and headed towards a hundred miles away.

—— EXTRAS ——

After hiding for so long, it’s finally time to bring out Seventh Prince, but I’m still a little reluctant (⊙_⊙）O（∩_∩）O

Recommended friend Jihan Zhuang's "My Beauty Cannot Compare with My Wife," which will be finishing soon.

Thanks to the following folks for their diamond gifts and flowers:

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