Chapter 418: Refusal to Carry (Fourth Update)

Staring at the face that suddenly appeared before her, Chu Liuyue froze for a moment.

"Your Highness?"

Was Rong Xiu actually inside this carriage?

Rong Xiu silently observed her for a moment. Seeing her somewhat disheveled and dirty appearance, his brows furrowed slightly.

"Are you injured?"

Chu Liuyue shook her head. "Rest assured, Your Highness, I am not injured. It was Vice General Mu who was hurt."

Rong Xiu only then seemed to notice the presence of the two men beside her. His gaze was calm as he gave a slight nod of acknowledgment.

"Vice General Mu, Young Master Jian."

Mu Qinghe had no reaction, but Jian Fengchi wore a meaningful smile.

"Prince Li, you certainly didn't arrive very quickly."

Rong Xiu coughed twice, pressing a fist to his mouth.

"It is already late autumn and the weather is chilly; it is somewhat troublesome for this Prince to travel."

Jian Fengchi dismissed this explanation with disdain.

Rong Xiu's body was clearly perfectly fine, and his strength was not weak; if he had wanted to come, he would have arrived long ago.

It was strange; seeing how nervous Rong Xiu had appeared before, he thought the man would surely rush to Sijin Peak immediately, but he hadn't expected him to show up only now.

He wondered what on earth Rong Xiu had been doing.

However, there was no conflict of interest between the two parties, and since Jian Fengchi harbored a faint sense of wariness toward Rong Xiu, he didn't say much more.

Chu Liuyue walked toward Rong Xiu. As she passed by Yu Mo, she cast a soft glance his way.

"Your Highness's health has not yet recovered; how could you not know to provide him with a hand warmer?"

Though her voice was light, it sent a chill down Yu Mo's spine.

"This subordinate was wrong!"

His Highness had always claimed to be ill to the outside world, and almost every time he traveled, he was fully prepared.

But they had set out in such a rush today that he had forgotten this detail.

Besides, in this weather, a hand warmer really wasn't necessary yet...

Yu Mo grumbled inwardly, but he didn't dare show even a hint of it on his face, quickly stepping back respectfully.

Chu Liuyue walked to the side of the carriage.

"Is Your Highness well?"

Rong Xiu gave a light cough. "I am fine."

Only then did Chu Liuyue nod as if relieved. "That is good. If Your Highness were to suffer a relapse just because you were exerting yourself to find me, Yue'er would feel extremely guilty."

Standing behind them, Jian Fengchi heard their conversation and stood agape, his mouth twitching violently.

Wh—what were these two doing?!

Everyone present could see that Rong Xiu was faking his illness, yet these two were acting together so earnestly—weren't they taking this role a bit too far?!

Rong Xiu extended his hand.

"Come up."

Chu Liuyue nodded gently, placed her hand in his palm, and with a light leap, boarded the carriage.

Only then did Rong Xiu look at Jian Fengchi and Mu Qinghe.

"This Prince has been out too long today and feels unwell; I shall take my leave."

Sitting in the carriage, Chu Liuyue's movements paused, and she shot him a quick glance.

From Rong Xiu's tone, it seemed he didn't intend to let Mu Qinghe and Jian Fengchi join them in the carriage?

The twitch in Jian Fengchi's mouth grew even more intense.

"Wh—what did you say? You're going to leave both of us here?!"

Rong Xiu raised an eyebrow slightly, his smile gentle.

"Young Master Jian and Vice General Mu hold noble statuses; sitting in this Prince's carriage would be beneath you."

At this point, even Chu Liuyue couldn't listen anymore. She covered her mouth and coughed.

"Your Highness, Vice General Mu is injured. It would be more convenient to bring him back with us."

The smile on the corner of Rong Xiu's mouth deepened.

Chu Liuyue suddenly felt the surrounding air turn cold for an instant.

"If Vice General Mu does not mind, this Prince would, of course, be most delighted."

Mu Qinghe, however, frowned and turned to walk in a different direction.

Startled, Jian Fengchi hurriedly followed.

"Hey, why are you leaving?"

Mu Qinghe's expression was as if covered in a layer of frost as he walked forward without a word.

"What are you trying to prove by acting like—"

Before Jian Fengchi could finish, he suddenly thought of something and stopped.

Then, he rubbed his temples, looking somewhat helpless.

"I truly don't know what sins I committed in my past life to end up with a master and servant like you two in this one!"

Mu Qinghe's footsteps paused. He shot him a cold glance, his eyes brimming with terrifying killing intent.

"Even if I am injured now, killing you would be as easy as turning my hand."

Jian Fengchi immediately took a step back, glaring at him warily.

"I'm telling you! I came here to help you today! Don't you dare repay kindness with enmity!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, Mu Qinghe suddenly raised his hand!

A burst of cyan flame flew rapidly from his palm, heading straight for Jian Fengchi's face!

Jian Fengchi immediately crossed his arms in front of him, while a barrier flashed into existence, blocking the cyan flame!

Even so, he was still hit by the terrifying force, causing his feet to sink deep into the ground!

Jian Fengchi couldn't help but curse

"You're actually serious!"

He only said the word "master and servant"! He only mentioned "repaying kindness with enmity"!

He didn't do it on purpose!

Besides, how long ago was that? When was the right time to be sensitive about it?!

What was even more hateful was that this guy was already this injured, yet his combat strength was still so high!

For the umpteenth time, Jian Fengchi lamented in his heart that this kid's years of training in the army hadn't been for nothing—once he struck, he meant to take a life!

Mu Qinghe's vision went dark in waves, and he stumbled, nearly falling to the ground.

He had sustained significant injuries earlier, and using his primordial power so suddenly was more than his body could bear.

Yet he gritted his teeth and pushed forward, his face deathly pale, allowing the reopened wounds on his body to drip blood continuously.

Jian Fengchi followed him, his head aching.

"Fine, fine, fine! It was a slip of the tongue! My mistake!"

It would be far too inappropriate if Mu Qinghe actually died of anger.

Watching their figures gradually recede into the distance, Rong Xiu finally lowered the carriage curtain.

"Return to the Prince of Li's Manor."

"Yes!"

Yu Mo responded, jumped onto the carriage, and cracked the whip.

"Giddy up!"

The wheels began to roll, and the carriage headed in the opposite direction.

Rong Xiu withdrew his gaze and saw Chu Liuyue sitting opposite him, looking dazed as if she were lost in thought.

His gaze deepened.

"Yue'er, Yue'er?"

After calling her twice, Chu Liuyue finally snapped out of it.

"Hmm? What is it?"

Rong Xiu's expression remained calm as he asked faintly, "What are you thinking about?"

"...Nothing."

Chu Liuyue shook her head and turned her gaze away.

In truth, when she saw Jian Fengchi and Mu Qinghe arguing just now, she had suddenly remembered something.

—Mu Qinghe indeed did not ride in carriages.

As for the reason...

It was actually because once, when they traveled together, they had taken two carriages for convenience. As a result, they were ambushed halfway through, and because Mu Qinghe was in the other carriage, he couldn't reach her side immediately.

She had only suffered minor injuries that time, but Mu Qinghe had knelt outside her palace for a full day and night to atone for his mistake.

Since then, he had never ridden in a carriage again.

Rong Xiu suddenly took her hand.

Chu Liuyue was startled and looked up at him.

Their eyes met.

Her heart stirred, and she said slowly, "Actually, I was thinking... why did Your Highness arrive so late today?"

(End of Chapter)