CHAPTER 708: CHAPTER 294: GU XINGCHUAN’S MAINTENANCE (FOUR MORE)

Song Yanqing and Bai Mowan walked together.

Bai Mowan had a sullen expression throughout, which had now reached its darkest depths.

She couldn’t accept that Xiao Jinxing simply chased after Ye Qichi and left like that.

Even if she was dissatisfied with Ye Qichi’s behavior and angry, she was still abandoned.

At this moment, she happened to confront Gu Xingchuan and Xie Ruotong head-on.

Naturally, she wouldn’t show them a pleasant face.

Towards the people beside Ye Qichi, she wouldn’t harbor any good feelings.

Upon closer thought.

Besides Gu Xingchuan and Xie Ruotong, Song Yanqing also stood on Ye Qichi’s side.

The more she thought about it, the angrier she got.

She said coldly, "Cousin, we are setting off for the border tomorrow. Drinking without restraint today is against the rules. If this were in the military camp..."

"It’s precisely because we are not in the military camp yet that I indulge a bit," Gu Xingchuan directly finished her sentence.

Bai Mowan’s face darkened.

"Isn’t General Bai here for diversion as well?" Gu Xingchuan asked.

"I came here to discuss matters with Prince Chen and Song Yanqing, unlike you all who are just indulging in eating, drinking, and pleasuring," Bai Mowan with a tone of reprimand added, "Furthermore, you’ve made the Princess embarrass herself so publicly. I really cannot compliment that behavior."

"The Princess is vivacious by nature and danced and sang impromptu without any disgrace, and even looked as beautiful as a painting," Gu Xingchuan naturally defended Ye Qichi, lavishing praise without stinginess, "And regarding the so-called indulgence... If I remember correctly, these past days the Princess has been helping Prince Chen consolidate his power, attract talents, and devise strategies. On the other hand, General Bai, what have you done for Prince Chen?"

"You!" Bai Mowan was left speechless with anger.

She had always been by Xiao Jinxing’s side during this period, helping him solve problems.

"General Bai has been preoccupied with love and romance," Gu Xingchuan concluded, without any consideration for feelings.

Bai Mowan was truly made to blush with shame by Gu Xingchuan’s words.

Xie Ruotong couldn’t help laughing on the side.

Gu Xingchuan was always known for his genteel demeanor, but she had never seen him this sharp-tongued.

This was almost enough to anger Bai Mowan to death.

Xie Ruotong laughed like that.

Bai Mowan’s face looked even more unpleasant.

Song Yanqing was beside Bai Mowan.

Although he followed Bai Mowan, he naturally leaned more towards Ye Qichi.

So he couldn’t possibly speak up for Bai Mowan.

His eyes shifted slightly.

Because of Xie Ruotong’s laugh, he couldn’t help but glance over.

Ever since their encounter, he had been diverting his gaze.

He also felt that Xie Ruotong hadn’t given him a single glance.

At this moment.

His gaze was caught by Xie Ruotong.

Xie Ruotong’s eyes met his.

Song Yanqing quickly looked away.

Xie Ruotong also looked away.

The two of them had become strangers to each other.

"It’s getting late, General Bai will be heading to the border tomorrow, and Brother Song with Ruotong are headed for the border as well, so let’s not delay your rest," Gu Xingchuan courteously made a gesture, "Ruotong, I’ll escort you back."

"Both Song Yanqing and Xie Ruotong are headed for Prince Chen’s Mansion, while Gu Xingchuan and I need to return to the Imperial Palace," Bai Mowan spoke up, "How about this, Song Yanqing escorts Xie Ruotong, while Gu Xingchuan escorts me?"

Gu Xingchuan’s eyes flickered slightly.

He didn’t know what Bai Mowan was thinking.

"That’s perfect, I have some matters I want to discuss alone with Gu Xingchuan. Once we part today, there will be no chance," Bai Mowan continued.

Gu Xingchuan hesitated for a moment but didn’t refuse.

He indeed had some matters to make clear to Bai Mowan.

"Ruotong, then follow Brother Song back," Gu Xingchuan stated directly.

Xie Ruotong glanced at Gu Xingchuan.

Is it really appropriate to betray a friend like this?!

Gu Xingchuan smiled, "Safe travels, and may you return in triumph."

It was both a farewell and a blessing.

Xie Ruotong nodded and also said her goodbyes, "Smooth and favorable."

Then she left first.

"Aren’t you leaving with the others?" Bai Mowan urged Song Yanqing.

Song Yanqing knew they had matters to talk about, so he tactfully departed.

Leaving the restaurant.

Xie Ruotong walked ahead.

The time was neither early nor late.

Xun’an City was still bustling with activity.

The two of them, one behind the other, headed in the same direction.

Entering autumn, the nights had grown a bit cold.

Song Yanqing couldn’t help but cough twice.

It wasn’t that he really felt cold.

But that was the nature of his coughing illness; the slightest change in temperature, the slightest shortness of breath, and he couldn’t stop coughing.

Xie Ruotong was walking ahead and actually heard it.

Seeing Song Yanqing today...

To be honest, it was even worse than she had imagined.

So thin that he was almost unrecognizable, not to mention.

The vicious scar on his face completely ruined the once handsome features that could have defined his appearance.

Average people would probably be scared if they saw him.

No longer could he be described as fresh and handsome or with an imposing presence.

The coughing behind her seemed to become more rapid.

Xie Ruotong stopped in her tracks.

Song Yanqing had already been walking too hurriedly.

Xie Ruotong walked too fast, and he couldn’t keep up.

That’s why he was out of breath.

Xie Ruotong stopped walking.

Song Yanqing also hurriedly came to a halt.

The two maintained a distance between them.

Xie Ruotong could also feel that Song Yanqing had stopped.

She turned around.

Turning, she found herself making eye contact with Song Yanqing.

Song Yanqing was surprised, then he quickly lowered his gaze.

Xie Ruotong said, "I don’t like having someone following me."

Song Yanqing pursed his lips and slowly nodded, "Okay."

After Xie Ruotong dropped that remark, she left again.

Song Yanqing just watched Xie Ruotong’s disappearing back; watched as she vanished from his sight.

For a long time.

Song Yanqing started moving again, heading back.

He’d always known that Xie Ruotong didn’t want to see him.

But he hadn’t expected

That she would so detest the sight.

When Song Yanqing returned to Prince Chen’s Mansion.

Xie Ruotong was at the entrance of the mansion.

Standing before her was Lin Qianyu.

Ye Qichi often came to check on his illness, and through their conversation, he had roughly learned about Xie Ruotong’s current situation, including the people around her.

He heard that Lin Qianyu had developed feelings for her back when she was still an assassin.

It was because Xie Ruotong returned to the Duke Mansion that they went their separate ways.

Now, Lin Qianyu had taken the initiative to return to Xie Ruotong’s side.

He didn’t know what the two of them had said to each other.

Xie Ruotong smiled at Lin Qianyu.

Lin Qianyu also smiled back at Xie Ruotong.

After a while, the two of them parted ways.

After they separated, Xie Ruotong went inside first.

Song Yanqing watched Lin Qianyu leave before heading towards the main entrance of Prince Chen’s Mansion.

"Song Yanqing." A male voice suddenly called out to him.

Song Yanqing looked back.

The departing Lin Qianyu had suddenly returned.

"I need to talk to you," Lin Qianyu stated directly.

Song Yanqing nodded, "Go ahead."

"I know Prince Chen currently needs you," Lin Qianyu was straightforward, "but I hope you don’t continue to bother Xiang Qin, that is, Ruotong."

Song Yanqing pursed his lips.

He said, "Do you think someone like me, in this state, has anything left to bother her with?"

Lin Qianyu frowned.

He closely scrutinized Song Yanqing’s face.

And his frail appearance.

After looking for a while, he indeed didn’t seem to think Song Yanqing posed any threat.

He said, "I am pursuing Xiang Qin."

"I wish you success," Song Yanqing offered his blessing.

In that moment, even the corners of his mouth smiled.

Even though it felt as if his heart was being carved by a knife.