The night fell as they journeyed back to the capital.
Although she had vowed not to speak to Xiao Wangye again, they were unavoidably in the same carriage. The interior was akin to a modern RV, furnished with thick carpets, two cushions, and a wooden table laden with pastries. The walls were even papered and padded, ensuring no injury from accidental bumps during the carriage's motion.
Yet, this comfortable setting was marred by the disharmony between the two occupants. Xiao Wangye and Ye Qingcheng sat on opposite sides, one at the front, the other at the back. Ye Qingcheng chose the seat nearest the door; her intention was clear – should Xiao Wangye attempt conversation, she would unhesitatingly pull open the door, leap out, and find Lin Xiao.
Xiao Wangye felt a headache coming on. This woman truly kept her word; three hours had passed, and not a single word had been exchanged.
Time flashed back to before their departure.
"Qingcheng, you must be careful on the road. I made these little pastries for you to enjoy on your journey." He handed Ye Qingcheng a heavy box, indicating a generous portion of pastries within.
"You also need to take good care of yourself. If Zhou Hu treats you poorly, write to me, and I'll scold him." As he spoke, he shot a threatening glare at Zhou Hu, standing nearby.
Many people had come to see them off, virtually the entire camp. After speaking with Le Hu, Ye Qingcheng went to Wen Daifu, acting spoiled. Just as she finished there, several soldiers approached again to express their gratitude. Seeing that this would go on endlessly, Xiao Wangye could bear it no longer.
"Alright everyone, if we don't leave soon, the sun will set. We know your reluctance and your heartfelt sentiments. But before we depart, I have a major announcement."
Ye Qingcheng: She felt a premonition of something ominous.
"The Little Doctor Ye you all speak of, the Ye Shenyi who saves lives and heals the wounded, is actually this Prince's consort." His tone was undeniably proud, as if he were announcing a victory. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
The crowd: !!!
"Wow, host, Xiao Wangye is indeed a character from a novel. This move is truly textbook 'domineering CEO'," a voice chirped in her mind.
"National treasure, this is incredibly embarrassing!" Ye Qingcheng offered a smile that was both awkward and elegant to the stunned soldiers.
Equally stunned were Wen Daifu and the other relatives who already knew the truth. The Prince's thoughts were as inscrutable as ever; they felt a pang of exasperation.
"Ah, ha ha ha, the reason for all this, I'm sure you've all guessed. Ah, it's getting late, let's depart now, Your Highness." The last sentence was spoken through gritted teeth.
Xiao Wangye, believing he had acted impeccably and exuded masculine charm, held his head high and led the way to the carriage.
The memory faded, leaving Ye Qingcheng still immersed in the embarrassment.
"But I think that really had a domineering CEO vibe!" San San said dreamily.
"That was an embarrassing moment! Not domineering at all, actually a bit foolish!" she retorted without politeness.
"Do I look like the type to be moved by such tactics? I'm not a love-struck fool! I'm a career-driven strong woman, understand?"
They argued fiercely in their minds, engaged in a heated discussion on this very topic. Only Xiao Wangye remained lost in his thoughts, wondering why she still wouldn't speak to him.
"Your Highness, we have arrived at the post station," a guard at the rear of the carriage announced.
"Mm, noted," he replied, extending his hand towards Ye Qingcheng as a reminder.
Hmph, the argument in her mind hadn't ceased. She was unapologetically dismissive of the "culprit" of this matter. Ignoring the outstretched hand, she pulled open the carriage curtain and leaped out with a graceful movement, leaving Xiao Wangye to a silent dejection.
To avoid undue attention, Ye Qingcheng still wore male attire. Xiao Wangye looked at her upright posture and sighed again.
"Prepare hot water and inform the consort that she should rest after bathing." He still felt the need to show concern.
"Yes," his attendant replied. It seemed the Prince truly doted on his consort.
Although post stations rarely had guests, they were kept clean. Ye Qingcheng was quite satisfied with this. However, due to Xiao Wangye's "scene" earlier, she couldn't even secure a room to herself.
Alas, Ye Qingcheng sighed silently.
"San San, since we've already set off for the capital, can you tell me about the upcoming tasks now?"
"Yes, you can. But it's another long-term mission: establishing a medical hall," San San replied excitedly.
"A medical hall? Does this world not have them?"
"This is a novel world, you see. All the bugs need to be fixed by the host!"
"Alright, sister here loves challenging missions!" Her competitive spirit, honed in the apocalypse, was fully unleashed at this moment.
It seemed their return to the capital would be far more interesting.
"Qingcheng, have you finished bathing? It's getting cold, isn't it? Rest early, we need to travel tomorrow morning," Xiao Wangye asked with concern from the doorway.
"Alright, alright, I know," she replied impatiently.
Upon returning to the room, Xiao Wangye did not lie on the bed but instead slept on the daybed in the room. This action greatly pleased Ye Qingcheng; he was being sensible. Without a word, she covered herself with the quilt and went to sleep.
Xiao Wangye, with a cool yet placating tone, said, "Qingcheng, along the way, we will pass several towns with unique local characteristics. If you wish to visit them, we can."
As expected, he received no response. This strategy had been suggested by Lin Xiao: "Your Highness, coaxing a woman is like coaxing a child. Take her to places she likes and give her things she desires."
Xiao Wangye, half-believing, followed the advice. He still received no response.
"If there are places you wish to visit, please tell me. Goodnight, Qingcheng." He remained patient, never blaming Ye Qingcheng for her neglect, only reflecting on what he could do better.
"Ding, the male lead's sincerity has increased by ten percent."
Ye Qingcheng, whose eyes had been closed, suddenly shot them open. "What? Has this system malfunctioned?"
"No, it hasn't. We've detected that the male lead's sincerity towards you is very high right now," the innocent and cute voice stated, uttering words that sent a shiver down Ye Qingcheng's spine.
"Why did it increase even though he didn't apologize to me?"
"It's not that sincerity is only accompanied by apologies, but rather that his sincerity is at its peak when he apologizes," San San explained to her.
So that was it. It seemed Xiao Wangye, if nothing else, was truly sincere in his apologies.
"Moreover, Xiao Wangye, as the main villain in the book, has always been at the pinnacle of power. Apologizing is as likely as a fantasy to him. Qingcheng, you've done very well. You've already easily increased his sincerity to sixty percent!"