Chapter 527: Chapter 173: Xiao Jinxing’s Heart Bursts with Joy_4
"Ye Qichi!" Xiao Jinxing frowned.
The voice was somewhat cold.
Ye Qichi snapped back to reality.
A moment ago, her thoughts had wandered too far.
She couldn’t help but retract her gaze.
Even if her eyes were once again a bit moist.
It turned out that after all this time, she had never truly forgotten; it was just that she didn’t want to keep reminiscing.
She asked, "What is it?"
"What are you looking at? So lost in thought!" Xiao Jinxing’s face darkened slightly.
"Watching you," Ye Qichi said nonchalantly, "With such handsome features, shouldn’t I take a few more glances?"
Xiao Jinxing’s face seemed to redden.
Or perhaps it was just an illusion.
After all, he had just finished practicing martial arts, so some flush in his cheeks was to be expected.
But at that moment, Xiao Jinxing turned around, his back to Ye Qichi.
Ye Qichi was speechless.
Paying him a compliment, and he’s still displeased.
"Was Yuan Wenkang’s marriage not your idea?"
"I just mentioned it casually."
Xiao Jinxing’s gaze was cold.
"Love is a matter between two people; don’t force others against their will," Ye Qichi said with determination.
Xiao Jinxing turned around to look at her.
Ye Qichi said, "Let’s call off the arranged marriage."
Xiao Jinxing pursed his lips.
This woman, Ye Qichi, really is fickle.
"As for Hezhen and Wu Xufan, leave it to their own fate. Outsiders’ interference is not a good idea."
"So you’ve played both the good and the bad person now, have you?!" Xiao Jinxing raised his eyebrows.
Ye Qichi smiled faintly.
Her smile was very bright.
She said, "I just didn’t expect you to take my words seriously, it’s truly flattering."
Xiao Jinxing was indifferent.
After Ye Qichi finished what she had to say, she turned around, ready to leave.
As she was leaving, she couldn’t help but look back and said, "You really do look handsome practicing with the sword!"
Then, she left with Lu You.
Xiao Jinxing watched Ye Qichi’s departing figure, his eyes deep.
He couldn’t help but touch his own cheek.
The corners of his mouth seemed to have a hint of a smile.
Or perhaps, it was just an illusion.
In any case, Xiao Wu didn’t understand.
But Xiao Wu felt that his master, the Prince, was in a good mood.
Lately, the Prince hadn’t been in the best spirits. While practicing the sword, one could sense the Prince’s mood, distinctly irritable and aggressive. Xiao Wu didn’t know what had upset his master, the Prince, and he didn’t dare to ask.
"Xiao Wu." Xiao Jinxing suddenly called him.
"I am here," Xiao Wu quickly responded.
"Practice with me for a while longer," Xiao Jinxing ordered.
"..." Prince, you have already practiced overtime.
You can’t be pushing yourself to death because of a word from the Princess.
Martial arts practice should also be pursued with moderation!
...
Song Residence.
During this time, Song Yanqing had not visited Xie Ruotong’s courtyard again.
After Xie Ruotong was punished to kneel in the snow, she and Qiao’er had both caught a cold, and they had been staying in the room without going out. They only had their meals in the room, fearing they might infect others, especially Xie Ruilin.
And the more so.
It was as if they had been forgotten by others.
Even though the cold had already gotten better.
No one invited them out for meals, and the food was still delivered to the room as always.
The implication was quite clear.
Presumably before Xie Ruilin gave birth, they could only stay in this room.
Qiao’er was somewhat indignant.
Why should the concubine be treated like this just because she is pregnant?
Her mistress is the legitimate wife.
She is the one who can truly carry on the Song Family’s lineage.
Why should a concubine be so presumptuous?
Xie Ruotong probably knew why the Song Family treated her this way.
Song Yanqing must have confessed to the Song Family elders that their marriage was in name only. Fearing that Song Yanqing truly wouldn’t consummate the union with her, they naturally would have no offspring, and so all expectations were placed on Xie Ruilin.
Therefore, they were undoubtedly very indulgent with Xie Ruilin.
At this moment.
Qiao’er received the food from a servant, still full of resentment.
Just as Xie Ruotong was about to call Qiao’er over.
She saw Song Yanqing suddenly appear behind Qiao’er.
His arrival was indeed quite surprising.
Anyone might come to her courtyard, the least likely person was Song Yanqing.
She was thinking that if nothing unexpected happened, they wouldn’t see each other again before Xie Ruilin delivered the baby.
"Qiao’er," Xie Ruotong’s eyes tightened.
Qiao’er instantly noticed her mistress’s change in expression and promptly shut her mouth.
Turning around, she saw the young master.
Frightened, she promptly paid her respects, "Greetings to the young master."
Song Yanqing had naturally also heard Qiao’er’s murmurs, which were mainly complaints about the unfair treatment of Xie Ruotong and grievances toward Xie Ruilin.
He listened, just listened.
Then, as if he had heard nothing, he said to Xie Ruotong, "I need to talk to you about something."
Xie Ruotong nodded, "Qiao’er, you go ahead and leave."
She guessed as well.
If it wasn’t something important, Song Yanqing wouldn’t have come to see her in person.
Coming personally, the matter must be of some significance.
Qiao’er left.
Song Yanqing got straight to the point, "Do you have a close relationship with Ye Qichi?"
Xie Ruotong more or less guessed what it was about.
She said, "The Princess and I are but women, our friendship is just confined to matters within our boudoirs."
"Even if it’s just a friendship over boudoir matters, it should end there," Song Yanqing stated bluntly.
Xie Ruotong looked at him.
"Many things I need not tell you, as you should understand," Song Yanqing looked at Xie Ruotong, "but now I still have to give you a clear explanation. With the ongoing strife between Prince Chen and Prince Chu in the court, and the factions drawing lines privately, you and Ye Qichi should maintain a distance."
"Alright." Xie Ruotong agreed without hesitation.
At the royal banquet, Ye Qichi had actually already hinted at this.
Apparently, she had already anticipated Song Yanqing coming to find her like this.
And with Ye Qichi being so astute...
"My lord, do you really think that siding with Prince Chu is the right choice?" Xie Ruotong suddenly asked Song Yanqing.