Mistakenly Marked the Madly Beautiful Princess - Chapter 21

Lu Weiying had never seen Ling Yue like this before. Though the face was still familiar, the cautiousness that once lingered in her eyes had completely vanished.

The other’s humility had made her forget that this was a female general who struck fear into the hearts of her enemies.

Unconsciously, she whispered, “Yueyue.”

She had expected Ling Yue to approach her as she had in her past life clumsily and carefully trying to coax her. To her disappointment, however, all she saw in Ling Yue’s eyes was disgust.

Ling Yue sheathed her weapon and said calmly, “Your Highness, please maintain your dignity.”

The cold tone snapped Lu Weiying back to reality, and a wave of resentment washed over her at the thought of everything starting over.

Wen Yuanyuan sensed the tension between the two and, recalling the princess’s status, quickly stepped in to mediate: “Your Highness, you must have been frightened.”

Lu Weiying shook her head. “It’s nothing. What exactly happened?”

Wen Yuanyuan glanced back at the corpses. “They were fugitives wanted by the authorities. It’s highly unusual for them to gather here, so someone must be behind this. Your Highness, rest assured, I will report this and investigate.”

Cold sweat trickled down Lu Weiying’s back. Of course, she recognized Wen Yuanyuan and knew all too well of her capabilities.

Wen Yuanyuan was skilled in strategy, often using terrain to trap and annihilate enemy troops. On one occasion, she had even led a mere hundred soldiers to wipe out four thousand enemies without losing a single one of her own.

If she were to investigate, things would take a turn for the worse.

A thought crossed Lu Weiying’s mind, and she feigned anger. “How dare these bandits act so brazenly right under the Emperor’s nose? There’s no need for you to handle this, I will investigate it myself.”

Seeing her firm stance, Wen Yuanyuan thought it over and abandoned her plan to look into the matter.

Meanwhile, Ling Yue carefully examined Ling Ya and felt much relieved to find her unharmed.

Tightening her sister’s cloak, Ling Yue began to fuss, “Sister, why didn’t you listen to me?”

Ling Ya didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she noticed a smear of blood on her younger sister’s right cheek and pulled out a handkerchief from her sleeve to gently wipe it away.

After cleaning it, she smiled and asked, “Did you come here just for me?”

Ling Yue didn’t deny it. She shot a cold glance at Lu Weiying before turning away in disgust.

Facing Ling Ya again, she reverted to her gentle self. “Sister, come back with me, alright?”

Ling Ya tightened her grip on the handkerchief, her countless unspoken words condensing into a single syllable.

“Alright.”

The scene of sisterly affection made Wang Lan, who was watching from the side, envious. She couldn’t help but sigh, “I really wish I had a younger sister. If I did, I’d treat her so well.”

She then nudged Wen Yuanyuan beside her and asked, “Do you have any siblings?”

Wen Yuanyuan didn’t understand why her attitude had shifted. She didn’t feel offended, just a bit exasperated as she replied, “I have a younger sister.”

Wang Lan felt a pang of discontent. Why did everyone else have siblings except her?

As she brooded, Wang Lan noticed bloodstains on Wen Yuanyuan’s waist and sleeves, along with tears on her back and shoulders that revealed glimpses of skin beneath.

Fortunately, the wounds weren’t bleeding, only her clothes were damaged.

Once everything was settled, Ling Yue led her sister down the mountain. She and Ling Ya walked at the front, with Wang Lan and Wen Yuanyuan following behind.

Lu Weiying trailed at the end of the group. Though they were descending together, no one paid her any attention. Resentment surged within her once more, but all she could do was watch Ling Yue’s retreating figure.

After navigating a rugged mountain path, they finally left Wu Fu Mountain behind.

They had come in such a hurry that they hadn’t prepared a carriage, and there was still quite a distance to the city. Ling Ya’s body wouldn’t hold up if they had to walk.

Just as she was worrying, Ling Ya gently took her hand and smiled, saying, “Don’t think of me as so fragile.”

Then Ling Ya called out, “Qing Yue.”

“Here.”

“Take me on horseback.”

Qing Yue hesitated for a moment, but seeing Ling Ya’s insistence, she had no choice but to agree. “Understood.”

Qing Yue helped Ling Ya onto the horse. It was her first time doing something like this, and she nervously gripped the reins.

Fearing something might happen, Qing Yue quickly mounted the horse and sat behind her.

They had originally planned to rest in the mountains for a few days, and the carriage they had rented for the journey had been returned to the estate, so they hadn’t prepared any horses. The horse they were riding now belonged to Wen Yuanyuan.

Ling Yue and Wang Lan’s horses were both rather spirited, while only Wen Yuanyuan’s horse was gentle.

Ling Yue was about to suggest that Wang Lan abandon her horse and ride with her, but that girl was quicker. She urged her horse over to Wen Yuanyuan’s side, flashed a confident smile, and extended her hand toward Wen Yuanyuan.

“Let’s go, Yuanyuan.”

Seeing the hand in front of her, Wen Yuanyuan broke out in goosebumps all over. She raised her hand to refuse, but before she could utter a word of rejection, she was pulled onto the horse.

Wen Yuanyuan’s face changed color, and she was about to make a sarcastic remark when a cloak was draped over her shoulders.

Her anger vanished instantly. Wen Yuanyuan turned back in confusion. “You?”

Wang Lan grinned. “Your clothes are torn. This will cover it.”

She lifted her gaze forward. “Hold on tight, I’m setting off.”

“Giddy up!”

As she overtook Ling Yue, she provocatively glanced back and waved her riding crop. “Let’s see who reaches the city gate first!”

Seeing the two of them so intimate, Ling Ya grew curious. Gossiping, she asked, “Are they a couple?”

In her line of sight, the figures of the two grew increasingly distant. In her past life, it had been the same, the three of them would play these silly games, competing in riding skills to see who would reach the designated spot first.

In her memories, Wang Lan was just like now, always cheating in these little games.

Ling Yue was a bit slower to react and was left far behind by the two. By the time she caught up, she found them riding together on the same horse.

So, winning or losing no longer mattered. Ling Yue didn’t dare disturb them and simply followed quietly behind.

But later, Wang Lan died in battle, and a year later, Wen Yuanyuan followed her.

On the grassland under the setting sun, the shadow of that loving couple was never seen again.

She had thought her own final resting place would also be the battlefield, but in reality, she had failed to live up to her friends’ expectations.

But this time, it would be different.

Ling Yue glanced back. Lu Weiying was still standing there. When she noticed Ling Yue looking over, she smiled shyly.

She thought Ling Yue would come to pick her up, but she guessed wrong.

On the way here, Ling Yue had seen Lu Weiying’s carriage. Since that was the case, she could make her own way back.

“Your Highness’s carriage is just ahead. This humble subject has matters to attend to and will not escort you further.”

Lu Weiying’s smile froze at the corners of her mouth. She had no desire to press her warm face against a cold backside again, so she barely restrained her anger and merely said understandingly, “Miss Ling may go on your way.”

But by the end, her words carried a hint of gritted teeth.

Ling Yue had no intention of bothering with her. She shot Qing Yue a look, and the group left Lu Weiying behind.

Once the commotion had dissipated, Lu Weiying could finally drop her mask. She stomped on the ground in a fit of rage, trembling all over with anger.

After venting her emotions, she walked on alone.

Ling Yue escorted Ling Ya back home. Though it was a rest day, she didn’t see Ling Fu around, even though he had been there in the morning.

She casually stopped a servant and asked, “Where is Father?”

The servant seemed startled and replied nervously, “His Majesty summoned the general to the palace.”

Ling Yue released him. Comparing it to her memories of her past life, this period had been peaceful before, so nothing major should have happened.

“Ling Yue, are you ready? It’s rare for us to gather, I’m treating everyone to a meal!”

Wang Lan’s booming voice made its presence known once again.

Although Ling Yue was still poor, she had been eating so well with the Princess Royal lately that she could resist Wang Lan’s temptation.

Still, refusing would dampen the mood, so she called back, “Just a moment!”

Meanwhile, in the palace, the Princess Royal held a letter filled with writing over a candle flame.

The fire climbed upward, devouring the paper until it turned into fragile black ash.

Seeing her silence, Qing Niao couldn’t help but speak up, “Are you planning to lead the troops into battle yourself?”

Lu He didn’t answer. Instead, she returned to her desk, which was piled high with memorials.

One memorial lay prominently in the center. Lu He picked it up and opened it.

From start to finish, she remained calm, which eased Qing Niao’s anxiety somewhat.

Qing Niao sat opposite Lu He and pleaded earnestly, “Your health can’t handle too much strain. Reviewing memorials is one thing, but going to war is absolutely out of the question.”

Lu He still didn’t look up, so Qing Niao continued, “There are plenty of capable people in the court. Besides, the southern border is only making minor moves, there’s no need for you to go.”

“I’m a physician. Will you listen to me, please?”

Thump!

Lu He slammed the memorial shut, the sharp sound cutting off Qing Niao’s incessant chatter.

Tossing the memorial carelessly onto the desk, Lu He finally looked up. “Are you finished?”

Qing Niao was startled but gritted her teeth and stood her ground. “No, I’m not!”

Lu He admired her courage and understood that Qing Niao had her best interests at heart.

She chuckled softly. “You’ve grown bold. This time, I’ll pardon your offense.”

Qing Niao breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Your Highness, for sparing me. Wait, that’s not what I meant! You can’t go!”

Unfazed by Qing Niao’s frustration, Lu He picked up another memorial to review. As she read, she explained, “I know you’re concerned for me, but you must understand that our dynasty has long been coveted by both the northern and southern nations. Now, the south is making moves to test us.”

Lu He’s voice was steady, but when she looked up, her eyes betrayed unconcealed excitement.

Arrogant as ever, Lu He smirked disdainfully. “I’ve been ill for so long that these fools have grown bold. This time, I’ll lead the troops myself and remind them exactly who I am.”

Qing Niao understood her meaning. The peace that Rong Dynasty had enjoyed for so long was largely due to Lu He’s military prowess.

As long as Lu He lived, their enemies wouldn’t dare make any major moves.

Unfortunately, after falling ill, Lu He had been recuperating and had kept a low profile in recent years, her whereabouts often unknown.

Their enemies had likely begun to speculate.

Lu He intended to shatter their assumptions and reinforce her fearsome image in their minds.

For the sake of the nation, her personal involvement in the campaign would only bring benefits.

Qing Niao sighed. She knew that once Lu He made a decision, no one could change her mind. The only option was to adjust her own perspective.

She paced around the hall a few times before stopping in front of Lu He. “If you insist on going, you must take two people with you.”

Lu He showed a flicker of interest. “Who?”

“Me and Ling Yue.”

Just as Ling Yue was enjoying herself at the tavern, she suddenly felt a wave of unease.

She shook her head to adjust her mood.

Wang Lan always came up with little drinking games, like finger-guessing to determine the winner. The winner could ask the loser a question, no matter how offensive it might be.

Of course, whether things would turn physical after the game depended entirely on how broad-minded the person being teased was.

Today, Ling Yue was having a streak of bad luck, losing several times in a row. The first few rounds were won by Wen Yuanyuan, who was relatively restrained.

But this time, it was Wang Lan’s turn, and there was no telling what she might ask.

Wang Lan, already a bit tipsy, let out a couple of mischievous laughs, making Ling Yue’s scalp tingle under her gaze.

Wang Lan shouted loudly, “Ling Yue, who is the most beautiful person you’ve ever seen?”

Ling Yue relaxed this wasn’t a difficult question at all.

Her mind filled with images of Lu He, Ling Yue closed her eyes and was about to answer when Wang Lan’s head thudded heavily onto the table.

Wang Lan shifted positions, smacking her lips a few times, and actually fell asleep.

The other two exchanged a glance and laughed.

Since Wen Yuanyuan was heading in the same direction as Wang Lan, she took her along.

Ling Yue packed some dishes for Chun Tao. As she stepped out of the tavern, she spotted her chestnut-red horse.

The cold wind sobered her up. She walked over, stroked the horse’s back, and spoke the answer she hadn’t had the chance to give earlier.

“The Eldest Princess.”

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