Mistakenly Marked the Madly Beautiful Princess - Chapter 65

Ling Yue was somewhat absent-minded today. She distinctly remembered having slept in the side chamber after the Eldest Princess fell asleep yesterday, yet this morning, she woke up in the Eldest Princess’s bed.

Moreover, the Eldest Princess had woken before her, watching her with a faint, teasing smile.

Ling Yue was deeply troubled. She truly feared being seen as a pervert, even though the Eldest Princess didn’t seem to mind.

She had taken the day off to bid someone farewell.

After waiting at the city gate for a long time, she finally heard Wang Lan’s booming voice. Wang Lan was about to head north.

“Ling Yue!”

Ling Yue turned at the sound. Wang Lan reined in her horse beside her, a deep purple satin bundle slung over her back. Dressed in a practical lake-blue outfit with tightened cuffs, she looked sharp and capable.

She wasn’t traveling alone, but she had ridden ahead. Soon, the others caught up.

Leading the group was Wen Yuanyuan, who had gone to great lengths to secure this opportunity to accompany Wang Lan north.

The two stopped beside Ling Yue. Wen Yuanyuan seemed somewhat worried, but Wang Lan paid it no mind. Leaning down with a grin, she clapped Ling Yue on the shoulder. “Now you’ll be all alone in Rongcheng. If anything interesting happens, be sure to write to me.”

Ling Yue smiled. “You too. Rongcheng is dull, I’d love to hear about the northern scenery. If you come across anything fascinating, remember to write.”

In truth, Ling Yue had some knowledge of the northern regions. In her past life, she had visited the north and her first impression was of flat, desolate terrain.

Turning to Wen Yuanyuan, she added, “About what you asked me last time, I’ve looked into it. They don’t produce many fine crafts up there, so silk, cloth, and porcelain might be in high demand.”

Ling Yue wasn’t just making empty promises. She had compiled and organized the information she’d copied and now handed it carefully to Wen Yuanyuan. Watching the other girl examine it intently, she advised, “There are also notes on local customs and practices in there. You might find them useful.”

Wang Lan leaned in to look as well, but the dense text made her head spin. She stepped back, rubbing her head, a twinge of envy surfacing.

She gave Ling Yue’s shoulder another hearty slap, grumbling half-jokingly, “You, why do you have to be so perfect? It’s downright annoying.”

Wang Lan was still smiling as she said “annoying,” and Ling Yue knew she was teasing, though there might have been a grain of truth in it.

The slap had been heavy, and Ling Yue felt a dull ache in her shoulder. Rubbing the spot, she retorted, “I’m not perfect.”

“Come on! Skilled in both literature and martial arts, humble and gentle and you still say you’re not good enough?”

Though it was praise, Ling Yue felt she didn’t deserve it. She thought herself rather foolish, always being teased by the Eldest Princess and often failing to catch on.

But such matters were not to be spoken of. Ling Yue sighed and removed something from her wrist, handing it to Wang Lan. “This is for you.”

Wang Lan took it and found it was a wrist-mounted crossbow. Strapping it on, she tested it on a nearby tree trunk. With a whoosh, the bolt embedded itself more than halfway into the wood.

The power of the weapon delighted Wang Lan, who had a passion for arms. Her eyes narrowed into happy slits as she exclaimed over its quality.

“Who gave you such a fine thing?”

Ling Yue hesitated, then replied mysteriously, “Heaven’s secrets must not be revealed.”

Wang Lan couldn’t stand her anymore, so she randomly guessed a person, “It’s the Eldest Princess, right?”

Ling Yue raised an eyebrow. Had it only been a few days since they last met, and this guy’s intelligence had already soared to new heights?

After a moment’s thought, Ling Yue realized that telling the truth wouldn’t cause any harm to the Eldest Princess, so she nodded, “Mm.”

Upon hearing this, Wang Lan’s eyes widened slightly, and she blurted out, “So you two really have something going on!”

There were still so many people around!

Ling Yue really wanted to jump up and hit Wang Lan’s head, and she did just that. Even though the other was on horseback and much taller, it didn’t stop her from getting a good whack.

Ling Yue moved too quickly for Wang Lan to react, and her head took a solid hit.

Rubbing her head, Wang Lan grimaced, “Ouch!”

Ling Yue’s expression darkened, “Do not tarnish Her Highness’s reputation.”

Perhaps dazed from the blow, Wang Lan’s head was buzzing, and she misheard, “Green fish? What green fish?”

Ling Yue was left speechless by her. She sighed and decided to keep her distance from this fool.

Meanwhile, Wen Yuanyuan had finished reading the item Ling Yue had given her and handed it to a guard behind her. She instructed seriously, “Take this to the Old Madam. You need not accompany me further.”

“Yes, Miss!”

The guard took the item and turned back toward the city.

Having lingered at the city gates for so long, they had already wasted some time.

Ling Yue had originally intended to see them off a bit further, but some matters at the estate required her attention, so she had to give up the idea.

Wang Lan glanced at the sky, adjusted her sleeve arrow properly, and her smile carried a hint of reluctance, though more than that, it was carefree. “I’m off now. It’ll be hard to meet from here on out, so don’t forget about us. Remember to write.”

“Of course.”

After saying this, Ling Yue glanced at the two of them and chuckled, “Don’t go secretly holding a wedding ceremony out there. I want to attend the celebration.”

Wen Yuanyuan, being more reserved, couldn’t help but complain, “Why are you being so glib too, teasing us like this?”

Wang Lan, however, had no such reservations. She laughed heartily, “How could we have a celebration without you? Alright, it’s time for us to go.”

The moment of parting arrived quietly. Ling Yue’s smile faded into melancholy, but she forced herself to bid them farewell, “Go on, take care on your journey.”

“Ah, we will! Then we’re off now, giddy up!”

Ling Yue watched as they rode farther and farther away, until they were just two tiny dots, and then even those dots vanished from sight before she turned to leave.

In her previous life, Wang Lan had met her demise in the war against the southern Xin Dynasty, but in this life, she was heading north.

Relatively speaking, the north was more stable than the south in this lifetime, yet Ling Yue couldn’t set her heart at ease.

She realized that the memories from her past life were making her overly anxious. She couldn’t help but press her fingers to her forehead, thinking she should keep herself busy to distract her mind.

Dropping her hand, Ling Yue gazed at the gradually bustling streets and let out a long sigh. She muttered to herself, “I’ll go check on the estate first.”

But even after handling the estate affairs, her heart still felt heavy, so she decided to take a bath to relax.

She instructed her maid to prepare hot water, undressed, and submerged herself in the tub, resting her arms on the edges.

The water was filled with petals, some clinging to her skin.

The Eldest Princess picked up a petal and then let it go. Lately, she had been indulging herself more and more, quite like a negligent ruler who paid no heed to state affairs.

Amused by her own thought, the princess rose and stepped outside. She tied up her hair, casually dressed, and settled down to read.

As usual, Qingniao came to check her pulse. After finishing, she couldn’t help but remark with feigned delight, “We’re one step closer to the world’s destruction.”

The princess knew she was being sarcastic.

Though the princess was considered mad, she wasn’t mad enough to drag the entire world down with her. Besides, she was growing increasingly fond of this world.

Closing her book with a frown, she snapped, “Speak plainly.”

Qingniao, ever quick to adapt, immediately changed her tone. “Your pulse is growing steadier.”

After tidying up the small pillow used for pulse-taking, Qingniao’s curiosity got the better of her. Glancing around and noticing Ling Yue’s absence, she asked, “Did you let her go?”

“Mm.”

“Did nothing happen between you two last night?”

Disturbed by the interruption, the princess grew irritated. She sneered, “What? Were you hoping something would happen?”

Though thoroughly intimidated, Qingniao couldn’t resist muttering, “You’re completely hopeless. The progress is so slow.”

The princess had had enough. “If you’ve nothing to do, go back to your room.”

Qingniao chuckled lightly. She only dared to tease a little pushing further would truly endanger her skin.

Just as she was about to slip away, the princess called her back.

“Wait.”

Qingniao froze, a sudden ache spreading across her entire body. Assuming the princess was about to settle scores, she pulled a long face. “What is it?”

The princess’s gaze remained fixed on her book as she replied nonchalantly, “Later, I’ll be traveling to the Northern Kingdom in disguise. You’re coming with me.”

Qingniao’s skin was safe, but she couldn’t fathom why the princess wanted to go to the Northern Kingdom.

She scurried back and sat down again. “What are we going there for?”

The princess glanced up at her briefly before returning her eyes to the page, her tone flat. “To kill someone.”

Truly a star of slaughter such matters rolled off her tongue as easily as eating or drinking.

Qingniao was impressed. This was going to stir up trouble right in someone else’s territory.

But who were they targeting? Hadn’t the Northern Kingdom been behaving lately?

Her curiosity piqued again, Qingniao asked, “Which unlucky soul has caught your eye?”

“Prince Huaici.”

Qingniao’s pupils contracted, her expression instantly darkening. Yet the princess remained as calm as ever.

Prince Huaici, Luo Chengzhao, was a descendant of the Northern Kingdom’s founding heroes, a man of malicious intent who had long coveted the lands of Rong.

But that wasn’t the worst of it. A decade ago, he had secretly sent agents to Rong to gather intelligence. When their tracks were uncovered and they were injured, they sought treatment at a clinic and then slaughtered the physician’s entire family.

Qingniao knew the details so well because, in her past life, the princess had already uncovered the truth for her. But with the chaos back then, she hadn’t wanted to burden the princess further.

Even in this life, she hadn’t mentioned it because she knew Luo Chengzhao’s days were numbered, making revenge seem unnecessary.

After a long silence, Qingniao said, “That man’s life won’t last much longer. There’s no need to trouble yourself.”

The princess finally moved, setting her book aside. It was clear she didn’t agree with Qingniao’s reasoning. “Revenge is always best served by one’s own hand.”

Knowing she couldn’t dissuade her, Qingniao only worried about the princess’s health, given the distance they had to travel.

After a moment’s thought, she brought up Ling Yue again. “Will we take Ling Yue along?”

“Naturally, she’s coming.”

Mentioning Ling Yue, the princess once again grew somewhat absent-minded. Even when Ling Yue wasn’t by her side, she could still keep a constant watch over her.

Today, Ling Yue had gone to bid someone farewell.

To be honest, the princess felt a bit envious. There was always a certain barrier between her and Ling Yue due to their differing statuses.

But she didn’t want to be just friends with Ling Yue, she sought a relationship that went beyond friendship.

However, until her health fully recovered, she decided it was best to take things slowly.

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