Mistakenly Marked the Madly Beautiful Princess - Chapter 78

Occasionally, a few Northerners could be seen along the way, mostly traveling as families. Unlike the lifestyle of the Rong Dynasty, they had no fixed settlements, wandering wherever their journey took them.

Ling Yue and her companions were still dressed in Rong Dynasty attire, which made them stand out somewhat.

Although they had brought Northern-style clothing with them, the garments were too ornate and equally conspicuous.

Ling Yue controlled the pace of her horse, riding at the rear as she vigilantly observed their surroundings. Only after confirming there was no danger did she turn her gaze forward.

Then she saw the Eldest Princess chatting with Bai Yuqi in the middle of the group. Bai Yuqi remained as expressionless as ever, but the Eldest Princess seemed quite cheerful.

Ling Yue couldn’t help but tighten her grip on the reins. Deliberately, she urged her horse forward, inserting herself between the two, and then addressed the Eldest Princess, “Sister, are you thirsty?”

Ling Yue’s eyes held a hint of displeasure, and her tone carried a slight chill. However, the change was so subtle that only someone as perceptive as the Eldest Princess would notice.

Oh, the silly girl seems to be angry.

At this realization, the Eldest Princess’s smile unconsciously deepened. She glanced at the water flask hanging at her waist a simple, rustic one purchased from a Northern merchant.

Unfastening the brown flask, she shook it gently, the water inside sloshing with the movement. “No need. Miss Bai bought this flask for me.”

Ling Yue felt even more upset upon hearing this, but Bai Yuqi, unaware of the underlying tension, replied indifferently, “There’s no need for formalities, Benefactor.”

Since Ling Yue was positioned between them, Bai Yuqi’s voice came from her right, close by.

Already in a sour mood, Ling Yue turned and shot her a glare, leaving Bai Yuqi momentarily bewildered.

Ling Yue wanted to flee, but she feared that leaving would only create an opportunity for the Eldest Princess and Bai Yuqi to grow closer. Suppressing the ache in her heart, she forced herself to stay.

For the remainder of the journey, Ling Yue stole occasional glances at Bai Yuqi.

She wasn’t usually one to pay much attention to others’ appearances. When she first met Bai Yuqi, she had only given her a cursory look. But now, things were different, she sensed a threat in Bai Yuqi.

To be honest, Bai Yuqi’s beauty differed from the Rong Dynasty’s standards. Her darker complexion, the scar on her lip, and her calm, unreadable eyes combined to form a kind of wild, untamed beauty.

Ling Yue was studying Bai Yuqi intently when, unfortunately, she was caught in the act.

Bai Yuqi seemed puzzled. “Have I offended you in some way, Miss?”

Ling Yue calmly averted her gaze, her tone stiff. “You’re overthinking it.”

How could she possibly explain? On the surface, her relationship with the Eldest Princess was that of sisters. No matter how liberal the Northern customs were, they wouldn’t condone such matters.

She had initially thought this guise was convenient, but now it felt like a constraint. If they were openly lovers, she could rightfully send Bai Yuqi away.

But as soon as the thought crossed her mind, her conscience pricked her, and she inwardly scorned herself.

Whom the Eldest Princess chose to be close to was her own affair, what right did Ling Yue have to interfere?

Even so, Ling Yue couldn’t shake her feelings of resentment.

Perhaps it was better to gather some information about this hidden rival. After all, knowing your enemy and yourself is the key to victory.

With this in mind, Ling Yue forced a smile and engaged Bai Yuqi in conversation. “Miss Bai, what are your plans for the future?”

Bai Yuqi stared at her for a moment and said lightly, “If you don’t feel like smiling, you don’t have to force it.”

Ling Yue knew her smile must have looked ugly. She simply dropped the pretense and asked again, “So, what are your plans for the future?”

Returning to her unfamiliar homeland, Bai Yuqi had originally intended to kill Fu Shuang, thereby severing all ties to the Rong Dynasty. Once that was done, she would return and find a way to secure an official position in the Northern Kingdom.

But now everything had changed. In truth, Bai Yuqi herself didn’t know what she should do next. She decided to first escort this group to the capital of the Northern Kingdom, then wait, wait until the turmoil in the Rong Dynasty subsided before seeking her revenge.

A flicker of uncertainty passed through Bai Yuqi’s eyes. “First, I’ll escort my benefactor to the capital,” she said.

Hearing this, Ling Yue’s sense of crisis deepened. Her gaze toward Bai Yuqi grew even more unfriendly after all, one couldn’t discern much from appearances alone.

“May I ask, Miss Bai, are you a Tianqian?”

“No, I’m a Pingze.”

Ling Yue’s heart sank further. She pressed on, “Do you have someone you like?”

These questions were quite personal. Bai Yuqi found Ling Yue’s behavior today rather strange, but she answered earnestly nonetheless.

“No.”

That response should have put Ling Yue at ease, but as luck would have it, Bai Yuqi glanced toward the princess after speaking. That single glance made Ling Yue doubt the sincerity of her words.

Ling Yue’s expression darkened even more. She stepped forward, blocking Bai Yuqi’s line of sight entirely.

Bai Yuqi didn’t quite understand but reluctantly withdrew her gaze. She had just spotted a very small snake, coiled up and no larger than a palm, and had wanted to get a closer look.

But it wasn’t important. Looking up, she saw the outline of a town in the distance.

Ling Yue saw it too, but she was still somewhat worried. After all, entering the city required identity checks. She wasn’t sure if posing as refugees would arouse Bai Yuqi’s suspicions.

With these concerns weighing on her mind, Ling Yue arrived at the city gate.

Aside from Bai Yuqi, Ling Yue and the others were all quite thin. The soldiers at the gate couldn’t help but show disdain, their attitudes harsh.

“Where are you people from?”

Ling Yue wasn’t intimidated. Just as she was about to speak, she saw the princess take two tokens from her sleeve. She shook them coldly and said, “Open your dog eyes wide and take a good look!”

The soldier was about to get angry, but upon recognizing the tokens, he knelt in terror. “Forgive me, Your Excellency!”

The princess put away the tokens, snorted coldly, and led Ling Yue and the others into the city.

Ling Yue followed in a daze, marveling at the princess’s seemingly limitless capabilities. She couldn’t help but feel that such a person might not need anyone’s companionship.

Ling Yue took a deep breath and smiled bitterly. This wasn’t what they had agreed upon pretending to be refugees seeking shelter? Since when were refugees this arrogant?

But what surprised Ling Yue even more was that they could be even more audacious. They directly checked into the best inn in town, though there were only three rooms left.

Qingniao and Yunli shared one room, leaving the remaining two unassigned.

Ling Yue naturally wanted to stay with the princess, but Bai Yuqi spoke up first, “Benefactor, you should have a room to yourself. I’ll share with your sister.”

Ling Yue instantly felt displeased. But she was a Tianqian, and the princess was a Dioxuan. Even though they were sisters, propriety dictated they should avoid sharing a room.

The Eldest Princess hadn’t expected such a coincidence either. Seeing Ling Yue’s pitiful slumped shoulders, she smiled and said, “One room for Miss Bai is enough. My sister and I will share one.”

Bai Yuqi frowned slightly, suddenly sensing something odd about the sisters, yet she couldn’t quite put her finger on it.

The Eldest Princess explained, “To be honest, I’ve contracted a strange illness. If my sister isn’t by my side, I might not make it.”

Though still somewhat puzzled, Bai Yuqi chose to believe her. However, she had a better idea.

Handing all the keys to the Eldest Princess, Bai Yuqi pointed upward. “I’ll sleep on the roof.”

Ling Yue nearly gritted her teeth in frustration, but she thought this would help protect the Eldest Princess’s reputation. Upon further reflection, however, the Eldest Princess was using a false identity now, why bother about status?

The Eldest Princess looked at the two keys in her hand and casually tossed one to Ling Yue. Seeing her catch it, she smiled and said, “Let’s go.”

The journey had been so bumpy that Yun Li couldn’t hold on any longer, so Qing Niao had already taken her to rest.

Their rooms were on the third floor, adjacent to each other.

Ling Yue followed the Eldest Princess upstairs. The wooden stairs creaked softly, but the noise was soon drowned out by the clamor from the first floor.

They soon reached their destination. Ling Yue stood in front of her assigned room, staring blankly at the key in her hand without any intention of unlocking the door. Instead, she gazed intently at the Eldest Princess.

Click!

The Eldest Princess removed the lock from her door and pushed it open. Instead of entering immediately, she turned to the dazed Ling Yue and asked, “Aren’t you going to rest?”

Flustered, Ling Yue fumbled with her key, trying to mask her emotions.

She was too anxious either she couldn’t align the key with the keyhole, or her hands trembled. It was a struggle.

“If you’re not tired, come in and keep me company.”

There seemed to be a hint of laughter in the Eldest Princess’s tone. Ling Yue blushed but didn’t want to decline the invitation.

Clutching the key tightly, she replied, “Alright.”

Ling Yue entered with her head bowed, not bothering to observe the layout of the inn room.

Though it was still daytime, the doors and windows were shut, leaving the room dim.

Feeling the need to do something, Ling Yue stood up and walked to one side of the room, pushing open a window.

Below was a street, but unlike the bustling markets of Rong Dynasty, the northern kingdom’s streets were less prosperous, lined with vendors selling animal pelts and wild game.

Still, the bustling crowd brought Ling Yue a sense of familiarity.

As sunlight streamed into the room, the Eldest Princess’s gaze naturally fell upon Ling Yue.

Standing by the window, Ling Yue looked down with a gentle expression. Even her coarse linen clothes couldn’t conceal her innate grace.

The Eldest Princess stared a moment too long, relieved that no one noticed her lapse.

Thinking about how her pheromones had been hard to control lately, she sighed inwardly.

When would she ever regain a normal body?

Suppressing her emotions, she called out softly, “Little sister.”

Ling Yue turned at the sound of her voice and walked over. Her eyes shone brighter than the sunlight filtering into the room. “Elder sister?”

The Eldest Princess was momentarily dazed. She slowly sat down. “This time, I’ll need your help again.”

The other party spoke in veiled terms, but Ling Yue understood. Her cheeks slightly flushed as she agreed directly, “I understand.”

However, due to recent events, Ling Yue suddenly felt a surge of greed. After a moment of silence, she mustered her courage and asked, “This time, may I kiss you?”

Her cautious, pleading demeanor was pitiable.

The Eldest Princess had to admit her heart softened and she hadn’t explicitly forbidden it.

She smiled lightly, “You may do as you wish. But there is one thing I don’t quite understand.”

Ling Yue tensed, “What is it, sister?”

The Eldest Princess touched her own lips, her gaze fixed intently on Ling Yue as if trying to see through her. “Why are you so fixated on kissing?”

Ling Yue twisted her sleeves nervously. In the heavy silence, she finally spoke her heart.

“Because it makes me feel that we are more than just an exchange of interests.”

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