Mistakenly Marked the Madly Beautiful Princess - Chapter 81

Ling Yue only wanted to escape her own heart, but she never expected to encounter such a situation today. With the stall owner dead, Ling Yue brought these people back to the inn.

Qing Niao walked in front, while Bai Yuqi trailed behind. Throughout the journey, Qing Niao remained silent.

Watching her somewhat desolate figure ahead, Ling Yue couldn’t help but step forward. “Are you alright?”

Unlike her usual lively self, Qing Niao merely glanced calmly at Ling Yue and replied indifferently, “I’m fine.”

Unaccustomed to seeing her like this, Ling Yue patted her shoulder earnestly. “If something’s troubling you, you can talk to me. We’re friends, aren’t we?”

“Friends.” Qing Niao chewed on the word before smiling wryly. “Those who become my friends never meet a good end.”

This trip to the Northern Kingdom was for revenge. Time and storms had not washed away the bloodshed of those years; Qing Niao would always remember her helpless self back then.

Yet her words weren’t just about that storm, but also about events from past lives that had yet to unfold in this one. The vacant eyes of the Eldest Princess seemed to reappear before her, as if whispering once more, “I want to die.”

With a deep sigh, Qing Niao pushed Ling Yue’s hand off her shoulder. “Don’t worry about me. Worry about yourself, how you’ll face her later.”

Even without a name, Ling Yue knew Qing Niao was referring to the Eldest Princess.

Ling Yue retreated into silence once more, avoiding the subject.

Both of them cared deeply for each other, yet precisely because of that importance, they became restrained and hesitant.

Qing Niao had no desire to transform from a physician into a matchmaker, but having witnessed the bitterness across two lifetimes, she wondered: what harm was there in loving recklessly?

At this thought, Qing Niao halted. Ling Yue had no choice but to stop as well. Sunlight spilled over Ling Yue’s hair, revealing that her white strands had multiplied noticeably of late likely a result of excessive worry.

Qing Niao studied Ling Yue. In their previous life, their interactions had been limited; had it not been for the Eldest Princess’s concern, she might never have noticed Ling Yue.

Time moved swiftly. When Qing Niao first met Ling Yue in their past life, the latter was just a timid girl shrinking behind Ling Fu. Yet, after some time apart, that timid child had abruptly transformed into a valiant general.

Years passed, turmoil ensued, and Ling Yue lost the sharp edge of her youth, growing somewhat gloomy almost reverting to that cowering version of herself.

Later, the young girl lost her right hand, then her sight, and finally vanished into flames.

Having observed Ling Yue’s entire life as a bystander, Qing Niao felt an unresolved heaviness in her chest. How much more agonizing must it have been for the Eldest Princess?

Why must a person’s life be so difficult?

Qing Niao’s eyes stung, but the strong do not permit themselves tears. She sighed deeply. “Ling Yue, she loves you deeply.”

Ling Yue didn’t understand where this came from. She stubbornly believed that in this life, her relationship with the Eldest Princess was bound by interests.

She also stubbornly believed she was incapable of love, fearing she would hurt others as well as herself.

There was little Qing Niao could advise. She wanted to reveal things Ling Yue didn’t know from their past life, but feared causing adverse effects, so she ultimately held back.

Their conversation wasn’t deliberately hidden from Bai Yuqi, who had listened to the entire exchange. Bai Yuqi looked at Ling Yue and asked, “Do you have someone you like?”

Ling Yue nodded. “Yes.”

She didn’t want to talk about herself anymore and steered the conversation back to Bai Yuqi. “What about you?”

Bai Yuqi was quite open; she answered whatever Ling Yue asked. “There was one once.”

Her expression turned awkward, as if it was difficult to speak about. “But he was taken away.”

Ling Yue paused. “Taken away?”

“Yes, during the horse racing festival, she fell for the champion.”

Ling Yue had initially thought it was some outdated custom like bride kidnapping, but it turned out to be a case of shifting affections.

People in the Northern Kingdom greatly admired strength, so in a way, it seemed bizarrely normal. However, Bai Yuqi, who usually stood tall, now had a slight slump in her posture, making her look somewhat pitiful.

Ling Yue couldn’t help but comfort her. “It’s alright, you’re still young.”

This method of consolation was rather odd, as Bai Yuqi was over a decade older than Ling Yue, making the remark sound strange.

Though inwardly speechless, Bai Yuqi couldn’t dismiss Ling Yue lightly after everything that had happened in the black market, so she adjusted her attitude accordingly.

Recalling that both sisters were quite skilled, Bai Yuqi added, “If you two sisters were to participate, you’d definitely be very popular.”

Ling Yue wasn’t particularly concerned about such things, but a sudden sense of crisis washed over her.

Having an overly active imagination wasn’t always a good thing, she could almost picture crowds vying to become the Princess Consort’s partner.

“No way!”

Ling Yue’s sudden outburst startled Bai Yuqi, who was standing right in front of her.

Seeing Ling Yue’s fierce expression, Bai Yuqi couldn’t help but ask, “Wh-what’s wrong?”

Only then did Ling Yue realize she had lost her composure. She quickly replied, “It’s nothing.”

Just then, one of the five children they had brought with them collapsed.

Qing Niao immediately rushed over, checked the child’s pulse, and her expression grew increasingly grave. She then pulled a small bottle from her sleeve, poured out a pill, and placed it in the child’s mouth.

After about two breaths, the child gradually opened her eyes. Seeing herself surrounded, she shrank back nervously.

Qing Niao soothed her, “Don’t be afraid, you can go home now.”

The condition of these children wasn’t great, and leaving them exposed outside wasn’t an option. So, the casual conversation came to an end, and they hurried back to the inn.

But once they arrived, Ling Yue lost the courage to go upstairs. Looking up, she saw the Princess Consort watching them from above or more accurately, watching Ling Yue alone.

Her heart skipped a beat, and Ling Yue lowered her head in a fluster, silently following behind Qing Niao.

The Princess Consort withdrew her gaze and then looked at the children Qing Niao had brought back. “What happened?”

Qing Niao’s expression was grim. “I’ll explain later.”

With that, she pulled Yunli, who had been hiding behind the Princess Consort and avoiding eye contact. Sensing Yunli’s resistance, Qing Niao grew suspicious. “Did you do something bad?”

Yunli immediately shook her head like a rattle drum, forcing an awkward smile as she lied, “No, I’ve been very good.”

But Qing Niao knew Yunli’s character all too well, the child had definitely done something wrong.

However, she didn’t have time to dig deeper at the moment. She glanced at the Princess Consort, guessing that Yunli was feeling guilty about secretly learning martial arts.

She gently tugged Yunli’s ear. “We’ll settle this later. Come with me to the room.”

Qing Niao led the protesting Yunli and the other children back to the room, but once they were gone, Ling Yue’s presence became all the more conspicuous.

Ling Yue didn’t know how to face this situation. She wondered what she should say, but in the end, no words came out.

Yet standing like this felt too awkward, so she mustered her courage and asked, “When is Sister planning to?”

The Eldest Princess had always enjoyed seeing Ling Yue flustered and shy, but now she couldn’t derive any joy from it.

Yunli had told her many things, things that filled her with panic and made her reconsider her stance. She decided she needed to have a talk with Ling Yue.

The Eldest Princess turned and walked into the room, pausing at the doorway to say softly, “Come in.”

Ling Yue clearly misunderstood her meaning. Glancing at the sky outside and the crowd seated below, she hesitated, “Isn’t this, a bit too rushed?”

The Eldest Princess, who had been feeling heavy-hearted, couldn’t help but laugh at her bewildered expression. Leaning against the doorframe with a faint smile, she teased, “Is that what you’re thinking?”

Ling Yue quickly denied it, “No, it’s not.”

But given that she had just asked such a question and the Eldest Princess immediately invited her inside, it was only natural for her thoughts to wander.

Ling Yue’s face flushed bright red. Unsure of what to say but feeling her words had been inappropriate, she sincerely apologized, “I’m sorry.”

Worried that Ling Yue might become too overwhelmed, the Eldest Princess chuckled lightly and said, “I have something to discuss with you.”

Ling Yue touched her burning ears, lowered her head, and followed her into the room.

She stood restlessly in a corner. The windows, which she hadn’t noticed being closed, left the room dimly lit.

The Eldest Princess didn’t light a lamp but sat at the table, watching Ling Yue intently before softly saying, “Sit.”

Ling Yue obediently sat down but still didn’t dare look up. She had no idea what the Eldest Princess wanted to discuss, but just sitting there made her feel tormented.

It was somewhat embarrassing having lived two lives, yet still being so timid in situations like this.

She gathered her courage and managed to say what she needed to, “Please don’t take what I said earlier seriously.”

As soon as the words left her mouth, a sense of emptiness washed over her, as if all her strength had vanished with them.

She felt like a sinner, awaiting the Eldest Princess’s final judgment.

In her mind, she had imagined countless possibilities, the Eldest Princess might be angry or indifferent but she never dared to hope that the other might agree.

This was something she wouldn’t even dare to dream of.

“You don’t like me?”

After waiting for so long, this was the question she received. Ling Yue didn’t quite understand what the Eldest Princess meant and was still pondering how to respond when the other spoke again.

Her voice carried a hint of grievance, tinged with regret, “What a pity.”

Ling Yue’s thoughts were completely captivated by her. She looked up to see the Eldest Princess resting her chin on one hand, gazing at her.

Her heart skipped a beat, and under that intense gaze, she nearly lost her voice, “Wh-what’s a pity?”

Was it an illusion? Ling Yue thought she detected affection in the Eldest Princess’s smile.

Just as she dismissed it as her imagination, the Eldest Princess whispered, “The pity is, I think I’ve fallen for you.”

Her heart missed a beat. Though the door blocked out the noise from outside, its presence had been palpable until now. Yet, in that moment, Ling Yue felt those sounds fading into the distance.

She thought this must be another dream.

But the touch of cold fingertips against her cheek pulled her back to reality. The princess had risen at some point, one hand braced on the table, the other lifting Ling Yue’s head.

Ling Yue murmured blankly, “Sister, I—”

Her lips were sealed, and Ling Yue unconsciously yielded, allowing the other to take what she sought.

In that moment, it seemed nothing more needed to be said.

A scorching breath fell beside Ling Yue’s ear, sending shivers across her skin. She heard the princess’s voice, so close.

She said, “I’m sorry, but you can’t run away so recklessly anymore.”

Ling Yue stared blankly at her face, unsure how to respond this surprise was simply too overwhelming.

Here in the Northern Kingdom, the princess could not call Ling Yue’s name aloud, but in her heart, she had tenderly whispered it countless times, as if wanting to etch that name into her very bones, yet fearing it would decay along with her.

She nuzzled Ling Yue’s neck like an affectionate cat.

In the end, a thousand words condensed into just three: “I love you.”

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