Just a moment ago, Yun Xi was worried that Qi Rong's words might anger someone. But hearing Qi Yu's words, she couldn't help but smile gratefully.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Of course, she believed that Crown Prince Qi Yu was not a man who would kick away those who had helped him once he got what he wanted.
However, since it concerned Qi Rong's safety, she could only feel at ease after getting the other's personal assurance!
Qi Rong stared deeply at Yun Xi with his dark eyes. Although he disdained to receive Qi Yu's promise, he felt inexplicably happy knowing that her heart was towards him. There was a faint, lingering smile on his lips.
"Alright, we have a long journey tomorrow, so it's time to go back and rest. Farewell!"
Unable to wait to part ways with Qi Yu, Qi Rong waved his hand at Qi Yu as if shooing away a fly. Then he put his arm around Yun Xi's waist and headed towards the carriage.
Qi Yu's heart sank. He quickly took a few steps to catch up, but he spoke to Yun Xi:
"Yun Xi, aren't you going to Longchang anymore?"
Wasn't she here in Longchang because she was worried about the Prime Minister? Why was she suddenly going with the Seventh Uncle?
Hearing Qi Yu's question, a complex look flashed across Yun Xi's face, but she spoke straightforwardly:
"Qi Rong promised to save my father. I'm going back to Lingchuan with him."
Otherwise, who knew what this man would do next? She had to see him go back with her own eyes!
Moreover, she believed that Qi Rong would keep his word and protect her father. Whether she went to Longchang or not didn't seem to make much difference.
Qi Yu was shocked upon hearing this. Then he frowned tightly. After a moment of hesitation, he made up his mind:
"Then I'll go to Lingchuan with you too."
Qi Rong, who had been hiding a hint of anger all along, suddenly turned cold when he heard Qi Yu's words. He looked down at Qi Yu contemptuously, his tone rising slightly and as cold as an ice cellar:
"Is this the ambition of the Crown Prince? All you know is to chase after a woman all day long?"
"If the heir apparent of a country is as carefree as you, then there's no need to defend the land of the Liu Kingdom. We might as well just hand it over to the enemy. Wouldn't that be wonderful?!"
Those soldiers were shedding their blood and sacrificing their lives at the border, one after another, without any regret, just to defend every inch of the land of the Liu Kingdom! However, the future heir apparent was indulging in love. How disappointing!
Wouldn't their sacrifices become meaningless?
Even if the capital city "changed hands" like a fickle lover, the common people might still be able to live in peace!
Qi Rong's words were like a blow to the head, making Qi Yu's face turn pale with shame!
Only then did he realize that the gap between them was not only in their abilities but also in their mentalities! This was the fundamental reason why he had always been unable to catch up with the Seventh Uncle and stand on equal footing with him!
Although he was born into the royal family, he was tired of the power struggles in the royal court. So, under the pretext of traveling and studying, he lived a carefree life all day long, forgetting his identity and the responsibilities that came with it, which he could never avoid!
Now, because he was infatuated with Yun Xi and didn't want to let go easily, he tried every means to get close to her. When he learned that she intended to go to Longchang, he deliberately hid it from his mother and followed her all the way here.
Unexpectedly, it was full of dangers. They were chased and killed, and even Yun Xi was injured because of him.
Now, when he learned that Yun Xi was going back to Lingchuan with the Seventh Uncle, he made a reckless decision without thinking...
What on earth was he doing?! Qi Yu couldn't help but ask himself in shame.
If he were Yun Xi, he might not choose a coward like himself but would give up on the Seventh Uncle, who had great ambition and outstanding abilities, right?
Thinking of this, Qi Yu didn't even dare to look into Yun Xi's eyes at this moment because he was afraid of seeing contempt or pity in her eyes.
Either way, it would make him feel sad!
"I understand. I'll go back to the capital now. Seventh Uncle, take good care of Yun Xi. Farewell!"
Saying this, Qi Yu hung his head and almost fled in a hurry from in front of them.
His face was pale, and his thin lips were tightly pursed. His steps were as heavy as if he were walking through a quagmire, but he still kept his back straight, maintaining his last bit of dignity. He kept telling himself:
His departure was only temporary. He would definitely come back! Come back to Yun Xi's side openly!!
For some reason, looking at Qi Yu's departing back, although Yun Xi felt relieved, she also felt a hint of desolation.
She didn't deny Qi Rong's words, but his mouth was really too poisonous!
To have one's dignity stripped bare without any room for refutation, that kind of feeling could really make a person lose all motivation. If those words were said to her, she might not be able to help crying...
This made her feel pity for Qi Yu. She raised her hand and punched Qi Rong's shoulder:
"He's at least a crown prince. Can't you leave him some face?"
Qi Rong caught her hand and held it in his palm, sneering:
"If I didn't say so, how could I get rid of him?"
He had no sense at all. How could he be a crown prince? If the Liu Kingdom were handed over to him, it would surely perish sooner or later!
"Also, from now on, you're not allowed to talk to him anymore. Stay away from him when you see him. Don't give him a chance to get close to you!"
He could tell that although Qi Yu had left, he hadn't given up on Yun Xi. He had to marry her into the Prince Xian's Mansion as soon as possible, or he would have to waste energy driving away the "flies" around her!
Hearing Qi Rong's serious nonsense, Yun Xi found it both funny and helpless.
He had lectured others so grandly just now, but wasn't he just as petty and sentimental?
Knowing that Yun Xi was injured, Qi Rong was worried that walking would hurt her, so he picked her up horizontally.
Yun Xi didn't refuse. Nestled in Qi Rong's arms, she suddenly asked:
"Qi Rong, do you regret meeting me in this life?"
"What, do you regret it?"
Qi Rong lowered his eyes and stared intently at her. The sudden surge of coldness made Yun Xi feel a lot of pressure.
"No."
Yun Xi shook her head. How could she nod in this situation? It would be like pulling teeth from a tiger's mouth!
Seeing that Qi Rong was still waiting for her to continue, Yun Xi couldn't help but sigh:
"I think after these few times, you should know how troublesome a person I am."
Qi Rong had always been unruly and did things his own way, but because of her, he had done many things he didn't really want to do. She was well aware of this, and she also knew that Qi Rong indulged her like this because he cared about her.
But if one day, Qi Rong lost interest in her, would he treat her as coldly and mercilessly as he did others?
Just thinking about it made her feel scared and her heart ache.
This feeling of insecurity was something she had never experienced before, but it all came from Qi Rong...
Looking at Yun Xi's suddenly sad little face, Qi Rong lowered his head and pressed his forehead against hers. His straight nose gently rubbed against her cheek, and he said with a soft smile:
"You are quite troublesome, but I like it."
Rather, it was precisely because it was her that everything about her seemed so special to him, and he was willing to do anything for her.
"Moreover, I not only don't regret meeting you in this life, but I also want to pester you for life after life, so that you won't be able to escape!"
Saying this, Qi Rong quickly pecked her lips. There seemed to be twinkling stars in his dark eyes.
"You, why do you always do this?!"
Almost bewitched by Qi Rong's smile, Yun Xi was stunned for a moment. When she realized that she had been taken advantage of again, she immediately covered her lips and glared at Qi Rong coquettishly.
Enjoying Yun Xi's blushing and shy appearance, Qi Rong's laughter resounded. Then he planted a kiss on her forehead:
"I do this, of course, to prevent your little head from having time to think wildly!"
To show her with practical actions whether he regretted meeting her or not!