Chapter 76: Don’t Overwork Yourself

Chapter 76: Don't Push Yourself Too Hard

Little K explained, "But temporary tasks exist to handle plot deviations. Host, look, the plot is completely off track now, and we can't proceed with the original tasks anymore, so we have to make appropriate changes."

"This task is to let Liu Qingci leave the Prince Yu's Mansion. He wants to go to Zhou Fu's hometown. Actually, at this moment, Xiao Jing has also heard the news of Zhou Fu's sudden death. He will definitely go too. This task is to let the two protagonists naturally develop a connection—to bring them together!"

The more Xiao Yan heard, the worse his expression became, and he didn't even want to listen anymore.

He really wanted to refuse Liu Qingci, and even more so, he wanted to refuse this task!

This system was getting addicted to playing matchmaker, wasn't it?!

Didn't it know that a forced melon isn't sweet?!

"Host, I believe you can't bear to refuse Liu Qingci either~" Little K said with a grin.

Xiao Yan persisted stubbornly, refusing to give up, "If Liu Qingci leaves the Prince Yu's Mansion, what about the plot going forward? Won't I be needed anymore?"

"Of course not. The plot has to continue, and you, host, still have a part to play! This temporary task is just to get the plot back on track," Little K said carelessly. "When Liu Qingci comes back this time, you can just bring him back again (￣▽￣)~"

"I let him go now, only to bring him back again later?" Xiao Yan was very confused. "Isn't that just ridiculous?"

But Little K said, "The original Prince Yu was an eccentric person anyway. This fits his character perfectly!"

Xiao Yan fell silent.

Little K urged, "Go quickly, host! For every minute you delay, Liu Qingci suffers one more minute. He must be waiting anxiously right now!"

Xiao Yan went.

He told Liu Qingci that he agreed to let him leave.

Liu Qingci had waited nervously for a long time, and when he heard these words, he could barely believe it.

He knew that Xiao Yan treated him well, but all of that was based on the premise that he stayed in the Prince Yu's Mansion.

This kind of request... and he actually agreed?

Liu Qingci didn't understand. The Prince Yu's Mansion had many women in the harem, and Xiao Yan had been a playboy for years, yet why did he treat him so differently?

To this extent...

"I've already arranged for a carriage and horses for you. I also selected a few skilled bodyguards to accompany you. I've packed travel money, clothes, and medicine."

Xiao Yan gave instructions one by one, fretting like a parent sending a child off on a long journey.

Liu Qingci's mind was swirling with thoughts, and he could only manage to reply softly, "Thank you, Your Highness."

"I know you're in a hurry to leave. Once everything is ready, you can depart," Xiao Yan said.

After Xiao Yan said this, the two fell into an awkward silence.

Liu Qingci lowered his eyes, his gaze falling on his clasped hands.

He could feel Xiao Yan's gaze on him, a heavy look he found hard to describe.

Finally, he couldn't help himself and slowly raised his head, meeting Xiao Yan's eyes.

Xiao Yan seemed not to have expected him to look up so suddenly; his gaze flickered for a moment but didn't look away.

Liu Qingci could see the slight frown on Xiao Yan's brow, his tightly pressed lips, and the emotion almost uncontrollably welling up in his eyes.

That look was too deep, too heavy, seared Liu Qingci's heart, making it tremble.

"I will return soon..." he said, looking into his eyes.

Return.

He never thought he would actually look forward to returning to this place, the Prince Yu's Mansion.

"Mm, good." Xiao Yan's voice was low and hoarse. He said, "On this journey, no matter who you meet, don't trust anyone."

Especially Xiao Jing.

Liu Qingci replied, "Alright, I understand."

Xiao Yan frowned and emphasized, "Remember, anyone at all."

Liu Qingci promised seriously, "On this journey, I will be cautious and certainly won't trust anyone else."

Xiao Yan looked at him for a moment, then finally let out a light sigh. "That's good."

The air fell into another strange silence.

It was so quiet that they could hear each other's breaths, both slightly faster than usual.

Liu Qingci parted his lips slightly, his lips moving a little, but no sound came out.

He bit his lower lip, leaving a faint mark from his teeth, then released it.

"What do you want to say?" Seeing him like this, hesitating to speak, Xiao Yan took the lead and asked.

Only then did Liu Qingci speak: "Your Highness... should also take good care of your health."

"Mm."

A warmth flowed in Xiao Yan's heart. Liu Qingci was worried about him.

But upon second thought, he added, "My health is very good."

Liu Qingci finally raised his eyes, but his gaze didn't dare to fully rest on Xiao Yan; it only fell vaguely on the empty space beside him.

His voice was as light as a feather brushing past: "Please take your medicine properly, Your Highness, and don't push yourself too hard."

He was already in poor health, and the women in his harem would only drain his energy.

Better not see them at all.

Xiao Yan looked puzzled. His brows first furrowed unconsciously, then slightly relaxed as if uncertain.

"Medicine? I don't need to drink any medicine," he said.

He really couldn't remember any medicine he needed to take.

These days, he had only been watching Liu Qingci take his medicine every day.

Liu Qingci said solemnly, "Then Your Highness must remember to take good care of your health."

Xiao Yan was averse to seeing a doctor, and Liu Qingci knew it well.

No need to say it out loud.

At the side gate of Prince Yu's mansion.

An unremarkable but sturdy carriage with a green canopy had been prepared.

Several guards from Prince Yu's mansion, dressed in plain clothes like regular servants, had sharp eyes and sturdy builds.

Liu Qingci had changed into a simple yet elegant gray cotton robe, with a silver fox fur cloak draped over it, and his hair was tied up with a plain wooden hairpin.

He bore no trace of Prince Yu's luxury, carrying only a small bag.

Fu'an stepped forward and handed over a heavy pouch and a flat wooden box, saying, "Young Master Liu, this is the travel money and emergency medicine that His Highness had prepared for you. There's a portable stove, dry food, and water in the carriage. The guards know the way and will protect your safety."

Liu Qingci: "Thank you for your help, Eunuch Fu."

Yun Feng, standing nearby, took the pouch and wooden box and cradled them in his arms.

In the shadow of the side gate, Xiao Yan stood leaning against the door frame with his arms crossed. His dark, patterned robes almost blended into the dark door pillar.

As if sensing something, Liu Qingci finished his farewell and turned around.

His gaze cut through the thin winter mist and met Xiao Yan's eyes.

Xiao Yan's brows were creased in his usual slight frown, and his eyes were as deep as a bottomless, icy pool.

Liu Qingci stood by the carriage, frozen for a moment.

His glass-like eyes met Xiao Yan's gaze, and he was slightly startled.

Xiao Yan's eyes... was that reluctance?

The thought struck Liu Qingci, and he couldn't tell if he was reading it right.

Liu Qingci didn't look back. He turned, stepped onto the footstool, and climbed into the carriage smoothly.

The curtain fell, cutting off the inside from the outside.

The carriage gradually drove off.

Xiao Yan walked back along the bluestone path inside the mansion.

Xiao K: "Ah, Host, you look so sad and lonely."

Xiao Yan: "Is that so?"

Xiao K: "Yes."

In the middle of winter, he wandered aimlessly alone through the mansion.

It couldn't stand to watch.

"Hey, that's not right." Xiao K looked around. "Host, where are you going?"

Xiao Yan said, "To the stable to pick a horse."

Xiao K had a bad feeling, "Host, what are you going to do?"

"The mission requires Liu Qingci to go," Xiao Yan said unhurriedly. "It didn't say I can't go along."