Chapter 326: Reluctant Parting

Pei Qingfeng realized that he was the person in the mirror and he almost died from embarrassment. No wonder everyone was avoiding me when I went over to the general’s residence.

“This... I was in a hurry to deliver the armor to you, hence, I didn’t bother to look at my appearance in the mirror. Please don’t be offended.” Pei Qingfeng felt that he should explain himself before his image plunged.

When Bai Luochu saw the nervous Pei Qingfeng, she couldn’t help but burst into laughter. “Hahaha, it doesn’t matter! Your Second Highness is only concerned about my well-being. How can I despise you because of your appearance?” Bai Luochu felt that the current Pei Qingfeng was much more easily affected by other people’s opinion of him. He was no longer the unattainable moon in the night sky.

Pei Qingfeng saw that Bai Luochu was laughing because of his unkempt appearance and he felt that it wasn’t too bad. He allowed the manservant to freshen him up before he asked, “Even though I know you won’t change your mind, I hope you can reconsider your decision.”

Bai Luochu placed her cup down and sighed helplessly, “Why are all of you looking down on me? Since I have the confidence to accept the imperial decree, I definitely had a way to keep myself safe. With the addition of your flexible hedgehog armor, nothing will go wrong…”

“Are you going because of Pei Rumo?” Pei Qingfeng was finally unable to control himself as he blurted out the question in his heart.

Bai Luochu was befuddled. Why does everyone think that I love risking my life for others? Whatever, I can’t let Pei Qingfeng misunderstand in case he causes more trouble.

“Nonsense! I will only do things that benefit myself. As for His First Highness, he is merely the Commander in Chief appointed by His Majesty. I am the army physician appointed by His Majesty and I can’t possibly go against the imperial decree with my lowly identity, right? If it was possible to refuse the imperial decree, I would have already done so.”

Pei Qingfeng sighed in relief. Even if she doesn’t have me in her heart, as long as she isn’t thinking of anyone else, it’s fine.

Even though Pei Qingfeng was worried for her safety and knew that if he spoke with Honored Tian Yun, he would be able to convince the old emperor to retract the decree, he didn’t dare to do it. No matter what, he had to think about what Bai Luochu wanted to do. He had no choice but to use his last resort to convince Bai Luochu to stay, “Luoluo, if there is a way for you not to head over to the Desolate Region, will you take it?”

“Are you going to ask the mysterious group of people to convince His Majesty?”

“It isn’t troublesome.” Pei Qingfeng thought that Bai Luochu was refusing because she wanted to be polite and he quickly responded.

Bai Luochu shook her head and said, “I’m not refusing because I’m afraid of troubling you. Instead, I need to go on the campaign as there is something I want there.”

Pei Qingfeng knew that there was no chance of keeping Bai Luochu in the capital city. The air between them became still once again.

“You... have nothing else to say to me?” Bai Luochu broke the silence first. She felt that Pei Qingfeng wouldn’t appear in the general’s residence just to persuade her to stay.

Pei Qingfeng muttered to himself before speaking up, “Originally, I thought I would be able to persuade you to stay. Hence, I didn’t prepare a farewell speech. Moreover, I need to attend to Honored Tian Yun for the next few days and I might not be able to send you off. I wanted to have a farewell dinner with you today. It’s a pity we don’t have any fine liquor or delicacies.”

Pei Qingfeng sounded a little regretful but Bai Luochu quickly consoled him, “It is just formalities, why adhere to it so rigidly?”

“You are right. But after seeing you, I forgot everything I wanted to say. I only remember a small part of my speech...” Pei Qingfeng shifted his gaze only to realize that Bai Luochu was staring right back at him. Looking into each other’s eyes, a smile slowly formed on Pei Qingfeng’s face. A smile filled with sentiments and love eventually filled his face and he burned the image of Bai Luochu’s face into his mind.

“Come back safely. Luoluo, I just want you to... come back safely.”

Even though you might not be thinking of me, I will be thinking of you. As long as you come back safely, nothing else matters.

Of course, Pei Qingfeng didn’t voice his thoughts. Even though he wanted to say some lovey-dovey words to Bai Luochu, he decided against it. Firstly, their relationship wasn’t at that point yet and secondly, the voice in Pei Qingfeng’s heart told him that nothing else mattered as long as she was safe.

Bai Luochu was startled at first. After all, even Bai Luochu thought that Pei Qingfeng would say mushy words to send her off. Furthermore, she was going to spend a long time together with Pei Rumo and she could also understand Pei Qingfeng’s thoughts. She never expected that Pei Qingfeng would merely tell her to come back safely.

Was she disappointed? Not necessarily. Bai Luochu had a cold personality and if Pei Qingfeng really said something sentimental to her, she might not get it. When she realized that he only wanted her to come home safely, a warm feeling buzzed in her heart.

Her heartstring was like the surface of a calm lake. His words were like a gentle wind blowing across the land. As the soft breeze blew across the calm lake, ripples formed. Bai Luochu could feel something stirring in her heart.

After a long silence, Bai Luochu replied with resolution, “Alright, I promise you that I will come back safely.”

Pei Qingfeng heaved a sigh of relief. The journey ahead might be unpredictable, but with Bai Luochu’s promise, Pei Qingfeng became reassured that she wouldn’t do anything stupid.