Chapter 577: All That Scholarly Learning for Naught
"What’s today’s date?"
Sang Zhi thought for a moment. "It should be the sixth day of the sixth month."
’The sixth of the sixth month?’
Ye Qianning’s appointment with Gao Qi was for the eighth of the sixth month. The fire outside was still raging, and it was likely already afternoon. A blaze this large wouldn’t burn out for several days.
’I won’t be able to get out by the eighth.’
’Thinking of that child’s sincere enthusiasm, she felt a pang of guilt. I’ll have to prepare some pastries to make it up to him when we get out...’
"What’s wrong?" Sang Zhi asked.
"It’s nothing." Ye Qianning came to her senses and pulled a fruit from her space. "Here, eat this. Replenish your strength."
"You have it." Sang Zhi didn’t reach for it.
"I have more." Ye Qianning took out another one and took a bite.
Only then did Sang Zhi reach out, take the fruit, and begin to eat.
The two of them had completely forgotten about the group of people ’facing the wall’ not far away.
The man in red was lost in thought.
Qian Fanji, Zhan Chi, and Gu Shuo were also very quiet, their eyes lowered as they were lost in their own thoughts. Suddenly, a small stone bounced off Zhan Chi.
Zhan Chi turned, glanced down, and then looked up to see Ye Qianning waving at them.
He retracted his Inner Strength, dispelling the barrier that had blocked his hearing. Zhan Chi reached out and tapped Qian Fanji and Gu Shuo on the shoulder. The two looked back and retracted their Inner Strength as well.
Qian Fanji’s gaze landed on the man in red first. ’I wonder if he overheard the little girl’s conversation,’ he thought.
’Even though the three of them had focused their Inner Strength to block it out, this man’s own Inner Strength is so profound that if he’d wanted to listen, he certainly could have.’
The man in red turned to meet the probing gazes, the corner of his mouth curling into a wicked smile. He flicked his red robes and strode toward Ye Qianning.
Qian Fanji and Zhan Chi also walked in that direction.
Gu Shuo, meanwhile, inspected the cave. To the left, there was a stash of food and pastries. The fire raging on the mountain wouldn’t be extinguished anytime soon.
They would all have to stay in the cave for several days, but the food supply was sufficient.
"We’re stuck here for the time being, and you’ve all been exhausted for a while. Get some rest and recover your spirits," Ye Qianning said as she watched them approach, letting out a yawn.
"You should sleep some more," Zhan Chi said, sitting down to her left.
"Mhm." Ye Qianning was indeed sleepy.
’Her eyelids had felt painfully heavy ever since she’d been woken up.’
"Here’s some bedding. We can lay it on the floor," Gu Shuo said, carrying a bundle of quilts over.
Zhan Chi stood up and picked Ye Qianning up as well.
Gu Shuo spread the bedding on the ground. Despite the scorching heat from above, this part of the cave was quite deep.
A chill emanated from below the sealed-off area. Sleeping directly on the cold stone would make it easy for the cold to seep into one’s body.
Once the bedding was laid out, Zhan Chi set Ye Qianning down.
Lying down on the soft bedding was much more comfortable. ’A child’s body is so delicate,’ she thought. Her eyelids felt painfully heavy, but she forced them open to look at Sang Zhi. "You should get some sleep, too."
"Okay," Sang Zhi nodded.
Ye Qianning scooted her small body over and closed her eyes.
Sang Zhi lay down beside her quite naturally. He lay perfectly straight with his hands at his sides, staring up at the ceiling. A few pairs of hostile, glaring eyes soon reflected in his own, making him pause.
’Zhan Chi’s eyes blazed with fury. He wanted to explode, but he was afraid of waking the little girl.’
’How dare he sleep next to my daughter?’
Gu Shuo narrowed his eyes. ’I’ll deal with this little punk when we get out of here.’
Even the ever-composed Qian Fanji now had a fire smoldering in his eyes. ’Were all those years studying the classics for nothing? To think he’s one of the top students at the academy—has he completely forgotten that men and women must maintain a respectful distance?’
Sang Zhi felt a little intimidated by their glares, so he simply shut his eyes.
’That move alone made Zhan Chi want to kick him. How dare he ignore them?’
’The Eighth Prince definitely has designs on his girl!’