The Princess Smells So Good (GL) - Chapter 15
Wei Zhao tidied up her clothes. They had gotten wet and, without being ironed, were now wrinkled and unsightly. The thought of meeting people in such a state made her deeply uncomfortable. As the Eldest Princess of the Great Zhou, her every action was supposed to be carried out with grace and dignity. How could she…
“Don’t worry. Country folk, no taste, no clue. They won’t know any better,” Fa Yilian said, shaking out her own clothes. She tied up her red hair into a high ponytail and tossed it casually over her shoulder. If not for her height and striking looks, her current appearance would’ve been downright sloppy.
She was wearing a gray robe she’d stolen from a house on the edge of some village. Though it was men’s clothing, it looked short on her because of her tall frame. Fa Yilian tugged at it roughly, clearly unhappy with the fit.
She walked toward Wei Zhao, who quickly took a step back and said, “You’re wearing men’s clothes and reek of man—don’t come near me.”
Fa Yilian’s expression darkened further—she looked like thunder.
Both of them were showing signs of annoyance. But after a moment of eye contact, they couldn’t help but laugh.
Fa Yilian adjusted the bow and knife she carried. Though she still had her weapons, all the arrows in her quiver had long since been washed away by floodwater. She had managed to catch a few rabbits and hung them at her waist. Turning to Wei Zhao, she said, “Don’t flash any silver or gold—no need to attract trouble. Let’s go.”
Not that they had any gold or silver to show. They’d escaped in a hurry, carrying only their clothes, a seal that proved Wei Zhao’s identity, and a few silver scraps scavenged from scouts they had encountered.
Wei Zhao squinted toward the village ahead. It was early spring, and the fields were already bustling with activity.
They were near Qiong Prefecture now, where warm winds blew year-round. Unlike her northern hometown of Shendu, this place could grow three crops a year. The south had been cultivated for over a century, the land was fertile, the weather steady, and the people lived well.
This was something Wei Zhao took pride in—territory of the Great Zhou.
They said “all under heaven belongs to the emperor,” but it wasn’t until Wei Zhao had measured this land with her own feet that she realized just how vast it truly was. Such a wide land, with so many customs and dialects—and yet, all of it was part of Zhou.
“Are you scared?” Fa Yilian stepped closer, looking down at the woman who barely reached her chin. This was her master—she looked so fragile, like a kitten just born. Fa Yilian hesitated, then reached out to hold Wei Zhao’s hand. “Don’t worry. Just stay with me.”
Wei Zhao lowered her head to look at their joined hands, then raised her eyes to Fa Yilian’s face. Fa Yilian pretended not to notice, eyes fixed ahead, though she was clearly avoiding Wei Zhao’s gaze.
Wei Zhao didn’t say anything. She took a deep breath and said, “Let’s go. It’s getting late.”
Their first priority was to leave this place and reach the nearest town as soon as possible. There was no time to waste.
Strangers had arrived in the village.
It was a rare sight.
The farmers stopped what they were doing and turned to look. Wei Zhao kept a calm face and walked behind Fa Yilian. She could hear fast, chattering voices behind her—words she couldn’t understand. Wei Zhao frowned. “What are they saying?”
Fa Yilian glanced back. When the villagers saw a tall foreign woman with a weapon look their way, they immediately fell silent. Fa Yilian turned back and said, “They’re guessing where we came from.”
“…How do you know what they’re saying?” Wei Zhao asked.
“Back when we were pirates, the area around Great Zhou was wealthy. We used to do business nearby a lot. I wouldn’t say I’m fluent, but I can understand most of it.” Fa Yilian’s voice dropped low, clearly not wanting others to overhear.
Wei Zhao didn’t respond. She looked at the woman walking ahead of her—her slave. Whether lost in the wilderness or standing in a remote mountain village, Fa Yilian always carried herself with a calm and ease that surpassed both Wei Zhao’s status and age. If she were someone else, Wei Zhao would have never let such a talent slip away—she’d have honored her, welcomed her with respect. That wasn’t something Wei Zhao couldn’t do.
But the person in front of her was her slave. The girl who’d followed her for ten years. A constant reminder of her past—of shame…
The village wasn’t big. The road was made of packed yellow mud, not paved, just worn into shape by the passage of many feet. The ground was uneven—hard spots hurt to walk on, while soft patches felt like they might swallow her shoes. Wei Zhao had to lift her skirt to avoid dragging it, her face growing darker with every step.
Then, suddenly, Fa Yilian turned around. She bent down and took the hem of Wei Zhao’s skirt from her hands, saying softly, “Master, you still have me.”
This wasn’t something Wei Zhao should be doing herself.
Her expression shifted slightly, but she didn’t say anything. She hadn’t forgotten that they were still under watchful eyes. She couldn’t appear weak. She had to maintain her composure.
Soon they came to a wooden archway at the village entrance. The sign above read “Liu Family Village.”
A strong young man stood nearby, with a group of noisy children behind him, pointing at Wei Zhao and Fa Yilian. He wore a short jacket, his chest bare, with short pants and muddy straw sandals. Clearly a farmer—likely called in from the fields. He had a sweat cloth around his neck, his forehead beaded with sweat, and he looked a bit flustered. But when he saw the two women, his eyes lit up and he began walking toward them.
Before he could get too close, Fa Yilian stepped in front of Wei Zhao, one hand resting on her blade, her stance relaxed but dangerous. Her cold gaze froze the young man in place. He stopped ten steps away, bowed, and said, “May I ask what brings the two of you to Liu Family Village?”
“We’re just passing through and would like to rent a cart to reach the nearby county,” Fa Yilian replied.
Wei Zhao stayed silent, listening carefully. Comparing what she heard to Fa Yilian’s reply, she managed to piece together most of it.
The man gave a wry smile. “It’s the spring plowing season—we need every animal for the fields. I’m afraid no one would be willing to rent out a cart right now.”
“Don’t you go to market? When is the next one? And how long does it take to walk to the nearest county?” Fa Yilian asked.
The man glanced at them again. When he saw Fa Yilian raise her blade a little higher, he quickly looked away and answered, “We have a market every fifteen days. If you want to go, you’d need to wait here for three days. The nearest county isn’t far—by cart, it’s only half a day. But you two look delicate. On foot, it’ll take longer.” He wiped his sweat with his cloth. “Our village may be small, but there’s lodging. If you’re decent folks, we’ll treat you well.”
Fa Yilian stepped forward and smiled. The young man took a step back when he saw her tall, red-haired figure—taller than himself. He blurted out “Rakshasa demon” without thinking, then looked embarrassed and took another step back.
Fa Yilian didn’t mind. She pulled a silver bit from her robe and flipped it in the air. The man’s eyes followed it instinctively. Fa Yilian smiled and said, “We’re just two travelers in need of a cart. It doesn’t have to be a cow-drawn one—donkeys or mules are fine. This bit of silver is more than what most people earn in months. We only need it for a day—easy money, don’t you think?”
The man hesitated.
Fa Yilian stayed calm and added, “To be honest, we ran into bandits in the mountains and barely escaped with our lives. And in broad daylight, with bandits roaming free—I see your village is quiet, with no guards or militia. Could it be that you’re somehow in league with them? You do know the laws of Great Zhou: anyone aiding bandits is treated as one themselves… That’s a crime punishable by extermination of your entire clan.”
“Don’t speak nonsense!” The man paled and quickly stepped back. He looked at Fa Yilian like she was a hot coal. After a moment of silence, he said, “Wait here—I’ll go find someone.”
“Hold on, don’t forget your pay.” Fa Yilian tossed him the silver. He fumbled to catch it, gave her a nervous glance, and hurried off.
Only then did Fa Yilian turn back to Wei Zhao, the sharp edge of her presence melting away. She explained her conversation with the man in a gentle tone.
Wei Zhao rolled her eyes. “That was a brute-force act with zero elegance,” she said coldly. “A complete lack of finesse.”
“You’re not afraid he’s in league with our pursuers?” she added.
“No worries,” Fa Yilian replied. “The mud and tracks behind us are scattered and shallow. The farmers in the fields looked curious but calm—not panicked. There are children running around freely. I’d say this place has been safe for a while.”
Smart and observant. Brave, too.
Wei Zhao stared silently at the road ahead. What kind of hidden gem had she been carrying at her side all these years? Even she, for a moment, felt a flicker of admiration.