The Princess Smells So Good (GL) - Chapter 16

The sturdy young man was quite dependable—he came back soon enough. Behind him followed an old farmer leading a mule cart. The cart was just a big wooden board laid with some straw and mounted on two wobbly wooden wheels. It looked as ramshackle and bumpy as could be.

“Oh dear, it’s two fine young ladies? This old man’s cart really isn’t up to standard,” the farmer hesitated the moment he saw Wei Zhao and her companion, clearly wanting to back out.

Fa Yilian stepped forward and shielded Wei Zhao behind her. “It’s alright. We just want to leave as soon as possible. Once we arrive, you’ll be well compensated.”

The young man quickly added, “Uncle Jiu, it’s a good amount of silver. You can’t farm anymore—why not earn some easy money? This is a blessing from the heavens! Even if you don’t think of yourself, think of Aunt Jiu, who’s sick in bed.”

“You young folks, always talking about blessings from the heavens…” the old farmer grumbled. But in the end, tempted by the promise of silver, he stomped his foot and nodded. “Alright, I’ll take you there. But I’m turning right back afterward.”

Fa Yilian smiled. “Of course.”

Wei Zhao stood silently behind, expressionless, watching. Fa Yilian spoke with a strange accent, but her words flowed smoothly, and she had no trouble communicating with the locals. She moved with ease, clearly used to this kind of bargaining. After settling things with the farmer, she turned to Wei Zhao, bowed slightly, and said, “Master, please get in the cart.”

She obediently used the word “Master”—a gesture to boost Wei Zhao’s image and calm her nerves.

Wei Zhao didn’t respond. She took a few steps forward, frowning at the rickety cart. “How am I supposed to get on that thing?”

Fa Yilian immediately lifted her hem and knelt down, offering her back. Wei Zhao cast her a deep glance, then noticed the stunned expressions of the farmer and the young man nearby. She frowned and said, “No one to help me up?”

Fa Yilian rose quickly. “That was my oversight,” she said in a low voice.

Though her posture was submissive like a servant’s, her words weren’t the least bit humble—still using “I” instead of speaking in deferential terms. Wei Zhao felt a sudden wave of frustration for no clear reason. She sneered, “This kind of thing was never your job anyway, so of course you wouldn’t think of it. Honestly, I don’t even know what use you are, following me around like this!”

The words were harsh, but deep down, Wei Zhao knew it wasn’t true. Ever since their downfall, Fa Yilian had handled almost everything for them—big and small. She had been incredibly useful. But despite knowing this, Wei Zhao still felt an irrational surge of anger.

Fa Yilian was annoying when she broke the rules—but even more annoying when she followed them too closely. That frustration boiling inside her didn’t have a proper outlet.

She watched Fa Yilian quietly apologize, then carefully clean her hands before climbing onto the cart. Fa Yilian turned and reached out. “Master, let me help you up.”

Wei Zhao stared at Fa Yilian’s hand. It was spotless, the dirt scrubbed off completely. Her skin was a warm tan, and as Wei Zhao’s gaze followed her arm upward, she saw those green eyes—bright and alive, like fresh sprouts in a field. That strange anger in her chest suddenly faded a bit. In silence, she reached out and took Fa Yilian’s hand.

She didn’t need to exert any effort—Fa Yilian pulled her up in one swift motion. Then she took off her outer robe and spread it over the cart floor before turning to the two men. “We’re ready. Let’s go.”

The old farmer, finally regaining his composure, became more respectful. “Hold on tight now, honored guests. We’re heading out.”

With that, the mule started moving. The wooden wheels bumped over a clump of dirt, making the whole cart shake. Even with the robe laid out, the jolt sent a sharp pain through some very sensitive areas. Wei Zhao silently, and with some resentment, turned to look at Fa Yilian.

Fa Yilian looked completely serious. “Master, would you like to sit in my lap?”

Wei Zhao: “…”

She felt like something wasn’t quite right—but couldn’t tell what exactly. Fa Yilian’s gaze was just too righteous. With those thick brows and straightforward expression, she looked the picture of sincerity.

The cart creaked and groaned, every noise followed by a jolt. In her entire life, Wei Zhao had never ridden in something this uncomfortable. Even when Fa Yilian used to carry her on her back while running, it was much softer—and much more pleasant. During their days on the run, Wei Zhao had slept on Fa Yilian almost every night. That feeling was nothing like this cold, hard wood.

Wordlessly, she beckoned Fa Yilian over.

Fa Yilian sat down beside her and gently pulled her into her arms.

Her body was strong, but not rigid like a man’s. And unlike her other female companions, she wasn’t so thin that she seemed breakable. She was firm, yet soft. Wei Zhao couldn’t help recalling the beautiful sight she had once glimpsed before. She shifted slightly, then reached back, pressing her hand against Fa Yilian’s stomach.

She clearly felt the sudden stiffness of the body beneath her. The soft belly tensed, and she could trace the outlines of muscle. But Fa Yilian didn’t make a sound. Wei Zhao looked up and saw her servant staring down at her, jaw clenched tight, the muscles twitching. Her brows, thicker than most people from Da Zhou, were drawn together. And her eyes—once the color of green fields—now looked like a deep, dark pond.

Fa Yilian blinked slowly. Wei Zhao saw those thick, slightly curled lashes flutter right in front of her.

This slave really was beautiful. And her body… was even better.

“…Master,” Fa Yilian said, her voice low and hoarse, eyes cast down. “This… isn’t the time.”

Not the time?

Wei Zhao thought for a moment—and suddenly realized what Fa Yilian meant. She let out a sharp little laugh and quickly pulled her hand back. “You think too highly of yourself. Don’t get any ideas.”

Fa Yilian lowered her eyes and answered quietly, “Yes, Master.”

For a while, neither spoke. Wei Zhao turned to look out at the passing scenery. The mule cart was surprisingly fast, and the fields on either side zipped by. Soon they were on the road. Once out of the woods, the land flattened, and the view widened. Though the road was still rough, they could see farther now. Wide stretches of farmland lay ahead, with the occasional farmer carrying baskets of seedlings for transplanting. Some glanced curiously at the cart, but none paid much attention.

Wei Zhao gradually calmed down.

Beside her, she heard Fa Yilian chatting with the old man.

“The nearest county seat is very close. We all go there for market days—it gets lively. But it’s not a market day today, so it’s quiet.”

“The other counties aren’t far either, just about half a day’s journey more. They’re livelier, closer to the prefecture city. I’ve heard you can get all kinds of goods there all year round. Us farmers don’t go that far, but the younger folks do—it’s easier to find work.”

Uncle Jiu was a talkative sort. Maybe because he realized the two travelers didn’t mean any harm, he’d loosened up a lot.

“Are you living alone, Uncle Jiu? No children to help out?” Fa Yilian asked casually.

“Well… not exactly. My wife and I have two sons.” His voice suddenly lowered, no longer as relaxed—now tinged with sorrow.

“But farming pays so little these days, and it’s all hard labor dependent on the weather. Nothing like weaving or mining. A lot of young people from the village have gone off to the city to make a living. It’s far, hard to get back and forth… over time, the letters stopped coming too…” He let out a long sigh, and even the breath itself felt heavy. “I’m not the only one. Many families here are like that…”

“I see. But bl00d runs thicker than water. They’ll understand one day and return home,” Fa Yilian said. Then she looked ahead and asked, “Old man, what’s the difference between these two roads?”

The old farmer quickly wiped at his eyes. “The left leads to where you’re headed. The right goes to that county I mentioned.”

Fa Yilian stood up, looked around, and said softly, “This place—no people, no fields—really is perfect.”

As she spoke, she slowly drew her sword and pressed it against the old man’s neck. “Old man, I’ll trouble you to take the right path instead.”

Wei Zhao looked up at her, surprised. But then she understood what Fa Yilian was doing.

Still—just a moment ago, you were full of sympathy. Now you’ve got a knife to his neck.

Young people… do they have no sense of restraint these days?