The Princess Smells So Good (GL) - Chapter 19

The clothes worn by the Princess were made from the finest fabrics, with exquisite embroidery. Some of the more intricate designs had taken several weavers years to complete. Even when traveling light, Wei Zhao’s outfits were still considered extravagant by common standards.

Fa Yilian had exchanged quite a bit of silver, and both of them looked noticeably more relaxed afterward.

If everything went smoothly, they could go to the local authorities, summon the city guards, and finally breathe easy. Trading some clothes for money was just a precaution Wei Zhao had taken out of habit.

Ever since they left the forest, everything had gone far too smoothly. Wei Zhao gradually let her guard down, assuming those bandits had just been a disorganized mob—only brave enough to commit petty crimes in unguarded areas.

The next day, Fa Yilian asked an inn worker to buy a few supplies. She dyed her hair black. Even though her bright green eyes and tall figure still stood out, with her hair dyed and wrapped up in a headscarf, she looked much more ordinary. She and Wei Zhao got their travel permits and joined the line to enter the city.

Wei Zhao followed Fa Yilian curiously into the crowd. The street was packed and noisy, full of people speaking with different accents. There were brawny laborers and scholars in plain blue robes. People were chewing on dried food as they talked. Entering the city cost some silver, but it was still cheaper than living inside the walls. Folks chatted about the day’s wages and gossip, while peddlers loudly advertised their wares, adding to the hustle and bustle.

Fa Yilian rested her hand on Wei Zhao’s shoulder. Wei Zhao looked up at her and caught the wary glint in her eyes. She was still as cautious as ever, just like back in the forest—like a wild animal constantly on edge. But this wasn’t the forest anymore. They didn’t need to rely on each other the same way they had back then.

“It’s fine. It’s kind of fun, actually,” Wei Zhao said with a smile.

Fa Yilian looked down at her, eyes flickering with something like amusement. “My lady has gotten braver.”

Wei Zhao noticed the way Fa Yilian was watching her—completely unbothered by status or rank. It reminded her of their first encounter in the forest, that feeling that one wrong word would get her roasted on the spot.

Frowning slightly, Wei Zhao lowered her voice. “How dare you! Are you disobeying me now?”

Fa Yilian tilted her head and suddenly said, “Listen.”

Listen to what? Are you even listening to yourself?

Wei Zhao held back a sigh but instinctively tilted her head to listen. Not far off, some people were chatting.

“I heard the soldiers came back?”

“Yeah, my cousin’s in the army. They searched all through the forest for days but found nothing. Probably all dead by now.”

“Who was that important, anyway, for the city guard to be dispatched?” one person asked, clearly annoyed. “There’ve been multiple robberies along the route to Haizhou and no one did a thing, but now they send a whole battalion?”

“Well, better to get rid of mountain bandits sooner rather than later…”

“I say there’s a conspiracy!”

The gossip spread quickly. Waiting in line was boring, so the idle folks nearby joined in. They brought up all kinds of wild theories—an official’s daughter, a merchant caravan, a revenge tale from the martial world. No matter the story, it was always about love, hate, and grudges. They sounded like they were just missing a wooden gavel and a loud cry of “Objection!”

Wei Zhao listened with a dark expression. After a while, she muttered, “So the soldiers really went out there…”

But on their whole journey, they hadn’t seen even a trace of them.

She stared straight ahead. The towering stone archway before them looked like a giant beast opening its jaws, waiting to swallow them whole.

Wei Zhao stopped. For a brief moment, she didn’t want to enter the city at all.

But then, she felt a gentle push on her back.

She turned around and met Fa Yilian’s calm, steady green eyes. “Let’s go,” she said with quiet certainty.

Wei Zhao suddenly felt a sense of peace.

She moved forward with the crowd, handing over her travel permit. One of the guards looked up at her. Wei Zhao’s heart skipped a beat—but just then, a familiar warmth slid into her hand. She stayed silent but slowly tightened her grip.

Everything went smoothly. The county town was surrounded by stone walls, its streets laid out in a grid, with a wide river running through the middle. Boats passed back and forth beneath canvas sails, and workers lowered masts while shouting commands as they crossed the bridge. The bridge itself was lined with stalls and bustling with people.

It looked just like a scene from a thriving empire.

“Come on,” Fa Yilian said softly.

Only then did Wei Zhao realize—she was still holding Fa Yilian’s hand. She quickly pulled away. Fa Yilian didn’t stop her, and the warmth of her touch faded as Wei Zhao’s hand slipped free. The early spring air, still a little cold, wrapped around her fingers. Wei Zhao’s heart gave a small thump. She looked around and finally said, “Let’s go.”

Fa Yilian was clearly experienced. She took Wei Zhao through the market, chatting with vendors and casually gathering information. Wei Zhao trailed behind, a little bored. The town was lively, and the goods plentiful, but it couldn’t compare to the grand capital.

Since the founding of the Zhou Dynasty, the empire had always been open and vibrant. Even princes and princesses often rode through the streets and played in the city with their companions. Wei Zhao hadn’t had the chance before, but now that she was a princess, she’d gone out many times. Her eyes swept over the crowds—not with curiosity, but with quiet detachment.

“Ah-Zong, I want that one,” a sweet, charming voice rang out.

Most women in Ganzhou were straightforward and business-minded. That soft, coquettish tone was rare here. Wei Zhao turned toward the voice and saw a young girl holding up a glass cup and playfully asking the woman beside her to buy it. The woman was tall, with long black hair and pale skin—but when she looked up, her eyes were a piercing ice-blue.

The woman spoke with gentle frustration. “Miss…”

“I told you not to call me that…” the girl cut in, covering her mouth with a cough. “I want this cup.”

The woman immediately panicked, pulling the girl into her arms. “Alright, alright, I won’t call you that. We’ll buy the cup.”

A slave, then…

Wei Zhao thought to herself. She hadn’t looked away when the woman suddenly turned and met her gaze. In that instant, Wei Zhao felt a chill in the air. But then Fa Yilian stepped in, blocking most of her view and cutting off that sharp stare. Her hand rested on the hilt of her blade as she glanced at the pair, then turned to Wei Zhao with a concerned look. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine,” Wei Zhao replied, shaking her head. When she looked again, the two women had vanished without a trace.

She let out a long breath, her voice tinged with irritation. “Look how obedient that slave is.”

“Oh? You’ve taken a liking to someone else’s slave?” Fa Yilian raised an eyebrow, eyes twinkling with amusement. She leaned slightly toward Wei Zhao and said in a teasing tone, “So, Master, how would you like to punish me for my boldness?”

She sounded respectful, but Wei Zhao could sense the fire behind her eyes—as if that fire would consume them both.

Wei Zhao paused, then smiled. “You’re my most trusted aide now. You’ve done nothing wrong. I treasure you. Why would I punish you?”

Fa Yilian straightened and gave her a look. “Then I hope you mean what you say.” Her expression seemed more like a master speaking to a servant than the other way around.

That attitude—so overbearing! Just looking at her made Wei Zhao fume!

Wei Zhao gave a soft snort, but Fa Yilian continued, “Come with me. I know where to go now.”

Wei Zhao pushed down her irritation and followed her. As they walked, Fa Yilian pointed out places and explained to Wei Zhao, “This dock connects directly to Haizhou. There are merchant ships. The cheapest ticket is 500 copper coins.”

“That’s a security escort agency, and the shop next to it sells rice noodles. It’s been around for a hundred years.”

Wei Zhao: “…”

She had really underestimated her “slave’s” skills in gathering intel.

Soon, they reached the government office. Wei Zhao looked at the quiet entrance and stepped forward—but Fa Yilian suddenly placed a hand on her shoulder and held her back. Wei Zhao paused. Fa Yilian didn’t let go and gently guided her along as if nothing was wrong. Wei Zhao instinctively wanted to turn around.

“Don’t look. There are people at the alley entrance.”

Wei Zhao’s heart sank. She kept her expression calm and walked on with Fa Yilian. The two of them headed to the noodle shop beside the escort agency and ordered a bowl.

The broth was tangy and spicy, and the noodles were soft and chewy. But Wei Zhao wasn’t paying attention to the food. She looked at Fa Yilian and asked, “Who were those people?”

Fa Yilian gave a helpless shrug. “If you don’t know, how would I know?”

Wei Zhao blinked. Right—Fa Yilian was just her servant, a useful tool, not a mind reader. She lowered her gaze and stayed silent for a while before speaking again. “If the local officials were in on it, they could’ve just waited inside and let us walk into their trap. Besides, this might have nothing to do with me.”

“Good point,” Fa Yilian nodded. She wiped the oil from her lips. “If it does involve you, we’ll know soon enough.”

She reached out toward Wei Zhao, but Wei Zhao slapped her hand away with a look of disgust. “Filthy. Don’t touch me.”

Fa Yilian: “…” A miscalculation. She forgot about Wei Zhao’s obsession with cleanliness.

She cleared her throat awkwardly, sat up straight, and asked the shopkeeper for a cup of cheap tea to wash her hands. Once she was done, she looked back at Wei Zhao. Wei Zhao raised her chin slightly, and Fa Yilian reached out again, this time gently taking Wei Zhao’s hand.

Their warmth met, and the lingering chill of early spring faded away.