The Princess Smells So Good (GL) - Chapter 22

Song Sisi was a young lady who didn’t lack money. The room she stayed in was the finest, located at the highest point of the ship. When she opened the window, all she could see was the river flowing smoothly, with the scenery on both banks slowly receding. The surrounding sounds were completely absent, and if it weren’t for Wei Zhao knowing they were on a merchant ship, one would think they were on a floating pleasure boat somewhere.

“Traveling outside, it’s inevitable that things are a bit simple. Please don’t mind it,” Song Sisi said as she led the two of them to the table to sit down. Wei Zhao casually scanned the room. It was a guest room, so naturally, there were no personal belongings of Song Sisi’s, but there were carefully arranged copper vases with flowers and incense on the table, showing some thoughtfulness.

“Since I left home, only my sister and the two of you have caught my eye, so I can’t help but be a little more eager,” Song Sisi smiled as she walked to one side and brought over a lacquer box. She opened it to reveal four kinds of pastries, each different, exuding a sweet aroma. Song Sisi smiled even more brightly, clearly proud of herself, “They say the pastries here are famous. This batch was bought by my servant A Zong after waiting for an hour.”

Wei Zhao quickly thanked her but didn’t move to eat. Meanwhile, Fa Yilian stepped forward, picked up one of the pastries Wei Zhao had looked at, divided it into small pieces, and tasted it herself first. After a moment of pause, she finally offered the remaining pieces to Wei Zhao.

Song Sisi widened her eyes, glancing between Wei Zhao and Fa Yilian. She covered her mouth, looking surprised. “You think I would poison it?”

Wei Zhao: “…” If you didn’t speak, no one would think you were mute.

She forced a smile and explained, “It’s just a family custom. I shouldn’t act like this when traveling, but my foolish servant always worries.”

Anyway, it’s not the master’s problem. Just push it onto the subordinate.

Song Sisi let out an “oh” and furrowed her brows. “Yes, there are always some odd rules at home. But…” She looked at Wei Zhao, her lips curling into a smile that revealed two cute dimples. “Sister, since we’re already out here, let’s not worry about such things. We’re people of the jianghu (martial world), so we should be carefree, eating and drinking without restraint.”

Who’s your sister! Who’s in the jianghu!

Wei Zhao smiled faintly. “What you say is true.”

At that moment, the door opened, and A Zong entered with hot tea. Song Sisi immediately jumped up, taking two or three quick steps to get beside him.

“Miss, please don’t move around so much. Be careful not to spill it,” A Zong hurriedly raised the tea tray a little higher.

Song Sisi bounced up and down, unable to reach it, and finally, with a puffed-up face, followed A Zong, looking like a little tail behind him.

Wei Zhao watched this scene, her eyelids twitching. She felt that same uncomfortable feeling of being stifled rise again. Instinctively, she didn’t want to watch this sight, but as she turned her head, she saw her slave, Fa Yilian, smiling at her with the tenderness of a mother, looking at the two in front of her. Wei Zhao involuntarily shivered, feeling a cold chill.

“What’s wrong?”

Fa Yilian immediately noticed that Wei Zhao wasn’t feeling well. She lowered her head and, with a voice as soft as water, asked, “Are you unwell?”

Wei Zhao shivered again, and this time, it wasn’t just one; it was three.

It wasn’t her fault. Even when Wei Zhao was at her lowest, she had never heard Fa Yilian speak like this, and it was so hard to bear, as if Fa Yilian might do something truly inappropriate any moment now.

Fa Yilian chuckled.

Wei Zhao looked up at her slave. Her slave truly had a pair of beautiful eyes. Even though her hair was dyed black and her skin was considered inferior by the people of the Great Zhou, her eyes—those eyes, full of life and energy, like the most vibrant summer day—were enough to draw anyone in. Now, those eyes were slightly narrowed, filled with a calm, joyful smile. The owner of those eyes then casually said, “You’re really cute.”

“Cute…”

Wei Zhao was speechless.

She had never expected Fa Yilian to say something like that. Of course, Wei Zhao thought she was alright, but… she lowered her head, thinking. Her slave had always been by her side, learning from her, even if just as an observer. Was this way of speaking due to… her influence?

Wei Zhao raised her head with an ambiguous expression. “When we get back, I’ll hire a teacher to teach you how to flatter people.”

Fa Yilian’s smile froze for a moment before quickly fading.

“Oh,” she replied dryly, “I don’t need it.”

Of course, her slave was like this—unlike anyone else’s!

Wei Zhao turned her head with dissatisfaction. On the other side, A Zong had already placed the tea on the table and was carefully pouring tea for everyone. Ever since A Zong entered the room, Song Sisi’s attention had been entirely on her, completely ignoring everything else. Only when Wei Zhao moved did she reluctantly look up, her gaze lingering on A Zong’s face. She whispered, “Isn’t A Zong beautiful? Every move she makes is like a painting.”

Wei Zhao’s lips twitched. She understood now—this young lady was a full-fledged beauty enthusiast.

But… her gaze couldn’t help but stop at A Zong’s face. After all, A Zong was a martial artist, and with the current dangers around her, having such a skilled person nearby…

“Yeah, she really is beautiful,” Wei Zhao said, lying through her teeth. As a princess, she had seen many beautiful women, and not to mention anyone else, Fa Yilian, in her slave status, could be presented as a gift to the emperor as a token of admiration. That was enough to prove her beauty.

Hearing Wei Zhao’s agreement, Song Sisi immediately broke into a smile, her fingers lightly shaking as she grinned sweetly, “Sister, it won’t do, though. While A Zong is very cute and beautiful, she’s mine. Even you, sister, can’t take her from me.”

As soon as these words left her lips, a faint blush appeared on A Zong’s usually pale face. She looked at Song Sisi with a soft, helpless gaze. “Miss…”

Who cares about her! Her own slave was quite good-looking and useful too!

Wei Zhao snorted disdainfully in her heart, but then she realized—looking at the way these two were acting, avoiding this young lady seemed useless. They might as well keep stealing from each other.

After a brief moment of consideration, Wei Zhao smiled and said, “Of course, she’s yours alone.” As soon as she said this, Song Sisi’s smile became even brighter, and she appeared even more delighted.

Wei Zhao nodded inwardly and, after a moment, asked, “By the way, since we’re already friends, where are you two planning to go?”

“This…” Song Sisi rested her chin in her hand, looking a little hesitant. “We haven’t really decided. A Zong, do you have anywhere you want to go?”

“Wherever the miss goes, I’ll go,” A Zong replied.

Unlike Wei Zhao’s shrewd and opinionated slave, Fa Yilian, A Zong was the picture of obedience. Wei Zhao felt a twinge of envy but knew she couldn’t take Song Sisi’s precious slave, so she only felt regret. She couldn’t help but glance at Fa Yilian. Fa Yilian raised an eyebrow and winked at her, looking both innocent and cute.

Wei Zhao quickly turned her head, unsure of what exactly was going through her mind. However, the irritations and restlessness in her heart seemed to disappear. She looked at the sunlight and suddenly thought of the time when it was just her and Fa Yilian in the forest. The sunlight had felt just as warm then, and aside from warmth, there was also a sense of peace…

She really didn’t want to admit it…

“Sister, where are you going?” Song Sisi’s voice broke into Wei Zhao’s thoughts.

“To Haizhou,” Wei Zhao paused, “It’s by the sea. The Great Zhou is well-connected, but most of the maritime trade comes from Haizhou… it’s a place where treasures from all over the world gather.”

A Zong, who had been silently lowering her head, raised her eyes slightly. Her ice-blue gaze swept over Wei Zhao, and Wei Zhao felt a sharp, stinging sensation, like needles piercing her skin. Fa Yilian gently pulled her closer, stepping forward and fixing her gaze on A Zong. “My master is, after all, your master’s friend.”

“…You’re right,” A Zong responded, lowering her gaze again, hiding the coldness in her eyes.

Song Sisi pouted. “A Zong isn’t my slave.”

“Really?” Fa Yilian tilted her head, smiled, and said, “But there’s a slave’s mark on her neck. If she’s not your slave… then she’s an escaped slave, right?”

Song Sisi stared at Fa Yilian, flustered. “No, I just… I just…” She began to panic, her face turning red. Soon, her face became an even deeper shade of red. A Zong immediately jumped up and hurried to Song Sisi’s side, gently patting her back while soothing her with a calm voice, “Breathe in… breathe out… don’t panic.”

Neither Wei Zhao nor Fa Yilian spoke. It was clear that Song Sisi was having trouble breathing, and Wei Zhao felt a bit guilty. “I’m really sorry… My slave made a mistake. If you need compensation…”

“We’re friends, no need for compensation…” Song Sisi hurriedly interrupted. She had trouble breathing even as she spoke, her face turning even redder.

A Zong’s face darkened. She held Song Sisi’s hand firmly. “Miss, don’t speak anymore.”

Song Sisi struggled to breathe deeply, but gave A Zong a reassuring smile.

A Zong opened her mouth but ended up swallowing her words.

Wei Zhao, feeling a bit out of place at this moment, decided to stand up. Song Sisi managed to regulate her breathing, and the redness in her face faded, revealing an even paler complexion. She looked up at Wei Zhao, her eyes showing a hint of sadness. “I’m so sorry you had to see this… We… we’re also going to Haizhou. We’re on the way there too.”

Such a pitiful child, with no friends.

Wei Zhao thought this to herself, but there was no pity in her gaze. She stepped forward, gently ruffling Song Sisi’s hair. “It’s okay. We’re friends now. We’re bound to meet again, and we can always keep in touch through letters.”

Song Sisi stared at her in a daze for a moment before laughing. “Sister is right.” She then pulled A Zong’s hand and said, “A Zong, sister is a good person, don’t be harsh with them.”

Then, she turned to Wei Zhao and said, “Sister, A Zong isn’t just my slave… No, she is my slave, but she’s also my lover.”