The Princess Smells So Good (GL) - Chapter 23

Wei Zhao was still a little dazed when she returned to her room.

There were many nobles in the capital, each with their own peculiarities, and many enjoyed mingling with slaves. But there was a vast difference between a plaything and a lover. It was like how wives and concubines could live together, but they were not the same—concubines were servants and only half a master. A concubine’s child could not call her “mother,” they would call the wife “mother” instead. As for slaves, they were even lower in status, much further removed from concubines.

To think that someone would call such a lowly slave a lover…

Wei Zhao shook her head. “This is really…”

“What’s really?” Fayi Lian replied, coming back from outside with hot water.

On the ship, boiling water wasn’t convenient, and there was also the danger of fire. So the crew would boil water for everyone and distribute it at set times. It was a bit inconvenient. Fayi Lian had gone out right after they returned to the room and hadn’t returned until now. She only caught the tail end of Wei Zhao’s remark.

Wei Zhao instinctively started to speak but paused for a moment, holding back her words. She then simply said, “Since Miss Song calls her a lover, why doesn’t she just free her from her slave status?”

Fayi Lian didn’t respond. She remained silent as she went about her tasks.

Wei Zhao watched her pour the hot water into a thermos, the sound of water splashing loudly. It took a moment for her to realize that, perhaps, her words were uncomfortable for Fayi Lian, given her status. She bit her lip, turning to look out the window.

As the saying goes, “The light boat has passed through countless mountains.” The Gan Zhou water system was vast, but the flow was slow. Wei Zhao couldn’t see the scenery passing by the banks, but everything around her seemed to slow down. The green fields on either side were beautiful, and mule carts passed by carrying goods. From somewhere, she could hear a folk song in the local accent, the tone rising and falling in a pleasant, flowing melody, full of charm.

Wei Zhao’s expression softened as she listened.

“Maybe Miss Song doesn’t have full confidence and wants to use that identity to possess her…” Fayi Lian suddenly spoke up, turning to look at Wei Zhao. The corner of her lips curled into a sarcastic smile, “A slave.”

Wei Zhao instinctively felt displeased. She frowned. “Miss Song says she’s her lover.”

“Oh, a lover, huh?” Fayi Lian replied, her eyes never blinking.

But Wei Zhao could sense the full sarcasm in Fayi Lian’s response. She didn’t like how Fayi Lian was contradicting her about the slave, so she darkened her expression and tapped the table. “I’m hungry and thirsty.”

Fayi Lian’s gaze swept over the items on the table before she turned and dutifully went back to her work.

Wei Zhao watched as Fayi Lian took out a tea box and brewed some hot tea. Then, from somewhere, she produced a box of pastries and set everything neatly on the table. Finally, she stood beside Wei Zhao, tasted everything herself, and then brought new items over. Wei Zhao didn’t touch anything. A delicate green porcelain teacup was filled with honey-colored tea, its fragrance blending with the sweetness of the pastries.

The scene reminded Wei Zhao of her time back at the Princess’s residence.

Back then, she was treated similarly—just needing to speak or sometimes even only a look, and the servants would bring whatever she desired. There would be incense made from precious spices from the South Sea, and carpets woven from gold yarn brought from Dashi. She didn’t like wearing shoes at home, so the soft, golden carpets would spread out to wherever she wished to go.

“Won’t you eat?” A strange voice interrupted her thoughts, pulling her out of her memories of the magnificent palace and the people there, bringing her back to the harsh reality of the present. Wei Zhao sighed deeply and squinted her eyes. “If what you say is true, does that mean… we could also recruit that expert to help us?”

She turned her head and found her slave standing very close to her.

The green eyes seemed full of resentment, as if they were the turbulent sea before a storm.

Wei Zhao couldn’t help but feel a bit guilty but immediately scolded herself. She raised her head, her eyes widening, showing determination. “What is it?” She looked at her silent slave and couldn’t help but sneer. “I’ve allowed you some freedom for a few days, and now you think you can challenge me?”

Fayi Lian’s gaze flickered. “I never thought of challenging you.”

Hearing this, and seeing the sincerity in Fayi Lian’s words, Wei Zhao softened. She remembered how Fayi Lian had risked her life to protect her in the past, and her voice became gentler. “We’ve been through life and death together. The bond we share is something no one else can match. At this point, there’s no one else I can trust. You are the person I trust the most.” There was a hint of vulnerability and explanation in her words.

Fayi Lian took a step back, and her usual cold demeanor softened. A slight smile appeared at the corner of her lips.

Wei Zhao had rarely seen Fayi Lian like this. It wasn’t until she realized it that she found herself smiling as well. But after the smile faded, they needed to get back to business. “Since the relationship between those two isn’t flawless, it seems that we might still have a chance with that expert’s help. It would ensure our journey from here on.”

“Not advisable,” Fayi Lian replied.

Wei Zhao’s brows furrowed sharply. “Why?”

“That person…” Fayi Lian frowned. “Is very dangerous.”

Very dangerous? How dangerous could someone be? She was alone…

And that girl who called her a lover was really just using that title to keep her as a slave, with no real power over her. And Wei Zhao, the Princess of the Great Zhou, could offer many things that the girl couldn’t.

As a slave, all they wanted were those things…

At that moment, Wei Zhao’s thoughts suddenly shifted, and she looked toward Fayi Lian. The slave was no longer paying attention to her; she was busy making the bed. Her long arms and legs moved quickly, efficiently pulling the bedding and spreading it over the window to let the sunlight in. Then, she grabbed a brush and began cleaning the debris from the bed underneath. She worked quickly and neatly, showing no signs of hesitation.

Perhaps, when Wei Zhao hadn’t noticed, Fayi Lian had done this before with her maids.

But for a long time, Wei Zhao had remembered the names of her maids, even the eunuchs, but had never bothered to remember the name of her slave. She kept Fayi Lian by her side but tried to ignore her, treating her like an invisible person.

If it weren’t for this recent event, she would never have given her slave a second thought.

And she would have never realized that her promises meant nothing to Fayi Lian.

“You… what do you really want?” Wei Zhao suddenly asked.

Fayi Lian paused briefly, then looked up, wiping sweat from her brow. Suddenly, Wei Zhao felt a pang of guilt. She quickly stood up and rolled up her sleeves. “Your wound hasn’t healed. Come here, let me apply medicine.”

Fayi Lian looked at her, and Wei Zhao didn’t know why she had said that. When she saw Fayi Lian’s uncertain expression, she scoffed, “What? Are you afraid I’ll harm your life?”

Fayi Lian slowly walked over. “No… But we don’t have any medicine.”

Wei Zhao was taken aback for a moment, then became angry. “Why haven’t you gone to get it yet?!”

Fayi Lian’s eyes gleamed with amusement, but just then, there was a knock at the door. Her expression immediately became serious. “Who is it?”

“It’s me. I’ve brought the medicine, as ordered by Miss,” came the voice of A Zong.

Wei Zhao and Fayi Lian exchanged glances. Wei Zhao’s expression was filled with suspicion. “How did they know?”

“I’ll go.” Fayi Lian’s voice was low. She placed her hand on Wei Zhao’s shoulder, as if offering comfort.

At that moment, Wei Zhao felt her anxiety subside, and she hid her concerns once more.

It was all so ridiculous. The world was vast and bustling with people. This place was nothing like the forest, where danger lurked at every corner. What did she have to fear?

It was just… just like how she was worried about her slave.

Fayi Lian opened the door, quickly scanning the area in front and behind. A Zong’s voice was low. “There’s no one else.”

Fayi Lian raised an eyebrow. She looked down at the bundle of medicine and bandages A Zong was holding, and said, “You knew I was injured?”

“When you moved your arm, I noticed the restriction,” A Zong replied.

Her speech had a soft, unhurried tone, unlike the pure Great Zhou accent. A Zong’s voice was gentle, but every word was clear. She looked at Fayi Lian’s face, while Fayi Lian raised an eyebrow playfully. A Zong couldn’t help but ask, “Are you… also a slave?”

“Yes,” Fayi Lian answered, then raised her brow again, “But I’m not like you. Not only are you a slave, but you’re also your master’s lover.”

A Zong’s eyes lowered, and though she was strong, her slender figure gave her a delicate, almost fragile appearance. Her pale blue eyes were so captivating that it was no wonder that Miss Song, who had been sheltered all her life, had fallen for her so deeply. A Zong remained silent, and Fayi Lian didn’t seem to care. She casually took the medicine from her, sniffed it, and confirmed it was fine.

A Zong silently watched her. Suddenly, she spoke, “Does your master treat you well? Is it the same as for me?”

Fayi Lian raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a sly grin. “Would you like to not be a slave?”

A Zong’s gaze flickered for a moment. She glanced behind her, ensuring no one was watching. When she turned back, her face had flushed slightly, and she quickly turned away, leaving in haste.

Fayi Lian watched her go, slowly narrowing her eyes. “Interesting.”