The Princess Smells So Good (GL) - Chapter 31

The room once again fell into silence. Song Sisi sat in her seat, quietly staring out the window, lost in thought. The window was tightly shut, and the light that filtered through the paper cast a soft, hazy glow.

Wei Zhao sat at the table. With the darkness hiding her, her expression was indifferent, her lips pressed tightly together.

The situation was clear. She had given Yu Cheng the new map route, which didn’t pass by the small island for supplies, nor did it allow for any contact with outsiders. So, there was only one possibility: there was an inside traitor.

But who could the traitor be?

Was it the slaves? On the ship, there were only the Kunlun slave, A Zong, and Fa Yilian. The Kunlun slave was timid and didn’t speak Chinese. Though he was highly suspicious, how could he have made contact with anyone else?

As for A Zong and Fa Yilian, they had joined halfway through, which made them unlikely suspects. For a moment, Wei Zhao couldn’t figure anything out.

But even without knowing, Wei Zhao forced herself to think. Her slaves were outside, and she, as their master, as the Princess, didn’t deal with trivial matters. But because of this, she needed to think about things that no one else had thought of.

“Lin Sister.” Song Sisi’s voice suddenly broke the silence.

Wei Zhao was pulled out of her thoughts, irritation rising in her chest. But she quickly calmed herself, offering a gentle smile, one as warm as a princess’s: “I’m here. Are you worried? Your lover is loyal and skilled in martial arts. There’s nothing to worry about.”

Song Sisi nodded, then shook her head, letting out a soft sigh. “A Zong is skilled, but she doesn’t care for me as much anymore. Since we left, her heart hasn’t been fully with me… Did we make a mistake by leaving?”

Song Sisi’s words suddenly reminded Wei Zhao of her own slave. Ever since leaving the Princess’s estate, her slave had also started to change.

But Wei Zhao didn’t think there was anything wrong with this change. She watched her slave gradually become more confident, her spirit shining like a diamond that had been polished for years. Wei Zhao had never believed that she couldn’t control her slave; rather, she looked forward to seeing a slave like this.

“…So, do you regret it?” Wei Zhao asked, then seemed to remember something, adding, “Did you have an argument?”

At those words, Song Sisi sniffed and quietly said, “I heard a noise and got scared, so I asked her not to go out, to stay with me. But… but she insisted on going out and ignored me.”

Wei Zhao propped her chin up, thinking for a moment, then smiled: “Aren’t you her master? Didn’t you give her an order?”

“I did! I ordered her! But…” Song Sisi bit her thumb, her voice quiet, “She didn’t listen. Why, why can’t she just listen to me? Why does she have to make her own decisions? I… I really like her.”

Wei Zhao thought about the brilliant eyes of her own slave. If she could command her to do whatever she said, it would be so boring—what would be different from the others in the Princess’s estate?

With that thought, Wei Zhao smiled. “Even a dog has its own thoughts, let alone a person.”

“She’s mine…”

“She’s yours? Your lover? Your slave? Or your doll?” Suddenly, Wei Zhao had a flash of insight, standing up and pressing her hand against the door. She turned to look at Song Sisi.

Song Sisi stared in shock at Wei Zhao’s actions. Her face showed a mixture of anger and fear at what Wei Zhao was about to do. “W-what are you going to do?”

“I’m going out,” Wei Zhao said calmly. She looked at Song Sisi, feeling an unusual patience. “Are you coming with me?”

“No, no…” Song Sisi took a step back.

Wei Zhao raised an eyebrow, her expression showing annoyance. “Then you probably won’t see your lover again.”

Song Sisi felt the words “lover” sting, but she had no choice. Wei Zhao’s words had struck a nerve deep inside her.

A Zong had left so decisively, and yet… Song Sisi didn’t want to admit it, but she could still see the impatience in her eyes. She knew this was the opportunity A Zong had been waiting for. She had tried many ways to make A Zong flustered, but in that moment, all Song Sisi saw was a flash of impatience.

This realization made Song Sisi step back and let go.

She watched helplessly as the person she loved walked out of the dark room and into the light.

She had been left behind.

“What are you thinking about?” Wei Zhao’s voice startled Song Sisi, bringing her back to reality. She looked up to see the impatient look in Wei Zhao’s eyes. The other woman had already opened the door, and the light from outside streamed in. The muffled sounds of shouting and clashing blades reached them.

It was as if a monster had opened its mouth.

But Song Sisi knew that this was her only chance. If it were just her alone, she would never have the courage to step out of that room. She ran toward Wei Zhao, who silently watched her approach, grabbing hold of her clothes.

They both stepped out into the hallway.

The light outside wasn’t bright, but it still gave off an ominous feeling, the smell of bl00d hanging in the air. The noise gradually softened.

Wei Zhao glanced at Song Sisi. Song Sisi frowned, covering her nose. Her once-pale face had a touch of color now, giving her a bit of vitality. Wei Zhao didn’t stop. She walked forward, heading toward the railing. Looking down, she couldn’t help but let out a low laugh. “It seems like the timing is just right.”

Song Sisi, hearing this, leaned over to look as well. In that moment, she almost shouted out, but Wei Zhao quickly covered her mouth. Song Sisi stared in fear at the woman in front of her, whose face was dark with displeasure. Feeling aggrieved, she nodded silently, signaling that she wouldn’t speak. Only then did Wei Zhao release her.

With a cold expression, she pulled out a handkerchief and carefully wiped each of her fingers.

If she could, she wouldn’t have brought Song Sisi out. But…

Wei Zhao’s gaze dropped to the scene below.

It was clear that there were two groups of people. One group was led by Fa Yilian, holding swords and glaring angrily at the other side. The other group, led by a tall, muscular man with a scarred face, clearly a slave, had two other people behind him—A Zong and the Kunlun slave, whom Wei Zhao recognized.

At this point, everything was clear. Wei Zhao sighed, thinking to herself how foolish she had been, stuck in that room, overthinking everything. The truth was right in front of her.

Thinking about everything she had seen on this trip, her expression darkened. When they had been in the palace, no one had imagined that the route was practically useless, with bandits and pirates on the loose, soldiers scattered, and slaves even turning into thieves.

Above in the capital, the officials had been chatting grandly, while the royal family still believed the kingdom was strong and thriving, unaware that beneath the prosperous surface, it was rotting away—fragile and easily crumbled with even a little scrutiny.

“I knew it. You can’t trust these slaves! Damn traitors who eat inside and stab outside!” Wang Biao, wounded and with bl00d staining his hand, shouted in fury.

The leader of the bandits laughed. He was large, rough-looking, but with an air of authority. With a flick of his wrist, his sword spun effortlessly, making it clear that he was at ease compared to the others. “Hand over your valuables, and I might listen to my new companions and spare you all.”

“Damn! You wish!” Wang Biao shouted back. He had his own troubles—if they surrendered, who knew if these bandits would see the Princess and want her as well?

If something happened, not just them but their families would be finished.

With that thought, Wang Biao shot a subtle look at Fa Yilian, who had organized their resistance, ensuring the stand-off. But now, there was an insider betraying them. Wang Biao glared at A Zong and the Kunlun slave, who both lowered their eyes, looking lost in thought.

“Hah, I admire your courage, but it’s just courage without strategy. This lake has no shore. If the boat sinks, you all…” The bandit leader seemed ready to continue, but Fa Yilian stepped forward.

As she did, everyone else immediately tensed, preparing for a fight.

Fa Yilian smiled, her sword flashing in front of her, pointing at the leader. “Are you from the Dan tribe?”

The leader froze, his muscles tensing as he became more guarded. He remained silent, then asked, “Who are you?”

Fa Yilian smiled again. “If you are from the Dan tribe, then let’s have an honorable duel. You know what I mean.”

The leader’s posture slightly bent forward, and then he burst into laughter. He raised both hands, walking around his followers as they cheered, sounding like a pack of wild beasts howling.

“…Roc hellion,” Wang Biao muttered softly. As a member of the Great Zhou, he found the whole barbaric and bloody display uncomfortable.

“We already have the upper hand. We shouldn’t…” A Zong spoke up, her brow furrowed as her gaze flickered toward Fa Yilian.

Fa Yilian stood nonchalantly, showing no signs of anxiety or discomfort, almost as if she were waiting for something.

It felt like there was some kind of plot in motion.

A Zong had a bad feeling. She wanted to stop her new leader. She didn’t want to waste more energy on this ship. She just wanted to leave.

“Get out of the way! This is an honorable duel, my fight!” The leader shoved A Zong aside. “An honorable duel… Ah, Odin, will I ever make it to the Hall of the Slain?”

“Fine!” The leader shouted loudly, then turned and walked toward Fa Yilian, gripping his war axe tightly, each step sounding heavy, like a giant moving toward a smaller prey.

“I won’t show mercy.”

“Just as well,” Fa Yilian said, stepping back, her sword like a drawn bow, aimed directly at him.