The Princess Smells So Good (GL) - Chapter 33

Wei Zhao sometimes thought her slave was such a strange person.

She watched as the people around her cheered. Some of her other slaves, she thought, were a bunch of ungrateful creatures, turning against their masters. They had forgotten Fa Yilian’s true identity, and yet Fa Yilian showed no sign of dissatisfaction. If anything, it wasn’t that she didn’t show it—it was more like…

“I’ve always been free.”

Wei Zhao recalled the tone in which Fa Yilian said this, so natural and certain. She couldn’t help but sigh. Perhaps, as some of her other slaves had said, Fa Yilian thought of herself as free, so she could ignore anyone’s definition of her status.

Freedom…

Wei Zhao wondered what freedom really meant. She thought about the palace, which felt like a cage, and how everyone around her was constantly watching her. When she was very young, she had thought the same thing. She felt like a little animal trapped in a cage.

Her mother’s presence hung over her like a great shadow, casting itself over her and all her siblings. They sat stiffly, always cautious, always flattering and appeasing. Their behavior was no different from that of any other slave or servant. It was just cloaked in more luxurious clothing.

Wei Zhao closed her eyes, then opened them again, deciding not to dwell on that question anymore.

It was better to go back, she thought. She could sense that the ship’s captain and the bodyguard were quietly watching her. She had said a few polite words to them—nothing more than promises of future rewards and hopeful expectations. Seeing the spark in their eyes, Wei Zhao felt a sense of boredom. She had made so many empty promises that she could speak without thinking, leaving room for her mind to wander to other, trivial matters.

Just as she stood up, Fa Yilian turned to look at her. She walked over quickly, her eyes shining. “Are you leaving? Going back?”

Wei Zhao had to turn her head away from the burning gaze, as if she couldn’t bear to leave Fa Yilian feeling disappointed. She was a kind mistress, after all. When it came to her capable subordinates, Wei Zhao didn’t want to be too harsh… at least not openly. So, she coughed lightly and said softly, “Yes, there’s nothing of interest here anymore.”

“But…”

Fa Yilian had just started speaking when Wei Zhao raised her hand to stop her. She saw Fa Yilian tilting her head, a look of confusion in her eyes. Suddenly, she felt that expression was almost unfair. It made her look like some big, furry animal, especially when compared to the cold, distant wolf that had just left. Fa Yilian was so dependable, it almost seemed unfair!

Wei Zhao took a deep breath.

She forced her expression into a softer, gentler one and spoke in a soothing tone, “This is a celebration in your honor. It’s not ideal to leave now. You should enjoy your moment of glory with them.” She paused, then reluctantly added, “Just don’t drink too much; you still have your injuries.”

“But…”

Her slave replied with a fiery gaze that burned through her, speaking in a blunt tone that was almost terrifying: “They’re not as important as you.”

Wei Zhao: “…”

Really, it was too much!

Wei Zhao hastily fled the scene, firmly forbidding Fa Yilian from following her. It wasn’t until the cool breeze from the lake touched her face that she realized her face was burning. She looked around. It was quiet—everyone was going about their work, and no one was paying attention to her. She sighed in relief, waving her hand in front of her face to cool off.

Resting her hand on the railing, she quietly gazed at the deck.

The events of the previous night were still vivid in her mind. She remembered every detail of Fa Yilian’s actions—the way she moved so gracefully, her agility, her intelligence, and her boldness. In every way, her slave was impossibly bright. Wei Zhao even felt like she was holding Fa Yilian back. Someone like her, if she weren’t a slave, if she had been free to grow, what kind of extraordinary person might she have become?

Wei Zhao pressed her hand to her chest. She seemed to see Fa Yilian’s gaze under the firelight, her eyes raised to meet hers with burning intensity, full of pure trust, ambition, and desire. Her voice echoed in Wei Zhao’s ears: “A Xian.”

She said it.

Not the thunderous roar from last night, but soft, tender, almost affectionate.

Wei Zhao closed her eyes.

“A Xian.”

The voice in her mind dispelled the nightmares that had clung to her like an affliction. Her memories began to shine, to take on color, becoming warm and intense. Wei Zhao felt her body heat up. She had always been cold, and she never liked warmth. Warmth was addictive, and when it was withdrawn, it hurt. But…

Fa Yilian was her slave.

If she was her slave…

Maybe, it wasn’t something she couldn’t accept.

Because without Wei Zhao’s care, Fa Yilian could never leave her.

She was her property.

Something she could abandon at any time, or take back as she pleased. Wei Zhao thought about Fa Yilian’s eyes, full of longing for her. She had seen that look too many times and knew exactly what it meant. She had never cared before.

But now, she realized she was starting to feel a strange impulse. Fa Yilian’s words—her slave’s words—she thought that this reward, she could give, and she would even enjoy giving it.

Wei Zhao felt a sudden thirst and couldn’t resist licking her lips before turning to go upstairs.

There were two rooms upstairs, one for her and one for Song Sisi. But as she reached the stairs, she was greeted by the smell of medicine. She saw the ship’s doctor leaving a room and shaking his head with a sigh.

“Lin Niangzi.” The doctor noticed Wei Zhao and, though unsure of her identity, recognized her as someone important and treated her with great respect.

“How is Miss Song?” Wei Zhao asked. She wasn’t particularly concerned about Song Sisi, but she still maintained her proper demeanor in front of others.

The doctor shook his head. “She has a weak constitution, and now the stress on her heart has worsened her condition.”

Wei Zhao murmured in response, looking at the closed door. The doctor, being a kind-hearted man, couldn’t help but offer a suggestion. “Perhaps Miss Lin could comfort Miss Song?”

Wei Zhao smiled. “Naturally.”

She remembered the slave who had left without a word. Was it named A Zong? She thought idly before knocking on the door. “I’m Lin Xian.”

The silence behind the door lasted a long time, long enough for Wei Zhao to grow impatient. Just as she was about to leave, a weak voice called from within: “Lin sister, please come in.”

Wei Zhao opened the door. Inside, the air was thick with the smell of medicine. Song Sisi lay on the bed, her head turned toward her. Wei Zhao saw how pale Song Sisi looked, and for the first time, she realized that the young woman who had always chattered in front of her was actually quite frail. And now, the person she trusted was gone. In that moment, Wei Zhao felt a twinge of sorrow—though she didn’t believe that if Fa Yilian left, she would be heartbroken. Still, with her high position and few trusted people, those who could be trusted would only decrease, not increase.

Wei Zhao walked over and sat beside Song Sisi, watching her quietly. The two sat in silence for a long time.

Eventually, Song Sisi spoke. “Lin sister, I really envy you.”

Wei Zhao met her gaze, but Song Sisi seemed unaware of it, speaking dreamily. “Your slave is so loyal to you, never leaving or abandoning you.”

Wei Zhao smiled, secretly feeling a bit proud. Though A Zong did take great care of Song Sisi, when it came to loyalty, Fa Yilian was far superior. “There are so many slaves in the world. As long as you have the money, you can pick the one with the best looks or skills.”

“But A Zong is the best,” Song Sisi said passionately, her eyes now filled with disappointment. “Lin sister, you should understand. If your slave isn’t her, then it won’t work.”

Not Fa Yilian?

Wei Zhao couldn’t imagine it.

The country of Da Zhou was known for its large number of slaves. The royal family, noble families, and wealthy landowners all had many slaves, for the land required labor. Even the newly crowned emperor, Wei Zhao’s brother, issued his first decree about slave ownership, distinguishing slaves from ordinary servants, to ensure the country had obedient, strong slaves for all kinds of work—just like how land required oxen.

But Wei Zhao didn’t like slaves. Or rather, since Fa Yilian became her slave, a symbol of her mother’s shame imposed upon her, Wei Zhao had never liked slaves. Her only slave, the one closest to her, was Fa Yilian.

Though Wei Zhao was a loyal supporter of the new emperor, she still had only one slave—Fa Yilian.

Wei Zhao shook her head. “That won’t happen.”

Song Sisi could tell from her tone that she was certain, and sighed. “It’s really enviable… But I still don’t understand. Have I not treated her well enough? Other slaves go hungry, but she doesn’t. They’re cold, but she isn’t. Why, why is she not satisfied with this… this illusory freedom?”

Illusory freedom.

This was probably the one thing that Wei Zhao understood most.

She nodded slightly, her attitude softening a little toward Song Sisi. “Don’t overthink it. The best thing in life is to be alive.”

Song Sisi shook her head, silent.

Wei Zhao, who wasn’t one to comfort others, not even her own brother, remained quiet as well. But then, a surprising voice spoke from the door.

“Only by living can one see someone regret it.”

Wei Zhao looked up and saw Fa Yilian standing at the door, watching them but not approaching. Wei Zhao felt a stir in her heart, her earlier thoughts now making her restless.

Song Sisi forced a smile and said, “Maybe you’re right, Lin sister. Go ahead.”

Wei Zhao nodded and walked toward Fa Yilian. They closed the door behind them and walked side by side. Wei Zhao, licking her lips, casually started the conversation.

“Do you think they’ll regret it?”

Fa Yilian thought for a moment. “If it were A Zong, maybe not. But if it’s me, they’ll definitely regret it.”

Wei Zhao stopped in her tracks, turning to look at Fa Yilian’s calm eyes. In them, she saw herself, so clear as though this person had always been looking at her.

Suddenly, Wei Zhao felt a tinge of nervousness. It was like her mind had become a melting candle, fuzzy, with only one thought.

She heard her own voice, tight as a drawn bow: “Would you like to be my concubine?”