The Princess Smells So Good (GL) - Chapter 37

The Songhe Sect was indeed quite generous. They had a spacious courtyard here, with three entrances and exits. The outer gate was unremarkable, but once inside, it revealed a different world. Servants and maids were all present, and they greeted guests with polite manners. If it weren’t for passing by a large martial arts training ground and seeing disciples practicing, Wei Zhao might have thought this place was just the estate of a wealthy family.

But the more luxurious it seemed, the more surprised Wei Zhao became.

“I heard the captain say that this place mainly serves as a supply depot. I never expected that this run-down little island would have such a hidden gem,” Wei Zhao said.

Zhu Tao laughed heartily and said, “The captain is being modest. Pingji Lake is incredibly important; the waterway is smooth, and it’s the perfect route for rare treasures from Haizhou to be transported. It’s only a bit quieter recently because of the rampant pirates. But,” he patted his chest, “since the Songhe Sect is here, the pirates will surely flee at the sight of us.”

“Then… does that mean the county government hired you all to deal with the pirates?” Wei Zhao smiled and raised her eyebrows. “We encountered some pirates ourselves, and although there was no real danger, I still don’t like to think about it. If you heroes can truly deal with the pirates, it would be a great service to the country and the people.”

Zhu Tao felt quite proud and didn’t say anything for a while. However, Song Qing, unable to watch any longer, scolded his junior brother before turning to Wei Zhao with a warm smile. “This is nothing. We, the people of the Jianghu, are naturally inclined to uphold justice, eliminate evil, and do good.”

Wei Zhao noticed that although Song Qing’s tone was gentle, there was an underlying probing look in his eyes, so she decided not to ask further questions. By evening, Song Qing hosted a banquet to thank Wei Zhao, Captain Yu Cheng, and Head Escort Wang for their care of Song Sisi. Wei Zhao looked down at the invitation, noticing that it didn’t have Fa Yilian’s name on it. She snorted softly and muttered, “Not writing your name on purpose? Is this to look down on you?”

Fa Yilian didn’t answer. Instead, she dipped her finger in her tea and wrote “Walls have ears” on the table. Seeing Wei Zhao look at her, she casually wiped the words away.

Wei Zhao remembered how people in the Jianghu always had ways of hiding things or using clever methods, so perhaps they also had unusually sharp hearing. She sighed deeply, feeling somewhat displeased. Though Fa Yilian was a slave, those who were close to her were treated with respect, even if they were eunuchs. Let alone someone like Fa Yilian, who was trusted so much by Wei Zhao, she even considered taking her as a personal concubine.

Wei Zhao hummed, but since she was on someone else’s turf, she didn’t say much. She made some adjustments and then went to the banquet.

Song Qing was a considerate person and had already inquired about everyone’s dietary preferences. At the banquet, Song Sisi was dressed in a bright and lovely manner, coming out to thank everyone. Wei Zhao noticed that there was still a hint of gloom in her brow, but after a short time, she was coaxed into smiling by her senior brothers.

“Little junior sister, just sleep for a while. When you wake up, A Zong will be back by your side,” Song Qing reassured her.

Song Sisi lifted her head, her eyes brimming with tears, but also unmistakable joy. She looked at her two senior brothers. “Really? But what if A Zong has to leave again?”

Song Qing smiled gently, his tone subtly stern. “Little junior sister, don’t worry. The elder brother guarantees that she will never run away again. She’s just a pretty little doll. If she doesn’t learn manners, elder brother will be happy to teach her.”

“Don’t ruin her, elder brother…” Song Sisi said with a furrowed brow, pleading, “A Zong can’t be hurt.”

“I know you love her the most,” Song Qing said, gently pinching Song Sisi’s nose with affection. “Don’t worry, she’ll be in one piece. From now on, we’ll take good care of her, and she’ll stay by your side.”

The undertone of bloodshed in his words made Head Escort Wang and Captain Yu Cheng frown. But since they were outsiders, slaves were considered private property according to the law of the Great Zhou. There were masters who cherished their belongings, but there were also those who were indifferent. They didn’t say much, feeling somewhat awkward, and glanced over at the Grand Princess. When they did, they saw Wei Zhao sitting there, her eyes half-closed, looking calm and at ease. Fa Yilian had divided her food into small pieces and was sitting by Wei Zhao’s side, feeding her little by little.

For a moment, the food in their own bowls suddenly lost its flavor.

Yu Cheng and Head Escort Wang exchanged a glance and decided to focus on their meal.

After coaxing his little junior sister, Song Qing began to ask about the pirates they had encountered earlier. Yu Cheng and Wang Cheng reported everything in detail. Song Qing nodded, only saying, “A rabble, not worth worrying about.”

He then shifted the topic and started talking about his past experiences in the Jianghu. Yu Cheng and Wang Cheng, relieved, chimed in with occasional exclamations. They were in awe of Song Qing’s extensive knowledge and the things he had seen. His tales seemed almost unbelievable, and they couldn’t help but be amazed. Song Qing, pleased with their admiration, glanced over at Wei Zhao, who, to his surprise, seemed unaffected, only quietly eating the food Fa Yilian had prepared for her.

Song Qing paused, then said, “The slave of Lady Lin seems to have a good physique. Where did you buy her? She looks quite obedient. Would you consider parting with her?”

Wei Zhao’s brows flickered with a hint of anger, but she quickly controlled herself. She turned to look at Song Qing and smiled. “This is a gift from my mother. She’s already passed away, so…” She gently took Fa Yilian’s hand and showed a touch of sorrow. “She’s the only one left for me to remember her by.”

Fa Yilian subtly glanced at Wei Zhao. She knew very well how her master had treated her mother. Talking about it as if it were a way to remember her mother seemed more like a public display of shame.

But now… her gaze softened, and she was different from before.

Song Qing immediately apologized, but couldn’t help adding, “I truly didn’t know about this. If I have offended you, Lady Lin, I hope you won’t mind.” He sighed. “It’s really hard to find someone with good bones. In the Jianghu, we live on the edge, and slaves wear out quickly. Over the years, only A Zong has amounted to anything, but she turned out to be an ingrate. It’s a pity, considering how much junior sister has cared for her.”

Wei Zhao didn’t say much. She had witnessed such scenes many times before. Not to mention slaves, even beautiful concubines were sometimes directly taken by guests, and it was common for masters to give them away. But Wei Zhao had never liked such behavior. No one had ever dared to offend her in this way before, but now…

Wei Zhao made up her mind and decided to drop her earlier plan. She no longer showed much enthusiasm.

Perhaps Song Qing sensed this and quickly changed the subject. He talked about all sorts of things, and thanks to his eloquence, the atmosphere of the banquet was quite pleasant, and everyone managed to enjoy themselves.

As the night deepened, everyone decided to rest at Songhe Sect. Wei Zhao dismissed her attendants and, in a huff, wrote on the table: “Who does he think he is?”

Fa Yilian, with her usual good temper, smiled. Seeing Wei Zhao sulking, she couldn’t help but gently tap her cheek. Wei Zhao looked up at Fa Yilian’s soft eyes and couldn’t help but lick her lips. “You really don’t want to be my concubine?”

Fa Yilian was speechless.

She withdrew her hand and asked seriously, “A Xian, didn’t you plan to ask Songhe Sect for someone? Have you changed your mind?”

Wei Zhao glared at Fa Yilian, partly because she used her name and partly because she hadn’t expected Fa Yilian to guess her intentions. But given how long Fa Yilian had been by her side, she was the one who understood her best. Wei Zhao nodded and wrote again, “The imperial court doesn’t want to use their own soldiers, but they’re hiring Jianghu people to deal with pirates. There’s something suspicious about it, but I don’t want to get involved.”

Fa Yilian had been trying to change the topic, so she didn’t say much more. But Wei Zhao stared at the flickering candlelight, lost in thought. “Earlier, when A Zong left, it seemed like Song Sisi wanted to go with her, as if their bond was deep. But it turns out she didn’t care at all.”

Fa Yilian had already started cleaning up. Hearing this, she smiled and asked, “How did you figure that out?”

“If it were true love, she wouldn’t be so quick to complain about the other’s faults. Even when pleading for mercy, she wouldn’t ignore the other’s dignity, only caring about her physical well-being. In the end,” Wei Zhao stretched out her body, “it’s just a toy she can control, one that looks pleasing to the eye. She doesn’t need to care about her dignity or feelings.”

“Is that so…” Fa Yilian murmured, walking toward Wei Zhao.

Wei Zhao turned to look at her, noticing how light her steps were, almost like she was gliding on air, yet there was a vitality hidden within.

What a shame… She wasn’t her concubine. Wei Zhao couldn’t help but think. She licked her lips, and her previously full stomach suddenly felt empty, craving something even more delicious.

“A Xian,” Fa Yilian said, stopping in front of her, kneeling down, and looking into Wei Zhao’s brown eyes with her own green ones. “What do you think love is?”

Wei Zhao blinked but didn’t speak. Fa Yilian, patient as ever, reached out, placing her fingers on Wei Zhao’s. When there was no response, Fa Yilian squeezed her hand further in, intertwining their fingers firmly, before lowering her head to kiss Wei Zhao’s fingertips in a way that seemed almost reverent.

Wei Zhao felt the soft warmth on her fingertips, and a strange, tingling sensation spread from her fingers to her heart. Her fingers twitched slightly but were quickly caught by Fa Yilian, who then looked up, coaxing Wei Zhao in a sweet, almost beguiling tone, “I don’t understand anything. Would you tell me, master?”

That was too much.

Wei Zhao couldn’t help but think.

It was too much, especially at this moment, with Fa Yilian in such a submissive posture, calling her “master.”

Wei Zhao bit her lip, her hair falling to hide her red, hot ears. “I’m not your teacher. Why should I enlighten you?”

Fa Yilian tilted her head and thought for a moment, then smiled. “If master answers me, I’ll give you the long-awaited surprise.”

She was surely confident that Wei Zhao would be curious about the surprise.

Wei Zhao absentmindedly thought, watching the sparkling eyes of the slave under the candlelight. They looked like the best piece of green crystal in her box, clear and sparkling with life, as if it was saying, “Come, possess me.”

This deal was worth it. Even if she didn’t care, Wei Zhao felt like her appetite had been whetted, not with curiosity, but with something else.

And so, Wei Zhao smiled. “In my whole life, everything I’ve encountered has completely turned around. That must be love.”

Fa Yilian paused and then softened her voice. “So, does A Xian want it?”

Wei Zhao shook her head. “It’s troublesome and uncontrollable. It has no benefits, just poison wrapped in sugar. I’d rather not.”