The Princess Smells So Good (GL) - Chapter 38

The next day, Wei Zhao and the others bid farewell to the disciples of Songhe Sect. Song Sisi, feeling somewhat reluctant, looked at Wei Zhao with her big eyes, then at the woman standing beside her, Fa Yilian, with a mix of expectations and emotions.

“Lin Sister, when A Zong returns, I’ll take her to Haizhou to see you.”

Wei Zhao curled her lips. She didn’t want to meet with them again, but this was just a polite remark. She nodded and replied, “Of course, when you come, I’ll be your host.” Then, after a moment’s thought, she gave Song Sisi a jade pendant. “When you get to Haizhou, give this to Duobao Pavilion, and you’ll be able to find me.”

Song Sisi took the jade pendant, and her smile became more genuine. “I thought Lin Sister was just being polite,” she said, rubbing the jade in her hand. She looked up, sincerity in her eyes, “I’ll remember this and definitely come to see you.”

Wei Zhao nodded and turned to leave with Fa Yilian.

As Fa Yilian’s gaze swept over her, Song Sisi noticed the lack of emotion in Fa Yilian’s eyes. She didn’t show the usual submissiveness of a slave, which made her feel a little uncomfortable. She frowned, watching Wei Zhao leave, and couldn’t help but mutter, “She’s not someone who listens well. How could Lin Sister keep such a person by her side?”

“You girls from sheltered families always like someone different,” Song Qing walked over, glancing at the jade pendant in Song Sisi’s hand. He smiled. “Have you made a new friend, little sister?”

“…I suppose?” Song Sisi replied. She raised the jade pendant, looking through it at the sky and smiling. “I thought it wasn’t the case, but now it seems I might have been wrong. Senior Brother, what kind of place is Duobao Pavilion?”

“Duobao Pavilion?” Song Qing scratched his chin. “I’ve heard of it. They say it’s full of treasures from all over, countless and beyond measure. Your new friend must be from Duobao Pavilion, no wonder she has such a noble and elegant demeanor, unlike the ordinary.”

“Oh?” Song Sisi gently rubbed the smooth jade pendant again and said, “If it’s such a treasure trove, why hasn’t anyone tried to take it?”

Song Qing smiled, touching the tip of his nose. “It’s rumored that it has some unclear ties to the imperial court. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. People in the martial world, no matter how greedy they are, wouldn’t want to oppose the imperial court. After all, without the skin, how can the fur stay on?”

“I see…” Song Sisi sighed deeply, then looked at Song Qing. “Senior Brother, I’m not good with these matters. I just want to find A Zong.”

Song Qing sighed, walking up to her and ruffling her hair. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to bring A Zong to you. But little sister, don’t get too attached to a slave. A slave is a slave, not a person. Do you remember how we, Songhe Sect, rose to power? Don’t forget that. If you like that slave, fine, she can be your plaything, but if you fall for her, don’t blame us if we throw her away to get rid of that bad influence.”

“Of course, that won’t happen,” Song Sisi replied sweetly.

Wei Zhao had no idea about the conversation between the Songhe Sect siblings. After a good rest overnight, everyone was in high spirits. Head Guard Wang and Yu Cheng talked about the wealth of Songhe Sect, both unable to help but express their admiration. Fa Yilian, however, leaned close to Wei Zhao’s ear and asked, “I thought A Xian was just saying that about making friends.”

Wei Zhao felt Fa Yilian’s arm brush against hers. As they walked, their arms occasionally made contact, and she squinted, smiling. “How could that be? I’ve always been sincere with people.”

Was that sincerity the kind where you say you’ll have dinner next time, but there’s never a next time?

Wei Zhao seemed to sense the subtle meaning behind Fa Yilian’s silence, and she shot her a look, saying, “Even if I liked you, I’d ask for your opinion.”

Ask if you’d like to be my consort.

Fa Yilian’s steps faltered, and Wei Zhao felt her arm move slightly away from her. She turned to look, but just as she did, she saw her—her consort… no, her slave—blushing slightly. When their eyes met, Fa Yilian’s usually calm gaze quickly shifted away. It was just a brief moment, but Wei Zhao noticed it. She saw the fleeting embarrassment and confusion in Fa Yilian’s eyes.

In that moment, Wei Zhao thought to herself that if she could often tease such a shy slave, who acted like a little rabbit, maybe… maybe it wouldn’t be so hard to accept, if it were her doing the work…

Thinking this, Wei Zhao felt much more cheerful. She even had a bit of a teasing thought—Fa Yilian’s feelings for her were already obvious. She didn’t know why Fa Yilian rejected her, but the Princess was sure that she wasn’t just imagining it. Since that’s the case, Wei Zhao began to look forward to the surprise Fa Yilian had mentioned yesterday. She smiled, and a touch of ambiguous flirtation crept into her voice as she quietly asked, “What kind of surprise do you plan to give me?”

Was it something the slave made? She had been following her around, so it was likely something she didn’t buy. Of course, it wouldn’t compare to the craftsmanship of the palace artisans, but Wei Zhao thought, a small gift with a great meaning, she’d certainly cherish it. She wouldn’t mock the slave’s intention.

As soon as the words left her lips, Fa Yilian, who had been somewhat shy, seemed to suddenly be doused with cold water.

“Yes, you’ll know once we board the ship,” Fa Yilian replied. She put her hand on the sword hilt, then after a brief moment of thought, added, “This way, we can be more at ease for the journey ahead.”

Wei Zhao looked at Fa Yilian, who was now so serious, with a look of righteousness that almost had the words “The Light of the Righteous Path” written on her face—brows thick, eyes large, and very dignified.

Wei Zhao: …What just happened? How did her teasing turn into this?

It wasn’t until the ship set off that nothing unusual happened. But the supply points on Pingji Lake had already been passed, and the rest of the journey should be smooth, with direct access to Haizhou.

Wei Zhao was optimistic, but by nighttime, when she saw the person Fa Yilian had brought aboard from outside, she was still a little surprised and slightly helpless. She asked, “Is this the surprise you were talking about?”

Fa Yilian smiled, turned to look at the silent woman beside her. Unlike the carefully dressed woman on board earlier, this time, A Zong was barefoot, with her pants rolled up, revealing her calves wet from lake water. She wore plain grey clothes, a large bamboo hat on her back, and her black hair was slightly messy. Her ice-blue eyes were unmistakable.

“A Zong,” Wei Zhao called.

A Zong nodded at her.

At that moment, Wei Zhao pressed her fingers to her temples. Suddenly, everything clicked in her mind. She remembered the strange things that happened on the ship—the pirates attacking, and why Fa Yilian hadn’t even questioned her before taking her to Song Sisi. She also remembered how Fa Yilian seemed to understand A Zong’s feelings so well, speaking with such certainty when answering Wei Zhao’s strange questions.

“Did you plan the pirate attack?” Wei Zhao asked.

“It wasn’t our idea,” Fa Yilian said. “I don’t know. That Kunlun slave never spoke to me.”

“They don’t need to be loyal to their masters. That would expose them,” A Zong added, “They must have found me on purpose… maybe it’s because my resentment was too obvious.”

Wei Zhao’s anger simmered but was somewhat soothed by her words. She had already figured things out, but had never asked directly, hoping that it would just pass. She hadn’t expected Fa Yilian to bring A Zong here. She looked at Fa Yilian with a strange expression. Recently, this slave seemed… too “free.”

Was it time to suppress or perhaps take action?

Just then, Fa Yilian spoke again, her peculiar accent still present, but her words were as straightforward as ever, “Don’t you like her? I thought you’d be happy.”

So, she had brought A Zong here as her “surprise”… all for her.

Wei Zhao fell silent, looking at A Zong again, then forced a smile. “Since she brought you here, do you know what you should do?”

A Zong nodded. Her face showed clear signs of nervousness, and she unconsciously glanced at Fa Yilian. When Fa Yilian smiled encouragingly at her, Wei Zhao’s expression darkened. How close had these two become without her knowing?

A Zong, seemingly gaining courage from Fa Yilian, bit her lip and spoke, “I know. I’ll be your guard and ensure you safely reach Haizhou, and stay with you until you leave.”

Wei Zhao raised an eyebrow. “You don’t want to stay with me permanently?”

Fa Yilian looked at Wei Zhao, then smiled, casually calling her by her nickname, “A Xian.”

Wei Zhao frowned, her face darkening, but Fa Yilian remained calm. “She’s free. She doesn’t need to stay with you.”

“Free?” Wei Zhao scoffed, “She’s now just an escaped slave.”

A Zong’s face went pale, and she didn’t speak. Fa Yilian was momentarily stunned but stayed silent. Wei Zhao looked at the two of them, took a deep breath, and then said, “So, what reward do you want?”

Wei Zhao felt her heart freeze, the cold flames within her consuming her reason, leaving only anger. But this anger was icy. It burned fiercely yet seemed to isolate her emotions, making her examine Fa Yilian with a cool, logical gaze.

Let her see, let her see her little tail—her slave—what had she told her fellow slaves? Did the trust she gave come back as betrayal?

A Zong’s expression turned blank. She blinked, not in a nervous way, but genuinely confused. “Reward? I… I’m here to repay a kindness. Fa Yilian told me I could finally be myself.”

Wei Zhao was silent for a long time, then suddenly let out a cold laugh. “Repay kindness? You don’t need to risk your life for that. This journey is dangerous, and you’ve just gained your freedom.”

When she spoke of freedom, she couldn’t help but sneer.

What’s more valuable than life? Of course, wealth, power, grander ambitions and desires.

The black-haired woman, newly freed from slavery, showed the same straightforwardness as Fa Yilian, as if it was only natural: “But, this is all I have. It’s the only thing I can use to repay you.”

Wei Zhao was silent for a long while. Finally, she pressed her palm against the table, the coldness of the wood seeping into her hand. She felt the flames inside her retreat, leaving only weakness and helplessness. “I understand. In exchange, I’ll give you the identity of a free person.”

In that instant, the light that shone in A Zong’s eyes reminded Wei Zhao of the smile Fa Yilian once gave her.