The Princess Smells So Good (GL) - Chapter 40

Everything went smoothly from there on. Even the heavens seemed to be on their side, with no wind or rain. After passing the third supply island, the sky grew bluer each day, and the white clouds hung low on the horizon, heavy and beautiful against the deep blue sky. It was an astonishing sight. After leaving Pingji Lake, following the river downstream, they would soon enter Haizhou territory. If they continued along the river to the estuary, they would reach Haizhou’s provincial capital, Haizhou City.

Sometimes, Wei Zhao would stand on the deck and watch the winds stir the clouds. She didn’t have to think about anything—everything was safe and carefree. This kind of life made her feel a subtle sense of reluctance when she finally saw Haizhou City.

But one always has to say goodbye.

By the time the ship docked, someone was already waiting for them. Wei Zhao squinted and saw that it was someone sent by Yu Cheng to invite them from Duobao Pavilion. Wei Zhao didn’t recognize the person, but their glittering golden clothes, which practically screamed “I’m rich,” were impossible to ignore. It made her feel reluctant to admit she knew them.

Guided by Yu Cheng, Wei Zhao descended the ship. Behind her, Fa Yilian and A Zong followed. The air was filled with the mixed scents of cargo and the salty sea breeze. This place was different from Shendu, and also different from the places she had passed through like Ganzhou and Qiongzhou. The mountains and waters seemed more vivid here, and the humidity lingered under the scorching sun… Scorching sun?

Wei Zhao looked up, and just then, a shadow covered her. She met a pair of green eyes. Fa Yilian whispered, “Haizhou’s sun is fierce. You… should be careful, my lord.”

“You do know your place,” Wei Zhao didn’t call out Fa Yilian’s subtle attempt to flatter her. Behind them, A Zong couldn’t help but pull at the corner of her mouth, turning her head away. She had seen enough on this journey.

“Miss!”

The sudden sound of dozens of people shouting in unison seemed to explode right next to Wei Zhao’s ear, drawing her attention as well as the attention of those around her.

Wei Zhao: “…” She really wanted to pretend she didn’t know them.

Before she could think more, the man at the forefront had already stepped forward. He was short and chubby, with two whiskers forming an “eight” shape on his face, wearing a black hat that made his shiny bald head appear as though he had a full head of thick hair. His eyes squinted into a smile as he quickly walked over. Wei Zhao watched as a soccer ball rolled toward her, stopping in front of her. Despite his wide clothes, his round belly trembled slightly.

Wei Zhao silently turned her eyes away. If she looked at him more, she was afraid she’d feel a bit nauseous. After all, it was hot, and she needed something refreshing to the eye. She silently glanced at Fa Yilian several times.

“Miss! We’ve been waiting for you! The old servant welcomes you home!!” The man shouted loudly, his tone exaggerated and full of emotion.

Wei Zhao cleared her throat to suppress her feelings and glanced at the person in front of her. She asked, “Mr. Jin?”

“Yes, yes, it’s me,” Mr. Jin quickly replied. “Miss, you still remember me? It’s been ten years, and I’ve missed you and the master terribly…”

“…I’ve seen your portrait at home…” Wei Zhao said, then paused as her gaze wandered over Mr. Jin’s quivering belly. “You’ve… changed a lot.”

“Ah, Miss, please don’t laugh at me,” Mr. Jin said quickly, fanning himself with his large hand. “I’ve been working hard here, never slacking off, but I’ve missed the prosperity of Shendu so much, I couldn’t eat or sleep. I just wanted to return to Shendu to serve the Miss and the master again…” He spread his arms, clearing a path through the crowd with exaggerated motions. “Please, Miss, walk a few steps, and you’ll reach your carriage.”

Wei Zhao heard the surrounding people murmuring in low voices, with accents that made her frown. She looked at Mr. Jin and asked, “What are they saying?”

Mr. Jin gasped and said, “Did they offend the Miss? Someone! Come here!” He slapped his fleshy palm, and immediately, the people from Duobao Pavilion sprang into action, pushing the crowd away. The onlookers, who had been silently glaring, quickly scattered, their faces showing frustration. The already crowded dock became even more chaotic as the crowd surged like a herd of sheep.

Wei Zhao stopped walking. She looked at Mr. Jin with a faint smile. “Did I ask you to chase them away?”

“This…” Mr. Jin wiped the sweat from his face and, with a forced smile, replied, “The old servant was just thinking too much.”

“You know you thought too much, so stop thinking too much,” Wei Zhao said coldly.

Mr. Jin quickly turned around and ordered his men to stop. The heat was unbearable, and sweat streamed down his forehead. His handkerchief was soaked, and the collar of his shirt was damp. Yet, he didn’t dare to move. In contrast, Wei Zhao stood under the parasol, and one of the foreign slaves beside her had somehow produced a small fan and was gently waving it. Mr. Jin looked enviously at Fa Yilian, but as the shadows shifted, Wei Zhao subtly blocked his view.

“Mr. Jin, it seems you’ve been living well here,” she said with a smile. “You must be enjoying it so much that you don’t want to leave.”

Mr. Jin quickly lowered his head and smiled again. “Miss, you joke. Serving the Miss is the greatest blessing of my life.”

Wei Zhao nodded. “Let’s go. By the way, the crew on the ship treated me kindly before.” She glanced at Mr. Jin.

Mr. Jin immediately understood. “The old servant understands.”

Wei Zhao was satisfied with this response and boarded the carriage.

The carriage, like Mr. Jin’s taste, was gold-plated and glaring, almost blinding. Wei Zhao mentally prepared herself before stepping in, enduring the envious stares of the onlookers. Once inside, Fa Yilian immediately began inspecting everything, tapping here and checking there. A Zong also removed the canopy, checking up and down. Wei Zhao paused for a moment and asked, “What are you doing?”

“Checking the thickness to make sure nothing can get through the walls,” Fa Yilian replied.

“Looking for holes, in case poisonous gas leaks in,” A Zong added.

What have you two gone through… Wei Zhao thought, speechless. When the two finally sat properly in front of her, smiling, she knew the carriage was at least safe. She silently let out a breath. If she couldn’t trust Haizhou or Duobao Pavilion, founded by her brother, who else could she trust? Strengthening her resolve, she asked, “Did you understand what they were saying?”

A Zong immediately shook her head, while Fa Yilian furrowed her brow. “It’s been a long time since I heard it, but I understood a few words—something about Duobao Pavilion being rich and powerful.”

Wei Zhao didn’t press further. That was good enough for her; she didn’t need to worry about being deceived. She relaxed, pulling back the curtain to look outside. People from Shendu always said Haizhou was remote, a place of poverty. Here, despite its accumulation of treasures from all over the world, it was also a place full of outcasts, fugitives, and the desperate. There was gold and opportunity everywhere, but it was also a place that wasn’t suitable for noble families.

However, the scene before Wei Zhao’s eyes was unexpected. The ground was paved with blue stone, and there were trees lining the road. Though their appearance seemed a little odd to her, they were lush and green, pleasing to the eye. There were many people walking on the road, and she quickly noticed that there were many foreign faces—blondes, brunettes, and redheads, with different skin tones. Children barefoot, selling flowers, added to the charm.

Soon, merchants appeared with all sorts of goods, shouting their wares in various accents. The noise was almost enough to lift the roof off the carriage. Wei Zhao’s shoulder was gently tapped, and she turned to see Fa Yilian waving at her. Fa Yilian then pulled the curtain on her side aside, revealing the view outside.

All at once, the sight was a vast expanse of blue, with fragments of light dancing on it, as if pieces of crystal were scattered across a giant sapphire. Wei Zhao couldn’t help but gasp. Then, Fa Yilian’s proud voice sounded in her ear: “Isn’t it beautiful? This is the sea.”

Her voice was proud, but also filled with nostalgia, as though she were showing a guest the beauty of her homeland.

Wei Zhao’s heart skipped a beat. She dropped her gaze from the beautiful scenery and looked at Fa Yilian.

For the first time, when she turned to look at Fa Yilian, she didn’t meet those green eyes. No one was focused on her. The one who used to always watch her was now looking at the vast world outside, as if in that space, the Kingdom of Da Zhou was just a small country, and Wei Zhao was a tiny person behind that vast world.

Realizing this, a chill ran down Wei Zhao’s spine, and she heard a sharp voice in her mind saying, “No…”

She took a sharp breath.

Her movement caught Fa Yilian’s attention. Fa Yilian turned to look at her, placing a hand on her forehead and asking, “Are you feeling unwell? The sea breeze is strong here. You should be careful not to catch a headache.”

Wei Zhao’s hand pressed against Fa Yilian’s. She didn’t answer, but Fa Yilian seemed to sense that something was troubling her and closed her mouth. She quickly glanced at A Zong, who had already turned away, seemingly wishing to deafeningly block out what was happening.

Fa Yilian lowered her head, pressing her forehead against Wei Zhao’s hand, and softly asked, “What’s wrong?”

Wei Zhao bit her lip. Just thinking about what she wanted to say made her feel ridiculous and overly emotional. Naturally, she didn’t plan to share it with Fa Yilian. She remained silent for a long time before speaking again, “Have you been here before?”

“Of course,” Fa Yilian answered. “When we were heading to the capital, this was the starting point.”

For some reason, when Fa Yilian said this, Wei Zhao’s restless heart was calmed. She remained silent for a while, then finally let go of Fa Yilian’s hand and looked out at the vast blue sea that stretched endlessly, as wide as the sky itself. She watched the waves ripple, the sails in the distance, and couldn’t help but wonder where Fa Yilian’s home was. Was it on the other side of the ocean?

When Fa Yilian looked at the sea, was she looking at her own home?

Everyone has a home, but Fa Yilian was already her servant.

So, her home was Fa Yilian’s home.

Wei Zhao thought to herself.