The Princess Smells So Good (GL) - Chapter 55

Wang Weiren never expected that when they finally arrived at Haizhou City, weary from their journey, they would not be greeted with rewards from the Grand Princess, but by an unremarkable slave, a fully armed fleet of ships, guards, and a very important plan. Wang Weiren, who had spent much of his time in the capital and was highly favored by the emperor, was honored to accompany Wei Zhao this time, as it was another expression of imperial trust.

As such, Wang Weiren was aware of Fa Yilian’s existence.

She was a slave granted by the late emperor, the only slave by the Grand Princess’s side.

Wasn’t it said that the Grand Princess wanted to devour this slave alive? What was going on now? Was she blaming him for arriving too late with reinforcements and planning to have him and the slave killed together? A thousand thoughts flooded Wang Weiren’s mind, but when facing Fa Yilian, he still kept a stern face, cupping his hands and saying, “I have come by the Grand Princess’s command. I will follow the lady’s orders.”

Fa Yilian nodded, and when Wei Zhao wasn’t around, she didn’t bother to display too much emotion. She simply gestured to her surroundings.

Judy noticed that with just a gesture from Fa Yilian, her subordinates immediately understood what to do, no need for further words. They quickly moved a map out from another room. This obedient behavior made Judy’s forehead veins bulge, and she couldn’t help but mutter under her breath, “These are my subordinates.”

Fa Yilian glanced at Judy, “I’ll return them to you sooner or later.”

With that, she moved to the table and unfurled the map.

The art of mapmaking was passed down by the legendary Empress of the Great Zhou. The precision of her maps was unmatched across the world. Many countries had tried to infiltrate the Great Zhou to steal this technique, but it required extensive education, such as reading, calculation, and so on—skills that took years to develop. Over time, more and more people traveled to the Great Zhou to learn, and although the country’s borders were limited, its invisible influence had quietly expanded across the world.

Fa Yilian snapped back from her thoughts and circled an area on the map. Compared to the maps Fa Yilian had seen by Wei Zhao’s side, this one was clearly much rougher. Still, it marked the locations of the mountain passes, gorges, and the layout of buildings.

“This fishing village is the headquarters of the Black Flag. We’ve been lurking here for days and have mapped out their patrol routes,” Fa Yilian explained.

Wang Weiren listened carefully, though doubts remained in his mind. Only after Fa Yilian finished did he ask, “The Black Flag is…?”

Fa Yilian didn’t answer immediately but took a sip of water. Judy, standing next to her, instinctively answered, “The Black Flag is one of the three major pirate groups in Haizhou City, terrorizing the city for years. They kill and silence anyone, committing all kinds of evil.”

Upon hearing this, Wang Weiren was even more puzzled, “You’ve managed to figure out their key locations and headquarters in just a few days? Even the officials of the city wouldn’t be able to miss this, would they?”

Fa Yilian sneered, and at that moment, Wang Weiren suddenly realized something. His suspicion wasn’t about Fa Yilian; it was clear now that someone must have been secretly protecting the pirates, allowing them to wreak havoc.

Wang Weiren understood, his face reddened with anger as he muttered, “This is outrageous. It’s a disgrace to the country’s law!”

“This is exactly why His Highness has sent you here,” Fa Yilian placed the water jug down and looked at Wang Weiren. Although she didn’t like small talk, she had seen enough to speak when necessary. “The Emperor trusts His Highness and has entrusted him with this great task. His Highness trusts you, Lord Wang, and that’s why this task has been given to you. The eradication of the pirates is for the country and the people.”

Wait, His Highness? Who was His Highness? Judy turned her gaze toward Fa Yilian, but thankfully, she remembered this wasn’t the time for her questions.

Wang Weiren immediately became serious, cupping his hands and bowing, “Then I shall rely on Lady Fa’s help.”

Fa Yilian smiled, “It’s all thanks to Lord Wang. We’ve prepared bedding and food, so please rest first.”

Wang Weiren had been traveling hard and had also endured quite a bit of hardship to find Wei Zhao. After receiving the message from Duobao Pavilion, he had rushed here, all while concealing their movements. Hearing Fa Yilian’s words, he didn’t hesitate further, calling out to his subordinates to settle in.

Fa Yilian, however, remained focused on the map, slowly making arrangements for the plans ahead. While Wang Weiren was now on her side, once the moment came, her position was still fragile. She needed to be fully prepared.

Judy, seeing that everyone had left, quickly stepped forward and grabbed Fa Yilian’s arm, her face full of urgency. “Who exactly are you… ugh!” Judy spat out, and knowing full well who Fa Yilian was, she quickly changed her tone, “You… you know…”

Saying “master” felt awkward for Judy, and she didn’t want to use it. She understood that Fa Yilian was no ordinary person, her abilities far surpassing anyone she had known.

During their time working together, Judy often felt a sense of satisfaction in not wasting the years she had spent searching for someone like Fa Yilian. Although it was a bit of a romantic notion, Judy could tell that the woman, Lin, was also very invested in Fa Yilian. Judy had even considered that if Fa Yilian stayed with that woman, she might just tie her up and take both of them overseas, letting them live out their doomed love, which would make things easier.

But now, after hearing about Wei Zhao’s identity, Judy couldn’t remain calm.

Fa Yilian sighed, knowing this would happen. She looked at Judy and said, “It’s exactly as you think.”

“I think what? What are you talking about?!” Judy ran her hands through her hair, spinning around, shouting a few times in confusion, before finally looking at Fa Yilian. “Are you really sure? You know who she is…?”

Fa Yilian smiled lightly, “I love her, and there’s nothing that can change that.”

Judy’s face turned pale, then flushed red as she looked at Fa Yilian, stammering, “Ah… so you two…?”

“I don’t agree,” Fa Yilian responded.

Judy muttered to herself, “She’s so rich…”

Fa Yilian fell silent for a moment, then sighed, “Are you so poor?”

“We’re not like you. You know we’re not. Besides, aren’t these things supposed to make everyone happy?” Judy couldn’t help but laugh, clicking her tongue, “Speaking of which, over in the North Sea, I also have someone I fancy. The people there are good-looking… there’s this girl named A Zong, from that bloodline. When she’s not smiling, she looks so cold… it’s quite tempting…”

Fa Yilian: “…”

Right, she had almost forgotten. People like them were much more open-minded than the people of the Great Zhou, more indulgent and honest about their desires.

Fa Yilian smiled helplessly, “You think too much. I want to have her. To have her forever, never to be apart.”

Judy was stunned and took several steps back, her eyes wide, as if seeing a monster. After a while, she shook her head, “Your family is all the same… all such lovers.”

Fa Yilian chuckled softly, “Are you still calling her my sister?”

“She’s an adopted daughter, no bl00d relation,” Judy waved her hand and then sighed as she looked at the map. After a long pause, she finally sighed again, “Such a vast sea… Are you really going to give up on it? Or… have you truly been tamed?”

Fa Yilian lowered her head and slowly shook it, “I once doubted…”

At first, when she realized that she had feelings for the conflicted little princess, Fa Yilian had been fearful. She had always been proud, but at the same time, fortunate. She hadn’t endured the torture and brainwashing many slaves went through, having been sent away at a young age. But she had seen it—slaves packed together like animals. Some of them, in exchange for a better life, became the masters’ dogs, spying and informing, just to earn a bit of praise.

“Remember your name, for it’s your pride,” the last person who had stayed with her, a relative of her parents, had said to her. He was already beaten beyond recognition but had been sent to a southern plantation as labor. He might die on the way, or remain there forever, far from the sea he loved.

Slaves could marry each other. The masters even encouraged such unions. Slaves who had children would give up their freedom, burying themselves and their children in the land, working endlessly for a meager bit of food. If they made a mistake, it might not only be a whip that greeted them, but the severed limbs of their children.

“Don’t seek revenge for me.”

That was the last smile the young man had given her.

It was the scene Fa Yilian remembered most clearly.

When she realized her feelings for the little princess, Fa Yilian had felt as though she was betraying her name, her faith. Why? Why did she fall for someone like that? Someone who had no regard for her, who clearly hated her, just as Fa Yilian hated her?

Yes, that was the moment. Fa Yilian had realized that love and hatred could be intertwined, that they could coexist.

She spent a long time struggling with it. No matter what she did, no matter how she thought, her emotions seemed to have nothing to do with Wei Zhao. Whether it was love or hatred, they had no connection to Wei Zhao herself.

Fa Yilian, however, could no longer accept this. She wanted to stand before Wei Zhao, to see those cold yet beautiful brown eyes look at her. She wanted to carve her name into Wei Zhao’s heart, just as she had already carved Wei Zhao’s name into her own.

She was a pirate’s descendant, and bl00d from the seas ran in her veins. And a pirate would never hide in the shadows. Once they set their sights on something, they would reach out with everything they had, to claim it as their own.