The Princess Smells So Good (GL) - Chapter 56

The sky in the capital was always gentle, whether it was the clouds or the rain that fell. It felt like the voices of the people here were always slow, carrying a sense of elegance and nobility.

Fa Yilian looked up at the sky, but her view was blocked by the low eaves of the building. All she could see was the rainwater dripping down from the eaves in a steady stream, forming a string of droplets that fell into a small depression in the ground, collecting into a shallow puddle. Each drop caused ripples to spread out across the water. Beyond this small, safe space, the rain continued to fall in a fine, persistent mist, like threads of needles.

It was the early spring of March.

The people of the Great Zhou Empire were skilled at finding excuses to have fun. In March, they would pay respects to their ancestors, while also enjoying outings in nature. On good days, they would swing on swings or fly kites.

These pastimes were things Fa Yilian had never seen before.

But she didn’t mind.

They were interesting and new.

But they were also too fragile and delicate, much like the floral patterned paper her master recently favored. It was so thin that with just a little touch, it would tear apart. Fa Yilian didn’t like such things—they were too fragile, unable to withstand any storms.

She longed for the sea—the wild winds, the fierce rain, the blazing sun, the sharks circling the ship, and the pirates who might fire upon you at any moment. But there was also the vast, boundless sky and the equally endless sea. It felt like, no matter where you were in this world, you could always go anywhere. If someone died, they wouldn’t be confined to a square patch of earth; they’d be set free in the vast ocean. Even in death, their souls would be free, able to embrace that freedom.

But Fa Yilian felt that right now, she was just like these land-dwellers—trapped in small, square boxes, from life to death, from one little box to another.

And she couldn’t even choose her own box. Because right now, she was someone who had a “master.”

Fa Yilian shifted uncomfortably, moving her shoulders. Her muscles strained, and her skin tugged at the movement. She couldn’t see it, but she could always feel the presence of the tattoo on her skin. It was as though the tattoo wasn’t just carved into her flesh, but into her very soul. Silent, and constantly reminding her of her status.

“You are a slave. You have a master.”

Fa Yilian lowered her head and hugged the small box against her chest. She was wearing fine clothes she had never worn before, and the soles of her shoes were stitched tightly, making them both soft and comfortable. Her toes gently curled in the softness. This was a life she had never known before, but these delicate clothes and perfectly fitted shoes, just like smaller boxes, wrapped her up tightly.

She missed the days when she could swing her arms freely, when she could sing if she wanted, or shout loudly if she wished.

“Hey, slave, you’re here.”

She heard running footsteps in the hall, slow and clumsy, then the sound of panting. Fa Yilian rolled her eyes and looked at the person approaching. The palace servant, out of breath, adjusted his hat and placed a hand on his waist. His blue palace robe had spots of water on it, and his legs looked weak as though made of noodles.

Such a person could be knocked down with a single kick.

Yet, someone like this could still bully her.

Fa Yilian frowned, glaring at him. He was startled by her gaze, but quickly retorted, “What are you looking at? Who taught you manners! I’ll report you to the matron of affairs!”

Fa Yilian scoffed and turned her head away. Her back still bore the scars of past whippings. She had endured so much, yet she was still herself.

No one could do anything to her.

Not her nominal master, nor the high and mighty Empress of the Great Zhou Empire.

“Let’s go.” The palace servant reached out to grab her hand.

His hand felt soft and slippery, like a layer of fat wrapped in a thin skin. Fa Yilian couldn’t help but shudder. The servant glanced at her, then smiled. “You’ve grown up quite a bit.”

He came closer, speaking in a voice that felt like a cold-blooded creature’s, slick and cold, his eyes sticking to her skin.

“With that temper of yours, you’ll be at a disadvantage here in the palace. When your master grows tired of you, you’ll need a place to settle down. How about we get closer now, and I’ll take care of you later…”

Fa Yilian gripped the small wooden box tighter and coldly stared at him. But the eunuch didn’t even notice her glare. No, even if he did, it didn’t matter. Slaves in the Great Zhou were of a lower status than ordinary servants. They weren’t even considered part of the Zhou people.

If he dared to come any closer…

Fa Yilian fixed her eyes on his face, filled with hatred, thinking, she would gouge out his eyes, rip out his tongue, stuff it in his… and then kill him!

“What are you two doing?”

A youthful voice suddenly interrupted.

The hand gripping hers loosened immediately.

“Slave, greetings to Your Highness.”

Fa Yilian felt a surge of disappointment, her anger burning in her chest. She coldly stared at the eunuch who had let his umbrella fall, standing helpless in the rain. She regretted not being able to kill him and could only watch, coldly glaring at the true cause of the situation.

At that time, Princess Wei Zhao wasn’t the striking beauty she would later become. Standing in the misty rain, she was like a budding white lotus, her eyes filled with mist. She gazed at the eunuch, then walked toward Fa Yilian. The soft fabric of her shoes made no sound as they stepped through the wet ground, the misty rain falling softly on her clothes. This time of year, the rain was always fine and delicate, like smoke. When it fell, it felt soft, almost as if it couldn’t penetrate the fabric of her clothes. But it was cold, and once the rain started, the chill would seep deep into the bones.

Wei Zhao walked toward her slave, looking Fa Yilian up and down, her gaze shining.

Fa Yilian had seen that kind of look before.

Women of foreign tribes were always more developed than the women of the Great Zhou. Even though her skin wasn’t the pale color preferred in Zhou, and her features weren’t as refined as the ideals of the Zhou people, Fa Yilian could still feel the occasional lecherous gaze from adult men, their eyes wandering over her chest and thighs, thinking they were being subtle.

Now, the same thing happened.

This princess from the Great Zhou must be a pervert!

Fa Yilian thought to herself and unconsciously puffed out her chest. It was the one thing she could be proud of, just as her mother had told her when she was younger.

But then, her master turned away and cast a cold glance at the kneeling eunuch.

Fa Yilian: “???”

Was she not worthy of the princess’ attention?

“What are you standing around for?” Wei Zhao’s voice was soft as she turned to Fa Yilian, her gaze briefly stopping on the small wooden box in her arms. She paused for a moment before walking ahead. “Aren’t you coming?”

Fa Yilian lowered her head, her hair falling over her face, blocking her vision. She could only see the small patch of ground beneath her feet as she followed Wei Zhao, passing by the eunuch as if he were no more than an insignificant speck of dust.

After turning a corner, Wei Zhao spoke, giving orders to those around her: “Find out about that man. Anyone who touches my people is truly bold.”

The attendants agreed and quickly left, their voices filled with confusion. “But…”

“But what? Are you prepared to face the chaos of the harem?” Wei Zhao replied coldly.

Then, their footsteps quickened, and they passed by Fa Yilian as if they were walking past an inconsequential dead thing.

Ah, so we’re all the same, Fa Yilian thought.

Then, she heard Wei Zhao’s voice: “Hey, lift your head.”

Fa Yilian slowly raised her head. There was no one else around. The umbrella was now held by Wei Zhao, who tilted it slightly so that it covered Fa Yilian’s head.

“You are my slave, a gift from my mother,” Wei Zhao said. Her face was soft, and her voice was gentle. Fa Yilian recognized this act—it was the same one Wei Zhao always used when seeking the mercy of the saints, when telling others of her grievances. Every time, Fa Yilian couldn’t help but feel a sting.

Sometimes, Fa Yilian wondered if this was deliberate.

But whether it was intentional or not, it didn’t matter—they had no choice.

But like this, with that cold gaze, Fa Yilian had rarely seen it. Wei Zhao’s eyes moved through the mist as her umbrella lowered, as if casting a spell, shielding them both so they could reveal their truest selves without restraint. Fa Yilian lifted her head and returned Wei Zhao’s cold gaze.

“Ha, that’s the look,” Wei Zhao chuckled.

“You need to remember, you are my slave. You need not fear anyone.”

“And you?” Fa Yilian asked.

Wei Zhao looked at her as if she were an idiot, replying with obvious logic: “You’ve never feared me, have you? If you don’t fear me, then you shouldn’t fear anyone.”

“So, what should I do?” Fa Yilian asked.

Wei Zhao snorted lightly. “Curse him, beat him, do whatever you want. If you kill him on the spot, chop him up and feed him to the dogs, so what? You have me.”

At that moment, Fa Yilian thought, this little princess is really something.