The Princess Smells So Good (GL) - Chapter 57

Judith woke up just before dawn. She looked out towards the sea, where the dark coastline showed a faint glimmer of light. The night sky hung heavily over the heavens, like a thick curtain being slowly pulled back at a small corner.

It was at this moment that she saw Fa Yilian.

The red-haired pirate sat cross-legged on a large rock, facing the sea wind, silent as a stone.

“Hey, you’re up this early?” Judith yawned.

Their fleet had been hiding here for a few days now. The young men had to work hard to avoid the Black Flag patrols while also managing everyone’s water and food supplies. It was exhausting. Judith would get up early to help, but everyone insisted that Fa Yilian sleep a little longer. She was a strong leader who always made the best decisions in tough situations and always led the charge in battle.

If only Fa Yilian didn’t like that princess from the Great Zhou.

Judith couldn’t help but think.

But there was no “if” in this world.

Fa Yilian glanced at Judith. Dark circles under her eyes made her look a little weary. “It’s all your fault.”

“My fault?” Judith exclaimed, “I’m not your lover.”

As she spoke, Judith’s eyes flickered, and she grinned mischievously. “What did you dream about?”

In response, a rock flew towards Judith, carried by the wind. She laughed loudly. “Hey, young one, it’s normal, don’t be embarrassed.”

Fa Yilian jumped off the rock, recalling her dream and the little princess in it. A shallow smile flickered in her eyes. She had come a long way, gone through much. Now, she thought, her ambitions and desires were within reach.

Wang Weiren came to see Fa Yilian early in the morning. Fa Yilian was prepared for rejection, but Wang Weiren showed her the utmost respect. He listened carefully to her suggestions and, based on that, offered his own opinions. A hint of confusion crossed Fa Yilian’s face, and Wang Weiren quickly noticed it.

“Your Highness says you’re her most trusted right-hand,” Wang Weiren said, bowing. “If I were in your shoes, I could never bring Your Highness safely to Haizhou. Just that alone deserves admiration.”

To Wang Weiren’s surprise, the foreign slave before him didn’t seem at all awed by her position as a slave. Instead, she gave a calm smile. “I see.”

They set the time for their meeting late at night, but for now, they needed to rest and recover.

Before long, news of their victory would spread with the sea breeze, reaching the city of Haizhou.

Meanwhile, in Haizhou, Wei Zhao was silent and cold.

“Your Highness, the guard team finally arrived, but they were sent off to a slave who disappeared without a word. It’s been three days without any news… I’m really uneasy,” Manager Jin said to Wei Zhao. His life and wealth were now tied to Wei Zhao, and he urgently needed a clear answer. Though he knew Wei Zhao didn’t have to respond to him, his question now carried a hint of pressure. But he was also afraid.

If anything happened to Wei Zhao, Manager Jin had no doubt that the Sage would send troops to avenge her in Haizhou. But by then, everything would have cooled off, and revenge would be useless. Of course, it would be useless.

Wei Zhao opened her eyes, a hint of impatience in her gaze, and looked at Manager Jin. “As long as you keep their whereabouts hidden, nothing will happen.”

Manager Jin sniffled and hurriedly said, “I’ll take care of it, Your Highness, don’t worry.”

When he finished speaking, he caught the half-smile in Wei Zhao’s eyes. Embarrassed, he lowered his head and said, “The Duobao Pavilion has started moving. With Supervisor Wang’s help, we are completely secure.”

At this, Manager Jin couldn’t help but admire Wei Zhao. Wang Youzhi and Yu Jinye had long been at odds, but when it came to important matters, they were quite united. Especially after several of the imperial merchant ships were hijacked, which silently bound them together. With Yu Jinye’s help, Wang Youzhi had escaped blame. Though Wang Youzhi wasn’t pleased with Yu Jinye, he had to grudgingly accept it. On major issues, they followed Yu Jinye’s lead.

But then Wei Zhao arrived.

After a private conversation, Wang Youzhi’s resolve wavered.

This was something Manager Jin had clearly seen with his own eyes.

“In official circles, one either seeks power or promises benefits. Who in the Great Zhou can make a more legitimate promise than the Wei family?” Wei Zhao sat at the table, her voice calm but firm. “Unless, of course, there’s another agenda.”

Manager Jin paused, carefully asking, “Your Highness means…?”

“You can see for yourself. I’m not implying anything. Everything will be clear when we see it,” Wei Zhao said, standing up. “Recently, the Black Flag fleet has suffered successive blows, and the city of Haizhou is in a state of calm. This is a great opportunity!”

Manager Jin was confused, but when he saw Wei Zhao calmly walk out, he didn’t dare stop her. He quickly called for the guards waiting outside. “Has anything happened in the city recently?”

The guard cupped his hands and replied, “Nothing unusual. In fact, after the Black Flag matter settled, the trade in the city has flourished. I heard from the managers that Duobao Pavilion is seeing increased profits.”

This unexpected news made Manager Jin instinctively smile. Since Wei Zhao arrived in Haizhou, he had been following her around, playing the sycophant. All business had been handed over to the managers, and he hadn’t felt the satisfaction of seeing money coming in for a long time. Hearing this good news now naturally made him feel immensely pleased and more relaxed.

However, once the relief faded, he realized what Wei Zhao’s words had meant.

The Black Flag was a difficult opponent, and Manager Jin had made this clear to Wei Zhao before. Now, a mere slave and merchant had managed to corner the Black Flag. Something was wrong.

Manager Jin’s thoughts involuntarily turned to Wang Youzhi.

But now, Wang Youzhi was clearly following Wei Zhao’s lead, so the person behind it all was likely not him. If not him, then who had leaked the information to the pirates?

Thinking about this, Manager Jin shivered and shook his head. “Increase the guards at the residence. Bring in the strong young slaves from the farms.”

“The manager?” the guard asked, puzzled.

Manager Jin waved him off. “Don’t ask too many questions, just go and do it.”

Meanwhile, Wei Zhao stood in the courtyard, quietly waiting. After a while, the sound of a bird flapping its wings was heard, and a slender figure appeared in the courtyard like a ghost. A Zong raised her eyes, her ice-blue gaze meeting Wei Zhao’s, and then she gave a faint smile. “I’m back. Have you been waiting long?”

“Not long,” Wei Zhao shook her head. After a pause, she asked, “Are all martial artists like this… so good at hiding?”

If that were the case, her courtyard didn’t seem very safe.

“External martial skills are easier to practice, but internal cultivation takes years of effort and talent,” A Zong replied. Her normally insecure eyes now gleamed with pride. “I’m a rare talent in the Songhe Sect. Though they don’t like me, they can’t deny it.”

“Then you’re really impressive,” Wei Zhao smiled.

A Zong bit her lip, unable to help puffing out her chest, her eyes filled with joy. She took a deep breath and said, “I saw a fast horse leaving the Magistrate’s residence.”

Wei Zhao pondered for a moment. “Can you catch up?”

“I can, but Fa Yilian told me to follow you,” A Zong replied.

Upon hearing Fa Yilian’s name, Wei Zhao’s expression softened slightly. She lowered her head. “It’s fine. If we’re heading to where we need to know, once Fa Yilian returns, she’ll tell me.”

A Zong nodded.

She didn’t really understand the relationship between Fa Yilian and Wei Zhao. She had once experienced “love,” but now, free, she looked back and realized it might not have been love at all. She had been in a situation with no other choice, and Song Sisi had treated her kindly. She had always sought others’ love.

These thoughts were hers alone, unsure whether they were right or wrong.

“When Fa Yilian comes back, I’ll ask her something,” A Zong said to Wei Zhao.

Wei Zhao nodded, then said, “Keep an eye on the Magistrate’s residence. You can also delegate the task to others.” Wei Zhao turned and suddenly remembered something. She looked back at A Zong. “Do you think the Black Flag can be wiped out?”

“Don’t you trust Fa Yilian?” A Zong’s eyes widened.

Wei Zhao’s face stiffened. “How could I not trust her? Didn’t you help me send word to my elite guards?”

“Ah! I get it now. You must miss her,” A Zong asked suddenly.

Wei Zhao: “…”

She regretted asking A Zong.

“How could I miss her?” Wei Zhao sneered. “I’m just concerned about whether the pirates can be wiped out.”

“Didn’t you send your elite guards to help? How could it not work?” A Zong said.

Wei Zhao: “…” She shouldn’t have said anything!!

A Zong, however, was truly worried. “Could it be that the Black Flag set up a trap to wipe out Fa Yilian and the others?”

As her words fell, Wei Zhao’s heart tightened. She pressed her forehead, unable to stop herself. “Don’t say any more…”

A Zong didn’t respond.

Wei Zhao looked up at A Zong, who was gazing at the distant mountains, her eyes flickering.

“What’s wrong?”

“That’s… the Songhe Sect’s homing pigeon…” A Zong murmured.