The Princess Smells So Good (GL) - Chapter 64
The sea breeze stirred, causing the white sails to swell and billow. The sky was a deep blue, the sun slowly and gently climbing overhead, the sea surface reflecting the sunlight in shimmering waves, as if a sprinkle of gold dust had been cast over blue silk. If one looked for too long, their eyes would start to sting.
Fa Yilian stood at the bow of the ship, looking ahead. The horizon ahead formed a massive arc, with small black dots at the end, perhaps a fleet of ships.
Fa Yilian squinted her eyes, her hair tousled by the sea breeze, and she impatiently tucked it behind her ears.
“Guys, put in some effort, and we’ll be back soon to eat and drink well!” Judith clapped her hands and said loudly.
Everyone let out an “oh” and burst into laughter at the captain.
“Hey, are you really going to stay by that big Zhou princess’s side when you go back?” Judith walked over, speaking into the sea breeze, her mouth full of the salty, damp scent of seawater. Occasionally, when the boat cuts through the waves, seawater splashes out and lands on Judith. But the people at sea are very accustomed to such scenes; they don’t mind at all.
“Uh.” “Fa Yilian replied, still staring at the small dot in the distance, tilting her head and saying, ‘Otherwise?'” “Fa Yilian replied, still staring at the distant little dot, turning her head and asking, ‘Otherwise?'”
“Otherwise?” Your parents left you a fortune that could rival a nation’s wealth! And a ship! “Judith said, her heart nearly breaking, ‘Do you know how much self-control it took for me not to use them?'” Watching them with wide eyes, yet unable to enjoy them, how miserable it is for a part-time pirate. “Watching them with wide eyes, but unable to enjoy them, how miserable it is for a part-time pirate.”
“Well, then they’re all yours now.” Fa Yilian casually offered.
Judith stiffened, a bit unwilling to give up, and said, “Well… at least, at least go back and take a look.”
Fa Yilian sighed, “My parents have already passed away, right in front of me… What can I see when I go back? Just a pile of lifeless gold and silver. If I want to see something interesting, wouldn’t it be better to visit the princess’s private treasury? At least there’s a delicate beauty by my side.”
What is this? Is this showing off? The last part is self-disdain, right!!!
Judith’s face was pale, her expression twisted.
To change the subject, she turned her head to look into the distance: “What have you been looking at?” She stood on her tiptoes and peered into the distance.
“There.” Fa Yilian pointed at a small black dot in the distance, “Do you see it? I’m a bit concerned about that. Although I’m not very sure, it seems to be getting closer.”
Judith squinted her eyes and shouted upwards, “Mody, look at the ship ahead, where is it coming from?”
A clear voice came from the mast. Immediately after, Modi’s voice followed: “It’s a fleet! It has the inscription of the Treasure Pavilion on it. It’s heading towards us.”
“Duobao Pavilion?” Judith turned to look at Elaine, “Is your little lover here to pick you up?”
Faylen hesitated for a moment, then shook her head: “A Xian is not the kind of person who would do something pointless. If we had already won, she might have done it to show off and come to greet us, but she wouldn’t do such a thing when no one is around.”
“So… just a coincidence? An ordinary merchant ships?” Judith said, but her expression darkened. She turned her head and shouted, “Change course!”
Judith patted Fa Yilian’s shoulder. Fa Yilian stood still, her gaze fixed ahead.
Merchants, of course, will hang signs, but pirates also hang signs to confuse travelers at sea. More importantly, why is the other party hanging the sign of the Treasure Pavilion?
Fa Yilian had a grim expression on her face; she was almost certain of the outcome. Her hand rested on the hilt of her sword, her gaze fixed on the undulating waters that resembled silk.
“Ah!”
Wei Zhao suddenly opened her eyes, furrowed her brows, and clutched her chest.
“Your Highness? Are you alright?” A Zong’s voice sounded from outside the window.
Wei Zhao lowered her head and gasped for breath. The overwhelming sense of falling in the dark dream had startled her awake, and even now, she still felt a lingering fear. Noticing the dimming sky, she asked, “What time is it now?” As soon as she spoke, she realized her voice was hoarse beyond recognition.
“It’s the hour of the dog,” A Zong replied. “Are you going to get up?”
“Is it really this time already?” Wei Zhao frowned. She had lain down in the afternoon and usually never slept this long. This time… she suppressed the slight unease rising in her heart and pulled aside the curtain.
Light leaked in from the window, and Wei Zhao glanced sideways. The sunset clouds outside were so bright they obscured the sun, painting the entire sky a vivid red, like flames and bl00d. This fleeting thought stirred an uncomfortable feeling in Wei Zhao’s heart. Her hand pressed against the table, unconsciously applying force.
“Your Highness, do you need something to eat?” A Zong looked at Wei Zhao with some concern, “Your lips don’t look good. Do you need to call a doctor?”
Wei Zhao thought for a moment and nodded, “Go ahead.”
The uncomfortable feeling in her chest lingered. She thought, perhaps she was really sick.
“Your Highness, you still need to rest well.”
The doctor stood up and bowed to Wei Zhao, who, looking quite fatigued, waved his hand and asked, “Is my heart and mind not very clear?”
“Or perhaps it’s due to Your Highness’s Day and night of hard work, leaving you exhausted,” the doctor said. After a moment, he added, “I’ll prescribe some tonic to replenish your energy.”
Wei Zhao then knew that the doctor probably hadn’t seen anything. She nodded and instructed her attendants to see him off properly.
Wei Zhao stood up and looked out the window. The sun had already set, and the deep blue sky was devoid of stars. Wei Zhao’s gaze was heavy, and he pressed his palm against his heart again.
“Is something going to happen?”
Wei Zhaoning gazed thoughtfully. Although the situation in her hands was serious, it was also looking very promising. Is there any place that has been overlooked?
Wei Zhao thought.
As the days slowly passed, Song Sisi soon sent a message. The commissioned merchant association was a small one newly established in Haizhou, previously based in Qiongzhou. The Qiongzhou merchant association also had a tradition of entrusting matters to people from the Jianghu to resolve disputes.
Song Sisi’s words are indeed credible, and there are no obvious flaws on the surface. Wei Zhao had already anticipated this matter, so he didn’t say much.
And the results of the investigation conducted by Manager Jin afterwards seem to confirm this.
A Zong had always been by Wei Zhao’s side, so she naturally understood everything. Seeing that Wei Zhao didn’t seem to mind her presence, she grew bolder: “Your Highness, are you worried about Fa Yilian?”
Wei Zhao chuckled, “Why should I worry about her? She…” Wei Zhao lowered her eyes, recalling Fa Yilian’s demeanor. She realized that throughout their journey, no matter what happened, Fa Yilian always appeared calm and self-assured. As a competent leader herself, Wei Zhao naturally understood that such composure was a quality expected of someone in her position, regardless of her own thoughts or how despairing the road ahead might seem. As a leader, it was her duty to bring
But when did it start? Wei Zhao herself began to receive such emotional reciprocation from Fa Yilian. Unknowingly, she had already received so much from Fa Yilian.
After a moment of silence, Wei Zhao finally said, “She handles everything very well.”
It seems like she is truly a flawless person, with an unspoken understanding with Wei Zhao and a perfect ability to handle affairs. Wei Zhao sighed deeply, “I really have nothing to worry about her.”
“……But, don’t you miss her?” A Zong asked again.
Wei Zhao paused, snorted, and said, “What do you know about missing someone?”
“But she really likes you,” A Zong sighed. “She could leave with Judith, but she didn’t. I can see dark circles under her eyes; she must not be sleeping well.”
Wei Zhao, upon hearing this, smiled and lowered her head. Her eyes darted around, but she ultimately said nothing.
It wasn’t long before Wang Weiren returned with the team.
That day in Haizhou City was extremely lively, with crowds filling both sides of the street, all of them peering and looking to see what the legendary Black Flag Pirates really looked like.
“Isn’t he just an ordinary person? Looks like he has one nose and two eyes, not the green face and fangs the storyteller mentioned.”
“What do you know? Look at those eyes, they’re all red! That’s from killing too many people.”
All sorts of gossip and rumors floated in the air; as long as you stood on a high building, you could hear the voices of the crowd below. Wei Zhao chuckled lightly, “Look, even they don’t believe these are pirates.”
A killer, of course, doesn’t necessarily have a fierce appearance. But how could such a small and thin pirate have the audacity to become one of the three great pirates?
Wei Zhao propped his head up and looked down. Walking at the end were the dejected disciples of the Pine Crane Sect. They weren’t tied up, which was a gesture of respect, but they still had to follow to the government office for interrogation, though it was unlikely anything would come of it. As for when they would be released, that depended on Wei Zhao’s decision.
There was a commotion outside the door, and a servant came to report. Wei Zhao listened and nodded. It was Song Sisi who had arrived.
“Older sister, you really kept this from me so well.” Song Sisi looked at Wei Zhao with a hint of resentment, then bowed to Wei Zhao, “This humble girl has seen His Highness.”
Wei Zhao smirked and dismissed Song Sisi’s courtesy. She looked at Song Sisi with keen interest in her eyes: “Did you come here to say something? You should know, with my current status, ordinary news won’t satisfy me.”
Song Sisi was calm and unhurried. She stood in front of Wei Zhao, but this time, she didn’t even glance at A Zong.
“Your Highness, why are you not curious about why that slave of yours hasn’t shown up?”
Wei Zhao smiled faintly, her expression slightly somber. She turned her head and glanced at the long line of people passing by downstairs. Fa Yilian had a head of red hair, which should have been very noticeable, but not only was Fa Yilian missing, even Judith was nowhere to be seen. Where could they have gone? Had they left Haizhou City, or had something happened to them?
Wei Zhao remained silent for a long time before turning to look at Song Sisi: “Is the news reliable?”
Song Sisi bowed slightly: “Of course. But I must ensure the safety of my senior brothers.”
Wei Zhao’s eyes flashed with a hint of impatience: “They just stumbled in by mistake. If they are not involved, then there’s nothing to worry about.”
Song Sisi sighed deeply and said, “Your Highness, let’s not beat around the bush. You know that what I want is not just surface-level safety. There’s also the safety of Songhe Sect after this incident, and the future standing of Songhe Sect in Haizhou City.”
Wei Zhao’s gaze completely darkened: “You’re asking for too much.”