The Princess Smells So Good (GL) - Chapter 70

In the end, the outcome still left Wei Zhao feeling disappointed.

Fa Yilian and Judith were nowhere to be found. A Zong, true to his nature, took his crew and ship to roam the seas, all because of a promise he had made to her. To know the result of his search would require at least seven days, possibly longer. A Zong had a stubborn streak, Wei Zhao knew this well. Despite her disappointment, she couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy for him. A Zong was free—free to follow his heart, even if it was just to find solace for himself by searching endlessly on the vast ocean.

Wei Zhao couldn’t deny it—she, too, wanted to be reckless, even just once.

She had never felt so alone.

Sleepless nights filled with pounding headaches. Days spent pretending to be amiable, hiding her true thoughts. There was no longer anyone in her life who could bring her peace with just one glance, no one who could effortlessly understand her intentions without a single word.

It’s only when you lose something that you realize its value. How foolish, she thought. Such people had always been scorned during her royal upbringing, yet now she found herself among their ranks.

Her hands, hidden in her sleeves, were cold and trembling.

So many days had passed. Was Fa Yilian still alive? With each passing moment, the chances grew slimmer.

Taking a deep breath, Wei Zhao looked at Lan Du, whose face showed concern. “I’m fine. Now that you’re here, I feel reassured.”

Lan Du’s pale face brightened with a smile. “Don’t worry, Your Highness. I won’t let you or the emperor down.”

Wei Zhao returned his smile, but as she turned away, a long sigh escaped her lips. The external matters might be settling, but how could her restless heart ever find peace? She could deceive others, but she couldn’t lie to herself.

Lan Du’s arrival in Haizhou brought not only fresh news but also renewed hope for the city. The next day, he volunteered to escort the merchant caravans, which caused a stir among the merchants. Wang Youzhi, not wanting to be outdone, eagerly joined the mission as well. Meanwhile, Yu Jinye silently observed the scene, leaving all decisions to Wei Zhao. He seemed so compliant, it was as though he was ready to hand over his position as regional governor altogether.

Wei Zhao understood the dynamics at play. Lan Du, as a newcomer, needed to achieve something notable to establish his authority. But Wang Youzhi’s sudden enthusiasm was another matter altogether.

Casting a glance at Wang Youzhi, she saw him glaring at Lan Du, while Lan Du remained calm and poised. The realization dawned on her: Lan Du, young and handsome, a trusted confidant of the emperor, and in possession of military power, had naturally become a rival in Wang Youzhi’s eyes. He likely saw Lan Du as a threat and wanted to outshine him. The thought amused Wei Zhao, though she didn’t show it. With a faint smile, she approved both of their requests.

As the naval forces of Great Zhou, nothing untoward should happen—or so she thought.

But the word “should” is always deceptive. Days later, a letter arrived from A Zong saying he had found nothing but wished to continue searching. Wei Zhao hesitated, then quietly replied, “Take whatever resources you need.”

Even if there was only a sliver of hope, Wei Zhao instinctively believed that as long as the search continued, Fa Yilian would still be alive somewhere.

Lan Du returned triumphant several days later, but Wang Youzhi’s mission had met with disaster. It wasn’t until five days after the incident that the news came to light—because Lan Du had rescued Wang Youzhi and brought him back to Haizhou, battered and humiliated.

Wang Youzhi was overcome with shame. During his years of patrolling Haizhou’s seas, he had never faced such a setback. If not for Lan Du being new to the city, Wang Youzhi might have suspected him of colluding with pirates to sabotage him.

However, knowing this wasn’t the case only deepened Wang Youzhi’s embarrassment. He even avoided Wei Zhao’s gaze, though he couldn’t refuse her summons. When Wei Zhao arrived, he hung his head in disgrace and muttered, “I’ve let you down, Your Highness. I am truly…”

Seeing him like this, Wei Zhao sighed inwardly. Wang Youzhi lacked ambition and had a petty temperament. He was not someone she enjoyed working with, but Haizhou still needed him for now. To preserve the greater good, Wei Zhao suppressed her frustration. If only Fa Yilian were here, she thought. Fa Yilian could have handled these matters perfectly—whether it was leading a campaign or easing tensions in Wei Zhao’s stead.

More importantly…

Wei Zhao lowered her gaze. Whether it was anger or dissatisfaction, just being in Fa Yilian’s presence had always calmed her.

“This situation seems unusual,” Wei Zhao said, pushing down the ache in her heart and choosing her words carefully to soothe Wang Youzhi’s pride.

Such babying—why did it always fall to her?

As they left the meeting, Wei Zhao found Lan Du waiting outside, awkwardly holding a pile of fruit and flowers. Unable to suppress a chuckle, she teased, “It seems the general is quite popular. The local women here are very enthusiastic; you’d better get used to it.”

Lan Du gave a helpless smile. “Please don’t tease me, Your Highness.”

Having resolved the Wang Youzhi situation, Wei Zhao was in a good mood. She was about to make another joke when she felt a pair of eyes on her. Frowning, she turned but saw only the bustling crowd. With a slight shake of her head, she pinched the bridge of her nose.

“Are you alright?” Lan Du asked, concerned.

“It’s nothing… perhaps just my imagination,” Wei Zhao replied with a faint, self-deprecating smile.

The two decided to stroll through Haizhou’s streets instead of taking a carriage. Wearing veils to conceal their faces and accompanied by discreet guards, they walked side by side like a pair of ordinary travelers.

Lan Du, unfamiliar with the city, looked around curiously. “Though it can’t compare to the capital, the goods here are quite impressive, and the local customs are fascinating.”

His words were interrupted by a young girl who, blushing furiously, threw a hard apple at him. Quick reflexes saved Lan Du from a bruised eye, but he was left holding the bright red fruit, utterly bemused.

Wei Zhao laughed. “Aren’t you going to eat it? The fruit here is sweeter than anything in the capital.”

“I’ll pass,” Lan Du said, handing the apple to a nearby vendor and dusting off his hands. He continued walking at Wei Zhao’s side, listening intently as she described Haizhou’s quirks with a familiarity that impressed him.

Just as they were beginning to enjoy their walk, something unexpected happened—a large, vibrant flower drifted down from a nearby building and landed perfectly in Wei Zhao’s arms.

Startled, Wei Zhao looked around, but no one seemed to notice her. The flower’s scent was intoxicating, rich and overwhelming, yet strangely familiar, stirring a faint sense of recognition deep within her.