“Those from Shengjing are all arrogant, let alone…”
Despite the medicinal bath and the medicine she had taken, Feng Mian still developed a fever in the middle of the night. It only subsided slightly as dawn began to break over the horizon.
She was awake, but miserably uncomfortable. What made it worse was that Wuliu refused to let her down the medicine in one gulp. No matter how much Feng Mian complained about the bitterness, Wuliu only fed her spoonful by spoonful, saying gently yet firmly, “The bitterer it is, the better. Next time the Commandery Princess considers putting herself in danger, she should weigh the consequences first.”
Feng Mian had no retort, and could only endure it with a bitter face. As she suffered, she thought that what the sorcerer had said was indeed false—she had barely met that Heir Baili before she was burning up with fever. Far from bringing her fortune, he was clearly her bane instead.
Feng Mian’s blame-shifting was both righteous and utterly unreasonable, but she was truly being tormented by Wuliu’s spoonful after spoonful of bitter medicine—and on top of that, Wuliu wouldn’t even let her have candied fruit!
While Feng Mian fought her desperate battle against both “illness” and Wuliu, the Commander had already made his way to Baili Xunzhou’s door.
After tallying the confiscated goods last night, Baili Xunzhou and his men had rested at the guard post, separated from Feng Mian’s party by a courtyard—each keeping to their own side.
Baili Xunzhou had barely stepped out of his room when the Commander, who had been quietly watching for his movements, came to call on him, requesting his help in retrieving the Commandery Princess’s wedding procession abandoned at Wolf Bone Ridge.
Since it concerned the Commandery Princess who had traveled thousands of li bearing the imperial decree, and fearing his mother’s anger should he refuse, Baili Xunzhou, though reluctant, could hardly turn away the Luan Yi Guard who had come seeking his aid. He sent men to help.
The Commander used every ounce of his social skill to ingratiate himself with Baili Xunzhou, hoping to travel back to Yunzhong Commandery with him. He was truly terrified of the northern frontier—his heart, accustomed to the pampered life of Shengjing, could not withstand another scare of losing the Commandery Princess.
Of course, he did not mention the “lost Commandery Princess” incident to Baili Xunzhou. Even though the princess had returned safely in the end, it was still their failure in duty, and the fewer people who knew, the better.
Moreover, he remembered swearing to Baili Xunzhou’s face that “the Commandery Princess has already departed safely”—he couldn’t very well contradict himself.
Baili Xunzhou ignored the Commander’s hints and overtures alike. After dismissing the man, he went to pay his respects to the Commandery Princess as protocol dictated.
“Ill?” Baili Xunzhou raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised.
Hadn’t this Commandery Princess arrived safely and taken lodging at the guard post? How had she fallen ill?
Wuliu bowed apologetically: “Bandits waylaid the road, and the Commandery Princess was frightened. She also caught the cold wind on the journey, and developed a fever last night. She truly is not in a condition to receive guests. Please return for now, Heir. Once—”
Before she could finish, the cold-mannered young general before her dropped a curt “Please convey my wishes for the Commandery Princess’s speedy recovery” and turned to leave without hesitation. Wuliu stood stunned for a moment; from the angle of the robe hem flipping up on his retreating figure, one could discern that the man was in a foul mood—clearly angered.
“This Heir has terrible manners.”
In the guest room where Feng Mian was resting, Liu Ying listened to Wuliu’s account and muttered discontentedly: “The Commandery Princess is still ill—what right does he have to be angry? He didn’t even let you finish speaking before leaving.”
Good riddance, Feng Mian thought. She didn’t want to see him right now anyway. Just hearing his voice reminded her of his ruthless, decisive commands before the bandits last night. She truly didn’t know what expression to wear when facing him.
Liu Ying continued her grumbling: “He couldn’t even spare a few more words of concern. At the very least, our Commandery Princess is his betrothed!”
“Even if she is the Heir’s betrothed in name, she can’t just slam the door in his face.” Shan Yi hurried to catch up with Baili Xunzhou, and seeing his displeased expression, spoke up for him. “What’s the meaning of sending a maid to dismiss us?”
“Oh? So you think the esteemed Commandery Princess should entertain you while ill?” Baili Xunzhou shot him a sidelong glance.
Shan Yi didn’t actually believe the Commandery Princess was truly ill. “I reckon this princess hasn’t even laid eyes on a bandit and she’s already scared? Are all the noble ladies of Shengjing this delicate? And I didn’t smell any medicinal aroma just now either…”
This was precisely what irritated Baili Xunzhou—pretending to be ill to snub him. Did she truly take him for a pushover?
He let out a derisive laugh: “Those from Shengjing are all arrogant, let alone a Commandery Princess raised within the palace.”
Back in the guest room, Wuliu closed the wide-open windows, reminding Liu Ying: “Since the medicinal smell has dissipated, close the windows quickly. Prolonged exposure to the wind isn’t good.”
Feng Mian had taken medicine since childhood. Though she was accustomed to downing bitter medicine in one gulp, she still hated the smell of it most of all. Thus, every time after taking medicine, she would open the windows to air out the scent, then burn incense, until not a trace of medicinal odor remained in the room.
“That was my oversight.” Liu Ying hurried over to help, and as she passed the open window, she caught sight of the Luan Yi Guard outside and remembered something. “Oh, Commandery Princess—when the Commander left this morning, he came to ask about your condition. It seems he wants to travel with the Heir.”
“The Commander’s thinking is sound. Since we’ve encountered him by chance, it’s naturally most convenient to travel alongside the Heir.”
One should borrow momentum when it’s available. And Feng Mian truly did not wish to encounter such peril as last night’s ever again.
On the other side, Shan Yi also brought up the commander’s invitation to travel together that he had been mentioning all morning. Baili Xunzhou grew even more irritated: “Once our people return, we leave immediately. Don’t let them latch onto us.”
The sentry post’s rear courtyard and the courtyard where Feng Mian was staying were at opposite ends—one at the very back, the other at the very front, separated by a considerable distance.
After the princess’s wedding arrangements were fully settled, Baili Xunzhou led the swiftly assembled Swift Feather Camp out of the rear courtyard in complete silence. Just as they were about to begin their forced march, he suddenly spotted the princess’s carriage waiting quietly ahead.
It looked very much like they were lying in wait for him.
The commander rode forward with a smile, cupping his fist in salute: “Young Prince, what a coincidence. Are you also preparing to return to Yunzhong Commandery?”
The princess hadn’t been wrong—this young prince really had intended to slip away and leave them behind. Fortunately, he had heeded the princess’s words and ordered everyone to set out immediately, managing to block his path.
Baili Xunzhou: “…”
Truly a lingering ghost that wouldn’t go away.
Baili Xunzhou rode straight past him and brought his horse to a stop beside the princess’s carriage. His voice was cold, betraying no emotion: “I heard the princess was unwell. Why not rest and recuperate a while longer?”
Inside the carriage, Feng Mian leaned gently against the window. She had taken another dose of medicine at noon and her fever had since broken, though she remained weak. As a result, she spoke slowly, her words soft and light: “Thank you for your concern, Young Prince. I am accustomed to being ill; it will not hinder our travel. With the wedding date approaching, it would not do to delay here. If the Prince and Young Prince were to think I was being negligent, that would be my fault.”
The young lady’s delicate, coquettish tone sounded like she was playfully pleading. Baili Xunzhou awkwardly flicked his ears, a murmur of doubt rising in his mind: Wedding date approaching? There was still at least a month to go. Was this phrasing born of eagerness, or was it a reminder that he should not abandon his betrothed at the sentry post and ride ahead alone?
These people from the capital really did speak in circles and riddles. Annoying.
“If that is how the princess feels, then I have been meddling in matters that do not concern me.”
Inside the carriage, Feng Mian and her two companions exchanged bewildered glances. How had two sentences of conversation made him angry again?
Then came the sound of horse hooves shifting outside the carriage—Baili Xunzhou was actually about to leave.
Feng Mian hurriedly tapped the window: “Young Prince, wait!”
Hearing the horse come to a stop, she cut straight to the point: “Is the Young Prince returning to Yunzhong Commandery?”
Baili Xunzhou replied coldly: “Mm.”
“May we travel with you? After what happened last night, I… I am a little afraid…” Feng Mian deliberately lowered her posture.
Baili Xunzhou showed not the slightest inclination to pity a delicate flower: “Our marching pace—I fear the princess will not be able to keep up.”
“As long as the Young Prince agrees to let us accompany you, I will not hold you back in the slightest.”
“The princess may do as she pleases.” Baili Xunzhou couldn’t be bothered to argue further, gave a casual assent, and rode off.
Having obtained his permission, Feng Mian quickly had Wuliu summon the commander and instructed him to lead the group in keeping pace with Baili Xunzhou at full effort, without worrying about her health.
But once on the road, whether due to the large quantity of confiscated goods they were carrying, Baili Xunzhou and his men’s marching speed was not particularly fast. The commander led the group in following closely step by step, and Feng Mian found the pace not at all uncomfortable.
Inside the carriage, Liu Ying eagerly placed her hand on the window, eyes brimming with curiosity: “Can I really not crack the window open for a sneaky peek? I still don’t know what this Young Prince looks like. Is he ugly enough to be a catastrophe?”
She asked Wuliu, since it had been Wuliu who received Baili Xunzhou outside when he came to pay his respects.
Wuliu said helplessly: “I am only a maidservant. How would I dare stare at the Young Prince’s face while relaying messages?”
Liu Ying turned her pitiful gaze to Feng Mian. Being this close yet unable to see was truly maddening.
Feng Mian smiled in amusement, leaning against the soft cushion and wrapping herself in her cloak. “Alright, open the window and take a quick look yourself, just don’t get caught. The Young Prince has a temper—don’t let him misunderstand that we’re gossiping about him behind his back.”
After she finished speaking, Feng Mian paused. What she had just said rather sounded like gossiping about him behind his back…
“Thank you, Princess!” Liu Ying cheerfully pulled open the window and peered out through the gap, scanning the crowd: “Which one is he?”
“The one carrying a long spear, with his hair tied in a high ponytail, the most upright and stalwart figure.” Feng Mian replied with her eyes closed, the image of that youth’s back, cloaked in the scent of blood that night, surfacing before her mind’s eye.
Liu Ying found Baili Xunzhou’s figure in the next instant and clicked her tongue in admiration: “He doesn’t look like some brutish, uncouth barbarian at all…”
The days in the north were long, and dusk had now arrived. The twilight blazed crimson, and ink-wash-like mist spread across the horizon. The silhouette of the young man riding alone was etched against it, like a painting come to life.
The figure in the “painting” seemed to sense something and suddenly turned his head to look back. His gaze was as sharp as an arrow, startling Liu Ying so much that she slammed the window shut with a clatter.
“Scared me half to death.” She patted her chest, still shaken. After a moment to compose herself, she leaned close to Feng Mian with sparkling eyes. “I didn’t get a very clear look, but I can say for certain—the Young Prince isn’t ugly at all! He is indeed a bit fierce, though. No wonder people spread such rumors about him. From that one glance just now, my spine went cold!”
“You haven’t seen him when he threatens people or delivers a killing blow,” Feng Mian said, patting Liu Ying’s head in reassurance. “Don’t be afraid. I’m here. Even if he’s fierce, he wouldn’t dare take it out on you.”
Feng Mian had already noticed that although Baili Xunzhou claimed the march would be swift and they wouldn’t be waited for, he had in fact deliberately slowed the pace and dispatched several members of the Swift Feather Camp to guard the rear.
It seemed this young lord, for all his sharp tongue and ruthless methods, still showed her a measure of courtesy—not entirely disregarding the authority of the imperial court.
That being the case, she would have more leeway in her dealings going forward.