2 – This young woman is so fair and tender.
Two women came to change Gu Pingting’s clothes. Gu Pingting hugged the quilt and shrank back, watching them warily.
Gu Pingting looked soft and delicate, but the women paid no mind and still took the clothes to change her.
Gu Pingting pushed away their outstretched hands and shouted, “How dare you! This Hall is Princess Jiaoyang, the Imperial Princess of the court. How can you overstep and touch me? Kneel!”
Upon hearing this, the two women were stunned for a moment, glancing at each other, and stopped their idle chatter.
Seeing that neither of them spoke, Gu Pingting thought they must have been intimidated by her. Though born into the royal family, her temperament was gentle and soft.
But she believed that when she got angry, she should still have some measure of authority.
Seeing Gu Pingting’s cold expression and strong resistance, the two women had no choice but to put down the clothes in their hands, turn around, and leave the room.
Watching them go, Gu Pingting let out a long sigh of relief, her tense body relaxing. Just then, she heard the voices of village women from outside.
“Feng Shan, that little girl is awake… Ah… what a pity. It seems there’s something wrong with her mind, just like Qing Yatou in the village—she’s a fool.”
“If she said she was a young lady from a wealthy family, I’d believe it. Her skin is so tender, she really does look like a young lady. But she says she’s a princess—I nearly died laughing…”
Listening from inside the room, Gu Pingting bit her lip. What was so funny? She was indeed a princess! Not only that, she was the Legitimate Princess, the Imperial Princess personally conferred by Royal Father and Royal Mother.
The State of Chu had many princesses, but she was the only Imperial Princess. She was of noble status—what was there to laugh about?
She was no fool!
“Since she’s awake, I’ll go in and see her. Thank you, aunties, for taking care of her these past few days.”
A deep, rough male voice came from outside the door. Gu Pingting thought this voice must belong to Feng Shan.
Gu Pingting glanced toward the door but only saw the two women standing there. As for Feng Shan, she couldn’t see him.
“We’re neighbors—no need for thanks. But Feng Shan, you should shave that big beard of yours. That girl looks so small and frail. If you go in looking like that, you might scare her again.”
Feng Shan was silent for a moment before replying, “Alright.”
The three of them chatted a bit more at the door, and then the two women left. Gu Pingting sat on the bed for a while before seeing a tall figure enter through the doorway.
As soon as the figure entered, it almost blocked all the sunlight from the small door, and the room instantly darkened.
Gu Pingting bit her lip. This Feng Shan was truly robust! More robust than a water buffalo! Taller than a black bear!
His arms and chest were broad and solid, his height and build imposing and powerful. As he strode in, the room seemed to shrink several feet!
Gu Pingting clutched the quilt and shrank further into the bed.
Such a strong, tall man carried an aura of domineering power, and Gu Pingting was somewhat afraid of him…
Seeing her fear, Feng Shan did not approach but sat down at the table some distance away. “You’re awake?”
As he strode in, with him no longer blocking the doorway, sunlight poured in again, and the room brightened instantly.
Only then did Gu Pingting get a clear look at Feng Shan’s appearance. He had no beard on his face—he must have just shaved.
This man had sharp, stern eyebrows and eyes, a well-defined face, and wheat-colored skin. He wasn’t unattractive, just excessively burly and strong.
So strong it was frightening!
Seeing Gu Pingting remain silent, Feng Shan didn’t mind. It was a hot day, and he had been chopping wood outside, working up a sweat.
Feng Shan wiped the sweat from his face, reached for a large bowl of water, and gulped it down in one go.
Gu Pingting saw that he meant no harm, then whispered softly, “Sir, did you save me?”
Feng Shan drank the water in big gulps, then looked up and examined her carefully. Her voice was truly pleasant…
This little appearance was really endearing!
Feng Shan set down the large bowl. “While I was hunting, I saw you floating in the river and saved you.”
Gu Pingting nodded. “Thank you for rescuing me, sir. Rest assured, once I return to the palace, I will have Royal Father and Royal Mother reward you handsomely.”
Feng Shan’s thick eyebrows twitched slightly as he probed, “How did you fall into the river?”
“While crossing the mountain path, rocks tumbled down and frightened the horse. I fell off the cliff. There was a large river at the bottom, and then I happened upon you, sir. That’s how I luckily survived.”
Feng Shan rubbed his freshly shaven face. The auntie was right—this girl was silly.
Just like Silly Girl Qing in the village, she must have fallen off the cliff and damaged her brain.
Feng Shan felt somewhat conflicted. He slapped his thigh with his large hand. “What’s your name? Where do you live?”
“My name is Gu Pingting. I am the Legitimate Princess, so naturally, I live in the royal capital. Sir… could you take me back?”
Feng Shan frowned. Gu what?
Seeing his silence, Gu Pingting thought he was unwilling and quickly added, “Sir, don’t worry. As long as you take me back to the royal capital, whether it’s gold, silver, treasures, or high-ranking positions and generous salaries—whatever you like—I can give it to you.”
“What’s your name, Gu what?”
Gu Pingting was stunned for a moment before replying, “…Pingting. Gu Pingting.”
Feng Shan clicked his tongue. This name was really a mouthful.
“Going home isn’t urgent for now. Wait until your injuries are healed. You need to rest quietly now and shouldn’t move around.”
Gu Pingting bit her lip and nodded. “Where is this place? Is it far from the royal capital?”
Feng Shan poured another large bowl of tea and gulped it down noisily. The sound of him drinking was loud, and Gu Pingting twitched the corner of her mouth—it was like a cow drinking.
After finishing, he poured another bowl of water and walked to the bedside, handing it to her. “Are you thirsty?”
The coarse ceramic bowl was even larger than Gu Pingting’s face. She frowned.
She was thirsty, but this bowl—this man had used it…
She wouldn’t drink from it.
Her delicate, pretty brows were knitted, and her fair, tender little face looked quite displeased. Feng Shan understood her thoughts and brought the large bowl to his own lips, drinking the water clean.
Then he turned back, fetched a new bowl, poured water into it, and said gruffly, “Drink. This bowl is clean.”
Having her thoughts seen through, Gu Pingting felt a bit embarrassed. This man had saved her, yet she disdained him…
But she really wasn’t used to sharing items with others. She couldn’t accept it.
The large bowl was thick and heavy, looking quite cumbersome. Gu Pingting didn’t take the bowl but instead leaned toward Feng Shan’s hand, her small mouth touching the rim of the bowl as she sipped the water.
Feng Shan stared at her, first watching her soft pink lips gently part as she drank, then taking in her small face up close. He could see her porcelain-white, translucent skin and her small, upturned nose.
Feng Shan licked his lips. This little woman was truly fair and tender…
Gu Pingting only took two sips. Feng Shan asked, “What’s wrong?”
“This water is so hard. It’s grating on my throat.”
Feng Shan raised an eyebrow. Hard water? How could water be hard? And grating on the throat?
Seeing she wouldn’t drink anymore, Feng Shan lifted the bowl and drank the remaining water clean. He smacked his lips and said, “Nonsense! This water tastes very sweet to me.”
Gu Pingting glanced at Feng Shan. Why was this man drinking the water she had left?
Feng Shan finished drinking water and strode out. Gu Pingting had intended to ask him a few more questions but didn’t get the chance.
Gu Pingting wanted to go out and see where she was, but as soon as she made a big movement, a piercing pain shot through her left leg!
Lifting the blanket, she found a splint and bandage wrapped around her left knee—it must have been broken when she fell off the cliff.
Gu Pingting didn’t dare move anymore. She lay half-propped on the bed, slowly enduring and weathering the pain of the broken bone.