8 – Imperial Guards
Day after day of drinking medicine and moving about, Gu Pingting gradually became able to get out of bed.
During these days, with limited mobility, Gu Pingting could only manage a simple wipe-down each day.
Now that she could walk and move freely, she asked Feng Shan to prepare water for a proper bath. Gu Pingting soaked comfortably in the tub, then put on the new dress Feng Shan had bought for her.
The summer heat was stifling. After her bath, she pushed the door open and stepped outside, greeted by a cool breeze that felt wonderfully refreshing.
Feng Shan was in the yard chopping firewood. The weather was hot, so he had taken off his shirt, revealing solid muscles and sun-bronzed skin. Swinging the axe, he split a thick, round log cleanly in two.
Gu Pingting tugged at the corner of her mouth—this man really looked strong!
“Feng Shan, I’m done bathing. Go empty the bathwater.”
“Alright.” Hearing this, Feng Shan set down the axe and glanced over, then froze.
There stood Gu Pingting, wearing a pale red, waist-cinching long dress, her skin as fair as jade or porcelain, her long hair cascading like a waterfall over her shoulders.
Her damp, glistening eyes, rosy little mouth, and delicate, elegant nose came together to form her lovely little face.
Dressed in new clothes, she stood before the doorway like a flower bud about to bloom, adorned with dewdrops, or like an ethereal fairy untouched by worldly cares.
Seeing him staring intently, his gaze fixed and unmoving, Gu Pingting asked in confusion, “Why are you staring at me?”
Feng Shan snapped out of it, set the axe aside, and said, “I was wondering if I picked up a fairy when I found you?”
Gu Pingting loved hearing compliments the most. She felt a bit smug inside, though she wouldn’t admit it aloud, only saying coyly, “Hmph, I’m no fairy.”
Feng Shan walked over to her with a smile, looking down at her as he said, “If not a fairy, then maybe a mountain spirit in disguise. The elders often say there are fox spirits in the deep mountains who often transform into beauties, luring hunters to devour their essence.”
As he drew near, his robust masculine aura enveloped Gu Pingting.
This was the first time Gu Pingting had stood face-to-face with him. She looked up at him—he was so tall she felt her neck might strain from craning.
“Pah, who would want to eat you! You’re so hard and big, you look old and tough—definitely not tasty.”
So hard and big? Feng Shan chuckled aloud.
Gu Pingting didn’t understand. “What are you laughing at?”
Seeing Gu Pingting tilt her little head, her clear eyes filled with confusion, Feng Shan stopped laughing. This little woman was still very innocent, unaware of matters of intimacy.
Feng Shan felt like teasing her. He leaned in closer and said, “Whether I’m tasty or not, you’ll find out one day.”
Gu Pingting didn’t understand the hidden meaning in his words, but with him shirtless and so close, she felt shy. Leaning on her crutch, she took two steps back and said unhappily, “Go empty the water already, then make me something to eat. I’m hungry.”
Seeing her bossy attitude, Feng Shan raised an eyebrow, pinched her chin, and pulled her closer, saying gruffly, “Be a little nicer, and I’ll make you something delicious tonight.”
His domineering manner made Gu Pingting shrink back. After thinking for a long while, she finally said, “Feng Shan, could you make me something to eat?”
She was being quite obedient. Feng Shan said, “Smile for me.”
Gu Pingting was reluctant, but she managed to force a smile.
Satisfied, Feng Shan released her chin and instead gently tapped her nose, saying affectionately, “You little thing with no backbone.”
After speaking, he released her and went straight into the house. Gu Pingting rubbed the tip of her nose, muttering, “How bold! He dares to touch this princess’s nose! Once I return to the palace, I’ll have him beaten with twenty strokes of the rod. Let’s see if he still dares!”
Gu Pingting walked to the courtyard and sat down on the rattan chair, grumbling again, “He even forced this princess to smile. I’ll have Crown Prince brother whip him ten lashes!”
She continued muttering to herself. Feng Shan knew she was cursing him and grinned, not minding it at all.
That day, Feng Shan went hunting in the mountains early. Gu Pingting, leaning on her crutch, moved around the courtyard to stretch her limbs.
The summer heat was oppressive. After moving around for a short while, Gu Pingting broke into a light sweat. She fanned herself with a handkerchief, but it did little to relieve the heat.
Gu Pingting had no choice but to return indoors to sit. It was cooler inside, and she let out a long sigh of relief.
Just as she was drinking water from a cup, someone suddenly rushed in from outside. The person grabbed Gu Pingting’s hand as soon as they entered, startling her!
Gu Pingting looked at the newcomer. The person was dressed in a short top and long pants, with straw sandals and coarse clothing—a masculine attire but with a feminine face.
Before Gu Pingting could ask anything, the person said, “Are you Her Highness the Princess?”
The voice was soft and delicate. Gu Pingting examined the person closely and confirmed it was indeed a woman. She asked, “Who are you?”
The woman knelt down with a thud. “Your Highness, I am an imperial guard, here to escort you back to the palace.”
Gu Pingting was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed. “Really? Did Royal Father and Royal Mother send someone to fetch me?”
The woman nodded earnestly. “Yes, Your Highness. Please come back to the palace with me.”
Gu Pingting was ecstatic. She stood up directly, laughing happily. “Wonderful! Wonderful! This small mountain village is so remote. I thought Royal Father and Royal Mother wouldn’t be able to find me! I never expected them to locate me so quickly.”
Gu Pingting quickly helped the woman up, smiling. “How did you find me?”
The woman didn’t answer. Instead, she pulled Gu Pingting outside, saying as they walked, “Your Highness, everyone is waiting for you. Come with me quickly.”
Everyone? Likely the royal carriage sent to welcome her was waiting.
Gu Pingting stopped at the small courtyard. “Wait. This Hall must take someone with me. That person hasn’t returned yet, so This Hall cannot leave. Go and instruct the carriage to come here to fetch This Hall. This Hall will wait here for you.”
Upon hearing this, the woman thought for a moment, then nodded with a smile. “Alright, I’ll have them come to fetch you right away.”
With that, the woman quickly ran off.
Gu Pingting still had more to say, but the woman ran too fast, so she had to let it go.
Gu Pingting was overjoyed. The thought of returning to the palace soon and seeing Royal Father, Royal Mother, and Crown Prince brother made her so happy she spun around in circles.
Leaning on her crutch, she paced back and forth in the courtyard several times. Finally, she lifted her chin high and walked to stand outside the courtyard gate.
She would wait for Feng Shan to return. As soon as he came back, she would immediately tell him the good news!
Hmph! Just wait and see!
That uncouth mountain man would surely jump for joy! She was Her Highness the Princess. Feng Shan had saved her, and he would enjoy endless wealth and honor!
Imagining Feng Shan grinning foolishly, Gu Pingting couldn’t help but curl her lips into a smile, revealing two playful canine teeth.
As dusk approached, Gu Pingting saw Feng Shan’s tall figure from afar.
Feng Shan held a bow and arrow, his back laden with a full load of game. He walked over from the direction of the sunset glow, tall and imposing.
He was an excellent hunter, bringing back plenty of game every day. Gu Pingtíng, who followed him, never lacked meat to eat.
Seeing him return, Gu Pingtíng waved from afar and called out with a smile, “Feng Shan, come here quickly.”
Hearing her voice, Feng Shan looked up and saw his little wife standing at the courtyard gate, dressed in an elegant gauze dress. The orange-red glow of the sunset enveloped her petite figure.
Her smile was as radiant as a flower, breathtakingly beautiful.