Once Feng Lezhen said that, Shen Suifeng went quiet.
After a long moment, he smiled faintly. “I had nothing better to do, so I came out to deliver the medicine.”
“You didn’t just deliver to Cheng Sheng’s family, did you?” Feng Lezhen said meaningfully.
Shen Suifeng’s Adam’s apple moved slightly, but before he could reply, a villager came walking toward them. Seeing the two, he greeted them warmly and added casually, “Mr. Shen, I’ve already started brewing the medicine you gave me. Should I really boil it for a full half hour?”
Feng Lezhen: “…”
“Yes, slow boil over low heat. Add a bit of water occasionally, and make sure it comes out to one full bowl in the end,” Shen Suifeng replied.
The villager nodded repeatedly and waved goodbye before walking off.
Once he left, the road fell quiet again. Under the moonlight, Shen Suifeng looked at Feng Lezhen. “Sorry to disappoint, Your Highness. I delivered to nearly twenty households—not just Cheng Sheng’s.”
Feng Lezhen showed no sign of embarrassment. After a pause, she said slowly, “I didn’t think Mr. Shen would go so far just to make your visit to pick me up look natural.”
Shen Suifeng laughed in exasperation. “Your Highness is truly skilled at flattering herself.”
Feng Lezhen cast him a sideways glance and kept walking with her cane.
“Actually, Your Highness’s wound has already scabbed over. There’s no need to use the cane anymore,” Shen Suifeng said as he followed.
Feng Lezhen didn’t look at him. “And who was it that said I shouldn’t be walking too much?”
“Not too much walking, yes, but that doesn’t mean you have to use a cane,” Shen Suifeng explained.
“Oh,” she said.
Then she continued using the cane, going entirely at her own pace. Shen Suifeng had no choice but to trail after her slowly.
The two of them, one in front and one behind, entered the courtyard and headed toward the same room. After Feng Lezhen entered, she turned and looked at Shen Suifeng, who was preparing to stand guard outside again.
“Go to sleep. No need to keep watch,” she said.
“It’s fine. I can sleep here too,” Shen Suifeng replied.
“I can’t sleep,” Feng Lezhen said. “With a grown man standing outside, I get scared.”
Shen Suifeng: “?”
“When I get scared, I tend to be ruthless. If I can’t help myself and grab a knife in the middle of the night…”
Shen Suifeng turned and walked away.
Feng Lezhen’s eyes glinted with amusement, and just as he was about to enter the house, she suddenly called out, “Shen Suifeng.”
“What is it?” he turned back. “Don’t tell me Your Highness wants me to bring you a cleaver?”
“I’m not the type to be obsessed with men. Does that make you happy?” she asked with a smile on her lips, as if just making idle conversation.
Shen Suifeng paused, surprised by the sudden question.
After a short silence, he curved his lips. “Yes.”
She had expected him to deny it, but he answered directly instead. Feng Lezhen raised an eyebrow in surprise and was about to speak when he added, “I’m happy for Chen Jinan. He won’t have to witness Your Highness welcoming a new man just after risking his life to divert the pursuers.”
With that, he stepped inside and shut the door, giving Feng Lezhen no chance to respond.
She stared at the door in silence for a moment, then let out a breathy, amused laugh.
She slept soundly that night.
—
Early the next morning, Shen Suifeng went out to deliver the remaining medicinal herbs. Bored, Feng Lezhen wandered out on her own. She hadn’t gone far when she came across a group of older village women basking in the sun by a wall.
They looked mysterious, clearly deep in some kind of discussion. Curious, Feng Lezhen quietly approached them.
“It really is quite pitiful when you think about it,” said Cheng Sheng’s mother with a sigh.
Auntie Li nodded. “Isn’t it? A girl like a flower, married to the wrong man—how could that not be pitiful?”
“Who are you talking about?” asked Feng Lezhen.
“Who else… it’s you!” Auntie Li gasped.
“Me?” Feng Lezhen looked surprised.
“Well… Miss Ah Tao, please don’t be angry. I didn’t mean anything by it—it’s just that I overheard some of the others talking about introducing Dr. Shen to someone, and I couldn’t hold it in…” Auntie Li looked awkward, unsure of what else to say, and the other women were similarly flustered.
Feng Lezhen quickly understood what they had been talking about, and smiled. “It’s fine, I don’t mind.”
“Really?” Auntie Li’s eyes widened.
Feng Lezhen nodded.
“Aiyo, Miss Ah Tao is really such a straightforward girl. No wonder Dr. Shen likes you so much!” Auntie Li laughed and scooted over to make space on a stone seat beside her.
Feng Lezhen hesitated at the sight of the stone, but before she could refuse, Auntie Li had already pulled her down to sit.
Fine, sitting it is. A faint smile appeared in her eyes as she lowered her head to adjust her robes.
The sunlight was just right, casting even the finest baby hairs in clear detail. Her lashes were thick like feather fans, her face delicate and flawless, her graceful movements as she adjusted her clothes exuding nobility and refinement. She looked so beautiful, it was as if she could melt away at any moment.
When Feng Lezhen noticed how quiet it had become, she looked up and saw several Aunties staring at her in unison, making her chuckle. “What are you looking at?”
“We’re…” Cheng Sheng’s mother snapped out of it. “We’re looking at you, Miss Ah Tao. What on earth did you grow up eating to become so good-looking?”
“It’s not about food,” said Auntie Li. “It’s all in the parents. Good-looking parents have good-looking children!”
Cheng Sheng’s mother immediately disagreed. “Not necessarily! Sometimes the parents aren’t good-looking, but the kids turn out beautiful anyway. My husband and I aren’t much to look at, but isn’t Cheng Sheng quite the handsome young man?”
Auntie Li couldn’t argue with that, so she turned to ask Feng Lezhen, “What do you think, Miss Ah Tao?”
Feng Lezhen thought of the late emperor and her long-departed mother. After a brief silence, she said, “I don’t know about others, but I think my parents were quite good-looking.”
Even when he was just a prince, the late emperor’s appearance had stood out among his brothers. Her mother, Empress Wende, was already famous in the capital for her beauty in her teens. So… yes, they were probably both good-looking.
“See? That’s how such a beauty like Miss Ah Tao came to be!” Auntie Li said triumphantly.
Cheng Sheng’s mother rolled her eyes at her, then turned to Feng Lezhen again. “I’ve always heard Dr. Shen say your leg was injured. Is it serious?”
“It’s just a minor injury. I can already walk normally today,” Feng Lezhen replied.
Cheng Sheng’s mother nodded. “No wonder I didn’t see you with a cane.”
Feng Lezhen smiled.
“Then…” Cheng Sheng’s mother hesitated for a moment, but finally asked the question on everyone’s mind, “Now that your leg is almost healed, will you and Dr. Shen be leaving soon? Do you know where you’ll go?”
Before Feng Lezhen could answer, Auntie Li cut in, “You! Everything you say just comes out sounding wrong!”
Cheng Sheng’s mother blinked, realizing too late how her question had sounded like she was trying to chase them off, and hurried to explain.
But Feng Lezhen wasn’t offended. She simply said, “To Yingguan.”
“Yingguan?” Cheng Sheng’s mother’s apology caught in her throat, and she inhaled sharply.
Auntie Li was shocked as well. “Why would you want to go to Yingguan? The winters there are brutal. Can a young lady like you really handle that?”
“If you really don’t have anywhere to go, why not just stay?” someone else quickly chimed in. “Our village might be struggling now, but next year we’re going to start raising livestock again, and things will turn around. You and Dr. Shen won’t even need to work—each family can give you a tenth of their earnings. You’ll live comfortably.”
“Yes, yes, stay! What’s there in a cold and bitter place like Yingguan?”
“If you stay, once life gets better, I’ll make you noodles every day.”
When Shen Suifeng arrived, he saw the group of older women completely surrounding Feng Lezhen, all talking over each other trying to persuade her of something. Feng Lezhen had a soft smile on her face, listening to them patiently with no trace of annoyance.
But in his eyes, it was a clear plea for help.
Shen Suifeng quietly took a step back, about to pretend he hadn’t seen anything, when Feng Lezhen suddenly spoke: “What brings you here?”
Just four words, yet they instantly drew everyone’s attention to Shen Suifeng.
“Oh, Mr. Shen is here, come sit!”
“We heard from Miss Ah Tao that you two are planning to go to Yingguan? Why would you want to go to a place like that?”
The ladies quickly turned their persuasion efforts to Shen Suifeng instead. He glanced at Feng Lezhen with a half-smile; she returned it with a calm expression.
Shen Suifeng was clearly more adept at handling elders’ concern. With just a few words he smoothly changed the subject, then suddenly found an excuse to leave: “I still have bedding I haven’t laid out in the sun, so I’ll head back first.”
Feng Lezhen immediately followed up: “Then I’ll also—”
“You don’t even know how to wash them. Best not go back and get in the way,” Shen Suifeng said gently, “Stay here and chat with the ladies.”
Feng Lezhen: “…”
Without giving her a chance to argue, he turned and left.
Watching his upright figure walk away, the women all expressed their envy: “Such a thoughtful man is really hard to come by.”
“Ah Tao girl really is lucky. But then again, if I were a man and married someone as beautiful as her, I’d probably also never let her lift a finger.”
“Mr. Shen is very handsome too, isn’t he, Miss Ah Tao?”
Asked directly, Feng Lezhen nodded obediently.
Seeing her like this, the women grew even more fond of her. Auntie Li noticed her clothes hadn’t changed in days and said she had some dresses suited for young women—she could bring one over for Feng Lezhen to wear and wash.
Feng Lezhen smiled and agreed, not declining.
Seeing this, Auntie Li simply pulled her along toward her home.
An hour later, Shen Suifeng had finished drying the bedding and cleaning the yard. Just as he was about to go to the kitchen to cook, he caught a glimpse of a figure out of the corner of his eye and casually asked, “Who are you looking for?”
Feng Lezhen stood at the doorway, wearing a light lilac cotton dress. Her hair had been braided and wrapped in a headscarf, draped over her chest, and she looked at him with a face of pure innocence.
“How did you end up like this?” Shen Suifeng was both amused and exasperated.
Feng Lezhen replied helplessly, “Auntie Li said she had clothes that suited this palace, so I went with her to fetch them. But once we got there, she insisted I try them on—and even did my hair.”
“To be honest, it does suit Your Highness,” Shen Suifeng said with a straight face, though the corners of his lips held an unmistakable smile.
Feng Lezhen shot him a look: “This Ben Gong thinks so too.”
With that, she went straight into the house and didn’t come out until he called her for lunch.
After their meal, it was time to apply medicine. In just two or three days, Feng Lezhen’s leg injury had mostly healed. The remaining part had scabbed over and looked almost fine.
“Since you’re fine now, let’s leave later today,” Shen Suifeng said.
Feng Lezhen glanced at him, “No rush. Let’s wait a bit longer.”
“Wait for what?” he asked.
But Feng Lezhen didn’t answer.
Shen Suifeng didn’t press, but the next morning, he would learn what she had been waiting for.
Just as dawn began to break and he was still half-asleep, a frantic knock sounded from outside the courtyard. He jolted awake, threw on a robe, and rushed out: “Who is it?”
“It’s me, Auntie Li!”
Hearing the familiar voice, Shen Suifeng let out a breath of relief and opened the door—only to find not just her, but a dozen or so villagers standing outside.
“What’s going on?” he asked.
Auntie Li had run over, and was still catching her breath: “You—you need to take Miss Ah Tao and go! The soldiers are here!”
“Soldiers?” Shen Suifeng frowned.
“What are you dawdling for?” Auntie Li smacked his arm. “It must be that your elopement’s been exposed. Someone reported you! We’ll help stall them. You two run! Take that little path up front—keep going and you’ll be able to get out in the shortest time.”
“Mr. Shen, go! If you wait any longer, it’ll be too late!”
“Mr. Shen, our whole Li Village owes you a great debt. We’ll make sure you both get out safely today!”
More and more villagers gathered at the door, all urging them to flee. Before Shen Suifeng could say a word, the sound of hooves echoed from every path through the village—riders approaching fast, accompanied by torches held high by the soldiers.
The flames lit up the dim morning sky. The villagers, unaccustomed to such a scene, panicked, no longer knowing what to do.
“There they are, Sir!”
A familiar voice rang out. Everyone turned and saw Cheng Sheng leading a group of soldiers their way.
Seeing him, Shen Suifeng felt oddly relieved. But beside him, Cheng Sheng’s mother suddenly collapsed to the ground in tears: “Heaven help us!”
“Ma, what are you crying for?” Cheng Sheng was stunned by the sudden outburst.
“I’m crying for you, you heartless boy! How can I show my face in this village again after what you’ve done?” She assumed he was the one who reported them, and sobbed uncontrollably.
Cheng Sheng rushed over to help her up, but was pushed away by Auntie Li with barely concealed hostility. He stood frozen, at a loss—when finally, the door to the side room opened.
Feng Lezhen stepped out slowly.
She was still wearing the same cotton dress from yesterday. Her hair was loosely tied back with a cloth, even more casual than the day before.
Yet even in such a simple state, the dignity she carried could not be hidden. The moment she appeared, the villagers were stunned. As Cheng Sheng’s mother sobbed, the mood shifted to sympathy and sorrow.
“What’s going on here?” Feng Lezhen asked, her brow lightly furrowed at the sight of the woman sitting on the ground.
The woman shook her head in distress, unable to speak. Meanwhile, the soldiers had already dismounted and were rushing into the courtyard with torches in hand. Cheng Sheng used the moment to quickly lead his mother to the side.
The courtyard was soon crowded with soldiers. A middle-aged man in an official’s robe jogged in, and when he saw Feng Lezhen, his expression changed. He immediately dropped to his knees and saluted.
“Your humble servant greets Her Highness the Eldest Princess!”
…Greet who?! Cheng Sheng’s mother choked on her sobs.
Everyone else also froze in place, until the surrounding soldiers all knelt down as well. Only then did they react and quickly followed suit.
“Greetings to Her Highness the Eldest Princess.”
“G-Greetings…”
Feng Lezhen’s face remained calm. She lifted her gaze and glanced at Shen Suifeng. Shen Suifeng silently stepped forward and carried out a chair from the house for her. There was a small stool in the courtyard, which he originally planned to use, but considering the dignity of Her Highness, he brought out the only slightly taller chair from inside instead.
“Why didn’t you come out earlier?” he asked in a low voice as he helped her sit down. “Cheng Sheng was almost falsely accused.”
Feng Lezhen expressionlessly replied, “At the very least, I had to put on proper clothes.”
Shen Suifeng smiled. After helping her sit, he tactfully stepped back.
“You may all rise,” she said calmly.
The villagers looked at one another. Only after the soldiers rose did they dare to stand up as well.
“You, kneel,” Feng Lezhen spoke again.
The villagers reflexively started to kneel, but when they saw only the officer in the center kneeling again while the soldiers remained standing, they hesitantly stayed on their feet, uneasy and afraid.
“Your Highness, your humble servant did not know you were in Lijia Village. I failed to greet you from afar—please forgive me,” the middle-aged man said respectfully, kneeling alone before the crowd.
“Yang Chang, is it?” Feng Lezhen called his name. Her hand, resting on her knee, lifted slightly, as if she intended to retrieve something but then thought better of it. Shen Suifeng silently walked to the kitchen—being the only one who could move freely, his actions naturally drew attention.
Feng Lezhen didn’t mind. She simply looked calmly at the kneeling man before her. “Last time I saw you, you were but a lowly Canshi. I didn’t expect that after only a few years, you’re now the deputy magistrate.”
“I dare not claim such credit,” Yang Chang lowered his head further. “Back then, it was thanks to Your Highness speaking well of me before the late emperor that I have today’s position. I shall never forget your great favor.”
Shen Suifeng returned from the kitchen, carrying a cup of hot tea. Without looking around, he placed it by Feng Lezhen’s side.
She glanced at the chipped rim of the cup, then after a moment’s silence, accepted it. Taking a small sip, she spoke slowly, “Then do you remember why I spoke on your behalf back then?”
Yang Chang hesitated, then answered, “Because your humble servant insisted on redressing an injustice against a widow and her orphan, and in doing so offended the then magistrate. Your Highness was the one who rescued me.”
“I have always valued those who are willing to speak for the people,” she said, and as the cup in her hand was too hot, she made a motion to set it aside. Shen Suifeng immediately caught it. “All these years—have you lived up to my expectations?”
“Your humble servant remembers Your Highness’s teachings every day. I speak with caution, conduct myself with restraint, and serve the public diligently, never daring to slack off,” Yang Chang replied hurriedly.
Feng Lezhen’s lips curved slightly. “Is that so.”
The courtyard fell suddenly silent. Yang Chang’s heart pounded in his chest. Just as he was at a loss, the hem of a cotton dress came into view. He looked up in a daze and, meeting Feng Lezhen’s cool gaze, quickly lowered his head again, his heart thumping like a drum.
In the silence, Feng Lezhen spoke slowly: “There are over a hundred villagers in Lijia Village—nearly half suffer from malnutrition. When I asked why, in a time of supposed peace and prosperity, people still suffered such ailments, someone mocked me. They said I’ve stayed too long in the capital, living in the best mansions, eating the finest food, and only seeing nobles and officials, so how could I know that even in a peaceful era, people still go hungry?”
The one who mocked her—Shen Suifeng—paused for a moment and pretended not to hear anything. Yang Chang, on the other hand, realized what she was getting at, and sweat began pouring down his face.
“Tell me, Lord Yang,” Feng Lezhen leaned forward slightly, only speaking once he looked up at her, “was my question… the same as ‘Why don’t they eat meat porridge’?”
Her features were refined, and even in a patched cotton dress, her elegance could not be hidden. Yet facing her up close, Yang Chang could not perceive any beauty—only the chilling aura of royalty.
Yang Chang’s lips trembled. He couldn’t utter a single word for a long time.
A flash of mockery passed through Feng Lezhen’s eyes. She turned and returned to her seat. Shen Suifeng quickly stepped forward with the freshly dried tea, holding it with both hands. She gave him a sidelong glance before accepting it.
“To the east of the village,” she said calmly, “there’s a road nearly ten li long. What’s the use of the wasteland on either side?”
Yang Chang trembled slightly. “It—it was land purchased by Qing Wang’s estate ten years ago. When the new emperor ascended, it was discovered that the land had been acquired through corruption, so it was confiscated… and since no new purpose had been decided, it’s been left idle.”
“No purpose,” Feng Lezhen’s lips curved faintly, “In the 23rd year of the Yuanli reign, the late emperor summoned over a hundred deputy magistrates for an audience. You were not yet a magistrate, Lord Yang, but were still permitted to attend. It has not even been ten years. Have you already forgotten what the late emperor said at the time?”
“…Your servant dares not forget the late emperor’s teachings.” Yang Chang’s head nearly touched the ground.
Feng Lezhen looked down at him, eyes devoid of pity. “Since you have not forgotten, then repeat it.”
Yang Chang’s throat strained, but no words came. In the end, he collapsed forward, lying prone on the ground as if drained of strength.
The watching villagers gradually sensed something was wrong. After exchanging glances for a while, one person finally spoke up timidly:
“Lord Yang is a good official. When the village livestock got sick, he allocated money for treatment. When it didn’t work, he spent manpower and resources to help us bury them… He’s truly a good man.”
With someone taking the lead, others dared to speak.
“Yes, yes. Lord Yang has treated us very well. Ever since the disaster, he’s often brought us grain and oil from his own pocket. He visits frequently too—he’s not like other officials who do nothing…”
“Your Highness the Eldest Princess, please see clearly—Lord Yang is truly a good man! We can’t get enough to eat because of the natural disasters, it’s not Lord Yang’s fault!”
Perhaps they had grown used to the Eldest Princess’s presence these past few days. Though still fearful and respectful, the villagers dared to speak up, emboldened.
Feng Lezhen’s expression did not change. She waited until everyone finished speaking before repeating her earlier question slowly, “What did the late emperor say?”
“The late emperor said… that the people must come first in all things. Any land or wealth that could be of use should be used for the people,” Yang Chang’s voice trembled more and more, and his eyes had turned completely red. “Even if it is not within the law… the people must still come first. In a time of peace and prosperity, it is unacceptable for the people to go hungry.”
Shen Suifeng’s gaze flickered, and he turned to look at Feng Lezhen’s calm eyes.
Daylight had fully broken, and the morning air was still damp. She sat quietly on the worn-out chair, yet her bearing remained undiminished. Shen Suifeng stared at her for a long while, as if he were seeing her for the first time.
“In that case, did you live up to it?” In the hush that followed, Feng Lezhen asked.
Yang Chang’s eyes reddened with shame; he couldn’t speak.
Feng Lezhen wasn’t angry. She asked a second question: “Did you hear the words of the people under your jurisdiction?”
“…Yes,” Yang Chang finally replied.
Feng Lezhen: “Hearing them plead for you—did that make you happy?”
After a long silence, Yang Chang finally choked out, “This humble official… has failed the people.”
“How did you fail them?” Feng Lezhen pressed.
Yang Chang’s whole body trembled. When he spoke again, his voice was already hoarse: “Those fields are tied to powerful figures in the capital. I was cowardly and only wished to protect myself. Since the court hadn’t explicitly assigned a use for the land, I feared offending someone or being blamed. Though I remembered the late emperor’s teachings, I didn’t dare allocate the land to the people. I could only watch them go hungry and suffer… I deserve punishment. I beg Your Highness to pass judgment!”
The tea in Feng Lezhen’s cup had gone cold. She handed it back to Shen Suifeng and quietly looked at the kneeling man.
After a long pause, she said, “I do not wish to punish you.”
Yang Chang looked up in a daze.
“An official who takes the initiative to help the people and is willing to spend his own money to deliver grain and oil—I do not wish to punish him. I only fail to understand,” Feng Lezhen met his gaze, “how the impassioned minor adviser who once risked his life for strangers became someone so timid and self-serving.”
Yang Chang looked utterly wretched, as though he had aged ten years in a moment.
At last, Feng Lezhen’s eyes held a trace of warmth. “Lord Yang, I may not punish you, but that doesn’t mean you are blameless. To hold office and not fulfill your duties—that is your greatest offense.”
“…This humble official acknowledges his fault.”
“Not only must you acknowledge it—you must correct it.” Her tone softened slightly.
“Yes,” Yang Chang wiped his eyes, “this official will return at once to consolidate all unused land, and redistribute it to each town and village according to their needs. I will not let another person go without land to farm or food to eat. I beg Your Highness to supervise me. If such a thing happens again, Your Highness need not punish me—I will take my own life in atonement!”
Shen Suifeng went back to the kitchen to add more hot water and returned the cup to Feng Lezhen.
She lowered her eyes and took a small sip, moistening her lips before speaking slowly: “Is one day enough?”
“It’s enough… it’s enough. I’ll begin immediately and guarantee it’s done within the day,” Yang Chang said hurriedly.
“Each household, how many people, how much land they used to have, how much they need to survive, how to support those with scholars in the family—these details, you should know better than I. Divide the land strictly. Don’t rush it and do it haphazardly just to meet the deadline,” Feng Lezhen said, looking at him.
Yang Chang nodded repeatedly.
Feng Lezhen lightly stifled a yawn and lifted her hand with a graceful motion.
Shen Suifeng paused for a moment, but then reached out and supported her. Feng Lezhen glanced at him, then allowed him to help her back into her room.
Once she entered, Shen Suifeng turned and returned. Yang Chang immediately asked, “Excuse me, sir—wasn’t Her Highness supposed to be at Yingguan? Why is she here? Where are her guards and attendants?”
“I’m just a physician, not any sort of official,” Shen Suifeng replied after a beat. “As for Her Highness’s people—they are, naturally, where they ought to be.”
The vague answer led Yang Chang to assume they were secretly stationed nearby. He hesitated, then asked, “Should I assign a few more men to protect Her Highness?”
Shen Suifeng instinctively wanted to refuse, but upon seeing the lingering villagers full of curiosity, he hesitated and agreed.
The Eldest Princess was, after all, someone of noble status. Although the Lijia village didn’t seem dangerous, now that her identity had been revealed, extra caution was warranted.
With Shen Suifeng’s approval, Yang Chang immediately sent over a dozen guards to protect the small courtyard, then hurried back to the county office. The courtyard, which had been packed just moments ago, was now tightly closed and silent—leaving only Shen Suifeng behind.
He stood alone in the courtyard, stared at the low wall for a moment, then let out a laugh.
Awakened before dawn, Feng Lezhen had only just begun to feel sleepy upon returning to her room—only to be interrupted before she could fall asleep.
“Your Highness, breakfast?” Shen Suifeng knocked on her door.
Feng Lezhen opened her eyes with an expressionless look.
“Your Highness, it’s time to eat,” Shen Suifeng leaned against the door. “Sleep too long and you’ll get a headache. And I don’t exactly have medicine for that right now. You’d better—”
The door creaked open. Feng Lezhen looked at him coldly.
Shen Suifeng smiled, “Didn’t sleep enough?”
“Haven’t even had the chance to sleep,” she said flatly.
His smile froze at the corners. He forcefully changed the topic: “Today’s breakfast is buns. You should like that.”
“The one thing I dislike most is buns…” she muttered—but still followed him.
Shen Suifeng handed her a steaming hot bun from the table, but Feng Lezhen didn’t take it. “Is it filled with wild vegetables?”
“No,” Shen Suifeng replied.
Feng Lezhen held his gaze for a long moment, then took the bun and broke it open right in front of him—
It was filled with wild vegetables.
She let out a cold laugh.
“Your Highness is truly hard to fool,” Shen Suifeng sighed.
Feng Lezhen shot him a glance and began eating the bun slowly.
Shen Suifeng watched her, noting there wasn’t the slightest hint of disgust on her face toward the wild vegetable filling. He opened his mouth to speak several times, but the words always died on his lips.
“Want to apologize?” Feng Lezhen didn’t look at him, but seemed to see straight through him. “Realized after all this that I’m not just some pampered, useless noble, and now you regret saying those mocking things about me?”
Shen Suifeng chuckled softly. “I never thought Your Highness was useless.”
“But you do think I’m high and mighty, ignorant of the hardships of the people,” Feng Lezhen lifted her gaze to meet his. “Shen Suifeng, you’ve traveled far and wide and seen more than the average person, but when it comes to the sufferings of the common folk, I’ve studied governance since I was a child—I understand no less than you. In the future, rein in that arrogance of yours. Stop looking down on those above you with that superior air. Without me, this so-called ‘superior,’ the people of Lijia Village would still be starving after you left.”
This time, Shen Suifeng didn’t argue. He simply picked up a bun and bumped it lightly against the one in her hand. “I offer this bun in place of tea, as an apology to Your Highness.”
Since he apologized, Feng Lezhen instead took a step back. “No need for apologies. The people of Lijia Village have indeed suffered due to the court’s negligence. I also failed to realize the situation in time—that’s on me.”
“Land redistribution is an affair of the court. Though Your Highness holds some power, you can’t possibly be involved in every matter. How could this be your fault?” Shen Suifeng replied.
Feng Lezhen sighed. “True. In the end, it’s the emperor’s incompetence. He can’t even take care of the people living so close to the capital. If only I could…”
“My bun tastes a little bitter,” Shen Suifeng suddenly interrupted.
Feng Lezhen narrowed her eyes.
“Your Highness, does your bun taste bitter?” he asked innocently.
“No,” Feng Lezhen replied.
Shen Suifeng smiled faintly, made up some excuse, and was about to leave. Feng Lezhen watched his retreating back and said slowly, “Once you’re in the game, there’s no such thing as walking away unscathed.”
Shen Suifeng paused, then turned back with a smile. “Your Highness is mistaken. I’ve never entered the game. Nor has the Shen family. Once I’ve escorted Your Highness to Yingguan, we’ll have no more ties.”
Feng Lezhen stared at his unruly yet handsome face for a moment, then said quietly, “The future is hard to predict.”
Shen Suifeng didn’t respond and simply turned to leave.
Yang Chang was extremely efficient. He had promised to determine land ownership within a day, but finished dividing the lands of Lijia Village by noon. The rest were also sorted out based on the specific circumstances of each village. By the time everything was done, it was only the next day at the hour of the tiger.
Feng Lezhen had stayed up all night. After reviewing the official documents he prepared, she smiled and said, “Lord Yang is as capable as ever. The late emperor and I were not mistaken in trusting you.”
“I’m ashamed. The longer I’ve held this position, the more cautious I’ve become. I fear I’ve forgotten why I became an official in the first place,” Yang Chang said with a bitter smile.
Feng Lezhen smiled faintly. “Complacency in the bureaucracy has become common these past few years. It’s hard not to be affected when you’re in it. It’s not all your fault.”
Yang Chang gave a sheepish smile, took the documents, and went to divide land in the other villages.
Feng Lezhen stifled a yawn behind her hand and returned to her chambers to sleep in. When she woke again, the sun was already high in the sky—and Shen Suifeng had been waiting outside for quite a while.
“Your Highness, it’s time we departed,” he said with a smile.
Feng Lezhen looked at him for a moment, then slowly curved her lips into a smile.
By the time they left, it was already noon. The village was deserted. Shen Suifeng led the horse and strolled beside her. “Your Highness, how much travel money did you ask Lord Yang for?”
“None,” Feng Lezhen replied.
Shen Suifeng paused. “Why not?”
“It’s shameful.”
Shen Suifeng chuckled, half-exasperated. “It’ll take us several days to reach Zhenan. How are we supposed to get by without any money?”
“Don’t you have silver?” Feng Lezhen asked in return.
Shen Suifeng: “I already exchanged it for grain and medicine—it’s long gone.”
Feng Lezhen stopped walking.
The two stared at each other in silence, both feeling at a loss, when suddenly a voice called from behind them, “Y-Your Highness, the Eldest Princess…”
They turned to see Auntie Li standing there timidly.
Since Feng Lezhen’s identity had been revealed, soldiers had been stationed near the cottage. This was the first time she’d seen Auntie Li since early the previous morning. “Auntie Li.”
“Oh, please don’t call me that, Your Highness—I don’t deserve it,” Auntie Li said, though her eyes were filled with joy. The past few days, she’d been so embarrassed about mistaking the Eldest Princess for someone eloping, and even daring to ask about her parents, that she could barely eat or sleep. When she heard the Eldest Princess was leaving, she mustered all her courage to come see her off.
“I heard Your Highness is leaving. I don’t have much to give, but please take these flatbreads. They might help keep you from going hungry on the road.” As she spoke, her face turned red. “I know they’re not worthy of someone of your status. These are just made from bean flour, and even that was bought by Mr. Shen…”
“These are wonderful. Thank you, Auntie Li,” Feng Lezhen said. Just as she reached out to take the flatbreads, a few heads peeked out from the alley.
She paused. Before she could even ask what they were hiding for, the villagers suddenly came pouring out all at once. Shen Suifeng instinctively stepped forward to shield Feng Lezhen, but seeing they stopped five paces away, he didn’t act further.
“Your Highness, I made this fried flour—it can be mixed with water and eaten like porridge. Please take it with you.”
“This is a water pouch I made myself. It’s filled with spring water. For Your Highness and Mr. Shen, to quench your thirst on the road. Thank you, Your Highness, for giving us land. From now on, we in Lijia Village will be able to grow our own grain.”
“Thank you, Your Highness. Thank you, Mr. Shen…”
The crowd all rushed forward to offer gifts. Feng Lezhen maintained a gentle smile, warm and courteous throughout. Shen Suifeng stood beside her, wondering if he should help her out of the situation, when suddenly, Auntie Li pulled him aside.
“Mr. Shen, about the misunderstanding earlier regarding your relationship with Her Highness, I truly apologize.” Auntie Li looked sincerely remorseful, and beside her, Cheng Sheng’s mother nodded repeatedly.
Shen Suifeng let out a light laugh. “It was us who deliberately concealed our identities. It’s no fault of yours.”
“Even so… you must have felt terrible about it, right?” Cheng Sheng’s mother said cautiously.
Shen Suifeng paused, just about to ask what they meant, when Auntie Li sighed and said, “You don’t have to hide it anymore. We might be country women, but we do have some sense. Someone like you, serving at the side of an Eldest Princess or prince… you must be that, um…”
“That what?” Shen Suifeng didn’t understand.
Auntie Li mumbled vaguely. Seeing he didn’t catch on, she tugged at Cheng Sheng’s mother’s sleeve.
“Eunuch,” Cheng Sheng’s mother said immediately.
Shen Suifeng: “…”
He was speechless for a moment, then let out a helpless laugh. “I’m not…”
“Don’t say you’re not. No need to explain. We old ladies know. Your heart must be heavy,” Auntie Li patted his shoulder. “But it’s alright. Even if you’re missing something, you’ve got a good face, a good job, and you seem like someone who’d treat a girl well. Someday, there’ll be a young lady who won’t mind such things and will like you just the same.”
Shen Suifeng sighed in defeat, “I really am not…”
“Shen Gonggong, it’s time to go,” Feng Lezhen suddenly appeared.
Shen Suifeng: “…”
