Chapter 5

Feng Yuanyuan brushed aside the leaves in front of her and looked in the direction of the voice.

This tree was carefully chosen by her, facing downstream of the stream, which was the direction of entering the mountain.

At this moment, the sunlight was gentle, and on the banks of the stream, a group of people was slowly approaching.

Leading the group were two women, one in green clothes appeared to be a maid, and the other…

Feng Yuanyuan’s gaze fell on the other’s face, and she couldn’t look away.

It was the beauty in  her dream!

After so many days, the face of the beauty from her dream might have become a bit blurry, but Feng Yuanyuan still remembered the cloud-like long dress and the jeweled hairpin on her head.

It must be her!

Feng Yuanyuan was excited and wanted to climb down immediately. However, before she could move, a guard behind the beauty suddenly shot a sharp glance towards her.

In the next moment, the man waved his hand, and other guards, well-trained, swiftly ran up, protecting the beauty and her servants in the middle. They aimed their bows and arrows at her!

Feng Yuanyuan froze, not daring to move recklessly.

“Come out!”

Chen Jing looked at Princess Huarong, walked forward, and sternly shouted.

Princess Huarong remained indifferent, as if she didn’t care whether there were assassins around or if they were after her life.

The maid, Wei Yun, was frightened, extending her hands to shield her mistress.

Each of Chen Jing’s men was armed, and when she came out thier fear dispelled, they relaxed. However, Chen Jing heard Princess Huarong sneer, probably mocking him for being overly cautious just now.

With a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth, Chen Jing could only vent his anger on Feng Yuanyuan, questioning with a stern face, “Why were you hiding here?”

Feng Yuanyuan looked at the surrounded beauty with anticipation.

“What are you looking at? Kneel down!”

Seeing that she dared to show disrespect to Princess Huarong, Chen Jing’s tone became even harsher.

Feng Yuanyuan knelt down tremblingly, but her gaze remained fixed on Princess Huarong.

Chen Jing could understand; after all, the reputation of “the most beautiful woman in the world” for Princess Huarong was well-deserved. When the court first sent Princess Huarong, even the lord was momentarily stunned. Later, he was assigned to accompany the princess to ensure her safety during her travels.

Giving Feng Yuanyuan a stern look, Chen Jing turned to Princess Huarong and bowed his head, saying, “Reporting to the princess, she’s just a wild child. I will immediately drive her away.”

Princess Huarong paid him no attention and casually looked at Feng Yuanyuan. Her expression and posture seemed like a celestial being disdainfully observing an ant.

Feng Yuanyuan felt uneasy under the scrutinizing gaze and began to doubt the dreams bestowed upon her by the God of Fortune.

Despite her doubts, she couldn’t tear her eyes away from Princess Huarong.

In her dreams, she believed that celestial beings like Princess Huarong truly existed in the world.

Yet, in Princess Huarong’s eyes, Feng Yuanyuan appeared like a pretty little rabbit that had just run out of the woods—somewhat silly and a bit foolish.

Princess Huarong dismissed her guards and approached Feng Yuanyuan slowly, with Wei Yun closely following her, and Chen Jing guarding her side.

Feng Yuanyuan kept her gaze fixed on Princess Huarong.

“Do you recognize me?” Princess Huarong examined Feng Yuanyuan’s face up close with the same icy demeanor.

Feng Yuanyuan shook her head.

“Then why are you looking at me like this?” Princess Huarong inquired.

Unable to come up with an excuse, Feng Yuanyuan could only speak the truth, “I dreamt of you, so I came here to wait for you.”

Princess Huarong smiled.

Though she found Feng Yuanyuan’s simplicity amusing, Chen Jing also couldn’t help but chuckle. He glanced at Princess Huarong, but she simply exchanged a playful look with Wei Yun, paying him no mind.

It seemed that Princess Huarong had developed an interest in Feng Yuanyuan and signaled Wei Yun with her eyes.

Wei Yun immediately fetched a brocade cushion from a nursemaid’s hand and laid it on a flat rock.

Princess Huarong gathered her skirt and sat down, calling Feng Yuanyuan to her side. She asked, “Why are you waiting for me?”

Feng Yuanyuan kept her head low, nervously gripping her sleeves.

Eager to be taken in by the princess but unable to speak up, Feng Yuanyuan, who had never asked for anything from anyone, remained silent.

“You don’t need to be afraid. Just answer the princess honestly,” Wei Yun comforted in a gentle tone.

Feng Yuanyuan continued to keep her lips sealed.

Wei Yun sighed in helplessness.

Princess Huarong noticed the wrinkles on Feng Yuanyuan’s clothes and suddenly asked, “How long have you been waiting here?”

Feng Yuanyuan calculated and replied, “I’ve been living in the mountains for five nights. Today is the sixth day.”

Princess Huarong pondered for a moment, “What about your family?”

Feng Yuanyuan’s voice lowered, “I don’t have any family. My parents passed away a long time ago, and last year, Grandma Li also left. Grandpa Li wanted to sell me to a brothel, so I ran away.”

In just a few sentences, she revealed her past seven years of life.

Princess Huarong remained silent for a long time.

Wei Yun continued to inquire about Feng Yuanyuan’s background, such as her name and where she had lived before.

Feng Yuanyuan answered everything in detail, including repairing the roof of the Fuxing Temple and the two dreams she had.

Princess Huarong and her entourage were astonished after Feng Yuanyuan finished her story.

“You really dreamt of the princess?” Wei Yun asked in disbelief.

Feng Yuanyuan nodded and looked at Princess Huarong, saying, “Every word from this humble girl is true. Princess, you can send someone to verify it.”

Princess Huarong continued to scrutinize her.