Chapter 6

The scenery of Peach Creek was not enough to captivate Princess Huarong indefinitely. When the sun reached its zenith, Princess Huarong, having had a simple snack, was ready to return to the residence.

The mountain path was uneven, and Wei Yun, as before, gently supported Princess Huarong’s left arm.

Feng Yuanyuan, carrying her small bundle, followed behind the mistress and servant.

She had already seen the scenery by the stream for five or six days. At this moment, she couldn’t help but stare at the princess’s skirt. The fabric was like clouds and mist, light, thin, and smooth.

Perhaps being too absorbed, she accidentally stepped into a depression in the path, nearly tumbling.

Princess Huarong turned around and saw Feng Yuanyuan hurriedly stabilizing herself. The girl was small, and her face lacked a few ounces of flesh due to hunger.

“Are you tired?” Princess Huarong asked. Considering that this seven-year-old had been camping in the mountains for so long, even if she had just had a full meal, her hands and feet might not have fully recovered her strength.

Feng Yuanyuan did feel weak in the legs, but she was afraid that the princess would look down on her, so she shook her head and refused to admit it.

Princess Huarong finally gave a meaningful look to the chief guard, Chen Jing.

Chen Jing was unexpectedly touched, feeling honored by the princess’s attention. After all these years of guarding the princess, moments when she looked at him directly were rare!

Among the many guards, the princess wanted him to take care of that child, indicating that he held a somewhat special place in her heart!

“Come over, I’ll carry you.”

Considering the princess’s kindness, Chen Jing spoke to Feng Yuanyuan in a somewhat friendly tone.

Feng Yuanyuan was about to say that she could still walk, but Princess Huarong spoke first, “Go ahead, don’t waste time.”

Feng Yuanyuan had no choice but to walk over to Chen Jing.

Chen Jing squatted down, and Feng Yuanyuan awkwardly climbed onto his back.

She couldn’t remember anything before the age of three, and in recent years, only Grandma Li had carried her. Years of hard labor had bent Grandma Li’s back, making Feng Yuanyuan worry that she might burden her.

However, Chen Jing was entirely different. He was as tall as Master Mei and even younger, with broad and solid shoulders as sturdy as stones.

“Lie down, why bother supporting yourself? Isn’t your neck tired?”

Chen Jing could sense the stiffness of the young girl. After all, she was just a child, so he took extra care.

After hesitating for a while, Feng Yuanyuan slowly leaned her head on his shoulder.

Chen Jing walked on the outer edge of the guards, staying vigilant around them while glancing at Princess Huarong in the front. He whispered to Feng Yuanyuan, “You dreamt of the princess coming here to pick you up. Did you dream of me?”

Feng Yuanyuan shook her head.

Chen Jing teased, “Your dream isn’t accurate, then.”

Feng Yuanyuan thought that perhaps the lucky star decided that guards like Chen Jing weren’t important, so they weren’t included in the dream.

Worried about being heard by Princess Huarong, Chen Jing teased Feng Yuanyuan for a while but soon fell silent, focusing on walking.

The sunlight filtered through the treetops, casting a warm glow. With the rhythmic swaying of the man’s shoulders, Feng Yuanyuan, tired from days of hardship, gradually fell asleep.

The foot of the mountain arrived.

Two carriages stopped under the shade of the trees, and four guards stood guard around the carriages.

The first carriage was a luxurious and imposing one, reserved for the princess’s use. The other carriage was an ordinary one for the accompanying maids.

Chen Jing knew that the princess was particular about her lifestyle, and Feng Yuanyuan, who was currently dirty, didn’t qualify to share the same carriage with the princess.

He headed straight to the second carriage while carrying the sleeping child on his back.

Princess Huarong glanced at Feng Yuanyuan’s rosy cheeks and signaled to Weiyun with her eyes.

Weiyun quickly stopped Chen Jing.

Chen Jing approached with confusion.

Weiyun helped the princess onto the carriage first and, after getting in herself, signaled for Chen Jing to hand over Feng Yuanyuan to her.

Chen Jing widened his eyes, “Can the princess tolerate this?”

Every time the lord went to see the princess, he had to take a bath and burn incense first. How could this girl smoothly enter the princess’s carriage without any fuss?

Chen Jing felt indignant on behalf of his lord!

Weiyun scolded him lightly, “If I tell you to give her to me, then just do it. Why so much nonsense?”

Chen Jing snorted and changed his grip on Feng Yuanyuan, holding her in his arms before handing her to Weiyun.

Feng Yuanyuan had lost some weight in the past few days, making her light as a feather. Weiyun effortlessly carried her into the carriage.

The princess’s carriage was like a small house, with a luxurious silk-covered couch at the center, and a tea table and cabinets on the sides.

Princess Huarong lazily leaned against one side of the couch, leaving a considerable space next to her.

Weiyun received a signal from the princess and carefully placed Feng Yuanyuan on the couch.

With everything ready, the carriage set off, following the serene mountain road towards the bustling city of Ningzhou.

In the past few nights, Feng Yuanyuan hadn’t slept well. The hard mountain rocks had made her small body ache, and it was not as comfortable as lying on Chen Jing’s broad shoulders.

But now, she lay on the soft and smooth silk, easing the soreness in her entire body. There was even a faint fragrance lingering in the air.

Feng Yuanyuan sniffed and woke up.

Opening her eyes, she saw Princess Huarong sitting on the opposite side, one hand supporting her snowy-white chin, the other holding a book.