Bab 130: Pursuit
Awakening, it was already the second day. As she opened her eyes, blinding white light pierced through, causing Xianyue to squint. She propped herself up with one hand on the wooden bed.
"Princess."
Instead of the concerned face of Bai Peiting, her gaze fell upon Yilan and Ya'er, who squatted at the bedside, looking up with eager eyes that seemed to convey a single message: something important was afoot.
Xianyue rubbed her eyes and glanced at the entrance, realizing that the sun had risen high. She patted her throbbing head, feeling as if it were filled with lead. Massaging her temples, she reflected that this was her first experience of drunkenness—and surely her last. It wasn't the alcohol that intoxicated her; it was her desire to drown her sorrows in drink.
Her mouth felt parched, with a faint bitterness lingering. Her lips were severely chapped, on the verge of cracking. Xianyue opened her eyes, disregarding the reason why Ya'er and Yilan were there. She pointed toward the tea on the table. Yilan, understanding her cue, stood up to pour her a cup. Xianyue drank eagerly, and Yilan refilled her cup several times until her lips no longer felt dry. Only then did Xianyue hand the cup to Ya'er and shake her head as she stood up from the bed. "What time is it now?"
Rising from the bed, she remembered how she had been drenched in sweat and collapsed on the ground last night. Bai Peiting had changed her into clean clothes after she had succumbed to sleep. She surveyed her surroundings with wide eyes, particularly examining the walls and the table as if searching for something.
"Princess, you've been asleep for quite a while; it's already past the si hour, and soon it will be noon."
Without responding, Xianyue sat down at the table, shaking her head and vigorously patting it. She poured herself a cup of water, with Yilan and Ya'er standing behind her, playfully nudging one another, both trying to get her attention.
Xianyue quietly sipped her water, fully aware of the commotion behind her yet choosing to feign ignorance. Although she had drunk too much the previous night, her mind was still clear about the things she had said and done, as well as what had happened to others. While she couldn't recall every detail precisely, she retained a general memory.
Inside, she felt restless, desperately trying to break free from the bottomless vortex of darkness. She had hoped that intoxication would help her forget everything. In truth, aside from the throbbing headache and thirst from her hangover, nothing had changed. Awakening meant facing the pain of choice once more, the turmoil within her heart still a tangled mess. Even after resolving to make a decision, discomfort lingered.
Pressing her hand against her chest, she felt a dull ache where she had been struck by the blue-clad figure, but it wasn't the blow that pained her. Instead, it was the two individuals whose presence she couldn't bear to let go of; her heart was still bleeding from the wounds they left.
The two girls nudged each other in silence. After putting down her cup, Xianyue turned to them, leaning against the table. "Where did Bai Peiting go?"
Initially thinking Xianyue was inquiring about something else, Yilan and Ya'er's hearts jumped with anticipation. Upon realizing she was asking about Bai Peiting, they exchanged glances, disappointment evident in their eyes.
"She has gone to prepare a hangover soup for you, Princess."
Xianyue acknowledged with a simple "Hmm," then stood and walked to the door. Yilan and Ya'er followed closely behind her. Just as Xianyue was about to step outside, they hurriedly called out, "Princess!"
Xianyue hadn't intended to leave. Seeing them catch up, she turned, looking at them with a light laugh. "Speak up, what's the matter?"
Yilan rushed to Xianyue's side, her hands balled into fists at her sides, eyes wide with anticipation. "Princess, I got drunk last night. Can we have a match now?"
Her face was filled with eager hope.
"Are you too?" Ya'er nodded, adding, "I promise I won't drink so much again."
Ya'er lowered her head, her cheeks slightly flushed; she had been so happy last night that she had lost track of her limits.
Among them all, Yueying possessed the greatest strength, Yilan had the best skills, and Ya'er, small and light, was as agile as a swallow. Yilan, meticulous and careful, recognized that each had their own strengths. Thus, she felt frustrated upon waking early, wishing she had known there were more matters at hand; she would never have drunk to excess.
"Do you wish to follow me?"
Both nodded eagerly.
"A disaster has struck my home. Ya'er's parents were swept away by floodwaters while trying to protect me and my brother. They always told me to be grateful and repay kindness. The princess has saved me, so even if I must toil like a beast, I want to stay by your side. I got separated from my brother when we fled the disaster with others from our village. I believe he is still in Feng Kingdom. He has always been very good to me, sharing his food. During our escape, he was beaten because of me. I want to fight alongside the princess on the battlefield so that my brother can live in peace in Feng Kingdom."
Perhaps recalling her deceased parents and lost brother, Ya'er's eyes turned red. She covered her eyes with her hands and began to weep.
Leaning against the door, Xianyue wore a gentle smile, but her heart felt a pang of sadness. She reached out and ruffled Ya'er's hair. "Such a little crybaby."
"Princess."
Yilan called out seriously, putting aside their previous playful banter.
"Even though I have spent my time in Feng Kingdom on the back mountain of the royal mausoleum with other sisters, we have always been attentive to your every move. I wish to follow you not merely out of gratitude for your rescue but out of admiration. People in the martial world say you are free-spirited and unconventional; they compare you to the Princess of Yunyan and the Princess of Chuguo. However, I believe they cannot hold a candle to you."
Yilan gazed earnestly at Xianyue, her eyes wide open with sincerity.
"Though all princesses enjoy lavish wealth, their actions are merely self-serving. The Princess of Chuguo would act against you for the sake of her betrothed, and the Princess of Yunyan would marry the entire Zhou dynasty. I am convinced that had you been in their position, you would not have behaved thus. You are unfettered because you long for freedom, yet you would never abandon your responsibilities and obligations out of personal desire. You have said that there exists a force transcending love and freedom, one worthy of all sacrifices. You desire a life spent with a true partner, and so do I. I hope to marry one day, but if the time comes when I must choose between my beloved and my duty to you, I would choose to stay by your side, for I am a citizen of Feng Kingdom. As the adults teach us, when the country faces peril, it is our responsibility to rise. Princess, you are of our age, perhaps even younger, yet you bear the weight of all responsibility alone. I respect you deeply. As your subject, I wish to stand beside you, sharing your burdens. I hope you can grant me this wish."
Once Yilan finished speaking, she knelt on one knee, bowing her head and gazing at her toes, not daring to meet Xianyue's gaze.
Beside her, Ya'er was somewhat dazed. She hadn't anticipated that the usually carefree Yilan could utter such heartfelt words. After a moment of shock, she quickly wiped her nose and followed suit, kneeling before Xianyue. "I share the same sentiments as Yilan, Princess. Please allow us to remain by your side, or at least grant us a chance to compete against you."
Ya'er tilted her head back, her voice tender and childlike.
Xianyue leaned down, her lips slightly pursed as she regarded Yilan, who knelt on the ground. Suddenly, she burst into laughter. "I never expected Yilan to articulate such heartfelt words."
Yilan's heart raced with anxiety; upon hearing Xianyue's laughter, she realized that the princess did not blame her for her impulsiveness, and she exhaled a sigh of relief. Xianyue, resting her hands on her knees in a half-crouch, leaned closer to Yilan's ear. "Tell me, how long did you prepare for this?"
Yilan looked up, her gaze locking onto Xianyue's clear, teasing eyes, leaving her momentarily speechless.
With a gentle smile, Xianyue patted her shoulder. "Stand up."
Glancing at Ya'er, who was also kneeling beside her, she added, "You too, rise."
The two girls met Xianyue's gaze and stood up simultaneously. As Xianyue lifted the curtain, she suddenly turned back. "Why has Sister Pingting been gone for so long?" Raising an eyebrow, she departed.
Yilan and Ya'er exchanged anxious glances, both filled with trepidation. Had the princess agreed or not? Their curiosity bubbled beneath the surface, yet they dared not pursue her for answers.
Xianyue stretched lazily as she moved the curtain aside, only to see the blue-clad girl approaching with a hangover remedy. "Princess."
The girl lowered her head, cradling the bowl of soup in her hands, unable to meet Xianyue's gaze. "Princess, I didn't mean to last night."
Her voice was barely a whisper. Typically composed, she had indulged in a few too many drinks during the festivities, feeling only slightly tipsy. She had assumed the princess would evade her, but instead, Xianyue had met her fist head-on.
"I never claimed you did it intentionally."
Bai Pingting approached, flanked by Lvzhu and Yueying. "Princess, we should return now."
Xianyue handed the bowl of hangover soup to the blue-clad girl, stretched, and yawned. "I don't want to go back; the palace is stifling. It's much more lively and comfortable here."
"Does the princess intend to stay here?"
Yilan lifted the tent flap and dashed to Xianyue's side, her excitement palpable.
Xianyue turned to her, scanning the faces of the crowd. "What's the matter? Are we not welcome? If I'm unwelcome, then I'll return to the palace with Sister Pingting."
As she spoke, she pretended to pull Bai Pingting away, but was halted by Lvzhu and the others. "How could we not welcome you? Having the princess here to guide us is something we could only dream of."
Releasing Bai Pingting's hand, Xianyue instructed the blue-clad girl, "Find someone to return and tell Lord Lan that I have matters to attend to and will not be going back for now."
"Sister Pingting, where's my Snow Soul? Why isn't it in my room?"
Bai Pingting replied with a knowing "Oh," fixing her gaze on Xianyue. "Last night, when I saw the princess faint, I handed it to the blue-clad girl without thinking."
"Why didn't you say so sooner?"
Frowning, Xianyue lifted her leg to chase after the departing blue-clad girl. After a few steps, she abruptly halted and turned, meeting Bai Pingting's puzzled and inquisitive expression. She paused, tapping her head. "I have a headache; I'm going to sleep."
As she rubbed her forehead, she brushed past Bai Pingting. "Sister Pingting, that was the token of affection Lord Lan gave me; remember to bring it back for me."
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone