Although she was a princess, Qing Lian had never been pampered by anyone beside her big brother, Qing Rui. Qing Youya loves her, but wasn't especially doting, he was just caring and gentle, perfectly resembling their concubine mother. However these days, even Qing Rui has less and less time for her. Previously, his time was occupied by studies, court, and jobs, however it gradually changes. Besides his responsibility, Qing Rui now spends most of his time pampering and frolicking with his little lover. Qing Lian wasn't amused by that, but she couldn't say anything, nor did she has any right to.
"Her highness, her highness" Yamato called Qing Lian with a voice filled by joy and pampering, his warm breaths blew softly to her rosy cheek, "I will cook you your lunch personally, guess what it'll be?"
Qing Lian flustered, but didn't dare trouble Ren Xiu, thus she sat still like a dead rabbit in rigor mortis, even the voice she mustered sounds flat and emotionless, "..what?"
"It's a special grilled fish! I've checked the map, and we'll soon reach a river, we shall take a rest there and catch fresh fish for you!"
Qing Lian got even more embarrassed, she bit her lip and bowed her head, lamenting her overwhelming emotions which will soon reach it's limit.
Realizing the princess's rigid body, Yamato heaved a soft sigh and took her small hands into his, "Relax princess, i don't bite," with a gentle voice he whispered right into Qing Lian's ear, fully aware that it would only worsen her embarrassment, yet couldn't help but to tease more.
Witnessing his twin being harassed like that, Qing Youya slightly knitted his brows in displeasure, "Don't overstep your bound please, sister-in-law," still with his mild smile, he seethed in a cold voice.
"I wouldn't dare! I just can't help myself as she is sooo cute!" Yamato squeezed Qing Lian into his embrace, looking very delighted and happy.
Qing Youya chose to give in and heaved a deep sigh. They continued the journey as such, the prince just continued reading his book, while Wang Li stayed silent. Yamato kept hugging Qing Lian til the princess got used to it and recovered her previous pale complexion.
Eventually they reached the planned rest area, a cool riverside with warm blowing wind. The leading cavalry announced the following carriages to stop and to park in place. The maidservant quickly got the rations out to feed all the soldiers and the masters.
Yamato got out from the carriage while carrying a calm faced Qing Lian in his arms, appearing straight and steady although he was actually enduring his headache hard.
Wang Li was very competent and professional as she quickly whip up a mat and some stool under a tree with the most flat ground she immediately found. With her respectful and cold disposition, Wang Li leads both Qing Youya and Ren Xiu subtly to their seat while barely saying anything. Truly an example of professionalism.
"Thank you," Yamato said with a smile.
"As your highness wishes," Wang Li replied.
From afar, Yamato could see the busy maids preparing rations to shape a meal, and he saw An Xiao stood still beside the carriage with a clear anxious mien. Everytime she was about to take a step, she withdrew, everytime she was about to reach out her hands, she retracted, seeming very indecisive and hesitant. Yamato could roughly guess why, but have no slightest intention to save the girl from the awfully awkward predicament and instead chuckled quietly.
Yamato gently placed Qing Lian on the stool, "I'm going for a bit."
Still in a stupor, Qing Lian subconsciously nodded, but immediately startled a second later,"Eh? Where to?"
Chuckling again, Yamato patted her head and replied "To the river," then left.
Yamato approached some soldiers who were washing their face on the river, and silently squatted down beside them. The moment those soldiers raised their face up, they were startled and recoiled to found the crown princess squatting while shooting a stare at them.
Unable to quickly regain their composure, they immediately tried to kneel and face Ren Xiu. Some looked slightly frightened, and some almost stumbled on their way, "H-her highness crown princess! Please excuse us humble servants!"
Yamato smiled, suppressing a bit of laughter, "It's alright. I'm here for a request."
The soldier quickly turned solemn, expecting some mission.
"Please catch me some fish."
And their solemn expression turned to a disoriented forced seriousness, "This humble servant understood," thus they bowed and left, still with a slightly confused look.
The moment they took off, Yamato broke to a laugh. Those soldiers seemed young and new, unlike the bunch of stocky, seasoned, hard boiled greybeards who were sitting on the boulders with the most steady composure on the side. The young soldiers must be a talented new generations who lacked experience, Yamato agreed that this mission fit them most.
"Pardon my rudeness your highness, but how about your highness rest with the prince and princess, because this riverside is quite slippy," suddenly Baili Haoyue came from the side.
Yamato didn't immediately answer, instead he took his time to stare at the general's face carefully. A kind and relaxed brows, soft gentle eyes resembling black spinel, high chiseled nose and thin peach lips, Baili Haoyue was indeed attractive. However his charming features wasn't what people would expect from a character such as a general. Instead if Yamato were to generalize, then Baili Haoyue's looks would be more fit as a scholar.
Sensing Ren Xiu's stare, Baili Haoyue grew awkward and uncomfortable.
Yamato propped himself up, "General Baili Haoyue, I want to apologize for my impolite manner up until now. Please forgive me if you find me rude," Yamato asked with a polite smile and a slight bow.
Dumbfounded, Baili Haoyue widened his eyes in surprise. Previously, he saw how Ren Xiu act in front of Qing Rui, it was very free and uncaring and it definitely disregarded formal manner or common sense. Yet that very Ren Xiu currently apologizes politely to him regarding that manner. It was as though she didn't care about her image in front of Qing Rui, yet she cares about her image in front of him. Truly a wonder.
"Your highness doesn't have to apologize, it was nothing. And I apologize in advance if your highness finds this impertinent, however this general quite like and preferred some slack," Baili Haoyue replied with a slightly playful and relaxed smile.
Yamato took a moment then chuckled, "Is that so, then let us cut each other some slack."
"Certainly."
"... How old are you?"
"I'm 22?"
Yamato crossed his arms, "Then i'm younger than you, Haoyue ge."
Baili Haoyue were taken aback at how Ren Xiu approaches, however he immediately chuckled in amusement a second later, "Certainly your highness."
A soldier approached with a bucket of lively fish, "Your highness, is this much fish enough?"
That was sure fast and this is too much, these soldiers might be young but they certainly are useful.
Yamato beamed a smile and took the bucket from the soldier, "Yes very much, thank you for all your hardwork! However I'm only going to take four, you all can have the rest, i apologize for not telling you the certain number i want beforehand, sorry for the extra trouble," slightly shrugged and bowed, Yamato's visage hinted a grateful and apologetic feeling.
The soldiers were surprised, from the moment they saw her act and talk, they had already labelled Ren Xiu as a mannerless, fearless, and carefree noble, just like a barbarian. Hence her polite words and humble apology took them by surprise, causing them to be dumbfounded they were unable to immediately react.
"Pfft- they don't see that one coming," Baili Haoyue raised his fist to his amused lips.
"Indeed, they must've seen me as some kind of barbarian," Yamato squinted and slightly furrowed his brows, making an expression as though he was displeased as a form of joking.
However the most timid looking soldier flinched, his face immediately burned with shame and fright as he waved his hands like mad in a fluster, "Nononono, w-w-we wouldn't dare!!" fright, panick, and naivety was written all over his countenance.
A second later his red flustered face turned into a distorted red in pain. Turns out his feet was stomped hard by a calmer soldier beside him.
"It's not trouble at all. Then, we will have the rest of the fish, many thanks for her highness's generosity," the stomper announced in a calm tone without the slightest scruple. "Also, her highness is very noble and graceful. Her highness being a barbarian have never once crossed our minds. My comrade here is very timid and inexperienced, and this humble servant beg her highness to show us some mercy for his impertinence," he continued smoothly as he kneeled on one knee.
Amazed at how smooth that soldier carried himself, Yamato whistled while raising the corner of his lips, "You are pardoned. Name yourselves."
The polite and calm soldier were called Jian Yu, his calm and serious temperament reminds Yamato of his friend, whom was the student council's stoic secretary. The other timid one were called Zhang Ying. Even after they were pardoned to go, Zhang Ying still winced in pain for his now gammy leg, seems like the stomp was indeed quite hard. The two had piqued Yamato's interest as a funny combi.
Baili Haoyue helped Yamato carry the bucket, "That Zhang Ying, he might act like that, however please don't let it disquiet you, as he's properly reliable."
Leading Baili Haoyue towards the busy maids, Yamato responded while walking with his hands clasped behind his back, "Oh? From what basis?" he raised his right brow.
"He was quite famous back then, has her highness not hear the rumour?"
"Rumour from what time?... Aah, i've lost my memory so i might hear but forgot about it," Yamato deducted with a slightly apologetic smile.
"Ah, right.. i apologize for being inconsiderate.."
"That's alright, continue."
"... Yes, last year, he ranked fifth in the national martial arts annual competition. The ranks consisted of some veteran generals and some famous practitioner, that time he was nation wide famous for being able to squeeze to the ranks although he was only an ordinary soldier. His martial skill is one of the best in the entire country, even i was less than him," Baili Haoyue explained and bragged, there was a hint of pride in his bright voice.
Yamato widen his eyes in awe, "Wow, totally unexpected of him.. But although skilled, with that kind of temperament i guess he still don't get anything easy, is he?"
Heaved a heavy sigh, Baili Haoyue lamented, "Truly, It's just as her highness say.. He's hopeless in everything else beside martial art, and always needs Jian Yu to cover his blunder up every single time," he sighed again.
They arrived to the flocking busy maid and borrowed some knife to clean and arrange the fish Baili Haoyue had carried to a skewer. He skillfully seasoned the fish with his personal spice collection and let it marinate for a while, then he roasted it on a campfire the maids had previously lit.
The finished product was a mouth watering, fragrant, and tender grilled fish. Yamato placed four of it on a clean rectangular plate.
"Her highness.. That.. Is totally unexpected," Baili Haoyue were amazed at both Yamato's skill and the finished meal.
"Got that a lot, aren't i great for a wife? Qing Rui really threw his luck down the drain this time, hahahaha!" Yamato joked, right beside the maids, in a place An Xiao could hear well.
Baili Haoyue squeezed a forced laugh while shooting a glance at the frustrated An Xiao. Unlike Ren Xiu, he didn't hate An Xiao, in fact he quite liked her, however he was currently in front of his employer, thus he needed to comply at some degree.
Yamato fully understood his gesture. "I'm gonna offer these to my angels, thanks for your help Haoyue ge," then he left with a friendly meaningful smile.
On the other side, Qing Youya were reading quietly on his stool, while Qing Lian kept staring at Yamato's approaching figure.
"Your highness, miss me?" Yamato places the plate down, revealing the nicely done fish he made then sat beside Qing Lian. "Look, as i promised, a grilled fish! 2 for you and 2 for his highness, it looks delicious isn't it?"
"For me as well?" Qing Youya raised his sight from his book skeptically.
"Of course. I asked your highness's favorite food previously right? But your highness said you have no particular food you would like, hence this grilled fish for two!" Yamato beamed his most delighted smile, looking all pleasant and satisfied.
A blooming flower was the most suitable metaphor to describe Qing Lian's happy smile, it was able to squeeze Yamato's heart to explode by laying his eyes on the scene.
Bashfully, Qing Lian said, "T-thank you Xiu Jie!"
Yamato's heart has exploded.
Just a second after being spellbound, Yamato and Qing Youya noticed a movement from the bushes behind them.
Qing Youya immediately shielded his twin, and suddenly, something emerged even before they could yell for the soldiers.
However what appeared turns out to be something they really hadn't expected. It was a little child, around 7 or 9, in a ragged clothing, emaciated and haggard, with one eye missing.