The palace is situated at a considerable distance from the military encampment in the western suburbs, where the women brought by Xianyue are located. If traveling by horse-drawn carriage at a leisurely pace, it would take at least four hours. Xianyue and Bai Pingting set off from the west city gate, riding on chosen steeds of exceptional quality. Xianyue led the way on her white steed, her figure a striking flash of white that sliced through the inky darkness of the night.
Bai Pingting followed closely behind. The moonlight was exquisite tonight, and the stars shone brilliantly. She focused on Xianyue but soon found her gaze unable to keep pace with the fleeting figure ahead, whose delicate silhouette melded into the night, reminiscent of the cold and solitary moon above, suffused with a faint sadness. Startled by her own thoughts, Bai Pingting tightened her grip on the reins, fearing that if she lost sight of Xianyue, something untoward might occur.
On either side of them were lush trees, their soft branches drooping low, occasionally brushing against their heads, yet this did nothing to hinder the galloping horses; the path was remarkably smooth.
"Pingting, this feels wonderful," Xianyue called out, turning to look at her breathless companion. Her laughter rang joyfully through the stillness of the forest, as the cool wind swept across her face, refreshing and invigorating. Her laughter scattered through the woods, blending with the sound of the rushing wind. With her arms outstretched as if to take flight, she slowly closed her eyes atop her steed.
The wind whistled in her ears, and her hair danced wildly in the breeze, striking her face with a playful sting. Her white attire billowed in the air, rustling softly, as the wind seemed to carry away all her troubles. In that moment, she felt as if she were soaring, liberated and unrestrained, like the night wind in the mountains.
She cherished this feeling; back when she was at Pear Blossom Mountain, if boredom struck in the evenings, she would rush down the steep slopes, her entire being emptying out, like a kite set free, soaring in the sky.
"Lord Lan, I love you!" Xianyue shouted, cupping her hands around her mouth, her clear voice echoing in the night, as if seeking to reach that special someone in Xuelan Hall through the wind.
"Princess!" Bai Pingting exclaimed, her laughter mingling with Xianyue's, tinged with a hint of envy.
To dare to love and hate, to act with passion and vengeance, yet unbeknownst to her, these were merely her own musings.
"Try it too, Sister Pingting," Xianyue urged, and with a playful grin, she shouted, "Bai Pingting loves Feng Jiulan, for all eternity!"
"Princess!" Bai Pingting protested, her gaze instinctively darting about. The cool night breeze brushed against her face, making her cheeks feel flushed, as if they had been singed by fire. Though it was no secret, and there was no one else around, hearing Xianyue declare it so boldly still made her feel shy. Yet, alongside that shyness came a sense of exhilaration, as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders, her entire being relaxing.
"What are you afraid of?" Xianyue chimed. To reveal the secrets of her heart to the world was, after all, a form of happiness. When thoughts of Lan Yixuan crossed her mind, they inevitably led to Feng Jiulan, causing Xianyue's heart to flutter. She smiled, exclaiming, "What a delightful feeling!"
She had grown accustomed to facing everything alone, to bearing burdens single-handedly; even if the sky were to fall, she would be able to hold it up by herself.
Thanks to Xianyue's swift pace, the originally four-hour journey took less than two. Standing on a distant rise, they beheld the glowing campfires scattered about, forming a long serpentine blaze. The white tents, illuminated by the moonlight, emanated a cool luminescence. It was past the hour of the snake, and the soldiers, having trained all day, should have been resting. Yet in the large clearing at the center, the bonfire blazed vigorously, sending flames soaring high and illuminating the surroundings, while distant laughter and cheer filled the air, creating a lively atmosphere.
"Sister Pingting, we're just in time!" Xianyue called, her thumb and index finger forming a whistle that resonated through the night sky. Bai Pingting nodded in agreement.
To cultivate camaraderie, it was customary for them to gather once a month, just like this, to share stories and enjoy impromptu performances. This practice had fostered trust and harmony among the group, who had emerged from adversity together.
Upon hearing the sound, the people below all stood and turned toward Xianyue. Still mounted, she looked regal in her flowing white attire and black hair, her tresses dancing in the wind. She waved at them, and a cheer erupted, people dropping their belongings and rushing towards her.
"What are you waiting for?" Xianyue teased, giving a gentle kick to Bai Pingting's horse. Bai Pingting squealed, gripping the reins tightly as they galloped forward, Xianyue laughing as she followed closely behind.
"Princess, my lady, how did you come here?" The moment Xianyue and Bai Pingting dismounted, they were surrounded by an enthusiastic throng. Unlike the last time they saw the plain-faced women of Feng Kingdom, tonight they adorned themselves in vibrant colors, with delicately drawn brows and subtle makeup, their lips glossy and red, exuding a flirtatious charm that contrasted with the vibrant energy they had shown before.
They still addressed Xianyue as Princess, a title they would defend with blood and life, while they called Bai Pingting my lady, recognizing her as second only to Xianyue.
"Yilan, when did you become so feminine?" Xianyue asked, stepping in front of a girl in pink, playfully lifting her chin and grinning as she noticed the blush creeping across her cheeks.
"Princess, Yilan has fallen in love," came the teasing reply.
A woman nearby interjected with a laugh, prompting Xianyue to nod and release her grip on Yilan, her smile widening with joy.
"Luizhu, aren't you the one yearning for marriage? Come on, tell us, which man gifted you that jade hairpin beneath your pillow?"
"Looks like everyone is smitten. If you fancy someone, let me know, and I can help you secure your prize."
Xianyue's innocent curiosity elicited hearty laughter from the other women.
"Who says I'm getting married? Wherever the princess goes, we shall follow!"
Luizhu protested, pouting slightly, her youthful voice strikingly earnest.
"Exactly! Those wretched men don't hold a candle to our princess."
"Except for His Highness and the prince consort."
After a while of lively banter, Bai Peiting stood quietly to the side, her smile gentle as she watched Xianyue frolic with the others.
A woman in green approached Xianyue, slightly taller than her. While her looks could only be described as modestly attractive, she exuded a mature and composed demeanor. "Princess, what brings you here this evening?"
"Every time I see you in green, you're dressed like this," Bai Peiting remarked mildly, noting their similar, poised personalities, unlike the others who, despite being of similar age, were more playful and boisterous. Whenever they gathered, as they did tonight, laughter and joy filled the air.
"What? Am I not welcome?"
Xianyue arched an eyebrow as someone made way for her.
"That's not it. Green simply thinks that had you informed us in advance, we could have prepared better."
"I wanted to surprise you! Were you startled? Aren't you glad to see me?"
Xianyue leaned closer to Green, her bright eyes sparkling like stars. Green looked up, momentarily dazed by Xianyue's presence. Amused, Xianyue playfully patted her shoulder. "Better late than never! Bring me some good food and drink—I haven't eaten all day and I'm starving!"
She patted her flat stomach; the wind had dried her clothes completely, ensuring that no one would witness her earlier disarray.
"Did the prince consort not prepare anything for you? What are the palace cooks even for? This is unacceptable!"
Yilan frowned, her sharp voice nearly piercing the air.
Xianyue placed a finger to her lips, signaling silence. The others exchanged glances, their gazes ultimately settling on Xianyue. She raised an eyebrow and, breaking the stillness of the night, burst into raucous laughter, pointing at Yilan as she doubled over, finally squatting on the ground and remaining there, laughing for a long time.
Everyone stood bewildered, gazing at Xianyue's shaking shoulders, their curiosity piqued by what could possibly be so amusing that it brought the princess such joy.
After what felt like an eternity, Xianyue's laughter gradually subsided, yet she remained crouched, not rising.
"Princess, are you alright?"
Bai Peiting made her way through the crowd and squatted beside Xianyue, gently patting her shoulder and calling out softly, "Princess."
When her first attempt garnered no response, she called again several times until Xianyue finally looked up at her, cupping her belly as the laughter erupted once more. "Sister Peiting, my stomach hurts from laughing!"
Her eyes sparkled with mirth, fixed intently on Bai Peiting, while her lips quivered, eyes slightly reddened as if she had been crying—evoking an endearing sense of vulnerability. The others, seeing her like this, momentarily froze before joining in her laughter.
Xianyue wiped the tears from her eyes, still clutching her belly as she laughed again, "I've even cried from laughing!"
"Princess," Bai Peiting replied, her expression softening into a gentle smile as she knelt to massage Xianyue's abdomen.
"Dear lady, this task should rightly belong to the prince consort."
Yilan chimed in with a playful smirk, prompting agreement from the others.
"Yilan, you might manage if you kept quiet, but once you speak, it's like the roar of a lion! Your appearance and voice are utterly mismatched; you've killed me with laughter."
"Princess!"
Bai Peiting turned to the lively young women behind her, her expression darkening slightly, which silenced them at once.
"Did you not hear the princess? She hasn't eaten all day. Why hasn't anyone brought her anything to eat or drink?"
Suddenly, Xianyue sprang up, looking down at Bai Peiting. "Sister Peiting, I'm fine now."
She turned to the young women, declaring, "Tonight, we won't return until we're thoroughly intoxicated!"