Volume Four: Yearning Beneath the Mountain Banners Chapter 115

Jinli spent a sleepless night, the words of the Second Princess echoing repeatedly in her mind, leaving her distracted even during the daytime discussions with Lin Zhong.

"Ah Jin? Ah Jin?"

Startled by the young man’s repeated calling, she came back to herself and smiled apologetically for her absentmindedness. "Sorry, I was just lost in thought. Please continue, sir."

Lin Zhong’s brow was heavy with concern. He glanced at Jinli, then at Geng Yuan. The young man’s expression was anxious as he looked at Jinli before raising his hand. "Let’s end here for today. We’ll resume after lunch."

"Yes."

The others then withdrew, leaving only Jinli and Geng Yuan in the council chamber.

Geng Yuan asked with care, "Ah Jin, are you alright? Do you feel unwell anywhere?"

Jinli gave a faint smile, clearly tired. "Maybe I just didn’t sleep well last night."

The youth gently massaged her shoulders, applying just the right amount of pressure to ease her tension.

"Ah Yuan, I’m going ahead."

His hand slowly lowered, and Jinli felt something was amiss.

As she reached the main street, she coincidentally encountered Si Mu.

"Lady."

Jinli halted at his voice. "Si Mu, what is it?"

Si Mu raised his hand in salute, then spoke softly, "Lady, you seem very weary today. Did you not rest well last night?"

Jinli folded her arms behind her back and smiled lightly. "Perhaps I’m just not accustomed to the bed. I’ll get used to it in a few days."

At that moment, Si Mu withdrew from his wide sleeve a small sachet embroidered with exquisite lotus flowers so lifelike that one could almost smell their fragrance. The fabric beneath was a pale moon-white brocade, gently swaying.

Jinli seemed to truly catch a faint scent of lotus.

Si Mu, partially veiled and smiling, said, "Inside are some calming herbs. You have been overworked lately; this will be especially beneficial for you."

Jinli looked at the sachet held before her; the lotus aroma grew stronger. Indeed, the sachet contained soothing herbs with a pleasant fragrance, but...

She smiled and said, "Si Mu, I appreciate your kindness, but I must decline the sachet. Thank you for your concern."

With that, she stepped back and walked away casually.

If she accepted it, someone might be furious.

She intended to check on the Second Princess’s injuries.

However, just as she reached the palace entrance, she heard the sounds of chaos inside—shouts, curses, and servants trying to calm the situation.

Lifting her gown with one hand, she strode directly inside.

The servants were all panicked. The Second Princess was in a disheveled state, hair unbound, clutching a candlestick and wildly swinging it at anyone who approached.

Guilt and sorrow filled Jinli’s eyes. She pressed two fingers together and flicked them, summoning talismanic cords that wrapped tightly around the Second Princess.

The princess continued to curse wildly before collapsing to the floor, gradually sobbing.

Jinli approached and helped her up, then touched her forehead with two fingers, and the princess soon fell asleep in her arms.

She looked up at the stunned servants and said, "Clean this place up, then bring the medicine."

"Understood."

Jinli laid the Second Princess on the bed and had hot water brought to gently wipe her face. The porcelain-like pale face was now fragile and sickly.

She recalled their first meeting: the Second Princess was like precious agate—clear and exquisite, full-bodied, and proud in her unique way.

But now...

Jinli tenderly wiped her face. After a long while, the princess awoke but did not move. Jinli gently blew on the bowl of medicine and softly said, "Second Princess, time to take your medicine."

Her eyes were cloudy without any sparkle. She lifted her heavy eyelids and looked at Jinli, then obediently sipped the medicine. Her gaze fell on Jinli’s hand, where bright red scratches marred the skin.

She whispered hoarsely, "Did you do this to me?"

Jinli smiled lightly. "No, I accidentally got scratched by a branch."

The princess fell silent again. After finishing her medicine, she curled up slowly and sat on the bed, speaking softly, "My name is Si Wan. You don’t need to call me Second Princess anymore."

Jinli was momentarily taken aback, then a trace of guilt appeared in her eyes. She smiled gently, "Alright."

After taking the medicine, Si Wan drifted back to sleep. Jinli set a protective talisman over her and then left.

In the afternoon, everyone gathered again in the council chamber.

Lin Zhong spoke as he pointed to the sand table before them, "There’s still no news from the city lord. After the recent rebellion by the Grand Princess, the surrounding rebels have gathered about ten miles outside the city, watching us closely."

Jinli nodded, then pointed to a spot on the table. "Their camp is near a water source. They might cut off the water supply to Shan Jing City directly. We must prepare defenses early. How about the scouts we sent out?"

Lin Zhong shook his head. "No news yet."

"Not no news," Jinli mused, "it’s very likely we can’t get any news at all." Her brow furrowed in thought. Then she rested her hands on the table and said, "I must go personally to investigate the situation."

For one, she did not know if any of the enemy were demon lords. If so, it would be an entirely different matter. Those people Si Mu brought could not be sent into battle—they would be walking to their deaths.

As Jinli finished speaking, someone entered. Lin Zhong raised his hand in salute. "Lord Huai Gui."

Jinli’s gaze lifted slightly but remained focused on the complex sand dune map.

Geng Yuan nodded and signaled Lin Zhong, who then wisely withdrew.

"Sir, what is this place?" Jinli pointed to a marshy area on the map, but Lin Zhong did not answer. When she looked up, she saw Geng Yuan frowning slightly, carrying a food box, his face full of grievance.

"You’re here."

The simple words were followed by Jinli turning to Geng Yuan. "Good, I was worried the enemy might be controlled by demon lords. The six great demon lords of the Demon God, four of whom have yet to emerge. So, I’m concerned..."

Before she could finish, the boy silenced her with a kiss.

Jinli blinked in surprise, then looked up into the young man's eyes, which were full of tenderness. He gently asked, "Why aren’t you eating again?"

Jinli was startled. Had she not eaten? She thought she had.

"I did eat."

"Yeah, right."

He said this as he led her to another table.

While taking food from the box, he chided her, "You’re not a child anymore. No matter how busy you are, how can you forget to eat?"

Watching the boy’s nagging tone, though reproachful, was filled with care. She smiled. "You’re hardly older yourself, yet you’re lecturing me?"

He raised an eyebrow, handing her chopsticks. "What? I’m only a few years older. Why can’t I say it?"

"You’ve got nerve."

The boy pressed a chicken drumstick to her lips. "Open wide—ah, it’s delicious. Eat this chicken leg." Jinli bit into it, then he took another pair of chopsticks and placed vegetables into her bowl while muttering, "Eat more, look at you—you’re so thin. You don’t look healthy at all."

Jinli was surprised. Was she thin? She looked down at her waist—not bad.

Then she glanced up at Geng Yuan’s waist, which was indeed slender, though his shoulders were broad.

She swallowed and asked, "Ah Yuan..."

The boy, focused on feeding her, hummed in acknowledgment. Jinli continued, "Your waist is slender too. You should eat more as well."

She fed him a chicken leg. Geng Yuan smiled, "Though my waist is thin, it can still protect you. You’re too skinny, like a gust of wind could blow you away. You really should eat more."

Looking into her bowl, it was nearly impossible to see any rice beneath the vegetables.

"Are you feeding me like a pig?"

"Isn’t that good? I want to fatten you up so none of those little flirts outside can lay eyes on you."

Jinli laughed wryly at his logic.

But the food was indeed delicious.

"Did you make this?"

The young man proudly replied, "Of course. I don’t trust anyone else to cook for you."

Jinli felt warmth in her heart. "Silly boy."

He cupped his face and sat opposite her, smiling brightly. "See? The silly boy is the best, right?"

"Alright."

"Then, who’s more handsome—me or him?"

Jinli choked on her food and hastily coughed. The boy patted her back gently. "Slow down, I’m not competing with you."

"Why are you still hung up on that?"

"I just want to know if I’m handsome to you, or if it’s him."

Jinli put down her bowl, her expression turning serious. "Ah Yuan, everyone has their own kind of handsomeness. You don’t need to worry about that."

Before Geng Yuan could reply, someone knocked on the door.

"Lady? Are you inside?"

"Why is he here?" Geng Yuan frowned and immediately sat up straight, adopting a commanding demeanor. Jinli thought to herself that this meal might not end peacefully.

"Come in."

The door opened, and Si Mu entered wearing a long robe, carrying a food box.

Jinli, just swallowing her bite, suddenly felt it lodge in her throat.

As expected, Geng Yuan rose, hands behind his back, his face dark as if someone owed him a fortune.

Jinli smiled, "Si Mu, what brings you here?"

"I noticed Lady’s appetite has been poor recently, and you didn’t eat much at lunch today, so I prepared some floral delicacies, hoping you’ll like them."

Jinli’s smile stiffened, while Geng Yuan glared at her.

"I’m... not really hungry right now."

Before she could finish, Geng Yuan arrogantly interrupted, "We appreciate Si Mu’s kindness, but Lady is already full. Si Mu, you should take your leave."

Si Mu glanced at Geng Yuan calmly, then at the dishes on the table. He continued, "Brother Huai Gui’s cooking is indeed superb, but some sweets might help to cleanse the palate."

He opened the box to reveal a fragrant bouquet of treats: pear sugar crisps, osmanthus cakes.

"Smells good."

Jinli’s eyes lit up. Si Mu chuckled softly, "Knowing Lady doesn’t like overly sweet food, I made gardenia crisps, pear blossom cakes, honey floating crisp apples, and osmanthus rice wine. Just some simple snacks—I hope you’ll enjoy them."

The presentation was exquisite; the cakes delicate and beautiful, and the osmanthus rice wine exuded a subtle, elegant aroma.

Indeed, the flavors should be wonderful.

Jinli stepped closer. "Thank you, I appreciate your effort."

Looking at the tempting pastries, Jinli glanced back at Geng Yuan and smiled, "Then I shall taste Si Mu’s craftsmanship."