Volume One, Chapter 14: The Gentle Young Man

“...” Gu Han’s lips curved into a subtle smile. “I shall gladly accompany you.”

The princess blinked and smiled. “Very well,” she said, tossing him a round, plump fruit.

Gu Han glanced at the fruit unconsciously before slipping it into his sleeve.

When she wasn’t causing trouble, she was quite an endearing princess.

The sound of hooves and footsteps approached—the marriage escort party had caught up. Eunuch Xu hurried over from afar and helped the princess up.

“My princess, please return to the phoenix carriage. Eating too many wild fruits might harm your stomach.”

“I know, don’t nag. Take those fruits with you; I picked them with great effort. Hang a string of copper coins on the tree as well.”

Hearing this, Gu Han touched his sleeve pocket—he hadn’t brought any silver.

“Yes, Princess.”

“General, I have the silver. You and the princess mount your horses first.”

Gu Han helped the princess onto her horse before mounting his own saddle. They rode side by side, joining the marriage convoy.

“Be careful, my princess,” Xu Hai called out, hastily hanging copper coins, adjusting the cloak and bundles, and running to catch up behind them.

Soon, Bai Yunfeng arrived with two small squads, carrying several pheasants and a spotted deer, panting heavily from the hunt.

Princess Changning tilted her head, a sly sparkle in her eyes as she looked at him. “So, was the hunt fruitful?”

Bai Yunfeng respectfully reported, “Princess, the fierce tiger ridge has been fully scouted. By name, it should have fierce tigers, but now… there truly are none.”

The princess murmured softly, “Your first task remains unfinished, Bai Yunfeng. How dare you return?” She squeezed the reins.

Bai Yunfeng thought for a moment, then respectfully said, “Princess, this deer is a gift from me to you as a welcome present. Perhaps you could bestow it a name?”

“How about ‘Fierce Tiger’?” Bai Yunfeng pinched his nose after speaking.

“Bai Yunfeng, your audacity grows bolder, daring to decide on my behalf—even renaming this deer!” The princess’s expression darkened.

Bai Yunfeng immediately knelt down, pressing his forehead to the ground repeatedly. “I dare not, I dare not. I was wrong!”

“Ha ha ha, Bai Yunfeng,” Princess Changning laughed, “My cat is called ‘Little Tiger’, so you’re not quite betraying me. This deer shall be ‘Second Tiger’. The pheasants are yours to enjoy. Eunuch Xu, please take care of ‘Second Tiger’ along with the other pets.”

Eunuch Xu hastened away with several young eunuchs, leading ‘Second Tiger’ off.

Bai Yunfeng led his small team cheerfully, following the convoy to continue escorting the princess’s carriage.

Gu Han watched silently from the side, a faint displeasure stirring within him. His gaze unconsciously lingered between the princess and Bai Yunfeng.

That subtle feeling made him frown slightly, but before it showed on his face, he pushed it away from his heart.

Meanwhile, Princess Changning returned to the carriage, scratching her cat’s chin and asked, “Have the two young lads been properly trained by Nurse Lü? Bring them here for a look.”

Nurse Lü was called up to the princess’s carriage, her eyes gentle as she looked at her.

“Nurse, this tastes wonderful.”

Princess Changning smiled softly, sipping the osmanthus-flavored milk that Nurse Lü had prepared.

Still kneeling, Nurse Lü replied, “Princess, I have taught the two young masters the palace rules—they may now pay their respects to you.”

“That’s enough, don’t kneel before me so often,” Princess Changning waved her hand with a cheerful smile. “I trust you, Nurse Lü. What do you think of the two?”

Nurse Lü answered cautiously, “Princess, they both look handsome and dignified. Their bearing is quite good—I find them acceptable.”

Princess Changning nodded and then commanded, “Bring them here.”

Not long after, two young lads were led by palace maids into the outer chamber of the carriage. Upon entering, they knelt and bowed. One was refined and elegant; the other bore a hint of chivalry in his expression.

—

Deputy General Wang Chong was a simple and honest man. At twelve, he had followed his then Colonel, his own general.

He was a bit slow-witted and found it hard to understand the general, especially today.

The general was always calm and reserved, never given to sudden moods or unsteady temper.

Yet since setting out, this usually steady mountain of a general seemed as if someone had set him aflame and then doused him with ice—his entire demeanor cold and confused.

Strangely, the domineering princess had not given a single order all morning.

The convoy was orderly, the guards alert, and even the marrying envoy had caused no trouble.

Yet the general’s expression was heavy, as if veiled in mist, his lips pressed tight enough to crush a fly.

Wang Chong had glanced at Gu Han eleven times and scratched his head in puzzlement.

“Boss, it’s nearly noon. Should we find a place to rest? The men are hungry…”

Gu Han was fiddling with an apricot in his hand. Hearing Wang Chong, he lifted his eyes briefly, then looked down again, casually biting into the apricot without a word.

—

Wang Chong’s brows furrowed deeply.

“This…” he muttered softly, “What’s going on today? Why aren’t the eunuchs and maids clamoring to prepare food? They’re usually the most eager.”

Gu Han remained silent, slowly eating the apricot, his movements making Wang Chong’s impatience grow.

The general’s expression was clear—he wasn’t hungry, yet he looked as if he had no appetite.

Worse, the strange atmosphere seemed contagious.

“Why is the phoenix carriage so quiet today? Is the princess exhausted this noon?” Lord Wang approached on horseback and asked.

“General, shall we keep moving?” Wang Chong couldn’t help but ask again.

Gu Han paused, the apricot pit spinning between his fingers before he flicked it to the ground with a sharp snap.

He glanced at the dirt beneath him, speaking in a low, indifferent voice: “Stop. Noon rest.”

Shortly after, Bai Yunfeng’s squad arrived from behind.

They carried pheasants, cheerfully setting up camp and preparing to roast the meat.

The guards ate the porridge and baked bread prepared by the accompanying cooks, while the marrying envoy enjoyed the freshly roasted meat taken from a bandit den.

The convoy bustled with lively energy, except Gu Han’s side remained unusually quiet; even the dust by his horse barely stirred.

Wang Chong ate some meat and a dry biscuit, then quickly scanned their surroundings, sensing the general’s alertness to danger.

He noticed the general glanced back several times within fifteen minutes, each time with a complex and inscrutable expression.

Wang Chong grew vigilant too, but suddenly a thought popped into his mind: “General, is that apricot sour?”

Gu Han was silent...

—

Inside the phoenix carriage, a warm fragrance of flowers and fruit lingered. Pearl curtains hung low, exuding luxury and elegance.

An hour ago, the young lad who had just entered lowered his head, his back straightened.

“Lift your head,” Princess Changning smiled.