Bingzhou was the largest city in northern Yantian and one of the primary oases north of Zhao Prefecture, famed for its wheat. However, its renown did not stem from agriculture, but rather its smelting industry. Home to the two largest iron mines in the country and a host of the most skilled smiths, it was the undisputed arsenal of Yantian. Simultaneously, it served as the north’s premier hub for fur and jewelry, acting as the vital trade link between the Iron Dragon Tribe and the interior. Strategically, it was also the most significant reserve depot for Qizhou.
Seeing Bingzhou for oneself made it clear why the Emperor would appoint a member of the imperial family to guard it, while simultaneously shackling that same relative with various stringent precautionary measures.
The city was divided into an inner city and two outer districts, North and South. The North District was primarily inhabited by merchants from the Iron Dragon Tribe. They dealt mostly in furs and jewels, decorating their shops with pelts and animal bones to create a rich nomadic atmosphere. Their attire retained their tribal heritage, featuring fur trim along hat brims and cuffs.
The South District was home to merchants from the Yantian interior. Their shops displayed silks, medicinal herbs, and handicrafts, reflecting a far more delicate aesthetic.
The inner city housed the local governor’s yamen and various government institutions. Beyond officials, wealthy merchants often built their estates there as well.
Ming Rui’s residence, the Prince Xian Estate, sat at the heart of the inner city. It was nearly two to three times the size of Prince Jing’s estate in the capital and far more opulent—perhaps a result of being so far from the Emperor’s direct oversight.
We had been traveling for nearly two months. Since leaving Zhao Prefecture, we had mostly been camping in the wilderness. On the rare occasions we found a post house, the rooms were reserved for the Princess and her ladies-in-waiting. Moreover, due to the scarcity of water, we often went days without a proper wash.
I had initially expected a leisurely journey of sightseeing, but the constant, hurried pace had ground away every shred of romantic sentiment.
Thinking of the parched thirst of the road made my throat ache instinctively. I dove into the depths of the bath, letting the refreshing sensation submerge my entire body once more.
This was the guest quarter Ming Rui had arranged for me: an inner study adjacent to the water lily pond. Though not as spacious as the Princess’s chambers, it was arguably superior in its refined comfort. This bath in particular, which could rival a swimming pool, was nestled behind layers of white gauze. One look at that clear water made me want to dive in headfirst.
The water wasn't hot, but it wasn't cold either—exactly the temperature I preferred. Since moving in, I had spent almost all my free time soaking. Unable to bear enjoying such a pool alone, I had once sincerely invited Ming Shao to a secret swimming race, but he clearly misinterpreted my intentions. Blushing furiously, he had refused without a second thought.
I poked my head out of the water, marveling once again at how well Ming Rui knew how to enjoy life.
Then, another nagging question surfaced: how could I get Ming Shao to lower his guard and willingly come for a swim?
As I strolled out of the bathroom drying my hair, Qing Rong was sitting on my bed, flipping through a few sets of men’s clothing from my bundle. Hearing my footsteps, she didn't even look up before saying, "Let’s sneak out and play."
The suggestion made my eyes light up. "I shall obey the Princess's command in all things."
I pushed the side gate open a crack and peered out cautiously. Just as I was about to step out, Qing Rong tugged at my sleeve, whispering, "Is this really okay?"
I turned back to look at the "young gentleman" clutching my clothes. Her face was darkened with makeup, but her bright eyes were full of trepidation and—distrust toward me.
I pulled the door shut and swept a quick glance over the silent, empty garden behind us. "Do you want to go out or not?" I asked in a low voice.
Qing Rong hesitated slightly. "Of course I do, but just sneaking out like this... what if they..."
"Are you kidding me?" I said. "You're the boss here."
Qing Rong gritted her teeth and nodded. "We’re leaving in a few days anyway. After that, we might never get another chance." She gave me a shove. "Lead the way, guard."
I scouted the area once more to ensure no one was around, then hurried out with Qing Rong in tow. If anyone saw two suspicious figures sneaking out of the estate’s back gate, they’d surely take us for thieves. If we ended up at the local magistrate's office, the embarrassment would be legendary.
Once we were mingled among the crowds on the main street, Qing Rong finally relaxed. She took my arm and began looking around with great interest. Most residents in the North District were Iron Dragon people. Their traditional clothing was not only trimmed with fur but also featured dazzling gold embroidery at the collars. Wealthy women wore magnificent hats encrusted with pearls and gemstones, some even adorned with long feathers that looked quite jaunty. They showed no shyness when they noticed us looking, offering graceful, open smiles.
Occasionally, we saw merchants from the Meng Kingdom. Their skin was exceptionally fair and smooth, their features delicate and captivating. Pure-blooded Meng people possessed green eyes. Seeing them made me think of Feng Tong, though his eyes were like emeralds—deeper and more mysterious.
Just as the thought crossed my mind, a lavish carriage pulled up in front of an imposing jewelry shop across the street. The curtain was lifted, and a man in a black robe stepped leisurely out. He had a cold, elegant face and emerald eyes; his ebony hair was held up by a jade hairpin.
I froze for a moment, stunned that the person I had just thought of had actually appeared. Was I hallucinating?
"Is there a jewelry shop across the street?" I asked Qing Rong.
Qing Rong looked away from an ox skull hanging outside a shop and glanced at me in confusion.
"Is there a carriage parked at the entrance?" I pressed.
Qing Rong rolled her eyes. "No. There’s nothing."
Really? I focused my gaze again. Feng Tong seemed to sense someone watching him from behind. He turned abruptly, his sharp gaze sweeping over Qing Rong’s face like a blade before pausing briefly on mine and then withdrawing. At that moment, a fat man who looked like the shop manager came running out to greet him and ushered him inside.
I breathed a sigh of relief. We were both in men’s clothing and our faces were disguised. He shouldn't have recognized us.
I turned back to find Qing Rong looking at me expectantly. "Don't you think it would be a waste of all this effort if we didn't eat something while we're out?"
"Hungry already?" I looked at her, puzzled. We had eaten breakfast before leaving.
Qing Rong sniffed the air. "Smell that? What is it? It smells incredible."
I didn't need to act like a bloodhound to smell it—the aroma of roasted meat wafting from an Iron Dragon tavern.
Without another word, Qing Rong grabbed my arm and followed the scent. It was a narrow street with a small storefront and few customers. An elderly woman in Iron Dragon dress was wiping down the tables. Seeing us, she smiled and said, "Come in and sit, young masters. We have the best roasted meat and Xicao wine."
Qing Rong said grandly, "Bring the meat. And two jars of wine to start."
I nearly burst out laughing.
Once the old woman brought the wine and went to the back to order the meat, I lowered my voice. "Do you even know how much two jars is?"
Qing Rong shrugged nonchalantly. "Whenever I sneak out to drink with Seventh Brother, that’s how he orders it. Is two jars a lot?"
Before I could answer, a man’s voice spoke from behind us. "It’s not much. You can order two more later." The voice was somewhat familiar, though not intimately so, but it carried an indescribable authority that felt oppressive.
Startled, I looked at Qing Rong. Her eyes were wide, and she was speechless, still holding her cup as she waited for me to pour.
Yi Kai was standing right behind us. He wore a simple long robe, his hair tied back casually like a Yantian scholar. His deep, captivating chestnut eyes were fixed on Qing Rong, a faint smile flickering at the corners of his lips.
I stood up quickly, but he stopped me before I could bow. "Dispense with the formalities."
I stood to the side with my hands down, stealing a glance at Qing Rong. She had recovered from her initial shock, and the surprise in her eyes had been replaced by a flicker of displeasure.
A faint smile played on Yi Kai’s face. "You don't seem particularly happy to see me?"
Qing Rong set her cup on the table and said coolly, "Is Your Majesty any different?"
An amused expression appeared in Yi Kai’s eyes. He asked with mock seriousness, "Your Highness’s words leave me quite perplexed."
Qing Rong gave a dismissive "Tch" and turned her head away. "There are no outsiders here. There’s no need for such insincere talk."
Yi Kai took Qing Rong’s hand, smiling as he brought it to his lips for a kiss. "To be honest, I have been looking forward to some time alone with you."
Qing Rong’s face turned beet red—whether from embarrassment or anger, I couldn't tell. She struggled to pull her hand away but failed. She turned and glared at me fiercely. "Xi Xia, why aren't you doing something?!"
I looked at her flushed, apple-like face, then at Yi Kai’s teasing expression, and felt like crying. Did I dare provoke this man? Besides, looking at Qing Rong now, she seemed as much like she was throwing a tantrum as she was actually angry. How could I have the nerve to spoil such a romantic moment?
Qing Rong was still glaring. In a panic, I gritted my teeth and drew my waist saber, slamming it onto the table with a loud *thud*. "At your command, Highness!" I declared with faux bravado. "Shall I hack him into eight pieces, or just take the limbs? Or perhaps I should knock him out with drugs, then... do *that* first, and kill him later!"
Qing Rong was stunned into silence by my words, but Yi Kai burst into laughter. "I find the last option rather appealing."
Qing Rong finally realized what I was implying. Her face turned even redder, and her free hand pointed at me, shaking uncontrollably.
Just then, the old woman returned with the platter of roasted meat. Seeing a saber stuck in the table, she said pleasantly, "Anger harms the body. Everyone, please calm down."
Yi Kai didn't let go of Qing Rong’s hand. He smiled and said, "Look, the meat is here. Let’s speak civilly. Didn't you come all this way just to eat this? Try some." He used his free hand to pick up a piece of meat and held it to Qing Rong’s lips.
I sighed as I swallowed my saliva. Should I, the ultimate third wheel, relocate myself to the entrance?
Qing Rong huffed. "How did you find us?"
Yi Kai replied smoothly, "I was originally going to invite Your Highness for a stroll through Bingzhou. However, as I passed Guard Xi’s inner study, I happened to see two unfamiliar faces sneaking out. One of them bore a striking resemblance to Your Highness from behind. Out of curiosity, I followed."
Qing Rong asked skeptically, "You were the only one who saw?"
Another familiar voice came from the doorway. "We saw as well."
This time, it was Ming Rui who entered. His face, tanned slightly darker by the sun, looked radiant. His bright eyes lingered on me for a moment, a trace of indulgent laughter flashing in their depths.
After living in Bingzhou for over half a year, Ming Rui looked darker, but his spirit was much improved. His movements seemed to have acquired a certain rugged edge.
Behind him was a stony-faced Ming Shao. When he saw me offering a fawning smile, his icy expression finally thawed slightly. However, his brow remained furrowed—a look he used when he had already forgiven me but didn't want me to know it yet. Ignoring me, he turned to greet Yi Kai and Qing Rong.
I peeked over. Yi Kai was still holding Qing Rong’s hand, though her expression had shifted from fury to helpless resignation. Yi Kai remained smiling, seemingly unbothered by us witnessing him flirting with his fiancée.
I doubled down on my charming smiles toward Ming Shao. He finally gave in, shaking his head as he walked over and pinched my nose. "When will you ever fix this habit of being so audaciously bold?"
Before I could speak, Ming Rui came to my rescue. "You can't entirely blame Xi Xia for today. It was my fault. I should have known they’d be bored after the journey and taken them out myself."
I quickly gave Ming Rui a brilliant grin. Ming Rui was always the best, supporting me unconditionally.
Ming Shao let go of my nose and shook his head helplessly. "You always indulge her."
Qing Rong and Yi Kai both looked from Ming Rui to me, their expressions thoughtful.
My heart skipped a beat, followed immediately by a wave of deep guilt. Every time I thought of Ming Rui, I felt an urge to help him solve some trouble or do something for him. I felt a desperate need to repay him. If he asked me to steal the Imperial Seal, I’d probably agree without hesitation.
A shadow of gloom flickered in Ming Rui’s eyes, but when he looked up again, he was perfectly composed.
He pulled us all into our seats and said with a smile, "Today was my oversight." He looked at Ming Shao. "However, will it be difficult to explain this to Marshal Chu?"
Ming Shao glanced at me and said half-seriously, "Let Xi Xia go and beg for forgiveness herself."
Qing Rong bit her lip, looking a bit vexed. "I’ll go. I’m the one who pestered Xi Xia into coming out with me."
As soon as she finished, Yi Kai spoke up. "Even if you are the Princess, leaving the camp without permission is a grave offense in Marshal Chu’s eyes. He will certainly adopt an attitude of 'admonishment' that is actually a lecture, giving you a great deal of 'advice.'" He glanced at her with smiling eyes, his grin widening at Qing Rong’s dejected look. "From a Princess’s perspective, it would be quite humiliating."
Ming Shao and I exchanged a look and smiled.
Unfortunately, Qing Rong was too busy being annoyed to notice. If she had looked up, she would have seen that Yi Kai was clearly amused and just teasing her. By now, the anxiety I’d carried all day had finally vanished. First, with this "big boss" here, Marshal Chu would surely be handled. Second, based on his behavior today, I was starting to look forward to their future together—it promised to be quite interesting.
Qing Rong thought it over and finally sighed, adopting a "dead pig doesn't fear boiling water" expression. She raised her cup defiantly. "Xi Xia, let’s drink!"
Yi Kai laughed again. "Have you come up with a counter-strategy?"
Qing Rong glanced at him and said playfully, "I was thinking, if he really comes for me, I’ll give *him* some advice. For instance, what the consequences would be if the Princess went missing halfway through the journey. Or, what would happen to the man responsible for her safety if the Princess suddenly eloped with a guard on the eve of her wedding..."
Yi Kai roared with laughter.
In the capital, the peach blossoms of Mount Chan would likely be in full bloom by now, but here it was still winter. Looking out the half-open window, the thick layer of ice on the pond showed no sign of melting.
Ming Shao closed the window for me and sat down by my side. "This is Ming Rui’s inner study. Except for a few old maids who clean, no one is allowed in." He sighed softly and pulled me into his arms. "Sometimes, I feel he treats you even better than I do."
I stopped chewing and looked up at him. He leaned down and bit off half the osmanthus cake I was holding between my teeth. "Even though he’s gone back to the mines, he made sure all your favorite snacks were prepared perfectly," he remarked. "Xi Xia, how lucky you are."
I set down the box of sweets and carefully cupped his face. "Ming Shao? What are you trying to say?"
Ming Shao’s eyes were as clear as ever, but a trace of sadness flickered within them. "Perhaps because we share similar origins, yet I am so much luckier than him, I feel a sense of guilt in his presence." He gazed at me, a faint smile touching his lips. "Do you know what he said to me before he left today?"
I shook my head. I always felt Ming Rui wanted to avoid the scene of saying goodbye—or perhaps, he didn't want to see Ming Shao and me together.
"He said, we must be happy." Ming Shao tried to smile, but it vanished before it could fully form. "Do we owe him a debt of gratitude?"
I rested my head against his chest. This was a question I couldn't answer myself. I could only say, "Regardless, we are friends. Perhaps one day, he will need our full support."
Ming Shao said nothing more, simply holding me quietly.
Perhaps influenced by Ming Rui, I found myself considering mine and Ming Shao’s situation more deeply than I ever had these past few days. We had been betrothed since childhood; it seemed... it should... be a matter of course that we would marry. But why was it that every time I thought of marriage, I didn't feel a sense of absolute certainty?
It wasn't that I doubted Ming Shao, or myself. It was an ethereal dread, a groundless anxiety that made my heart race. I felt as though some beast were lurking behind us, yet when I turned, there was nothing to see. Only by leaning close to him could I find a moment’s peace.
I couldn't imagine a day when we would let go of each other—if such a day ever came, I didn't want to have lost him without ever having truly had him.
I couldn't help but huddle closer into his embrace. The nights here were too cold. Such a warm embrace was something I truly couldn't bear to leave. Inevitably, I thought of the inner bedroom, and that pool of clear water behind the layers of gauze.
I nudged against his chest, finding a more comfortable position. "The night is long, and sleep eludes me," I said. "Would you like to hear a story?"
Ming Shao was taken aback. "You know how to tell stories? What kind of story?"
I replied in my sweetest voice, "This story is called: The Big Bad Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood."
***
**Glossary**
