"Tianyuan." Hua Fuhai interrupted the servant and said instead, "She recognized me."
"This... how is this possible..." Tianyuan was utterly astonished.
Their master had begun disguising himself since the age of eight, later deliberately seeking out folk experts to study this art. Even those who had followed him since childhood would find it difficult to detect any flaws if their master intended to conceal himself.
"I don't know what made her alert either." Hua Fuhai was extremely curious about this, a flicker of amusement passing through his eyes. "If she hadn't noticed, given her status as the beloved daughter of the Northwest King, why would she be so polite to a mere merchant like me?"Your Highness, are you saying the princess knows you.".." Tianyuan grew even more alarmed.
Hua Fuhai shook his head with a smile: "No, she knows I was last night's Embroidered Uniform Envoy."
As if recalling something, Hua Fuhai's smile deepened: "If she had seen through me and knew my true identity, she wouldn't be so cautious. Don't forget her attitude toward the Fifth Prince and the Ninth Prince."
It was precisely because she couldn't see clearly, precisely because she knew he could disguise himself as the Emperor's close attendant—the Embroidered Uniform Envoy—that she remained reserved in every way.
Whether it was the Crown Prince or other princes, if she truly knew their limits, this princess probably wouldn't even regard them seriously.
"Shen Yueshan is a stern man, and his son is rigid, but this daughter is quite interesting." A spark of interest flashed in Hua Fuhai's eyes.
Shen Xihe didn't know someone was praising her as interesting. With matters here concluded, she immediately made preparations and set out from Luoyang for the capital early the next morning.
Shen Xihe's health was extremely poor, so they traveled slowly. By nightfall, they had just left Luoyang city and had to make do in the wilderness for the night.
Moyu had hunted a wild rabbit and was roasting it. Under Shen Xihe's guidance, he applied plenty of fragrant spices and honey. The aroma drifted far with the sizzling sound of dripping fat, eventually attracting someone following the scent.
Hearing hoofbeats, Shen Xihe and Moyu cautiously stared in the direction of the sound. A master and servant pair approached.
The young man had somewhat handsome features, wearing a plain cyan robe without any patterns, appearing rather slender.
When he dismounted, he nearly lost his balance. Shyly approaching, he bowed to Shen Xihe: "Miss, might you permit my servant and I to rest nearby?"
As if afraid Shen Xihe and Moyu might misunderstand, the young man quickly produced his documents: "This humble scholar is Guo Daoyi, a candidate traveling for the imperial examinations. I assure you I am no villain."
Moyu looked at Shen Xihe, who coldly refused: "Men and women should maintain propriety. Please leave, young master."
The young man didn't depart but hesitated, continuing to try to persuade: "Miss, please make an exception. The night is deep—if we stay together, we can bolster each other's courage..."
"I require no bolstering of courage." Shen Xihe interrupted him.
"I... I need it..." the young man's voice emerged weakly, as he timidly glanced at the dark surroundings.
"What concern is that of mine?"Shen Xihe coldly regarded the young man through the veil hanging from her hat."
Moyu swiftly drew his long sword with a sharp sound.
The young man seemed frightened, stepping back in alarm. Too afraid to say more, he could only lead his horse away to huddle in the distance. His servant appeared equally timid, taking out dry rations as the master and servant pair leaned against a tree, occasionally glancing toward them.
"Princess, shall I drive them away?"" Moyu asked quietly.
"Unnecessary." Shen Xihe stared at the roasting rabbit, its skin beginning to crackle. "It's ready to eat."Moyu promptly used a clean dagger to cut off the rabbit legs, retrieved a wooden plate from the carriage, sliced the meat into small pieces, and handed them to Shen Xihe. The remaining portions were shared between her and the guard disguised as the coachman.
Given the propriety between men and women, Xie Yunhuai did not travel with them and had proceeded ahead to the capital.
The assertive aroma drifted over, and the young man seemed unable to resist the temptation of the scent. After hesitating for a long while, he approached with a wooden box and cautiously asked, "Miss, might I exchange this box of translucent flower cakes for some of your meat?"
When the box was opened, the semi-translucent cakes revealed peach blossoms molded from fine bean paste faintly visible through the surface, exquisitely delicate and beautiful.
Shen Xihe glanced at the refined translucent flower cakes.
She knew how to make them herself, but Shen Xihe, who had always held herself in high regard, was seeing for the first time someone whose craftsmanship rivaled her own in intricacy. "Moyu," she called softly.
Understanding her meaning, Moyu divided half of the other rabbit for Guo Daoyi, took the translucent flower cakes from him, and sampled one first to ensure there was no strange odor or poison. Only then did she pass the remaining three pieces to Shen Xihe.
Guo Daoyi was delighted to receive the rabbit and, to Shen Xihe's surprise, sat down not far from her by the fire.
Shen Xihe frowned at this, but just then, she skewered a small piece of the translucent flower cake with a silver pick and placed it in her mouth. The soft yet firm texture, sweet but not cloying flavor, put her in such a good mood that she decided to let it pass.
With her weak spleen and stomach, such hard-to-digest foods could only be sampled sparingly. She didn’t even finish one piece and gave the rest to Moyu and the guard.
"Miss, your rabbit meat carries a fragrance that permeates the nose and throat, reaching straight to the core; the thicker parts are rich and tender, the thinner parts crisp and refreshing; the ribs are uniquely chewy and become more fragrant with each bite," Guo Daoyi remarked contentedly after eating. Unable to resist, he asked, "Might I beg the miss for the recipe? I’m willing to offer gold in return."
Shen Xihe intensely disliked people who couldn’t read the room. Just as she was about to speak, a breeze blew through.
It swept from Guo Daoyi’s direction toward her, carrying within the fresh scent of wood a faint, elusive hint of duojialuo fragrance.
Shen Xihe’s eyes flickered, and she looked up to scrutinize the young man.
His features were delicate, and his speech and demeanor showed no inconsistency with that of a frail scholar.
If not for that wisp of fragrance, Shen Xihe would never have suspected this chance-met traveler.
The Embroidered Uniform Envoys had finished playing with wealthy merchants and were now disguised as scholars, deliberately approaching her.
Pretending not to notice, Shen Xihe coldly refused, "Do I look like someone in need of gold?"
As if taken aback by the young lady’s aloof and blunt rejection, he—diligently playing the part of a frail scholar—lowered his head with a somewhat aggrieved expression.
Shen Xihe shot him a glance but had no intention of probing his motives. She could sense that, at the very least, he held no hostility or malice toward her.
Letting him put on his act, she retired to the carriage accompanied by Moyu, washed up simply, raised the copper panels for windproofing and sound insulation, and fell peacefully asleep.
By morning, the master and servant pair had already departed ahead.
Shen Xihe paid them no mind—whatever their purpose, it would become clear in time.
They traveled uneventfully for a day and settled in a village for the night. Upon entering the village, they saw Guo Daoyi walking out, chatting and laughing with two villagers. Spotting Shen Xihe’s carriage, he flashed a bright, sunny smile and approached with familiar ease once more: "Miss, we meet again. What a coincidence."Supported by Moyu, Shen Xihe alighted from the carriage. Wearing a veiled hat, she walked straight toward him, passing by without a sideways glance. As she drew nearer, the scent of Duojialuo incense became more distinct. She tossed him two indifferent words: "What a coincidence."
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