Chapter 3: The Sachet

Shi Yuning paused in her steps, her foot landing softly on the felt-padded wooden floor with a faint creak.

As if hearing the noise, the beauty on the couch lazily lifted her eyelids, her thick lashes trembling lightly.

Seeing Xie Zhaoran’s gaze shift from daze to clarity, focusing solely on her without distraction or annoyance at the interruption, Shi Yuning finally relaxed a little. She hurried forward and curtsied.

Xie Zhaoran maintained her half-reclining posture from before, though she withdrew her hand, loosely holding the sachet.

“It smells nice.”

“Huh?” Shi Yuning blinked, caught off guard.

Xie Zhaoran curved her lips slightly and untied the red cord from the sachet, handing it over to Shi Yuning.

“So the scent on you before came from this sachet.”

Shi Yuning tilted her head, staring at the sachet in Xie Zhaoran’s hand. It took her a moment to process the words before she stepped forward to take it.

In her mind, she wondered: Before? The scent on her body? When had Xie Zhaoran ever gotten close enough to smell her?

Back in the palace, Xie Zhaoran had always kept a certain distance from her. How could she have noticed her fragrance?

Shi Yuning racked her brains, recalling their few encounters.

The closest they’d ever been was probably their first meeting, when Shi Yuning had entered the palace to pay respects. Unfamiliar with court etiquette, she had bowed too deeply to the Empress.

It was Xie Zhaoran who had pulled her up and smoothed things over.

Afterward, though, when Shi Yuning tried to get closer, Xie Zhaoran had ignored her.

Eventually, Shi Yuning reined in her efforts. She and Xie Zhaoran weren’t the same sort of people, after all.

“Thank you so much for retrieving this sachet for me today, Crown Princess,” Shi Yuning said sincerely.

“This fragrance is quite unique. From how nervous you seemed, did some young lord give it to you?”

Shi Yuning waved her hands frantically. “No, no! My grandmother made it for me. It’s not an ordinary sachet—it has medicinal herbs inside to repel insects and mosquitoes.

“There are lots of bugs in the south, and I get bitten all the time. My grandmother specially made this one for me and added some dried flowers. If you like it, Crown Princess, I can ask her to make one for you when I return south.”

Xie Zhaoran’s fingertip bent, and the red cord she’d been idly twisting around it suddenly tightened, digging into her soft flesh.

A dull ache throbbed through her knuckles, neither light nor heavy.

Xie Zhaoran smiled.

“Then I thank you in advance, Miss Shi.”

Shi Yuning waved it off. “No need to thank me. I should be the one thanking you, Crown Princess. You really saved me today—otherwise, this sachet might have ended up with a hole shot through it.”

She meant every word. Though she still didn’t understand why Xie Zhaoran had helped her.

Perhaps it was simply that she couldn’t stand Prince Yu’s arrogant rule-breaking. Whatever the reason, it had benefited her. Shi Yuning resolved that if Xie Zhaoran ever needed her help in the future, she would offer it without hesitation.

Shi Yuning carefully retied the sachet to her belt, then smiled and curtsied to the Crown Princess. She was about to say she wouldn’t disturb her any longer.

When the languid figure across from her spoke up with a soft smile.

“I almost forgot to invite you to sit, Miss Shi. Don’t just stand there—have a seat.” Xie Zhaoran gestured casually to a nearby stool, then raised her voice slightly toward the entrance. “Someone, bring tea.”

Shi Yuning refused repeatedly. “No need, I won’t disturb your rest, Crown Princess.”

No sooner had she spoken than the tent flap lifted. Qiangdi entered carrying a vermilion lacquered tray, moving so swiftly it seemed she had been waiting just outside.

Qiangdi stole a quick glance at Shi Yuning with her peripheral vision, puzzled by her mistress’s special treatment. Earlier, when they returned to the tent, Xie Zhaoran had specifically instructed the guards at the entrance: if Miss Shi came by, let her in without announcement.

Qiangdi had assumed her lady had private matters to discuss with Miss Shi and thus dismissed the servants. But from what she’d overheard outside, nothing much had been said.

Qiangdi placed Xie Zhaoran’s favorite Junshan Silver Needle tea on the high table beside her.

As she straightened up, about to ask if there were further instructions, she noticed Xie Zhaoran’s demeanor.

Qiangdi was startled anew. She hadn’t noticed earlier—Xie Zhaoran was still reclining lazily on the beauty couch, utterly relaxed.

Having served Xie Zhaoran for years, Qiangdi knew how much she valued propriety. That’s why, when entering earlier to serve tea, she’d kept her head down, eyes on the floor.

Xie Zhaoran disliked anyone lacking manners, and she herself was the picture of decorum—every word, action, step, and posture measured as if with a ruler.

Yet with an outsider present, she lounged so casually, half-lying down. This was utterly unprecedented.

Xie Zhaoran waved her off, signaling her to leave. Qiangdi didn’t linger and quickly bowed before retreating. Just as she reached the tent flap, she heard Xie Zhaoran’s voice, tinged with mock reproach.

“What, does Miss Shi dislike me so much she won’t even take a sip of my tea?”

Qiangdi’s hand trembled, nearly dropping the tray.

Such a soft, coquettish tone—from her mistress, who usually wore a stern face as unyielding as a snow-capped peak?

Qiangdi suspected the hunting grounds’ wind had addled her senses today.

She couldn’t resist glancing back. Shi Yuning still stood there dumbfounded, looking as if she had no intention of staying.

Miss Shi probably had no idea: this was the first time her ever-aloof mistress had ever tried to keep someone.

Shi Yuning felt deeply awkward. She and Xie Zhaoran weren’t close and had nothing much to talk about. Lingering would only make things more uncomfortable for both.

She glanced troubled at the teacup on the side table. The tea had already been poured—it would be rude to leave without a sip.

Resigned, she sat down uneasily, picked up the cup, and took a sip.

Just sitting there drinking tea in silence felt even stranger. Yet Shi Yuning’s mind blanked; what could she possibly chat about with Xie Zhaoran?

In her distress, Xie Zhaoran spoke first.

“It’s been a while, Miss Shi. You’ve changed quite a bit since before.”

Shi Yuning didn’t care if there was any subtext; any topic was welcome, even if it was just commenting on how much taller she looked.

“People change. My mother nags me daily to act more like a proper lady. After being confined in the palace for a month learning etiquette under the Empress, she praised how much more composed I’d become when I got home.”

Shi Yuning was different from Xie Zhaoran and the others. Born and raised in the countryside, she’d been a wild tomboy until coming of age.

Last year, just before her coming-of-age ceremony, her grandfather—who’d been missing for over twenty years—had suddenly appeared.

It turned out he hadn’t died on the battlefield but had earned great military merits and been enfeoffed as Marquis Yunxiang.

After finding them, he brought the whole family back to the capital.

Shi Yuning transformed overnight from a country girl into the daughter of a marquis’s household.

But being a marquis’s daughter wasn’t easy. Upon arriving in the capital, she’d made plenty of blunders and even been kept in the palace by the Empress for a month to learn manners.

It was during that month that Shi Yuning often saw Xie Zhaoran, who came to pay respects.

Unfortunately, Xie Zhaoran had no time for a rule-breaking wild girl like her.

“You seem a bit different from before too, Crown Princess,” Shi Yuning said with a teasing smile.

“Oh? For the better, or worse?” Xie Zhaoran lifted her teacup, asking casually.

The question caught Shi Yuning off guard. She’d only said it offhand, but Xie Zhaoran had picked up the thread—and sharply, at that.

“Naturally, for the better. You were already dazzling before, Crown Princess, but now you’re even more radiant and captivating.” Though flattery, Shi Yuning said it smoothly; she truly believed it.

At the hunting grounds earlier, Xie Zhaoran had shone like the sun.

A shadow flickered briefly in Xie Zhaoran’s eyes. She gently set her teacup on the side table and turned to regard Shi Yuning earnestly.

“You’re too kind, Miss Shi. You’re the one who’s the talk of the capital these days—which is why Prince Yu pursues you so relentlessly.”

Shi Yuning paused mid-sip, realization dawning in her eyes. So that was it. No wonder Xie Zhaoran was suddenly paying attention to her.

She was worried about the Shi family getting entangled with Prince Yu.

“You’re joking, Crown Princess. Prince Yu was just fooling around. There’s nothing between us—there never was, and there never will be.”

The mere thought of Prince Yu’s pig-brained antics made Shi Yuning bristle. Lately, that shameless oaf had been “coincidentally” bumping into her everywhere, keeping her cooped up at home for ages!

“You don’t like Prince Yu?”

Xie Zhaoran’s blunt question had Shi Yuning blurting out before her brain caught up. “Does it look like I do?”

Xie Zhaoran arched a brow. “Weren’t you just defending him earlier?”

Shi Yuning was shocked. “When? Oh, just now? That wasn’t defending him—I was worried he’d spout more nonsense to offend you.”

Xie Zhaoran’s hand suddenly loosened on the red cord. She lifted her gaze to Shi Yuning’s eyes, as if gauging her sincerity.

Shi Yuning met it steadily. It was the truth; why would she defend that pig?

Xie Zhaoran lowered her head, her lips curving faintly upward. When she looked up again, her expression was back to normal.

“All the noble ladies in the capital are clamoring to marry Prince Yu these days. The Crown Prince is frail… Marrying Prince Yu means future glory, wealth, power, and status. Doesn’t that tempt you at all, Miss Shi?”

Shi Yuning shook her head without hesitation. “Not in the slightest.”

She didn’t elaborate; she and Xie Zhaoran weren’t close enough for baring her soul.

Xie Zhaoran didn’t press, instead having refreshments brought in and inviting Shi Yuning to try them.

Shi Yuning felt like sitting on pins and needles. The silence only amplified the awkwardness. She didn’t want to stay longer; she half-rose to take her leave.

Just then, sounds came from the tent flap.

Unsteady footsteps accompanied by deep coughs drew nearer. The Crown Prince entered, pale-faced, half-supported by a palace servant, who helped him inside slowly before withdrawing.

Shi Yuning noted the dark circles under the Crown Prince’s ashen face, confirming the rumors of his grave illness. Suppressing her surprise, she rose quickly to pay respects.

“Cough cough, rise… cough cough, sit.”

The Crown Prince clutched a handkerchief, managing only a few words before another coughing fit. The servant helped him sit beside Xie Zhaoran, then bowed and left.

Xie Zhaoran’s face was taut as she watched him, not rising. A hint of displeasure lingered in her eyes.

“What are you doing here?” Her tone wasn’t gentle.

The Crown Prince seemed unperturbed, even offering her a smile laced with teasing only they understood.

He ignored her question, turning his gaze to Shi Yuning instead.

He looked her up and down.

Shi Yuning wore a pear-blossom white riding outfit, layered with a sleeveless pale pink jacket—slightly mismatched, but warm.

The colors were fresh and vibrant, accentuating her round, silver-plate face. Her skin was plump and radiant, her cheeks rosy like powder-dusted peaches in spring, inviting warmth.

As Shi Yuning looked up after paying respects, she met the Crown Prince’s gaze and the amusement in his eyes.

“Miss Shi dresses warmly.”

Shi Yuning found both the Crown Prince and Crown Princess baffling in their speech.

Fortunately, she wasn’t one for overthinking. “My mother says to bundle up in spring and strip down in autumn. Better safe from chills.”

“Cough cough, your mother has real life wisdom, cough cough. You should listen more, Zhaoran,” the Crown Prince said with a smile to Xie Zhaoran.

Figuring the two had private matters to discuss, Shi Yuning could finally leave. She curtsied to them both.

“I won’t disturb Your Highnesses any longer. Thank you again, Crown Princess. I’ll take my leave.”

Shi Yuning finished and looked expectantly at the Crown Prince, awaiting permission.

Instead, he smiled from ear to ear and turned to the Crown Princess. “It’s Zhaoran’s guest. Will you keep her, Zhaoran?”

Xie Zhaoran unwound the red cord from her fingers and gripped it in her fist. She glanced at Shi Yuning, whose eyes darted about.

“Arrows fly blindly at the hunting grounds, Miss Shi. Be careful out there. You’re free to go enjoy yourself.”

Shi Yuning thought the words sounded like admonishing a child, but freedom was freedom. She agreed happily.

Once Shi Yuning had curtsied and left the tent, the swaying flap settled. Only then did the Crown Prince lean over with a grin. His chronically sickly face lit up as if he’d struck gold.

“So it’s her. Cough cough. This Prince is truly surprised.”

Excited, the Crown Prince coughed violently. It took a while to recover before he continued. “Zhaoran, cough cough, you’ve kept this well hidden.”

Odd lights danced in his eyes as he spoke.

Xie Zhaoran’s gaze had followed Shi Yuning’s departure, lingering on the tent flap as if it had been stirred for the first time.

Hearing the Crown Prince, she reluctantly withdrew her eyes. Ignoring his smug grin, she shifted to a more comfortable position and lay back.

Her back and waist ached from holding the stiff posture earlier.

Unfazed by her coolness, the Crown Prince’s smile deepened at her evasiveness. “Now This Prince understands why you insisted on hosting this Spring Hunt, cough cough cough.”

His imperial parents had recently caught colds, and he was unwell too. He’d thought Zhaoran hated such events and planned to cancel this year’s hunt. In the end, she’d volunteered to oversee it.

“If you’re unwell, lie down. No need to exert yourself,” Xie Zhaoran said. Seeing his bad cough, she quickly summoned medicinal soup.

But the Crown Prince was thrilled. Once the servant left, he downed it in one go.

“Need my help?” He was eager; a hard-won secret demanded action.

Xie Zhaoran shot him a sidelong glance, tightening her grip on the red cord. Her tone was casual yet brimming with commanding confidence.

“No need.”

In the afternoon, as Shi Yuning racked her brains for an excuse to decline Prince Yu’s invitation to hunt together, she received an oral decree from the Crown Prince.

It ordered her to accompany the Crown Princess for the afternoon hunt and protect her.

Shi Yuning: ?

Her mind flashed instantly to that morning’s arrow—piercing the clouds like a meteor, unstoppable.

Her head was full of question marks, her mind lost in an even thicker fog.

She—the Crown Princess Xie Zhaoran—still needed someone to protect her?