Even with tents pitched outside for the night, the Holy King's Mansion was still heavily guarded, which speaks volumes about the tight security inside. No wonder no one dared to trespass.
In a hazy state, Shen Lixue felt something moving across her face, cool and refreshing, just like Dongfang Zhan's hand on her waist in the black mist, icy cold and devoid of warmth.
Startled, she instantly snapped out of her daze and opened her eyes wide: "Who is it?"
As she sat up, Shen Lixue slapped her, her cold gaze sweeping around. A small round table in the corner was knocked to the ground, and the tent was empty except for her.
Nobody here?
Shen Lixue was taken aback. Could it be that she had just imagined it?
The room was quiet, and Shen Lixue was wide awake. She rubbed her forehead, closed her eyes, got out of bed, grabbed her coat, put it on, and stepped out of the tent.
The eastern sky was already bright, with the crimson sun peeking out from under the clouds. In the distance, some guards were still patrolling, while others were preparing breakfast.
Stopping one of the guards at random, Shen Lixue asked, "Where is Prince An?"
The guards all recognized Shen Lixue and were very respectful. They bowed and said, "Your Highness, the Prince kept watch for the old Prince last night and just returned to his tent to rest!"
Shen Lixue nodded. Dongfang Heng had just rested, so she wouldn't disturb him.
The morning air was very fresh and pleasant. Shen Lixue took a deep breath and walked forward along the tent. Before she knew it, she came to a small river. Touching her slightly messy hair, she took out a wooden comb from her purse and walked to the riverbank.
She washed her face, dried it with a cotton cloth, and gently combed her long, black hair with a wooden comb. The calm water reflected Shen Lixue's image. With her delicate hands moving lightly, she combed her hair, making it as soft and smooth as ink satin.
Suddenly, a beautiful little face was reflected in the water. Shen Lixue frowned, pretended not to see it, and continued to do her makeup in the water.
Li Youlan looked at Shen Lixue's silky long hair, a hint of coldness flashing in her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure and stood next to Shen Lixue, smiling sweetly, "Princess Lixue, what a coincidence, you've also come to the river to wash up!"
Shen Lixue smiled: "It is indeed a coincidence!" If Li Youlan hadn't followed her to the riverbank, that would have been a real coincidence: "Did Miss Li sleep well last night?"
"Very good." Li Youlan's eyes flickered slightly: "The old prince has woken up. Has Princess Lixue seen him?"
Shen Lixue shook her head: "Not yet!"
Li Youlan smiled brightly: "I've already met the old prince. He's a very kind old man, exactly like the one I remember..."
Shen Lixue raised an eyebrow. Was Li Youlan showing off that the old prince liked her? Or was she showing off that she had met the old prince before her?
The old prince is Dongfang Heng's elder, and Shen Lixue will meet him sooner or later. Li Youlan only met him a few hours earlier than her. What's there to brag about? It's boring!
Shen Lixue remained silent, and Li Youlan, assuming she was heartbroken, grew even more smug: "Princess Lixue, the old prince..."
"Two kind young ladies, could you lend this old man a hand?" a frail voice suddenly rang out.
Shen Lixue turned around and saw an elderly man in his fifties or sixties sitting on the ground, his face showing slight pain, clearly having fallen.
Although the man looked old, he was very energetic, especially his eyes, which were deep and unfathomable, and even his coarse clothes could not hide their brilliance.
Upon seeing Shen Lixue, Li Youlan looked at him, and the old man sighed helplessly: "I'm old and frail, and I can't get up after falling!"
Li Youlan frowned. The old man's coarse clothes were yellowed from washing, and it was obvious that he was a poor commoner. She was the legitimate daughter of the Li family, of noble status. How could she condescend to help a commoner?
Shen Lixue gathered her hair, tied it up quickly, and walked over. She carefully helped the old man up. Although his clothes were ordinary, he was very clean and had no odor.
Shen Lixue remained completely at ease, showing no discomfort whatsoever: "Grandma, why are you here alone so early in the morning?"
The old man rubbed his aching back, his eyes beaming with joy: "My grandson is getting married, so I'll get up early to go up the mountain to chop firewood, sell it for more money, and send some good betrothal gifts!"
Shen Lixue frowned: "Your grandson should earn his own money to pay the dowry when he gets married. You're so old, you should be enjoying your retirement at home and not worrying too much about your children and grandchildren!"
"My grandson advised me the same thing, but I can't stay idle. I was bored at home, so I came out to chop firewood." The old man smiled broadly, his hand on his aching back, and he lowered his voice mysteriously, "My grandson doesn't know I came out..."
Li Youlan sneered. Chopping firewood to earn a dowry? How poor must this family be? The daughter-in-law they're marrying must also be from a poor family, making them even poorer. And yet he's so happy about it.
Shen Lixue rubbed her forehead, truly showing how much parents worry about their children: "You've disappeared, your family must be very worried. Where do you live? I'll take you home."
"Really? Thank you so much, young lady!" The old man beamed, and with Shen Lixue's help, he walked forward unsteadily: "My home isn't far, it's just ahead..."
Li Youlan raised an eyebrow. It was a desolate mountain wilderness, with no houses nearby. The old man's so-called "nearby" must be dozens of miles away. Was Shen Lixue really going to send him back...?
"After my granddaughter-in-law enters the family, I will soon have great-grandchildren to hold. At that time, I will not go out and will focus on taking care of my great-grandchildren at home..." The old man chatted with Shen Lixue as he walked.
"Congratulations!" Shen Lixue listened with a smile. People should indeed be content with what they have. Ordinary people, with sons and daughters, and a happy family, are no worse off than the wealthy.
The road in front of them was flat and accessible in all directions. Shen Lixue asked, "Grandpa, which way should we go?"
"Over there!" the old man pointed in a direction.
Shen Lixue smiled and helped the old man walk forward. The old man's happy laughter rang in her ears. She blinked. People are in good spirits when they are happy. This old man is really talkative.
Li Youlan followed behind at a leisurely pace, watching Shen Lixue chatting happily. The old woman raised an eyebrow. Shen Lixue and a lowly commoner could actually talk to each other. It was truly a disgrace to her noble princess status...
"Grandpa, is your home right ahead?" In the distance, Shen Lixue saw the small tents set up by the Holy King's Mansion, and the old man was still chattering on and on.
"Yes, it's just a short walk away!" the old man said with a smile, glancing at the tents ahead.
Shen Lixue raised the corners of her mouth. The old man wanted to go to the tent. When that time came, she would have the guards of the Holy King's Mansion escort him home, so that he would not have to walk around and hurt his wound.
A group of guards came running from a distance, the leader of whom was Zi Mo. Shen Lixue was about to ask him to escort the old man home, but Zi Mo and the others, with solemn expressions, bowed respectfully to the old man: "Your Highness!"
---Aside---
(*^__^*) Hehe... Thank you so much for the flowers, diamonds, tips, and votes, everyone! Mwah...
150. He brought shame upon himself.
"Your Highness!" Shen Lixue was taken aback and looked at the old man in surprise: "Are you the old prince of the Holy Prince's Mansion?"