Chapter Thirty-Four: The Scent of Hearth and Home
Because they were traveling along mountain paths, for two consecutive nights they could only rest on the slopes. Fortunately, the weather had just turned to autumn—neither cold nor warm—so the Crown Prince ordered the caravan to pause and camp there.
The conditions were meager, perched on the hillside, so there was no hope of bathing or proper washing. Luckily, it was only the first day, and Guli could still bear it. Her maid took the bedding from the carriage and laid it out for her, and Guli, exhausted beyond measure, fell asleep as soon as her head touched the pillow.
Yet, despite the bedding, she still felt the hard ground beneath her and slept fitfully through the night.
The next morning, after breakfast, they continued on their journey. The mountain roads were rough and winding, slowing the caravan’s progress. Guli, riding in the carriage, was jostled about, her body aching all over. She had not slept well these past two nights, and, pampered as she was, had never endured such hardship. Now, fatigue threatened to overwhelm her, but she gritted her teeth and never uttered a word of complaint.
After all, she had insisted on coming along. No matter how tired she was, she would not complain, nor would she cause trouble for her brother, the Crown Prince, or delay the caravan’s progress.
Only by reaching Li Huai County sooner could the people suffer less.
That evening, they again camped beside the mountain road. The guards pitched the tents, and after Guli finished her meal inside, Jasmine wiped her body with a water-soaked cloth, bringing a little comfort.
“Princess, tonight you should sleep more soundly,” Jasmine said, leading two other maids into the tent with bedding in their arms, beginning to lay it down.
“What are you doing?”
Guli immediately recognized the bedding as belonging to her maids.
“Your Highness,” Jasmine replied, “we noticed you haven’t slept well these few nights, and your complexion has grown wan. We thought if we brought our bedding as well and layered it thicker, you would rest more comfortably tonight.”
Though Guli had been pampered since childhood and was somewhat spoiled, she was not selfish. Hearing Jasmine’s words, her face darkened and she ordered, “That’s not necessary! Take it back at once!”
“Princess…” Jasmine looked bewildered at the sudden outburst, her hands frozen in place.
“Xiao Qiu, take your bedding back to your own tent,” Guli commanded the other two maids, her expression stern. “Be quick about it, or I’ll have your tent removed and tonight you’ll have to sleep outdoors with the soldiers.”
The two maids turned pale with fright and hurried out, clutching their bedding.
Jasmine knew her princess had a sharp tongue but a soft heart. In truth, Guli was worried her maids would suffer without their bedding.
Jasmine’s nose tingled with emotion. Her princess, though seemingly spoiled and quick-tempered, was kinder than anyone.
“Princess, shall I apply some medicine?”
Jasmine approached Guli and pulled up her sleeve, revealing bruises from the past few days of travel. Her skin was so fair that the marks stood out starkly, evoking pity.
“No need,” Guli shook her head. “I’m not that delicate. These bruises are nothing; they’ll fade in a few days.”
She stepped outside. For several nights now, she had entered the tent and fallen straight asleep, never taking the time to appreciate the mountain scenery at night.
The darkness had deepened. Tents rose here and there, with only a few campfires burning brightly, dry wood crackling and sending sparks flying into the air. Soldiers gathered around, drinking hot soup and chatting quietly.
Guli had never experienced such a scene, yet she felt an inexplicable warmth—lively, harmonious, tranquil, and comforting.
Her brother, the Crown Prince, had his tent not far away. Candlelight glowed inside; he seemed to be studying maps with Chang Lie and Chang An, planning the route for the next day.