Chapter Forty-Nine: Sleepless Night

The caravan passed the foot of the mountain as night fell. Fearing pursuit by the bandits, they pressed on without rest, journeying through the darkness until finally, at the hour of the boar, they reached a small town. The Crown Prince ordered the caravan to set up camp outside the town walls. He then instructed the maids to retrieve medicine and tend to the soldiers’ wounds. Hot food was bought in town and distributed among the weary men as a reward for their endurance. Only when all was arranged did he lead Guli, General Li Chang’an, and Yu Yang to an inn to spend the night.

By the time they arrived, it was deep into the night. To avoid a repeat of the fire that had broken out during their last stay, they only took two rooms this time—Guli and Yu Yang shared one, while Li Chang’an and the Crown Prince took the other, so they could look out for each other. As for the maid Jasmine, she naturally stayed with Guli to attend to her needs, making a bed for herself on the floor.

Jasmine knew it was the princess’s habit to bathe before bed, and quickly had the servant bring hot water. The princess slipped into the tub, enjoying the soothing warmth. Jasmine then unpacked fresh clothes and took out “Fragrant Enchantment,” a perfume brought from the palace. She carefully scented the princess’s garments so that, once her bath was done, the princess could dress in fragrant comfort.

True to its name, “Fragrant Enchantment” was made from the finest rose powder, soaked in morning dew, and blended with rare medicinal herbs into a balm. It kept clothing sweetly scented for days and even served to prevent perspiration in the summer heat. In the palace, there had always been a special department dedicated to perfuming the princess’s attire each day. Here, Jasmine took it upon herself, knowing no one else could be as attentive to the princess’s comfort.

“Your Highness, let me help you dry off,” Jasmine called softly. Having just finished preparing the scented clothing, she heard movement behind the screen and hurried to assist the princess from her bath.

Yu Yang sat to one side, watching Jasmine bustle about, and couldn’t help but sneer inwardly. Such a pampered princess, she thought, born to luxury and utterly spoiled.

“Would you like to bathe?” Guli asked as she emerged, freshly dressed. She noticed Yu Yang sitting at the table, motionless. Though she disliked the idea of sleeping in the same room as a stranger—woman or not—she had always slept alone and found it hard to adjust. Still, she was not one to make unreasonable demands or cause trouble.

Yu Yang ignored her, her manner as cold as ever.

Guli didn’t mind. Remembering that Yu Yang was wounded and shouldn’t get her injuries wet, she told Jasmine to bring a damp cloth so Yu Yang could simply wipe herself down. Then Guli climbed into bed.

After cleaning herself, Yu Yang returned to find Guli already asleep on the inner side of the bed. She lay down on the outside, fully clothed, turning her back and closing her eyes. Even in sleep, she did not remove her veil.

The moment Yu Yang lay down, Guli’s eyes opened. She stared into the darkness above, sighing silently. She simply couldn’t get used to sharing a bed. She knew she would not sleep a wink that night.

Dawn came, and Guli rose at first light. Yu Yang, a light sleeper by training, also stirred at the sound. But perhaps because she was exhausted from yesterday’s ordeal in the bandits’ lair and her wounds, she had slept deeply for once—quite unlike Princess Guli, whose bright eyes were now ringed with fatigue.

After they washed up, they went downstairs for breakfast. The Crown Prince and General Li Chang’an were already up, waiting at a table. Li Chang’an immediately noticed that Guli seemed unwell—her usually bright eyes were dull, with dark circles beneath them, and she looked utterly drained.

The Crown Prince too observed her condition, frowning with concern. “Sister, did you not sleep well last night?” he asked.