Case 15: “Her Highness the First Princess.”

Gu Yunxi brought Liu Meifeng along with her to her father's tent. When the two came in, Gu Jinxin seemed to be arguing with Gu Zhuxuan. Gu Yunxi poked Liu Meifeng's left arm with her elbow.

"They've been like this for two hours." Gu Yunxi said to Liu Meifeng in a low voice, without averting her gaze from her big sister and father who were too busy quarreling with each other.

Liu Meifeng frowned, she lowered her head to match with Gu Yunxi's height, and said in a low voice as well, "What are they arguing about?"

Gu Yunxi pinched her forehead in distress and shook her head lightly, "It's none other than those Minotaur people. Apparently, my older sister couldn't trust them and was afraid that one day they would scheme against them."

"Aiya, if those Minotaur were really capable of doing schemes, your tribe would have been wiped long ago." Liu Meifeng argued, she knew that the Minotaur people are simple-minded. Otherwise, how could Liu Meifeng outsmart them back in their nest?

"No matter. Just do something about those two, my ears bleed every time I heard them arguing over this matter." Gu Yunxi swayed her hand, gesturing Liu Meifeng to approach the two people in front of them.

Liu Meifeng sneered and walked to Gu Jinxin and Gu Zhuxuan.

"How can my father decide whether the Minotaur can be trusted through a pleasant first meeting?! What if they were just pretending?" Gu Zhuxuan roared, totally like the opposite of the first princess who was known for her benevolence and calmness, surely, her voice made Liu Meifeng a bit startled as well.

Liu Meifeng who was a bit startled staring at Gu Zhuxuan in a daze. Her temper somehow reminded her about her former fiancée in the previous life, Zhang Yilian. Although, their marriage was arranged for business purposes. But Yilian treated her courteously and didn't deliberately try to 'please' him like common girls would do. This is the only thing that made Liu Meifeng secretly admire her. Yet at the same time, she's also disappointed at this indifferent attitude. Three years of being together, Yilian didn't cultivate any feelings towards her at all.

Now, Liu Meifeng looked at Gu Zhuxuan. Yes, her temper is exactly like her… cautious and won't hesitate to speak her opinion.

"Greetings to Your Majesty and Her Highness." Liu Meifeng kneeled and gave a salute to the two of them.

Gu Jinxin didn't care about the courtesy and hurriedly pulled Liu Meifeng in front of Gu Zhuxuan, "Here, you explain this plan of yours to her. I still need to guide those warriors to build the Watermill."

Gu Jinxin quickly retreated from the tent and dragged Gu Yunxi with him.

"Wait, father—" Gu Yunxi protested, for some reason, she doesn't like Gu Zhuxuan being alone with Liu Meifeng. Hence, she resisted.

"You come with me and help around with those men."

Before Gu Yunxi could react, she was already dragged away by her father. After all, in terms of strength, her father is unquestionably the strongest warrior in the tribe.

After the two left, Liu Meifeng and Gu Zhuxuan were the only ones left in the tent. Usually, in TV dramas this is where the main characters develop their feelings to each other. But in reality, the atmosphere was very awkward…

"So…"

"That--"

Liu Meifeng and Gu Zhuxuan coincidentally spoke at the same time which made things even more awkward.

"Explain first." Gu Zhuxuan said.

Liu Meifeng nodded and began to explain, "When the first time I came to this settlement, I could see that your White Wolf clan obviously lacks manpower and other facilities, and the location is pretty different from other towns and cities I have visited with Shifu. This clan contains only about more or less 60 people including the children. The number is certainly higher than the Minotaur people, but compared to other tribes, your tribe is relatively small and doubt it could withstand a future disaster. Maybe right now your tribe is safe because it's hidden from the world, but in my whole life, I know about one thing.. nothing can last forever. We could never guess what will happen in the future, but that doesn't prevent us from predicting the future from bad to the worst-case scenarios. Imagine it like preparing an umbrella before the rain, it's always better to be prepared. Besides you two are the only 'civilized' race on this island. It's better to work together than to kill each other, also don't forget nature can never be forgiving. For example, like the current situation where your village is lack of water resource and the monsters in the forest were getting even more vicious." Liu Meifeng stopped talking, she inhaled a few breathes and smiled, "Say Your Highness, do you prefer to trade blood with water or work together to obtain the water?"

Gu Zhuxuan's eyes widened, she observed Liu Meifeng in front of her. …How could he ask such a ruthless question with a brilliant smile?

Gu Zhuxuan was wondering if all men in the outside world were like Liu Meifeng, smart and unpredictable, charming and cold, polite and sharp-tongued. Gu Zhuxuan has never met such a man like this, moreover he's four years younger than herself. Why does it feel like he's way more mature than herself?

"Surprisingly, the grandson gave more thoughts about our future clan than we do." Gu Zhuxuan smiled but her eyes shot a sharp glance at Liu Meifeng.

Liu Meifeng caught the true meaning behind those words and naturally also noticed Gu Zhuxuan's sharp glance. She knew why the first princess doubted her, after all, she had no relation to this tribe. But she's willing to spend her thoughts to improve the civilization in this tribe, even settling the long-term disputes that have been happening for ages. Liu Meifeng guessed Gu Zhuxuan was probably thinking she wanted to take over her father's position as the clan's leader. Sadly, Liu Meifeng had no interest in ruling the power. Even if she has such passion, she'd rather take the throne in Qianghai's kingdom as the rightful crowned princess. Unfortunately, she'd rather be known as the heroic nomad or a prodigy in this world's history.

"Your Highness… I never realized you had such a high opinion about me. I'm aware of my good looks but I'm just a commoner and didn't deserve to be praised like this… especially… when Your Highness is looking at me so passionately like this. This grandson couldn't help but blush." Liu Meifeng said as she covered her mouth with her sleeve and pretended to be shy.

Gu Zhuxuan widened her eyes again, but this time she is rather shocked by Liu Meifeng's reaction. She couldn't help but think, how can this boy look more coquettish than the girls here?

Sadly, Liu Meifeng is indeed a girl in this world. She inherited most of her mother's facial features but inherited her father's height. So in the eyes of outsiders, she looked like a beautiful scholar which attracts those who appreciate beauty and calmness.

Seeing Gu Zhuxuan's dumbfounded expression, Liu Meifeng chuckled and hurriedly said, "It's a jest, Your Highness. I'm aware of what Your Highness is worrying about and it would be a lie if I had no motive from doing this."

Gu Zhuxuan frowned and asked coldly, "What do you want?"

"As you know, I'm an adoptive grandson of Grandmaster Duan. There is a reason why my parents abandon me, and I can't tell you why, but I knew that someday I might face my own difficulties. Hence, in exchange for my contributions to this tribe, I just want your tribe to support me when I need some help in the future. Of course, I will always have my own measures and consider the village's capability. His Majesty had already agreed to this earlier, but I still want to get the first princess' personal approval." Liu Meifeng said thoughtfully, with her critical condition she knew that she might encounter danger within her expectations in the future. It's better to have some backups when that really happens.

Gu Zhuxuan sneered, "So it's more or less a debt."

Liu Meifeng smiled, "If Your Highness wants to think of it that way, then this grandson can't do anything about it. But personally, this grandson preferred to think of it as 'mutual assist' rather than a debt. This grandson isn't that ruthless." Liu Meifeng laughed a little when she said this.

Gu Zhuxuan sighed and returned to her usual attitude, "Very well, it's a mutual assist. It's good to have you in our clan, Haoran. You can go back now."

Liu Meifeng kneeled with one knee, "Thanks to Your Highness." Then, she left the tent. After she left, Gu Zhuxuan pinched her forehead in distress and said weakly,

"Although, it is good to have you. But I don't know if it's going to be a fortune or a curse to have you with us."

…

After talking to Gu Zhuxuan, Liu Meifeng went to the blacksmith tent to give a few instructions regarding the watermill construction. Later, she went to the food stall and bought a few cooking ingredients. She knew that the tree fairy she met yesterday is one of the four strongest demons in the world; at least that's what the book said. Liu Meifeng planned to bribe her with delicious homemade cooking, so she would teach her a few skills. After all, nothing is better than delicious homemade cooking made from love and the best ingredients.

Liu Meifeng cooked two jars of braised herb pork, it smells very fragrant and delicious. Even Duan Gen who was meditating in his room caught the smell and stopped. He went to the living room and saw Liu Meifeng packed several lunchboxes. Liu Meifeng spotted Duan Gen who had just come out from the room, she smiled and said, "I left a portion for Shifu too, if Shifu is hungry you can grab the food at the kitchen."

Originally, Duan Gen was still angry at Liu Meifeng but the delicious food tempted him so much until he felt awkward. When he saw Liu Meifeng smiling knowingly at him, he got annoyed and snorted his nose without answering, before he entered the kitchen, he warned Liu Meifeng not to get too close to a demon. Even if it looked harmless…

Liu Meifeng didn't refute it either, because she knew if she dared to talk back again, Duan Gen might truly be angered and drown the whole island. Hence, she just gave a short hum and quickly retreated from the house. When Liu Meifeng got out of the house, she saw Gu Zhuxuan and a handsome boy with braided hair approaching her.

"Greetings to Your Highness, and this is…?"

The boy smiled and said politely, "Surnamed Tang and given name Cheng'an. I'm Her Highness the first princess' close friend."

Liu Meifeng noticed the sharp meaning behind his introductions. Does he think I'm his love rival?

Liu Meifeng took a glance at Gu Zhuxuan, her expression was indifferent as if she didn't notice anything.

"Well met. So, what brings Your Highness and brother Tang here? Today is a good day for picking flowers, why come to the rocky mountain?" Liu Meifeng said deliberately with a teasing tone.

Tang Cheng'an's face flushed and turned silent, he glanced at Gu Zhuxuan. Gu Zhuxuan's face remained unchanged.

"There's barely any flowers growing around the village. If you want to pick flowers you'll have to go into the deep forest, but there are many monsters over there, so I won't recommend it." Gu Zhuxuan replied solemnly.

Seeing her solemnity, Liu Meifeng is convinced that this calm and studious princess had a wood brain. Now she actually felt sorry for the guy before her, truly a pity…

"It's a jest, Your Highness. Now, what brings Your Highness here?" Liu Meifeng asked with an indifferent smile.

Before replying, Gu Zhuxuan noticed Liu Meifeng brought a huge pack of boxes covered with a white thin cloth with her. Then, she said truthfully, "I was planning to invite you to eat lunch with us. But it seems like you already have other plans. Where are you going to eat? And with whom?" Gu Zhuxuan didn't realize she's being too imposing.

"With the tree fairy." Liu Meifeng answered truthfully.

"Tree fairy?" both Gu Zhuxuan and Tang Cheng'an said in unison.

The two then remember there's a powerful ancient demon tree in the deepest part of the forest. They didn't expect Liu Meifeng to actually meet with the demon and return alive without losing his limbs, moreover, she was actually even going to eat lunch with the demon!

Liu Meifeng didn't know about the thoughts of two people in front of her, and she doesn't even want to care about it. To avoid unnecessary questions, Liu Meifeng hurriedly said goodbye and walked away. But her sleeve was pulled by Tang Cheng'an.

"Aren't you afraid that they might eat you instead?"

Liu Meifeng frowned, if she's really a girl in her mind, she might slap Tang Cheng'an for being presumptuous. Even so, she still doesn't like being touched by others like this.

"It's a she and no.. she just wants me to be her servant for a week."

"How is this happening? And when?" Gu Zhuxuan asked worriedly, in her view Liu Meifeng is just a weak boy who got a pretty head. But you can't really survive by just being smart alone, after all, not all people or even demons can be fooled.

Liu Meifeng was about to explain about the previous event, but the tree fairy had already come for her. She suddenly appeared from the sky, wearing her glamorous thin white clothes. She was so alluring and graceful, even Tang Cheng'an couldn't move away from her gaze.

"This matter is between me and the… boy. Who do you think you are? To actually dare and steal my one-week servant." The tree fairy said coldly at Gu Zhuxuan.

To everyone's surprise, Gu Zhuxuan didn't even flinch, her expression remains unchanged, "Xu Haoran is our village's hero and my younger sister's benefactor. Not to mention, he's the Grandmaster's grandson. Of course, he's a very distinguished person that we must protect at all costs." Gu Zhuxuan stared at the tree lady sharply.

Liu Meifeng thought the tree fairy might be angered and murder everyone on the spot. But when she saw her smiling instead, Liu Meifeng breathed a sigh of relief. But hold on, why is the tree fairy smiled? Liu Meifeng couldn't help but observe the facial expressions of these two involved people.

"Interesting… normal people usually ran in fright when they saw me or begged for mercy. But here you are doing the exact opposite as them. Girl, tell me your name."

"Gu Zhuxuan, the first princess of the White Wolf tribe."

When Gu Zhuxuan spoke her name, the tree fairy flinched and a trace of melancholy surfaced on her face. But it was only for a moment, no one barely noticed her sudden emotional change. But of course, this won't escape from Liu Meifeng's eagle eyes.

Liu Meifeng smirked as if she just saw something interesting,

Ohoho… more dramas.