Princess Carry

"Long live Your Highness." Lin Ruochen knelt and greeted the Eldest Princess. Feng Yao felt relieved knowing they had returned safely. A meaningful smile appeared on her face as she noticed the robe Lin Ruochen was wearing.

Realizing Feng Yao's gaze, Lin Ruochen lowered her head. She started explaining what had happened—but not everything. She purposely left out the part where Lang Huan killed the soldiers, Lang Huan's true identity as a woman, and her suspicion that Lang Huan was connected to the Lang Clan and Ling Xiao Palace.

She decided to keep it a secret, afraid that Lang Huan would receive severe punishment. After all, Lang Huan had saved her life. She considered them even now—she owed her nothing.

Feng Yao was sharp. Just by observing Lin Ruochen's body language, she could tell that something was being hidden from her. But seeing her weak posture and pale face, her heart softened a little.

"You may leave and rest," she said gently.

After Lin Ruochen left, Feng Yao's smile disappeared, replaced by an unhappy expression.

 A Li, who had served Feng Yao for years, understood her master well. She could sense that something was wrong with Lin Ruochen.

"Ah, Young Master Ye is still waiting for Your Highness," A Li reminded her.

"Just tell Lang Huan I'm tired," Feng Yao replied lazily. She was in a bad mood and didn't feel like talking to Lang Huan.

---

Lang Huan was furious when a maid came to tell her that Feng Yao had refused to see her. She had waited too long and was exhausted. Frustrated, she ran toward the gate and shouted, "Xiao Bai!"

Hearing her call, Xiao Bai immediately rushed to her side. Without hesitation, Lang Huan jumped onto his back and charged straight into the Princess's mansion. Chaos erupted instantly. The shadow guards leaped into action, trying to stop her. They chased after her, but Xiao Bai was fast and agile, effortlessly dodging obstacles.

Seated on Xiao Bai's back, Lang Huan even kicked away some shadow guards who got too close.

Amid the commotion, the soft sound of a guqin playing reached her ears. Lang Huan instantly knew, "That must be Feng Yao."

"Go, follow the sound," she ordered Xiao Bai.

Without delay, Xiao Bai ran and leaped toward the pavilion.

Feng Yao gasped as she saw Lang Huan and the giant wolf burst in. She froze, her hands stopping on the guqin strings.

Before Lang Huan could do anything, the shadow guards finally caught her. They pulled her down and restrained her. Now, Lang Huan lay on the ground, exhausted and powerless. Taking a deep breath, she lifted her hand slightly and muttered, "I just wanted to see Your Highness..."

The Shadow Guards dragged Lang Huan forward and forced her to kneel before Feng Yao.

"Good luck, Your Highness," Lang Huan said. Her anger, which had been burning moments ago, slowly faded as she looked at Feng Yao.

Feng Yao stayed silent for a moment, her sharp gaze fixed on Lang Huan. Without a word, she gestured for the Shadow Guards to leave. Once they were gone, she calmly sat back down and resumed playing the guqin.

Lang Huan remained kneeling without saying anything. She patiently listened to the gentle melody filling the cold air. The music was beautiful, blending with the falling snow around them.

For the first time, Lang Huan saw Feng Yao's bare face. Her long black hair flowed freely, contrasting against the white fur cloak she wore. It was a breathtaking sight.

As the song ended, Lang Huan slowly crawled closer to Feng Yao and softly called, "Your Highness..."

Feng Yao turned her gaze toward Lang Huan, who now looked like a little kitten.

"Your Highness..." Lang Huan called again, her voice trembling slightly.

 Her eyes were red, as if she was holding back tears. "Your Highness, please help me..."

Feng Yao smiled faintly and said, "Cry and beg me."

Lang Huan lowered her head as tears slowly fell. She sobbed and said, "Your Highness, my brother Zhou Xun is still in the hands of the kidnappers."

Feng Yao pinched her chin and lifted it, watching as Lang Huan cried. "You deserve this," she said coldly.

"Don't say I didn't warn you. You acted recklessly without knowing your enemy."

Lang Huan nodded weakly. "It's my fault..."

Feng Yao sneered. "How impressive. Your guards died for nothing, all because of your brilliant plan."

Lang Huan's sobs grew louder when Feng Yao told her that her guards had died. She cried for a long time until her eyes were swollen and her nose turned red.

Seeing her like that, Feng Yao wasn't sure whether to laugh or feel sorry. "Hmm...I'll help you if you're obedient," she said. Finding Lang Huan cute while crying, she tapped the tip of her nose with a finger.

Lang Huan sniffled and threw herself into Feng Yao's arms, crying again.

She was heartbroken—indirectly, she had caused the death of her elite force brothers. The world felt unbearably cruel to her.

Feng Yao stiffened in surprise but gently pushed Lang Huan away and patted her head. With a serious tone, she said, "Lang Huan, you must learn to accept your mistakes, even if this lesson came at a great price. I hope you will grow wiser from it."

As Lang Huan continued to sob, Feng Yao took out a handkerchief from her bosom, gently wiping away her tears. "Okay, I already said I'll help you."

She then stood up, ready to leave, but before she could take a step, Lang Huan suddenly wrapped her arms around her thigh, refusing to let go.

Feng Yao frowned. "What now?"

"I can't go home. The kidnappers might still be watching. Can I stay here?"

Feng Yao thought for a moment. It made sense, so she nodded.

Just as she was about to walk away again, Lang Huan tugged at her once more.

Annoyed, Feng Yao narrowed her eyes. "Can you just say everything at once instead of wasting my time?"

"Your Highness, please send someone to inform my family," Lang Huan requested.

"Anything else?"

Lang Huan shook her head.

As Lang Huan tried to stand up, her legs felt numb. Seeing her struggle, Feng Yao reached out to help. The moment their hands touched, Lang Huan felt how ice-cold Feng Yao's hands were.

Without saying anything, Feng Yao turned and walked ahead. Lang Huan watched her steps and noticed she was only wearing thin shoes on the cold floor.

Seeing her slender back, Lang Huan hurried forward, caught her wrist, and bent down to scoop her into a princess carry.

Feng Yao gasped in shock and hit Lang Huan's shoulder. "Put me down!"

"Your Highness, let me carry you to your room. The floor is too cold, and you're only wearing thin shoes," Lang Huan said firmly.

Feng Yao kept struggling, but Lang Huan ignored her protests. "Your Highness, stop moving, or we'll fall!"

Hearing that, Feng Yao finally gave up. Afraid of falling, she wrapped her arms around Lang Huan's neck. Lang Huan smiled and asked, "Where's your room, Your Highness?"

"Straight ahead, then turn right," Feng Yao answered lazily. She was extremely exhausted, having gone several weeks without proper sleep.