Chu Yunge finished being excited and saw that Yan Feng was still pouting. She patted his back to comfort him and smooth out his ruffled feathers at the same time.
“Don’t be mad anymore. You did plenty well. Look, all those Shadow Guards together aren’t a match for you alone.”
The Shadow Guards: “……”
Their hearing was exceptionally sharp. They had long since heard that Yan Feng had succeeded, even if only halfway. But that was still something they hadn’t managed.
Though they really didn’t want to admit it, they truly weren’t as good as Yan Feng.
The Princess was pointing them out.
They had to put in even more effort and grow stronger. They couldn’t keep getting outdone by a mere personal bodyguard.
It wouldn’t be so bad to be outdone by a personal bodyguard, but the problem was that this bodyguard still had baby fat on his face…
That was a bit of a strange humiliation.
The Shadow Guards, who hadn’t been fully devoted to protecting Chu Yunge before, began to give their all from that night onward and even started intensely competing with one another.
Yan Feng finally confirmed it. Though he had only managed half, Chu Yunge was genuinely delighted and even praised him like this.
He was still young, after all. After the praise, the corners of Yan Feng’s mouth quickly quirked up.
Chu Yunge was very close and clearly saw it this time. Yan Feng really did have a dimple.
Even with the baby fat, Yan Feng was seriously stern when he was stern. When he had clashed with Zhao Zeng, his face had been full of killing intent—utterly cold and formidable.
But with this smile, all the cold sternness vanished, leaving only milky cuteness.
“You smiled, Yan Feng. You really have a dimple.”
Yan Feng abruptly froze and uncomfortably pursed his lips.
Because Chu Yunge had once told him to smile, he had gone back and practiced. There really was a little indentation by his mouth when he smiled.
Its appearance ruined his cool image, but the Princess seemed quite interested in it.
“Perhaps this subordinate’s prior practice had some effect. It’s good that you saw it.”
Chu Yunge chuckled inwardly. It was clearly him smiling happily on his own.
“This Princess had you smile once before so she could teach others. Now that you’ve succeeded this time, you can smile freely.”
She had actually been teasing him before, but now she went with the flow.
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
Yan Feng was even happier. He couldn’t help smiling, and the dimple appeared on his face again.
As Chu Yunge watched him like this, she couldn’t help but recall how Yan Feng suffered the Castration Punishment in the book.
She didn’t know the reason, but it was indeed cruel for a dimpled youth like this.
Though she knew Yan Feng would ultimately become the Chu Emperor’s loyal dog, seeing him pout in hatred toward Zhao Zeng and avenge her by slicing off half of Zhao Zeng’s, she couldn’t resist saying a bit more.
“No need to thank me, Yan Feng. Speaking of revenge, you must prioritize your safety above all. Never act impulsively, lest you harm yourself. And be extra careful to avoid retaliation from Zhao Zeng.”
No matter if it was because the Princess suffered the Castration Punishment or because he had struck Zhao Zeng and sliced him, leading to revenge and the Castration Punishment in the end, she hoped he could avoid it.
Hearing her concerned words, Yan Feng suddenly realized she was still holding his hand.
His hands were callused and scarred from years of sun exposure and martial training, starkly dark against hers.
His hands were rough with old calluses and scars, while hers were soft like water.
Though her hand was so soft and tender, Yan Feng shrank back as if pricked: “Your Highness, this…”
“It was just from the excitement earlier.”
Chu Yunge withdrew her hand and couldn’t resist rubbing her shoulder. The carriage had jolted wildly before, and in dodging Zhao Zeng’s hand, her shoulder had been bumped. It hurt a little.
Yan Feng noticed her movement and guessed she was injured. He also saw her hair disheveled, her hairpin even askew.
He paused, then carefully reached up to straighten the hairpin before tentatively and clumsily patting her back.
Chu Yunge turned her head in confusion: “What’s wrong?”
She glanced at her back: “A bug?”
Yan Feng stiffened and withdrew his hand: “No.”
“That’s good.” Chu Yunge really didn’t like bugs.
She naturally leaned against Yan Feng, feeling an immense sense of security.
After a moment, she suddenly realized something.
“Wait, were you just comforting me? Copying the way I comforted you?”
Yan Feng: “……No.”
The young lad was proud and didn’t want to lose face, so he denied it.
But it was no use.
“Hahaha, still not admitting it. So you wanted to comfort me. Thanks, but next time you want to comfort someone, do it like this.”
Chu Yunge patted Yan Feng’s back: “Gently, slowly.”
Yan Feng: “……”
When they finally reached the Princess Mansion, Yan Feng was the first to leap out.
But as he jumped to the back of the carriage, he stopped and ultimately reached in to carry Chu Yunge down from the carriage.
Chu Yunge’s feet weren’t injured, but which Princess would refuse a princess carry from a young lad?
She unhesitatingly wrapped her arms around Yan Feng and nodded in satisfaction at his profile.
This princess carry was steady and gave a full sense of security.
Yet Yan Feng halted in his steps because he spotted Li Guangi waiting outside the Princess’s Bedroom.
His feet paused, and Li Guangi hurried forward.
Li Guangi looked at Chu Yunge with eyes full of worry. Forgetting her dislike of sign language, he anxiously gestured with his hands to inquire.
Chu Yunge guessed his meaning from his expression: “I’m fine. Don’t worry.”
Li Guangi still wasn’t reassured, especially since she was still wearing Xie Wangze’s clothes. He carefully scanned her with his eyes.
Chu Yunge reached out her arm: “Hold me.”
Li Guangi was stunned for a moment, then nodded and carefully reached out.
Yan Feng’s hand tightened briefly before he let go, placing Chu Yunge into Li Guangi’s arms.
“Don’t drop Her Highness.”
He couldn’t hold back from saying it. Li Guangi didn’t know martial arts, so he wasn’t at ease.
“You’ve worked hard, Yan Feng. Thank you for coming to save me. Go rest now.”
“Yes.” Yan Feng paused before responding.
“Rest for real this time. Don’t come back like last time. Once you’re rested, we can eat melon together tomorrow morning.”
Chu Yunge instructed him. Yan Feng had earned merit and needed proper rest.
Most importantly, Li Guangi had delivered himself to her door. She had to get her share, lest Yan Feng overhear and get the wrong idea.
“Yes.” Yan Feng bowed his head deeply in acknowledgment.
He ought to be happy at the concern and praise from Her Highness, but actually, he wasn’t.
His heart felt empty, and for some reason, he was annoyed at Li Guangi. It felt like Li Guangi had stolen the Princess.
But the reality was that Her Highness had reached out on her own. She liked Li Guangi…
At this moment, Yan Feng clearly sensed the difference—the way the Princess treated him versus Li Guangi.
She was pretty good to him too, but somehow…
Yan Feng pursed his lips.
Now safe in Li Guangi’s arms, Chu Yunge had no worries, only joy. Her whole demeanor changed. She didn’t just lean bonelessly on his shoulder but even nuzzled it.
After nuzzling, she even sniffed with her nose: “You smell so good.”
Li Guangi was clearly the clean and fragrant type of boy. Sure enough, one sniff confirmed it.
No sweaty odor, no heavy perfume. Not as elegantly lotus-scented as Qingchen’s natural fragrance, but faint and refreshingly clean.
She liked it too.
Chu Yunge hugged his shoulder and restlessly sniffed downward, burrowing toward his chest.
As she nuzzled, Li Guangi completely lost his composure. Hearing that made his whole body tremble, his face uncontrollably heating up.
Why would Her Highness say he smelled good? He wasn’t a girl.
And why was she moving around and nuzzling like that?
Li Guangi felt blood rushing to his face. He opened his mouth but couldn’t make a sound to stop her.
Chu Yunge suddenly pressed close to his chest, listening carefully.
“Li Guangi, your heart is beating so fast.”
“Is this what they mean by a fawn darting about?”
Li Guangi felt his heart beat even faster and hurriedly quickened his steps to carry her back to the bedroom.
When he placed Chu Yunge on the bed, he let out a breath of relief.
If he kept holding her, if she kept nuzzling, he feared it wouldn’t just be a fawn darting about, but…