Chapter 435: It's time to leave

Her initial guard, later her relaxed understanding, left her feeling a bit more wistful.

Xifeng's status destined her to have no friends; despite all her mother had struggled to obtain, she asked nothing of the court or the world, wishing only to live in peace.

But when she met her, when Xige came to visit, she chose to conceal.

All of this, all of it, is because she envies her, right?

"You are a very special young lady." Xifeng tilted her head, looking at her, her words light and slow.

Time is not enough, years are not chaotic.

"Although I thank you for always praising me."

"But..."

"I'm hungry, I want to eat." Jiang Yunchu rubbed her stomach; while fleeing, she dared not let down her guard, nor dare to eat anything.

Now that she had confirmed her situation, she instead relaxed.

"Aren't you afraid I'll really kill you?" Xifeng looked at the unrestrained young lady, unable to help raising her brows.

"Kill me?" Jiang Yunchu nodded, "If you wanted to kill me, you wouldn't hide my appearance, nor wait for me to wake up."

"You could easily kill me, then go to Xige's side to ask for a favor."

"The Great Prince's favor should still be worth a lot."

Jiang Yunchu gave a light laugh, "But you didn't."

Xifeng stood up, looking at the fish in the pond, "I'll have someone bring the food shortly; when will you leave?"

"No rush, let's talk after I heal my wounds." Jiang Yunchu replied immediately.

Xifeng turned, gave her another deep look, this time without answering, and left directly.

In Phoenix Nest City, Jiang Yunchu rested for a full five days; each day she did nothing but eat and sleep, emphasizing no worries about food and drink, everything carefree.

Xifeng looked at her manner, and wasn't polite either.

"Let me see the stitching, and also the rabbit you embroidered last time—did you fill in the eyes?"

Jiang Yunchu gave a light sigh, then looked at her, "Indeed, there's no free lunch in the world."

Xifeng helplessly rolled her eyes, "I said, you eat my food, drink my drink, sleep in my bed, the medicine you take is also what I found; just let you do some embroidery, help me check the stitching."

This guy, she had figured it out—taking advantage while acting innocent, that's her.

"What to do, your mouth is short from eating people's food, come, let me teach you." Jiang Yunchu took the embroidery cloth, seriously examined the stitching, then picked up a few embroidery needles and pricked a few points.

"Look, these few places all have problems."

"Here, the threading has a problem; here, the technique has a problem."

She carefully pointed them out, then took a new piece of embroidery cloth, followed Xifeng's stitching, then she made a slight adjustment; for a moment, in the pavilion, nobody spoke, falling into silence.

"You look?"

Jiang Yunchu handed the embroidery cloth to her; Xifeng examined it carefully, quickly saw the difference, compared side by side, the superiority was immediately obvious.

"So that's how it is."

One taught, one learned; when they encountered a contentious point, the two of them, regardless of identity, status, or country, argued until their faces reddened and necks thickened.

"Hmph! Rude people, I won't talk to rude people." Xifeng directly turned and left; behind her, Jiang Yunchu was smug, wearing a mischievous grin.

The servants, besides bringing food and water, basically never came to the pavilion; also no one knew who she was, only knowing she was a princess guest, not to be disturbed.

Then another five days passed; the vines seemed to have some special power, continually repairing her damaged meridians; her injuries gradually improved, originally unable to muster any strength, now her wounds were completely healed.

"I'm leaving."

That day, after the two finished discussing the new embroidery technique, Jiang Yunchu suddenly spoke.

While embroidering, Xifeng suddenly pricked her finger; on her slender finger, a bead of blood quickly formed.

"Not staying a few more days?"

Her voice was a bit heavy, yet without other emotion; her expression looked slightly stiff, but only that.

"You should know, I can't stay."

While nursing her injuries, she could let go of everything, but once healed, there was no reason to stay.

Behind her, General Jiang needed saving, there were children waiting for her to return, relatives hoping for her safety, and...

Da Ning, waiting for her to return home.

"When will you leave?"

Xifeng didn't lift her head; the blood bead was wiped clean by her; aside from that piece of embroidery cloth, no one knew her distress.

"Tomorrow morning." Jiang Yunchu didn't hesitate, time was urgent.

Inside the pavilion, there had been arguments, laughter, bickering, but never such silence; for a moment, the air felt somewhat tranquil.

"Okay, I understand." Xifeng didn't say more, "I will arrange the people below to prepare your travel rations, and also prepare your documents for entering and leaving the city."

"Thank you."

After so long, this was the first time she said thank you, to a princess of an enemy state.

Xifeng shook her head, "This parting may mean we never meet again; Jiang Yunchu, are we friends?"

She had no friends, from childhood to adulthood, she had none.

Her status was special, her position special, even everything about her was special.

She also yearned for something, especially something she had never obtained.

"Of course." She nodded.

Xifeng looked at Jiang Yunchu, lightly curled her lips; that was enough.

"Jiang Yunchu, if the two nations are at war, and if Xijiang wins, no matter the thousands of difficulties, even if I must go through fire and water, I will save your life." Xifeng looked at her, her eyes filled with inseparable emotion.

In this world, the only person who could make her uniquely trusting and uniquely bound was...

If she left this world, how lonely she would be.

Jiang Yunchu stepped forward and lightly hugged the girl, "Xifeng, you don't have this chance."

"Because…"

She let go of her hand, looked at the person before her, "Da Ning will surely win."

"Jiang Yunchu!"

Xifeng gave an angry shout; this fellow, his own sorrowful feeling, vanished in an instant.

Are you a demon?

"Hahaha!" Jiang Yunchu laughed loudly; her unrestrained laugh, her unconventional, carefree girl's smile seemed to warm hearts, and her laughter was contagious.

"When the time comes, I will surely save you once."

But she also gave her own promise.

They are not of the same nation; between them lie war, relatives, and common folk; they have few promises, only promising themselves.

The two girls exchanged a smile; parting seemed never mentioned, as they continued discussing patterns, needle techniques, and designs.

But the next morning, a swift horse, a sack of dry rations, plus the silver and documents from Xijiang, were all placed in the courtyard of the pavilion.

But…

Xifeng did not appear.