Just as dawn broke, Kim Seon-a was awakened by the sound of rustling footsteps outside the tent.
She opened her eyes, and the tassels hanging from the canopy swayed in the morning light.
The footsteps outside were light, but numerous, making it sound like several people were standing outside the door.
Kim Seon-a turned to the side and peeked through the corner of the curtain.
A row of women stood in a line, all staring at her.
Her hand trembled, and she almost dropped the curtain.
Shen Ling'er spoke first, "Princess, you're awake? Last night, the Prince instructed me that you were feeling weak, so I brewed some calming soup and prepared breakfast. Don't be shy, drink it while it's hot."
Kim Seon-a stood frozen in place.
She instinctively took a half step back and blurted out, "I can't touch you."
Her voice carried the conditioned reflex of twelve years, and even she could hear the mechanical quality in it.
Zhen Meili, carrying the wooden box, squeezed forward and bluntly asked, "Hey~ what's that you're spraying?"
The Night Prince said, "Your barrier can already be broken, so what are you afraid of?"
Before she could finish speaking, she grabbed Kim Seon-a's wrist and weighed it in her hand.
Kim Seon-a's entire body stiffened.
She waited for the backlash of the internal energy, waited for the other person to be thrown back, and waited for that familiar feeling of losing control.
No.
The other person's palm was warm, and the fingertips conveyed the warmth of a living person. The palm lines were rough yet real, pressed against her wrist bones.
She froze, her eyes instantly welling up with tears.
Taking the opportunity, Zhen Meili pulled her to sit on the low stool and circled her halfway. "Shoulder blades are straight, wrist tendons are strong, you have a good foundation for a martial arts practitioner."
If you were in Luoyang, with that frame, you could definitely carry a 200-pound sack.
Shen Ling'er brought the soup over, squatted down beside her, and brought the spoon to her lips. "Princess, enjoy it while it's hot."
Kim Seon-a's hands were trembling as she held the bowl.
The spoon touched her lips, and her throat tightened; she couldn't swallow.
Lin Qingdai came in from outside, said nothing, and directly stuffed a scalding hot hand warmer into Kim Seon-a's arms before turning around and leaving again.
The heater was so hot it made her fingertips numb. She hugged the warmth and stared down at the openwork patterns on the heater lid.
Murong Xue, carrying a long spear, approached and said, "I heard you're at the Peak Second Rank. I happen to need a sparring partner. After dinner, let's go to the training ground and have a match. I'm tired of using the same moves with Lin Qingdai."
Yun Shuyue held up a string of candied hawthorns and stuffed them directly into Kim Seon-a's hand.
"Big sister, this is delicious, you should try it. I specially saved it yesterday, I was planning to sneak a bite tonight, but I thought I'd give it to you instead."
Meng Jiuning unfolded a piece of brocade and held it up to Kim Seon-a's shoulder. "His Highness asked me to tailor two well-fitting dresses for you."
The robes from Goryeo are too plain; now that we're in Great Yan, we need to change into something decent.
As she spoke, she took a soft measuring tape and compared it to Kim Seon-a's body, her fingers brushing against Kim Sun-ah's shoulder line, causing Kim Seon-a freeze again.
Lin Qingdai came in again, carrying a makeup box, and sat down opposite her.
"Military supply and logistics are complex. Since the princess is accompanying the army, why not learn to help oversee the granaries? That way, she'll have something to do in the future and won't be idle."
After saying that, she opened the lid to reveal a set of rouge and eyebrow pencils. "The makeup in Goryeo, so I'll teach you the Great Yan style. Your brow bone is high, so arched eyebrows are suitable; they'll make you look more dashing."
Kim Seon-a was surrounded by a group of women.
I don't know how to deal with this.
She tried to stand up, but was held down.
I wanted to refuse, but my words were cut off.
There was a lump in his throat, and he couldn't speak.
The sudden burst of excitement and concern left her somewhat at a loss.
Gu Moli was the last to enter.
She glanced at the noisy scene inside and asked coldly, "What are you doing? Bullying outsiders?"
Shen Ling'er turned around. "No, His Highness instructed us to take good care of the princess, and we've been obeying."
Gu Moli clicked her tongue, walked up to Kim Seon-a, and looked her up at her.
Kim Seon-a looked up and met her gaze.
What Gu Moli saw in her eyes was not hostility, but a cautious probing.
She pulled a gold and jade bracelet from her sleeve and threw it on the table. " Goryeo is poor, your shabby jewelry is no good. Take this and wear it."
Zhen Meili added a sentence.
"Yes, yes, dress up nicely, don't embarrass the prince."
Kim Seon-a held the jade bracelet in her hand.
For the first time in twelve years, a woman gave her something.
She wasn't the Empress Dowager, nor a palace maid; she was a stranger of the same age.
My nose tingled, and tears fell onto the bracelet.
Seeing this, Zhen Meili panicked and reached out to wipe away her tears. "Oh, don't cry, don't cry. Did I say something wrong? I'm not good with words, don't take it to heart."
Yun Shuyue then stuffed another piece of maltose into her mouth.
"Oh dear, sister, eat this. Don't cry."
Several women huddled together in a flurry of activity.
Kim Seon-a shook her head, choking back tears, and said, "No... it's just... no one has ever treated me like this before..."
Before she could finish speaking, another string of tears welled up in her eyes.
She covered her face, her shoulders shaking, trying hard to hold back her sobs.
The tent curtain was lifted.
Gu Moran came in carrying a tray with a set of silver needles on it.
He paused when he saw this, a smile playing on his lips.
Wow, these girls who love to fight amongst themselves are so sensible now.
That's rare indeed.
He turned around and left.
The curtain fell, and he stood outside the door, listening to the chaotic sounds of comforting voices inside.
The tent was in complete chaos.
Kim Seon-a covered her face, her shoulders shaking uncontrollably.
Shen Ling'er squatted down in front of her and said softly, "Princess, don't cry. Here's a handkerchief, wipe your tears."
Meng Jiuning patted her back gently, one pat at a time, like coaxing a child.
Yun Shuyue held up the candy and brought it directly to her lips. "Sister, eat this candy, it's so sweet, you won't feel uncomfortable after eating it."
Zhen Meili anxiously circled around her, repeatedly saying, "Oh dear, don't cry, don't cry."
Murong Xue stood to the side, carrying a gun, and after watching for a long time, finally managed to utter a sentence.
"Why are you crying? We didn't bully you."
Lin Qingdai coldly replied, "Shut up."
Murong Xue, her neck stiff, asked, "Did I say something wrong?"
Lin Qingdai ignored her, turned to look at Kim Seon-a, and said in a calmer tone, "There are many rules in Goryeo. If you're not used to them, just say so. There aren't so many rules here."
Kim Seon-a shook her head, choking back tears as she managed to squeeze out a few words: "No... I'm just touched..."
Before she could finish speaking, tears started falling again.
She gripped the handkerchief tightly with all ten fingers, crumpling the fabric into a ball.
Gu Moli stood to the side, watched for a while, and then clicked her tongue.
"Alright, alright, stop crowding around. The princess is precious; aren't you afraid of scaring her by pushing like this?"
After she finished speaking, she took out a handkerchief from her sleeve and threw it on Kim Seon-a's lap.
"Wipe it clean, it looks awful."
Kim Seon-a raised her head, her eyes as red as a rabbit's.
She stared at Gu Moli, her lips moved, but she didn't say anything.
Gu Moli turned her face away, refusing to look at her.
"The prince has ordered a meal to be prepared and set out outside. If you go out looking like this, he'll think we've bullied you."
Shen Ling'er stood up and called out towards the outside of the tent, "Alright, let's eat here."
"Bring in the food."
Not long after he finished speaking, several palace servants filed in carrying trays.
Trays were placed one after another on the low table.
Steamed sea bass, braised pork knuckle, braised beef, stewed chicken soup, two plates of green vegetables, and a dish of pickled cucumbers.
Finally, a small bowl of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall was served.
Kim Seon-a stared at the dishes, stunned.
She thought that the way to treat guests was to serve them good wine and food for the first three days.
After that, the meals were normal every day.
this?
Are the meals at Great Yan always this lavish?