She Came to Heal, Stayed to Conquer

”Hahaha, although the chief doesn’t think much of you, maybe the men in the brothel will. We’ve been serving you with good food and drink for so long, you must let us make some profit.”

The voice of Scarface came from outside the sack, carrying a note of triumph.

They want to sell her to the brothel?

Having just escaped the pit of fire, she finds herself entering the den of demons?

Princess Changle’s heart suddenly sank, as if falling into a bottomless abyss.

Her mind was blank, filled only with endless fear and despair.

She felt herself being carried down the mountain, the bumpy road churning her stomach, nearly making her vomit.

Then, she was thrown onto a carriage. No idea how much time passed, but eventually the carriage stopped, and she was carried like cargo on someone’s shoulder again.

At this moment, a stern voice echoed beside her ear.

”Stop, who are you? What are you carrying on your shoulder? Why is it moving?”

”Officer, we’re carrying a sheep to sell at the market.” Scarface’s voice had a bit of panic.

”Open it and let me see.” The government officer demanded without retreat.

”Please, officer. If the sheep runs, it’s hard to catch.” The sleazy bandit tried to argue.

”When told to open, you will open.” The government officer’s voice grew more severe.

Princess Changle realized she had encountered a government officer and immediately struggled to shout.

”Help, officer, help please!”

”Huh? It’s actually a person inside? Open it quickly!” The officer’s voice was filled with shock and anger.

”Run!”

Scarface growled lowly, tossing Princess Changle down and turning to flee.

Bang!

Ah!

Princess Changle hit the ground heavily, dazed while crying out in pain, gritting her teeth.

”Hmph! Still daring to run. Brothers, chase them for me.”

Princess Changle heard the officer shout out before the sound of chaotic footsteps faded away. Soon after, the whole world fell silent.

An opportunity from the heavens!

The first thought in Princess Changle’s mind was to take this chance to escape.

The bottom of the sack seemed not tightly bound, and Princess Changle struggled hard to finally free herself from the sack.

She bit through the rope on her wrists and struggled to get up from the ground, looking around.

She found herself standing on a winding mountain road, surrounded by dense trees and weeds.

It seemed like a checkpoint beside the main road, but at this moment, there was not a single government officer at the checkpoint.

She knew those officers must have gone to chase Scarface and his men. She licked her lips, which were dry and cracked, forcing herself to calm down.

Just then, the sound of horse hooves came from afar. Princess Changle’s heart skipped a beat, hurriedly hiding behind a big tree.

She held her breath, carefully peeking out, seeing a man rushing on horseback towards this direction.

Princess Changle held her breath, her heart pounding like a drum in her chest.

The surrounding forest was quiet and deep, the only sound being the rustle of the breeze brushing across the treetops.

She carefully peeked her head out, her gaze passing through the layered branches, focusing on the man in the distance.

Though the man was dressed plainly, even somewhat coarsely, his appearance was rather dignified, and his brows exuded a heroic spirit.

His figure was upright, his riding posture steady and calm, seeming not like a bad person.

Princess Changle’s heart relaxed slightly.

On this main road, aside from this man, there were no other people. She couldn’t miss the chance to ask for help.

Since being kidnapped by bandits, she had suffered immensely on the mountain. Those bandits were crude and uncivil, ordering her around all day, even threatening her life.

She had pleaded countless times for them to let her go, but each time received only mockery in return.

Although she had escaped the bandits’ clutches, in this desolate wilderness, she had no idea how to return to the Capital City.

Watching the man get closer, Princess Changle couldn’t think much more, hurriedly running out from behind the tree, spreading her arms and standing directly in the middle of the road to block the man’s path.

”Stop, stop! Please, save me!”

She tightly closed her eyes, not daring to look at the galloping horse.

Her voice carried a tremble, fearing that the man hadn’t seen her, would just charge right through.

”Whoa!”

The man suddenly pulled the reins sharply a few steps away, the horse neighed loudly as its front hooves rose high, then it stopped steadily.

The man sat on horseback, looking down at her, his gaze carrying a mixture of anger and scrutiny, as if observing a wild beast that suddenly appeared from the woods.

Only then did Princess Changle slowly open her eyes.

”Sir, I, I am Princess Changle from the Capital City, I encountered bandits, please, save me.”

She said urgently, her voice full of obvious pleading.

The man did not respond immediately, instead dismounted the horse, walked over to her leading the horse, and scrutinized her closely.

His gaze swept over her face to her clothes, as if evaluating the credibility of her words.

Princess Changle felt somewhat uncomfortable under his gaze, but she knew she must seize this opportunity.

”You say you’re a princess?”

The man finally spoke, his voice deep and cold, a hint of disdain flashing across his eyes.

”Really, I truly am Princess Changle!”

Princess Changle looked at that man anxiously. If she missed this man, she didn’t know when someone else might pass by here.

If no one helped, she wouldn’t know how to return to the Capital City, nor what she might encounter along the way.

The man was silent for a moment, seemingly weighing something.

After a moment, he shook his head, his tone indifferent: ”But I have urgent matters.”

Princess Changle’s heart sank.

She hadn’t expected that even after revealing her identity as a princess, the other party still didn’t intend to help her. Her eyes reddened slightly, but she held back, not letting tears fall.

”Then... can you at least tell me how to get to the Capital City?”

The man impatiently pointed behind him.

”Just follow this road straight; it’s about two days’ journey to the Capital City.”

Tears finally rolled down from Princess Changle’s eyes, tears of joy weeping.

”Thank you, thank you.”

Her voice was light, as if squeezed out from her throat.

She walked towards the man’s back, and as she passed by him, she took the rare chance to slightly bow to this ordinary man of humble status.

As she walked a few steps, the man’s voice suddenly came from behind.

”Wait.”

Princess Changle stopped her steps, looked back at the man timidly.

The man untied the water pouch from his waist, took out two cakes from his bag, walked up to her, and handed them to her.

”Here, take these cakes and eat them on the road. It’s all I have left.”

The man’s tone remained indifferent, yet at this moment, Princess Changle heard it like heavenly music.

Cakes?

Princess Changle was stupefied, looking down at the cakes the man handed over, her nose involuntarily souring.

This was the first time in two months she had seen food other than coarse steamed bread.

Her dirty fingers trembled slightly, took the cakes and water pouch, repeatedly thanking him.

”Thank you, thank you benefactor!”

Her voice held sobs, nearly kneeling to kowtow to the man.

The man nodded, saying nothing more, just turned around, mounted his horse, his movements clean and swift.

He rode off, the sound of hooves gradually diminished, finally vanishing at the end of the main road.

Princess Changle took a bite of cake, deeply bowed towards her benefactor’s departing figure. Then, she gratefully stood on the spot, watching her benefactor’s silhouette receding into the distance.

Yet she never saw, as her benefactor turned to mount the horse, that previously indifferent face unexpectedly had a trace of triumphantly achieved grin.