Because the border of the Han Country is not far from the border city, Lin Zaozao and the others, escorted by the military, only need to travel for a day to reach the territory of the Han Country.
It is now noon, and after a half-day journey, everyone has stopped to rest and regroup.
At this moment, Lin Zaozao is sitting under a big tree with her legs crossed, enjoying the lunch prepared by Dashan.
After such a tiring journey, Dashan still managed to find time to prepare a meal with five dishes and a soup for her. Lin Zaozao couldn't help but give him a thumbs up for his cooking skills.
Dashan's culinary skills are truly remarkable.
If she were alone, she would have just eaten a piece of flatbread and had some cold water. If she was too busy, she could even skip a meal.
"Princess Mingzhu, a message has arrived from the cold city. They have prepared everything and are waiting for the princess to return," a familiar female voice said.
As Lin Zaozao raised her head, she saw Miss Nan Yin leading her brother Nan Yu, standing respectfully in front of her.
Since there was no rush at the moment, Lin Zaozao quickly finished the food in her bowl, stood up, and pulled Nan Yin's hand.
"Nan Yin, weren't you a guard? How did you end up here with Uncle Zhang?" she asked.
"Princess Mingzhu, we were originally cold-country assassins. When we were very young, we followed our father and uncles and stayed in a small town on the border of Canglan.
Our purpose was to be ready to appear at any time and protect Princess Mingzhu, who has been hiding in that small town.
My colleagues and I have been undercover in that small town since we were children, but we have never been summoned to protect Princess Mingzhu.
Just when we thought we would continue to stay in that small town as guards, Uncle Zhang found us.
He presented a token and asked us to go to the border of Fengshuo Country to meet Princess Mingzhu.
Princess Mingzhu, to be honest, we suspected that many of the wealthy young ladies in the town might be Princess Mingzhu. However, we never expected that you would be Princess Mingzhu," Nan Yin explained.
"Nan Yin, you didn't expect that the noble and majestic Princess Mingzhu in your hearts would turn out to be a married village woman like me, who is ugly, fat, and lecherous!" Lin Zaozao teased.
"I dare not!" Nan Yin quickly replied.
"Nan Yin, there's nothing to be afraid of. To be honest, I even joked with Nan Yu back then, asking him to be my sixth room husband and be with me every day, hugging and kissing each other.
Unfortunately, he rejected me at that time because he thought I was too fat and ugly. But now, thinking back to how we looked when we first met, it's really quite interesting," Lin Zaozao said.
As Lin Zaozao's teasing laughter filled the air, Nan Yu looked at the Lin Zaozao before him, who was completely different from before. In his heart, a hint of regret emerged.
Although he liked Lin Zaozao's personality back then, he despised her appearance and thought she wasn't worthy of him.
But now, Lin Zaozao is Princess Mingzhu, the Empress of the Han Country, and she is also his master.
Among the men surrounding her at this moment, which one of them can he compare to? In this lifetime, it is impossible for him to become Lin Zaozao's husband.
Because he was no longer worthy of Princess Mingzhu.
If he had agreed to be Lin Zaozao's sixth husband back then, would things be different now?
Nan Yin turned her head and looked at her younger brother's desolate face, sighing involuntarily.
Regardless of whether he had agreed to be Princess Mingzhu's husband, as long as Uncle Zhang was present, there was no possibility of any development between them.
Because they were loyal guards.
How could a loyal guard fall in love with their master?
For a loyal guard to fall in love with their master would be a grave taboo. All Nan Yu could do in the future was to protect Princess Mingzhu with his life and wholeheartedly.
Because their Nan family had been loyal for generations. Although Nan Yin, as a woman, cherished her little brother greatly,
she would never allow Nan Yu to tarnish the reputation of the Nan family because of love.
Moreover, she knew very well that Uncle Zhang had trained many court attendants for Princess Mingzhu.
Those court attendants, every one of them came from noble backgrounds. Whether it was in appearance or talent, how could they, as guards, compare?
Nan Yu's feelings for Princess Mingzhu were destined to be in vain.
Unless the heavens took pity on him!
"Nan Yin, Nan Yu, there's no rush now. Sit down and have some food with us! Dashan made a lot of dishes, and I can't finish them all by myself."
Lin Zaozao pulled Nan Yin and said happily.
After all, she was happy to meet someone familiar now.
Furthermore, Miss Nan Yin was her idol in her heart! Not only was she beautiful, but her martial arts were also exceptionally powerful.
And most importantly, Miss Nan Yin had the mature and elegant face that she had always dreamed of.
She truly looked dignified and beautiful!
Facing Lin Zaozao's admiring gaze, Nan Yin found it amusing. As a loyal guard, she didn't think there was anything worthy of Princess Mingzhu's admiration.
But when she looked at Lin Zaozao's doll-like face, her heart couldn't help but soften.
Her devoted young mistress seemed like a child who hadn't grown up yet!
"Princess Mingzhu, I still need to take Nan Yu on patrol, so I won't disturb you, Princess. Please enjoy your meal, so you can grow tall."
"Oh! Then, Nan Yin, you may go!"
After Lin Zaozao finished speaking, she looked at the pancakes on the table. Without hesitation, she grabbed two and handed them to Nan Yin and Nan Yu.
"Nan Yin, Nan Yu, eat while walking. Dashan's pancake is so delicious."
"Thank you, Princess."
"Thank you, Princess."
Nan Yin and Nan Yu took the pancakes and respectfully said.
"Hehehe! Nan Yu, to be honest, I'm not used to seeing you talk so formally and politely to me now.
How about this! When no one else is around, you can joke with me like you used to. In regular times, I'm still Lin Zaozao, not Princess Mingzhu."
Nan Yu looked at Lin Zaozao's smiling eyes and thought for a moment but didn't answer. He just respectfully bowed to her and followed Nan Yin on patrol.
Lin Zaozao watched as Nan Yin and Nan Yu walked away. She turned her head and walked towards the dining table. Seeing Xiao Liuli earnestly swallowing the pancake, she couldn't help but worry about him.
No wonder Xiao Liuli is so thin!
For her, Lin Zaozao, living is all about eating. But for Xiao Liuli, eating is just a means to stay alive.
She couldn't help but think that if Xiao Liuli were to cultivate immortality, his chances of success would be higher than hers.
Because she's just an ordinary person! She can't live without the fragrant food all day long!
Although Dashan's pancakes are a bit dry, they're not so dry that you can't swallow them! Watching Xiao Liuli regain his slender figure during this time, Lin Zaozao couldn't help but start to worry about him.
Although Uncle Zhang's sour fruits can improve his physical condition, they can't change his fate of dying young. The thought of such a handsome boy dying made Lin Zaozao feel uncomfortable.
Moreover, she promised Ye Yi that she would take good care of his younger brother. Now that Xiao Liuli, whom she is taking care of, looks weak and feeble, she doesn't know how to explain it to Ye Yi when they meet.
After thinking about it, Lin Zaozao picked up the soup from the table and handed it to Xiao Liuli.
"Xiao Liuli, have some soup before you eat the pancake. You're different from me, I'm afraid you'll feel uncomfortable eating the dry pancake."
"Ah, Sister, am I, a grown man, embarrassing myself by eating like this?"
Xiao Liuli held the pancake and said in a somewhat desolate tone.
"What's embarrassing about it! You look so good, and now you have a good temper too. There's nothing embarrassing about it!
I used to be so ugly, and I didn't feel embarrassed about myself? Xiao Liuli, remember this. If you ever doubt yourself, find a place where there's no one around and shout out loud.
Hmm! Just shout, 'I'm the best in the world, no one can compare'. After you shout it out, your confidence will definitely skyrocket."
Listening to Lin Zaozao's exaggerated voice, a hint of smile appeared in Xiao Liuli's eyes.
"Sister, what I meant was that I feel like I lack manliness, not that I think I'm ugly."
"Lack of manliness? That's easy! When you grow a little older, get married and have a wife. To protect your wife, you will definitely grow into a strong and dependable man.
At least I believe that a man who can wholeheartedly protect his wife, regardless of his physical condition, is the most manly."
"But who would want to marry someone like me?"
Hearing Xiao Liuli's discouraged words, Lin Zaozao couldn't help but find them somewhat funny.
He's just a young boy who has been well protected by Ye Yi because of his good living conditions and his weak constitution.
It's understandable for a boy raised under such circumstances to be a bit delicate.
After all, not every boy has to be strong and support his family. Not every girl has to be gentle and dependent on a man. Everyone has their own way of living, so why should they be the same as others?
Furthermore, how could such a good-looking person like him not have anyone willing to marry him? If Xiao Liuli, this delicate and gentle young boy, were placed in the era before her time-travel, there would be plenty of tough women who would be willing to take in such a cute little puppy brother.
With his soft and tender voice calling her "sister," which tough woman could resist?
If he wasn't Ye Yi's younger brother, she would actually quite like this little puppy brother.
What a pity, they were destined to be apart in this lifetime.
