Chapter 193 A Friend is a Friend

But she wanted to be more than just a mistress and servant to Zijuan; she wanted to be friends with her.

Since Zijuan came to her side, she has taken meticulous care of her every single day.

Zijuan was the first to know when Shengsheng was sick, and the first to get her snacks when she was hungry. Every night, Zijuan would get up several times to check if Shengsheng had kicked off her blankets.

When she was feeling down, Zijuan comforted her; when she was feeling sad, Zijuan consoled her.

Whatever Sheng Sheng wanted to do, Zijuan would unconditionally stand by her side.

How could Sheng Sheng possibly treat such a wonderful Zijuan merely as a "servant"?

Sheng Sheng understands the difference in status, but does not agree that two people with different statuses cannot be friends.

While we may not have control over the circumstances under which we are born, we are the ones who forge our own path in life and create our own opportunities.

Perhaps we all start from different points, but water benefits all things without striving, and flowing water does not compete to be first, but strives to flow endlessly.

There's no rule that says streams flowing in different directions can't meet.

She was a princess, that's true, but she didn't think she was born more noble than anyone else.

True nobility is forged through inner purity and conduct.

The so-called noble people who are remembered in history have never been any princesses or princes, nor any powerful nobles or kings.

Rather, it is those poets who used their verses to speak out for the people, those soldiers who risked their lives to defend their country, and those scholars who dedicated their lives to doing what they knew was impossible.

If one has a blind and empty heart, even if one is an emperor, one can only watch the country decay.

Similarly, Sheng Sheng had long considered that their royal family, and even the entire Yu Kingdom, owed their present status to the people.

Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it; this is the lesson Xie Yunwen taught her.

As a princess, since she enjoys the offerings of the people, she should naturally be devoted to serving them; only then can she be called a true princess.

The little dumpling was so angry that Zijuan lowered her head and smacked her forehead with her palm: "You're really going to drive Shengsheng crazy. According to you, Shengsheng, Xiaobai, and Yanhu... oh, and now there's Shitou too. Shengsheng isn't even a species like them, so how can they be friends?"

Zijuan retorted softly, "It's different, Princess."

Xie Yunqi, who had been walking for half a day, looked back and found that there was no one beside him at some point. He turned around and saw Lu Chi and Shengsheng whispering to each other.

Xie Yunqi was furious. They weren't even close, so why were they whispering to each other? If they had something to say, why didn't they tell their older brother?

Xie Yunqi came running back, his helmet tilting as he ran, and his large, tattered raincoat swaying wildly, making him look rather comical in his disheveled state.

Xie Yunqi adjusted his helmet and asked, "What are you doing? Why aren't you moving?"

Sheng Sheng hadn't recovered from her earlier outburst and glared at Xie Yunqi with a hint of annoyance. Then she suddenly realized that she had been a little emotionally unstable and that she should try to see things from Zijuan's perspective.

In Zijuan's eyes, she was a princess, and there was an insurmountable gap between them. It's not surprising that Zijuan would think this way.

After all, in this era where power reigns supreme, self-interest is the most important thing.

Sheng Sheng pulled Zi Juan back: "Sister Zi Juan, don't think like that. In Sheng Sheng's heart, a friend is a friend. Everyone else is just Sheng Sheng's friend."

Zijuan's eyes welled up with tears. She suddenly remembered that when she followed Shengsheng earlier, Shengsheng had kissed her on the cheek.

Xie Yunqi was glared at by Sheng Sheng, and his body trembled. He thought he had said something wrong to anger her.

He didn't even bother with the helmet anymore; they hadn't reached the beehive yet anyway. Xie Yunqi yanked the helmet off and tossed it to Xiao Quanzi, then lifted his black robe with both hands to make it easier for him to run.

"What's wrong?"

Seeing that the little girl was unhappy, Xie Yunqi quickly apologized, "Little sister, don't be angry. Is it because your brother is walking too fast and you can't keep up?"

Sheng Sheng shook her head: "No, brother, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to glare at you."

"Why apologize?" Xie Yunqi patted his chest. "In my eyes, my sister is always right! That glare was well done, a brilliant glare! Your glare made me feel so refreshed, I'm sure I can stir up a hornet's nest later!"

Sheng Sheng was amused by him and giggled. Lu Chi had witnessed another side of Xie Yunqi, the doting brother. In front of Sheng Sheng, where was the shadow of the little tyrant of the capital?

However, what truly surprised Lu Chi was Sheng Sheng himself.

Unexpectedly, this adorable second princess not only has an appearance that can easily win people over, but also a heart that is full of charm and ingenuity.

This little dumpling said things that even his brother might not be able to say.

You wouldn't guess it, it's quite unique.

Lu Chi said seriously, "I apologize, Princess, I misspoke."

Sheng Sheng was so preoccupied with worrying about whether they were friends or not that she forgot what she had just been discussing with Lu Chi.

What was it again?

Sheng Sheng blinked blankly. Seeing this, Lu Chi chuckled and said, "It's alright, Princess, you just need to accept my apology."

"Ah, there's no need to apologize. Young Master Lu didn't say anything."

Xie Yunqi leaned in between the two, looking suspicious and annoyed: "What are you two talking about? Lu Chi, you brat, why are you apologizing? Did you bully her? It hasn't been long and you already dare to bully our Sheng Sheng behind my back?"

Lu Chi smiled: "Your Highness, I didn't."

"real?"

Xie Yunqi moved closer to Lu Chi, squinting as he looked him up and down. His dirty raincoat touched Lu Chi. As Lu Chi leaned back, Xie Yunqi leaned forward.

With a sigh, Sheng Sheng separated the two: "Alright, alright, let's hurry up and find the beehive. Sheng Sheng wants to drink honey water."

Xie Yunqi then shrank back, glared at Lu Chi, and walked forward, saying, "Don't let me catch you bullying my sister."

Lu Chi shrugged and gave an innocent smile that looked a bit irritating.

Xie Yunqi instinctively wanted to punch him, but a voice behind him kept pushing him forward: "Alright, alright, brother, let's hurry up and not waste time here."

Xie Yunqi could only glare at Lu Chi again, then snorted and left.

After walking a few steps, he remembered that he was all dirty, so he darted forward a short distance and turned back to tell her, "Hey, don't touch me, I'm dirty!"

Xie Yunqi had Xiao Quanzi put a helmet on him, and then beckoned Zijuan, "Quickly wipe your princess clean, she's covered in dust and mud."

The group of people remained silent the entire way and reached the foot of the mountain without incident.

Today is the last day of the hunting season for the competition. Some people are making the most of every minute to hunt for better prey on the mountain, while others are not too concerned about the competition and leisurely stroll around before heading down the mountain.