Although not truly concerned about bloodlines, Su Shang stopped as Feng Ze Yue wished.
However, what she said was beyond Feng Ze Yue's expectations.
"Your Highness, I've told you before, I can't! So it doesn't matter if you take concubines or not, I won't have children."
Su Shang's expression was so candid that Feng Ze Yue was momentarily speechless.
Did she not care at all about something that affected a man's dignity so much?
Feng Ze Yue was annoyed, but her face remained smiling.
She feigned distress, her brows furrowed, and sighed as if in resignation. "Alright, even if General Su truly doesn't care about having children, we will inevitably live together in the future. It's not unreasonable to get to know each other beforehand!"
Su Shang finally understood Feng Ze Yue's implied meaning. She paused and hesitated, "Your Highness, do you want to ask me out?"
"Yes!" Feng Ze Yue nodded frankly. "As a princess, I must get to know my future husband!"
Su Shang had no reason to refuse, nor did she particularly want to. Spending time with a beauty would always be pleasant, so she simply nodded.
She asked naturally, "Where would Your Highness like to go?"
Feng Ze Yue had expected to have to persuade her, but she hadn't anticipated Su Shang agreeing so quickly. She felt a sense of miscalculation.
But she said nothing. "The peach blossoms outside the city are in full bloom. Many noble ladies in the capital have gone to see them. I happen to be bored today, so perhaps General Su would be so kind as to accompany me?"
"Alright," Su Shang agreed with a nod.
Feng Ze Yue wished to keep a low profile, a sentiment that Su Shang shared.
The customs in Feng Dynasty were not overly rigid. It was generally not frowned upon for unmarried men and women to share a carriage, especially since the Emperor had given his word. Once the Ministry of Rites finalized the date, an official decree would be issued, making their being together somewhat legitimate.
Feng Ze Yue rarely left the capital. Even a trip outside the city would attract considerable attention.
Because she was a princess.
Her beauty was striking, and many young masters from noble families in the capital had expressed their admiration for her. Now, Emperor Feng was marrying her off to a junior general, which was considered a demotion, and it would face considerable resistance.
Many speculated that this was because the Emperor intended to heavily rely on this junior general. Few knew that this marriage was personally requested by the noble Princess herself.
Feng Ze Yue lifted the carriage curtain and gazed at the scenery outside, her eyes shimmering with a faint light.
Su Shang sat quietly, looking down at the carriage floor. She appeared as demure as a frail scholar, unlike a general who would charge into battle.
The peach blossom forest outside the city was beautiful. When the wind blew, pink peach petals would drift down freely, playfully landing on one's hair and shoulders, a scene of natural beauty.
However, Feng Ze Yue did not stop but headed directly up the mountain.
Su Shang asked in confusion, "Your Highness, aren't you here to admire the flowers?"
Feng Ze Yue answered without directly addressing the question. "General Su must not have been here before! There's one place you must visit in this peach blossom forest, and that's the Peach Blossom Temple on the mountain.
This temple is quite efficacious in certain matters. Most people who come here are seeking a good marriage."
Su Shang did not understand Feng Ze Yue's meaning and asked, "What does this have to do with us coming here?"
She wasn't seeking a marriage.
Feng Ze Yue glanced at Su Shang, feeling for the first time that the young man she fancied was a bit slow. "We're here, naturally, to pray for a good marriage. If I truly meet someone I like in the future, I might not have to keep you."
Su Shang's eyes instantly lit up. The light in her eyes burned Feng Ze Yue, causing a faint ache in her heart.
Was she that unlikable?
Su Shang was eager to go to the temple to pray, but Feng Ze Yue, who had been hurrying earlier, slowed her pace, walking leisurely as if she had all the time in the world.
Su Shang frowned and urged in a low voice, "Your Highness, shouldn't we go up sooner?"
Feng Ze Yue smiled, a hint of triumph in her expression. "I won't."
Su Shang pursed her lips, stared at Feng Ze Yue for a long time, and finally made up her mind. She bent down and picked her up.
"Ah~" Feng Ze Yue exclaimed in surprise and found herself on Su Shang's not-so-broad back.
Feng Ze Yue rested her head on Su Shang's shoulder, catching a faint scent of herbs from him.
Her cheeks gradually grew hot, being this close to someone for the first time in her life.
Su Shang, with no distractions, quickly ascended the mountain after carrying Feng Ze Yue.
She was strong, carrying Feng Ze Yue, who weighed dozens of pounds, as if she were nothing, her speed no different from usual.
Upon reaching the summit, Su Shang gently set Feng Ze Yue down.
She even felt strange. "Your Highness, why aren't you speaking?"
"Hmm? Your Highness, what's wrong with your face? Did an insect bite you? It's so red!"
The "straight man" Su Shang had no concept of shyness and was extremely curious about Feng Ze Yue's reaction.
Feng Ze Yue glared angrily at Su Shang. "If you want to regain your freedom, then shut up."
She didn't even address Su Shang as General Su, a sign of her extreme annoyance.
Su Shang pondered this, but having learned from her mother that it was best to avoid angry women, she simply watched Feng Ze Yue quietly without speaking.
Feng Ze Yue quickly calmed down, regaining her princely pride and composure.
"Let's go!" Feng Ze Yue walked directly towards the peach tree in the center.
She bought a paper strip with a red string from a vendor, carefully concealing it so no one could see what she had written.
Soon, she folded the strip and hung it on the peach tree.
Su Shang had no intention of peeking. After all, she was indifferent to the person before her and sincerely wished her good luck in love and happiness.
As they descended the mountain, the two walked at a leisurely pace. Feng Ze Yue would occasionally stop to observe the surrounding trees.
At the foot of the mountain, Feng Ze Yue was engrossed in admiring the flowers. Su Shang, finding it boring, ran to the base of the peach tree, letting the petals fall all over her, a genuine smile gracing her lips.
When Feng Ze Yue turned around, she witnessed this breathtaking scene.
The beautiful young man in green, with one hand outstretched to catch the falling peach blossoms, his shoulders and head covered in petals, a smile on his lips, was the most beautiful sight of spring.
Feng Ze Yue was mesmerized, and a smile involuntarily curved her lips.
She unconsciously moved closer, but Su Shang, lost in the world of flowers, did not notice.
Feng Ze Yue reached out and gently plucked a petal from Su Shang's shoulder, covering one of his eyes.
Su Shang looked at Feng Ze Yue's actions with a bewildered, unblinking gaze.
Looking at her docile demeanor, Feng Ze Yue couldn't help but say, "Has anyone ever told you that you're very beautiful!"
Beautiful to the point of not looking like a man, but like a girl.
Unforgettable at first sight, a thousand years in a glance.