Cupid's Assistant

Chapter 60

It didn't take long as word spread about the story of the water dragon throughout the capital city. It soon reached the palace. The marriage alliance decree was passed, but the marriage date has not been scheduled and is still undetermined. Crown Prince Fu Zhong arrived at the Zhao palace and negotiated that they would find the dragon first before they set a date for the wedding ceremony. Emperor Zhao was a bit reluctant but agreed and informed Crown Prince Fu Zhong that the Crown Princess Zhao Ying would be joining him in his journey to find the dragon, along with one of their guards, who had grown up with the Crown Princess and happened to be her childhood friend.
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"Your highness, please take one of us with you," one of Zhao Ying's personal maids said.

"Yes, take one of us. The journey may be long and treacherous. It's not best for you to be alone. One of us being there with you will help," another of Zhao Ying's personal maids said.

"No, bringing another defenseless person will cause more trouble for Crown Prince Fu Zhong. I am already weighing them down. I don't want to burden him more," Zhao Ying said.
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"Your highness," greeted a tall man in dark clothing as he slightly bowed to Fu Zhong, as he was one of Fu Zhong's generals and his right-hand man.

"Anything?" Fu Zhong said, as he was about to get up on his horse, before glancing back and meeting the eyes of Zhao Ying, who was getting help into the carriage from her trusty guard, Zhang Yuz, as they were getting ready to depart and go on their journey to find the dragon.

"It seems like the story of the water dragon is being resurfaced and going around," the tall man reported. 

"Oh," Fu Zhong raised an eyebrow. "Do you know where the source is coming from?" Fu Zhong said seriously.

"Of course, we know, your highness! Jingy and I learned that a storyteller in Chen Tavern is telling the story of the water dragon as if they know where the dragon is sealed," said a perky man from behind.

"I wanted to go and see if we could talk to the storyteller, but He Jingy wanted to report back to you first," the cheerful guy added.

He Jingy slightly shoved the guy's head out of the way, "Jiu Jun, you're too hot-headed. We must come back and reassess. What if that storyteller is a fraud, just sprouting a tale and knowing nothing?"

"Alright, you two. Settled down," Fu Zhong smiled as the three of them grew up together and had a strong bond. "I think we should go check that storyteller out," Fu Zhong added.

He Jingy nodded his head and agreed.

"Ooo, is that her? She is pretty. She would look even prettier if she wore her princess outfit, but it does make sense for her to wear a plain maiden outfit if she is coming with us?" Jiu Jun said.

"So, she is coming along?" He Jingy looked at Fu Zhong.

Fu Zhong did a quick nod and got on his horse. "Let's depart," he said.

"Greeting, your highness. I came to report to you that Princess Zhao Ying had asked me to tell your highness that she is ready to depart now," Zhang Yuz reported with his head slightly tilted downwards.

"Good," Fu Zhong said without glancing at him and slightly kicked his horse on the side to move. Immediately, He Jingy and Jiu Jun jumped on their horses and followed Fu Zhong; only Jiu Jun looked back at Zhang Yuz.

Zhang Yuz stood there and clenched his teeth before turning back and getting on the horse to pull the carriage after Fu Zhong.

"Yuz, what did he say?" Zhao Ying asked, lifting the curtain and peeking her head out.

"He said nothing, your highness. I do say he is quite rude for leaving you behind," Zhang Yuz said, whipping the horse to move.

"Yuz, don't take it to heart. We are both doing our duties as the next royal line, so there's no need for emotions between us," Zhao Ying said, looking out and watching the back of Fu Zhong.

Zhang Yuz saw how Zhao Ying was looking at the Crown Prince and clenched his grip on the rein, tightening his lips as he remained silent.