THE LORD'S LADY FROM THE EAST

Wei Wei felt that she really shouldn't have complained about Felix's smell. Compared to the others, his was just a slightly stronger scent of sweat—not even worth mentioning.

After accepting Felix's invitation and retrieving her belongings, Wei Wei followed him to meet up with the other knights as they prepared to leave the forest.

The journey was quite far, and Felix, ever the gentleman, offered to let her ride with him on his horse.

After confirming with the system, Wei Wei modestly declined, stating that she could ride on her own—after all, she had escaped on horseback, and her horse was still in the forest.

She then pulled out a delicate silver whistle—an item originally used in the game to summon a mount, once just a mere animation effect, but now a tangible object in this world. She gave it a light blow, and before long, a tall, snow-white horse galloped out from between the trees.

Felix and the other knights, especially those familiar with horses, all had their eyes light up at the sight of this magnificent steed. It looked almost like a legendary unicorn—so stunning it was unbelievable.

One glance was enough to tell that this was a top-tier warhorse, the kind fit for the battlefield.

The white horse stopped beside Wei Wei, lowering its head—almost a full head taller than its owner—and affectionately rubbed against her.

Although this was her first time meeting this horse, named "Jade Lion," Wei Wei knew that she had spent a fortune (in the game) to purchase and raise it from a young foal. That thought alone made her happy, and she reached out to stroke its face.

Jade Lion knelt slightly, signaling for its master to mount.

Wei Wei wasn't completely confident in her riding skills, but she had decided to trust the system. Taking a deep breath, she climbed onto the saddle.

In Reincarnation, the in-game world she was now trapped in, the riding postures for men and women were different. Male characters rode astride, while female characters were expected to sit sidesaddle in a more "ladylike" manner.

Even though women in the East didn't ride like this, in the West, this was considered the proper and standard way for noble ladies to sit on horseback.

However, this kind of riding posture was not suitable for galloping through the forest.

Felix waved a hand, and a squire stepped forward, preparing to lead Wei Wei's horse.

But the moment he approached, Wei Wei instinctively held her breath, and Jade Lion snorted in disgust, stepping back a few paces.

This squire reeked. When they had been trailing behind earlier, she hadn't noticed it as much, but now that he was up close—and standing upwind no less—the stench hit her like a punch to the face. It was like the rotten stench of food scraps left out in the summer heat, mixed with the overwhelming filth of a countryside latrine. It was so bad, it could put even the legendary granny's foot wraps to shame.

By comparison, Felix's scent, which she had complained about earlier—just sweat and a faint trace of blood—now seemed downright pleasant.

As if that weren't enough, the system even had the nerve to mock her:

[Who told you to pick this body? As a physician, your five senses are exceptionally keen. You can smell things normal people wouldn't even notice.]

Wei Wei stiffly refused Felix's offer of assistance.

"I have full confidence in my riding skills."

Felix recalled that she had mentioned fleeing on horseback, meaning she must have ridden quite a distance, so he nodded and dismissed the squire.

Still, when they finally set off, Felix deliberately slowed his pace—partly to accommodate the only lady in their group and partly because they had to transport the wild boars they had hunted, meaning they couldn't move too fast.

Once Wei Wei was sure that she was skilled at horseback riding, she relaxed, guiding Jade Lion to stay close to Felix's horse—riding almost side by side. At the very least, riding at the front meant she didn't have to smell the god-awful stench coming from the people behind her.

Felix didn't seem to mind. He welcomed the company and used the opportunity to chat with Wei Wei, introducing her to Sardinson County.

Wei Wei listened intently. Thanks to the perks from her transmigration starter pack, she was as fluent in the local language as a native speaker. Even her pronunciation was impeccable, drawing a compliment from Felix.

"Miss Wei Wei, you've come from such a distant land, yet your pronunciation is remarkably precise."

Though the Western continent was home to many nations, they shared a common noble language. In Felix's ears, Wei Wei's speech was of the highest aristocratic standard. Even he had only realized his accent was flawed after arriving in the capital, where he had to undergo formal training to correct it. Before that, he had been mockingly called a "country bumpkin."

Feeling slightly guilty, Wei Wei vaguely replied that she had learned from others during her travels. Fortunately, Felix didn't doubt her explanation—he simply found her even more impressive. This beautiful and brave lady from the East was also highly intelligent.

Because of the heavy game they were carrying and Felix's consideration for her, their journey took a long time. When they finally emerged from the forest, an open landscape spread before them—endless fields and grasslands.

Scattered across the land were people dressed in ragged clothes, tending to farms and livestock. Their houses, small and run-down cottages, contrasted starkly with the towering castle built on high ground in the distance.

Felix's party exiting the forest immediately caught the attention of the local villagers.

With her enhanced hearing, Wei Wei could pick up their conversations from afar.

"It's the Count! He's returned from the hunt."

"Such a big wild boar! The forest must have wild boars roaming again—good thing I didn't go in today."

"Look! There's a lady with the Count!"

"She wasn't there this morning."

"Her clothes are so beautiful…"

The villagers' eyesight wasn't as keen as Wei Wei's, so they could only make out her distinct attire from a distance. The fine, luxurious fabric was unmistakably expensive.

There was an old saying in her homeland: People respect fine clothes before they respect the person.

Seeing Wei Wei's elegant and high-class appearance, they instinctively assumed she was a noble lady. After all, in this era, not only could commoners not afford such fabrics, but they weren't even allowed to wear them.

Hearing them whispering about her, Wei Wei wasn't particularly nervous.

Back in her school days, she had been voted the campus belle—she was used to being stared at.

Go ahead, stare all you want. It's not like I'll lose a piece of flesh.

The road leading to the castle had been maintained, but it was still just a dirt road. Fortunately, there had been no rain recently, so it wasn't muddy. However, the abundance of cow and horse droppings scattered everywhere made Wei Wei wrinkle her nose.

Though the system had told her this world was only somewhat similar to Earth, many things were the same.

She wasn't an expert in medieval history, but she did know a few infamous details about this period in the Western continent.

People here were filthy.

It wasn't just that they rarely bathed—their entire approach to sanitation was horrifying.

For example, back in the East, farmers would collect manure to use as fertilizer. No way would they waste such valuable resources.

But over here? They didn't use manure for farming at all, so animal waste was simply left to rot wherever it fell. Human waste disposal was even worse—people would toss their chamber pots out the window. In medieval Paris, the piles of filth around the city walls were so high that invading armies could climb them to breach the city.

High heels were invented to avoid stepping in all that crap.

Judging by the historical parallel, this world seemed to be in the late 12th century.

Wei Wei wasn't sure how closely it matched, but judging by the stench, it was too accurate.

When they finally reached the castle, the foul stench of sewage hit her full force.

A castle built on top of a cesspit…

And she was supposed to live here?!

As the drawbridge lowered, Felix proudly extended his hand, welcoming her inside.

"Welcome to Sardinson Castle."

Wei Wei: Is it too late to choose death instead?

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T/N: Follow "Rebirth of Hollywood Lady"

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