Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play
Chapter 205 Surprised by the Wind

Chapter 205: Chapter 205 Surprised by the Wind

The specific output of the mine, the transportation routes, and the amount of tax due are all unknown to the authorities, making it extremely easy to manipulate. As long as the local State Mansion can be placated, the matters concerning the mine are often decided by merchants.

The Su Family’s mining rights across the Twelve States are no exception.

Feng Shu naturally couldn’t tell the whole truth. She spoke softly, "Your Highness, the ownership of the mine belongs to the State Mansion. Without its orders, no one dares to mine recklessly. After mining, the State Mansion also sends three people to register shifts in rotation. To deceive and conceal, relations would have to be smoothed from top to bottom. The transportation routes for ores span across twelve states and ten cities, involving massive quantities. At the checkpoints, inspections and registrations are mandatory. For the ore to be transported to Sannan without anyone knowing, the entire line of State Mansions along the route would need to be bought off."

The Crown Prince asked calmly, "So, in your opinion, it’s impossible for the ore from the Twelve States to reach Sannan?"

"I cannot confirm it," Feng Shu replied. "Three cities in the Twelve States have already been emptied, and the banditry is severe. Even our trading house is frequently raided. If anything happens along the southern route, no one can determine the specifics."

Her words were tactfully ambiguous. The Crown Prince, lost in thought, studied her. With the Jinyi Guard’s intelligence spanning the entire realm, the Crown Prince had a clear grasp of Feng Shu’s circumstances. Regarding the Su Family’s Trading House caravans, the bandits in the Twelve States dared not make a move. Targeting the Su Family’s caravans was akin to targeting the Marquis Zhenbei’s military supplies. One year, when the Su Family’s food supplies were intercepted in the Twelve States, the marquis dispatched Xie Zhang with thirty thousand troops to annihilate the bandits, leveling the entire mountain.

Though the bandits in the Twelve States were mere brutes, they weren’t fools. Seeking wealth without courting death, they typically avoided raiding the Su Family’s Trading House caravans. Many merchants traversing the Twelve States borrowed the Su Family’s reputation. Feng Shu herself had once quelled bandits and established an escort agency to guard caravans.

"The trade market in Sannan will likely need to shut down for a while—at least until the investigation into the Twelve States’ ore is complete. If iron ore flows to Sannan, Jiangnan will face grave danger."

"His Highness is wise!" Feng Shu’s heart skipped a beat. Shut down the trade market?

"The Su Family’s Trading House operates across the Twelve States. Does Second Miss have any suggestions for me?" The Crown Prince humbly inquired, "I’ve never traveled the world and lack a complete picture. If someone is deceiving from above while concealing below, I would find it extremely hard to make judgments. The output of ore from the Twelve States not only impacts the State Mansion’s tax revenues but also influences the war in Sannan and Yanyang. I must remain vigilant, so I want to hear your advice."

Feng Shu folded her hands into her long sleeves, deliberated briefly, then replied, "Your Highness, do you trust me?"

"I trust you!"

Feng Shu said, "The problems in the Twelve States ultimately stem from the banditry. There’s deep resentment between officials and bandits, with conflict often arising as they divide up the Twelve States’ ores. If the bandits are eradicated and the court dispatches officials to reorganize the governance, the mining issues in the Twelve States will resolve naturally."

The Crown Prince’s expression darkened slightly. With a sigh, he said, "The court has long been worried about the roving bandit problem and has sent troops to suppress them numerous times, yet attempts at reconciliation failed. Once negotiations conclude, I’ll dispatch the Northern Iron Cavalry to eliminate the bandits. They will surely pacify the Twelve States."

Feng Shu knelt in salute, "After marriage, I am willing to accompany Xie Zhang to the Twelve States to eradicate the bandits and relieve Your Highness of this burden."

The Crown Prince’s pupils tightened, a fleeting hint of menace passing through his gaze, though it soon faded, leaving only a faint smile spreading across his features. He chuckled softly, "Second Miss has noble intentions. I eagerly await your success."

He extended his hand in a gesture of courtesy, but Feng Shu rose quicker than expected. The Crown Prince smiled lightly and asked, "Second Miss, when is the date of your wedding to the Eldest Young Master?"

"The sixth day of June."

"A perfect match—truly heaven’s work. I’ll await the chance to enjoy your wedding wine."

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

Xie Zhang stood not far away, quietly watching the Crown Prince and Feng Shu. He was accompanied by only one personal guard, clad in a moon-white brocade robe, standing tall and straight amidst the lush green grass—a figure of unparalleled elegance. Seemingly aware that the Crown Prince and Feng Shu wished to converse, he refrained from approaching. When Feng Shu spotted Xie Zhang, she bid farewell to the Crown Prince and walked toward him.

Initially, her steps were measured and composed, but, unable to contain her joy, she soon broke into a run toward Xie Zhang. The Crown Prince stared fixedly at her retreating figure, watched her clasp Xie Zhang’s hand, and observed as they whispered something. Xie Zhang leaned down slightly, listening with a smile filled with tenderness. After only a brief glance, the Crown Prince turned and left. As he walked away, Xie Zhang caught his departing silhouette out of the corner of his eye, his brow subtly cooling.

"Brother, what are you looking at?" Feng Shu asked softly.

Xie Zhang held her hand, "I’ll take you to fly kites."

"Alright!" Feng Shu eagerly brought up the topic of the Twelve States, "The Twelve States Governor and the State Mansions in various cities seem to be in a dispute over uneven distribution of spoils, leading to internal discord. The governor submitted a petition to the imperial court. The Crown Prince just asked about the flow of ores from the Twelve States and wants to dispatch the cavalry to suppress the bandits."

"The bandit problem needs resolution," Xie Zhang mused. "After negotiations, we’ll return to Ningzhou to garrison. Once the borders are fully stabilized, I’ll assign several generals to lead troops to eradicate the bandits."

Xie Zhang wasn’t involved in negotiations, but this year’s military plans had long been set, with a focus for the latter half of the year on bandit suppression and troop reduction. The eradication of bandits aims to grant Yanyang’s people peaceful lives—an end to banditry across the land.

"How long will it take to eliminate the bandits?"

Xie Zhang thought for a moment, "Within this year."

Feng Shu was overjoyed. To eliminate the bandits within the year would bring stability to the Twelve States. After troop reductions, the area would have a steady influx of strong men, eventually restoring the prosperity of ten years past.

"Don’t worry too much about the Twelve States’ issues. After the banditry is resolved, I’ll have Ting Feng handle them. He’ll take care of everything properly." Xie Zhang offered just enough reassurance, his plans already well considered.

Feng Shu felt a deep relief, "Alright, I’ll follow your lead, Brother."

"Afterward, we’ll stay away from the Capital City and settle in Ningzhou." Xie Zhang gently caressed her face, "Will that be alright?"

"Alright!"

The Marquis Zhenbei had already discussed the matter with him. After their marriage, Xie Zhang and Feng Shu would settle in Ningzhou. No matter what happened in the court, Xie Zhang would not take a single step away from Ningzhou. Even during holidays, he wouldn’t return to the Capital City. From his generation onward, the Marquis Mansion would relocate from the Capital City to Ningzhou.

All of his children would reside in Ningzhou, while the Marquis and several consorts would remain in the Capital, held as political hostages to balance the imperial court.

In Xiyanshan, a cool breeze blew steadily.

Xie Jue felt a keen sense of danger, while Fang Chuning was fully alert and ready. The Shadow Guards gave no sign—no calls from birds or beasts. Xie Jue and Fang Chuning, nestled amidst dense foliage, had an expansive view and had already spotted Dugu Jing and the Beiman. Besides the six Beiman individuals, there was also a group of masked figures clad in black. Fang Chuning quietly counted their numbers.

Dugu Jing and the six Beiman, along with eighteen masked figures in black. Nine individuals had already been eliminated. Xie Jue and Fang Chuning hadn’t anticipated that the Jinyi Guard and the Forbidden Army would leave so many people stationed in Xiyanshan.

With nine dead, the Jinyi Guard and Forbidden Army must be gripped by fear. The leader made the right decision by consolidating their forces—Jinyi Guard and Forbidden Army moving as one, providing no more opportunities for Xie Jue and Fang Chuning to strike one by one. Any scout dispatched would likely meet their end, diminishing their strength further and allowing Xie Jue to continue picking them off.

Fang Chuning couldn’t help but ponder—was this all the force stationed in Xiyanshan?

The few of them held their breath, and amidst the forest, only the sound of footsteps could be heard. Dugu Jing was already on the brink of losing control; the more he desired to find Xie Jue, the more he found himself at a loss.

Fang Chuning grabbed Xie Jue’s hand and wrote something in his palm.