The Princess and Her Rough-Rider Khan
Chapter 286 Promote Virtue and Punish Vice

Chapter 286: 286 Promote Virtue and Punish Vice

Li Xianyun made her way to the workshop, and just as she arrived at the entrance, someone carrying a rather large basket came out to greet her.

Shart, seeing it was Li Xianyun, was both shocked and overjoyed.

"My lord, you have returned!"

The journey from Tianshui County to Shangjing was long and arduous, and every day Shart had worried for Li Xianyun. Now, seeing her safe and sound before him, he finally felt at ease.

"Hmm, what is this?"

Shart smiled happily, "I am delivering apricots to the workshop."

Li Xianyun smiled and said, "Balance work with rest, don’t overexert yourself."

Shart was deeply moved; in this world, perhaps only Li Xianyun truly cared for him.

"Alright."

Shart stepped aside to let Li Xianyun pass, watching her with a smile.

After Li Xianyun walked past, Shart couldn’t help but say, "My lord, in just over a month, I will be taking the literary examination."

Li Xianyun looked at Shart with some disbelief, questioning whether such a short period of time might be too hasty?

Nevertheless, she encouraged him, "Success is up to the individual, maintain equanimity in all things, be neither arrogant in victory nor discouraged in defeat."

Shart nodded, "Alright."

Li Xianyun was his savior, avenging him and always providing guidance and motivation when he felt lost.

In fact, when he decided to take the literary examination, those in the know thought he was overreaching.

There were many who had taken the examination for years before making it to the shortlist; some even reached their sixties or seventies without success. The idea that he could pass the literary examination in such a short time seemed impossible.

Amidst the skepticism, Shart found himself wavering and indecisive.

But a few simple words from Li Xianyun calmed and steadied him. Regardless of the outcome, he wouldn’t regret trying; regardless of the outcome, doing his best was all that mattered.

After saying goodbye to Shart, Li Xianyun inspected the inside of the workshop. It was relatively clean, but the management was somewhat chaotic, and people were chatting idly.

These people had all been recruited by Habu as top-quality workers, but now there was a pattern of passive work avoidance. It was clear that without strict rules to follow, relying solely on self-discipline was implausible.

The few idling workers stood up quickly upon seeing Li Xianyun, calling out, "My lord."

Without saying a word, Li Xianyun turned around and left.

She arrived at a room’s entrance, from which laughter and voices could be heard.

"The village chief isn’t around today. Who are you trying to impress with this act?"

"Indeed, I despise people who pretend to be something they’re not. It’s one thing to work hard when the village chief is around, but to exert yourself even now, what’s the motive behind it?"

"Do you enjoy belittling us? Are you only happy when you make us look bad?"

"I must have offended the heavens in a past life to end up in the same room as you."

A young woman’s voice responded, "I’m not trying to cause you embarrassment; I just think that since the young master helped us solve the problem of the unsold fruits and provided us with such good work, we should do it well to repay his kindness."

This young woman’s thoughts clearly clashed with those of the other women.

One of them mocked, "Tsks, are you smitten with the young master? He may be handsome, but he is someone with a family. Look at your freckled face and your limp. How could he ever fancy you? A toad lusting after a swan’s meat."

The young woman, glaring at the woman who had spoken, said, "I earn my wages by doing what is required of me. I don’t have your unclean thoughts."

"Freckle-face, who are you calling dirty-minded?!"

On the outside, Li Xianyun heard the sound of chairs being violently moved; it seemed someone was about to get physical.

She burst through the door just in time to see one woman angrily grasping another’s collar.

Seeing Li Xianyun enter, the offending woman quickly let go.

Li Xianyun looked at the woman who had grabbed the other’s collar and asked calmly, "What happened?"

The woman replied, "My lord, this freckle-face... Jin Hua has been neglecting her duties and shirking work. I only reprimanded her slightly, and she accused me of having dirty thoughts. It was too much to bear, and I lost my temper and grabbed her collar. If you don’t believe me, ask them."

All the women, except for Jin Hua, nodded vigorously.

"My lord, she speaks the absolute truth."

"It was Jin Hua’s fault. She went too far, which is why she provoked someone to get physical."

Jin Hua, blushing with anger and unable to defend herself, was one against their seven. The majority’s voice held more sway, and who would believe her instead?

Li Xianyun turned to Jin Hua, "Is that so?"

Jin Hua hadn’t expected Li Xianyun to ask for her side of the story. Clearly surprised, she collected her emotions. "Not at all. They’re trying to frame the victim. They’re the ones neglecting work, while I have been diligently toiling, only to be ridiculed and troubled by them."

The other women panicked upon hearing her response.

"No, she’s the one inverting right and wrong."

"With so many of us here, how could we possibly be framing her?"

Li Xianyun sneered, "It is precisely because you rely on being in the majority that you brazenly attempt to frame her."

Her voice was so cold and authoritative that it demanded respect without anger.

The women’s faces flushed and paled in turn, not knowing what to do.

Li Xianyun said in an even tone, "I heard everything you said outside the door. Still, I asked what had happened to see if you had any sense of shame. It turns out you don’t. You lack a sense of shame and gratitude; all you have are deceitful and exclusionary tactics. I truly wonder how Habu could’ve brought people like you into this workshop."

The women hung their heads in silence.

One of them eventually spoke up, "My lord, please give us another chance. We realize our mistake and will not dare to repeat it."

Li Xianyun smiled faintly, "Everyone must pay the consequences for their actions. As of now, the seven of you are fired. You may leave."

These women, astute at sensing which way the wind was blowing and quick to submit, prepared to beg persistently when a large and intimidating figure, showing a hint of a scowl with piercing eyes, as if he could twist someone’s neck, stood in front of them.

Exposed to such a fearsome presence, the women rushed out in terror.