Chapter 61 They Are Natural Enemies

The Princess's Estate.

Shi Bing let out his ninety-ninth sigh.

Was he really going to marry the princess? If he actually ended up marrying her, what identity would he use to face his master?

A subject?

A master?

It was all too chaotic!

Upon returning to the estate, Xue Yingxue found Shi Bing standing in the pavilion, shaking his head and sighing.

"Shi Bing, is something troubling you?"

Xue Yingxue lifted the hem of her dress, walked up to Shi Bing, and affectionately linked her arm through his.

"The Princess has returned, that's wonderful. There is actually a matter I've been pondering and simply cannot figure out."

The surprise in Shi Bing's eyes did not seem fake. He handed the book in his hand to Xue Yingxue, pointed to a passage, and asked: "In the *Classic of Rites*, there are twelve policies for disaster relief, but can their methods be fully understood and detailed? In this year of recurring bountiful harvests, the people still struggle for food. Why is that?"

Xue Yingxue pressed her lips together: "Disaster relief, land annexation, and tax reform."

This answer made Shi Bing tighten his grip. For a fleeting second, he felt a wave of fear toward the person before him.

A woman!

She was actually capable of devising such solutions. Had his master not planned ahead, they might truly have lost to the princess.

Shi Bing lowered his head and gently kissed the princess on the forehead, as light as a dragonfly skimming the water.

"The Princess is truly brilliant. Would the Princess care to elaborate on the specific strategies?"

Whenever the conversation turned to affairs of state, Xue Yingxue was as shrewd as a completely different person.

Inside the study, animated discussion rang out.

Shi Bing was deeply impressed by the princess's insights and vision. Had they not been enemies, he undoubtedly would have surrendered his heart to her completely.

Yet they were born enemies!

Destined never to be together.

The princess remained unaware that every word she spoke today was being meticulously written down by Shi Bing in letters dispatched all the way to Yanmen Pass.

Back at Yanmen Pass.

Dongfang Jibai received the letter, read through it with utmost care, and then tossed it into the brazier.

Thirteen's letter read: Upon the bed, the princess softly whispered Dongfang Jibai's name.

If the little vixen were to read that, she would banish him from the bed for a whole month!

What truly concerned Dongfang Jibai was another matter entirely: the princess's policy proposals mirrored the little vixen's by half.

The difference was that the little vixen placed the common people above all else, completely disregarding the imperial authority.

While Xue Yingxue's views fell short of the little vixen's, had he been in her position, his methods would have been identical to Xue Yingxue's.

After all, neither of them possessed the little vixen's immense family fortune.

They lacked the means to continuously subsidize the commoners.

Dongfang Jibai clenched his fists tightly. Xue Yingxue! This woman could not be left alive!

Then, recalling that Thirteen had successfully become Xue Yingxue's kept favorite, Dongfang Jibai felt a surge of relief—at least he had successfully embedded someone by the princess's side.

"Fourth, come in."

Dongfang Jibai handed the letter to Fourth and instructed, "Tell Third to gather the wealthy merchants of Jiangnan to donate some winter clothing and secondhand utensils for the people of the northern frontier, and disguise them as grain shipments to be transported here."

"Understood, Subordinate."

Jiangnan sprang into motion. Knowing they could help the people of the northern frontier, these wealthy merchants were more than willing to contribute.

After all, everyone was eager to give Third Master some face.

Third Master was a figure who could cause half of Jiangnan's wealthy merchants to tumble with the flick of a finger.

Cart after cart was loaded with secondhand utensils and clothing.

Regardless of whether the garments were new or old, as long as they were wearable, they were packed onto the wagons.

There were also cotton quilts discarded by the rich.

Although every single item was used, they were all thoroughly cleaned.

Xiao Yunjian had opened a teahouse in Jiangnan, but business was poor, and he was losing money every day.

Hearing that the northern merchants were purchasing secondhand clothes, a shrewd gleam crossed his eyes. He could tag along to the northern frontier and see what was lacking there, then transport goods from Jiangnan to sell.

Though it would be a bit of a hassle, it was still better than losing money running a teahouse here.

Having made up his mind, Xiao Yunjian immediately closed the teahouse that had only been open for half a month and joined Third Master's caravan heading toward the northern frontier.

The northern frontier was bitterly cold, and even before reaching Yumen Pass, the wind and sand felt like blades cutting across the skin.

Xiao Yunjian heaved a heavy sigh. Had he known, he wouldn't have acted so impulsively; even staying as a pet in the princess's estate would have been preferable, since at least he wouldn't have to suffer.

Finally, after two months, they arrived at Yanmen Prefecture.

At this time, the barren hills of Yanmen Prefecture were shrouded in vibrant green, and the irrigation canals were brimming with water.

The farmland was lush and green with crops.

This sight struck Xiao Yunjian as novel. Everyone claimed Yanmen Prefecture was bitterly cold, yet not a single trace of exhaustion could be seen on the faces of the common people.

Instead, everyone radiated vitality with ruddy complexions, looking nothing like people who suffered from hunger.

When the supplies reached Pingcheng, Third Master parted ways with Xiao Yunjian.

Third Master was eager to report back on his mission and check out the master's achievements over the past three months.

He had heard that the master was recently constructing some sort of Karez system—underground wells that could prevent water evaporation and allow the people to draw water more easily.

Having never witnessed such a novel creation, Third Master had long desired to see the northern frontier for himself.

And now, an opportunity had finally presented itself.

Xin Residence.

Third Master pounded heavily on the gates.

The gatekeeper opened the door, and Third Master tossed over a token without a word.

The gatekeeper instructed men to haul the supplies into the courtyard and hurried off to summon someone.

"Master, Madam, Third Master from Jiangnan has arrived."

Third, the third guard, twitched the corner of his mouth. With the master present, what kind of "Third Master" was he?

At best, he was Little Third!

Dongfang Jibai draped a cloak over Ji Ci, patted her head gently, and smiled, "I have some matters to discuss with Third. You take Feng'er out to play, and don't wander off."

Ji Ci nodded, as she happened to want to check on how her wells were being dug.

The Karez system was something she had discovered only after combing through a vast amount of materials. Such a monumental human engineering feat had far too few records left in the apocalypse, where people possessed spiritual spring water and never realized how precious a water source truly was.

Zhao Qiaofeng was grabbed by Wang Feng, who meticulously placed a reed hat upon her head: "You must stick close to Sister-in-law and not run around wildly, do you understand?"

"Understood, Grandma Wang." Zhao Qiaofeng pouted; this tomboyish busybody had nagged her countless times already.

Her ears were practically calloused!

Upon seeing Wang Feng, Third raised an eyebrow and asked, "Is this the younger sister-in-law?"

"She is the master's cousin," Wang Feng replied with a smile, crossing his arms.

The mere thought that he was about to become Dongfang Jibai's brother-in-law gave him an inexplicable sense of satisfaction!

"So it is the Cousin Miss. Third pays his respects to Cousin Miss." Third hurriedly bowed to Zhao Qiaofeng.

Zhao Qiaofeng returned the bow: "Greetings, Guard Third. Cousin is waiting for you in the study. I'll have Doctor Wang lead you there."

Doctor Wang!

Wang Feng was so angry his mouth was twisted out of shape!

Why was everyone else a guard, while to her he was Doctor Wang!

Didn't she recognize him?!

Furious to the core, Wang Feng genuinely wanted to bury his face in Third's shoulder and cry for a while—it had been nearly three months, and he still lacked a proper title!

Ji Ci came running out in a light jog. Her lively and spirited demeanor caused Third's eyes to flicker.

"Who is this?" Third inquired.

"The master's woman."

"Greetings, Madam." Third immediately bowed.

Ji Ci cupped her fists in salute, patted Third's shoulder, and tilting her pretty face up with a smile, said, "Third, you've worked hard. I'll throw a welcome banquet for you tonight. For now, I'm going out to play for a bit, see you tonight."

With those words, she pulled Zhao Qiaofeng along and darted away.

Zhao Qiaofeng offered Third a respectful bow before hurriedly chasing after Ji Ci.

"The Madam looks awfully young," Third observed aloud.

"She should be just turning fifteen, though I haven't specifically asked."

Wang Feng led Third straight into Dongfang Jibai's study.