Qin Yining believed she had treated her subordinates fairly, but now it seemed that in areas beyond her oversight, her people not only failed to regard her as their proprietress deserving loyalty, but actually treated her as nobility from an enemy nation to be guarded against.

This was truly…

From her understanding of Yuchi Yan, he wouldn’t have stirred up the people of the old capital and the southern regions already surrendered to Great Zhou to unite in restoring their country. It seemed Gu Shixiong’s blade remained sharp. His skill at inciting emotions and muddying waters had grown.

The common people were simple and kind. They supported Gu Shixiong and Yuchi Yan for the hope in their hearts. But while Yuchi Yan and Gu Shixiong wanted to provoke war to restore their country and secure their power, they hadn’t considered that when war truly erupted, it would still be these common people who suffered.

Qin Yining still remembered clearly what Pang Xiao had told her when the Huben Army besieged the city.

He had disguised himself as an ordinary farmer to enter the city and see her, even making her cold noodles to eat. That day, Pang Xiao said he fought on battlefields to end tyrannical rule as soon as possible, to quickly return people’s lives to the proper path, develop the economy, and let all common folk live peaceful days.

Until now, Pang Xiao’s convictions remained unchanged.

Unfortunately, few people could understand his true intentions anymore. Even among those who had originally risen up with Pang Xiao, many had now been blinded by fame and profit, thinking only of official positions and wealth.

So Pang Xiao would still be misunderstood.

This Manager Lu before her was such a case, and probably the ailing Manager Xia who refused to appear was the same.

Qin Yining felt somewhat wronged and indignant on Pang Xiao’s behalf.

But she could also understand—human nature was like this, and she had no way to force others to understand Pang Xiao as she did.

Though Qin Yining’s thoughts had turned countless times and she had considered so much, in reality only a breath had passed.

Seeing that Qin Yining remained silent, Lu Dashun felt somewhat uneasy and raised his head to quickly glance at her before immediately lowering it again.

He had wanted to read her expression to see what the Prince Zhongshun’s consort looked like, so he could analyze the situation and report back to Manager Xia.

Who knew that in that quick glimpse, his heart and soul would nearly be stolen by this beautiful woman who was like a delicate flower reflected in water. Not only was his heart pounding wildly, but his mind completely lost the ability to think.

There could actually be such a beautiful woman in the world! If his own wife stood beside her, wouldn’t it be like the difference between a celestial fairy and mud?

Prince Zhongshun was truly blessed with beauty!

Lu Dashun kept his head down, not daring to show his thoughts, but faced with such a beautiful woman, his heart softened and he couldn’t help wanting to show off a bit.

So Lu Dashun, regardless of what Qin Yining asked, continued: “To tell you the truth, this old capital was after all the capital of the Yan Dynasty. Ever since it came under Great Zhou’s governance, the Pingnan Army has been specifically stationed here.”

“Last year when the Emperor stirred up that treasure business, coinciding with the earth dragon turning over, the common people who had already experienced one disaster lived even more bitterly. The land was dry, warfare was constant, and crop harvests were poor—you know all this.”

“So when Elder Gu and Prince Yan returned, everyone felt like they had a backbone again. Now even the beggars on the streets know that to live with food to eat and clothes to wear, they must rely on Prince Yan.”

Qin Yining nodded, not doubting Lu Dashun’s words.

Lu Dashun continued: “There’s also the Pingnan Army—so many troops stationed outside the city. The pressure on the common people isn’t trivial. Everyone’s somewhat worried that if the Pingnan Army insists Prince Yan has treasonous intentions and attacks, even if everyone rises to resist, we probably wouldn’t have much chance of victory. Moreover, the Pingnan Army itself isn’t completely united.”

Unknowingly, Lu Dashun had spoken of many aspects of the situation that common people privately didn’t dare discuss. Qin Yining didn’t try to interrupt him, but appropriately nodded in response, encouraging Lu Dashun to tell her everything he had seen, heard, and knew in the old capital.

When he finished speaking and quickly raised his head to meet Qin Yining’s eyes, Lu Dashun felt somewhat dazed and worried as he realized he seemed to have said much that he shouldn’t have—words that might anger Prince Zhongshun…

If these words reached the Great Zhou Emperor’s ears, wouldn’t the common people of the old capital all be killed?

Cold sweat immediately broke out from Lu Dashun’s temples and forehead, even his back was soaked with sweat. His legs went weak and he fell to his knees with a thud.

The man who had been speaking eloquently moments before was now kneeling before her with sweat beading on his forehead. Qin Yining didn’t need to think to know what Lu Dashun was thinking.

Not wanting to make things difficult for him, she changed the subject: “How is business in the shops? How are the estate harvests?”

Lu Dashun was stunned by the question and shook his head: “This… I… I don’t know.”

“Oh? Now that New Year is approaching, have the horse caravans and transport gangs stopped their business?” She owned many properties, especially large amounts of farmland whose produce needed transportation, so naturally she had developed deep relationships with these underworld groups over time.

But Lu Dashun still shook his head: “Princess, I don’t know this either. Normally these matters aren’t my responsibility.”

Qin Yining, who had originally been able to maintain her composure and treat people with tolerance, now also frowned.

If Manager Xia had arranged for this person to come as a show of defiance, then his purpose had been achieved.

She couldn’t see the account books she should have seen, couldn’t ask about matters she should have inquired about, and when asked about business affairs, he knew nothing. Yet when speaking of baseless rumors and gossip, he was eloquent. Arranging such a person to come—if it wasn’t defiance, then it was clearly perfunctory treatment.

But she had no way to do anything to Lu Dashun.

Manager Zhong, who had been listening nearby, was already furious and gave Lu Dashun a thorough scolding: “How do you conduct your duties! Your Manager Xia isn’t a fool either, yet he specifically used you. Since you’ve come, give proper responses. Have you forgotten who your proprietress is?”

“I haven’t forgotten, but I really don’t know. I was just recently promoted to manager—I haven’t been exposed to these things.”

Manager Zhong, having traveled commercial circles for years, naturally had an intimidating presence. Lu Dashun was immediately frightened pale and collapsed on the ground, not knowing what to do.

Qin Yining rubbed her temples: “Forget it, let him go.”

Manager Zhong gritted his teeth: “Princess, shouldn’t this person be…”

Before Manager Zhong could finish his words, Qin Yining shook her head and sighed: “We’re not bandits—we can’t force everyone to approve of us. Since our paths now differ, there’s no need to waste emotions anymore. Let him return.”

Only then did Manager Zhong relent, saying sternly: “You may go.”

Lu Dashun hurriedly scrambled up, maintained his dignity to bow to Qin Yining, then hurried out quickly.

Regardless of how Lu Dashun would report back, Qin Yining frowned: “With things so abnormal, it seems we can only use the forces and people my grandmother left behind.”

Manager Zhong was somewhat surprised: “Has the Duke Dingguo’s wife contacted you?”