As soon as the Tan siblings left, Tie Ci immediately ordered her close guards to travel light on horseback, changing mounts as they went.
The wastrels also received orders – each person was to pack two sets of clothes and immediately join the Crown Princess ahead. They had to appear within a quarter hour; anyone who didn’t show up on time would be sent to march on foot with the infantry to Yannan.
The wastrels frantically untied several bundles from their horses and searched through them. Having finally packed a small bundle, they still wanted to bring some food. This trip would take at least half a year, and half a year without the capital’s famous delicacies – each person hurriedly packed a large bag.
But the Nine Guards delivering the orders said coldly, “You need not prepare dry rations or miscellaneous items. The Crown Princess’s guards will prepare them, and you’ll eat the same as the Crown Princess.”
Everyone thought that eating the same food as the Crown Princess would be acceptable.
They arrived at the front of the procession within the quarter-hour limit. Dan Shuang waited ahead and with a wave of her hand, gave each person a small bundle. Opening them, they found dry cakes – while not particularly hard, they were filling but definitely not tasty.
Dan Shuang said, “Food for the next three days, one portion per person. Please keep them safe.”
The wastrels were stunned – was this necessary? Were they being tormented? Not even giving them proper meals?
Dan Shuang frowned at these wastrels. Thinking of the Crown Princess’s instructions, she reluctantly explained further, “In the coming days, we must reach Jijiang Ferry at maximum speed to take ships on the waterway. We won’t stop for meals or lodging on the road – everything will be handled on horseback. Please don’t fall behind.”
Some were thinking: How hard could forced marching be? Maybe they should just fall behind. If they fell behind, the Crown Princess wouldn’t turn back to look for them, and they could pretend to be lost and sneak back.
This thought hadn’t finished forming when they heard that ice-cold palace maid say in a voice that could freeze people to death, “Those who fall behind will be charged with delaying military affairs. Execution.”
She said the last word without any emotion, making everyone’s necks feel cold.
They absolutely didn’t doubt this was an empty threat.
Immediately they didn’t dare have any more thoughts, only tucking the dry cakes into their robes and lining up as Dan Shuang instructed.
Passing by the Crown Princess’s carriage, they saw the deeply drawn curtains with tempting food aromas wafting from inside.
Someone said indignantly, “They always say His Highness is magnanimous and benevolent, sharing clothes and food with soldiers, enduring hardships together. Now it seems these were just rumors. Look – we must march day and night while His Highness sits high in a luxurious carriage. But of course, His Highness is noble after all.”
As soon as he said this, Feng Huan, who had been watching the carriage, frowned and was about to speak when the curtain lifted. Tie Ci poked her head out, smiling sweetly, “Good point, good point. Why don’t you come sit in here?”
The man was immediately stunned.
Li Yuncheng yanked him hard and whispered, “Are you stupid! His Highness left the main force for forced marching precisely to avoid assassins and killers. This carriage must be a primary target for killers. By saying this now, are you afraid His Highness won’t find someone to sit in the carriage as her body double?”
Li Yuncheng examined his conscience. When he saw the carriage just now, his heart had tightened, fearing His Highness would call someone to sit in that carriage. That would truly be a case of the ruler demanding a subject’s death, leaving no choice. He hadn’t expected His Highness to sit in it personally, which had moved him. Then this fool had to pop up.
The speaker broke out in cold sweat.
Tie Ci was still enthusiastically inviting, “Come on, come sit! It’s very comfortable and fun inside.”
Using the tone of a fox coaxing chickens.
The man sweated even more, stammering for words to decline politely when suddenly there was a whoosh of wind behind him. His waist tightened and his whole body suddenly flew up.
The wastrels stared wide-eyed, craning their necks to follow his flight trajectory in a circle.
With a “bang,” he landed on the corner edge of the carriage roof. Before he could scream, several steel bars extended from the carriage roof with clicking sounds, fixing him to the roof corner.
Outside the crowd, Murong Yi played with his whip, saying leisurely, “Didn’t you want to sit high? Is this position high enough? It’s also exhilarating with a good view. Don’t thank me.”
The man on the carriage roof sweated frantically in panic, “I said the wrong thing… Your Highness! Your Highness! Let me down!”
The curtain closed, and Tie Ci lay inside the carriage pretending to be deaf.
Murong Yi snapped his fingers, and the carriage started moving.
The carriage was his gift to Tie Ci, and the driver was also part of his package deal, so naturally they listened to him.
The carriage bumped along noisily while the man screamed into the wind, his voice carrying for miles.
All the wastrels fell silent as cicadas, keeping their mouths shut in unison.
Chang Qianmo quietly nudged Feng Huan, “The Crown Princess claims to be upright and straightforward, but she’s actually quite cunning…”
Before finishing his words, he saw Feng Huan turn and glare at him, forcibly staring his words back down.
“…How are you…”
“Stop badmouthing His Highness, or we can’t be brothers anymore.” Feng Huan pointed at his nose, “My goddess must not be slighted.”
Chang Qianmo stared dumbfounded as Feng Huan enthusiastically cracked his whip and spurred his horse, bouncing off to chase that particularly fast-moving carriage.
He turned to Li Yuncheng, who was holding a book, “He… I… this… goddess… what?”
Li Yuncheng’s gaze didn’t shift. He gave a disdainful laugh and glanced sideways at Murong Yi playing with his whip.
He said leisurely, “Some people have one foot in heaven and one on earth. It’s fine – a few beatings will cure it.”
…
“The assassination failed?”
“Yes. We made thorough preparations and coordinated with those in the capital…”
“Don’t give me excuses. I only want to hear results.”
“Yes, Master. Both assassination attempts failed.”
“Chang Yuan didn’t succeed either?”
“Yes. Chang Yuan was directly expelled for stealing the Crown Princess’s poem credit. Otherwise, with his literary reputation…”
“Failure is failure. Why so many reasons?”
“Yes, Master.”
“What about the person arranged to infiltrate the southern tour procession?”
“…He also couldn’t keep up. The Crown Princess was heavily guarded with no opportunity to approach, and the Crown Princess again separated from the main force for rapid advance. Our person had no suitable reason to follow and is trying to find a way.”
“What should I say about all of you? Even waste seems more pleasing to look at than you.”
“Master! We are incompetent. Please give us one more chance!”
“Haven’t I given enough chances? Useless people remain useless even after a hundred tries.” The voice was soft, “Since that’s the case… then I’ll take action personally.”
…
Rapid march by horse, reaching the ferry, boarding ships overnight to head south.
At the ferry, Gu Xiaoxiao, who had departed two days early, waited there with a team of veteran Ministry of Revenue clerks.
The Crown Princess was using the southern tour as an opportunity to order the Ministry of Revenue to inspect granaries and government account books everywhere, keeping it secret beforehand to launch surprise attacks.
Especially in Xizhou and Huangzhou near Yannan – the officials sent there had very polarized fates. Either they resigned soon or even died unexpectedly in foreign places, or they lived peacefully with outstanding achievements, like the current prefects who had countless connections with the Xiao family.
To say there was nothing fishy would be unbelievable even if Tie Ci were beaten to death.
But she didn’t have time to investigate everything one by one. She could only bring Gu Xiaoxiao and Ministry of Revenue people. When they reached Huangzhou, they would split into two groups – she would continue to Yannan while Gu Xiaoxiao would conduct open and covert investigations under her banner to see if they could catch some officials’ weak points. Also, if Yannan became restless, it would be good to clear obstacles in advance.
The group boarded ships separately. To avoid drawing attention, they didn’t use imperial ships but chartered two medium-sized vessels. The Ministry of Revenue people took one ship, while Tie Ci took another with her people. Tie Ci had a single cabin, the two maids shared one cabin, accompanying officials each had their own cabins, while the young masters and guards shared large dormitories like everyone else.
Since having the Blood Cavalry, Scorpion Battalion, and Western Rong archers around her, Tie Ci’s personal guards had become a mixed group. The Crown Princess’s Nine Guards, Blood Cavalry, Scorpion Battalion, and Western Rong archers were all elite selections serving at her side, still managed by their original leaders. The Nine Guards were managed by Dan Shuang, the Blood Cavalry and Scorpion Battalion’s commanding captain was named Wan Ji, and the Western Rong archers’ leader was the tattooed man beside Dan Ye – with large flower tattoos on both arms, named Bu Qing.
As Crown Princess, Tie Ci naturally had her own Eastern Palace officials, including the Chamberlain’s Office with Left Spring Chamber, Right Spring Chamber, and Scripture Bureau managing all governmental affairs of the chambers and bureaus. Besides being responsible for the crown heir’s education, they also handled attendant duties, ceremonial assistance, reviewing memorials, supervising sealed documents, and stamping prince’s official documents. Previously this was just a puppet position – the Empress Dowager behind the curtain had never properly appointed officials. After He Zi became Crown Prince Grand Tutor, he recommended a group of great scholars and renowned gentlemen to fill the Chamberlain’s Office. This time Tie Ci brought a Left Consultant and a Discussant Gentleman to specifically handle affairs involving local governments and correspondence with the court.
When assigning cabins, one young master had just boarded and habitually ordered all guards to live in the bottom hold.
After all, this was the rule when capital officials traveled by ship – family members and nobles stayed above while guards and servants lived in the damp, swaying, airless, foul-smelling bottom hold. Some with large families and strict rules even forbade guards from coming up for air to prevent disturbances, keeping guards trapped in the ship’s bottom for however many days the voyage lasted.
This young master also took this for granted, but unexpectedly – no one paid attention to him.
Not only did no one pay attention, someone even called out: “Arrange your bunks within a quarter hour. Hurry and grab a good spot!”
The young master stood at the cabin entrance with his nose twisted in anger, “Crude people! We actually have to travel with these crude people!”
Others consoled themselves: “After all, we need these people to guard us. Traveling together is unavoidable… Eh, why aren’t they going to the bottom hold?”
Not only did they not go to the bottom hold, they poured into all available cabins and quickly set up their bedding.
The young masters stood on deck waiting for arrangements.
No one arranged anything.
Until Murong Yi came out for fresh air, spitting melon seed shells on them, saying in surprise, “Eh, why aren’t you hurrying to grab cabin space? Do you really want to sleep on deck tonight?”
“What? We don’t have private rooms?”
“Private rooms? What are you thinking? Look at the space on this ship, then look at your whole nest – would it fit?”
Murong Yi’s word choices always made people uncomfortable but unable to argue. The young masters held back for a while, then said, “Then where do we sleep… How can those crude people sleep in the upper cabins!”
“Why can’t they? At least they can work, operate the ship, and protect us from river pirates. What about you? Besides eating and sleeping stupidly, what can you do?”
“How can you compare us to them? We were born noble…”
“At your age with no achievements, still bragging about the wealth your parents earned for you – if I were you, I’d have thrown myself into this Golden River long ago.” Murong Yi laughed heartily, “Stop wasting words with your father. Hurry and find bunks – if you’re late, even the deck won’t be available!”
The beautiful but annoying head retreated. The young masters looked around the deck with no one paying attention or caring. Cabins were almost full, and people going in and out seemed not to see them.
Panic gradually rose in their hearts as they realized that on this trip, the Crown Princess really didn’t intend to treat them as people.
They were all important ministers’ sons. The Crown Princess had even saved them before – wasn’t that to show goodwill to key ministers and gain more support? How dare she treat them this way?
Treating them this way would waste all the effort put into saving them, wouldn’t it?
The important ministers’ sons couldn’t understand, but bunks were really running out.
Li Yuncheng suddenly said nothing, shouldered his bundle, entered the nearest cabin, and after negotiating with two guards, secured a bunk against the cabin wall.
Seeing him silently spread his bedding, the others were dumbfounded.
Someone poked his head in and immediately covered his nose, “Old Li, you can actually live in this place? It stinks… ugh…”
“Soon you won’t even have a stinking place to stay.” Li Yuncheng lay down, pulled out a book, and said calmly, “I advise you to hurry and find spots.”
“What does the Crown Princess mean by this! Doesn’t she want to win us over anymore! Didn’t she risk herself to save us!”
“Right, she doesn’t want to, she doesn’t need to.” Li Yuncheng peered over his book with narrowed eyes, showing complete enlightenment, “We don’t understand the Crown Princess’s perspective. Don’t guess her thoughts with our own. Everything she does comes from the big picture. She saved people because she should save them, not to curry favor; now that we’re staff members, she treats everyone equally. Stop thinking you’re somebody important – in front of her, we’re nothing.”
Li Yuncheng rarely cursed, leaving everyone stunned.
Feng Huan suddenly also strode into the cabin and put down his bundle in a corner.
These two had considerable influence among the capital’s youth. Seeing them both yield, the others had no choice but to enter cabins one after another. But by now all good spots were taken, leaving only positions near doors or chamber pots. Everyone had to try negotiating with guards for better spots, but to their frustration, these guards had no awareness of being servants – not only were they cold in attitude, when offered money, they pulled out banknotes larger than theirs; when offered goods, they complained about the inconvenience of carrying them; when attempting conversation, they responded with the look and attitude used for waste; and those grassland barbarians – before they could complain about barbarian foot odor, the barbarians complained about their perfume being suffocating!
In an upper cabin, Tie Ci, reading memorials, asked Dan Shuang, “How is it?”
Dan Shuang gave a cold laugh with an expression suggesting even mentioning them would dirty her mouth, “All arranged, but they may not be convinced.” She detailed everyone’s reactions and words.
After hearing this, Tie Ci said, “Everyone’s reactions are normal enough. A bit more of life’s lashing will do them good.”
She naturally wasn’t deliberately humiliating people, nor was it entirely to discipline these young masters. First, she and Di Yiwei’s people never lived in bottom holds to begin with – people who risked their lives following her were more important in her heart than these wastrels. Second, having these wastrels live mixed with guards was both safe and convenient for monitoring.
It was also a chance to observe the character and behavior of these capital young masters.
Feng Huan was somewhat strange though.
How was this famous second-generation wastrel so reasonable?
Tie Ci was just thinking of having Dan Shuang pay close attention when she heard Feng Huan’s loud voice from below.
On deck, Feng Huan pointed upward, questioning Murong Yi: “Why don’t you sleep in the dormitory! Where do you sleep?”
Tie Ci raised an eyebrow, thinking this madman Murong Yi wouldn’t answer that he slept in her bed, would he?
If he dared say that, she’d throw him overboard.
Murong Yi sat atop the sail, patting the canvas beneath him, “I sleep right here.”
Feng Huan looked disbelieving and was about to curse.
“Watch for wind when wind comes, block rain when rain comes, shoot arrows when enemies come, and provide shade when sunlight is too strong.” Murong Yi said, “The Crown Princess doesn’t want waste around her. Brother Feng, do you like it? Envy it? Want it? If you want it, little brother sincerely invites you to sleep up here together – I’ll give you half the space.”
Feng Huan looked at that height, that wind, that swaying person, that mast tip where even toes couldn’t get a foothold.
“I’ll go up! Who’s afraid of who!”
声音雄壮有力，毫不示弱。
Murong Yi raised an eyebrow.
Oh, he really dares come up? Then what position should I use to throw him overboard?
Feng Huan turned around and left.
Murong Yi: “…”
Tch!
…
With people settled and the ship underway, Murong Yi began causing trouble.
He somehow dragged out a large chest of books and began distributing them throughout the ship using baskets.
The guards basically preferred martial arts over literature, but Murong Yi enthusiastically promoted: “It doesn’t matter if you can’t read. You’ll eventually want to court and marry. When courting, bring a book – it’s both elegant and sophisticated, guaranteed to move the woman’s heart. With good luck, you might even marry a learned and proper lady who could bear you a son capable of becoming top scholar!”
The Western Rong archers didn’t recognize Da Qian characters at all, so Murong Yi changed his approach: “These books sell well! In the capital, one volume has sold for a hundred gold. You’re short on money, right? Buy a few at low prices from me, then sell them when we reach Yannan to earn money for marrying… oh no, one beautiful Da Qian wife!”
The wastrel young masters were well-traveled, not lacking money, women, or knowledge, making them hard to handle. But Murong Yi was who he was – his sales pitch flowed like the Yellow River’s endless waters: “These are volumes eight and nine not yet on the market – one of a kind! You know about the Wonderful Words Society, right? It’s grown to include not just capital noblewomen but also ordinary good families, with branches throughout the country. Everyone is a crazy fan of The Kind Heart Chronicles. Having volumes eight and nine gives you an opening to court and marry any family’s daughter. Just place the book there and everyone will think highly of you – essential tools for home, travel, and attracting beauties. No losses, no deception…”
Mu Si, following behind him carrying books with an expressionless face: …What does this person think about all day? He doesn’t read Prince Da’an’s urgent dispatches, doesn’t answer policy questions, doesn’t manage nationwide business affairs – just thinks about marriages, courtship, wedding nights…
But regardless of Mu Si’s internal complaints, the books in his chest indeed disappeared quickly. Except for Li Yuncheng remaining unmoved and saying he didn’t read “trash literature,” even the ship’s sailors paid money.
This showed that Elder Sun’s decision to entrust hidden properties to teenage Murong Yi was truly wise – this person was equally skilled at killing, arson, business, and chasing wives.