“Young master, look over there.” Ji Yun, disguised as a handsome young attendant, pointed at the workers busily laboring at the dock. “They’re dismantling ships, aren’t they? What a pity for these fine vessels. His Majesty certainly hasn’t seen these warships from the previous dynasty with his own eyes, otherwise he would surely be reluctant to dismantle them.” Ji Yun grimaced with pain.
Qin Yining sighed: “Indeed. During the Northern Ji period, who knows how much manpower and resources were used to build these warships. The Northern Ji navy was truly the maritime hegemon. They drove the barbarians away from the seas, preventing them from harassing the coastal people. Who would have thought that in just a hundred years, these warships that had exerted great effort to protect the people would be dismantled to repair the imperial mausoleum.”
To do such a thing as killing the goose that lays golden eggs – Qin Yining truly couldn’t imagine Li Qitian could be foolish to such a degree.
She had never before thought Li Qitian particularly incompetent, yet now he had become like this. Could it be that when some people reached this position, their thoughts and considerations were no longer the same as initially, thinking only of their own power and interests?
How pitiful for the people of Great Zhou.
The sea breeze struck her face, bringing the unique fishy smell of the coast. Qin Yining’s outer robe was blown about, and the hair ribbon used to bind her hair made soft sounds.
Xu Weizhi behind her laughed: “Young master, we should head into the city. This place is windy and not suitable for standing long.”
“Alright.”
Qin Yining smiled as she turned around, leading everyone to slowly take a detour down the cliff toward the nearby town.
As a large city near the docks, Jingang not only covered a considerable area, but even the streets displayed a thriving vitality completely different from what they had seen along their journey, as if the recent torrential rains and grain shortages hadn’t greatly affected this place.
Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi flanked Qin Yining on left and right, saying quietly: “People say that those who live by mountains eat from mountains, those by water eat from water. The people here live near the sea and can at least fish to fill their stomachs. Even those without large boats who can’t go to sea can gather seafood from the shore. The spirit of the people here is indeed different.”
Qin Yining nodded and smiled: “Just like when I lived in Liang City, didn’t I also live off the mountains? Even when there was chaos and warfare outside, the mountains still provided shelter. I could hunt according to the seasons, gather herbs and wild vegetables, and farm on my own. As long as one didn’t yearn for outside prosperity, a person could live quite well alone.”
Everyone knew of Qin Yining’s early experiences. She mentioned them now with a laugh, showing she didn’t consider those hardships significant, but hearing this made others both admiring and heartbroken.
In truth, their princess consort had suffered no less than the prince over these years.
“Young master.”
At this moment, an Elite Tiger Guard that Pang Xiao had arranged to accompany Qin Yining approached and said quietly: “We’ve discovered a secret sign.”
Qin Yining’s smile remained unchanged as she asked quietly: “Can you confirm it was left by our people?”
“Yes.”
“Good. First have someone scout in the direction indicated by the sign. After confirming there’s no mistake, return to the Fulai Inn in the city to report.”
“Yes.”
The Elite Tiger Guard acknowledged and quietly left the group.
Qin Yining continued leading people around the city. Only after thoroughly investigating the local customs and gathering most of the rumors and gossip, and learning where Lu Yun currently resided, did she take everyone to an inn and rent a courtyard compound.
“I never imagined that such an important figure as Scholar Lu would actually build a hut by the seaside.” Xie Yue couldn’t help but sigh.
Qin Yining smiled as she invited everyone to be seated. “Scholar Lu came here long ago. He probably hoped to watch those warships at the closest distance, which is why he built his hut by the sea. However, the sea wind here is quite strong, so Scholar Lu’s living conditions must be rather uncomfortable.”
“This shows how much Scholar Lu values these warships from the previous dynasty.” Xu Weizhi shook his head with feeling. “Scholar Lu is an understanding person, but unfortunately the Lu family doesn’t have the same status as the Lu family. Though Scholar Lu is transcendent, he may not have much influence before His Majesty.”
“Indeed.” Qin Yining sighed. “That’s why he sought out the prince.”
Qin Yining turned to look at Liao Zhibing. “Scholar Liao, those people skilled in sailing that I asked you to help find earlier – have they all been located?”
“Found long ago. They’re currently settled outside the city.”
“That’s good. Thanks to Scholar Liao’s presence, otherwise I wouldn’t know how to handle these matters. I really should thank Scholar Liao.” The things the Green Sky Alliance was good at were naturally not what the Elite Tiger Guards excelled at. Liao Zhibing and Meng Qin had truly put in considerable effort following Qin Yining during this time.
Liao Zhibing blushed somewhat from the gratitude and quickly waved his hands: “For the alliance leader to trust this humble one is already my honor. Why be so polite? We’re all family.”
Qin Yining smiled: “Yes, we’re all family. I was being too formal.”
After they chatted and laughed for a while, Jingzhe quickly walked in.
“Princess consort, there’s news.”
Qin Yining’s spirits lifted, and she couldn’t help but sit up straight, looking questioningly at Jingzhe.
Jingzhe said: “Our people discovered that the prince went to Huichuan County and was immediately escorted into the city by His Majesty’s people. His Majesty even had the prince beaten with rods. After the prince’s serious injuries, new wounds were added, and the situation isn’t good.”
Jingzhe observed Qin Yining’s expression carefully as she spoke. Seeing that she only frowned without other signs, she continued: “It’s said that the guards around the prince even knelt to beg His Majesty to allow them to find doctors in the city. Many people say the prince is gravely ill.”
The room fell silent.
Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi both wore heavy expressions.
Ji Yun said through gritted teeth: “Does His Majesty not even summon imperial physicians for the prince, requiring the prince’s people to kneel and beg?”
“That’s uncertain.” Jingzhe said frankly. “Princess consort, by the time this news reached here, it had already passed through many mouths. Whether it’s accurate or not is unknown. Princess consort needn’t take it too much to heart.”
Hearing this, Qin Yining looked toward the door. Seeing Xiao Xue and the others standing guard outside, confirming their words couldn’t be overheard, she said: “I understand.”
However, Xie Yue was so angry his face turned red.
“The prince established great merit for the realm and nation – how has it come to this, that he must suffer such humiliation!”
“A dignified Prince Zhongshun, actually held down and beaten with rods!” Xu Weizhi’s hands were trembling. “Thinking of the prince, such a hero who never became so gravely ill even when seriously wounded on battlefields, this time he must have been severely humiliated by His Majesty. It’s anger attacking his heart that caused this.”
Tears swirled in Ji Yun’s eyes: “Too much bullying! This is simply too much bullying!”
Qin Yining knew that when Pang Xiao went to Huichuan County, he would certainly not face a good situation. But she hadn’t imagined Li Qitian would directly have him held down and beaten with rods.
She wondered how Pang Xiao’s injuries were now.
She wondered even more how Pang Xiao’s mood was.
After all, if they could learn about the rod beating here in Jingang, the civil and military officials in the capital probably all knew as well.
“Princess consort, what should we do now? Should this subordinate ride swiftly to Huichuan to check on the prince’s condition?” Jingzhe asked quietly.