The Princess Smells So Good (GL) - Chapter 61

“Your Highness, the matter is settled!”

The messenger was still A Zong, whose unmatched agility and a fine steed allowed her to deliver the message to Wei Zhao swiftly. After reading the letter, Wei Zhao finally smiled. She summoned Manager Jin and informed him about someone recruiting martial artists to suppress bandits, instructing him to investigate the matter concerning the merchants’ guild. Manager Jin agreed promptly, but Wei Zhao added, “Wait. Since it’s a guild matter, how could Duobao Pavilion not be involved? Yet, they haven’t provided any information?”

That familiar tone of blame!

“Duobao Pavilion is, of course, part of it and quite reputable. However, within the guild, cliques based on hometown ties complicate things. It’s a loose organization, so naturally, it can’t cover all bases,” Manager Jin explained hurriedly, almost as if he wanted to carve I’m innocent on his forehead. “I’ll investigate and find out which faction is behind this.”

Wei Zhao gave him a cold look. Manager Jin, fully aware of his recent underperformance, felt his heart sink. Bowing deeply, he barely dared to breathe. After a while, Wei Zhao chuckled, saying, “I’m still staying at the Jin residence because I trust Duobao Pavilion—and you.”

“This old servant will not betray Your Highness’s trust!” Manager Jin declared, dropping to his knees in a show of utmost loyalty.

“I hope so.” Wei Zhao nodded, prepared to dismiss him.

At that moment, a guard outside reported, “Your Highness, the Prefect is here.”

Wei Zhao glanced at Manager Jin and said thoughtfully, “It seems this matter has already reached Yu Jinye’s ears. Go and fetch Wang Youzhi immediately.”

Manager Jin quickly acknowledged the order and left in a hurry.

He was so rushed that he brushed past Yu Jinye at the gate. Bowing, he greeted, “Ah, Prefect Yu, you’ve arrived.”

“Manager Jin, where are you off to in such a rush?” Yu Jinye asked with a faint smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

“Just attending to some guild matters. The young lady has been waiting for you,” Manager Jin replied, blinking his nearly squinting eyes and smiling.

Yu Jinye might be the overlord of Haizhou, but he couldn’t afford to slight Wei Zhao. Bowing in return, he hurried inside. When he reached the courtyard, he knelt before Wei Zhao, proclaiming loudly, “Your Highness, this old official is guilty!”

A Zong turned to Wei Zhao at the sound, knowing Wei Zhao had no intention of revealing her identity yet. Yu Jinye’s public acknowledgment left her uneasy.

Wei Zhao scoffed lightly, tapping the table with her finger. She asked A Zong, “Do you know why he’s doing this?”

Isn’t the Prefect going to be allowed to stand up? A Zong was puzzled. Being a former servant herself, she wasn’t familiar with such political games and only shook her head cluelessly.

“He’s publicly identifying me to force me to move into the Prefecture Office. Previously, he could claim ignorance of my identity, but now, he has made it clear to control my actions,” Wei Zhao explained.

“But weren’t you here as the Duobao Pavilion’s young lady?” A Zong asked, confused.

“Exactly,” Wei Zhao said with a faint smile. “So, take a guess—what’s his real plan?”

A Zong struggled to think and stammered, “He… he’s identifying you as Your Highness, which connects you with Duobao Pavilion. Then, maybe he wants to use this to separate Duobao Pavilion’s influence from Haizhou?”

“That’s part of it,” Wei Zhao said. “But remember, if you don’t understand or don’t want to guess, it’s okay to say so. You’re no longer a slave. There’s no need to push yourself.”

A Zong blushed with embarrassment and quickly changed the subject. “Should we let him wait outside then?”

Wei Zhao chuckled. “If he dares to play games, he’d better be ready for my anger. And since I need an excuse to delay until Wang Youzhi arrives, this works perfectly.”

A Zong glanced outside at the Prefect kneeling under the blazing sun. She couldn’t help but feel pity for him.

When had such a high-ranking official been so humiliated?

The servants nearby were initially stunned by the sight of Yu Jinye’s disgrace. Then fear took over, and they avoided him altogether. Only A Zong stayed, peering through the window with interest. Occasionally, she’d comment to Wei Zhao, “I never imagined a scene like this. Won’t the Prefect hold a grudge?”

“He’s already holding one,” Wei Zhao replied lazily, flipping a page of her book. “A bit more won’t matter.”

A young maid approached timidly, offering a ripe cherry to Wei Zhao. She accepted it without a word. The maid lowered her head even further, visibly trembling. Wei Zhao observed her silently, her initial interest fading.

Such servility might be useful, but in the end, it was just the loyalty of a servant.

Finally, A Zong’s sharp ears caught the sound of approaching footsteps. “Someone’s coming,” she said.

Wei Zhao lifted her gaze and said, “Let him stand.”

A Zong was surprised. “Can he even stand after all this?”

“He’ll manage. He’ll even have to thank me for it,” Wei Zhao said with a smile. “This is nothing. Even high-ranking officials have been beaten until they wet themselves.”

A Zong shook her head. “So officials aren’t all that different from slaves, huh?”

Before she could leave, Wei Zhao called her back and turned to the maid. “What’s your name?”

“This servant is named Qiuchan,” the maid answered nervously.

“Alright, Qiuchan, go with A Zong to invite the Prefect inside,” Wei Zhao ordered.

Qiuchan immediately understood and whispered to A Zong, “Let me handle this.”

A Zong followed, watching as the timid maid gently addressed Yu Jinye and helped him to his feet. Though Yu Jinye’s expression was unpleasant, he refrained from mistreating the maid overtly. A Zong, however, noticed Qiuchan’s clenched fists and tightly drawn brows.

“All the same,” A Zong murmured, recalling her own servitude.

She was beginning to understand what Fa Yilian and Judith had always tried to teach her:

In this world, no one is truly free. Some marks are left on the body, but others are engraved on the soul.

While she thought she had escaped slavery, A Zong realized she was merely finding small ways to crack open her caged spirit.

Yu Jinye finally reached Wei Zhao, his expression more composed. He struggled to bow, but Wei Zhao gestured for him to stop. “You’ve worked hard, Prefect. Please, have a seat,” she said.

Qiuchan quickly helped Yu Jinye to a chair. Moments later, Wang Youzhi arrived with brisk steps. Spotting the Prefect, he greeted both of them warmly.

Yu Jinye’s expression soured at the sight of Wang Youzhi, but he managed a polite nod. Wei Zhao smiled and ordered Qiuchan to serve tea.

The contrasting treatment made Yu Jinye’s face darken further, though he remained silent. Wei Zhao asked, “Prefect Yu, to what do I owe your visit?”

Yu Jinye steadied himself. “With the bandit threat and other concerns, I worry Your Highness may not find this residence suitable. I’d like to invite you to stay at the Prefecture Office for better security.”

Wei Zhao responded indifferently, “No rush.” Then she turned to Wang Youzhi, “And you, Commander Wang?”

Wang Youzhi, summoned by Wei Zhao herself, played along effortlessly. “Your Highness, the Black Flag pirates have been subdued and are on their way to justice.”

Yu Jinye’s face darkened further. “Commander Wang, you cannot mobilize the naval forces without the Prefect’s seal. Such actions are highly improper!”

Wang Youzhi grinned. “I acted under Her Highness’s orders. I have her written authorization.”

“That’s correct,” Wei Zhao added. “The Black Flag pirates have terrorized the seas for years. I instructed Commander Wang to deal with them discreetly.”

The coordination between Wei Zhao and Wang Youzhi left Yu Jinye cornered. Gritting his teeth, he managed to congratulate Wei Zhao. “Your Highness is truly favored by the heavens.”

Wei Zhao smiled faintly. As the meeting concluded, she offered no definitive response to Yu Jinye’s invitation, leaving him visibly unsettled.

Once he departed, Wei Zhao’s demeanor turned cold. “How long until Fa Yilian and the others arrive?” she asked A Zong.

“Two more days,” A Zong replied.

Wei Zhao furrowed her brows and fell into silence.