The Princess Smells So Good (GL) - Chapter 71

A month had passed. Everything in the city seemed normal, yet Wei Zhao’s anxiety had visibly deepened. At last, her subordinates had uncovered some leads, prompting Wei Zhao to summon her team for a discussion.

“So… are you saying that the so-called ‘non-tradable goods’ in the city aren’t actually that many?”
Lan Du frowned as he spoke.

Manager Jin wiped the sweat off his forehead, glancing nervously at Wei Zhao. She nodded at him, and he followed with a nod of his own. However, the Manager was no longer as detached as before. Sensing potential trouble brewing around the provincial governor, he hesitated before replying, “Of course, it’s also possible that these channels haven’t gone through our Duo Bao Pavilion.”

“There’s no need to worry about that,” replied Dr. Cai, his tone deliberates and unhurried. Adjusting his crystal glasses, he continued, “As long as the goods are circulating in the market, even on a small scale, Manager Jin would catch a glimpse sooner or later.”

Wei Zhao, used to Dr. Cai’s slow speech, patiently listened before shifting the topic. “And what about the Songhe Sect members?”

Manager Jin immediately answered, “They were indeed hired by the merchants’ guild. All their documents and certifications are legitimate. The authorities found no issues and released them.”

Wei Zhao nodded again before asking, “Did anyone question the person who hired them?”

Manager Jin froze, staring at Wei Zhao without answering. Wei Zhao’s expression darkened. “Summon the provincial governor and tell him to investigate. How would newcomers to the city know about the Black Flag’s location? Check the background of those merchants… and hire the Songhe Sect to handle it.”

Wiping more sweat off his forehead, Manager Jin quickly agreed. He realized that his usual approach of avoiding trouble would no longer work with Wei Zhao. She was meticulous and relentless. With more capable people joining her ranks, she likely wouldn’t tolerate his evasions as she had in the past.

“This is Yujin Ye’s profile.” Manager Jin handed over another document to Wei Zhao.

Flipping through it, Wei Zhao noted that Yujin Ye was now 53 years old. He had obtained an official position in his thirties and traveled to Haizhou City for his duties. During the journey, his wife was killed by bandits, and his son fell off a cliff. Though he found the boy, the child was left disfigured and disabled, confined to the household ever since. Yujin Ye never remarried but took several concubines after settling in Haizhou, eventually fathering a daughter. He wasn’t interested in fine food or drink but was an avid collector of antiques and calligraphy, a preference well-known to local merchants, who lavished him with gifts over the years.

Despite minor flaws, he fulfilled his responsibilities diligently during natural disasters like typhoons and floods.

To Wei Zhao, Yujin Ye was typical of many officials she had encountered—small moral lapses but no major failings.

“A man without wife or son… he does seem rather pitiful,” Lan Du remarked after reading through the document.

Wei Zhao sneered, “His wife and son are dead, but he survived and thrives in Haizhou, one of the most powerful men in the city, with concubines and a child. What’s pitiful about that? If anyone deserves pity, it’s the ones who died.”

“I misspoke,” Lan Du admitted quietly, returning the document to Wei Zhao before stepping back.

“These surface details prove nothing,” Dr. Cai said meaningfully, casting a glance at Manager Jin.

Wiping his sweat again, Manager Jin, feeling somewhat indignant, retorted, “Then I’d appreciate Dr. Cai offering some guidance.”

“To truly understand a person,” Dr. Cai replied, “the best way is to infiltrate their daily life.”

“You’re suggesting… a spy?” Manager Jin shuddered at the thought. Spies were no easy feat, especially in households where staff were often long-term workers or bound by lifelong contracts. How could infiltration happen overnight?

But Dr. Cai shook his head. “No. I’m saying you should go through their garbage.”

Manager Jin was stunned, left speechless for a moment.

Witnessing the exchange, Wei Zhao felt a twinge of exhaustion. Just then, someone burst through the door with urgent news: another government ship had been plundered. Wei Zhao’s face darkened as she laughed angrily. “So, they’re deliberately challenging me now?”

Lan Du stepped forward and bowed. “Your Highness, allow me to lead the troops to deal with the pirates—”

Before he could finish, a servant rushed in, panting. “Your Highness, at the docks… the docks… it’s full of pirates!”

“What? Are the pirates attacking the city?!”

Wei Zhao shot to her feet in disbelief. How could this be? Every calculation she had made pointed against such a move. Yujin Ye had shown no sign of rebellion. Could it be that he was innocent after all, and another pirate group was targeting Haizhou? But which nation could possibly possess the strength to challenge the Da Zhou Empire? Even capturing Haizhou wouldn’t affect Da Zhou’s overall power.

The guard, catching his breath, added, “No, no, not an attack! They’ve come to… surrender!”

Wei Zhao froze, momentarily at a loss for words.

Just as they had delivered a symbolic slap to Da Zhou’s face, now they were turning themselves in?

Or… could a third, unknown force have intervened while she was unaware?

Wei Zhao glanced at Lan Du, their eyes meeting briefly. Lan Du pressed his lips together before suggesting, “Your Highness, perhaps we should take a look.”

Wei Zhao hesitated, a figure flashing through her mind. Rationally, she dismissed the thought—it was impossible. That person’s ship was destroyed. Even if she was alive, she would be somewhere else, focused on her goals.

But her emotions whispered: What if?

That person had always created miracles, hadn’t she?

Perhaps… just perhaps.

Logic and emotions warred within her, leaving Wei Zhao torn between hope and disbelief.

She recalled an old story passed down from her ancestors:
“One day, my true love will arrive on a cloud of many colors.”

For days, the dock had been bustling with activity. Haizhou residents talked about little else: “Were we attacked by pirates today?” and “Did the pirates get attacked back today?”

It was once unthinkable for such chaos to happen simultaneously, but now, it seemed all too possible.

Wei Zhao, unwilling to reveal herself, disguised herself and headed to one of the Duo Bao Pavilion’s buildings overlooking the dock. Using a telescope, she took in the scene.

At the forefront, soldiers from the governor’s office formed a line, keeping the crowd at bay. A group of officials was busy recording something while berating a group of disheveled pirates. Among the officials, Wei Zhao spotted Wang Youzhi, looking haggard and furious as he shouted at the subdued pirates.

Behind them was a peculiar sight: rows of bedraggled men with bruised faces and bodies riddled with scars, kneeling on the ground with their hands bound. Each had a flag strapped to their backs, displaying the name of their pirate crew as if they were desperate people auctioning themselves off.

The creativity of whoever orchestrated this display made Wei Zhao chuckle despite the situation.

Her laughter drew attention. Even Lan Du, glancing at her, seemed momentarily captivated before quickly looking away.

“How amusing,” Wei Zhao remarked. “If these pirates truly have backers, this scene will surely enrage them.”

Setting down the telescope, she smiled faintly, clearly in a good mood.

That very smile was noticed by someone nearby. Propping her chin on her hand, the woman with the telescope mirrored Wei Zhao’s expression, her own lips curling into a contented grin.

“Try to be more discreet,” Judith teased. She wore a large, wide-brimmed hat and sipped from a bottle. “You’re acting like one of those sailors who’ve been at sea for three years without seeing a woman.”

Judith downed another gulp, sighing in satisfaction. “It’s been a month since I’ve had a drink. Da Zhou’s liquor is still the strongest.”

“You can stock up before we leave,” Fa Yilian replied, lowering her telescope.

Judith glanced at her companion. “Finished watching already? Surely you haven’t had your fill.”

She leaned in just as Wei Zhao exited the building, Lan Du by her side. Judith whistled. “Who’s that man? He looks pretty close to your ‘lover.’”

“Lan Du,” Fa Yilian replied coolly. “He’s known A Xian since childhood, that’s all.”

Her tone sharpened as she stared at Lan Du before softening again when her gaze shifted to Wei Zhao. Standing abruptly, Fa Yilian patted Judith’s shoulder. “Unload the cargo quickly. Then, we’re back to work.”

“What? Again? We just docked a few days ago!” Judith groaned, trailing after Fa Yilian and muttering, “Can’t we stay longer? At least stock up on weapons or something. The ones left by your foster parents won’t last at this rate…”

“Weapons…” Fa Yilian paused mid-step and turned back with a smile. “Yes. Let’s discuss that properly.”