CMWKSD -Chapter 224 Like This?

Jiu Yue sat in the carriage, holding a pouch full of silver notes, laughing loudly: ha ha ha!

Today had been quite fruitful. Next, she would go from house to house visiting the ministers to collect more silver. Officially, it was called: “supervision fees.”

As for that so-called life-and-death contract… Jiu Yue had made it clear: the purpose of that contract was simply to say, don’t come near! If you didn’t want your children to suffer, then don’t send them over.

With just a few words from Ji Yiqing, each household gave an extra five hundred taels of silver. Jiu Yue also received a heap of praise: “The princess is righteous! The princess’s courage rivals men!” …Ah, who would’ve thought she would handle it so well?

Ji Yiqing stroked Jiu Yue’s head. “You did wonderfully. Don’t listen to what those ministers blabber about.”

“They’re just hoping their children can learn real skills from you, but they don’t want their children to endure even a little hardship. And they can’t stand to see you do well.”

Jiu Yue nodded.

Ji Chaomian shrank into a corner, dazed.

Heavens, could falling for someone really be this terrifying?

In the end, Emperor Fengyuan made the final decision: after Jiu Yue’s special training camp ended, the trainees could have a match against the elite forces of either the Forbidden Army or the capital’s suburban camp. That would finally settle matters with those old ministers. Otherwise, Emperor Fengyuan genuinely worried he’d have to collect the bodies of those ministers who got so angry their faces turned white or black.

“As for the match, we’ll discuss it properly when we return,” he said.

Jiu Yue waved her hand carelessly. “Don’t worry. Even if His Majesty hadn’t mentioned it, I’d still have them come to see the results. Should be quite a show.”

Ji Yiqing gently played with her fingers, glancing carefully at her large eyes. Hm, no more tears. Looks like it’s over.

Jiu Yue’s tears were like a switch. Once they stopped, Ji Yiqing’s protective instincts went full blast—anyone who tried to mess with her would regret it!

Soon, many dukes and high officials obediently prepared to send their children to the special training camp. Those who hadn’t registered were deeply regretful, already asking Shao Qing at the Ji residence when the next camp would start.

…

Shen Zongsheng volunteered to become an instructor in Jiu Yue’s camp. He was curious about her training methods. Though he still couldn’t run or jump, he could sit in a wheelchair and teach some strategy—rest and work combined. Jiu Yue didn’t refuse.

So, today Shen Zongsheng specifically invited Jiu Yue to a banquet at the city’s largest Huijin Pavilion, to thank her for generously sharing her knowledge and to discuss the camp.

Jiu Yue arrived gracefully. Shen Zongsheng greeted her at the entrance. He had intended to host in a private room, but considering Jiu Yue was a lady, and though they were colleagues now, there were still boundaries. For her reputation, he chose a seat in the main hall.

The pavilion buzzed with people. Shen Zongsheng walked ahead, leading the way. Jiu Yue was in the middle, with Shao Qing behind her.

Just as they reached the second floor stairs and were about to turn the corner, a young man in a white robe, looking delicate and handsome, suddenly rushed diagonally across the way toward Jiu Yue in panic.

Shao Qing and Shen Zongsheng were startled, but the man dropped to his knees right in front of Jiu Yue, bowing repeatedly.

“Princess! Princess, help me, Princess!”

Shen Zongsheng stepped in front of Jiu Yue. Though the man was still a short distance away, his behavior made Shen Zongsheng inexplicably uneasy.

“Who are you?” he asked.

Before the man could answer, a few burly men appeared behind him. Seeing Jiu Yue and Shen Zongsheng, they forced smiles.

“Greetings, Princess. This man owes us silver. We’re here to collect it. We’ll leave immediately—just taking him along.”

As they spoke, they began tugging at the man. In the struggle, his robe ripped partially open, revealing flawless, pale skin. A small red mole on his exquisite collarbone caught everyone’s eyes. Along with his perfect face, it was impossible not to be captivated at first glance.

The man lowered his eyes slightly. With a single blink, a crystal-clear tear fell from his eye. His voice was pure and melodious.

“It was you—you tricked me into pawning my family jade to pay for my mother’s treatment, and tried to sell me to the brothel!”

The crowd gasped. So it was a bully taking advantage of a handsome youth. Everyone knew Princess Xuyu was kindhearted and would never allow this.

The man continued bowing loudly, “Please, Princess, save me! I am willing to serve you like a beast of burden in gratitude!”

Some young girls, seeing how pitiful and beautiful the man looked, wanted to help.

Jiu Yue glanced around at the onlookers, lightly smiling. She was naturally beautiful, and her smile made many blush—but no one dared to stare too openly because of her status.

She leaned toward Shao Qing and whispered a few words. He was surprised but immediately nodded and stepped aside.

The crowd silently marveled: this man was lucky to meet the Princess. But seeing his looks and posture, some whispered that Ji Yiqing’s position as the Princess’s consort might be at risk. It was clearly deliberate, and only someone as kind as Jiu Yue would fall for it.

Shen Zongsheng glanced at Jiu Yue, thinking it was unfair to Ji Yiqing if she accepted this man. He sent for attendants to find Ji Yiqing immediately. Coming to Huijin Pavilion was his idea; if anything happened between the two because of this man, he’d be to blame.

Seeing everyone watching, Jiu Yue cast a glance at the kneeling man and his guards, lifting her chin slightly. Shen Zongsheng instinctively understood her intention and quickly brought over a stool. After moving it, he felt a bit like a sycophant, especially as he was unwell and she handled him so easily.

Jiu Yue sat down lightly, with a half-smile, watching the man bow and cry on the ground.

The guards laughed. “Princess, do you want to buy this man?”

Jiu Yue didn’t answer. She gave them a fleeting glance, then swiftly drew Shen Zongsheng’s long sword from his waist.

“Princess!”

No one knew why she drew the sword. In the moment the man bowed again, the sword tip pressed against his throat.

The man jumped. Shen Zongsheng also flinched, shouting, “Princess!”

A public killing could ruin her reputation—but Jiu Yue didn’t stab. She lifted his chin with the sword tip. The man shivered but suppressed his fear, slightly raising his head along the force of the sword. His face was breathtakingly beautiful, making the onlookers feel a flush of heat.

Then Jiu Yue suddenly said, “Tilt your head a little to the right.”

The man blinked, stammering, “Pr… Princess…”

Shen Zongsheng didn’t understand. Something about his behavior seemed vaguely familiar.

“Tilt your head.”

Seeing she wasn’t joking, the man obeyed slightly.

“Stop.”

“Shen Zongsheng.”

Shen Zongsheng’s mind went blank. Watching this man gave him a strange sense of déjà vu, like seeing Concubine Zhu.

Hearing Jiu Yue call him, he immediately replied, “Yes.”

“Like this?”