IDWBE -Chapter 278 Extras

The Fengshui River shimmered with emerald ripples in the summer breeze.

Lin Yi smiled and said, “With weather this fine, it would be a shame not to take a little excursion. Otherwise, wouldn’t this trip be no different from not coming at all? Where are Her Highness and the Princess?”

“Her Highness and the Princess are in the rear residence of the Prefect’s Office,” Xiao Xizi replied at once, instantly understanding Lin Yi’s meaning. With a grin he added, “I’ll arrange a pleasure boat immediately and invite them to come aboard.”

Lin Yi nodded. This was the advantage of having trusted attendants—one casual remark from him, and someone would grasp his intent and run themselves ragged to carry it out.

It was, admittedly, a very pleasant feeling.

Although Xiao Xizi served at Consort Yuan’s side, he had often followed Lin Yi into pleasure quarters in the past. Arranging a boat outing was second nature to him.

Now that Jinling had fallen, the Sanhe Army maintained strict discipline and committed no plundering. Even so, many households kept their doors tightly shut, venturing out only when absolutely necessary.

The usual methods would not work.

So Xiao Xizi went straight to the local power broker—the Prefect of Jinling, Shen Junru.

At the Provincial Administration Office, the Prince of Yong’an sat high above. Dozens of Wu Province’s civil and military officials knelt below him. Speaking cautiously at first in He Jixiang’s presence, he grew bolder when he saw no objection. Every pause he made was met with a chorus of agreement from those below, who loudly proclaimed the prince’s wisdom.

The Prince of Yong’an grew increasingly pleased with himself.

Shen Junru knelt among them, alongside Wu Province’s Administration Commissioner Peng Guishou and General Pang Geng, chiming in with flattery from time to time.

Suddenly, the hall fell silent.

Carefully raising his head, Shen Junru noticed that the Prince of Yong’an had stopped speaking and was looking in his direction.

Before he could figure out why, a pair of black boots appeared in his line of sight.

“Lord Shen, please step outside with me,” came the voice.

“Yes.”

Shen Junru did not know who the speaker was, but anyone who could silence the Prince of Yong’an so easily was certainly no ordinary person. He followed meekly out of the hall.

Behind him, he could once again hear the prince angrily cursing the assassin who had attempted to kill him.

“May I ask what instructions you have, Eunuch?”

Shen Junru did not know the name of the fair-faced young eunuch before him. But he had seen him enter the city alongside the prince, counted among his close attendants—someone he dared not offend.

Xiao Xizi smiled. “As the local magistrate, Lord Shen must know the customs and scenery of this place like the back of his hand. Her Highness and the Princess wish to admire the sights of Jiangnan. Do you have any recommendations?”

Shen Junru hurriedly replied, “Naturally, a moonlit boat excursion. From the pavilions one sees the rising moon; lanterns glow upon twin bridges; illuminated boats glide through ten li of mist. Only… under present circumstances…”

Boats were easy to find. But with shops closed and vendors hiding indoors, there was no bustling atmosphere of thousands of lights and homes.

Without that lively glow, the Fengshui River would be eerie and desolate.

“Lord Shen,” Xiao Xizi said with a smile, “our prince often says: when conditions exist, press forward; when they do not, create them and press forward anyway. Consider it advice for us both. There is always a way.”

“You are right, Eunuch,” Shen Junru said through gritted teeth. “Only… since His Highness’s mighty army entered the city, the yamen runners have all been imprisoned. I truly cannot manage alone. Might I trouble you to show leniency and release them?”

“Easy enough, easy enough,” Xiao Xizi replied.

He then spoke a few words to Liu Kan, who stood guard at the entrance. Liu Kan readily agreed.

At the hottest hour of the day, doors along both banks of the Fengshui River were pounded upon with loud knocks.

By nightfall, the riverbanks were transformed—dancing shadows, dazzling lanterns, crowds flowing like woven silk, painted pleasure boats with carved beams and decorated rafters.

Consort Yuan and Lin Ning, dressed as ordinary gentlewomen, strolled along the shore, marveling at the lively street scenes so different from those of Ankhang City.

Lin Ning ran ahead, lingering at a clay figurine stall one moment and flipping through calligraphy scrolls the next.

Lin Yi trailed behind, bored and unsure whether to laugh or cry.

He truly admired Shen Junru.

In just one afternoon, the man had mobilized tens of thousands of people as “extras,” and yet not a single flaw could be seen.

It was no easy feat.

Lin Yi almost wanted to award him an Oscar for Best Director.

Of course, the “extras” deserved great credit too. Though reluctant at heart, not one showed displeasure on their face. Each performed their role with dedication.

“Shen Junru, was it?” Lin Yi said lightly.

“Your subordinate is here. Your Highness may command as you wish.”

Fearing to disrupt the atmosphere, Shen Junru suppressed the urge to fall to his knees.

“Well done,” Lin Yi said with a smile. “You’ve truly put in the effort. I am very pleased. I have always appreciated those who get things done. The capable should shoulder more responsibility. Jinling City will rely on Lord Shen from now on.”

“Thank you for Your Highness’s grace!”

Had he successfully latched onto Prince He’s support?

Shen Junru nearly wept with excitement.

He was a scholar! To stoop to such obsequious flattery—it had cost him dearly in pride.

Fortunately, his efforts had not been in vain. The prince had recognized him.

“That will be all. You may go,” Lin Yi said, waving a hand before following his mother and sister onto the boat.

At the top deck, a full table of fine wine and delicacies had already been prepared. Lin Yi helped his mother sit and said with a smile, “I had these prepared especially for you. Please try them—I hope they suit your taste.”

“When have I ever fussed over such things?” Consort Yuan replied. After Lin Ning poured the wine, she took a sip. “Jiangnan’s Daughter Red wine does indeed have a unique flavor.”

She then picked up a piece of candied fruit and placed it in her mouth.

Lin Yi sat beside her and smiled. “As long as you like it.”

Looking at the moon overhead, Consort Yuan sighed softly. “The charm of Jiangnan—like poetry, like painting, like a dream. It truly is a fine place. I almost don’t wish to leave.”

“Hm?” Lin Yi was startled, wondering if he had overdone things. He quickly said, “But Sanhe is my foundation. I’ve been away for quite some time and should return. Otherwise, I could stay here longer to accompany you.”

Consort Yuan snorted lightly. “Now that Jinling is in your grasp, how is it not your foundation as well?”

“My foundation is still shallow,” Lin Yi hurriedly explained. “Whether great clans or noble houses, none are willing to submit to me sincerely. Even if you truly wished to remain, I would first need to tidy up the house. Otherwise, with all the foul atmosphere, it would only anger you.”

Consort Yuan sighed leisurely. “It is not that I am enamored of prosperity. It is that your sister has reached marriageable age. Now that we have left Ankhang City, her prospects grow even slimmer.”