IDWBE -Chapter 286 The Hero Saves the Beauty

Lin Yi shook his head. “Forget it. This place is not only a land of tenderness, it’s also a money pit. Without a mine at home, I really can’t bear to spend here. Better to save the silver and buy more meat—that’s far more satisfying.”

On this trip, he had finally managed to scrape together some funds from the prefectural offices of Yong’an and Wuzhou, but it had all gone to cover the expenses of Sanhe’s campaign.

War was always a gold-devouring beast.

In the end, not a single coin had entered his own pocket.

He was truly poor.

Xiao Xizi hurriedly said, “Being able to serve Your Highness would be their blessing. How would they dare speak of money before you?”

Lin Yi shot him a look. “Hmph. If I don’t talk money with them, should I talk about feelings instead? And then take them as secondary consorts?”

He had no interest in using his name to freeload.

As Prince of Eight Provinces and Lord of Baiyun City, if word spread that he passed through the flowers without spending a coin, it wouldn’t just be a matter of face—it would be tasteless.

It would make him look cheap.

If you don’t have money, don’t come out to play.

Otherwise, how could you mix in places of pleasure in the future?

Xiao Xizi laughed awkwardly. “Your Highness speaks wisely.”

Indeed, how could a figure like their prince discuss feelings with women in such places?

What a joke.

Lin Yi glanced at Yu Xiaoshi, who was not far away gnawing on raw chestnuts. “You’re quite wicked. Those squirrels spent all summer storing those in tree hollows, and you dug them out. Have you thought about how they’ll survive the winter?”

“I only took a handful. There’s still plenty left in the hollow,” Yu Xiaoshi replied, mouth wide open, unsure how to argue.

Lin Yi found it dull talking to such an honest fellow. He waved him away to follow at a distance—otherwise, there would be no point in traveling incognito.

After order was restored in Jinling, the private schools reopened.

Lin Yi stood outside one with dozens of students. Peering through the window and watching the children recite with swaying heads, he couldn’t help but sigh.

Yong’an and Wuzhou had always been lands of flourishing scholarship. Even in a village of ten households, recitation was never abandoned. Studying meant the imperial examinations; the examinations meant becoming an official.

These ideas were deeply rooted.

Introducing Sanhe’s educational system here would be harder than climbing to heaven.

Even in Yuezhou, Hongzhou, and Nanzhou, the same held true. The new-style schools could barely recruit orphans or children from poor families—and even then, mostly because of the promise of three meals a day.

What respectable family would send their children to such places to learn “one two three four five six seven, twenty-one blossoms of the horse orchid”?

Still, Lin Yi didn’t mind much.

Education was a massive investment. Even in Sanhe alone, silver flowed out like water, with no visible returns.

If implemented everywhere, it would require astronomical sums.

Unless he could guarantee at least one school per village or township, he wouldn’t touch the traditional private schools. After all, it was better than everyone being illiterate.

One mustn’t apply a single cut to all problems, lest it backfire.

Traditional schooling should complement the new system.

Of course, if he became wealthier in the future, that would be another matter.

Just as he turned to leave, he saw Pan Duo standing before him.

Seeing no one nearby, Pan Duo lowered his voice. “Your Highness, we’ve captured a group of Partridge Whistles.”

Lin Yi snorted. “Prince Dai certainly keeps busy. I don’t want bloodshed—drive them away.”

Pan Duo cupped his hands. “Yes.”

Seeing him still standing there, Lin Yi asked, “Anything else?”

“A group of Jiangnan scholars admire the Princess’s talent. They plan to invite her to a poetry gathering and will submit invitations to the yamen tomorrow.”

Lin Yi then remembered that his younger sister had the reputation of a gifted lady. Smiling, he said, “No need to stop them. Having left Ankang and come here, she needs friends. Tell the yamen to accept the invitations and let the Princess decide for herself. But when she goes out, increase security—no mishaps.”

As their mother had said, it was time for his sister to find a husband.

He never cared about status in choosing a brother-in-law—none could outrank him anyway.

Pan Duo bowed. “Rest assured, Your Highness. No petty villains will approach the Princess.”

With that, he slipped into an alley and soon vanished.

As Lin Yi continued walking with his hands clasped behind his back, he noticed a crowd gathered by the river.

He never disliked a spectacle.

And besides, this was his territory—he feared nothing.

Just as he was about to push forward, he saw the tall Yu Xiaoshi emerge from the crowd carrying a drenched young woman.

“There’s a clinic up ahead!” someone shouted.

Following the directions, Yu Xiaoshi hurried off with her in his arms.

Lin Yi chuckled. “Saving a drowning maiden—truly a good deed.”

Because Yu Xiaoshi ran too fast, the jolting caused the girl to spit out more water. Lin Yi followed leisurely along the wet trail.

When he caught up, Yu Xiaoshi stood beneath a large tree. Beside him was the girl, head lowered shyly.

Her soaked clothes clung to her, accentuating her graceful figure.

“Thank you, young master, for saving my life,” she said softly, bowing. “Such kindness is beyond repayment.”

Yu Xiaoshi replied loudly, “Too bad you’re a girl. Otherwise, I’d swear brotherhood with you!”

The girl glanced at the vomit she had left on his clothes, embarrassed. “Young master, my home is nearby. Please come with me and change into my brother’s clothes.”

Yu Xiaoshi waved carelessly. “No need, no need. I’m fine.”

Lin Yi nearly stormed up to kick him!

A fool was truly a fool.

At the same time, he felt a trace of envy.

Why didn’t he ever get such a chance to play the hero saving a beauty?

By making Jinling’s security so good, had he made a mistake?

Continuing on, he saw Yu Xiaoshi catching up again. Irritated, Lin Yi said, “If you’re going to save someone, see it through. Escort her home. A girl walking alone can be dangerous.”

“That’s true,” Yu Xiaoshi said—and promptly turned back at a run.

The autumn air was crisp and clear. Lin Yi wandered around Jinling for over an hour without breaking a sweat.

As he prepared to retrace his steps, he suddenly noticed a figure ahead.

Dressed in white, wearing a bamboo hat, holding a long sword.

She looked familiar.

“Greetings, Grand Princess,” Xiao Xizi spoke first.

“Ah—it’s Aunt,” Lin Yi confirmed after a closer look. “Your nephew hasn’t seen you in days and has missed you greatly.”