IDWBE -Chapter 310 The Rogue

Lin Yi didn’t hesitate at all and blurted out, “Coincidentally, everyone says I have a noble disposition. If you, miss, won’t reject me, you could take me away. I eat less than a horse, work harder than a horse, am diligent and frugal, and bear hardship without complaint. Surely, you wouldn’t be able to regret it.”

He was a legitimate prince—how could he be any less useful than a horse? Besides, he was currently dieting, so he really did eat little.

In short, everything he said was true—there wasn’t a single lie.

“Rogue! Don’t talk nonsense!”

The woman’s face flushed red as she drew the sword at her waist. “Or I won’t be polite with you!”

“Miss, I’m an honest man,” Lin Yi smiled. “I just like speaking the truth. Tell me, are you married? If you’re unmarried, perhaps you might consider me.”

He had been reflecting on why he remained single: he lacked the thick skin and persistence to pursue someone relentlessly.

If he were bolder, he would already have at least one concubine! So he resolved to fix his shyness, take the initiative, and never expect a woman to chase after him.

The wrinkles on his twenty-something face could only be smoothed by a woman.

“Scoundrel!”

The woman thrust her sword at Lin Yi without hesitation. As the blade neared his shoulder, Lin Yi didn’t flinch at all.

Xiao Xizi stepped forward quietly, pinching the tip of her sword between two fingers. The blade vibrated violently, quivering in place.

The woman was shocked. She knew the young man with the duck-like voice had formidable martial arts, but she hadn’t expected him to be this strong! He could literally hold her sword in place.

No matter if she pulled or pressed, he didn’t move an inch, and the fingers pinching the sword were as firm as bronze.

“Miss, there’s no need to be so aggressive,” Lin Yi boldly stepped closer. “I harbor no ill intent. Please understand.”

Xiao Xizi rotated his fingers. Feeling immense force, the woman eventually couldn’t hold on and released the sword.

As her body wobbled, two maids rushed to support her, concerned.

“Miss…”

Before she could react, her sword had already fallen into Xiao Xizi’s hand; she had no ability to resist.

“Miss, are you unharmed?”

Seeing her pale face, Lin Yi worried that Xiao Xizi might have been too rough and showed genuine concern.

“I’m going to report you!”

The woman massaged her wrist, glaring at Lin Yi. She was angrier at this cheeky rogue than at the duck-voiced young man.

“No need. I’m only trying to help,” Lin Yi said, worried she might actually go to the authorities.

After all, the government office was under his control; having his subordinates see him like this would be embarrassing.

Even as the ruler of eight regions, he should maintain some dignity.

“You think Jinling’s laws are a joke! Xiao Huan, go report him! Let’s see if this rogue dares to be so arrogant!”

“Yes, Miss.”

The freckled maid glanced at Lin Yi and Xiao Xizi, then hurried off.

“There’s really no need, Miss. Look at me—do I look like a villain?”

Lin Yi held his forehead, dismayed.

Why couldn’t he receive the treatment a handsome man deserved? He wasn’t a domineering CEO—he was at least superior to one! After all, he had wealth and power!

“Just wait for the officials; no need to waste words with me,”

The woman said angrily.

“You trust them quite a lot, it seems.”

This was the only consolation for Lin Yi.

He had built a society where people trusted the authorities and the law.

A truly good thing.

“Anyone who breaks the law in Jinling will not escape justice!”

The woman snorted. “And that includes you.”

“Yes, yes, you’re right,”

Lin Yi sighed. “Miss, then please wait for the officials. I shall take my leave first.”

If his men got caught in the act, he’d be in serious trouble.

“You’re not allowed to leave!”

The woman, with her maids, hurried after him, but didn’t dare block the road. After all, the duck-voiced young man was far too skilled.

She feared truly angering him.

She trusted the authorities to bring justice, but if she ended up as a corpse, what good would delayed justice be? She wasn’t a fool.

“Miss, are you going to follow all the way?”

Lin Yi rode the donkey, glancing back at her.

“You vile scoundrel! You must be brought to justice!”

The woman fumed.

“Miss, propriety forbids close contact between men and women,”

Lin Yi teased. “You should keep your distance from me, lest others misunderstand. A woman chasing a man’s rear is really improper.”

“I will never forgive you!”

Her anger heightened. Instead of backing off, she moved even closer to Lin Yi’s donkey.

Lin Yi smiled, snapped his legs against the donkey’s belly, and it galloped off.

Unconsciously, they reached the South Gate of Jinling City.

Merchants and pedestrians crowded the streets, animals snorted constantly. According to the city’s new sanitation and epidemic laws, each animal had a waste bag behind it.

If an animal urinated or defecated on the street, the owner would be fined fifty copper coins.

Dust swirled as the handlers shouted to control their animals.

Even covering his mouth and nose, Lin Yi was still eating dust as he followed.

Once he had wealth, fixing the roads would be a top priority.

Unfortunately, despite decades of road construction, the South State hadn’t been fully connected, let alone Yong’an or Wuzhou.

But it was understandable—mountains in the south made travel difficult.

He truly didn’t understand how his father had managed for thirty years on the throne!

There were barely any proper roads!

Every time the army marched, most of the time was wasted on the road.

Before even reaching the battlefield, soldiers were already sick and dying in droves.

In the end, whether you had 100,000 troops or I had 200,000, in terms of boasting, who feared whom? Come on, let’s mutually destroy each other!

Suddenly, pedestrians on both sides of the road moved aside as a squad of soldiers passed.

Xiao Xizi immediately recognized Tao Yingyi riding at the front.

The streets were crowded; Tao Yingyi didn’t dare go too fast. He then saw Xiao Xizi, followed by the Prince.

Seeing their attire, he immediately understood—they were in disguise, conducting another inspection incognito.

He certainly couldn’t dismount and bow; the consequences could be severe.

Who knew what tricks the Prince had up his sleeve!

He unconsciously slowed down, unsure how to act when suddenly, a woman darted forward, blocking the way.