IDWBE -Chapter 506 Confrontation

Zixia smiled and asked, “Then, Your Highness, where are we going?”

Lin Yi thought for a moment and said, “It’s not ‘we,’ it’s just me. The little princess has grown fond of you over these days, so it’s better if you don’t wander off. Stay at home, help watch the children. Also, Mingyue’s pregnancy is getting heavier, and since you’re closest to her, spend more time with her. If anything happens, she’ll have someone to rely on.”

Zixia felt a little disappointed but forced a smile. “Yes, Your Highness.”

“You don’t need to be unhappy,” Lin Yi said, taking her hand and placing it over his chest. His voice softened, “When I return, I’ll bring you all sorts of delicious treats and fun things.”

Zixia said, “Thank you, Your Highness.”

“I’m a homebody. I won’t go far—at most, just around Ankang City.”

Thinking about the state of transportation in the Da Liang Kingdom, Lin Yi’s scalp tingled.

Bian Jing was currently overseeing the Ministry of Works, focusing on hardening the roads around Ankang City. But that only connected towns; the vast rural areas still had impassable roads, which became muddy and treacherous in the rain.

Even worse, wet and hot conditions brought endless outbreaks of disease.

Without vaccines or antibiotics, even strong adults often didn’t survive. Historical records show many lost their fathers early, leaving behind widows and orphans. Life expectancy was shockingly low.

As for weaker children, even the best conditions for royals, nobles, or wealthy merchants didn’t prevent high infant mortality. Ordinary families often had five or six children, but only three or four would survive.

Sometimes, Lin Yi deliberately avoided these impoverished regions—he didn’t want to witness such human suffering. Seeing too much would depress him.

So he never really wanted to go on undercover inspections. If he ever did, it would be only after achieving a world where everyone had enough to eat. Fewer tragedies to see meant he might live a few more days.

The largest gate in Ankang City was the Noon Gate.

The widest street was the newly named People’s Road.

This road connected the newly built People’s Square to the Noon Gate, wide enough for a dozen carriages side by side and tens of thousands of troops to be reviewed.

Gradually, the bustling night market quieted down.

Cao Xiaohuan was already Chief Constable of Ankang Prefecture but still insisted on hands-on duties. She personally led night patrols.

Passing through People’s Square, she suddenly stopped her horse, looking at Kang Bao, the leader of the Lian people, directing the tribe’s performers to pack up. She smiled and said, “Chief Kang, you’re quite the local powerhouse now, yet still doing street performances—aren’t you working a bit too hard?”

The Lian tribe had fought alongside the Prince in many campaigns and were richly rewarded by His Highness after approval by Lord He Jixiang.

Even back in Sanhe, the entire tribe had plenty to eat and drink, so there was no need to perform on the streets.

Kang Bao replied, now fluent in official Mandarin, “Madam Cao, our Lian tribe has many children. If we don’t work, they won’t have enough to eat. We just want to earn some money to build houses and schools back in Sanhe—it will be our true time of leisure then.”

In the past, someone like Cao Xiaohuan, a capable woman, would have barely acknowledged him. But Kang Bao had long since passed the age of recklessness. After years of experience, he knew that gender didn’t matter—official rank did. Higher rank outweighed everything. Opposing a high-ranking official like Cao Xiaohuan had no benefits.

As the most prosperous Lian leader, Kang Bao acted wholeheartedly for his tribe, far more honorable than many corrupt officials.

Cao Xiaohuan admired him. “With a chieftain like you, the Lian people have nothing to worry about.”

Kang Bao humbly replied, “Madam Cao flatters me. I hope to receive your guidance in the future.”

Cao Xiaohuan laughed, “Your tribe already has over ten thousand people and many masters. You don’t need a small constable like me to oversee anything.”

Kang Bao was modest outwardly but inwardly proud. Even in Ankang City alone, he commanded over 500 people. Besides the imperial court, only the Li tribe could challenge them.

Years ago, a trafficker dared to abduct women from his tribe. Kang Bao personally led his men to attack the Beggar Sect outpost, beheading thirty offenders. Afterwards, the Prefect issued a plaque praising the Lian tribe for their bravery.

Now that the tribe ran shops and performed in the city, no one dared provoke them. Everyone knew not to mess with the Lian people.

Cao Xiaohuan said, “Chief Kang, although there’s no curfew tonight, you should head back early to avoid misunderstandings with the military office.”

After speaking, she rode off with her team.

Kang Bao spat on the ground, muttering, “I’m not scared of anyone. Soon, I’ll show that woman what’s what.”

“Madam Cao has arrived,” Lei Kaishan said with a grin. “Don’t you want to dodge?”

“Who?” Jiao Zhong asked incredulously.

“Cao Xiaohuan,” Lei repeated, word by word.

“What the hell is going on?” Jiao Zhong shivered, half his drunkenness gone. Cao Xiaohuan was famously fierce. If she wanted trouble, his delicate new bride wouldn’t survive past midnight.

From afar, a song floated from Jiao Zhong’s mansion:

“Only in Da Liang,
Unfolding brilliance,
The road blossoms,
The red sun rises in the east,
Its great path filled with radiant light,
How fortunate I am,
Born in your embrace,
Bearing a lineage of flowing blood.”

Cao Xiaohuan listened and realized it was composed by the Prince himself. Speaking recklessly might be considered disrespectful.

As she rode leisurely toward the mansion, she saw Jiao Zhong in his wedding attire standing in the middle of the road. She feigned casualness and said, “Commander Jiao, congratulations.”

Jiao Zhong was surprised by her understanding but wary of illusions, replying politely, “Madam Cao’s presence brings great honor!”

Ever since he became the Captain of the Prince’s Guards, he had never spoken so politely to anyone.

Cao Xiaohuan called, “Bring it here!”

Two constables carried a box before Zhou Xun’s astonished eyes. Clearly, Madam Cao had come prepared, and Zhou Xun, her confidante, had no idea.

“What’s this?” Jiao Zhong asked nervously.

Cao Xiaohuan smiled, “It’s your wedding day, Commander Jiao. I can’t come empty-handed, can I?”

Jiao Zhong forced a reply, “Madam Cao is too polite.”

He really didn’t know what she was planning. He had pursued her before, she had ignored him. Now he was married, and she was causing trouble again—he couldn’t afford to let her go unchecked.

He did like Cao Xiaohuan, but he also felt pity for Chen Ying’er, who had been mistreated by the Chen family. Seeing her injured and praying before Buddha, he felt both compassion and an overwhelming desire to protect her.

Later, he boldly sought mediation through Elder Chen Desheng. Thanks to his initial gesture—giving a steak—Chen Desheng agreed to help. And through careful arrangements, Chen Ying’er was married off safely with a generous dowry.

Cao Xiaohuan tilted her head, “Commander Jiao, you won’t even offer me a drink?”

Before he could respond, she spurred her horse forward.

“Madam Cao!” Zhou Xun hurried after her, followed by the constables’ hooves.

Jiao Zhong was furious, slapping his thigh in frustration.

Cui Gengsheng, chewing on a chicken leg, reassured him, “Don’t worry, if Madam Cao dares hit you, I’ll make sure she doesn’t use a weapon.”

Jiao Zhong snapped, “Are you speaking sense?”

A-Dai swung his hammer, shouting, “You dare insult my mother!”

His brother, Cui Gengsheng, had told him: they were siblings, one mother—anyone insulting her would be beaten to death.

Before Jiao Zhong could react, the clash of metal sounded again. Yu Xiaochun’s long blade had blocked A-Dai’s hammer.

Otherwise, a ninth-rank warrior like him couldn’t withstand a master’s strike.

Gratefully, he said, “Thanks.”

This fool wasn’t human!