IDWBE -Chapter 96 Privacy

Lin Yi dropped heavily into a chair, gulped down several mouthfuls of tea, and said calmly, “Why did the Princess leave the palace?”

Qi Peng studied Lin Yi’s ever-shifting, unpredictable expression and replied solemnly, “The Princess is a Seventh-Rank expert. Those attendants simply couldn’t keep up with her.”

Lin Yi asked, “She climbed over the wall and slipped out?”

When he had still been in Ankang City, his younger sister could at least use the excuse of visiting her elder brother to leave the palace. But once he was gone, he could imagine how difficult it must be for her to step outside.

She had always been lively and restless.

She must have long since been unable to endure it.

Qi Peng said, “According to what this commoner has learned, most likely so.”

Lin Yi narrowed his eyes. “You have people inside the palace too?”

Qi Peng smiled. “People are born of parents. They have siblings, relatives, neighbors. Some of my associates happen to have connections in the palace. Naturally, they hear more.”

Lin Yi said, “This prince has one virtue. Do you know what it is?”

Qi Peng straightened. “Please enlighten me, Your Highness.”

Lin Yi said, “I respect everyone’s privacy—including yours. A living person ought to have secrets that belong only to himself. Do you understand?”

Qi Peng froze, clearly not expecting such words. He set down his teacup and cupped his hands.

“This commoner understands. Please rest assured, Your Highness—I would never harbor ill intent toward you.”

Lin Yi shook his head. “You’re such a clever man, yet you misunderstand again. Whenever I speak, you people always try to interpret an extra layer of meaning. Why? I don’t like keeping anyone by my side whom I don’t trust. Not a single one.”

“I understand,” Qi Peng said gravely. “As for palace secrets, I will no longer inquire into them.”

Lin Yi sighed softly. “I have only one mother and one younger sister. If I don’t care about them, who in this world will?” Rely on his imperial father? Emperors are never sentimental. Each son more formidable than the last. Generals fiercer by the day. Ministers increasingly troublesome. Rebels multiplying. With his mind consumed by state affairs, how could he spare attention for family tenderness?”

Qi Peng said, “I understand. Please rest assured, Your Highness—I will ensure the Princess’s safety.”

Lin Yi waved his hand. “Xiao Yingzi, escort Master Qi out. And that threshold—you still haven’t smoothed it down. It’s inconvenient for him.”

“This servant is at fault.”

After apologizing, Hong Ying personally pushed the wooden wheelchair out.

Only after they reached the front courtyard did Qi Peng finally begin trembling uncontrollably—yet he did not utter a sound.

“You’re a tough one,” Hong Ying sneered.

“Though you are a Grandmaster, you still have a petty mind,” Qi Peng replied evenly. “However you treat the Prince, that is how I shall treat him.”

“You think you’re worthy?” Hong Ying said coldly.

“This crippled body of mine—His Highness has never despised it.”

He still remembered the Prince’s hand resting on his leg.

It wasn’t pity. It was genuine sorrow.

In his entire life, aside from his parents, he had never felt such true care.

Hong Ying’s voice turned icy. “Since you know my capabilities, remember the Prince’s words well. Otherwise, I will slaughter your entire Qi family.”

Qi Peng smiled faintly. “Your information network isn’t that sharp, Chief Steward. I am the only one left in this world—barely surviving.”

“Then I’ll make you wish you were dead,” Hong Ying said. “And your little associates as well.”

At that moment, Qi Peng felt the oppressive chill lift from his body.

“Master!”

One servant hurried over once Hong Ying had gone far enough. “Are you alright?”

Qi Peng sighed. “Remember this—don’t provoke that eunuch unless absolutely necessary.”

“Yes, sir.”

The servants bowed in acknowledgment.

Qi Peng continued, “This Huiyuan Gong is rather interesting. Don’t be lazy—learn it well.”

A tall servant hesitated. “Master, I’m not sure whether it’s suitable for us.”

Qi Peng shot him a cold glance. “Pan Duo, you’re speaking more and more these days.”

“This servant is guilty!”

Pan Duo dropped to his knees and knocked his forehead hard against the ground three times until blood flowed.

Qi Peng did not spare him another look and allowed the servants to wheel him inside.

Summer in Sanhe.

The locals were used to it.

For the refugees, each day felt like a year.

Yet as long as they could eat their fill, they endured in silence.

Moreover, when the Provincial Office clerks, garrison soldiers, and students trained daily, the refugees could follow along and learn martial skills.

In the past, they wouldn’t even have dared to dream of such things.

Many refugees had already learned the legendary ability to leap across roofs and scale walls.

If they joined the garrison, they could earn fifty extra copper coins per month!

If they were lucky enough to participate in bandit suppression, they could share in the rewards.

The only complaint?

In Baiyun City, failing to send one’s child to school was actually illegal!

Wasn’t it up to parents what to do with their own children?

Not here.

In Baiyun City—throughout Sanhe—it didn’t work that way.

On every street and alley, even on the bare slopes of Baiyun Mountain, slogans were painted:

“Children who don’t study—entire family sent to labor reform!”

“Children are Sanhe’s future!”

“Eradicate illiteracy in Sanhe!”

“No matter the hardship, children must not suffer!”

“Knowledge changes destiny!”

“Specialization shapes the future!”

Most of these slogans were Lin Yi’s own creations.

But the later additions written by Provincial Office clerks gave him a headache:

“Let the whole family die before a single child!”

“Parents may eat husks, but children must not go without porridge!”

Was that overcorrecting?

He didn’t know.

Nor did he care.

As long as children attended school, it was fine.

Still, there truly weren’t enough schools.

So far, he had built seven schools within a hundred-li radius of Baiyun City.

Originally, the Provincial Administration had promised to fund them.

But that old fox Shan Qi was adept at excuses—the treasury barely covered refugee relief, soldiers’ salaries, road construction. Everything cost money.

In the end, Lin Yi had to use his own private funds.

Most infuriating of all—Shan Yin had stopped paying living expenses.

His reason was simple: he now lived with his grand-uncle and no longer ate at Prince He’s residence.

“People these days…” Lin Yi muttered.

“Your Highness, as long as Sanhe has people, nothing else will be lacking,” Wang Qingbang consoled him.

“What about Cao Datong in Hongzhou?” Lin Yi asked.

“The situation there grows more chaotic. Every city Cao Datong captures, he massacres,” Wang Qingbang sighed. “Corpses lie in the millions; blood flows like rivers.”

“Truly a bastard.”

Lin Yi could accept rebels with ambition.

After all—are kings and nobles born so?

But turning the blade against civilians—that he could not tolerate.

“And He Jixiang?”

“Master He is still in Yuezhou, suppressing bandits while assisting the Provincial Administration with road construction.”

“Send word to him,” Lin Yi said quietly. “I’ve seen too many tragedies.”