In the eastern part of the Zhan Country, it rarely snows. This year is an exception, compounded by the outbreak of war. Natural and human disasters have made life difficult for the people.
Princess Xinyang was traveling incognito. She sat in an unremarkable-looking carriage, occasionally opening the window to observe the scenes along the way.
The closer they got to the border pass, the more desolate the streets became. The shop doors were tightly shut, and beggars were everywhere on the streets and alleys. Some had even frozen to death.
"Princess, stop looking," Yujin advised.
Princess Xinyang sighed, "Is war really ?"
She was a noble princess of the royal family, who grew up in the peace and prosperity of the Capital City. Her fief was in the most prosperous and stable part of the Zhan Country, and she had never personally experienced the cruelty of war.
Yujin closed the window for her. She knew that while the princess appeared indifferent, she was actually kind-hearted. Initially, when encountering disaster victims, the princess would always feel compassion and offer aid.
But as the number of victims increased, their resources dwindled, and they could no longer help these disaster victims.
Yujin didn’t want the princess to feel down, so she quickly changed the subject, "Princess, we’ve reached Li County. This is the closest county town to the border pass. It’s only another thirty miles east to reach the Marquess’s military camp."
Princess Xinyang casually replied with an "oh." ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝※𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖※𝕟𝕖𝕥
Yujin sneaked a smile.
The carriage continued on, and by nearly noon, they were hungry. Yujin had the driver stop at a small inn that appeared relatively clean.
The conditions here couldn’t compare to the Capital City. The water they drank contained sand, the rice was coarse, and even the salt used for cooking was crude, with a slightly bitter taste.
Yujin served Princess Xinyang a piece of vegetable, "If I had known it would be this bad, I wouldn’t have persuaded you to come."
Princess Xinyang said nothing and started eating with a frown.
Halfway through the meal, there was a commotion on the avenue outside, followed by the cries of women and children.
"Go see what’s happening," Princess Xinyang said.
"Yes." Yujin left the inn and soon returned with a solemn face. She told Princess Xinyang helplessly, "A beggar startled a horse while trying to snatch a steamed bun that fell to the ground, and the horse’s owner lashed him with a whip a few times. A woman and child passerby were accidentally hit by the whip."
"Are there any injuries?" Princess Xinyang asked.
Yujin replied, "The beggar was beaten and seriously injured, while the woman and child sustained minor injuries."
Just as she finished speaking, a woman’s aggrieved and indignant cry came from outside, "How can you beat people on the street ? Is there no law?"
"Let’s go see," Princess Xinyang put down her chopsticks and promptly donned her veil.
As she was about to stand up, a male guest at the next table, who appeared to be in his thirties, leisurely advised, "Judging by your accents, you must be from out of town, right? It’s rare to see anyone besides Official Government people willing to come to Li County these days. I advise you both to mind your own business and avoid getting yourselves involved!"
An elderly man at another table also spoke sincerely, "Indeed, you must not offend the people outside. Best to stay out of it."
Yujin politely asked, "Dear sir, do you know the origins of those people outside?"
The elderly man sighed, "They are not from the Zhan Country; they are from the Dongyi tribe."
The world was divided into six parts, but aside from the six nations, there were also numerous small and large tribes, like the Turks in the north of Jin Country or the Dongyi in the eastern frontier of Zhan Country.
Yujin suspiciously questioned, "Isn’t the Dongyi colluding with bandits and currently at war with the imperial army? Why are Dongyi people able to act so arrogantly in our Zhan Country’s county towns?"
The man in his thirties replied, "There are peace talks underway!"
Princess Xinyang furrowed her brows, "Peace talks? Who made that decision!"
The emperor hadn’t issued such a decree!
Her aura was so overpowering that it briefly intimidated everyone present.
The old gentleman was the first to regain his composure. He scrutinized Princess Xinyang and Yujin, noting their simple attire yet extraordinary demeanor. Simple attire, yet they did not seem like nobles from the Capital City.
Impossible, why would a noble from the Capital City come to such a place?
He steadied himself and said, "It is, of course, Marquess Xuanping’s decision."
Yujin argued, "How could Marquess Xuanping want to negotiate with such a barbarian tribe? Crushing their tribe is more in line with Marquess Xuanping’s style!"
The old gentleman didn’t respond, but the man in his thirties spoke up, sneering, "Isn’t it because the Dongyi presented a beautiful woman to Marquess Xuanping? Rumors say she is the Pearl of Dongyi, the Dongyi king’s most beloved youngest daughter. Now you know why we advised against getting involved—it would be courting death!"