Your Majesty, Please Stop!

Chapter 300: A Day in the Life of the County Princess

The wind and snow ceased, and the winter sun rose high in the sky. The sunlight at the end of the hour shone through the palace windows, casting a mottled pattern on the floor. Beside the crimson canopy bed lay a pair of brand new embroidered spring lake boots for women.

Suddenly, a creaking sound came from the bed, and a pair of snow-white soft arms stretched out from the smoke and dragon phoenix quilt.

Instinctively, Zhe Feiyan snuggled into the hazy embrace, but only felt the lingering warmth. The tender arms from last night's tenderness were nowhere to be seen. She couldn't help but open her eyes, only to find emptiness before her.

She was taken aback, remembering the madness of last night and the completely different sensation from years of diligent cultivation. A hint of shyness and disappointment appeared on her face.

He's not here?

Where did he go?

Suddenly, she really wanted to see him. It was a strange kind of dependence that was difficult to describe.

Lost in thought for a moment, she hurriedly searched under the bedding and picked up a snow-white silk scarf with a cluster of fresh blood stains on it, relieved.

Whether it was a martial arts master or a young lady from a prestigious family, when they married, this thing was extremely important, even more important than life itself.

She picked up the new pleated clothes and white underskirt next to her, hurriedly put them on, and placed the scarf in her bosom. Just as she put on her boots, her personal maidservant Jian Chun and several other maidservants entered the room, quietly glancing at her and smiling slightly, "Has the young lady woken up?"

"Mhmm."

Zhe Feiyan waved her sleeve and sat by the bronze mirror. Jian Chun and the other maidservants who were skilled in grooming had already come forward to attend to her.

After half an hour, she was finally dressed and groomed. With lightly brushed eyebrows and a touch of red on her lips, her eyebrows were like emerald feathers, her skin like sheep fat, and her face adorned with peach blossom petals. She held her slender waist gracefully.

Due to years of martial arts practice, her figure was delicate and graceful, like flowing water. Her watery and smoky eyes exuded a sense of respect and insight.

"You look so beautiful, Miss." Jian Chun pursed her lips and smiled.

"Where is the County Prince?" Zhe Feiyan stood up and asked softly, driven by some strange thoughts. In any case, she really wanted to see him.

Jian Chun smiled and said, "He went to the Yuxin Pavilion by the Bi Bo Lake early in the morning to handle official affairs."

Zhe Feiyan pondered for a moment and instructed, "Prepare some tea and accompany me to serve tea to Uncle and Aunt."

...

When they arrived at the side hall where Jiang Huo and his wife were, the maidservants had already informed them in advance. The couple were already sitting on the Grand Tutor's chair, assuming the appearance of the head of the household.

The couple only had one legitimate daughter, Jiang Yuxi, who had been sent by Jiang Yuqing to lead the army in the Western Regions. They did have quite a few illegitimate children, but in the highly hierarchical world of prestigious families, they were not worth mentioning. Moreover, they were all mediocre children who rarely received any attention.

So the couple had never experienced being parents-in-law before, and they were a bit excited at the moment. When they saw Zhe Feiyan walking gracefully, they courteously bowed and offered tea, "Please have some tea, Uncle and Aunt."

"Very well, very well..."

The couple's hearts were warmed by this. They couldn't help but think, if Jiang Yuqing were their own son...

Forget it! Our family doesn't have the ability to give birth to such a son. He's too domineering, too strong-willed, too decisive, and too deep in his thoughts. Even as elders, they were a bit afraid of him.

However, Guo Shi still put on the airs of a mother-in-law, talking incessantly about the rules of prestigious families and the etiquette of nobles. Then she realized that Zhe Feiyan's eyes were full of magnanimity and familiarity.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, this young lady was a highly skilled martial artist, born into a prestigious family, principled and opinionated. It was a bit tasteless.

After leaving the side hall, Zhe Feiyan found that it was already close to noon. She casually looked at the azure sky and the drifting clouds, and a hint of shock flashed through her clear eyes. She immediately quickened her pace and said, "Let's go to the Yuxin Pavilion!"

The Emerald Pool is located in the northeast corner of the mansion. It is a huge lake that connects the holy mountain and the river in the city. A wooden pavilion leads to the center of the lake, where there is a large building with exquisite carvings and paintings.

Zhe Feiyan arrived at the side of the building and glanced inside. She saw Jiang Yuqing sitting cross-legged at the main seat, wearing a brocade robe and a golden crown, with her long black hair flowing down to her waist. She had a tall and straight figure, fairer skin than most girls, and even more beautiful features. She was currently writing something with a pen.

On both sides stood two graceful maids, each with a slender figure and a long sword at their waist. Their appearances were either charming or elf-like.

Below them were more than twenty officials and military generals of various ranks, all writing something as well.

This was where the affairs of the Western Qin military and government were being handled. Although it was just a lakefront building, it was already the central hub of the vast Western Qin territory.

Zhe Feiyan was momentarily unsure whether to advance or retreat.

At this moment, she saw the prince raise his head. A hint of a smile appeared in his deep and unreadable eyes as he waved at her and patted the space beside him.

Zhe Feiyan's heart warmed, and she walked into the building with graceful steps.

"Lady!"

The officials and generals all stood up and saluted.

"You may be at ease."

Zhe Feiyan nodded gently and walked straight to Xin Zhuo's side, meeting his gaze. Her heart trembled, and she lowered her head to sit beside him.

After waiting for a while, she quietly looked at the prince. She saw him continue to write something, and her gaze fell on the stack of thick documents waiting for his annotations. She couldn't help but purse her lips.

The current document was filled with a row of small but powerful regular script characters. Its content was shocking:

"All taxes in the three provinces and eighteen prefectures are to be exempted. This is the decree issued by the prince's mansion. Why are there still road tolls, carriage fees, land taxes, business taxes, and head taxes? Is the prefectural government eating shit?

Order the officials and officers to arrest the individuals involved in the case and behead them all. If the prefectural government cannot govern properly, I will let the military officers handle it. Jiang Weizhong, if you, as the prefect, want to continue in your position, show me some results. Don't talk nonsense..."

The words were too straightforward and crude, completely unlike the style of the iron-blooded prince.

But then, another line was written: "I understand the principle that clear water has no fish. It is not impossible for officials to be corrupt and engage in bribery, but Prefect Jiang, you should know that the current situation is difficult. We absolutely cannot allow it! I am a person who cannot tolerate any sand in my eyes. If the officials under me treat me sincerely, I will not hesitate to reward them with positions and rewards."

This sentence was like the finishing touch. After the previous harsh criticism, it became heartfelt and inspiring.

With such annotations from the iron-blooded prince, who would dare to deceive him?

Zhe Feiyan looked at Xin Zhuo in a daze, suddenly feeling a bit puzzled. This husband of hers, who had just turned eighteen after the New Year, why was he so capable and insightful, like a shrewd politician who had been in power for decades and knew how to manage his subordinates?

Then the prince continued to write with divine accuracy. With just a casual glance at a memorial, he could see the officials' intentions and hidden schemes, and he knew when to criticize, when to execute, when to praise, and when to reward, without missing a single detail.

When it came to playing Tai Chi, no one could surpass him. He had both thunderous methods and gentle winds.

Moreover, he was well-versed in political affairs, people's livelihoods, the military, and judicial matters. He was familiar with and skilled in everything, to an astonishing degree.

Zhe Feiyan was completely shocked. Such a person was undoubtedly a wise ruler. In just a few years, the land of Western Qin would become a pure land where no one would be left behind and the people could live and work in peace.

She silently looked at Xin Zhuo, and her mindset suddenly changed. If she had some reservations yesterday, today she felt... perhaps she had reached too high for a man like him.

The current head of the Jiang family, the Western Qin prince, the young Venerable expert, the leader of hundreds of thousands of troops and tens of millions of people, a wise and decisive ruler, and yet still young and handsome.

For a moment, she was infatuated.

As for Xin Zhuo, he didn't have any thoughts. He had too many things on his mind. Dealing with government affairs was too trivial for him, given his small Venerable Realm, powerful Yuan Chen Palace, and memories of being influenced by movies and novels in his previous life.

It wasn't until all the documents were annotated and distributed by the government officials that he asked in a deep voice, "Where is the Minister of Rites? Any news from Mr. Yu Si Liu?"

Damn, he had drunk too much. There were too many things happening during the Spring Festival. There would be another chapter later, with a calm plot for a few chapters, and then a big fight.

(End of this chapter)