Chapter Seventeen: The Faulty Mine Map

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Shen Jifeng wished she could bite off her own tongue. Hearing that the money was all spent, her mouth reacted before her mind did, inadvertently admitting to what had happened that night.

“It's all spent,” Wei Xiao said lightly.

She felt a deep ache for the thirty taels of silver she had entrusted to him. “All spent in less than seven days? Did you gamble it away? Spend it on wine and women? My mine does not tolerate gamblers or philanderers.”

Wei Xiao spoke with a straight face, spinning a tale, “That day I took your advice and tried to buy a residence with the thirty taels. In town, I happened upon a mother and daughter. The mother was gravely ill and needed ginseng to save her life, which just so happened to be worth exactly thirty taels.”

“So you gave them the silver?” Shen Jifeng grasped Wei Xiao’s collar excitedly.

“Yes. I saw how pitiful they were. Besides, I’m strong and capable; I’m not afraid I won’t earn more.”

Shen Jifeng pondered for a moment. Since he knew her secret, rather than throwing him out, it might be better to keep him within her sight.

“If you want to work at the mine, that’s fine. But let me warn you, even if you tell others about that night, no one will believe you.” She made a throat-slitting gesture. “Your skills won’t help you; I have plenty of guards.”

Nearby, Old Zhang the simpleton sneaked glances their way. Seeing the princess clutching the tall, handsome young man, whose poised bearing revealed him as a skilled martial artist, Old Zhang recognized him as the young general who admired the princess.

With this in mind, his gaze softened with affection—such a match made in heaven between a talented man and a beautiful woman.

Shen Jifeng walked over with Wei Xiao under this approving gaze.

“Master Zhang, he wants to work at the mine. I don’t think he’s suitable; what do you say?”

How could they let a nobleman work in the mine? Old Zhang had his own schemes. “This young brother is tall and long-legged, so indeed, not fit for mining. But since the West Capital’s government officers have left, the mine is short-handed. If he’s skilled, he can serve as a guard.”

Shen Jifeng would never forget the scene when Wei Xiao sliced open a wolf’s belly in one stroke. “He’s quite skilled.”

Seeing the princess’s understanding, Old Zhang’s conviction grew stronger.

Wei Xiao smoothly entered the mine, officially as a guard, but in reality, just watching the gate.

He observed the personnel arrangements around the mine and saw flaws everywhere. Thankfully, they hadn’t yet smelted silver; otherwise, a few bandits could easily plunder the whole mine. The princess’s guards were mostly show, meant to intimidate the inexperienced townsfolk—pretty but useless.

At midnight, the once noisy mine fell silent, but the owls in the woods grew excited, their calls growing louder.

Wei Xiao dashed toward the source of the noise, arriving beneath an ancient pine tree in less than fifteen minutes.

“Why aren’t you sleeping at this hour? What ghosts are you calling out to? Are you out of your mind?”

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Fifteen jumped down from the tree, complaining, “The one out of his mind is the general. Even if you fell for the princess at first sight and wanted to get close to her, you shouldn’t become a miner. Your status is too mismatched. If the princess has any sense, she wouldn’t be interested in a miner.”

Wei Xiao smacked Fifteen’s head. “Which eye of yours saw me fall for the princess?”

Fifteen raised two fingers, pointing to his eyes. “Both my eyes saw it. You saved her life, helped hide a corpse, and now you’re randomly working at the mine. The only reason I can think of is you like her.”

“I’m not that shallow. I came to the silver mine to investigate the relationship between the princess and the Shen Trading Company. Don’t misunderstand.”

“That’s good.” Fifteen scratched his head. “I thought maybe you’d been cold-shouldered by the emperor, given the cold bench, and were trying to find a new path.”

Wei Xiao lost patience and kicked him. “If I wanted a new path, I’d become a cavalry officer. Am I crazy?”

“Actually, the princess is quite impressive—beautiful, courageous, and able to sustain such a large silver mine. Maybe you don’t measure up to her.”

The more he spoke, the more ridiculous he sounded. Wei Xiao regretted bringing him along. Among the thirty personal guards, Fifteen was the most talkative—he’d rather have the quiet Chu Yi.

At dawn, Old Zhang smiled warmly, waking up the skinny monkey and leading him down the mine.

“Remember the path I take you.”

The skinny monkey nodded in confusion.

Wei Xiao guarded the gate, bored, as Shen Jifeng and Jin Chai rode in with the morning sun. To save time, Shen Jifeng had switched from carriage to horseback two days earlier.

“Tie the horse,” Shen Jifeng tossed the reins to Wei Xiao.

Fifteen nearby laughed. Now he not only guarded the gate but had to feed the horses too. If the Southern Command found out their commander-in-chief was feeding horses at a small silver mine, jaws would drop.

As Shen Jifeng stepped into the guardhouse, she saw Old Zhang and the skinny monkey waiting for her with worried faces.

“Princess, your mine map is incorrect.”

Her heart skipped. “What do you mean incorrect?”

“Today I led the skinny monkey down the main shaft. The map doesn’t match the actual tunnels; I suspect the excavation direction is wrong.”

“Impossible!” Shen Jifeng rushed to the map. “This map is the original blueprint archived by the Ministry of Works. How could there be an error?”

“Besides, you’ve been at the mine before. How could you not have noticed?”

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“Our team of craftsmen hasn’t been here long.” Old Zhang twisted the finger ring on his hand. “Zheng Peiye wasn’t a capable man. After bringing us here, he disappeared without a trace, paying no attention to whether we worked or not. About twenty days later, he returned saying a woman had taken over the mine and that if we didn’t want to continue, we could leave with him.”

“When did Zheng Peiye bring you to the mine?” Shen Jifeng suddenly remembered a question she had long neglected.

“Over two months ago.”

The emperor only began allowing civilians to open mines a month ago, around when she decided to take over the silver mine. She even sent someone to inquire at the Ministry of Works and the West Capital Silver Mine.

“I previously purchased ore from here. The craftsmen who authenticated it said the silver content was very high. Was I deceived?”

“No.” Old Zhang held a piece of ore. “The West Capital Silver Mine’s veins were exploited as early as the previous dynasty. They did extract silver, contrary to the Ministry’s claims of no yield. But for some unknown reason, only a small amount was smelted before the vein abruptly ended.”

Shen Jifeng sank into her chair, disheartened. She had thought this a lucrative venture but now faced such complications. “So what should I do?”

“Find the veins again. The main vein is in this mountain and might not be far from the tunnels. I’ll need some time to confirm.”

She took a deep breath and forced herself calm.

“Master Zhang, I need you to do two things in secret.” She lowered her voice. “First, lead the skinny monkey to resurvey the tunnels and find the true vein. Second, don’t tell anyone else about this, including the other craftsmen.”

Old Zhang nodded in understanding. “I understand, but…” He glanced toward the door hesitantly.

“Don’t worry, I’ll send someone to protect you.” A sharp glint appeared in Shen Jifeng’s eyes. “Dong Yang!”

Dong Yang, who had been standing outside, immediately pushed the door open. “Princess, your orders?”

“From today on, you personally accompany Master Zhang down the mine.” Shen Jifeng paused, then added, “Also, have that newcomer Ma Yao go with you.”

Dong Yang frowned. “That guy just guards the gate…”

“He’s quite skilled,” Shen Jifeng interrupted. “And… I have a feeling he’s not ordinary.”