Chapter 35: The Ministry of Works' Transfer Order

As night fell, roaring bonfires were lit across the Tianmeng Mountain mining site. Ten plump, succulent sheep were set over the flames; the fat dripped into the fire with a sizzling sound, and the rich aroma drifted on the night breeze, drawing everyone to gather around.

Shen Jifeng had changed into light, comfortable clothing and stood in the center of the crowd, wearing a radiant smile. Holding a small knife, she personally carved a piece of golden, crispy lamb and handed it to Old Man Jiang, who stood beside her. "Master Jiang, you’ve worked hard these past few days. Have a taste."

Old Man Jiang was overwhelmed by the favor. He hurriedly took it with both hands, thanking her repeatedly. "Your Highness is too kind to this old man! To serve you is my great honor!"

The surrounding craftsmen and miners burst into laughter, and the atmosphere became lively in an instant. Someone shouted loudly, "Your Highness, you should eat too!"

Shen Jifeng nodded with a smile and carved another piece of meat for herself. Just as she was about to take a bite, she caught sight of Wei Xiao standing on the edge of the crowd. He watched the scene with calm eyes, appearing cold and detached from the merriment.

She arched an eyebrow, walked straight over to him, and handed him the lamb. "Ma Yao, you should have a taste, too."

Wei Xiao took the meat, muttered a word of thanks, and began to chew heartily.

Watching him eat with such relish, Shen Jifeng beamed. "The fat sheep you and Dongyang picked are truly excellent. I dare say they taste even better than the ones in Bianjing."

"They were also cheaper than in Bianjing. Still, ten sheep cost one hundred taels of silver. Why aren't you heartbroken over the cost this time, Your Highness?"

"I am heartbroken, but I’ve already figured out who is going to pay for it."

Wei Xiao couldn't help but chuckle; he knew there had to be a follow-up plan.

"Princess Chengping?"

"Of course." Shen Jifeng, already plotting the extortion, looked animated. "I covered the costs for the riot and the compensation for the miners. I was in such a rush last time that I didn't have a chance to settle accounts with her. Adding the carriage fees from yesterday, I intend to get it all back with interest."

Shen Jifeng had said something similar when she was drunk yesterday. A flicker of gloom passed through Wei Xiao's eyes. He must have misjudged the situation regarding the military pay; if he couldn't get anywhere with the Princess, he might be better off going straight to Li Leqi.

After three rounds of drinks, the atmosphere grew even more boisterous. Some, emboldened by the wine, began to sing folk songs. Their rugged voices echoed through the night, drawing applause and cheers from the crowd. Shen Jifeng was caught up in the spirit, clapping gently to the rhythm, her face glowing with a rare, relaxed smile.

In this moment, the military pledge she had signed seemed to vanish into the horizon, and she felt as if she were back in the days when her brother would hold her hand as they walked through the streets and alleys.

She hadn't touched the wine, yet she felt intoxicated nonetheless.

Across the bonfire, Wei Xiao kept his eyes on Li Leqi's every move, looking for a chance to speak with him privately. However, he saw Li Leqi pick up a wine flagon, greet the others, and slowly drift away from the crowd, leaving the mining site just as the festivities reached their peak.

Wei Xiao made an excuse to step away, then followed him.

Li Leqi jogged along a small path leading from the mining site into the mountains. He looked back from time to time, as if wary of being followed. Wei Xiao softened his footsteps, using the shadows of the trees for cover, and maintained a distance.

Before long, Li Leqi stopped by a boulder taller than a man. He scanned his surroundings, and after confirming no one was there, he tapped the stone gently with a small pebble.

Soon, a figure in black emerged from the woods.

Wei Xiao’s heart skipped a beat. Li Leqi was meeting a contact—did the Princess know?

"The Young Prince arrived in Qingzhou yesterday and will return to the capital shortly. He orders you to look after the Princess well and ensure her safety. Leave all other matters for him to handle upon his return to the capital."

Having delivered this message, the figure in black vanished silently into the forest.

Wei Xiao let out a breath he had been holding. Li Leqi was a man of the Young Prince, likely placed by the Princess's side to protect her. Clearly, however, the Princess was unaware of Li Leqi's true identity. When he had previously overheard Li Leqi urging the Princess to confess the truth about the Shen family’s trading firm to the Young Prince, it was evident that both master and servant were pretending to be ignorant.

Could the eldest son of the Shen trading firm be the Young Prince? Was he wearing a mask to hide his identity? And why were the siblings hiding things from one another—were they playing a game of spies?

His thoughts, which had been clear, became tangled once more due to the revelation of Li Leqi's identity. Wei Xiao decided to abandon the idea of probing Li Leqi for now; he would wait until he had met the Young Prince himself.

Before the scent of the roast lamb had even faded, Jiang Sanlang came to find Shen Jifeng, looking troubled with a letter from home in his hand.

A vacancy had opened in the Ministry of Works’ Water Department, and his candidacy had finally been confirmed as a permanent position. The letter urged him to depart for the capital immediately to assume his post.

Clutching the letter, his knuckles turning white, Jiang Sanlang hesitated for a long time outside Shen Jifeng's door before finally knocking.

"Come in," Shen Jifeng’s voice came from within.

Jiang Sanlang pushed the door open. Shen Jifeng was busy comparing the terrain of Tianmeng Mountain with the mining tunnel map; she was so focused that she did not look up.

Jiang Sanlang swallowed hard and said in a low voice, "Your Highness, I... I have something to report."

Shen Jifeng looked up. Seeing it was him, her expression softened. "Sanlang, it’s early. Is something the matter?"

Jiang Sanlang took a deep breath and offered the letter with both hands. "A letter from home. It says the vacancy in the Water Department of the Ministry of Works has been filled, and I must... depart for my post immediately."

Shen Jifeng took the paper, her eyes sweeping over it quickly, her fingertip pausing slightly on the words "depart immediately."

She looked up at him. "Do you want to go?"

Jiang Sanlang pursed his lips. "I..."

"Tell the truth." Shen Jifeng placed the letter on the desk, her tone calm.

"I don't want to leave!" Jiang Sanlang looked up suddenly, his eyes filled with unusual resolve. "The drainage tunnels have only just begun, and the drainage system in the mine isn't perfected yet. If I leave now, I..."

Shen Jifeng smiled gently. "How long has your family been waiting for this position? Three years? Five?"

"Five," Jiang Sanlang replied softly. "Ever since I passed the imperial examination, my family has been striving for this."

"Then why are you hesitating?" Shen Jifeng stood up and walked over to him. "A director in the Water Department of the Ministry of Works—a sixth-rank official position—is something many people would give anything for."

"But Your Highness, the mine..."

"The mine has Qu Yifang, Old Man Jiang, and myself." Shen Jifeng patted his shoulder. "Your blueprints for the drainage tunnels are already very detailed. We can handle the rest. Besides, even if there is something we don't understand, Bianjing and Xijing are only a hundred miles apart; a swift horse can make the round trip in less than a day. When I visit your home, you had better treat me well."

Jiang Sanlang’s eyes turned red. "Once I leave, I don't know when I will be able to serve Your Highness again."

Shen Jifeng turned to the bookshelf, took down a scroll of maps, and handed it to him. "Who says you can't? This is the hydrological map of Tianmeng Mountain. Once you are in the Ministry of Works, you can study the hydrology of this region in a legitimate capacity. You know the Ministry has always opposed my mining; now, if the mine ever needs support from the imperial court in the future, with you there, I will have someone to speak for me."

Jiang Sanlang was stunned, then realized her intent. He solemnly took the map. "I understand, Your Highness."