Chapter 56: The Newly Discovered Mine

“Don’t bother.” Zhao Pu looked up at Wei Xiao approaching and noticed he was half a head taller. Instinctively, he straightened his chest. “My sister prefers scholars.”

The implication was clear: she had no interest in warriors.

“Seems the young prince has already decided on the future commander of the county’s cavalry?”

“Of course, my sister’s commander must be someone she likes.” Zhao Pu didn’t care for Wei Xiao, but he spoke honestly.

Zhao Jian reached toward the Qi Prince’s mansion. Having not yet made a decisive counterattack, the two were bound to clash eventually. The path to supreme power was one Zhao Jian had never considered before, but now he had to. It was a road paved with blood and schemes. He could count himself as a pawn in the game, but Shen Jifeng was not part of it.

His sister was worthy of the very best men in the world.

His sister deserved to live happily, doing what she loved.

“This county prince means well. General Wei is busy with military affairs and should not waste time on fruitless matters.”

“You misunderstand, young prince,” Wei Xiao replied sincerely. “I have only respect for the county princess, nothing more.”

At those words, Zhao Pu felt a flicker of dissatisfaction rise within him. Only I know my sister does not like you, and yet you claim no interest in her? Truly a mere warrior, utterly lacking discernment.

“If that’s the case, then all the better.” Zhao Pu gave a slight, perfunctory bow and turned to leave.

Wei Xiao scratched his head, feeling oddly more displeased. The young prince’s temper was far worse than the princess’s.

At court, no one denied the county princess was arrogant and headstrong—a real handful—while the young Qi prince was humble and kind-hearted. The rumors were plainly unreliable.

That evening, Shen Jifeng and Zhao Pu returned to the estate for dinner.

Zhao Pu took the chance to whisper in Shen Jifeng’s ear, “What do you think of General Wei?”

“He saved your life; you should be polite to him from now on.”

“Oh.” Zhao Pu pushed a peeled shrimp toward Shen Jifeng. “General Wei’s reputation isn’t great. I worry he might have other intentions toward you.”

Dipping the shrimp in ginger vinegar and biting into its tender sweetness, Shen Jifeng smiled with pleasure. “Isn’t he supposed to be a good husband? I’m not married to him, so why worry?”

Zhao Pu was surprised. “Sister, you know?”

“It’s hardly a secret, though such rumors are unreliable. I think General Wei is quite upright.”

Zhao Pu laughed silently to himself. General Wei, it’s not like I made up your reputation—you only have yourself to blame!

Wei Xiao spent three days drilling troops at the mine, and Zhao Pu stayed there all three days as well, ostensibly to learn military strategy from the top general of Daning, but in reality, he never left Wei Xiao’s side.

Wei Xiao noticed Zhao Pu’s vigilance but was unbothered, occasionally engaging him in conversation.

Zhao Pu wanted to stay longer, but then a message arrived from Zhao Town in the capital, demanding his swift return.

Reluctantly, Zhao Pu said goodbye to Shen Jifeng and left the mine.

After he left, Wei Xiao ended the drills, tidied up, and returned to the Western Capital camp.

Less than an hour passed.

Shen Jifeng smiled wryly; it was as if the two had conspired together.

In the afternoon, the skinny miner, covered in dust, climbed up from the shaft and hurried to Shen Jifeng’s office. When granted permission, he dashed inside.

“Your Highness!” He panted, lowering his voice despite his excitement. “I discovered a new mine shaft not far from Shaft Six.”

Shen Jifeng was reviewing accounts and paused, looking up at him. “A new mine?”

“Yes!” The miner rubbed his hands together, eyes gleaming. “It’s deeper than the main vein we’re currently mining, with a different tunnel direction. It looks like an old, abandoned shaft from years ago.”

Shen Jifeng put down her pen. Since Old Zhang arrived at the mine, he and the miner had inspected every tunnel, believing they had covered them all. Yet, this was a missed spot.

“Where exactly?” Shen Jifeng asked, having the miner mark it on the map.

He took a charcoal pencil and circled a spot lower down near Shaft Six.

This area lay between the drainage tunnel and Shaft Six. Shen Jifeng pondered for a moment, then grabbed the mining lamp hanging on the wall.

“Take me there.”

The miner hesitated. “Your Highness, underground isn’t like above ground. I’m sure the location I marked is accurate. You shouldn’t go down.”

Shen Jifeng smiled gently. The last accident had frightened the boy.

“Don’t worry, it won’t rain today.”

Seeing she was resolute, the miner scratched his head. “Then follow me closely; there are many forks underground.”

They descended along the main tunnel. The deeper they went, the damper and colder the air became. Shen Jifeng carried the lamp, its flickering light casting shadows on the rocky walls. Passing Shaft Four, several miners were digging and stopped work in surprise at the princess’s presence.

“Keep working,” the miner waved them on. “The princess is just here for a routine inspection.”

After turning several forks, the tunnel narrowed until only a gap remained, wide enough for one person to squeeze through sideways. The miner slipped in with ease, and Shen Jifeng followed closely. Water droplets fell from the walls, chilling her neck.

She clearly remembered that on her last visit, she had never been this far.

“This is it.” The miner stopped and pointed to an opening half-covered by rubble.

Shen Jifeng examined it closely. The rocks around the entrance bore clear marks of artificial excavation. She brushed away some stones, and as the lamp light spilled inside, a deep tunnel stretched before her.

“This...” Shen Jifeng gasped. “This is definitely not naturally formed.”

The tunnel walls were smooth, and large wooden beams supported the ceiling. Though aged and neglected, the craftsmanship of its original construction was evident. Strangely, several rusty mining tools lay scattered on the floor, as if hastily abandoned.

The miner bent down and picked up a corroded pickaxe. “Judging by the wear, it’s at least thirty or forty years old.”

Shen Jifeng took the pickaxe and examined it carefully. She felt some uneven engravings on the handle. Holding the lamp closer, she saw a faint stamp: “Western Capital Mine Supervision.”

“This is...” Her heart skipped a beat. The tools were relics from the previous dynasty’s mining operations. According to records, the old regime had mined silver for five years but never struck valuable ore. Then, amid factions vying for power and ongoing wars, the silver mine was gradually abandoned.

Later, an earthquake collapsed the mine entrance, and the Western Capital silver mine was lost to history.

After Emperor Yuanchang ascended the throne, he ordered the Ministry of Works to search Daning for mineral veins, but the Western Capital silver mine remained hidden. It wasn’t until last year, when the Imperial Noble Consort was cataloging relics from the previous dynasty, that clues about the Western Capital silver mine resurfaced.

The silver mine beneath their feet had endured two dynasties. So far, the most valuable find might be the stone Old Zhang had brought out.

Shen Jifeng couldn’t help but wonder if the legendary dragon-ridge-shaped vein, where gold and silver coexisted, was just a myth.

“Your Highness?” The miner saw her lost in thought and whispered, “Shall we go further?”

Shen Jifeng snapped back to reality and gently set the pickaxe down.

“Wait a moment. Go fetch Old Zhang, but be sure not to alarm anyone else.”