Yancheng.
County Magistrate's Office.
As soon as Li Rui returned, the officials of Beijun swarmed toward him with anxious expressions etched across their faces.
One of them stepped forward, asking with concern, "Sir Li, did the prince mention what his next course of action would be?"
The recent arrival of the King of the North had stirred unease among the officials. They were all heavily invested in how his presence might disrupt the power dynamics and potentially threaten their authority and interests.
Li Rui offered a slight smile, his hand rising to stroke his beard in a composed gesture. "The prince told me not to bother him unless it's something truly urgent," he said with calm assurance. "Everything in Beijun will proceed as usual."
The moment these words left his mouth, the gathered officials visibly relaxed. Relief bloomed across their features like spring thawing a bitter winter.
If nothing was changing, then neither their authority nor their vested interests would be threatened.
Though none of them dared to say it aloud, the thought rang loud and clear in their hearts: It's fortunate that the court sent a useless prince to Beijun.
But before their smug thoughts could settle, a soldier from the magistrate's office dashed in, breathless and visibly rattled. He leaned in close to Li Rui and whispered something urgent.
Li Rui's face stiffened. His previously relaxed expression darkened into a deep frown.
Noticing this, another official stepped forward. "Sir, has something happened?"
Before Li Rui could respond, Li Feng strode into the courtyard with measured steps.
Spotting the gathering of officials, he offered a subtle smile. "Lord Li, your residence is quite lively today."
Li Rui quickly composed himself and stepped forward. "General Li, to what do we owe the pleasure? I wonder if you've come bearing a message from His Highness?"
Li Feng didn't waste words. Reaching into his robe, he retrieved the token of the Northern King and held it aloft.
"The prince has issued an order: from today onward, all military affairs of Beijun will be under my command."
The courtyard descended into stunned silence.
Panic surged among the officials.
Their greatest confidence had stemmed from the fact that the Beijun army was firmly in the hands of the prefect. As long as the military remained under their control, the prince was powerless to challenge them.
But now, with military power shifting hands the moment the prince arrived—what did it mean?
Control of the army was no trivial matter. If the Northern King gained command, he could act against them with ease.
Was the prince preparing to make a move?
Li Rui composed himself and responded carefully, "General Li, the prince has just arrived and is unfamiliar with Beijun. May I ask the reason for this sudden reassignment of military authority?"
He didn't believe the prince would act against them—at least not so soon. After all, he had just arrived and had yet to plant solid roots in the region. To govern Beijun effectively, the prince would still need the cooperation of the local officials and powerful families. Even if he were naive, he wouldn't risk uprooting his foundation so recklessly.
Li Feng, seeing the doubt and unease in their eyes, decided to speak plainly.
"Master Li," he said, "you've likely already heard of the assassination attempt against the prince by the Blood Moon Tower during his journey north, haven't you?"
Li Rui nodded. "Naturally. The entire region's been abuzz with the news."
Li Feng continued, "Then it should be clear why His Highness wants control of the army. After nearly losing his life, he can no longer risk placing his safety in the hands of strangers."
Understanding finally dawned on the faces around him.
Yes. The prince had just survived an assassination attempt. He was still young. He must be terrified.
It wasn't ambition or a purge that motivated him—it was fear. A natural instinct to protect himself.
Li Feng's expression sharpened. "Master Li, surely you're not refusing to hand over military power, are you?"
He let the question hang for a moment before adding, "His Highness has entrusted all civil governance of Beijun to you. But if you also retain control of the army, then tell me—who is the real ruler of Beijun? You, or the prince?"
Li Rui's face turned pale. Cold sweat slid down his back.
It was true. If he monopolized both civil and military authority, it was only a matter of time before the imperial court grew suspicious. Even if the prince tolerated him, the court wouldn't.
Better to retreat now than be accused of treason later.
Making his decision, Li Rui reached into his robes and retrieved the tiger tally—the token that symbolized command over Beijun's forces.
"General Li," he said solemnly, "this is the tiger tally. It grants command over all the troops in Beijun."
He turned to an armored officer beside him. "Captain Wang, escort General Li to the barracks."
"Yes, sir," the captain responded crisply.
Li Feng gave a satisfied nod and departed with the soldier toward the military encampments.
As soon as he left, the officials surged around Li Rui once more, their voices filled with urgency.
"Sir, why did you hand him the tiger tally?"
"Indeed! If the prince takes control of the army and makes a mess, what then?"
"What should we do now, sir?"
Li Rui raised a hand, silencing them.
"Calm yourselves. The army should have been under the prince's authority from the beginning. What we've done is nothing more than restoring what is rightfully his."
He looked around at their uneasy faces and continued, "Besides, you heard what General Li said. The prince has entrusted me with managing all civil affairs. If I were to hoard military power as well, even if the prince remains silent, the court would not."
His words struck a chord with several quick-witted officials. They understood the implication immediately.
In the history of the Great Xia Dynasty, there had been precedents—cases where palace ministers grew too powerful and even imprisoned their own vassal kings. The court wouldn't risk another such scandal.
Even so, unease still lingered.
Now that the prince wielded military power, he held the blade. If he ever turned it against them, they would be powerless to resist.
Li Rui looked at the troubled faces before him and said firmly, "Enough. Return to your duties. If the Northern King has any further orders, I'll notify you at once."
Left with no other choice, the officials quietly dispersed from the county magistrate's office.
***
A few days later.
Northern Palace.
Lu Chen stood in the courtyard, observing as the servants carefully followed the soap-making instructions he had provided. One of them handed him a fresh bar of soap, and he applied it to a piece of dirty fabric.
After a brief wash, the stains lifted, leaving the cloth clean and bright.
Gasps of astonishment echoed through the courtyard.
Chu Yuqin blinked in disbelief and asked curiously, "Chen'er, where did you learn to make something like this? It's incredibly effective."
Lu Chen chuckled softly as he rinsed his hands. "Aunt Chu, would you believe me if I said I thought of it myself?"
Chu Yuqin raised a delicate brow and responded with a trace of sarcasm, "Chen'er has certainly grown up. So many secrets now, keeping everything from your Auntie."
The air grew a little heavy. Sensing the shift, Mu Zixuan quickly stepped in with a smile, "Aunt Chu, it's true. The prince came up with the formula himself."
Truthfully, Chu Yuqin wasn't angry. Her tone had only carried a faint note of melancholy. She had no intention of prying into Lu Chen's secrets.
Still, a part of her felt sour. In the past, Lu Chen had told her everything. Now that they were married, he seemed to share less and less.
Before the atmosphere could sour further, Zhou Xiaoxiao chimed in, shifting the topic, "Your Highness, how do you plan to sell this soap?"
She remembered that before the soap-making began, Lu Chen had mentioned commercializing it. The soap's remarkable cleansing effect made her curious about its pricing.
Lu Chen thought for a moment before replying, "Let's price it between three to ten copper coins per bar."
Zhou Youyou, standing beside Zhou Xiaoxiao, was shocked. "That cheap?"
Lu Chen nodded. "Small profits, quick turnover. This is meant to replace bath beans, after all. If it's too expensive, common folks won't buy it."
With that, his gaze landed on Mu Zixuan.
"My dear," he said warmly, "I'm leaving the soap business in your hands."
Mu Zixuan's eyes lit up. "Rest assured, Your Highness. I'll manage it well and fill the palace treasury in no time."
But no sooner had she spoken than her expression shifted. She suddenly turned pale and began to retch.
Startled, Zhou Xiaoxiao and Zhou Youyou rushed to her side.
"Sister! What's wrong?"
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