Chapter 337: People Need Face, Trees Need Bark

"Inside the inn, everything went smoothly all the way, no mishaps occurred; the two counties affected by disaster had over a hundred thousand people, each household received grain and silver, and I also made arrangements for the low‑lying areas so they won't suffer disaster year after year and keep living there—this time I did it a bit more thoroughly."

"You did it well."

"As husband I'll also follow Tianshui Town's example, have people dig canals and a Pit, directing the water into the Pit."

"For places prone to floods, it's best to dig channels on both sides, connecting directly to the north‑south rivers. That solves it more thoroughly."

"Wife, if we get the chance, shall we take a boat to tour the north‑south rivers? I heard that in the past two years Beifang also hasn't lacked water, and many places have even started raising fish and shrimp."

"Hmm, maybe when the chance comes, but not now; when Dizi gets a wife and Nü'er gets married, then we can talk about it."

The two were talking, and from behind came the voice of Miss Sun.

"Prince, what a coincidence!"

The couple exchanged a glance, both showing helpless expressions; they didn't even turn around, just kept walking.

Miss Sun, with two Wang Jiaru's Servant Girls, panting, ran forward and blocked them.

"Control your daughter; if her entanglement makes my husband angry, don't blame me for being impolite."

With a wave of the hand, a large bathtub appeared on the ground, filled with clear water that seemed to emit some kind of vapor.

"Hmm, your subordinates have worked hard following you; you can also give them enough food to fill their bellies."

"If you entangle me again, don't blame me for being impolite."

The next day, when Yuan Jiaqi opened his eyes, he saw on the table opposite the bed his favorite breakfast.

"Prince, how could you say such heartless words?"

"No need to light the candle; that light is weak, use this instead."

Even though he was used to such sudden scenes, Yuan Jiaqi was still startled.

Now that the fly in front is finally gone, he feels work is much easier.

"There are some."

Qiao Mai looked at the room's facilities, "This house is really damp, the bed is so small, how can one sleep?"

After washing up and sitting at the table, the couple ate breakfast; Yuan Jiaqi looked at a basket of meat‑filled baked pancakes.

It's simple, tasty, and convenient.

"Consider it a discount for you; after you're full, work hard."

The couple passed Miss Sun and walked straight ahead; Miss Sun let out a wailing cry, for she had never suffered such grievance here.

"No need, Xianggong and I haven't seen each other for a long time and want to walk alone; Miss Sun, please don't disturb us."

"Xianggong, you've worked hard, shall we take a bath?"

The room was already quite dry; she took a sheet from the space and placed it on his abdomen.

The County Magistrate's face turned pale, frightened, he quickly bowed to apologize, "Yes, yes, I will certainly discipline her."

After the bow, Qiao Mai looked at her.

"Thank you, Wife!"

That was too blunt; it choked Miss Sun again.

Yuan Jiaqi's face flushed; normally he attended to his Wife's bath, but now it's his turn, making him a bit embarrassed.

Back at the inn, in the guest room where Yuan Jiaqi stayed, he was about to light a candle when Qiao Mai waved her hand, and two items appeared on the table.

"It's not small; Wife is used to the big kang, this is the Upper Room, enough space for the two of us to sleep comfortably."

"Princess's cooking is truly excellent; the meat‑filled baked pancakes are so fragrant, you can't find such in Nanfang."

"I sent you lunch at noon; shall we also dine together at the restaurant tonight?"

"Yeah."

Regardless of whether she was sad, Yuan Jiaqi took his men to the County Magistrate's Office; upon seeing County Magistrate Sun, he immediately scolded her.

She instantly placed a Barrier in the room, stuck a dampness‑removing talisman at the doorway, arranged some fruit on the table, and looked at his drenched appearance.

"Wife, did you also add medicine inside?"

She found two spots, hung the two items high, then pressed a button, almost blinding Yuan Jiaqi's eyes.

"Wife, did you also prepare breakfast?"

"You're not worthy to compare with my Wife; you can't even fetch her shoes."

A set of clean clothes lay by the bedside; Yuan Jiaqi stretched comfortably.

Without saying a word for a while, the man fell asleep in the bathtub; Qiao Mai dried him off, placed him on the bed, then tidied the room and lay beside him.

Qiao Mai handed him a banana and peeled one for herself.

"Prince, I'll escort you to the County Magistrate's Office."

"Prince just glanced at me; why didn't he show the infatuated look that other men do?"

Hearing that, Yuan Jiaqi became annoyed, and he calmly looked at the blushing Miss Sun.

"Hmph, what's so good about her? She looks ordinary, like a village woman; I just don't understand why such a fine Prince would especially like her."

Yuan Jiaqi covered the cloth over the basket, lifted it and left; Qiao Mai shut the door, sat cross‑legged on the kang, and followed him with her spiritual power.

"What is this?"

Even so, she remains unrelenting, her cheek as thick as a city wall.

"It absorbs sunlight's energy?"

"Wife, tomorrow go with me to the County Magistrate's Office?"

"People need face, trees need bark; I, the Prince, dislike you and hope you won't appear before me again."

"You're from Beifang; you surely can't get used to Nanfang's breakfast. I borrowed someone's kitchen to make it; hurry up and eat."

"Wife, what are you doing?"

"Miss, please don't cry; your aunt has married into Jingcheng, so we can use the pretext of visiting her to go to Jingcheng."

"Prince, Princess!"

Each of them held a baked pancake in their hand, devouring it greedily.

"Thank you, Prince!"

"Prince!"

Looking at her husband's sleeping face, she was not there; surely he could not even get a peaceful sleep. Only when she is by his side, or when he is at home, can he relax his mind and sleep.

"Hehe, it's so nice to have my wife here."

A few subordinates wanted to laugh; they watched the County Magistrate's daughter cling to the Prince every day, yet the Prince never gave her a proper glance.

"Prince, Prince, this must be from the Princess, right?"

Qiao Mai withdrew her spiritual energy, a smile tugging at her lips, and thought about what Meal to prepare for her husband and his subordinates at noon.

"Take a good soak inside; tomorrow morning, you'll surely be refreshed and vigorous."

"Awake yet?"

"What does she have that's better than me?"

Qiao Mai loosened his clothing, letting him sit in the bathtub, and Yuan Jiaqi hummed contentedly.

"The room is so bright; everything looks crystal clear."

"Your Excellency Princess, this is your first time coming to us; my father said I should extend our hospitality on his behalf!"

"A young lady, staying out after dark without returning home, still wandering outside?"

"Even food can't shut your mouths."

"No wonder, you're all so comfortable."

"Miss, the Prince is in Jingcheng; he must have seen many young ladies, right?"

"This is a solar lantern stick; it's covered with a shield outside, otherwise it would be too dazzling."

"I don't believe Jingcheng has that many beauties; I want to go to Jingcheng, I want to follow the Prince to Jingcheng."

When Miss Sun chased to the County Magistrate's Office, before she could speak, the bailiffs blocked her mouth and snatched her away.

Hearing that, a certain woman was heartbroken; in front of so many people, he gave her no face at all.

"Let me tell you again, I, the Prince, have a wife; I will not take a concubine. Whether you truly love me or seek a higher position, I have no intention toward you. Please, miss, stay at home and do what you ought to do."

A few subordinates waited outside the inn; as soon as they saw him lift a basket, they swarmed up.

"Is this for them?"

At this time, Jingcheng was as bustling as during the New Year; a neighboring country had presented a diplomatic letter to the Ming Dynasty's emperor, sending envoys hoping for a marriage alliance to promote friendship between the nations.

During the days Qiao Mai was away, the envoys arrived in Jingcheng one after another.

Now the streets were filled with many foreign envoys in bizarre attire, and the townsfolk looked at them with resentful eyes.

Shameless, having just finished a battle, a group of defeated subordinates actually had the nerve to propose a marriage alliance. Who gave them that courage? Come on, fight another battle!

(End of Chapter)