Chapter 198: Undercurrents Beneath the Warmth

【Respected Mr. Kelin,

Thank you for your consideration; the relic left by my father has returned to my side again. I slept exceptionally sweetly last night, more peacefully than any night since I came to Lei Ming City.

I promise you, I will never lose it again, no matter for what reason. After all, it is not just a gift left by my father now, but also the heart you gave me; I will cherish it well and always carry it by my side.

Besides, this morning, when I just opened my eyes from a dream, I happened to see a bird with purple feathers landing on the windowsill.

It reminded me of your eyes; I don't know if you sent it to greet me. If so, I would like to send a letter to send my greetings, hoping I didn't presumptuously disturb you.

Wish you a pleasant day.

——Ailin Campbell

】

"Will it be too strange to write like this? How can there be birds in winter... but I really saw it, really."

In the study of the manor, Ailin, who wrote the whole letter by hand, held the letter in her hand and read it again and again, but the more she read, the more shy she became.

This morning, a bird did land on the windowsill of her bedroom. She was surprised at the time.

However, she had just woken up at that time, her eyes were not fully open, so she didn't see clearly what color the bird's feathers were.

Does this count as lying?

It shouldn't count...

Looking at Ailin, who was repeatedly struggling, Theresa showed a helpless smile on her face and persuaded gently.

"How can it be strange? Noble Princess, sharing details in life is something friends... uh, friends will do; I think Mr. Kelin will definitely be able to perceive your heart; if I were him, I would definitely have fallen."

"That's good... but I didn't think about letting him fall or anything, just maintaining friendly interaction is also beneficial to the Campbell family, isn't it? My brother also said, let me make more friends, don't always hold that sword."

"Yes." Theresa lowered her head.

She was afraid that if she said one more word, the Princess, who had finally convinced herself, would fall into the next cycle of self-persuasion.

Actually, no need to explain.

This is not a shameful thing.

Instead, the more she explained, the more... she didn't know how to describe it.

Ailin breathed a sigh of relief, read the letter one last time, handed it to Theresa, straightened her appearance again, and said solemnly.

"Theresa, please be sure to deliver it to Mr. Kelin."

Theresa took the letter respectfully.

"Do you need me to urge him to finish reading it in front of me?"

Ailin coughed lightly.

"That's not necessary... just deliver it."

Morning Embrace Hotel.

Theresa handed the letter to Luo Yan, nodded slightly, and then left the hotel under Sarah's gaze.

Luo Yan took the letter and opened it to take a look, and a strange expression appeared on his face.

Why is the sense of déjà vu so strong?

Before he could complain, Hearing You You's voice had already drifted to his ear.

"Eh? Such a familiar letter, have I seen it somewhere."

"No, you remembered wrong; the previous ones were beetles and caterpillars."

Politely reading to the end, Luo Yan folded the letter in his hand and collected it, and replied casually.

"At least there are no specimens in the letter."

Maintaining correspondence with Princess Ailin might have unexpected gains; after all, she is not only a member of the Campbell family but also a quasi-hero.

Not to mention anything else, at least when she decides to take people into the labyrinth on a whim, he can receive the news in advance.

As for the reply, it won't take much time.

Moreover, the letter he wants to reply to is not bad either.

Just at the same time Luo Yan's voice fell, a slender feather pen floated out of the desk drawer, gently placing a piece of letter paper on the table.

Under the traction of spiritual power, the pen moved as if held by an invisible hand, and soon completed an article with neat handwriting.

After an hour, he would let the hotel staff send it to the Princess, which he thought would bring her a good mood for the whole day.

Just at the same time Luo Yan transferred the letter to the hotel staff, the refugees outside Lei Ming City finally waited for the warmth sent by Lei Ming City.

Last night, Ailin raised a huge sum of nearly 650,000 gold coins.

This money, let alone saving the tens of thousands of refugees outside the city, was more than enough to train them into a fully armed army.

Under her personal supervision, the Governor of Lei Ming City quickly organized manpower, on one hand purchasing grain stored at the bottom of the warehouse from surrounding nobles, and on the other hand sending people to the Creek Valley Plain in the East—the granary of the Campbell Principality—to buy more grain.

To ensure that this fund would not be misappropriated or embezzled, Ailin even personally took the guard team to the granary of Lei Ming City, checking every bag of grain purchased and put into storage, ensuring that the money and goods could match.

At first, some people did have ideas about this money, such as mixing soil and sand into the wheat sacks, or falsely reporting the quantity of grain delivered, or even selling the same batch of goods repeatedly... after all, they hadn't done this less before.

However, when they saw the guard team standing at the granary door personally holding a grain inspection fork to check every sack, almost everyone with ulterior motives changed their faces, hurriedly changing the inferior goods into real ones.

Obviously, they still underestimated Ailin Campbell's determination, thinking that it was just a little girl doing a good deed, and by the way, showing off her influence at the banquet, but they didn't expect that she was for real, and really intended to help those poor people who also believed in Saint Xisi.

As for those covered wagons that turned back temporarily upon reaching the entrance of the granary, Ailin did not pursue their little tricks to the end, as long as she ensured that the grain finally put into storage was not adulterated.

It was unlikely that the nobles of the Campbell Principality would offend the Campbell family for this little money from selling grain; it was mostly the servants' own ideas to embezzle this little money.

These nobles might not know the servants' behavior, but they had formed a tacit understanding of turning a blind eye for a long time.

After all, they were willing to be servants of nobles, obviously not for any glory, but because there was profit to be made. And the nobles who kept them also knew clearly that if they wanted to make the dog wag its tail, they had to feed the dog meat; if they didn't yield some benefits to the servants, the servants would definitely use methods outside the tacit understanding to take more from them, or wag their tails at outsiders.

They could certainly catch them on the spot when they deceived them, and even send them to the gallows without anyone speaking for them.

But if they went one step further and judged their morality before they deceived them, even the master of the principality would have to bear the cost of breaking the existing order.

Although Ailin didn't say it, she was as clear as a mirror in her heart, including her capable general Theresa.

All they wanted to do was help the poor people outside the city and let them become citizens of the Campbell Principality, not change Lei Ming City.

It has to be said that official-level assistance and spontaneous civilian behavior are indeed different.

Relying only on the porridge distributed by the "believers of the Flame King" to warm people's hearts is enough, but warming their stomachs is still a bit lacking.

But now all problems have been perfectly solved, and in a way that makes everyone happy.

Facing the officials of the Governor's Mansion, Father Matt and the members of the Brotherhood who did good deeds gladly handed over the porridge shops to the Governor's Mansion.

Their purpose had been achieved, and they had achieved excess returns with limited budget; it was best to let the official of Lei Ming City take over at this time.

Withdrawing at this time, the local refugees would not complain that they didn't continue to do good, but would thank them for generously giving up this "glory."

And if the official of Lei Ming City didn't do better, those refugees would instead miss them... anyway, it's not a loss for the Demon King.

And with the takeover of the Lei Ming City Governor's Mansion, the changes in the refugee camp outside Lei Ming City could simply be described by the word visible to the naked eye.

In the biting cold wind, a group of young and strong guys were led by employees of the Governor's Mansion to repair the camp that was crumbling under the wind and snow.

In addition to providing meals, they could also receive an extra salary of 10 copper coins every day. Although this money was not much, not even enough for the afternoon tea of the porters in the port area, it was enough to arouse their enthusiasm and attract small merchants from surrounding towns to their surroundings.

As time passed, this place would develop into a new satellite city and completely become a part of Lei Ming City.

Only in this way could the plight faced by these refugees be truly solved.

The respected Princess Ailin Campbell had also considered the long-term future for them.

The busy construction site was in full swing, and the enthusiasm and hope for tomorrow rekindled by the people made the howling wind and snow shrink back.

Frozen hearts began to beat again, as if the entire harsh winter was not so harsh anymore...

In the evening, bonfires were set up in the center of the camp, and large iron pots were set up on the bonfires.

That orange-yellow warm light reflected on faces that had weathered the wind and frost; although that light was not as bright as the street lamps in the rich area, the number of people illuminated by it was more than the latter could imagine.

A young mother received a bowl of hot wheat porridge with trembling hands; she first carefully blew on it, fed it to the child in her arms, coaxed the child who was too weak to cry to sleep, and then tasted a mouthful herself, hot tears rolling out of her eye sockets.

Looking at the flag of the Campbell family not far away, she muttered to herself, sending out heartfelt gratitude and praise.

"Praise the Princess, she is truly a kind and benevolent lady; if it weren't for this bowl of hot porridge, I really don't know how I would have survived this winter..."

There were not a few people like her.

Not far from her, an old man leaning on a cane drew a cross on his chest, his trembling voice full of piety.

"Praise the great Saint Xisi... thank you for sending this kind messenger to our side, saving your people from the cold wind and ice and snow."

The identity of the Campbell family's god-chosen is a well-known legend in the Lei En Kingdom; Twilight Saint Saint Xingsheng is not Campbell's territory, but it is not too far from the Campbell Principality.

At the same time, at the city gate not far away.

Looking at the people who were cheering the name of the Campbell family and thanking her from the bottom of their hearts, Ailin felt as warm as spring in her heart.

Looking at the Princess standing in the wind and snow, an official wearing a fur coat walked over through the snow, bowed respectfully, and said in a resonant and exaggerated voice.

"Noble Princess, regarding the task you gave to this humble person, this humble person has not disgraced the mission! Every refugee at the North Gate, whether old or young, has received sufficient nutrition under this humble person's careful care. This humble person can guarantee with his life that from today on, cold and hunger will become history, and there will never be another person who dies of hunger and cold."

This person is the servant of Governor Wilson and also an administrative officer of the Governor's Mansion.

Although he took all the credit to himself, Ailin didn't argue with him, just nodded slightly and said in a gentle and measured voice.

"I have seen your efforts; it is indeed not easy to arrange the life and production of tens of thousands of people in an orderly manner; I will mention your name to Governor Wilson, and he will be proud of you."

Looking at the official whose smile became more and more brilliant, she cast her gaze toward the servants who were also standing in the wind and snow, and continued in a clear and majestic voice. "And you, the same, those who stood fast at their posts in the cold wind, and those who gritted their teeth and persisted in adversity... if this is Saint Xisi's test for us, your noble souls must have left a deep impression on Him. Without your efforts, there would not be the miracle we all witness together today."

This glory should not be enjoyed by one person alone.

Whether it is her or the bureaucrats of the Governor's Mansion.

Looking around at those faces filled with emotion and pride, Ailin walked to an iron pot not far away and looked at the cook responsible for distributing porridge.

"Please give me a bowl too."

Not expecting the Princess to talk to a servant like him, the cook was stunned and looked at the official beside him at a loss.

The administrative officer of the Governor's Mansion was also stunned and said hurriedly.

"Princess, how can you eat this kind of food..."

Not only the administrative officer tried to persuade, but Theresa, who was standing behind Ailin, also couldn't help but step forward and say.

"Princess, we can feel your heart; you don't need to do this step."

Looking at the wheat porridge cooked into paste, Theresa couldn't help but swallow a mouthful of saliva, simply not daring to imagine how bad the taste of this thing was.

【Missing text】

Her horse eats better than this thing!

However, facing the persuasion of the two, Ailin remained unmoved, looked at her calmly, and said.

"Theresa, I once said that I hope one day to let them eat cake; although I know this is just an unrealistic wish or a direction of effort, if we don't even know what they usually eat, how can we really make their lives better?"

"Princess..." Looking at those emerald eyes full of determination, Theresa's eyes flickered slightly, and finally remained silent and no longer blocked.

Stared straight by the official of the Governor's Mansion, the cook didn't dare to move at all, sweating on his forehead with anxiety.

Seeing his embarrassment, Ailin gave Theresa a look.

The latter understood, stepped forward to take the wooden spoon from the cook's hand, and after hesitating for a moment, scooped a small half bowl from the remaining pot.

Looking at the hot porridge handed over from Theresa, Ailin blew on it lightly, and then tasted a mouthful under the nervous gaze of everyone.

That taste was hard to describe.

Although it was not to the point of being unable to swallow, it was indeed not very good.

However, what comforted her was that at least there was no sand mixed in it, nor was there anything else that would make people's stomachs sick.

This was not in vain for her efforts.

Looking at the sweating official of the Governor's Mansion, Ailin smiled, returned the bowl to Theresa, and then nodded to everyone to indicate.

"Thank you for your hard work."

The bowl of wheat porridge at the city gate was even more filling than imagined; back at the manor, Ailin didn't feel hungry at all.

However, based on the idea of not wasting food, she still ate a little symbolically, and the remaining untouched dinner was given to the servants in the manor.

Coincidentally, she met the South Creek Valley Earl Wenkdun Danchi family who stayed in the annex last night, so she greeted them.

The Creek Valley Plain, divided into north and south by the Creek River, is the most fertile land on the northeast coast of the Vortex Sea, and it is also the granary of the Campbell Principality.

And this Earl Danchi is the ruler of the southern part of this plain.

The reason why the grain merchants of the Lei En Kingdom returned empty-handed in Lei Ming City this time and didn't wait for the expected famine, the Creek Valley Plain contributed at least half.

The other half came from the sea.

At the same time, the grain used by the Lei Ming City Governor's Mansion to help the refugees was also bought from the South Creek Valley Earl's territory.

Moreover, it was interesting that the covered wagons transporting grain arrived at Lei Ming City almost at the same time as the carriage of Count Danqi, who had come to attend the banquet.

He seemed to have calculated that he would definitely be able to raise this money, so he simply did this favor of pushing the boat along the current.

Honestly, before the banquet started, Ailin herself was apprehensive, until Mr. Kelin bid ten thousand gold coins for her pocket watch.

"Mr. Danchi, thank you for your helping hand."

"You're welcome, noble Princess."

Earl Danchi nodded slightly, and continued with a respectful yet humorous tone.

"It is my honor to serve you, and besides, this is a profitable deal for us, isn't it?"

Ailin smiled slightly, and continued politely.

"But if a famine occurred, it would be more profitable for the South Creek Valley Earl's territory, right? So I am still very grateful to you for helping in time."

Danchi looked at this Princess in surprise, a trace of faint appreciation flowing in his eyes.

The reason he appreciated it was not because she saw through this obvious thing, but because she frankly admitted his favor.

As expected of the daughter loved by the old Grand Duke, he could see a bit of the old Grand Duke's shadow on her, even if it was still very abstract.

He didn't actually dislike merchants, nor did he exclude cooperating with those guys, and he even kept quite a few himself. What he really disliked was lifting those guys who had neither glory nor motherland in their hearts to positions that didn't belong to them.

At least he disdained to use famine to make a fortune.

And those guys only worshiped gold coins; he had no doubt that they could sell their souls to the devil for gold coins, and not hesitate for a second.

In this point, Ailin actually did better than Edward; at least she could take into account the glory of the nobles while utilizing those merchants, and could feed the dog without letting the dog sit at the table to eat.

As for her second brother, Prince Jerok, he valued the glory of the nobles and the tradition of martial arts too much, which was also not a good thing.

Perhaps it was because of this that the late old Grand Duke handed the "Light of Transmission" to her.

Unfortunately, the deceased person will not speak, and no one knows what Grand Duke Aaron Campbell thought, so they can only let future generations guess.

Sending away his family, Earl Danchi led the Princess to the side and continued in a very low voice.

"I have a presumptuous question, I don't know if it is convenient for the Princess to answer."

"For the sake of you helping me so much, please ask." Ailin nodded with a smile and said calmly, "However, I must declare first, if it is about my two brothers, please let me express my refusal."

Earl Danchi said with a smile.

"How could I ask such an unstylish question? Please rest assured, our conversation today has nothing to do with your two brothers, mainly about Mr. Kelin."

"Mr. Kelin?" Ailin was slightly stunned, seemingly not expecting him to mention this name, to the point that her originally calm expression showed a trace of loosening.

"Exactly," Earl Danchi nodded slightly and continued, "Mr. Kelin talked happily with you last night, and I am very curious about your evaluation of that gentleman."

Ailin coughed lightly, quickly restored her usual appearance, and said elegantly and appropriately.

"Which aspect do you want to know about?"

Earl Danchi smiled and said.

"Any aspect is fine, for example, what kind of person he is; after all, I am also curious about that mysterious and powerful Kelin family."

Ailin pondered for a moment and said truthfully.

"I don't know much about the Kelin family; I only heard that they opened up a new colony in the west of the New Continent, and the Emperor granted them the authority to open up territory on that land. However, to be honest, I have a good impression of him personally; his conversation and etiquette are indeed worthy of his status; in short... he is a gentle and polite gentleman, and the time spent with him was short but very pleasant."

After hearing these words, a gratified smile appeared on Danchi's face, and he nodded slightly.

"It seems you have a high evaluation of him; at this time node of wind and rain, it is the honor of my subjects to have such an ally."

This sentence sounds like a double entendre.

Ailin's smile remained unchanged, and she said gently.

"Wind and rain? May I ask what Mr. Danchi is referring to?"

"What I am referring to is of course the threat of chaos outside the Brass Pass; after all, our relationship with Twilight Saint Saint Xingsheng is like lips and teeth, and it is hard for me to see that as a distant threat."

Earl Danchi's smile remained unchanged, and he continued to probe calmly.

"Please don't misunderstand, Princess, I have no other meaning, just that my little daughter has reached the age of marriage. Since the Princess recognizes Mr. Kelin's character, he must be a good person; could you please introduce him to her?"

The moment she heard this sentence, Ailin's brow twitched subconsciously, and the elegant smile on her face gradually stiffened.

"Mr. Danchi, I think you should ask your daughter's own opinion, instead of making decisions for her; my evaluation cannot represent her evaluation."

Earl Danchi smiled and said.

"This is exactly her opinion; at last night's banquet, she fell in love with that gentleman at first sight, and as a father, I naturally have to consider her happiness."

"Mr. Wenkdun Danchi," Theresa, who had been silent, coughed lightly and interrupted his words, "The Princess is very busy and has no time to worry about this kind of thing."

"It was my presumption; please pretend I didn't say it." Danchi made an enlightened expression, then nodded slightly to express his apology, "Wheat ripened by magic cannot bear ears of wheat; since Mr. Kelin already has someone in his heart, I will persuade my daughter to give up."

Princess Ailin didn't speak.

Whether it was the jealousy or the default of that "someone in his heart," her selfishness finally allowed herself to take back the sentence "making decisions for your daughter without authorization."

Presumably Mr. Kelin wouldn't want to suffer unnecessary trouble; having her as the one writing to him is enough.

At this moment, Ailin didn't fully realize that those words were just Earl Danchi's probing.

And her reaction also confirmed the guess in the other party's heart; something indeed happened between the Princess and Mr. Kelin last night.

After all, throughout the entire banquet, that gentleman stayed in her room, to the point that even he couldn't find a chance to talk to him.

Actually, he didn't care about his daughter's happiness; his real purpose was just to figure out this one thing, and now his purpose had been achieved.

Holding the Light of Transmission symbolizing orthodoxy, backed by a mysterious family from the Empire...

Regardless of whether the Princess had the intention to fight for the principality, she had in fact become a political force that could not be ignored.

His family is not a follower like Theresa Peg and her father, who only need to know how to wag their tails and bite people.

For the prosperity of the South Creek Valley Earl's territory and the Danchi family, he needs to bet cautiously.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 199 =====