Chapter 444: Comparing power and influence?

Pei Shangling turned to look at Pei Shangjue and said, "Good, you care—then tell me how you care? Any ideas?"

"None." Pei Shangjue shook his head.

Pei Shangling was exasperated—she shouldn't have hoped for anything from Pei Shangjue, who couldn't even fart with a stick!

Besides, if she didn't go to Pei Shangjue, she wouldn't know who else to turn to—Pei Shangyan had already left, the third and fifth brothers aren't people to discuss matters with, and aside from here she really couldn't find anyone else to consult about this.

Forget it!

In the end, she still had to rely on herself!

"Just sit here and stew by yourself—I'm leaving!"

Pei Shangling said that and walked off without waiting for Pei Shangjue's reply, not looking back, since she was sure he wouldn't say anything useful.

That day, Mu Yuanzhi returned from the Ministry of Works, walked home on foot to clear her mind, and was wondering whether to go look for the Grand Princess of Splendid Severe State when she saw that Grand Princess arguing with someone.

What's going on?

She stepped closer to look, and the other person arguing with Yelu Kebao Ge seemed familiar; after a moment she realized it was the daughter of the newly appointed Prefect of Jingzhao.

"What was her name again? It seems to be Zhang Qianqian?"

They seemed to be arguing over a bolt of cloth, neither yielding.

"How bold is the Prefect of Jingzhao's daughter, daring to contend with the Grand Princess of Splendid Severe State over something!"

"Let go! This bolt of cloth is what our household has set its sights on—what are you to dare snatch it from our young lady!" the maid beside Zhang Qianqian said haughtily.

Her voice was loud, obviously intended to draw more onlookers.

The surrounding crowd all pointed and gossiped—exactly what Zhang Qianqian wanted.

Upon hearing the maid's words, Mu Yuanzhi realized they didn't know the person they were arguing with was the Grand Princess of Splendid Severe State.

What would Yelu Kebao Ge do next? Mu Yuanzhi felt a bit curious.

The Grand Princess of Splendid Severe State was alone, without attendants, yet her bearing was in no way inferior; she lifted her chin and said, "Shouldn't we talk about who came first? This bolt is what I saw first—you butted in, clearly you're in the wrong."

"First come, first served? I had already reserved this, boss—tell me, am I right?" Zhang Qianqian snorted coldly, throwing the question to the nearby shopkeeper.

The shopkeeper bowed and scraped: "Yes, yes, yes, it's Miss Zhang who had reserved it beforehand."

"Boss, you weren't saying that just now—you clearly said this batch of cloth just arrived today." Yelu Kebao Ge exposed the shopkeeper.

The shopkeeper's expression was awkward; he really admired this young lady—why would she insist on snatching something from the Prefect of Jingzhao's daughter?!

Although the Prefect of Jingzhao isn't a hugely high-ranking official, he's still significant, and he directly oversees all affairs in the capital—he really doesn't dare to offend him!

"Your accent doesn't sound local—where are you from, a country bumpkin? Do you know who our young lady is? She's the daughter of Prefect of Jingzhao Zhang!" the maid, relying on her mistress's influence, lifted her chin and raised her voice.

"I've basically seen all the noble ladies in the capital—there's definitely no woman like her."

"Judging by her attire and accent, she's even less like a native of the capital."

"So now it's a contest of power and influence?" Yelu Kebao Ge chuckled.

"You just figured that out? How old are you? You don't understand human relations at all?" Zhang Qianqian looked down on Yelu Kebao Ge, whom her maid had labeled a country bumpkin.

"Miss, it's just a bolt of cloth—you really shouldn't offend the eldest daughter of the Zhang family!" the shopkeeper whispered in advice.

"Besides, if they keep arguing like this, I'm afraid I'll be dragged in and offend the Zhang family!"

"No way—I saw this bolt first and already paid for it." Yelu Kebao Ge had no intention of yielding.

"Oh miss, I'll refund your money in full—if you like another bolt, I can give you a discount." The shopkeeper was eager to make concessions.

"No, I just like this one!"

"What's all the shouting about? With so many people crowded around, I could barely get in." Mu Yuanzhi, who had been watching the spectacle, now stepped forward.

"It's the Guardian Princess!"

Someone in the crowd immediately recognized Mu Yuanzhi.

The shopkeeper had initially struggled to recognize her, but this time he knew right away and immediately bowed: "Greetings, Princess!"

He then added with an apologetic smile: "Please forgive us, Princess—it's just a small matter, it'll be settled right away!"

Then the shopkeeper began to dislike Yelu Kebao Ge for being clueless, hastily waving his hand impatiently, hoping she would understand to retreat quickly and not disturb the Princess's mood.

Zhang Qianqian naturally also recognized Mu Yuanzhi, having seen her a few times from afar.

Thus she immediately switched from her earlier haughty attitude to polite respect: "Greetings, Princess!"

"This must be Miss Zhang, then?"

"Exactly, Your Highness—do you know me?" Zhang Qianqian's happiness lasted less than an instant before Mu Yuanzhi continued, asking, "How come you're arguing with the Grand Princess of Splendid Severe State?"

"The Grand Princess of Splendid Severe State?!"

Zhang Qianqian was stunned, she looked Yelu Kebao Ge up and down, her eyes full of disbelief.

"This woman is the Princess of Splendid Severe State?!"

"No wonder she doesn't look like someone from the Central Plains, no wonder her accent is so strange……"

Zhang Qianqian nearly lost her footing; if not for the maid's timely support, she might have embarrassed herself.

"How… she actually dared to scold the Grand Princess of Splendid Severe State?!"

At that moment, Zhang Qianqian's maid was also terrified, her hands shaking—she was just a servant; crushing her would be no different from crushing an ant!

The shopkeeper beside them gaped, his earlier attitude now filling him with dread, cold sweat pouring down.

"I… I have eyes but fail to see Mount Tai—I'm feeling a bit unwell today, I'll leave first!" Zhang Qianqian fled in embarrassment, her maid hurrying after her.

Mu Yuanzhi shook her head inwardly—bullying the soft, fearing the hard.

At that moment, the shopkeeper, quite perceptive, wrapped the bolt of cloth and handed it to Yelu Kebao Ge.

Seeing there was no more drama to watch, the others dispersed.

Yelu Kebao Ge approached Mu Yuanzhi, puzzled, and asked, "Why are you helping me?"

"I wanted to have a quick chat with you, Grand Princess—can't just stand here doing nothing, can I?" Mu Yuanzhi said.

Yelu Kebao Ge nodded, clutching her bolt of cloth, and followed Mu Yuanzhi.

Mu Yuanzhi turned back, curiously asking her: "Just now, Grand Princess, why didn't you reveal your identity?"

"Why should I reveal my identity? This matter is naturally mine; why would I use power to suppress others?" Yelu Kebao Ge retorted.

Mu Yuanzhi hadn't expected such an answer; it actually made her look at her in a new light.

It seems this person shouldn't be hard to get along with.

She just now saw that the Grand Princess wasn't competing for power with Zhang Qianqian, and she vaguely felt this.

"You're right, but sometimes some people are just unreasonable." Mu Yuanzhi said.

"I agree, so if the other party is an opponent, I will reveal my identity."