After offering encouragement, Ying Qingyue walked to the other side where the cement mixture, prepared by Wu Chengxuan and Xu Wang according to her formula, was piled up.
She tapped the hardened block with a dagger, producing a dull, solid sound. “Wu Chengxuan and Uncle Wang, you must accelerate the cement trials. Test and record its strength, water resistance, and setting speed repeatedly.”
“This substance concerns roads, water conservancy, and city defenses—it’s fundamental to strengthening our foundations. Its importance is no less than that of military provisions and armor.”
Upon hearing this, the craftsman and the old farmer responded in unison.
After giving these instructions, Ying Qingyue waved her hand. Qinghe, who stood behind her, stepped forward and handed several manuscripts to the carpenter—these were her sketched drafts of interconnected water wheels for irrigation.
Had anyone else been present, they would have noticed that these drafts were not on the bamboo slips commonly used in the Qin Dynasty, but on paper as thin as a cicada’s wing.
“These are the latest draft designs. Mo Xin, take time to study them with your son.”
“Excellent!” Mo Xin was thrilled to receive new drafts and carefully cradled them in his arms as if they were precious treasures.
Mo San, standing nearby, covered his face, unable to bear the sight of his father’s overexcited demeanor.
…
The carriage wheels rumbled steadily over the bluestone-paved street, their friction against the road blending with the faint sounds of the market outside, creating ripples of tranquility within the compartment.
Kneeling at her side, Qinghe poured a cup of warm honeyed water and reported in a low voice, “Princess, we’ve gathered some rumors about the reactions from various quarters.”
“At the Eldest Prince’s residence, his retainers have gathered, showing great excitement. Especially those Confucian scholars from Qi and Lu—they’ve repeatedly spoken of destiny’s choice and the establishment of benevolent virtue.”
She paused before adding, “However, after returning to his residence, the Eldest Prince did not immediately summon them but retreated alone to his study.”
“Fools,” Ying Qingyue remarked indifferently, though it was unclear whether she referred to the impatient Confucians or Fusu, who was currently troubled.
Such ostentation—were they afraid the Emperor wouldn’t despise the Confucians enough?
“At the Chancellor’s residence and the Censor-in-chief’s office, the gates remain tightly shut with no important officials going out, and no large gatherings of retainers are seen,” Qinghe’s voice carried a hint of gravity.
Old foxes are indeed old foxes—the greater the storm, the deeper they lie low.
A cold smirk curled at the corner of Ying Qingyue’s lips.
Legalist heavyweights like Li Si and Feng Jie were always vigilant against anything that might shake the current laws and order, be it people or divine will.
Their silence was an attitude in itself.
“Stop monitoring the Chancellor’s residence.”
As Qinghe was about to ask further, Ying Qingyue concluded, “Assign more people to keep an eye on the Eighteenth Prince. I’ve noticed that fool has been acting restless lately.”
As for Li Si… his days of good fortune are not far off either.
“Yes.”
Suddenly, a piercing horse neigh shattered the carriage’s tranquility, followed by a violent lurch that splashed scalding honeyed water onto Ying Qingyue’s skirt.
Before she could steady herself, the carriage jolted fiercely. Qinghe cried out and lunged forward, only to be thrown against the wall by the momentum.
“What happened?” Ying Qingyue demanded sharply, gripping the carriage rail with one hand, her eyes flashing coldly.
From outside came Li Han’s shout: “A runaway horse is charging toward us—”
Before he could finish, the carriage jerked to an abrupt halt. The tremendous force sent Ying Qingyue swaying, her forehead nearly hitting the partition.
At that moment, an arrogant shout rang out from outside the carriage: “Which blind fool dares block this young master’s path!”
The carriage curtain was abruptly thrown open, revealing a youth in lavish robes standing before the horses, the jade pendant at his waist gleaming dazzlingly. It was none other than Zhao Cheng, younger brother of Zhao Gao.
Relying on his brother’s status as a close confidant of Shi Huang and Middle Chancellor, along with Huhai’s trust, Zhao Cheng had always acted tyrannically in the capital, even daring to provoke imperial clan members at will.
The panicked horse with mismatched coat colors behind him was precisely the one he had deliberately agitated while galloping through the marketplace for amusement.
“Zhao Cheng, do you know who is inside this carriage?” Li Han stepped forward with his hand resting on his sword, glaring furiously.
Zhao Cheng merely sneered, craning his neck to peer into the carriage compartment. “I don’t care who you are! Anyone who obstructs this young master’s horse training must apologize!”
“My brother is the emperor’s favorite! Even imperial princes show me respect!”
Inside the carriage, Ying Qingyue slowly raised her hand, signaling the imperial guards to stand down.
She straightened her disheveled skirt, her cold gaze falling upon Zhao Cheng’s face. “Do you dare gallop through crowded streets and disturb carriages just because you rely on Minister Zhao’s power? Does Great Qin Law mean so little in your eyes?”
Recognizing the Princess, Zhao Cheng’s expression faltered slightly, but he still stubbornly maintained his arrogance. “It was merely an out-of-control spirited horse. Why must Your Highness make such a big deal of it?”
“Besides, I’m accompanying the Eighteenth Young Master for horse training. If you delay his affairs, Your Highness…” He deliberately invoked Huhai and Zhao Gao, attempting to use these connections to suppress the matter, failing to notice the deepening mockery in Ying Qingyue’s eyes.
“Accompanying the Eighteenth Young Master for horse training gives you license to gallop through crowds and endanger common people?” Ying Qingyue slowly rose, stepping out of the carriage to look down at him.
“If it weren’t my carriage today but an ordinary commoner’s, they might have already been trampled to death under hooves. Is this horse training for amusement or for taking lives?”
Their gazes locked in confrontation, the surrounding air instantly growing tense.
Just as the stalemate persisted, disorderly hoofbeats suddenly sounded beyond the crowd, accompanied by a young man’s impatient shouting: “Why is it so blocked up ahead? If you ruin my fun, I’ll have your skins!”
Before the words faded, a snow-white steed burst through the crowd, carrying a youth in bright yellow brocade robes. His features carried a mix of mischief and arrogance – this was the Eighteenth Young Master, Huhai.
Huhai sharply reined in his horse. When he saw Ying Qingyue, instead of showing any respect, he curled his lip impatiently: “So it’s you, Sixth Sister.”
“Your carriage blocking the way has ruined mine and Brother Zhao Cheng’s fun. How annoying!”
Seeing Huhai’s arrival, Zhao Cheng immediately approached him as if finding support, adding inflammatory details: “Exactly, Eighteenth Young Master!”
“Her Highness insists on pursuing this matter about my galloping horse and says she’ll handle it according to the law. Isn’t she deliberately opposing you?”
Hearing this, Huhai’s frown deepened as he pointed at Ying Qingyue, his tone threatening: “Sixth Sister, it’s just startling your carriage! Such a trivial matter! Quickly have your people move the carriage aside and make way for us.”
“I’ll go tell Father Emperor right now that you’re using your princess status to harass the imperial clan and bully ministers’ children in the streets!” After speaking, he deliberately puffed out his chest, the word “smug” practically written on his face.
What a perfect reversal of black and white.
Completely unaware of the bone-chilling coldness in Ying Qingyue’s eyes when she looked at him.
Ying Qingyue stood by the carriage, watching the two distant figures recede into the distance as the frost in her gaze deepened. Qinghe approached and whispered softly: “Princess, why must you tolerate them…”
“Tolerate?”
Not a single bit of tolerance remains.