There's Something Wrong With My Little White Flower - Chapter 30

Chapter 30: Princess of a Weak Nation in a Peace Marriage X Barbarian General

Ruan Jiyun’s offer of help was more profound than Cheng Zhibi had understood. She first instructed Ashinuo, who was standing by: “Go to the guards’ post and find Anjisa. Ask if the General is free for lunch. If so, please invite her back.”

Ashinuo and Anjisa were now close. Shortly after the Winter Festival, Anjisa proactively visited Ashinuo’s parents, and they were set to marry in the autumn. Xiji’s customs were open, and did not prevent engaged couples from meeting. Ashinuo smiled brightly at the request and replied cheerfully: “Don’t worry, Your Highness, I will go find him now.”

Seeing her leave as instructed, Ruan Jiyun turned back to Cheng Zhibi and the others: “Although I don’t know much about agriculture, I know grain is the foundation of a nation. If this is something that can benefit the people, I am duty-bound. However, I need the Deputy Envoy to explain the situation to me in detail first. Only if it is something I can truly help with can I speak to the General on your behalf.”

Cheng Zhibi was overjoyed but also a little worried: “It’s already a delightful surprise that Your Highness is willing to convey our message… but will calling the General back so directly make her displeased?”

Ruan Jiyun said blankly: “No, the General comes back to eat every day when she’s not busy.” She added: “Don’t worry, the kitchen made her favorite roast meat today. She will be in a good mood, and it will be easier to discuss things.”

She spoke very naturally, clearly showing no fear of Jiang Peifeng. Cheng Zhibi and Xing Yude exchanged a look in silence.

It seemed that their Princess had a much better relationship with General Peifeng than rumors suggested.

Cheng Zhibi felt slightly relieved and began to meticulously explain the situation regarding the trade market’s transaction list to Ruan Jiyun.

He was a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) from the 19th year of the Jinghe reign and came from an official family, yet he had a rare and deep understanding of agricultural matters. He proceeded to explain Great Jing’s current tax situation and the plight of the farmers to Ruan Jiyun, sounding quite indignant in his discourse.

“Great Jing has a bountiful grain harvest now, but the farmers are struggling to make a living. The reason is none other than the difficulty in selling grain, where grain merchants are rampant in suppressing prices. The Transport and Storage Department hopes to use the trade market to purchase grain for sale to Xiji, which would help increase subsidies for the farmers.”

“Unfortunately, the high officials only care about profits. When the trade market list came down, they were busy inserting familiar merchants or plotting to acquire more jewels and exotic treasures. No one is willing to bother with thankless items like grain.”

“The Emperor also conscripted a large number of common people earlier this year to build the ‘Immortal Palace’ in Jiangnan… The Golden Di barbarians are still eyeing us in the north, yet we still have no sense of crisis.”

Some of the situations he described were completely new to Ruan Jiyun, while others were things even she, a woman from the deep palace, had heard rumors of. Her Imperial Father was fond of extravagance, and those magnificent palaces cost a fortune. Hearing Cheng Zhibi’s words now only added to her worry.

“It’s fortunate that Great Jing still has officials like Deputy Envoy Cheng who worry about the state of the nation,” she comforted him. “The matter you speak of is beneficial to both nations. I will certainly help you propose this benevolent action for the people to the General.”

As they were talking, a maidservant reported that the General had returned to the residence, and soon Jiang Peifeng’s dashing figure appeared outside the flower hall.

Cheng Zhibi and the others hurriedly paid their respects. Jiang Peifeng greeted them warmly and then asked Ruan Jiyun: “The food didn’t agree with you last night. Did the pigeons I had someone buy this morning arrive? I’ll have pigeon congee made for you for lunch.”

Ruan Jiyun handed her a cup of cooled tea: “I saw them. We don’t need that many for congee. I had the kitchen barbecue the others to add to your meal.”

They spoke naturally, but Cheng Zhibi watched with curiosity. Before setting out, he had inquired about General Peifeng’s character, learning that she was extremely capable and decisive. He never expected to see such a delicate and considerate side of her.

The way she spoke softly to the Princess felt exactly like… his own father’s gentle manner when speaking to his mother upon returning home?

Deputy Envoy Cheng didn’t understand, but he was profoundly shaken internally. Even when the maidservant invited him to sit at the table, his gaze still lingered on the two of them.

During the meal, Jiang Peifeng listened to the matter in broad strokes and smiled: “The matter itself is not difficult. The trouble lies with your Prince. Since he is the chief envoy, any additions or revisions to the details must be proposed by him for discussion. You cannot bypass him.”

This was also the biggest problem facing Cheng Zhibi and the others. Hearing this, his brow furrowed tightly, clearly having experienced setbacks.

Xing Yude explained from the side: “The Prince and Deputy Envoy Cheng argued over this matter, and consequently, the Prince simply rejected all of Deputy Envoy Cheng’s proposals.”

“Imperial Uncle is truly…” Ruan Jiyun was also shocked by this news. “Trade market negotiations are a matter of national importance. How could he…”

“The Prince has always been favored by the Emperor, so it is inevitable that he acts unilaterally,” Cheng Zhibi sighed. “I also blame myself for being impulsive, rushing to finalize the matter and angering the Prince by offending him…”

The atmosphere at the table became somewhat subdued. Seeing that the situation was unlikely to change quickly, Ruan Jiyun couldn’t help but look at Jiang Peifeng: “What if I try to plead with Imperial Uncle?”

“You are currently in Xiji. He might assume you are speaking on behalf of the Xiji people,” Jiang Peifeng said sharply. “That will only make him more suspicious.” She slowly placed her wine cup on the table. “In my opinion, since you have already clashed with the Prince, he will not easily agree to any of your requests.”

Cheng Zhibi said: “That is true. The Prince is obstinate, and grain trade is truly an insignificant triviality to him. It will be very difficult for us to persuade him.”

“I have an idea, it just depends on whether you have the nerve for it,” Jiang Peifeng said with a smile. “Since a frontal attack won’t work, why not try a secret maneuver?”

The method Jiang Peifeng suggested was not complicated, but it still left Cheng Zhibi and Xing Yude completely speechless with shock.

“This… poisoning the Prince… isn’t this conspiring to murder a member of the Royal Clan?” Cheng Zhibi asked Xing Yude, staring blankly.

Xing Yude’s expression was no less tense than his. Hearing this, he turned his head toward Ruan Jiyun.

He then saw the Princess’s delicate brows slightly furrowed, seemingly also worried, before she looked up and asked Jiang Peifeng: “To what extent should he be poisoned?”

Xing Yude: “…Do you know what you are saying?”

“We don’t need a strong poison,” Jiang Peifeng said. “Just enough to keep him bedridden for three to five days. Since Deputy Envoy Cheng cannot persuade the Prince, why not simply prevent him from attending the talks?”

She smiled at everyone: “If the Prince is ill, he will naturally be diagnosed by the Witch Hospital. The Princess currently works at the Witch Hospital…”

Ruan Jiyun understood her plan and agreed seriously: “This method might work. However long you need him to be sick, I can work to make Imperial Uncle sick for that long!”

It took her about the time of a single cup of tea to go from initial shock to accepting the plan? Xing Yude observed Ruan Jiyun’s expression, thinking that the Princess trusted General Peifeng far too much. He distinctly remembered that the Princess he knew was a very soft-hearted and extremely timid person!

Had only one year in Xiji made her feel no psychological burden about something like poisoning her own Imperial Uncle?

Ruan Jiyun said: “Although this matter… is truly against proper conduct… time is limited for the officials. Rather than trying to persuade Imperial Uncle, I genuinely think it’s better to simply make him ill.”

If it were before, she would never have imagined herself doing such a daring thing. But seeing that she had the ability to change something, even if it seemed shocking to the world, she was willing to do it for a good outcome.

Cheng Zhibi also recovered from his shock at this point. The young official’s heart was torn between his integrity and the desire to cut the Gordian knot. After much internal struggle, he finally slammed his hand down: “A great mind is not constrained by trifles! I’ll do it! After Your Highness prepares the ‘poison,’ hand it to me, and I will… administer the poison.”

He then bowed to Jiang Peifeng: “I’ve long heard of the General’s decisiveness in battle. Hearing it is truly not as good as seeing it!”

Jiang Peifeng returned the bow with a smile: “You are too kind, Deputy Envoy.”

On the eighteenth day of the third month, the two officials of the delegation would later not remember what delicacies were served at the General’s residence banquet that day. However, that day became a subtle beginning, allowing the young officials to vaguely realize that when corruption cannot be corrected, extraordinary means might bring change faster.

A few days later, news spread from the inn that Prince Kangping, the chief envoy, suddenly suffered from incessant diarrhea after a night banquet. After an evening of turmoil, he was completely exhausted and confined to bed for recovery.

His niece, the Princess of Great Jing, received the news and personally brought the medical officials from the Witch Hospital to diagnose him overnight.

“Imperial Uncle is suffering from acclimatization,” she announced with a worried expression. “He needs to take medicine for a few days to test the results.”

Prince Kangping was so weak he could barely speak, but he was persuaded by the beautiful maidservants to obediently drink bowl after bowl of bitter medicine in a daze.

However, the illness came like a landslide and left like slowly pulling silk thread. The abdominal pain kept recurring. A slight indulgence in something that disagreed with him would bring it back with a vengeance. After several cycles, the Prince, who was known for his healthy girth, was literally left with a sharp chin.

“Imperial Uncle, this illness cannot be rushed,” Ruan Jiyun personally brought over the freshly brewed bowl of medicine, persuading him with a serious, yet slightly nervous, tone. “You must absolutely take care of your health and not worry excessively.”

After struggling a few times, the fear of death finally overcame Prince Kangping’s desire for power. He fully entrusted the trade market negotiations to Deputy Envoy Cheng Zhibi, only demanding that a scribe record the negotiation details and read them to him daily at his bedside.

Cheng Zhibi happily accepted the heavy responsibility. He was already a capable minister of the Transport and Storage Department. Without much time, he neatly organized all the terms and personally led the team to negotiate with Xiji.

The trade market was a good opportunity to benefit the people of both nations and increase income. Both sides were willing to offer their respective advantageous products, and the tax rates were based on mutual benefit. Therefore, the negotiations proceeded smoothly.

As for the scribe who read the meeting minutes at Prince Kangping’s bedside daily, it is understandable that the negotiation sessions lasted for several hours. During these sessions, if a certain official said a few off-topic words, or if an envoy raised some lengthy questions, the Prince would naturally become drowsy and accidentally miss a few details regarding products like grain and livestock.

Thus, it was only the day after all the trade regulations were agreed upon and the contract was signed that Prince Kangping’s condition finally improved enough for him to walk a few steps around the courtyard, supported by his maidservants.

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