Chapter 64: Exposure

A County Princess? The Long Feng County Princess?

Tian Mi could hardly believe it. How could this be true?

Did her flattery happen to hit the emperor’s sweet spot?

Look, no matter the era, being skilled at flattery always pays off. Hehe!

Suppressing her inner glee, she respectfully accepted the decree and gave her thanks.

The eunuch accompanying the decree beamed and said, “Congratulations to the County Princess!”

Tian Mi maintained a poised smile. “Thank you, Sir Eunuch. To receive the Emperor’s favor and reward is the greatest honor of my life.”

The eunuch responded with a grin, “It’s not just the Emperor’s favor but the County Princess’s own merits that earned it.”

Meanwhile, Tian Dabiao was practically overjoyed. “Sir Eunuch, please stay in Qinghe County for a few more days. I’ll arrange a banquet at Yi Pin Xian Restaurant and celebrate for three days straight!”

The eunuch chuckled heartily. “I’ve heard of Yi Pin Xian’s reputation on my way here. However, I’m on official duty and need to return to the capital soon.”

Tian Dabiao quickly replied, “Then at least allow us to host you tonight at Yi Pin Xian to show our hospitality.”

When it came to entertaining guests, Tian Dabiao was always thoughtful and thorough.

The eunuch was soon in high spirits. He remarked, “The Emperor couldn’t stop praising the fruits that Lord Zuo brought back to the palace last time! His compliments about the County Princess were endless.”

Tian Mi immediately understood and smiled. “It is my honor. I’ll prepare more and trouble you, Sir Eunuch, to bring them to the Emperor.”

The eunuch nodded enthusiastically. “Of course!”

Soon, the guards carried in the rewards bestowed by the Emperor. The eunuch handed Tian Mi a list of items.

After thanking him, Tian Mi invited him to rest while Huang Yuanying and Tian Dabiao stayed to entertain him. Meanwhile, the eunuch sampled the fresh treats Tian Mi had prepared.

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Zuo Zhengfeng had returned to Qinghe as well, but he immediately left for Nanjun City to find Bai Mucheng. The surrendered counties had all been secured and stabilized. Once Zuo Zhengfeng and his team took over, they would proceed with the takeover of Nanjun City.

Things went unexpectedly smoothly. When Zuo Zhengfeng’s army reached Nanjun City, the city guards had already captured Prince Yu and his family, opened the gates, and welcomed Bai Mucheng.

As it turned out, Yu Wang had become so detested that his subordinates betrayed him. The old saying held true: those with virtue gain help, while those without it find none. Bai Mucheng took Nanjun City with ease.

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Back at Yi Pin Xian, Tian Dabiao, Huang Yuanying, and Tian Mi dined with the eunuch, who was utterly amazed by the food.

Having spent years in the palace, he prided himself on being well-versed in gourmet fare. But here he was, acting like a country bumpkin, exclaiming over one delicacy after another.

This tiny Qinghe County, how could it have items more exotic than the capital?

The next day, Tian Mi prepared an abundance of fruits for the eunuch’s journey back to the capital. Using her previous method, she selected fruits that would ripen in a few days. She also included freshly baked butter cookies, milk candies, handmade soaps, floral powder compacts, and even a jar of chopped chili sauce.

The eunuch was delighted beyond measure, grinning from ear to ear.

This Long Feng County Princess really understood how to win people over. Not only did she prepare gifts for the palace, but she also included a personal gift for him. What a clever woman.

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Still, Tian Mi was perplexed. The Emperor had given her a title, a residence, shops, and farmland in the capital. Did this mean they wouldn’t pay her for the potatoes anymore?

Gosh, would they still pay or not?

If they did, she’d hand over all the potatoes. If not, she’d keep some to sell herself.

Oh well, Huang Yuanying repeatedly reminded her to save them for planting. After all, each seed would yield many crops. The Emperor was generous enough, so she decided not to haggle too much.

Anyway, she was someone of status now! Not just a rich woman but a person of prestige. Hehehe.

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The palace’s gifts included luxurious silks, jewelry, and fine ornaments befitting her status. Tian Mi chose some to send to her maternal family, giving a bolt of fabric to Xu Feiyan as well. She instructed Chun Yi to make new outfits for herself and Tian Dabiao.

Her maternal relatives were overjoyed upon hearing of her new title.

“Oh, heavens! A County Princess in our family—what a miracle!”

“Your mother would have been so overjoyed she wouldn’t sleep for days if she were still here.”

“Exactly! Our Mier is truly something remarkable!”

Tian Mi smiled. “It’s thanks to Grandma and Mother’s blessings!”

Dressed to the nines, Tian Mi, Xu Feiyan, and Chen Miaomiao decided to go out for a stroll. Now that they were wealthy and distinguished, it was only fitting to be the most dazzling people in Qinghe County.

Xu Feiyan, her chin held high, beamed with pride. In her eyes, Tian Mi becoming a titled Lady ranked higher than even the emperor himself. Excitedly, she exclaimed, “Sister Tian Mi, you’ve brought so much honor to us refugees from the south! My parents used to worry we’d be bullied in a new place, but look at us now!”

Chen Miaomiao, her chest puffed out, couldn’t stop smiling.

The three of them headed to the docks, the territory of their Lotus Society. Tian Mi wanted to make sure her society was well represented.

Truthfully, there was no need. After the three-day feast at Yi Pin Xian, even the ants on the road knew that Qinghe County now had a titled Lady.

Tian Mi was not just the head of the Lotus Society; she was also the owner of Yi Pin Xian.

The Lotus Society’s reputation in Qinghe County was stellar. Tian Dabiao, a man of integrity, never bullied anyone. He also managed all the casual laborers in town, and anyone hiring workers would come to him. His fair pricing and friendly attitude made the Lotus Society widely respected.

With Qinghe County’s economy recovering, and Tian Mi’s fruits, pastries, and milk candies becoming increasingly popular, Tian Dabiao even wanted to establish a fleet of boats—essentially a waterborne escort service.

When Tian Dabiao shared this idea, Tian Mi suggested they wait until next year. “We’ve had enough on our plate this year. Let’s start preparing, and by next year, with a more diverse product line, we can make a fortune with just one trip.”

At the docks, Zhou Yaozu and Xu Yunpeng hurried to greet them as soon as they spotted Tian Mi.

Xu Yunpeng shouted, “The President is here!”

Zhou Yaozu, however, knelt dramatically. “This humble servant greets Lady Junzhu.”

Oh, come on! Out of the whole county, only he would kneel like that. Tian Mi felt a bit embarrassed.

“Manager Zhou, there’s no need for such formality. It’s quite awkward.”

The stewards quickly served tea and began discussing recent affairs.

Xu Yunpeng reported, “President, almost all the jobs at the docks are handled by our society. Not just the docks—whenever the merchants need labor, they come to us. But there’s still a lot of idle labor left. Do you have any ideas?”

The Lotus Society had essentially absorbed all the casual laborers in Qinghe County, so a surplus was inevitable.

Tian Mi said she’d think about it.

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Managing so many brothers with families to feed was no easy task for Tian Mi. After leaving the docks, she took her two friends to Yi Pin Xian for some well-deserved fun.

Meanwhile, Bai Mucheng, who had just stabilized Nan County, was already handling important matters. Even Prince Yu and his family were being escorted back to the capital under Lin Buqu’s watch. Bai Mucheng’s next big task was assisting Huang Yuanying in building a road to Peach Blossom Valley to transport potatoes—an urgent matter.

Arriving in Qinghe County with Zuo Zhengfeng, Bai Mucheng was immediately intrigued.

Zuo Zhengfeng suggested, “Your Highness, I’ve heard that the dishes at Tian Mi’s Yi Pin Xian are all new creations and quite delicious. Shall we give it a try?”

In a private room on the second floor, Xu Feiyan was happily chatting over gourmet food.

“Sister Tian Mi,” she began with a sigh, “it seems our widow squad is coming to an end. My mother’s already looking for someone for me to marry. What do I do?”

In the adjacent room, Bai Mucheng had just sat down. Hearing their voices, a faint smile curved his lips.

Zuo Zhengfeng, finding it amusing, was about to greet them when Bai Mucheng stopped him with a single glance.

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“Oh dear!” Tian Mi smacked her forehead. She had been so caught up in chasing fame and fortune that she had almost forgotten her ultimate goal—enjoying life!

After some thought, she said, “Don’t rush. Our goal isn’t to marry; it’s to bring husbands into our households. How about this? I have two vacant shops. Why don’t you manage one and open a shop selling scholarly supplies like Four Treasures of the Study? That way, we’ll attract all the scholars in Qinghe County, and we can each pick a charming young man we fancy. Hee hee hee!”

The three of them shared a mischievous laugh.

What they didn’t realize was that in the room next door, Bai Mucheng’s expression turned grim when he heard the words “charming young man.”

There was only one woman in the world who would call a man “little brother.”

Unfortunately, that woman was the one from that night in the cave—the fat one.

“Little brother, your fairy maiden is here!”

Suddenly, everything clicked. He finally understood why she had seemed so familiar, why he had searched all over the south for her but couldn’t find her.

Outrage boiled within him.

“Audacious!”