Chapter 46: The Overwhelming Force

Bai Mucheng actually had a plan, but he was reluctant to implement it. If he destroyed Qinghe County, the entire region would suffer.

The plan involved flooding the area upstream by releasing water, placing large logs inside, and breaking the dam to create an unstoppable force that would surge down. It would be a devastating move, almost impossible to resist.

After that, he could lead his army in and easily conquer the region.

However, when he learned about the tyrannical rule of King Yu and the suffering of the common people, he couldn’t bring himself to carry out such a plan. He had to think of another way.

This meant careful planning was required!

Bai Mucheng was handsome, but when he focused on his work, he became even more attractive. Tian Mi, sitting on a nearby rock, looked in the other direction to enjoy the scenery.

Poisonous people should not be approached, and you shouldn’t even look at them too much.

Although Tian Mi wasn’t familiar with military strategy, she knew how to appreciate beautiful landscapes. Under the sunlight, the river gleamed with shimmering light, and everything around her was a vibrant green. In the distance, smoke curled up from the chimneys—truly, the magnificent mountains and rivers of her homeland!

She had been sitting there for over an hour and had fallen asleep against a large stone.

When Bai Mucheng finished his work, he looked up and saw Tian Mi sleeping peacefully. A warm feeling surged in his chest. While he was busy, there was someone quietly keeping him company, not making a sound, just being there in the place where he could see her.

He completely forgot that Zuo Zhengfeng, who had been quietly guarding him, was still behind him.

Zuo Zhengfeng, seeing Bai Mucheng packing up his papers and brushes, asked, “Your Highness, are we heading back?”

Tian Mi suddenly woke up, dazed, and asked, “Are we going back? That’s great!”

She had fallen asleep while waiting and had no idea what had kept Bai Mucheng looking so intently for so long. If he were an artist, he would have just drawn it right then and there.

She quickly got up, stretched, and slapped her face to wake herself up, then quickly got ready.

Bai Mucheng shot Zuo Zhengfeng a glance and said, “Let’s go, we’re heading back.”

Tian Mi grabbed her axe and followed them.

Yanzu had flown off somewhere, but it didn’t matter. It was smart enough to find her on its own.

Zuo Zhengfeng stood still for a moment, confused. Had he done something wrong? He hadn’t done anything wrong, so why did His Highness look at him like that?

He shook his head, thinking maybe the sun was just too bright, and His Highness’s eyes were uncomfortable.

The three of them rode back to the valley, and when they reached the military camp, they ran into Huang Yuanying, who had been helping Bai Mucheng handle administrative tasks. Recently, he had been gathering information about the villages and towns around Qinghe County.

Huang Yuanying was the most knowledgeable about Qinghe County, and after Bai Mucheng’s forces took the county, it was likely that Huang Yuanying would be tasked with managing it.

Tian Mi wanted to buy a shop in Qinghe County for her business ventures. If she wanted to become rich, who should she approach? She would ask him, as he was likely to become her future uncle.

Before, Tian Mi had been worried about becoming too involved with him, fearing it would cause trouble, but now she wasn’t worried.

After Bai Mucheng acknowledged Huang Yuanying with a nod, Huang Yuanying stepped aside to report something to him.

Tian Mi smiled and cheerfully greeted him, “Huang Xianxian, it’s been a while! How have you been lately?”

Huang Yuanying grinned and replied, “I’ve been well. How’s everything in the valley, Tian Mi?”

Tian Mi responded, “Everyone is doing well.”

Bai Mucheng’s face was stern, his eyes sharp and cold. Tian Mi thought she had interrupted their work.

So, she said to Huang Yuanying, “You can continue with your tasks. If you have time later, I’ll discuss something with you.”

She exchanged a look with him before walking away.

While some people were out enjoying extravagant lifestyles with their bosses, Tian Mi was accompanying hers on trips where they barely had enough to eat. What time was it now? Luckily, she had managed to eat something in her space, but Zuo Zhengfeng and Bai Mucheng hadn’t eaten at all—were they preparing to become immortals?

It seemed she would have to switch to a larger bag for better concealment.

When they arrived at her courtyard, the elder had tidied up the place thoroughly. As soon as she saw Tian Mi, she quickly brought out a bowl of rice, a bowl of stewed meat with wild mushrooms, and two boiled eggs.

The elder said, “Miss, hurry up and eat. These wild mushrooms smell really good. People here always go up the mountain to forage for them in this season. In past years, we could sell them in Qinghe County for quite a bit of money!”

Tian Mi, starving, dug into the food, and the taste was indeed great. The meat broth was even richer and fresher.

Tian Mi praised, “Elder, your cooking skills are excellent.”

The elder blushed a little, “This dish is nothing special. Country folk like us usually eat simple food. I’m glad you like it.”

She was worried that Tian Mi wouldn’t like it. Times were tough, and the payment for this work was a lifeline for her family. They could also benefit from Tian Mi’s help.

After finishing her meal, Jin Mingzhi came to find her. He was a 26-year-old strong young man who had recovered quickly and was there to thank Tian Mi for saving his life.

Tian Mi thought, “No need for thanks. I exchanged my efforts for a life-saving letter, so it’s mutual.”

Seeing him full of energy, she figured he was probably ready to have his stitches removed, so they went to his tent to prepare for it.

Jin Wenwen, unable to get her brother to help her speak, decided to seek out Zuo Zhengfeng. She wanted to stay in the military camp, and although she knew she had no chance of becoming the princess of Bai Mucheng, there must be another position for her.

The Jin family were generals under the Prince of Jin, guarding the border. When the Northern Foxes invaded, only Jin Wenwen and her brother had survived.

Her older brother, Jin Mingzhi, had grown up in the military camp, while she had grown up in the palace with the queen’s maid.

The Prince of Jin ruled the palace, and her brother had followed him for many years. Now, he was a fourth-rank military officer with his own official residence, and she should have been living in the capital’s residence. However, she couldn’t bear to leave her brother, so she brought a few guards and maidservants with her. The military camp wouldn’t allow them to enter, so she had only been allowed to stay because her brother had been severely injured. She had to leave before nightfall, as her brother was recovering quickly.

After tidying herself up, she went to find Zuo Zhengfeng, who was also on his way to check on Jin Mingzhi’s condition. The two met on the way.

Jin Wenwen smiled gently and greeted Zuo Zhengfeng with respect, “Uncle Zuo, good evening.”

Zuo Zhengfeng, having been a close companion of her father for many years, treated her and her brother with great care. When Jin Mingzhi was injured, he immediately reported it to Bai Mucheng and had Tian Mi treat him.

Zuo Zhengfeng quickly urged her to stand and asked, “How is your brother?”

Jin Wenwen replied, “He’s much better now, able to move normally. Uncle Zuo, my brother’s body is still quite weak, and I’d like to stay here to take care of him for a while.”

Zuo Zhengfeng, unaware of Jin Wenwen’s true intentions, thought she was just worried about her brother.

He said, “Wenwen, your brother’s fine now. He just needs to take some time to recover his strength. You don’t need to worry so much. The military camp isn’t a safe place for a girl to stay.”

This camp, at least, was part of Bai Mucheng’s elite vanguard, and everyone knew that Bai Mucheng was strict with military discipline. In a larger army, there were all sorts of people, and on the march, one could never know what kind of situation might arise. How many could really stick to military rules when a woman appeared?

Jin Wenwen asked, “Uncle Zuo, would it be alright if I brought my maid and guards with me?”

Zuo Zhengfeng’s face darkened. What did she think the military camp was? Could she just bring her maid and guards along?

Jin Wenwen sensed something wasn’t right, but she couldn’t think of another way to convince him.

She added, “Tian Mi is a woman too, and she’s young and beautiful—she’s safe here.”

Jin Wenwen was self-aware enough to know that her looks were nowhere near Tian Mi’s, and she held no ill will toward her. On the contrary, she was grateful to Tian Mi for breaking military rules and giving her a glimmer of hope.

After all, she knew that Tian Mi was a widow with two children.