Chapter 29: Joint Analysis

Yun Chu carefully held the crown and gently placed it down…

---

When Li Yunli found Feng Mu in the back courtyard of the state residence, she was taking items out of a chest and laying them out under the sun.

There were many books and quite a few clothes. The courtyard was cluttered, making it difficult to find a place to step.

“Why did you put all these things away in the chest?”

Li Yunli entered through the courtyard gate and noticed that among the items being aired out were seasonal clothing and frequently used objects. Her curiosity was piqued.

Hearing the voice, Feng Mu turned her head, brushed back her hair, and put down the book in her hands with an apologetic look. “I didn’t expect Your Highness to come at this time. Earlier, I had decided to go to Leopard Head Mountain, so I had all my daily belongings sealed away, leaving them here as a memento.”

Li Yunli carefully picked her way through the courtyard. Seeing Feng Mu hastily trying to clear a space for her to sit, she stopped her. “No need to trouble yourself. I just came to ask a few things. You can continue with what you’re doing.”

Despite this, Feng Mu still dragged a stool out from beneath a pile of scrolls.

That stool had been serving as a makeshift stand for airing out books, and when she pulled it, a scroll rolled out and tumbled toward Li Yunli.

Feng Mu gasped, quickly tossing aside the stool to retrieve the scroll.

Li Yunli bent down to intercept it. “No need to panic.”

She picked up the scroll, but unexpectedly, the wax seal on it was loose, and part of the scroll unrolled.

By then, Feng Mu had reached her. She hesitated, her face flushing red as she debated whether to take it or not.

Li Yunli glanced at the contents—inside was a painting, not of landscapes or sceneries meant for collection, but a vertical portrait of a refined young gentleman.

Noting Feng Mu’s embarrassed reaction, Li Yunli immediately understood.

Young ladies were shy by nature—this must be someone special to Feng Mu.

She swiftly rolled the scroll back up. “Apologies.”

“N-no, it’s not Your Highness’s fault.” Feng Mu quickly took the painting back and held it close to her chest, sighing wistfully. “It was a one-sided wish on my part. We were never meant to be.”

Li Yunli remained silent for a moment.

In her time, romance was viewed more liberally, but Feng Mu was a woman of this era. Matters of the heart were delicate, and it wasn’t her place to pry further.

Fortunately, Feng Mu quickly changed the subject. She turned to place the painting back in the chest, set the stool upright beside Li Yunli, and said, “Your Highness mentioned you had questions?”

“Yes. General Xiao and I just arrived. Captain Yang has reported the disaster situation in Yongzhou to the officials accompanying us, but we still have many questions regarding Leopard Head Mountain.”

“Please ask, Your Highness.”

“I noticed that many people in the marketplace today were from Leopard Head Mountain. Even though they were once Yongzhou citizens, they have since become bandits. Yet, the city gates don’t seem to stop them from entering?”

At this, Feng Mu’s tone grew indignant. “When my foster father was in charge, security was strict. But now that Captain Yang is in power, he’s cowardly and incompetent—he wants to coexist with them instead.”

If Li Yunli had heard this yesterday, she might have simply thought Yang Xu was incapable. But having just learned a few things from Gongliang Chong, she suspected the situation was more complex than it seemed.

“When Governor Zhou was still here, he actively suppressed Leopard Head Mountain?”

“My foster father was loyal and brave. Those people wouldn’t have dared to act so brazenly under his rule!”

Li Yunli nodded. It seemed Feng Mu deeply admired Zhou Foxiao. Over the years, Yongzhou had suffered due to natural disasters and hardship, and Zhou Foxiao had struggled to keep things together.

It would be difficult to get Feng Mu to admit any shortcomings in Governor Zhou’s policies. Changing tactics, Li Yunli asked,

“I overheard today that Leopard Head Mountain is planning some kind of festival. Have you heard anything about it?”

“A festival?” Feng Mu was momentarily stunned. Her expression turned pale as she shook her head in confusion. “I’ve never heard of them holding a festival. If anything, last year, Yongqing Temple halfway up the mountain held a grand ceremony to pray for good harvests and favorable weather.”

“I see. That’s all I needed to know. Thank you.”

Li Yunli smiled and thanked her casually.

Feng Mu didn’t seem to know much—perhaps she truly wasn’t aware, or perhaps she simply wasn’t willing to say more. Either way, there was no point in pressing further.

As she stepped out of Feng Mu’s residence, Yun Chu was waiting at the door.

“Your Highness, Shi Liu has returned.”

“So soon?”

She had only just come back from the tavern and spoken briefly with Feng Mu—he was already back?

Since Shi Liu couldn’t enter Feng Mu’s courtyard, Yun Chu relayed the message.

Yun Chu nodded. “Gongliang Chong has left the city.”

Li Yunli raised an eyebrow. “Already?”

She had thought he would linger a little longer.

Although they hadn’t tracked his movements within Yongzhou City, this confirmed that he had indeed come just to see her.

Li Yunli chuckled.

“Your Highness?”

Her smile lingered. “What do you think—was Gongliang Chong’s offer of a deal genuine?”

Yun Chu was slightly surprised she brought it up again. He answered seriously, “Regardless of its authenticity, he has no proof. Your Highness must not trust him lightly.”

“But he did achieve his goal.” Li Yunli rubbed her temples and shook her head helplessly. “Now, I’m truly intrigued by Leopard Head Mountain.”

Gongliang Chong’s so-called transaction had hit the heart of Li Yunli’s interests.

She found herself amusing—despite having transmigrated into this world, she still couldn’t shake her inner businessman’s instincts.

At the mention of business, she instinctively wanted to assess its potential profits.

Yun Chu observed her before speaking. “Perhaps it could work.”

“You think so too?” Li Yunli’s mood brightened. “Tell me.”

“Yongzhou is a border region of Chu. Many of its people have intermarried with outsiders, creating a diverse population with varied beliefs. Due to its terrain, it has never become a battleground for major wars, but it has suffered from conflicts nonetheless.”

Li Yunli nodded and added, “Indeed. And if Feng Mu’s words are true, then this so-called ‘chief’ has strengthened Leopard Head Mountain significantly in just two years. His leadership, organization, and influence cannot be underestimated. If he were in Yongzhou’s official ranks, he might not be any less capable than Zhou Foxiao.”

Yun Chu followed her reasoning. “Governor Zhou and Captain Yang have different political views.”

From Feng Mu and Yang Xu’s opposing attitudes toward Leopard Head Mountain, it was clear. Three months ago, Xiao Linjia had led a campaign against the bandits, but it only resulted in minor skirmishes—likely because Yang Xu was secretly shielding them.

Meanwhile, Feng Mu had always viewed Leopard Head Mountain as an enemy, likely a sentiment inherited from Zhou Foxiao.

“Regardless of how Zhou Foxiao died, Yun Chu, we are already in the game. They move in the shadows while we are in the open…”

Yun Chu nodded. “Your Highness should issue an imperial decree to review the official documents of the state residence and investigate the disaster situation. Additionally, General Xiao should probe Yang Xu for information on Leopard Head Mountain—see what he has to say.”

Li Yunli nodded. “I already arranged for General Xiao to handle that after last night’s banquet. The documents will arrive before noon today.”

---

That evening, after a long day of strategizing, Li Yunli slumped over her desk, exhausted.

She murmured, “I never want another meeting again… I am but a salted fish washed ashore…”

Just then, Yun Chu carefully removed her uncomfortable ceremonial crown.

At that moment, the window behind him suddenly opened.

A letter dropped to the ground.

“Yun Chu, personally open.”