As the sun rose on the horizon, its light cast a warm glow onto the imperial carriages moving steadily along the road. Inside one of the carriages, Jinhai, the guard, and Lian Hua, the maid, were both exhausted from keeping their guard up for two whole days. They had been on high alert ever since passing through Zunzon Road, but no attack had come.
Jinhai found it odd that there had been no attack. He knew that mages were many times more dangerous than martial artists of the same level, and the mages he had sensed must have been far more skilled than he was. However, he was relieved that no attack had occurred in the last two days because he knew they wouldn’t have survived such a fight.
He looked at Princess Huangshu and Young Mistress Edina, who were sleeping opposite him, and smiled. The princess, with her delicate features framed by her long, dark hair, looked serene in her slumber. Young Mistress Edina, despite the troubles surrounding her, had a peaceful expression that reminded Jinhai of her resilience. It was a shame, he thought, that he was not a true bodyguard to this young lady. Instead, he had been betraying her for years by being a spy for Mount Hua.
Jinhai pushed down those guilty thoughts and reminded himself of the vow he had made to protect her, even if he was a spy and not worthy of being in her service. He had always been torn between his duty to Mount Hua and his genuine affection and loyalty to Princess Huangshu. Each moment he spent protecting her only deepened his internal conflict.
The carriage rocked gently as it moved along the road, the rhythmic sound of the horses' hooves providing a soothing backdrop to the early morning. Jinhai glanced out of the window, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger. The landscape outside was bathed in the soft, golden light of dawn, with rolling hills and dense forests creating a picturesque view that belied the tension within the carriage.
Lian Hua, seated beside him, was equally vigilant. Her normally cheerful demeanor was replaced with a stern focus, her eyes darting to every movement outside the window. She had been a loyal servant to Blazing Dawn Sect Edina for years, and her determination to protect her mistress was unwavering. The past few days had taken a toll on her, but she knew she could not afford to let her guard down.
As they continued their journey, the tension slowly began to ease. The threat of the mages lingered in the back of Jinhai's mind, but for now, it seemed they were safe. He allowed himself a moment of respite, closing his eyes briefly and taking a deep breath. His thoughts wandered to the promise he had made to himself: to protect Princess Huangshu at all costs, even if it meant betraying his own faction.
Junior Edina slowly woke up, rubbing her eyes as the morning light streamed into the carriage. As she looked outside, she saw the vast expanse of Hin Lake glistening in the early sunlight. They were getting close to Dongu Village.
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Princess Huangshu stirred beside her, and as she caught sight of the enormous lake, her eyes widened with excitement. "Woah! Look at that huge lake! It’s even bigger than the mountain lake near the imperial palace in the capital!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with awe.
"Yeah, Huangshu," Junior Edina replied with a slight smile, though a hint of conflict lingered in her tone.
Huangshu, still marveling at the sight, turned to Edina and asked, "So, are you planning to buy this village for its views? It’s quite a great view, I must say."
"Yeah, something like a vacation mansion that Grandfather has. Are you interested in it now?" Junior Edina responded, her voice betraying her inner turmoil. This was part of Senior Edina’s plan to persuade Princess Huangshu to invest in the village with her.
In the Central Plains, expanding one’s domain was a complex process. There were only three legitimate ways to do so. The first was through a Decree of Perseverance, granted by the imperial court. This decree allowed a sect to go to war with another sect within the Central Plains, but only if they had a legitimate reason. Engaging in war without such permission was considered rebellion against the emperor, leading to severe prosecution and execution of the offending sect. This law, in place for hundreds of years, had maintained relative peace in the region by isolating conflicts and minimizing civilian casualties.
The second method was through an Order of Expansion. Sects and merchant groups could request this decree from the imperial government by presenting a reasonable plan for expansion. This was typically granted to border sects looking to expand outward, with merchant groups allowed to join in the expansion only if they partnered with a border sect.
Finally, there was the option of buying out economically undeveloped regions from larger sects. Every two years, during the government’s inspection of governing sects, a list was compiled of villages, towns, and cities that were struggling economically and were hard to maintain by both the governing sect and the government. These undeveloped regions were allowed to maintain their autonomy until a suitable buyer emerged. If a buyer offered a plan that promised better development for the region, it would be evaluated by the imperial authorities. Upon approval, the region would sever ties with its current affiliated sect and join the new owner.
As they continued their journey, the scenery outside the carriage window was picturesque. Rolling hills framed the vast expanse of Hin Lake, which shimmered under the morning sun. The calm waters of the lake reflected the sky, creating a mirror-like effect that added to the serene beauty of the landscape. Fishermen's boats dotted the lake, and the distant village of Dongu could be seen, nestled near the shoreline.
“Look at those boats,” Huangshu said, pointing towards the lake. “Imagine having a mansion here with such a view! It would be perfect for relaxing and escaping the hustle of the capital.”
It looked like Princess Huangshu was also enthusiastic about the idea of owning this place. Senior Edina’s plan was straightforward but relied heavily on the princess's cooperation. If Princess Huangshu agreed to help, Junior Edina could purchase the village and invest in the governing sect, creating a significant obstacle for Aunt Li Mei’s plans.
The beauty of involving the princess lay in the fact that the imperial family didn’t have to go through the long, bureaucratic processes typically required for acquiring new domains. Their influence and status allowed them to expedite such transactions, making the entire process move much faster. On the other hand, if Princess Huangshu was not cooperative, Junior Edina would have to apply like any other noble clan member, facing potential delays and complications.
The carriage rolled along the road, the morning sun casting a golden glow over the landscape. Junior Edina glanced at Princess Huangshu, who was still looking out the window, her eyes filled with excitement. The lake, with its serene waters reflecting the sky, seemed to enchant her. This was a good sign. If the princess’s interest could be sustained, the plan would proceed smoothly.
“Huangshu,” Junior Edina began cautiously.