There is a happy inn in the capital.

Chapter 456 I Want Power

Lord Scorpion was no weakling in martial arts, and he fought Zizhu to a standstill. However, he was clearly more adept at intrigue than direct combat, and gradually began to lose ground.

A ruthless glint flashed in his eyes, and he smashed a small bottle on the ground, instantly sending a thick cloud of smoke billowing out!

"Hold your breath! The smoke is poisonous!" Liang Yuying shouted.

In the chaos, Lord Scorpion feinted an attack and crashed into what appeared to be a stone wall to the side.

There was a hidden door there! He slipped inside, and the hidden door quickly closed.

"Chase!" Zizhu was about to step forward.

"and many more!"

Li Shuchen shouted. She had noticed the abnormality of the stone wall when she was searching it. She quickly searched the vicinity and found a small protruding stone under the lampstand. She pressed it down hard!

"crunch-"

The hidden door slid open again, revealing a dark passage behind it.

But the sounds of mechanisms turning and stones falling to the ground could be heard from inside, clearly indicating that the other side had activated a sabotage device.

"The passage is blocked!" Zizhu reported after leaning out to check.

"A cunning fellow!" Liang Yuying frowned. "However, he can't get far. We shouldn't stay here any longer. Take this file and those two prisoners, and get out of here quickly!"

Although the operation was not entirely successful, crucial evidence was obtained: secret correspondence with the "King" in the case file, involving the framing of Zoya, and witnesses were captured alive.

More importantly, the true identity of "Lord Scorpion" was confirmed.

Although he was masked, his cloak hood was knocked off by Zizhu during the fight, revealing gray hair and a distinctive hooked nose.

Liang Yuying and Zoya recognized each other almost simultaneously

This is Urk, the deputy commander of the palace guards of the Kingdom of Boyu! One of King Ardan's confidants!

a few days later

Star Camp Completion Ceremony

It was actually a lavish "banquet of a hundred families".

The camp has completely changed.

Neat shacks, clean passageways, and clearly defined functional areas.

In that small experimental plot, wild onions actually sprouted tiny green shoots!

The refugees changed into new, rough but clean clothes made of coarse linen, and their faces regained color and smiles. A dozen large pots were set up in the open space, cooking a rare, thick porridge with minced meat and wild vegetables, its aroma filling the air.

Zoya and Li Shuchen were surrounded by enthusiastic residents, receiving their most heartfelt gratitude.

A flower wreath woven by her own children, a small, clean stone treasured by an old woman, and rough cloth shoes made by a woman overnight.

"Your Highness! Miss Li! Thank you! Without you, we would have rotted here long ago!"

"My son went to the city to look for work yesterday, and they actually hired him because he was clean and efficient!"

"My mother's cough is much better after taking the medicine!"

"Look! My wild onion seedlings have survived!"

Cheers and shouts of gratitude mingled together, and many shed tears—tears of joy.

In the distance, some Suleimanian civilians who had come to observe from the shadows were astonished by the dramatic changes in the camel camp and heard the joyful laughter emanating from within. They began to discuss among themselves in astonishment.

"My God... is that really a camel camp?"

"Princess Zoya...did she really do it?"

"I heard that the princess also wants to extend this method to other slums..."

"If only the princess could manage more things..."

Such discussions, like sparks, began to spread to more corners of Suleiman.

With the continued shaping of public opinion by Gu Ziying and Ye Bingli, and the further influence of Ruan Jingshang among businessmen...

"Princess Zoya is virtuous and capable; she may be able to inherit the throne."

It began to be mentioned in hushed tones in certain daring settings for the first time.

Amber Palace

King's Study

The atmosphere was stiff and cold.

Zoya stood below, her back straight.

Wang Aldan, with a displeased expression, flipped through Zoya's summary of the Star Camp's governance experience and her petition requesting the expansion of the pilot program and the granting of certain autonomy.

The prince of the market stood to the side, his eyes fixed on Zoya like a venomous snake.

"Hmph, you dare to ask me for power just because you've managed a beggar's den?"

Aldan threw the stubs on the table.

"Zoya, you've been making headlines lately, but don't forget who you are! You're just a princess. Do your duty and stop thinking about things you shouldn't be thinking about!"

The market took the opportunity to speak in a sinister manner.

“Father is right! My sister, how can you, a woman, mingle with the common people all day long? What kind of decorum is this? And what kind of ‘self-governance’ are you trying to win people’s hearts and plot something sinister?!”

Zoya raised her eyes, her emerald green eyes calm and still.

"Brother, you are mistaken. All that Zuoya has done is to manage the camel camp on the orders of our father. She only wants to share our father's burdens and relieve the people's suffering. As for the people's hearts, they are not something Zuoya can buy. Rather, the people are grateful for our father's kindness and the court's benevolent policies, and they have spontaneously come to our side. If you think that being of one mind with the people is a treacherous scheme, then Zuoya has nothing to say."

"you……!"

The market vendor choked until his face turned red.

The king waved his hand impatiently: "Alright! I will naturally remember your good governance. I will reward you with... an increase of three hundred households in your fief (all in the most barren desert areas), ten bushels of pearls, and fifty bolts of brocade! As for the matter of self-governance, that is a major issue and will be discussed later! You may leave!"

It's the same old trick: empty titles and fleeting benefits, without giving anyone any real power.

Zoya sneered inwardly, but bowed respectfully: "Thank you for your generous gift, Father. I would like to exchange the fief and brocade for grain and cloth to continue to improve the Star Camp and similar slums. Zoya takes her leave."

Watching Zoya's dignified and unyielding figure as she left, Basha gritted his teeth.

"Father! Look at her! She's getting more and more arrogant! We absolutely cannot give her any power!"

Ardan rubbed his temples, his eyes also filled with apprehension.

This daughter is out of his control, but he's now more troubled by something else—Ulke (Lord Scorpion) has been missing for two days, and even some of his secret plans have fallen through.

Suleiman City

Outside a secluded hut converted from an abandoned watchtower in a remote corner

Li Shuchen had just lost track of a suspicious spice merchant and was squatting at the alley entrance, munching on a dry biscuit, wondering where that old scorpion Urk could disappear to.

Looking up, I caught a glimpse of a somewhat familiar figure, furtively turning into the dead-end alley ahead.

Wait, isn't that... Prince Hassan, the third prince? He's the least noticeable of King Ardan's sons. I heard his mother was a low-ranking court lady who died giving birth to him, and he himself is frail and sickly, spending most of his time studying in the palace, rarely even appearing at banquets.

What's he doing in this godforsaken place? And he's carrying a small bundle that looks like... a medicine bag?

Li Shuchen's detective instincts ignited instantly. He quickly swallowed the pancake and crouched down to follow.

Prince Hassan fumbled around at the end of the dead end, next to a seemingly ordinary wall. A brick in the wall dented inward, revealing a narrow entrance!

He quickly slipped inside, and the wall immediately returned to its original position.

"Wow! There's a secret passage!" Li Shuchen's eyes lit up.

Hehe, such secrecy must mean there's a secret!