There is a happy inn in the capital.

Chapter 452 I'm a Loyal Dog

Sweat began to bead on Rock's forehead.

He never expected that this seemingly always smiling and somewhat eccentric girl could be so observant and have such terrifying connections.

Li Shuchen stopped looking at him and turned to the restless crowd, her voice clear and loud.

"Fellow villagers! Look! They're not complaining about the thin porridge; they've taken bribes and are deliberately causing trouble, trying to prevent us from living a good life! Why? Because some people are afraid! Afraid that we unite, afraid that things will improve here, afraid that Princess Zoya will really lead us to a way out! They just want us to rot here forever, to be slaves forever!"

She pointed to the overturned medicine shelf.

"Why did they smash the medicine first? Because some people are afraid that once everyone gets better, they'll have the energy to work and think! Why are they inciting people to distrust us? Because the people behind them are most afraid of trust and unity!"

The commotion in the crowd gradually subsided, and questioning gazes fell upon the group of people around the rocks.

Yes, everything was fine yesterday, how could it change overnight? If it was really just for a bite to eat, why smash medicine that could potentially save everyone's lives?

Zoya calmed down as well. She walked to the front of the crowd, her emerald eyes scanning every numb or doubtful face. Her voice wasn't loud, but it was unusually firm.

“I, Zoya Saval, swear in the name of the stars and my ancestors that I have come here solely to do my utmost to improve this place. I have no falsehoods or deceit. The porridge is thin because food is limited; we must save more starving people.”

"The medicinal soup is a disease prevention formula personally prepared by a famous physician of the Purple Star Dynasty. I am willing to test it on myself!"

As she spoke, she actually walked to the large pot where the medicine was being boiled, scooped up a spoonful of the broth, and drank it down without hesitation.

"Princess!" several palace servants exclaimed.

Zoya put down her spoon, her expression unchanged: "If anyone has any doubts, please feel free to monitor me at any time. If I have even the slightest intention to harm anyone, may I be punished by heaven."

She looked at the rocks, her gaze clear and sharp.

“Rock, if you have grievances against me, you can come at me directly. Inciting the villagers and destroying the little hope that everyone has finally found is not the act of a hero. If you were acting under someone else's orders and turn back now, I might be able to let bygones be bygones. But if you remain obstinate…”

She paused, not continuing, but that royal dignity was subtly revealed at that moment.

Rock was thrown into disarray by Zoya's imposing manner and Li Shuchen's revelation, and his men looked at each other, lacking confidence.

Finally, Rock stomped his foot angrily, cursed, and led his men away in a disgraceful manner, slipping out of the crowd and running away.

Crisis temporarily averted

Li Shuchen immediately directed people to right the medicine shelves, clean up the scene, and loudly announced...

"As you can see, the troublemakers have run away in a panic! Let's get back to work! Today at noon, in addition to the porridge, everyone will have an extra small piece of salt! The top three workers who work the hardest will each receive a piece of coarse sugar as a reward!"

The promise of a small reward reignited people's enthusiasm.

The construction site bustled with activity again, even more so than before, because the princess was personally testing the medicine, and because someone's attempt to sabotage it had failed. This, in turn, proved that the princess and Miss Li were on their side.

Zoya walked to Li Shuchen's side and whispered, "Miss Li, how did you know about the injury on Yan Shi's arm..."

"guess"

Li Shuchen shrugged. "But judging from his reaction, I guessed right. Scorpion Tattoo... it's them again! Moreover, the fact that Yan Shi received the order so quickly means that the other side is very well-informed and knows the situation here like the back of their hand. They were able to transmit the order to a place like Camel Camp so quickly..."

A cold glint flashed in her eyes, "I'm afraid it's not just people from Boyu Kingdom who could do this."

Evening

underground prison cell of the post station

Li Shuchen burst in, his face still covered in dust, but his eyes were like knives, slicing through the locked Zhen Congming.

Zizhu, standing to the side, shook her head, indicating that Zhen Congming remained unmoved.

"Hey, Zhen Da Congming, taking a break?"

Li Shuchen pulled over a stool, slammed it down in front of Zhen Congming, sat down, crossed his legs, and started swinging them back and forth.

She didn't bring a whip this time, but the smile on her face made Zhen Congming feel that it was more terrifying than a whip.

"Commander Zhen, oh no, Lord Zhen 'Clever,' how was your rest? The prison food in our Purple Star is better than the sand in Boyu Kingdom, isn't it?"

Zhen Congming shrank back and dared not utter a sound.

"I just went to the camel camp and ran into a little trouble."

Li Shuchen said slowly

"There's this local bully named Rock who suddenly took some bribes and came to sabotage our business. Guess what? He seems to have a rather unsightly mark on his arm, like a scorpion's tail. And what's more, he timed his disruption perfectly, right when we'd just established ourselves and were most vulnerable to being shaken. This news spread really fast!"

She lowered her crossed leg, leaned forward, and stared into Zhen Congming's eyes.

"I remember you said last time that it was the Kingdom of Boyu that contacted you? But I'm thinking, that Camel Camp is such a remote place, it's not easy for outsiders to deliver precise instructions."

"Unless... there's a mole who leaked our movements, and even the methods the princess might use to govern, to the other side? And this mole not only knew we were in the camel camp, but could also accurately transmit instructions to someone like Yan Shi? Commander Zhen, who do you think this mole could be?"

Zhen Congming's face turned deathly pale, and he was drenched in cold sweat: "I...I don't know...I really..."

"do not know?"

Li Shuchen's smile vanished, he slapped his thigh, stood up abruptly, and pointed at Zhen Congming's nose, cursing...

"I told you you weren't smart, but at least you had some brains and knew to have a backup plan! I told you you were smart, but you're fucking stupid to the core! Helping outsiders harm your own country's delegation, harming potential partners who could bring long-term benefits to your Purple Star! Zhen Congming, you're an official of Purple Star! You're paid by Purple Star! What are you doing now? Selling out your country for personal gain? Huh?!"

She grew increasingly agitated as she spoke, pacing back and forth in the cramped cell.

"You're not telling the truth! What do you mean the people of Boyu took the initiative to contact you? Did someone give you orders before you even left the capital? Did they instruct you to contact that scorpion-tattooed guy in Suleiman? Tell me! Who is your master? Who ordered you to do this kind of destructive business?!"

Zhen Congming trembled from the scolding, but upon hearing the word "master," a strange stubbornness flashed in his eyes. He abruptly raised his head and hissed...

"Go ahead and curse me! Kill me if you want! I, Zhen Congming, may be useless and stupid! But I will never betray my master! My master has been kind to me, and I will follow wherever he points! What my master says is right, and what he says is wrong, is wrong! You want to know who he is? Dream on!"

Li Shuchen was amused and exasperated by his sudden display of loyalty.

"Oh ho? Quite loyal? Well done, your loyalty is commendable, truly touching! What a pity, you've put it to the wrong place! If your master told you to eat shit, you'd eat it? If your master told you to jump into a fire pit, you'd jump in? If your master told you to sell your parents, would you happily count the money?"