Chapter 128

Chapter 128: Honey Pear Syrup

Meanwhile, in Pinglan Residence.

“…She really died?” Ting Lan’s face paled after listening to Liu Shang.

She disliked Qi Fei Yan, but hearing of her sudden death—especially in such a tragic manner—she couldn’t help but sigh deeply.

“Princess, she had such a good life. Why get involved with illegal salt? Trading her life for a few silver ingots—is it truly worth it?” Ting Lan rubbed her arms uneasily.

Sheng Zhi Wan lowered her gaze. “Go and buy some spirit money.”

“Princess, are you planning to mourn her?” Ting Lan asked cautiously.

Sheng Zhi Wan merely smiled without answering.

[Mourn Qi Fei Yan? How could that be?]

No, she was mourning for Ruan Ruan, who had been harmed by Qi Fei Yan in her past life. Even if those deeds had yet to happen in this lifetime, what did it matter?

Someone who deserved death didn’t need to wait until she had committed all her sins.

Sheng Zhi Wan threw a stack of yellow paper into the brazier. Within the flickering flames, she almost glimpsed Ruan Ruan’s small face, smiling at her.

“This year’s weather feels unusually cold—colder than previous years,” An Zhi said, swiftly cleaning the brazier and hurrying inside. “It’s fortunate you prepared the Shengyang powder early, Princess.”

Sheng Zhi Wan nodded quietly.

With Shengyang powder, she would no longer suffer the agony of the cold poison.

Yet, the strange weather weighed upon her thoughts.

Soon, the Northern Desert region of Sheng Kingdom—Yi Prefecture, Ji Prefecture, Sheng Prefecture, Lang Prefecture—would face an unprecedented cold disaster.

Heavy snow for days, covering the earth in three feet.

Roads would freeze shut, granaries emptied, coal and cotton scarce beyond measure.

In her previous life, Meng Yang had seized this disaster, joining hands with the Third Prince and merchants to hoard cotton, enriching herself cruelly at the nation’s expense.

But since she had returned in this lifetime, Sheng Zhi Wan wouldn’t allow such misfortune to repeat itself.

The next day, Sheng Zhi Wan returned to Merciful Creek Hall.

Du Yi Zhi rushed over after receiving Shopkeeper Lin’s message.

Inside the room were only the two of them; Ting Lan and Liu Shang stood guard outside.

“You’ve handled this matter exceptionally well,” Sheng Zhi Wan praised.

“I dare not claim merit, only that I’ve fulfilled my duty.” Du Yi Zhi carefully took out the silver drafts previously intended for Shopkeeper Lin but returned.

“This is the money Princess provided earlier…”

Sheng Zhi Wan raised an eyebrow. “Unused?”

“Correct.” Du Yi Zhi described in detail how he executed his plans.

As Sheng Zhi Wan listened, her eyes grew brighter.

Du Yi Zhi was indeed talented—someone who would achieve greatness even without aid. Unfortunately for him, she had already chosen him, binding him irrevocably to her cause.

“Keep the silver. I have even more important tasks for you.”

Du Yi Zhi was momentarily stunned.

“Have you noticed anything unusual about this year’s weather?” Sheng Zhi Wan asked.

“Yes,” Du Yi Zhi replied quickly. As a commoner struggling daily, he was especially sensitive to changes in the climate. Without the money earned from his recent job for the Princess, he might not even afford coal this winter, busy as he was caring for his sick mother.

“The Northern Desert will be colder still, possibly leading to a severe disaster,” Sheng Zhi Wan stated bluntly.

Du Yi Zhi was startled.

The chill in Capital City had only recently intensified. Was the Princess so well-informed she even knew of weather conditions far north? Yet he swiftly dismissed further doubts, assuming she had her own channels of information.

“What does the Princess need me to do?”

“Two things.”

“First, purchase cotton under my name. If anyone asks, say it is for next year’s Imperial Army donation. Second, between Yi Prefecture and Ji Prefecture lies Manifest Dragon Mountain—hidden but rich in iron ore. When the disaster strikes, organize refugees to mine it secretly.”

Du Yi Zhi’s eyes widened sharply.

[Iron ore? Mining?]

His fingers trembled slightly. When Sheng Zhi Wan had first approached him, he had intended to leverage her position merely to restore justice for his father. But now, it appeared the Princess’s ambitions far exceeded what he’d imagined.

Yet, she was only a princess—and a married princess at that…

Du Yi Zhi looked up uncertainly.

Sheng Zhi Wan smiled lightly. “Are you afraid now, Master Du?”

Du Yi Zhi took a deep breath. “I’m not afraid. I just never thought you had such grand plans. If I may be bold—does Heir Apparent Qi know about this?”

“This has nothing to do with him,” Sheng Zhi Wan replied calmly.

Du Yi Zhi lowered his gaze, laughing bitterly. “I suppose it’s too late for regrets.”

In arranging Qi Fei Yan’s downfall through illegal salt, he was already bound to Sheng Zhi Wan’s fate.

“Exactly,” Sheng Zhi Wan said. “I trust completely or not at all. If you refuse, I won’t force you, but from this day onward, your lips must remain sealed.”

Du Yi Zhi sighed inwardly. How could silence alone ensure his safety?

If he stepped out this door without accepting, Du Yi Zhi would likely vanish from the world entirely.

Since it had come to this, why not seize the chance for greatness?

When Sheng Zhi Wan finally emerged from Merciful Creek Hall two hours later, Ting Lan eyed her closely, alertly scanning the surroundings. Her gaze quickly returned to Sheng Zhi Wan, checking her carefully.

Hair neat. Clothes smooth.

Ting Lan relaxed slightly but immediately cast a fierce glare at Du Yi Zhi.

Du Yi Zhi: “…?”

[Had he offended this young lady somehow?]

…

Sheng Zhi Wan returned home after taking dinner outside.

An Zhi brought her freshly made honey pear syrup mixed with warm water.

It was Sheng Zhi Wan’s habit each autumn and winter to nourish herself gently.

Yet, just as she brought the cup to her lips, Sheng Zhi Wan paused, frowning as she sniffed carefully.

In her previous life, hiding overnight in a muddy ditch to evade bandits, she’d lost her keen sense of smell—unable even to detect the poison hidden in Qi Shu Xian’s fragrant pouch.

But this life was different; her sense of smell remained intact.

Sheng Zhi Wan closed her eyes briefly, opening them again firmly. She refused to believe An Zhi would betray her.

Aware of Ting Lan’s impulsive nature, Sheng Zhi Wan quickly dismissed her, asking Liu Shang to stand watch instead.

Turning finally to a confused An Zhi, she asked, “Did you make the honey pear syrup today?”

“Yes, Princess. Is there a problem?” An Zhi looked puzzled.

“Describe every step carefully,” Sheng Zhi Wan instructed.

An Zhi obediently recounted, step by step.

“Other than pears fetched from the main kitchen, everything else came from our own courtyard. I watched the entire process…” An Zhi bit her lip anxiously. “Princess, is there something wrong with it?”

“Yes.”

An Zhi paled, immediately starting to kneel.

Sheng Zhi Wan stopped her gently. “Don’t blame yourself yet. Throw it away carefully. Don’t show any unusual expressions outside.”

“Yes…” An Zhi’s heart ached in self-reproach.

Ever since Sheng Zhi Wan’s kidnapping, she’d been meticulously cautious, never expecting danger could still creep close.

And today’s honey pear syrup—she herself had served to the Princess.