242: Chapter 0242 A Peace of Mind

Lin Xiao remained unfazed, reaching out to pull Zhao Caiwei directly into his arms.

"In front of my woman, the Princess had better mind her manners. I don't want my family to misunderstand."

Zhao Caiwei blushed slightly upon hearing this, her heart feeling sweet.

In truth, even if Lin Xiao really had a relationship with Princess Li Xinglan, she wouldn't have done anything.

But being valued so much naturally made her even happier.

"Tch..."

Princess Li Xinglan glanced at Zhao Caiwei with some envy and jealousy, then looked down at herself.

"I knew it. You men just like them big. No wonder you look down on me..."

Zhao Caiwei's face turned even redder. Was this the reason Lin Xiao had praised her the first day they met?

Lin Xiao chuckled softly, "Don't misunderstand. Even in other aspects, you're not as good as Caiwei."

"You... would it kill you to lie to this Princess?! I'll fight you!!"

Princess Li Xinglan was so angry she jumped, lunging forward to fight Lin Xiao with all her might.

Lin Xiao held her forehead with one hand, letting her arms windmill uselessly; they couldn't reach him anyway.

"Alright, time is tight. I need to take the troops and leave."

Lin Xiao said seriously, "The main army is still waiting for me over in E Prefecture and Sha Prefecture. I don't have time to mess around with you."

He had been away from the main force of the Zhenbei Army for many days. Although Mu Wanying and Zhao Yunting were there, Prince Bai's people were not to be trifled with.

If he returned late, more complications might arise.

Princess Li Xinglan quieted down instantly, her bright eyes filled with a bit of reluctance and loneliness.

"Do you have to be in such a hurry? I've just taken over the Yan Region, and there's so much to do, but I don't know how..."

Lin Xiao sighed: "I knew you wouldn't know, which is why I came over."

A woman who dealt with all sorts of people and frequented gambling dens might have some wit and cleverness, but it was limited to dealing with temporary predicaments.

Taking back the Yan Region was only the beginning; the key was governance.

Over these years, the Yan Region had been bathed in blood by the Khitan, and many nobles had drained the land dry.

Everything was waiting to be rebuilt, and the people's livelihoods were in ruins.

For many professional matters, it was impossible for Princess Li Xinglan to manage alone.

"And yet you refuse to stay. How can you help me?" Princess Li Xinglan pouted.

"Although the Yan Region suffered heavy casualties, the Three Prefectures combined still have a population of a million."

"With so many people, if you promote some of the more capable and shrewd ones from the lower-level officials, not only will things improve quickly, but you can also cultivate your own confidants."

Lin Xiao said, "Issue an order immediately to hold a grand ceremony tomorrow to commemorate the heroic souls. Require all officials in Qizhou and scholars from the major academies to attend."

Princess Li Xinglan was somewhat puzzled, "You want to find talent among these people? But I don't know them, and how would you know them?"

"Just do as I say and don't ask too many questions," Lin Xiao was too lazy to explain further.

Zhao Caiwei was kind-hearted and said, "Princess, my husband has a keen eye for talent. He must have a way."

"Hey, Eldest Miss Zhao, you haven't even married yet, have you? And you're already calling him 'husband'?"

Princess Li Xinglan said sourly, "Is there really a need to be in such a rush?"

Zhao Caiwei just smiled, not lowering herself to her level.

But this attitude made Princess Li Xinglan even more frustrated!

Fortunately, jealousy aside, Princess Li Xinglan immediately issued the order.

She summoned all officials and scholars in Qizhou, and even capable commoners from various places, to commemorate the heroic souls at Mount Beimang outside the Qizhou Prefecture.

Because Princess Li Xinglan and the "Marquis of Ruyang" had turned the tide with the Yan Kings Army and saved the Yan Region from fire and water, her prestige was currently at its peak.

With Marquis of Ruyang having "died in battle," Princess Li Xinglan's call was naturally even more influential.

The order was immediately sent to all counties, and officials and scholars responded one after another.

They deeply felt that the current Princess Xinglan was indeed more loyal and righteous than the King of Yan, making her someone worth following.

The next day, at noon.

Princess Li Xinglan stood on a high platform at the foot of Mount Beimang, leading the generals of the Yan Kings Army in paying respects to the heroic spirits.

The scene was filled with sounds of sobbing, weeping, and sighing.

Lin Xiao and Zhao Caiwei naturally attended as well, but they were met with "wary" and "disdainful" looks from the generals of the Yan Kings Army.

Lin Xiao wasn't surprised at all. Since he had taken the Cold Iron Guard away, he was naturally an "enemy" to the Yan Kings Army.

After the sacrifice ended, Princess Li Xinglan said with a solemn face:

"People of the Yan Region, we must forever remember every name that passed away to protect this land!!"

"I, Princess Li Xinglan, will not forget; the soldiers will not forget; and none of you will forget!!"

"Before the loyal bones of these heroic souls, tell me, do you have the confidence to join this Princess in reviving the Three Prefectures!?"

At her question, Wei Kongming and the other soldiers below immediately responded loudly:

"Follow the Princess! Revive the Three Prefectures!"

The scene suddenly erupted into waves of agreement, like a mountain roar or an ocean tide.

While shouting, many officials also looked at Lin Xiao and the others with burning eyes, full of a sense of resistance.

Clearly, they also believed that Princess Li Xinglan was driving away the Zhenbei Army, ensuring the 'lapdogs' of the Imperial Court wouldn't dare lay a finger on the Yan Region.

Lin Xiao had no intention of paying them any mind and was chatting with Zhao Caiwei about the events of the past few days...

"Caiwei, I haven't asked you yet. During the days I was away, how did you hide it from the others?"

Zhao Caiwei said with a smile, "I told the soldiers that my husband was exhausted from several consecutive days of battle, so he was sleeping and no one was allowed to disturb him until he woke up."

"Sleeping?"

Lin Xiao said in surprise, "They believed you when I slept for three days?"

Zhao Caiwei nodded, "My father once said that sometimes the more bizarre the lie, the less people will question it, because people often try to be too clever for their own good."

Lin Xiao gasped. It could work like that? Experience really counts!

But then again, with his reputation as a god of slaughter, those officers wouldn't dare to actually barge into his bedroom.

That night, in the palace study.

Lin Xiao handed a list, along with simple introductions, to Princess Li Xinglan.

After Princess Li Xinglan finished reading, her expression was extremely vivid.

Lin Xiao had actually listed dozens of talents, and she already knew about a few of them.

This meant that none of this was made up!?

"Alright, with your current prestige, no one will dare to oppose you when you promote these people."

"Wei Kongming is trustworthy; you can make him your right-hand man."

Lin Xiao stood up and said, "I will lead the army away tomorrow. Before I leave, you and I will put on another show of parting on bad terms. Don't let the cat out of the bag."

Princess Li Xinglan listened silently, her eyes fixed on the man who was giving her earnest advice, her pretty face thoughtful.

After Lin Xiao finished speaking, he stood up to leave.

But just as he reached the door, Princess Li Xinglan grabbed him from behind.

"Princess, I said, I have no..."

"I know, you're not interested, and you won't develop true feelings for a puppet."

"..."

"But... I don't need your true feelings. I just want a peace of mind, so that I can be your puppet without any worries."

Lin Xiao frowned: "What do you mean?"

Princess Li Xinglan looked up, her eyes showing a trace of trepidation and courage.

"I can see that your sights are set on the world. Sooner or later, I, this puppet, will lose my reason for existing..."

"If... I give myself to you, I'll have a slightly better chance of surviving, won't I?"