542: Chapter 542 An Opportunity

On the other side, Princess Lanyi and her two companions were riding in a carriage, slowly wandering through Baishui City.

Inside the city, there were newly constructed buildings everywhere, along with a large number of merchants from all corners of the land.

Even the Northern Barbarians, Western Qiang, and people from the Western Regions were here, coexisting harmoniously with the people of Great Gan.

One could even see signs in different languages at the entrances of some taverns and restaurants, selling exotic delicacies.

"It truly lives up to being the place where the Prince of Zhenbei rose to power. The prosperity of this city surpasses even the capital. It is hard to imagine that this was once a small border town."

Princess Lanyi's eyes revealed deep admiration; to be able to govern a territory so excellently meant he would surely be a wise ruler for the ages.

"Indeed. Old Man Wu has traveled far and wide, and having been to Baishui City over a decade ago, I can barely recognize it now."

Old Man Wu was also full of emotion.

"The Prince of Zhenbei may be impressive, but his taste in women is terrible. That Su Wansha—even I could tell she was lying!"

The Haitang said with disdain, "I imagine the other women around the Prince of Zhenbei are just jealous shrews who only know how to scheme against each other."

"You... don't dismiss everyone just because of one Su Wansha."

Princess Lanyi said, "If nothing else, that Empress Xiao Qingxuan must be capable to have suppressed the one-hundred-thousand-strong Qing Kings Army."

"Hmph... Princess, I have been wanting to discuss this with you for a while."

Old Man Wu turned back and said teasingly, "Do you really believe the Qing Kings Army would fear a woman?"

Princess Lanyi lowered her eyes and smiled without speaking.

"The Qing Kings Army doesn't fear Xiao Qingxuan; they fear the Prince of Zhenbei behind her!"

"And I heard that a general of the Qing Kings Army named General Cao Wang surrendered right from the start."

"With an army like that, possessing absolutely no will to fight, how could they not be defeated?"

Old Man Wu shook his head and said, "The outside world makes Xiao Qingxuan sound godlike, but it is nothing more than the remnants of the former Great Zheng Dynasty fanning the flames behind the scenes, attempting to restore the Zheng Dynasty."

"Uncle Wu, seeing is believing. After all, we were not at the scene. Whether it is true or false, we will see once we meet Xiao Qingxuan." Princess Lanyi did not comment further.

"Haha, that makes sense! If she could truly subdue a hundred-thousand-strong army single-handedly, she would have to be a Great Grandmaster. I would be shameless enough to ask for some pointers!" Old Man Wu chuckled.

While chatting, the three of them arrived at the Western City Convention Center.

This was the most densely populated commercial district, with shops, restaurants, and performances flourishing in full variety.

After parking the carriage in the parking lot, Princess Lanyi took the Haitang and stepped into the crowd.

When they wandered to a jewelry stall and were about to browse, they heard an argument not far away.

"Shui'er! Shui'er! Come with Mother! Mother misses you!"

"You... let go of me! I don't want to see you!"

"Madam Song! Shui'er has already said she does not acknowledge you as her mother, and Brother Lü has already written a letter of divorce. Don't be ungrateful!"

"Why!? She is the child I carried for ten months; why should I give her to him!? I have not committed any of the seven grounds for divorce, he cannot divorce me!!"

Princess Lanyi and the Haitang walked to the front of the crowd and happened to see a dusty and rather disheveled woman pulling the hand of a little girl.

On the other side, a graceful young woman from a wealthy family was also pulling the girl, trying to drive the woman away.

"Fellow, what is going on here?"

The Haitang immediately became interested and asked a passerby.

The passerby spoke casually, explaining roughly that this Madam Song had been separated from her husband and daughter in Hanyang City.

Now, after enduring great hardship, she had found her way to Baishui City and located the father and daughter, but her husband did not want her, and her daughter did not acknowledge her.

Moreover, the husband had unilaterally divorced Madam Song without her consent!

As they were speaking, Zhao Cailing had already signaled two accompanying guards to forcibly pull Madam Song away.

"Madam Song! I am warning you! Brother Lü and little Shui'er have nothing to do with you anymore. If you continue to pester them, I will report you to the authorities and have you thrown in jail!!"

Warned by Zhao Cailing, Madam Song knelt on the ground and wailed bitterly.

"Oh Heavens! I am wronged! Boohoo..."

The Haitang said in surprise, "What is this woman's status? She talks so boldly."

"You don't know Dean Zhao? That is General Zhao's own sister, our Prince's sister-in-law!"

Someone nearby immediately informed her.

The Prince's sister-in-law?

"Zhao Caiwei's sister?" Princess Lanyi frowned.

The Haitang whispered, "No wonder she is so arrogant; it turns out she climbed up to the Prince of Zhenbei through her sister..."

"Princess, she is protecting that girl so much—could it be that she has taken a liking to the girl's father?"

Princess Lanyi's gaze shifted, and she murmured, "It is possible. Based on my understanding of the Prince of Zhenbei, he would never allow his subordinates to bully others by relying on their power."

"This Zhao family woman forcing a couple apart and preventing a mother and daughter from reuniting—there must be a hidden story."

"Perhaps... the Prince of Zhenbei doesn't even know that his subordinates are ruining his reputation."

Upon this thought, a plan formed in Princess Lanyi's mind!

She stepped forward and blocked Zhao Cailing and little Shui'er, who were about to leave.

"Miss Zhao, please stay."

Zhao Cailing looked up at Princess Lanyi, and seeing her extraordinary temperament, guessed she had some background: "Miss, is there something you need?"

Princess Lanyi said, "According to the laws of Great Gan, to unilaterally divorce a wife, the wife must have committed one of the 'seven grounds for divorce': 'no son, adultery, failure to serve parents-in-law, talkativeness, theft, jealousy, or malignant disease'."

"If this Madam Song has not committed any of the seven grounds, how can her husband divorce her and prevent them from seeing each other?"

Zhao Cailing sighed and patiently explained, "Miss, you do not know. When Hanyang City fell, that Madam Song took all of her husband's money, abandoned her injured husband, and left her daughter behind."

"Now that her husband has become a capable general under the Prince, this Madam Song wants to reconcile."

"Brother Lü chose to divorce her to protect his daughter and prevented her from seeing this wicked woman; it is perfectly reasonable."

Princess Lanyi narrowed her eyes, looked at the disheveled Madam Song, and asked, "Is there any evidence?"

"Evidence?"

Zhao Cailing was speechless: "Who are you? Are you the government office? Why do I need to provide you with evidence?"

"Besides, if not for being hurt too deeply, what daughter would not want her own mother?"

After saying this, Zhao Cailing took little Shui'er's hand and left the scene.

Since meeting in Hanyang City, Zhao Cailing and little Shui'er had always had a good relationship, like sisters.

Moreover, Lü Sixian was a rough man and not very good at taking care of a girl, and the Bureau of Military Armaments was particularly busy.

Therefore, Zhao Cailing often looked after this little sister.

Today, it was rare for Zhao Cailing to have free time to take little Shui'er out to buy some new clothes. Being pestered by Madam Song was one thing, but to actually encounter such a strange person?

"This is outrageous! A mere girl, just relying on being a relative of the Prince, dares to speak to you like that!"

The Haitang was just about to go up and argue, but was held back by Princess Lanyi.

"No need. You go and bring that Madam Song here; I have questions for her."

Princess Lanyi revealed a playful look; not only was she not angry, she found it quite interesting.

The more arrogant the women around the Prince of Zhenbei were, the more of an opportunity it was for her!