Chapter 12: You’re Breaking Into a Cold Sweat, Aren’t You?
Yu Lingzhao was unaware of her father and brother's plans for the time being; in the capital, she had successfully taken over the network of connections held by Guan Xiao.
The Zhiyu Guards of the Zhennan Prince’s Mansion were hidden guards specialized in transmitting and gathering intelligence.
When she first took over the Zhiyu Guards, they were actually quite dissatisfied with this County Princess.
Her performance upon first arriving in the capital had truly disappointed them; they expected that a heroic father would not have a weak daughter.
Yet, the County Princess had been patient and yielding at every turn, allowing Princess Qing’an and her lackeys to bully her without even a desire to strike back, leaving the Zhiyu Guards feeling both sad and conflicted.
However, when Guan Xiao later specifically arranged for the County Princess's counterattack, it was an eye-opener for the Zhiyu Guards, she was indeed the daughter of the Prince of Zhennan.
When Yu Lingzhao made contact with the Zhiyu Guards, she discovered they still harbored some resentment toward her.
This familiar attitude made her laugh out of pure exasperation. She glanced at Guan Xiao, who immediately lowered his head, staring at his nose and his heart.
Guan Xiao thought to himself that he had underestimated the County Princess; now it was time for the Zhiyu Guards to suffer a bit.
The County Princess was the master, after all; it wasn't their place to be picky. Moreover, the County Princess herself was exceptionally brilliant, hardly the person the outsiders saw.
Having already learned his lesson from her, Guan Xiao decided not to warn the Zhiyu Guards and let them witness her capabilities for themselves.
Facing the Zhiyu Guards, Yu Lingzhao didn't bother being polite and asked several critical questions directly:
First, how is Princess Qing’an currently doing in the palace, and what of Noble Consort Xuan?
Second, what preparations have the noble families following Qing’an made?
What is the situation with the Ruan family?
What is the attitude of the Ruan family head toward the Zhennan Prince’s Mansion?
Third, have the spies within the Zhennan Prince’s Mansion in the capital been identified?
The leader of the Zhiyu Guards was named Luo Chuan. Hearing the County Princess's words, his heart was slightly shaken; these were all things he had already ordered people to investigate.
However, as for the final matter, he had noticed absolutely nothing.
Yu Lingzhao didn't even bother offering a smile. "Zhiyu, Zhiyu (Weaving Feathers), your intelligence network isn't fast enough. Are you even capable of weaving feathers?"
Luo Chuan’s expression changed, but Yu Lingzhao gave him no chance to argue, stating bluntly, "Qing’an is bound to seek revenge against me, and the Noble Consort won't give me any kind looks either. But looking at you, you seem to know absolutely nothing about the situation inside the palace."
"As for news on the noble families, one can know just by paying a little attention; there's no need for a specific investigation. And as for the last item..."
Yu Lingzhao’s tone turned grim. "I have been in the capital for a month, and yet you noticed nothing. Rather than feeling that I, your master, am useless, you should take a look in the mirror and see if you are even worthy of your current position as the leader of the Zhiyu Guards."
Luo Chuan immediately knelt to plead for forgiveness. Yu Lingzhao didn't even look at him, saying coldly, "If you cannot handle this position, I naturally have other candidates."
Yu Lingzhao felt this wasn't enough. She wanted to change the situation, but these people, one after another, all thought she was an easy target.
If even her own people didn't show her respect, why should she give them any face?
"As a spy, the first priority is concealment. Luo Chuan, for a leader of the Zhiyu Guards, you sure let your dissatisfaction with me show right on your face."
Yu Lingzhao narrowed her eyes at him. "Do you know that if I were an enemy, I wouldn't give you a chance to defend yourself? I would watch you, wait for you to reveal your flaws, and then wipe you all out in one fell swoop."
"The root cause is simply that you are too poor at your job. Even someone you look down upon, like me, can see the problems. How much better could the people you lead be?"
The more Yu Lingzhao spoke, the more contemptuous she became.
Finally, she let out a cold laugh and said, "Is it possible that the information you currently hold is all fake news, seen through and hand-delivered to you by others?"
Being told this by the County Princess, Luo Chuan’s hair stood on end and a cold sweat poured down. He was wrong, he had been looking at the sky from the bottom of a well, being so self-righteous.
*To be ignorant and narrow-minded.
On what grounds did he think the County Princess was inferior to the Prince?
Who was he to dare criticize his master?
And every point the County Princess made filled Luo Chuan with terror the more he thought about it.
If he were exposed and received false information, he would not only implicate his brothers in the Zhiyu Guards but potentially even the Zhennan Prince’s Mansion behind them!
"This subordinate was blind and offended the County Princess. I will take thirty lashes as punishment. I beg the County Princess to give me one more chance."
Luo Chuan kowtowed repeatedly, his forehead hitting the ground with such force that it quickly became red and swollen.
Yu Lingzhao turned her head away, and Guan Xiao, catching her meaning, told Luo Chuan to stop. Panicking, Luo Chuan looked to Guan Xiao for help, but Guan Xiao didn't dare meet his gaze and guiltily looked away.
Little did Luo Chuan know that a part of why the County Princess had dealt him such a heavy blow today was actually because of Guan Xiao.
Later, when Luo Chuan found out about this, he angrily spiked Guan Xiao's food with croton seeds for three days... but that is a story for another time.
At this moment, Luo Chuan only wanted the County Princess to show him mercy and give him another chance.
Yu Lingzhao was in no hurry; she held the peach blossom honey dew that Huaping had prepared for her, taking small sips.
After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Yu Lingzhao spoke unhurriedly, "It's not impossible to give you this chance, but I have one thing for you to investigate right now."
"Please give your orders, County Princess! This subordinate will go through fire and water—"
"Enough, enough. I'm not here to listen to your vows," Yu Lingzhao said impatiently.
"Investigate the assassins who appeared around Huguo Temple these past few days, and a man in poor health who is constantly coughing up blood."
Luo Chuan froze, then asked somewhat stumblingly, "County Princess, could you... provide a bit more information?"
Yu Lingzhao lifted her gaze, and Luo Chuan immediately lowered his head. He thought he wouldn't get a reply, but then he heard the County Princess's voice again; it’s just that the characteristic she gave was indeed quite unique.
"He is exceptionally good-looking."
Yu Lingzhao recalled the beautiful young man’s face.
Tsk tsk, he really was handsome; even just thinking about it was a visual feast.
Thinking of the beautiful young man reminded her of the fragrance Feiwu had mentioned.
On a whim, she felt like visiting some spice shops, so she got up and left.
Guan Xiao trailed a step behind and was pulled back by Luo Chuan, who asked in fear, "Has the County Princess grown weary of us?"
Seeing Luo Chuan's shaken state, Guan Xiao felt that the County Princess had been far too kind to him that other day.
Compared to the psychological soul-crushing Luo Chuan had just endured, his own experience was something he should be eternally grateful for.
Guan Xiao thought for a moment and gave a kind reminder: "The County Princess didn't make you take those thirty lashes, so she likely hasn't given up on you yet."
"Then her great anger just now..." Luo Chuan hesitated.
Guan Xiao gave a hollow laugh. "Wasn't that your own doing?"
At this, Luo Chuan felt the wound on his forehead throb with pain again. He shouldn't have opened his mouth!
Yu Lingzhao left the teahouse and boarded the carriage. Seeing her come out so quickly, Yu Xunyang was a bit surprised: "Why so fast?"
Yu Lingzhao pouted. "They all think I’m just a little girl who isn't as good as Father. They look down on me!"
Yu Xunyang’s expression changed instantly. "How audacious of them! Third Brother will go and settle this for you!"
He moved as if to get off the carriage.
Luckily, Yu Lingzhao was quick and pulled him back, showing an innocent, cute, yet somewhat sly smile: "So, I gave him a harsh lecture! Don't worry, Third Brother, I won't let myself be bullied anymore."
Just then, Yu Xunyang saw Luo Chuan seeing them off at the door.
Whoa, that’s a huge bump on his head!
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