Underestimating Her

Mu Xiang Li listened to the hushed discussions among the crowd and generally understood the temperament of Princess Han Yue. This Highness loved to join in the fun and champion the weak, though she was rather self-willed.
“Well, nothing to say?” The Third Princess spoke softly, “Now you’re defending the flowers, but just now, seeing those people trampling the fields, why didn’t I see you speak up for the farmers, speak up for the fields? None of you are good-for-nothings!”
The Third Princess scolded a group of people, who could only endure it.
After a proper lecture, the Third Princess said to her subordinates, “What are you waiting for? Burn it!”
Mu Xiang Li stood by, watching the commotion, and found this Third Princess somewhat interesting. Her heart was certainly not evil, but her recklessness, he feared, was also to satisfy her own desire to be an “emissary of justice.”
Half for others, half for herself, and her status and authority supported her in doing so, instantly making Mu Xiang Li feel a little envious. Who wouldn’t want to eliminate evil and uphold justice, to be a hero according to their own rules?
“What a pity for this sea of flowers.”
“Indeed.”
“Your Highness, may I say a few words?” Having roughly understood the Third Princess’s character, Mu Xiang Li stepped forward.
Whether to take the initiative or not, he had carefully considered. For someone with the Third Princess’s temperament, building a connection would bring far more benefits than risks.
“Who are you?” The Third Princess scrutinized Mu Xiang Li, “Still quite good-looking.”
Mu Xiang Li: “Thank you for the compliment, Your Highness.” The Third Princess said softly, “Who’s complimenting you? What do you have to say?”
Mu Xiang Li said: “When I came to admire the flowers, I heard that the sea of flowers here does not bloom every year; it requires extremely harsh weather conditions. In a year with even a little drought or flood, these flowers will not bloom. Therefore, whenever they bloom, the entire Xi Yu enjoys pleasant weather, and these flowers are also known as the ‘Sheng Shi Flowers.’
Now, Crown Prince has established the Wen Hua and Long Wu Academies, attracting countless talented youths to gather in Zhao Yang, and it coincides with the blooming of these ‘Sheng Shi Flowers.’ What an auspicious sign! It would be a great pity to burn them.”
The Third Princess raised an eyebrow slightly: “What do you mean? Are you saying that burning this sea of flowers is burning away the prosperity that is manifesting in Xi Yu?”
“I wouldn’t dare.” Mu Xiang Li inwardly cursed the Third Princess’s way of thinking, but outwardly quickly explained, “Such an auspicious sign, it would be a great pity to destroy it. Your Highness, as a member of the Royal Family, these flowers could be said to bloom specifically for you. One does not strike a smiling face, Your Highness, look at these flowers, aren’t they all smiling at you? If they were burned for the mistakes of others, how wronged they would be.”
The Third Princess had originally come to admire the flowers, and had been angry just now. Hearing these words, and looking at the swaying sea of flowers blooming in the wind, her anger subsided considerably: “You are quite eloquent. Hearing you say that, I am indeed angry on behalf of these flowers.”
Mu Xiang Li became slightly serious: “Furthermore, the wind has already begun to blow. If such a large expanse of flowers were burned, if by accident, someone were to intentionally use the wind to spread the fire, it might even burn the fields below. Your Highness burns the flowers for the sake of the fields; if by accident the fields were burned, Your Highness would surely not be pleased.”
The Third Princess blinked, considered for a moment, and felt that his words were reasonable and pleasant to hear.
A subordinate holding a fire starter carefully inquired: “Then, Your Highness, shall we still burn it?”
“Forget it, forget it, don’t burn it.” The Third Princess waved her hand. At this moment, a subordinate came to her side and whispered a few words. After listening, she looked at Mu Xiang Li, “However, this matter is not over yet; I am still angry. You are so eloquent, give me an idea.”
Mu Xiang Li said: “Your Highness can post a public notice that anyone who rode horses and trampled the fields in these past few days must pay a fine. A portion will compensate the farmers, and a portion will be confiscated by the state.”
The Third Princess asked: “Then how will I know who trampled them?”
Mu Xiang Li said: “Voluntary payment, public denunciation, and investigation by dispatched personnel, a combination of all three. Those who rode horses are either rich or noble; if they voluntarily pay, then so be it. If they are caught, how can they still show their faces in the Royal City? So they should all know to voluntarily pay the fine.”
“Makes sense.” The Third Princess nodded, and said to her subordinate beside her, “Why don’t we leave this matter to the Ye Xun Si.”
“Ah?” Mu Xiang Li was stunned: “Your Highness, this matter is not under the Ye Xun Si’s jurisdiction.”
“Whoever I say manages it, manages it.” The Third Princess finished speaking, walked in front of Mu Xiang Li, her voice much softer, only the two of them could hear, “Just as you said, those who rode horses are either rich or noble. I heard that after the Ye Xun Si was established, there was much dissatisfaction in the court towards my elder brother. Having the Ye Xun Si handle this matter is also to assert dominance over them. Go back and tell Zhou Yi to handle this matter properly.”
Only then did Mu Xiang Li realize that what the Third Princess had whispered to her earlier was to inform him of her identity.
He also realized that he had underestimated the Third Princess’s simplicity. Originally, he had thought of suggesting establishing a scenic area here at the sea of flowers, charging admission fees and setting up various displays. Now, he dared not casually deceive her.
Word spread, and even before the notice was posted, people came to the Ye Xun Si to pay their fines.
Zhou Yi had naturally received the news long ago. When he heard the truth, he was also bewildered, wondering what was happening.
By dusk, Mu Xiang Li arrived at the Ye Xun Si. As soon as he entered, Zhou Yi, upon seeing him, immediately ordered his subordinates: “Men, beat him, beat him!”
Mu Xiang Li quickly ran away.
In the Imperial Palace, Third Princess Jiang Ning stood before the Crown Prince, her eyes looking up at the sky.
Jiang Tao looked at his younger sister. Though he called her sister, there was a significant age difference between them. He was the Crown Prince, and Jiang Ning was the youngest, so by age, he could truly be her father.
After being sullen for half a day, his anger remained unexpressed. Jiang Tao helplessly said: “I heard you almost set fire to the forest outside the city yesterday?”
Jiang Ning pouted: “Who said that? I just wanted to burn some flowers, and besides, I didn’t burn them, did I? You don’t know how infuriating those people were.”
Jiang Tao asked again: “Then what’s this about you having the Ye Xun Si collect fines?”
Jiang Ning immediately said: “Brother, I was helping you.”
Jiang Tao helplessly said: “Helping with what? Don’t you know what these high officials fear? They fear the Ye Xun Si supervising them on behalf of the Jian Cha Yuan, monitoring their every move and reporting directly to me.”
Jiang Ning: “Isn’t that what you wanted to do, Brother?”
Jiang Tao shook his head: “Deterrence is certainly important, but it cannot be overdone, leading to public unrest and estrangement between ruler and subjects. My original intention in establishing the Ye Xun Si was mainly to deal with spies from other countries. However, using this incident to scare these people a bit isn’t bad.”
“Then I still did the right thing.” Jiang Ning had an expression that seemed to say, “Why aren’t you praising me?”
Jiang Tao: “It’s already fortunate I’m not punishing you. Go play.”
“Then I’ll go.” Jiang Ning said, then retreated.
Not long after she left, a memorial from the Ye Xun Si was delivered to Jiang Tao’s hands, listing the names of those who had ridden horses and trampled fields in recent days.
The next morning, Jiang Tao sat on his throne, smiling: “Yesterday, Princess Han Yue caused a stir over a trivial matter, insisting on finding out who rode horses and trampled fields, and even assigned the Ye Xun Si to do it. She is truly too ignorant. I have already reprimanded her.
Zhou Yi is also the same; knowing Han Yue was muddled, he actually compiled a list, making all of you esteemed officials laugh. I have advised Zhou Yi that the Ye Xun Si will only manage catching spies from now on, and does not need to manage such matters, even if it is a princess’s command.”