Prince Nianzu, after having lunch in the house of Chuntao, got ready to leave for the residence of the Village Headman. But before leaving, he asked Chuntao about her decision.
"Your highness, if I work in the Palace then I have to live there. Am I right?" Chuntao queried.
"Yes. I am taking responsibility for you. So, you need to leave this place. I know this house has many memories so, you can come here whenever you want to," Nianzu pronounced.
Chuntao nodded and lifted her eyes. "I will work as an assistant for you, your highness. I am happy that you consider me suitable for that position," asserted Chuntao and continued, "Thank you for the other day and today as well. I will never disappoint you, your highness."
Nianzu was delighted to know that Chuntao agreed with his offer. "I will send my personal assistant Eunuch Chung to bring you to the Palace in the evening. I am leaving then. Thank you for lunch. I enjoyed it. See you in the Palace, Miss," Nianzu stated and walked out from there. He hopped on the horse and left for the residence of Village Headman.
Chuntao sat on the bedstead and relaxed. "The Prince is very humble. People are wrong about the royalty, I think," she murmured.
Nianzu stopped in front of the residence of Village Headman Wuqing. He got down from the horse when a servant came there and bowed his head. Nianzu ascended the stairs quickly and went inside the residence.
Wuqing Pao came to the porch of his residence and welcomed the Fourth Prince. "This way, your highness," he showed him the way, and they soon reached a chamber. Nianzu took a seat followed by Wuqing Pao who ordered the servant to send tea for them.
"I am in a hurry, Headman Pao. Bring those four men here," Nianzu then ordered the servant who bowed his head and left from there.
"This is my second time visiting this village. Why did the Village Headman not informed about the situation in this village to the higher-ups? The roads are not well maintained, and I found out the water drinking supply is also not good. I think that you are sick of this position," Nianzu remarked, and looked for a valid answer.
"Forgive me, your highness. The limited supply of finances is one reason that I cannot spend more. I have once told about this problem to the Governor of the Capital under whom this village also comes," Wuqing Pao replied.
"The First Brother?" murmured Nianzu. "What can I expect from the First Brother! He is not doing his work the way he should. I need to talk to him regarding this," Nianzu thought, and then looked at Wuqing Pao. "Okay, I will look into this. Thank you for answering me truthfully."
The soldiers brought the four men who immediately got on their knees and lowered their heads. "Your highness, please forgive us for giving such malicious comments," the four of them pleaded. "We have families to take care of."
"Do not worry. I do not give death punishments. You four have to work for the Public Water Supply Department for a month. You will be paid accordingly for your work. Apart from that, you have to give extra hours of free service in those fields in which most women are working for a month. Do not even try to oversmart me," Nianzu announced his decision and then looked at Wuqing Pao.
"I will take the report from you about their work," Nianzu told the Village Headman. The free service in the fields will start after lunch hours till the late evening. I want you to respect the women around you," Nianzu pronounced, turning his gaze towards those four men.
"Your highness, we realized our mistakes. Forgive us," the four of them apologized to Prince Nianzu. Nianzu stood up from his seat and left from there. Soon he reached the Palace and ordered Eunuch Chung to bring Chuntao to the Palace. Eunuch Chung bowed his head and left without asking anything.
~~~~~~
"Your highness," Wang Hao knocked at the cart's door. Sheng Li and Ying Lili had slept off during the journey. Wang Hao knocked a few times, then looked at Xiao Zhan and Hu Jingguo. "I think they have fallen asleep inside the cart," stated Wang Hao.
"Let's not disturb them then," Xiao Zhan opined.
"We cannot let them sleep here. General Wang, I will wake up the Crown Prince," said Hu Jingguo, and opened the door. He looked in and saw the two were sleeping soundly beside each other. Luckily towards the door side, Sheng Li was sleeping so Hu Jingguo pinched him hard near the leg.
"Ahh," Sheng Li cried out and opened his eyes. He sat up and saw Hu Jingguo who was smiling at him. "Your highness, we have reached the Capital of the Southern Province," Hu Jingguo politely said.
"You pinched at my leg, right?" Sheng Li angrily asked.
"What are you saying, your highness? How could I touch the Crown Prince and harm him? I think there was a mosquito," Hu Jingguo pronounced and passed a smile to the Crown Prince.
Sheng Li snickered and slammed the door at his face. He then turned to Ying Lili and shook her. "Wake up! We have reached our destination," Sheng Li said. Ying Lili gradually opened her eyes and hummed at him. She sat up and rubbed her eyes.
"Tell your friend not to irritate me. If you won't then, I will tell him in my own way," Sheng Li said and got out of the cart.
Ying Lili with bewilderment looked at Sheng Li and huffed. "Why is he angry again?" murmured Ying Lili.
"Come out," Sheng Li said, who was standing outside the cart. Ying Lili placed her hand on his palm and got down from the cart.
The Governor, Tzu-Yang, of the Southern Province greeted them. "Please come this way," Tzu-Yang said humbly. Sheng Li stepped on the stairs, followed by the others, and entered the residence of the Governor.
The Crown Prince and the Crown Princess were shown their room. "Your highness, this chamber is for you two during your stay in the Southern Province. If you want anything, then the servants are also lined up here. His highness can call for me too if he wants anything," Tzu-Yang stated.
Sheng Li nodded and told Tzu-Yang that he would talk to him in the morning. Sheng Li then walked inside the chamber, followed by Ying Lili.