There is a happy inn in the capital.

Chapter 441 The Man with the Crooked Mouth

Liang Yuying looked at Princess Changning

"Changning, your mission is shifting towards the higher-ups and those with vested interests."

"Great, finally something challenging!" Princess Changning raised an eyebrow, her eyes brimming with undisguised excitement.

"Changning, please use your status as Princess Zixing to visit several noble ladies who have old grudges against Azim or are dissatisfied with the King's policies."

"There's no need to mention Princess Zoya. Just talk about governance, the hardships of the people, and occasionally lament, 'If only the ruler had compassion for the people, things wouldn't be like this,' or 'I see that your country's Princess Zoya has a certain benevolent nature; it's a pity.'"

“Your status carries weight when you say these things. They can soften the hostility towards the princess within aristocratic circles, or even stimulate some people to think,” Liang Yuying said.

Princess Changning understood: "It's just about becoming a 'high-level lobbyist,' that's something I'm good at. I'll make sure they're all itching for something, but they won't be able to find anything against me."

"Furthermore," Liang Yuying continued, "we still need Young Master Ruan's help with this matter. He should use his position as a businessman to focus on contacting small and medium-sized merchants who rely on Golden Camel but are exploited by it, as well as foreign trading companies that compete with 'Golden Camel'."

Spread two messages: First, the King has developed a grudge against the "Golden Camel" due to the "miracle" and rumors, and Azim's position is unstable.

"Secondly, Princess Zoya values ​​fair trade. If things change in the future, there may be an opportunity to reshape the rules of commerce. There's no need to make any promises; just ignite their imagination and speculative spirit. Merchants are profit-driven; they will weigh the pros and cons themselves."

Princess Changning nodded: "Understood. Stir up trouble, win over potential allies, and isolate the enemy. Leave this to Ruan Jingshang; he'll handle it flawlessly and can even extract some useful intelligence along the way."

"You trust him that much?" Li Shuchen teased with a smile.

"Well, he is a businessman, and everyone has witnessed his abilities. I wasn't exaggerating," Princess Changning explained.

"I know, it's all thanks to Young Master Ruan's exceptional abilities."

Everyone burst into laughter

"Shu Chen," Liang Yuying finally looked at Li Shu Chen.

"Your mission is the most important. First, secretly protect Princess Zoya during her trip to Tear Valley and ensure her discovery proceeds smoothly. Second, continue to monitor the movements of the royal palace and the Golden Camel, especially any possible countermeasures the king might take against the princess."

"Third, prepare for any dirty work that might happen. If the other side becomes desperate and tries to harm the princess, we need to have the ability to counter or even strike first. You always have unexpected methods, and this task is perfect for you."

Li Shuchen stopped joking and nodded seriously.

"Understood. Protect Zoya, monitor the enemy, prepare your covert operations. Don't worry, I still have plenty of good stuff I haven't used yet. I guarantee anyone who tries to mess with Zoya will get a taste of this surprise package first."

On the edge of Tear Valley, Princess Zoya's makeshift soup kitchen had only been set up for two days.

The news spread incredibly fast, and nearby herders, miners' families, and even desperate people from further afield all flocked to the scene, forming a long, winding queue.

Zoya stood beside the large pot, scooping spoonful by spoonful of thin wheat porridge into the broken bowl that was offered to her.

Beads of sweat glistened on her forehead, her emerald eyes focused and gentle as she softly comforted the emaciated women and children in simple tribal or Poyu language.

Umur and several disguised Mulan soldiers maintained order, vigilantly scanning the crowd.

Li Shuchen, disguised as a dirty-faced village girl helping to tend the fire, squatted by the stove, her eyes scanning every person who approached Zuoya like radar.

She remained on edge—things were going too smoothly, almost unrealistically so.

No sooner had I finished expressing my feelings than trouble struck.

In the middle of the line, a thin, shrewish man with a crooked mouth and shifty eyes suddenly started shouting.

"This little bit of watery soup! Who's going to drink this? It's like feeding a beggar!"

He shoved aside a trembling old woman in front of him. "Didn't they say the princess was kind? Is this what kindness is all it takes to feed us? I think it's just for show!"

A commotion broke out in the crowd.

The elderly woman nearly fell, but was caught by someone nearby.

The poor people queuing up looked bewildered and dissatisfied, and their gazes toward Zoya were filled with suspicion.

Umur immediately stepped forward and said sternly, "How dare you be so insolent! The princess is kindly distributing porridge, how dare you disturb her?"

"Kindness?"

The man with the crooked mouth raised his voice even louder, jumping up and down, "Who knows if this porridge is clean? Is the rice moldy? Is the medicine expired? Are you using us poor bastards as test subjects? Does His Majesty the King know that the princess is distributing things here? Is there any official document?"

His words were sharp and highly inflammatory.

Zoya's face paled, and her fingers tightened around the porridge spoon.

She was young after all, and faced with such blatant slander and provocation, she was so angry that she couldn't speak for a moment.

Li Shuchen sneered inwardly: Here they come, a typical case of mudslinging and sowing discord.

This man with the crooked mouth is definitely not an ordinary starving person.

She jumped up, dusted off her hands, and rushed forward, standing between Zoya and the man. With her hands on her hips, she cursed in her rough dialect ("Ordinary language prodigy, learns so fast!").

"Where did this mangy dog ​​come from, barking like that! Are you blind? Can't you see the steaming porridge? Is your nose stuffy? Can't you smell the wheat? You're so black-hearted, do you think everyone else is as despicable as you?"

The man with the crooked mouth was taken aback when he saw a village girl daring to insult him; he paused for a moment, then became even more aggressive.

"Who do you think you are? How dare you insult me? Who knows if you're in cahoots with me!"

"I'm your great-aunt!"

Li Shuchen's voice was louder than his; he pointed to a young mother next to him who had just received some porridge and was carefully feeding her child.

"Madam, did your child seem a little off after drinking the porridge? Does he look any better than before?"

The young mother looked up blankly at the child in her arms, swallowing softly, and nodded subconsciously.

"The baby... the baby is eating now, and isn't crying."

"Did you hear that?"

Li Shuchen shouted to the crowd.

"Whether the porridge is clean or not, those who eat it know! Whether the medicine is effective or not, those who are sick know! This princess paid out of her own pocket to cook porridge and distribute medicine for you under the scorching sun, not expecting a word of thanks, and yet she has to endure this heartless curse? Is there any justice in this world?"

She turned to the man with the crooked mouth, her eyes sharp.

"You keep talking about official documents, does the King even know? I think you're quite concerned about the King and the government! What, did the government send you to investigate the princess? Or... did Golden Camel send you to cause trouble?"

She lowered her voice for the last sentence, but just enough for a few people nearby to hear it clearly.

The words "Golden Camel" seemed to possess a magical power; the crowd immediately began to whisper among themselves, and their gazes towards the crooked-mouthed man changed.

The man with the crooked mouth panicked.

"You...you're spouting nonsense! I have no idea what this Golden Camel is!"

"Why are you panicking if I don't know you?"

Li Shuchen pressed on, "Look at him, everyone! He's pale and thin? He doesn't look like he's starving! His clothes may be tattered, but the lining material isn't bad, is it? He doesn't even have a callus on his hands. Does he deserve to receive relief porridge? He's clearly a spy here to cause trouble!"