Chapter 135: The Overprotective Baby

Chapter 135: The Overprotective Baby

From one side, someone laughed lightly a few times and said, "Lord Minister Chen, it seems like our current lives are pretty good."

The Minister of War turned his head to look at the person—it was the Deputy Minister of Revenue, known for his honesty and usually staying neutral.

Minister Chen remembered that this man had been close to the Second Prince, though they hadn’t been in frequent contact recently.

Upon hearing the Deputy Minister of Revenue’s words, everyone quietly lowered their heads.

Indeed, have their days been good these past years?

……

Xiao Yin decided to celebrate the New Year in Haiyue City.

"Haiyue City is relatively peaceful compared to other cities in Great Wei. The mountains, rivers, gentle streams here, and the kind-hearted people make it a place where Xiao Yin didn’t mistreat the locals after taking the city.

"This city will be governed by the Second Prince Beidi. Everything will be Beidi’s decision," Xiao Yin said, looking at the panicked citizens inside the city.

Beidi, who had persuaded the city to surrender, had only fought for a few days, and the battle had not greatly harmed the citizens.

Now, after some tidying up, it only took three days for the city to regain its former beauty.

"Can he manage as governor?"

"How can a traitor govern us? We can’t afford to lose this face."

The citizens couldn’t accept Beidi as their governor, and they closed their doors and remained silent at home.

"This is a silent protest, Prince Beidi. You need to handle it carefully," Xiao Yue said.

"If they use violence, I can certainly counter violence with violence to resist them. But Haiyue City is different; they’re using soft violence, so… I can’t exactly respond with soft violence, can I?" Beidi lamented.

Xiao Yin, holding his little niece in his arms, stood on the city wall, looking north.

"It’s snowing," Xiao Yin said.

"The former capital of Beiling, covered in snow, was truly beautiful. Qiu Niang said Beiling only looked peaceful when it snowed; the rest of the time was hardly tranquil," Beidi said.

"Beiling, after all, suffers more from droughts than Great Wei," Xiao Yin remarked.

He was actually waiting for Xi'er’s thoughts on resettling the people of Haiyue City. If her thoughts aligned with his, he would discuss it with Beidi and have him implement the plan.

"When dealing with the citizens, it’s mainly about reducing their taxes and providing them with some benefits," Beidi said.

*The black clouds are gathering in the direction of the imperial capital. It seems the demon’s power is quite strong!*

What Ruo Xi was most concerned about was the person called Ye Bai. If he really is the same Ye Bai from her previous life, then this battle to invade Beiling’s capital would likely be a fierce one.

"Reducing taxes in a newly conquered city is a normal action, but it might not necessarily have a significant impact on them," Xiao Yin said.

"Over the years, I haven’t accumulated much wealth, nor can I buy them off with money, let alone give gifts or distribute New Year’s presents," Beidi said.

"I don’t think that’s entirely true. The citizens are currently lacking a sense of security and don’t fully trust you yet," Xiao Yue said.

*Hmm, if we can lure that Ye Bai here for a battle, perhaps it would allow the citizens to see clearly who their true leader should be!*

*If that person really is the demon, let me handle the fight.*

Ruo Xi was lost in thought, feeling a bit melancholic.

The two cities were over a hundred miles apart. Haitian City lay before Haiyue City, and the Imperial City was beyond that. She was no longer the woman who could travel as freely as the wind.

"First, we need to settle the city and issue the tax laws as planned. We can discuss the people’s reactions later," Xiao Yin seemed to have a plan.

The group descended from the city wall.

A thick layer of snow had already accumulated on the ground.

"In winter, Beiling often gets several snowfalls," Bei Di said.

"Yes, we need to provide the people with sufficient food and heating materials," Xiao Yin said.

"That's essential. I’ve already given the order. Before the New Year, all the mountains will be open for logging and gathering," Bei Di nodded.

They returned to the city lord's mansion.

Ruo Xi, having eaten her fill, lay on the couch playing with a bracelet.

Xiao Yin and Xiao Yue sat beside her, discussing affairs related to Beiling's Imperial City.

Dong Ju entered, holding a bamboo tube containing news from the Imperial City of Beiling.

"Go get Bei Di," Xiao Yue said.

"He rode out earlier," Dong Ju replied.

"Where did he go at this hour?" Xiao Yue looked at Xiao Yin. "Let's hope nothing happens."

"He probably went to the mountains. Yue'er, let's go too," Xiao Yin said, his eyes lighting up. "You learned a lot about identifying medicinal herbs in Cangming Mountain. There used to be many lingzhi mushrooms and medicinal herbs on the mountains here in Haiyue City. Let's go take a look!"

"Xi'er, let's go too. Mother will take you up the mountain to play," Xiao Yue understood her brother's intention and left with her daughter.

Mo Jingyu grabbed a cloak, put it in his pack, and silently followed behind them.

The group rode their horses forward, with Xiao Yin holding his little niece in his arms, controlling the horse's reins with one hand, while Xiao Yue brought Mo Jingyu along with her.

Dong Ju and Bai Yu each rode their own horse.

The horses quickly reached the foot of the mountain, where they saw all kinds of carts and wheelbarrows, and some people nearby bundling firewood.

Among the crowd, there was a figure busy helping out.

"He's really here," Xiao Yue dismounted and said.

"Staying in the city all the time must have bored him. It's better to mingle with the people and build some rapport," Xiao Yin said.

"But I'm afraid the people won't appreciate it," Dong Ju pointed out. "Look, Your Majesty, Princess, even Ruo Xi feels the same. They don't seem to like him. Sigh!"

Xiao Yue and Xiao Yin looked over, and even Ruo Xi followed their gaze.

Bei Di wanted to engage with the people, but apart from polite greetings, they kept their distance from him and didn't even let him help load the firewood onto the carts.

"If it doesn’t work, we should teach them a harsh lesson. Such ignorant people, it would be good to humble them a bit!"

Seeing Bei Di like that, Ruo Xi felt a bit distressed.

The great demon king, known for his righteousness, couldn’t bear to see someone close to him being wronged.

"Let's go check out the situation in the mountain," Xiao Yin, holding his niece, led the group up the mountain.

Seeing Xiao Yin and the others, Bei Di immediately approached them.

"Your Majesty, what brings you here?" Bei Di asked.

"Afraid you’d be bullied!" Dong Ju said with a smile.