There is a happy inn in the capital.

Chapter 445 Garden Tea Party

In this arid land that is seen as a symbol of death

Even the faintest, almost negligible sign of moisture was like a firefly in the darkness, giving them immense hope and comfort.

Princess Zoya's vow to "find water" was, at this moment, embodied in the hearts of these people in the most direct way.

Standing at the edge of the cheering crowd, Li Shuchen watched as Zoya, surrounded by the herdsmen, looked somewhat flustered yet beaming with joy, and a smile of satisfaction appeared on his face.

Although the Bo Yu Kingdom's online accomplice escaped, Zhen Congming was captured, and the princess successfully discovered the dampness.

Today's game was a beautiful victory.

Her gaze swept over the excited herdsmen, then over the desolate Tear-Stained Valley in the distance, and she thought to herself...

The scorpion tattoo on Zhen Congming's back...which faction in Boyu Kingdom does it represent?

This matter needs to be thoroughly investigated.

But for now, let's savor this rare moment of victory.

She squeezed through the crowd, patted Zoya on the shoulder, and winked at her.

The cheers from the sandpit echoed through the dried-up valley, as if truly awakening the long-dormant, faint vitality of this land.

******

Minister of Finance of Boyu

Mrs. Abdul's Garden Tea Party

The soft, gentle music played as various exquisite tea snacks were arranged on carved silver platters.

Several elegantly dressed and graceful noble ladies were sitting around a flower-adorned pavilion, chatting and laughing in hushed tones.

Princess Changning, as a specially invited guest, sat beside the head of the table, her purple star-patterned rouge palace dress making her stand out from the crowd.

"...Therefore, managing the household is the same principle as managing one's own family."

Princess Changning took a sip of her fruit and flower tea, and spoke casually, her voice clear and melodious.

"In our Purple Star, if the mistress only knows how to enjoy delicacies and fine silks while letting the servants go hungry and cold, and withholds their monthly allowances, over time, either the servants will become disloyal and secretly sell their belongings, or they will gather to cause trouble, and the household will be in turmoil. At that time, no amount of treasures can fill the hole in people's hearts."

Mrs. Abdul's smile faltered slightly; her husband was a crucial link in the Golden Camel's profit chain.

A young viscountess standing nearby nodded thoughtfully.

“Your Highness is right. My family has a small estate on the border. In previous years, the manager was harsh, and most of the villagers left, leaving the fields barren. Later, a kind and benevolent manager took over, and the estate gradually recovered. This shows that people's hearts are indeed the foundation.”

That's exactly right.

Princess Changning put down her teacup, gently dabbed her lips with an embroidered handkerchief, and her gaze seemed to drift unintentionally over the low rooftops of the slums faintly visible in the distance beyond the garden. She sighed.

"Having traveled with the delegation, I have found your country's scenery quite different from that of the Central Plains, which is very novel. However... I have also occasionally heard about the everyday life of ordinary people, which has left me with mixed feelings."

"Oh? What did the princess hear?" another countess, who was also very curious, couldn't help but ask.

"It's nothing much, just the hardships of ordinary people."

Princess Changning said casually, "For example, the price of grain and the difficulty of making a living. In our Zixing, if the price of grain in a certain place skyrockets, the government will often set up 'ever-normal granaries' to sell grain at a fixed price, or severely punish unscrupulous merchants to prevent popular uprisings. After all, if the people don't have enough to eat, there will be great chaos."

She paused, as if only then realizing her slip of the tongue, and covered her mouth with a laugh, "Look at me, saying such boring things again. Ladies, please don't take offense. I just feel that governing a country and governing a family sometimes share the same principles. The more compassionate those in power are, the more secure those below will feel."

The ladies exchanged glances.

Lady Abdul forced a smile and said, "The princess's concern for the people's livelihood is admirable. Our country... has its own laws and regulations."

“The law is certainly important,” Princess Changning readily agreed, but then changed the subject, “However, in addition to the law, a benevolent heart is also necessary. I happened to hear someone mention your country’s Princess Zoya the other day…”

She paused at just the right moment, noticing a slight shift in the expressions of the ladies, before continuing, "She seems to be a kind-hearted person, but unfortunately, she doesn't seem to be very favored by His Majesty? I saw her at the banquet the other day, all alone, looking rather lonely."

“Princess Zoya…” the Viscountess said in a low voice, “She is a bit aloof and not very sociable, but I’ve heard she’s been up to something lately…”

"What can she do? Just an unloved princess," Madam Abdul interrupted curtly, not wanting to elaborate.

Princess Changning, however, seemed oblivious, lost in her own thoughts.

"Sometimes, the loneliest people may have the purest minds. They don't compete or fight, and they can see the suffering that others can't. Our Purple Star Dynasty has an old saying, 'Treat the young of others as you would your own.' I heard that Princess Zoya is distributing porridge to poor children in Tear Valley? Regardless of the results, this kind of intention is rare among the royal family."

She blinked, a hint of innocent confusion in her eyes. "But where did she get the money and supplies? His Majesty the King... doesn't seem to be supporting her?"

The pavilion was quiet for a moment.

The ladies each picked up their teacups, each with their own thoughts.

They had all heard about Princess Zoya's recent actions to some extent, especially the rumors of "star warnings" and "finding dampness," which had sparked private discussions among the nobility.

Princess Changning's seemingly unintentional words struck a nerve with some people who harbored simmering discontent with the king and current policies, as well as their curiosity and subtle shift in opinion regarding the unconventional princess.

"Your Majesty... perhaps you have your own considerations."

Mrs. Abdul finally ended the topic with a dry remark.

But after the tea party, discussions about Princess Zoya's "loneliness but kindness" and "persistence in doing good despite lack of support" will likely become new topics of conversation among the ladies in private.

Princess Changning's feather had already subtly stirred the hearts of some people.

******

The top floor of Camel Bell Pavilion, the largest trading house in Suleiman City

Private banquet hall

The crystal glasses clinked crisply, and the aroma of roasted lamb mingled with the strong scent of spices filled the air.

Ruan Jingshang, a well-connected merchant from afar, was being toasted by several local merchants from the Kingdom of Boyu and a wealthy merchant from the Arab world.

He was witty and charming, and after a few drinks, the atmosphere became increasingly lively.

"...Mr. Ruan, what do you think of the colored gemstone market next season? Will it rise or fall?" Bahar, the owner of a mid-sized jewelry shop, asked tentatively. "Golden Camel has been a bit tight lately; they're sticking to their prices and are being extremely picky about the quality."

Ruan Jingshang swirled his wine glass, then lowered his voice mysteriously, saying, "Brother Bahar, about the market... I have some inside information, but I don't know if I should share it."

"Mr. Ruan, please speak freely! We're all family here!" the crowd urged.

“I heard,” Ruan Jingshang leaned closer, his voice almost a whisper, “that the ‘Golden Camel’ has been having a string of bad luck lately, and it’s no coincidence. The one above… that person…”

He quietly pointed towards the palace, "They're already very dissatisfied. The treasure appraisal event was a disgrace, the warehouses have had one accident after another, and even the most important mine collapsed and buried people. They couldn't even hold them down. What do you call this? This is called 'losing favor'!"

Everyone gasped

The wealthy Arab merchant stroked his upturned mustache, his eyes gleaming: "You mean... Lord Azim is about to lose power?"