Chapter 780: Where Lies the Dignity

Editor: Henyee Translations

Shuang’er’s eyes widened for a moment, and then, tilting her head, she excitedly called out, “What about me? What about me?”

Chu Qingzhi responded coldly, “You didn’t complete the task, so there’s no reward.”

Shuang’er flewto Chu Qingzhi’s arm, trying to argue for some benefit, “That’s not fair…”

Chu Qingzhi hadn’t expected Shuang’er to go to such lengths for food, which was a surprise. “If you want a reward, then complete your tasks properly tomorrow, or you’ll get nothing.”

Rules had been set and had to be followed; otherwise, if indulged once, how would she manage the thirty-five parrots in the future?

After awhile of sulking, seeing Chu Qingzhi’s firm stance, Shuang’er reluctantly retreated, but its eyes bore a look of grievance towards Chu Qingzhi.

Chu Qingzhi told it, “You can’t blame me for this; who asked you to be lazy?”

It was a good opportunity to make an example out of one to caution the others!

Seeing Chu Qingzhi’s strictness, the other parrots completely discarded any thoughts of laziness, and none slacked off for the rest of their lives.

Shuang’er felt extremely wronged.

Chu Qingzhi didn’t bother with it any further and continued to ask the other parrots about their tracking tasks for the day.

Except for the overly clever Shuang’er, the other parrots all excellently completed their tasks and were rewarded with little caterpillars.

These caterpillars were snacks that Chu Qingzhi had made for the parrots, created from a mixture of chicken, pork, duck, and greens shaped into caterpillars and then fried. The parrots loved them.

Shuang’er watched enviously as its companions ate the caterpillars, silently vowing never to be lazy again.

After the parrots had their snacks, Chu Qingzhi set up a new task. Besides gathering intelligence, they also needed to maintain stealth. So, the next mission was…

Within the village’s bounds, parrots numbered one to ten were to hide somewhere the next day, and the rest would search for them. Whoever was found would fail, with the challenge lasting one day.

The food for the failed would be halved until the next success restored it.

The successful ones would be rewarded with ten caterpillars.

Chameleons, being best at hiding, were excited by this task, eager to try their hand at it.

“Alright, everyone rest up and think about where to hide tomorrow. For those who fail, be prepared for your food to be halved.”

This warning quieted the parrots a bit, and after a while, they all flew back to their nests, ready to give it their all.

Chu Qingzhi mused to herself that well-trained animals could be just as useful as humans.

Leaning on the window, she shared the day’s training progress of the parrots with Tang Jinghong.

Tang Jinghong quickly replied…

The two chatted back and forth as usual. After a while, Chu Qingzhi sat down on a chair and continued writing her autobiography.

She had already written more than half of it and would likely finish it in about a month.

Dipping her pen in ink, Chu Qjngzhi pondered what Tang Jinghong’s reaction might be to her story.

With the charity funds in place, Chu Qjngzhi immediately organized people to start constructing roads near Shuiyun County. She publicly announced the daily wages and material expenses, earning widespread praise.

The road construction began on the west side of the city towards the capital. Although it was an official road, it was full of potholes and had not been maintained for nearly a decade.

Chu Qingzhi, with her commanding influence, merely mentioned hiring workers for road repair, and in less than half an hour, enough people came forward to help, showing great enthusiasm.

With both manpower and funds available, the project progressed very smoothly.

Even a mine owner sponsored bluestone slabs for the road.

While paving the road with bluestone slabs, Chu Qingzhi also took measurements, setting milestones every mile and direction stones at crossroads, doing her best to ensure the project’s success.

Her method of road repair was later imitated by almost everyone, spreading throughout the entire Dalin region.

In the Anhuai Kingdom, capital city, Xun City.

A maid, Fangruo, entered the room and added a rabbit fur cloak to Wu Yaqing, “Princess, be careful not to catch a cold.”

With snow beginning to fall in Anhuai Kingdom by November, the weather turned exceedingly cold.

Standing by the window, Wu Yaqing, now dressed as a princess and adorned with precious jewelry, appeared both cute and dignified, creating a sense of distance.

She wrapped herself in the cloak, asking with a hint of anticipation, “Has Yichen sent any letters?”

Fangruo shook her head, “I’ve been vigilant both inside and outside the palace, but no letters have arrived.”

The disappointment in Wu Yaqing’s eyes was palpable. She sighed and gazed into the distance, “Why hasn’t he written to me for so long? My letters seem to have vanished into thin air. Where has he gone?”

Fangruo, unable to answer, remained silent with pursed lips.

After a while, Wu Yaqing sniffled slightly from the cold, “Go call golden guards.”

Fangruo whispered, “The golden guards were sent away by the queen.”

Wu Yaqing didn’t know what to say.

The queen disapproved of Wu Yaqing’s relationship with Lu Yichen, thus cutting off all possible means for Wu Yaqing to contact the outside world.

Frustrated, Wu Yaqing stomped her foot, “Why would mother do this?

Saying so, she headed outside to find the queen.

Coincidentally, the queen came to see Wu Yaqing, and the two met at the palace gate.

The queen, in her thirties but well-maintained, looked like a woman in her mid-twenties, very young, dressed in palace attire, and behaving very gracefully, appearing sweet.

But her appearance was deceptive. Although she seemed gentle and beautiful, her personality was fierce and strong-willed. When angered, the queen herself was a queen.

“Mother,” Wu Yaqing quickly stepped back two steps and respectfully performed a courtesy.

The queen slightly frowned. Having been away for so long, it seemed she still hadn’t learned to be steady, “With such a rush, where were you planning to go?”

Wu Yaqing, upset with the queen, replied somewhat sharply, “Mother, did you send golden guards away?”

The queen calmly looked at Wu Yaqing, “I did. What about it?”

Wu Yaqing softened her tone, not daring to confront the queen directly, “Can you return golden guards to me?”

“Why do you need golden guards if you are to stay in the palace?” Suddenly, the queen seemed to realize something, “Packyour things. From today, you will live in my side palace.”

Hearing this, Wu Yaqing dared not cause any more trouble, “Mother, I’ve already grown up.”

The queen sternly said, “Are you not listening to me now?

Wu Yaqing pouted unhappily, “Mother, how will others view me if I, at this age, still live in your palace?”

The queen insisted, “Others are others, you are my daughter, I have to protect you.”

Wu Yaqing was unwilling, “Mother, I’m safe in the palace, I don’t need protection.”

The queen said firmly, “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re planning. There’s no room for negotiation on this matter.”

Wu Yaqing’s pout could have hung an oil bottle, “Mother, you have the palace guarded inside and out, no one can get in.” She paused, “Yichen is not the kind of person you think, otherwise, he wouldn’t have let me return.”

The queen was afraid that Lu Yichen might infiltrate the palace and take Wu Yaqing away secretly. What would become of Yaqing’s reputation then? And what of the royal family’s dignity?