She Rebuilt Her Fallen Country With Storage Space-Chapter 173: Can’t Deal With Xiang Ying, Can’t I Deal With You?

Chapter 173: Chapter 173: Can’t Deal With Xiang Ying, Can’t I Deal With You?

Jie Chen raised an eyebrow: "What madness has come over you now?"

Xiang Ying relayed what Aren had said to her.

She analyzed in a serious tone: "Nanyue should be the same as Xizhou; Princes are not allowed to maintain private armies; everything must be transparent and known to the Emperor."

"But if the Sixth Prince is really stockpiling weapons in secret, it’s definitely to target you, because it’s not his turn to vie for power yet, as the Emperor of Nanyue is still in his prime."

"Let’s seize his stash and see how he can bully you then."

Jie Chen looked seriously into her eyes.

When Xiang Ying was spirited in her speech, the corners of her eyes would slightly lift, resembling a scheming little fox.

But she didn’t possess the charm of a fox; what she had was the perseverance to move forward with unwavering determination once she set her mind on something.

"Why haven’t you considered escaping, with all the abilities you possess?" Jie Chen suddenly asked.

Xiang Ying was taken aback: "Why should I run away? I’ve been very comfortable following you this whole way."

Jie Chen pursed his lips: "Once you get to Nanyue, nothing will be under your control, and you know it very well."

Xiang Ying let out a laugh.

"Yes, I’m acutely aware."

She knew exactly how much to plunder.

Nanyue, having seized so much, must be very wealthy.

The famine was just beginning, and she was worried about where to stockpile goods.

Having already reached Mei City, and it would only take crossing two more states to enter the Nanyue Capital, why would she suddenly give up?

Jie Chen’s gaze, however, was so complex that she couldn’t comprehend it.

What was he actually worried about?

Did he think she would be bullied in Nanyue?

"Jie Chen," she extended her hand, hooking her little finger with his, "You don’t have to be afraid. I have more tricks up my sleeve than you can imagine. Now, let’s first confiscate the Sixth Prince’s weapons and let off some steam for you, how about that?"

Xiang Ying couldn’t help but smile at the thought of the Sixth Prince staring at the empty cave.

After a brief silence, Jie Chen nodded: "Okay."

He’ll join her one last time.

Xiang Ying planned to take Aren with her as a guide. At first, Jie Chen disagreed, fearing Aren might betray them, but Xiang Ying trusted Aren wouldn’t do so.

Besides, they were less familiar with the deep mountain terrain than Aren was.

Therefore, the Exile Team rested in place, and using the excuse of scouting ahead, Jie Chen led four bodyguards and Aren away.

After they left, Skinny Monkey instructed the Cook Soldier to set up the pot, preparing for lunch.

Before leaving, Xiang Ying left some dry food for Tao Xue and others, planning to have stir-fried meat with chili peppers over rice for lunch, and also a side dish of stir-fried shredded potatoes in vinegar.

Xiang Li had just been helped off the carriage by Lin Lingxiang when he heard the sound of a fight not far away.

He looked up and saw Xiang Qianqian curled up on the ground, clutching her head, being punched and kicked by two water bandits.

Xiang Li furrowed his brows: "What are you doing!"

He rushed over, Lin Lingxiang’s attempts to stop him were too late.

The water bandits turned and, recognizing Xiang Li as Xiang Ying’s brother, treated him with respect.

"Crown Prince," they saluted and pointed at Xiang Qianqian, "This woman stole from us."

Xiang Li frowned, looking down to see Xiang Qianqian trembling, guarding a piece of naan bread.

With tears in her eyes and a disjointed voice, she said: "Elder brother, I’m so hungry, I’m really very hungry... don’t bother with me, let them beat me to death."

Xiang Li felt a pang of sympathy.

It was at this moment that Lu Feiyi approached: "What’s happening here?"

Once the two water bandits explained, Lu Feiyi bowed respectfully to Xiang Li to apologize.

"Crown Prince, please don’t be upset with my two brothers; it was a rule I made that there must absolutely be no theft among us, and we cannot be courteous towards anyone trying to steal from us."

Through the days they had spent together, Lin Lingxiang had already figured out Xiang Li’s character.

The Crown Prince was gentle and accommodating, skilled in both literary and martial arts, with a soft heart.

Therefore, before Xizhou was destroyed, he was referred to by the court officials as a benevolent ruler.

Unfortunately, such kindness now, directed towards Xiang Qianqian, was certainly undeserved.

Lin Lingxiang suggested thoughtfully, "Your Highness, if you cannot bear to see the Fifth Princess humiliated, perhaps we could give her our own noon meal?"

"As for anything else, we certainly can’t offer much more help. You see, the elder princess is leading such a large group of us, and she’s having a tough time too."

Hearing Lin Lingxiang’s words, Xiang Qianqian’s trembling figure stiffened for a moment, as a sharp flash of venomous hatred swept across her eyes.

Xiang Li sighed softly.

"Ayin indeed has a hard time, and I hate myself for not being able to protect my sisters as their elder brother."

He bowed to Lu Feiyi, polite and respectful: "Young Master Lu, Qianqian is, after all, my sister. It was wrong of her to steal, and you have already punished her. I will discipline her not to steal again. Please, release her."

Lu Feiyi glanced at Xiang Qianqian.

He offered a mocking bow and then said, "Crown Prince, you are too modest. Of course, we will comply with your command."

With that, he turned his gaze to two water bandits, "Haven’t you loosened your grip yet?"

Only then did they release their tight hold on Xiang Qianqian, who, upon gaining her freedom, immediately started tearing ravenously into a piece of flatbread.

That desperate look made Xiang Li’s heart grow even more compassionate.

"Fifth Sister, times are different now; you can no longer act as you did before. Otherwise, once we reach Nanyue Capital, no one can protect you."

Xiang Qianqian started to weep, "Crown Prince, my brother, I’ve already realized my mistake. Now, I’m a child without a mother, and I only have you and our eldest sister left. But eldest sister has never been willing to forgive me... Can you please plead on my behalf to her?"

"I can do anything for her, I am not afraid of getting dirty or tired, as long as you are willing to feed me," she sobbed.

She wiped her pale, thin cheeks.

Lin Lingxiang spoke on her behalf, her tone serious.

"Fifth Princess, please do not make things difficult for His Highness. Nowadays, with the elder princess bearing the burden of all our food and shelter, it’s already quite hard."

"The Crown Prince has been trying to think of ways to ease the elder princess’s burden; how could he possibly add another to it? Moreover, the Vice General is kind-hearted and does not permit his men to be severe in rationing the prisoners’ food."

"If you are willing to queue up properly, you can also receive warm porridge and pickled vegetables every day. One should strive to live for oneself, not by shedding a few tears, expecting to evoke others’ sympathy and care."

Xiang Qianqian felt even more aggrieved by her words, pouting as she was about to cry.

She looked at Xiang Li, "Crown Prince, my brother, do you think of me in the same way?"

Xiang Li exhaled a sigh, "Miss Lin’s words are my thoughts as well. I’ll have someone send over my noon meal to you later. As for the future, Qianqian, you must fend for yourself."

Lin Lingxiang helped him leave.

Little did they know, Xiang Qianqian glared at Lin Lingxiang’s back, seething with silent rage.

She couldn’t deal with Xiang Ying, but Lin Lingxiang? Surely she should be able to handle her?

Thinking that just because she serves Xiang Li, she could control her, Xiang Qianqian? Wishful thinking!

At this time.

Both Xiang Ying and Jie Chen, following Aren, had already begun their ascent up the high mountain.

Aren pointed to a cave above, "It’s up there; you’ll need to climb the vines to reach it."

Xiang Ying considered for a moment, "You stay here keeping watch for us, while Jie Chen and I will go."

She had just grabbed the vines when Jie Chen handed her a dagger.

He said, "Keep it on you, just in case."

Xiang Ying took it and attached it to her waist.

Jie Chen went up first, to ensure he could protect Xiang Ying in case of any danger.

They climbed the vine one after the other to the rock face, and a cave suddenly appeared before their eyes.

Xiang Ying took out a fire lighter to ensure there was oxygen in the cave.

They moved about twenty meters, and at last, the firelight revealed a mountainous pile of cold weapons!

Xiang Ying’s eyes lit up.

There should be about twenty thousand pieces here, right?