Chapter 818: The True Identity
Editor: Henyee Translations
As they viewed the sigil, a wave of shame washed over them.
He Wenyou said, “Miss Chu is genuinely working for the people. We were too narrow-minded this time.”
Duan Qidao nodded in agreement, “Indeed, she’s not like those corrupt officials who pocket the hard-earned money of the common folk for themselves. She genuinely invests it back into the community.”
He Wenyou turned to Duan Qidao, “Shall we continue looking?”
Duan Qidao sighed, “Let’s, but not like before. This time, let’s appreciate it as tourists.”
He Wenyou smiled, “Sounds good.”
At Li’s Bridge.
Ye Qingmin, the son of the elder organizing the bridge construction, sneakily pulled Ye Rende aside, smiling ingratiatingly, “Brother De, my friend has some stone material that’s better than the batch we originally settled on and much cheaper. Do you want to take a look?”
Ye Rende, whom Chu Qingzhi had promoted to a junior manager role responsible for procuring materials for Li’s Bridge, listened as Ye Qingmin earnestly tried to persuade him to check out his friend’s stone material, clearly with an ulterior motive.
Ye Rende, true to his name and hence promoted by Chu Qingzhi, tactfully declined, “Brother, the stone material has already been ordered, and Miss Chu has already signed off on it. Changing it now seems inappropriate.”
Ye Qingmin dismissively replied, “What’s inappropriate about it? Just tell Miss
Chu the stone has issues and switch to another supplier.”
Ye Rende expressed his reluctance, “Brother, Miss Chu isn’t someone to be trifled with. I dare not.”
Ye Qingmin, secretly irritated by Ye Rende’s refusal but still aiming to achieve his goal, kept a smiling face, “Brother De, Miss Chu trusts you. She won’t doubt you.”
Just then, a coworker’s voice rang out, “Brother De, Miss Chu is here.”
Ye Rende breathed a sigh of relief; Miss Chu’s timing couldn’t have been more perfect, “Brother, I need to see if Miss Chu needs anything. I’ll take my leave first.” He quickly made his escape.
Ye Qingmin stomped his foot in frustration, labeling Ye Rende a coward doomed to poverty.
Meanwhile, Elder Ye was delighted to see Chu Qingzhi, “Miss, you’ve come.”
Chu Qingzhi stood at the head of Li’s Bridge, “I just finished inspecting the southern road and thought I’d check on Li’s Bridge while I’m at it.”
By then, the bridge piers had been set, and the construction was about halfway through to finishing the bridge body.
Chu Qingzhi secretly used her spiritual power to check the stability of the bridge piers. They were extremely solid, requiring her to exert seventy percent of her power to even budge them, ensuring the bridge would withstand floods.
After her inspection, Chu Qingzhi inquired, “Have you encountered any difficulties recently?”
Elder Ye waved his hand dismissively, “Everything’s going smoothly. Thanks to Miss Chu’s help with the boulders earlier, we’ve overcome the hardest part. The rest should be easy.”
Chu Qingzhi nodded, “That’s good. If you encounter any issues, feel free to come to me. There’s only a month left until the New Year. We aim to finish the bridge before then to make it easier for everyone to go to the county town for their shopping, ensuring a good celebration.”
Elder Ye promptly agreed, “Exactly as you said, Miss. We’ll speed up the work.” Chu Qingzhi added, “While it’s important to progress, safety is equally crucial. Be careful to avoid injuries and accidents.”
Elder Ye solemnly assured, “Miss, don’t worry. We understand.”
After making her rounds and finding no issues, Chu Qingzhi left.
She took a different route home to inspect the surrounding roads, having not done so for two days.
In the Chu Village.
On her way home after the inspection, Chu Qingzhi was stopped by a man dressed in black. “Miss Chu, I am a guard of Princess Yun Hua. She sent me to deliver some items to you.”
While speaking, he took off his backpack and handed Chu Qingzhi the contents: a book and a letter.
The book seemed ordinary, but the letter, as thick as half a book, piqued Chu
Qingzhi’s curiosity. She decided to read the letter first.
“Qingzhi, do you miss me? I miss you so much.”
“Yichen really came to find me, but he went to the south of Anhuai Kingdom to suppress bandits to gain my mother’s approval. Those who go to suppress bandits often don’t return, and I am so worried about him.”
“Qingzhi, I’ve finished writing my story. I originally planned to sell it in the bookstore myself, but now I can only ask for your help.”
“By the way, how’s the bookstore doing?”
“Qingzhi, I have so much to tell you…”
The rest of the letter was filled with Wu Yaqing’s daily life and thoughts, at least ten thousand words long, detailing her life since returning home.
After quickly scanning the letter, Chu Qingzhi said to the man, “Come home with me for a meal, and wait for me to write back to Yaqing. How about that?”
The man bowed, “Thank you, miss.”
They both headed back to Chu Village together.
Once home, Chu Qingzhi asked Li Qingyu to prepare some warm food for the man while she went upstairs to write a reply.
Chu Qingzhi wrote a 3,000-word letter back to Wu Yaqing. After giving the letter to the man, she also packed a lot of snacks preserved with her spiritual power to send back with him.
The man, expecting a light journey, found himself carrying even more items on his return.
After sending the man off, Chu Qingzhi took the book to the ancestral hall.
Monkey had already helped water the wheat in the fields. Chu Qingning had completed her task and was now teaching the children in the school. Chu Qingzhi arrived just in time for the break.
Chu Qingning asked, “Fifth sister, why are you here?”
Chu Qingzhi showed the book she was holding, “I need the children’s help with something.”
“What book is it?” Chu Qingning, curious, took the book. It had been bound into a blue-covered volume titled “The Princess’s Escape from Marriage.” “Who wrote this?”
Chu Qingzhi replied, “Yaqing wrote it.” It was a classic ancient romance, based on her and Lu Yichen’s story.
Wu Yaqing had a good literary style, and the writing was excellent. The classical language, though not easy to read, felt extraordinarily beautiful.
Chu Qingning began to read on the spot, unaware of Wu Yaqing’s true identity.
To avoid unnecessary trouble, Chu Qingzhi had asked Wu Yaqing not to disclose it.
After reading, Chu Qingning commented, “Fifth sister, Yaqing must come from a distinguished family, right?”
Chu Qingzhi raised an eyebrow, “What makes you say that?”
Chu Qingning analyzed, “Her writing exudes a sense of luxury, indicating she grew up in a wealthy family. Plus, her status must be quite high, as her words carry an aura of nobility not found in common folk.”
Chu Qingzhi thought privately about how mature Chu Qingning’s thinking had become, “Do you want to know her identity?”
Chu Qingning looked up at Chu Qingzhi, pondering for a moment before saying, “Fifth sister, tell me. I’m quite curious.”
Chu Qingzhi leaned in, “Yaqing is Princess Yun Hua of Anhuai Kingdom, the only legitimate princess of the queen. When Jinghong and I were on a mission in the north, she ran away from her marriage and later traveled with me to the capital…”
Chu Qingning’s eyes widened in shock, almost like copper bells, “Yaqing is, is a princess?”