Your Majesty said that my life is worthless, so why are you crying when I increase my troops?

Two incense sticks of time passed.

Xia Mingyuan was sweating profusely, as if he had just washed in water.

After finishing training, he stretched his calves and looked at Zhao Hongying, who was gloating with his arms folded, with a resentful look on his face.

Not far away, Xia Xue, who was sitting by the window, withdrew her gaze with a look of surprise.

"I didn't expect this guy to actually persevere. He's really tough on himself."

"That person in the palace boasts of having a sharp eye, but I didn't expect that he would be able to make mistakes and turn someone who should have been a close relative into an enemy."

Thinking of this, Xia Xue couldn't help but sigh softly, and turned back to look at the maid, "Lanxiang, have you found out everything I asked you to investigate?"

"Xia Mingyuan was out of town for a day and a night. What did he do?"

"Your Highness, Commander Xia's men weren't on guard against me at all. They went to the area near Wild Wolf Mountain and reportedly bought some land from the common people..."

"Buying land?" Xia Xue frowned slightly. "He's had quite a bit of money recently, so buying some land is understandable. But do you know how much money he spent on buying land from the people?"

"This..." Lan Xiang looked a little hesitant. After a long pause, she said, "I heard from the guards that Master Xia didn't seem to spend any money!"

"What?!" Hearing this, Xia Xue raised her voice a few notches, frowning, "No money spent? Could it be that the soldiers robbed it?"

"Have the troops outside the city been mobilized?"

Lan Xiang said cautiously, "The army is still stationed near Xujiazhuang. I heard from the guards that these lands were voluntarily donated to Commander Xia by the people! Moreover, they were so grateful that they came to Commander Xia to sign the agreement."

"Listen to his bullshit!" Xia Xue's face turned pale. "Land is the lifeblood of the people. What will they eat if they lose it? Why would they give the land to someone else for no reason?"

"I think it must be this guy who led the troops to force the people to hand over their land. Otherwise, what's the point of him buying the land and mobilizing the army?"

"This..." Lan Xiang hesitated for a while, "Your Highness, is there any misunderstanding here? Otherwise, I will go and find out more."

"No need!" Xia Xue's face was gloomy and she shook her head coldly. "It's easy to change the country, but hard to change one's nature. Even if we catch him red-handed, this guy will have a hundred excuses to quibble."

"Tomorrow I'll pretend to be sick, and we'll swap identities. I'll go out of town to Xujia Village and take a look. If it's really Xia Mingyuan who's robbed the people's land, we must report it to the court. Otherwise, if we keep this guy around, he'll be even more of a nuisance than the one in the palace!"

"Your Highness, this is absolutely not possible. The last time you went to the temple outside the city, you almost met with an accident. How dare I let you take the risk alone now?" Lanxiang persuaded hurriedly.

"Lanxiang, I have made up my mind about this matter. I will not let the soldiers seize the land so easily. Moreover, I am disguised as a maid. As long as I don't reveal my identity, I will not be in danger."

Lanxiang wanted to continue persuading her, but suddenly the voice of a guard came from outside the door.

"Your Highness, it's time to eat. The commander will cook for you today and is waiting for you in the dining room."

Xia Xue was angry and wanted to refuse, but then she thought that if she behaved abnormally, it would arouse Xia Mingyuan's suspicion.

Thinking of this, she took a deep breath, suppressed her inner anger, and came to the dining room accompanied by Lanxiang.

"Aunt is here. Come, sit down and try my nephew's stir-fried river shrimp. The shrimp were specially caught outside the city today. They are extremely fresh and delicious. You must try them."

Xia Xue nodded slightly and sat down.

Zhao Hongying sat next to her, looked at the four dishes and one soup on the table, and swallowed subconsciously.

Xia Mingyuan's cooking skills were something she and Xia Xue had already witnessed on the second day after arriving at the palace. The braised lion's head dish almost made Zhao Hongying swallow her tongue.

Even though Xia Xue was wary of Xia Mingyuan at the time, she still ate two bowls of rice that day for the first time.

"Lanxiang, please sit down too. Don't be shy. Standing there is so rude. If people know about this, they'll think our Princess Mansion can't afford to feed you."

Xia Mingyuan pointed to the empty seat next to Xia Xue and gave instructions to Lanxiang.

"Commander Xia, I dare not."

"I will take my leave now."

Lanxiang was startled. In the past, she would wait outside the dining room door, but today she was hesitating whether to inform Xia Mingyuan that Her Royal Highness the Princess wanted to leave the city tomorrow.

Unexpectedly, I forgot to leave for a moment.

Thinking that Xia Mingyuan was pointing out that she was not following the rules, Lanxiang turned around and was about to leave.

But Xia Mingyuan waved him away, "We're just having a meal, why are you running?"

Lan Xiang was embarrassed and quickly explained, "Commander, how can a servant sit at the same table with the master? This is against the rules."

Xia Mingyuan chuckled and said, "What rules? It just happened today. I can't just let you watch us eat. Recently, thanks to you for helping me look after my aunt. We can't finish all the food on this table, so you can help us share some of the burden."

"This... Taking care of His Highness is my duty. How dare I..."

Lanxiang still didn't dare to agree and was about to leave quickly.

At this moment, Xia Xue said, "Lanxiang, since Mingyuan asked you to sit down, then let's go. Besides Hongying and I, you're the only woman left in the palace. It's not good to eat with those rough guys."

After hearing this, Lanxiang carefully sat down next to Xia Xue.

Xia Mingyuan sat down with a smile and invited everyone to eat.

Actually, it wasn't that as a modern person, he couldn't stand the etiquette and hierarchy of his old friends. On the contrary, as a time traveler, if he wanted to avoid feeling lonely in this world, he should seize the opportunity to adapt to local customs.

This Lanxiang is Xia Xue's personal maid.

He now wants to get closer to his aunt, so he must win over such a person.

Several people were sitting down to eat.

Suddenly, Wei Saner ran in hurriedly.

"Sir, someone from the county government has come to tell you that the county magistrate wants you to come over to discuss suppressing bandits."

Xia Mingyuan frowned when he heard this, "What's wrong with this old guy? Now he wants to suppress bandits."

"What can I discuss with him? Go tell the messenger that I'm busy. If Sun Yaozu wants to discuss it, he can come to the princess's mansion in person."

"Who am I? Can I go just because he recruits me?"

"Yes." Wei Saner wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and ran out quickly.

Xia Xue hesitated for a moment, then suddenly thought of something. "Mingyuan, before I go to my fiefdom, the imperial court is about to send an imperial envoy to inspect local administration. Calculating the date, they should be arriving in Hanyang soon."

"Sun Yaozu is asking you to come over now, probably because the imperial envoy is coming. He wants to urge you to hurry up and suppress the bandits, otherwise you will fail the inspection and be dismissed from office."

"You'd better go, lest this guy shirk responsibility in front of the imperial envoy."

Hearing this, Xia Mingyuan was stunned.

After a long silence, he suddenly smiled and said, "Thank you for the reminder, Auntie. So, this Lord Sun is eager to give me money again!"

"After dinner, I'll go to the government office!"