Fairy, shut up! I'm really not blondie.

Take a closer look.

Those seem to be fire spirit stones, a local specialty of Yunzhou.

They piled together resembled a sun flowing with magma.

Especially when exposed to sunlight, it becomes incredibly dazzling.

"..."

He was silent for a moment.

Then he rubbed his chin thoughtfully and said.

"When did this place become a stone collection point?"

It seems like he's talking to himself.

The two graceful figures in the corner of the courtyard both felt as if they were being locked onto by a powerful aura.

Knowing they had been discovered and could no longer hide.

They had no choice but to come out of their hiding place.

It was Qin Lianshang and Qiang Kui, who hadn't returned home all night.

The spirited girl in red laughed heartily, then approached the boy with a cheeky grin and said in a serious tone.

"What stone collection place?"

"Don't underestimate these stones. They are all extremely pure fire spirit stones, which can be used to forge armor, restore true energy, and have many other uses."

"Even if you took these few to the capital, they would be worth a thousand gold pieces!"

"Oh."

The boy waved his hand casually.

The neatly stacked stones were all collected into the mustard seed.

Finally, it's not dazzling anymore.

He said lightly.

"so what."

"Are you trying to bribe me because you need something from me?"

Yun Ling rolled her eyes.

Qin Lianshang walked over and explained.

"These are gifts of gratitude from the people, who spontaneously organized themselves to present to His Excellency the Imperial Envoy."

“For the people of Yunzhou, this kind of stone is actually quite rare now. Currently, only a few remain in each household, which are regarded as mementos and last reserves.”

talking.

She also sighed.

then.

After Qin Lianshang worked tirelessly to implement all the terms on the scroll, the people responded enthusiastically.

and.

It's probably a matter of local customs.

Early the next morning.

Many people spontaneously gathered at the entrance of the city lord's mansion.

It includes wealthy gentry and ordinary people.

Everyone was holding a "thank you gift".

Upon closer inquiry...

They all handed it over voluntarily out of gratitude to the City Lord's Mansion.

“Previously, the rule in Yunzhou City was that if you wanted to get something, you had to give something first.”

"If you want to open a shop in a good location, you'll have to be skinned alive by the city lord's mansion."

"If you want to grow crops properly outside the city, you have to serve the city lord's mansion and work for free for several years."

“Every policy in the past that seemed to benefit the people had a hidden cost. Over time, they’ve probably gotten used to it.”

But this time.

The city lord's mansion has taken action multiple times.

They rebuilt the city and provided financial assistance to the people.

They are still planning to improve the current unequal situation.

However, no compensation clause followed.

As a result, the people expressed that they were not used to it and felt uneasy.

As a result, they all spontaneously "paid the price".

The wealthy gentry then brought out their most prized possessions: fire spirit stones that martial arts practitioners could use.

Ordinary people did their best to bring ingredients and food.

Qin Lianshang said slowly.

"The grain hasn't been delivered yet."

"These stones are more convenient, so I'll send them over to Your Excellency first."

Su Qing raised his eyebrows and asked.

"You just brought these things over like that?"

Qin Lianshang said slowly.

“I understand what Your Excellency means.”

"However, for the people who have just settled down, not accepting their goodwill at this moment will only make them uneasy."

"Some disturbances have arisen out of nowhere."

"I will not use these things; they will only be temporarily deposited into the treasury. If there is any need in Yunzhou City within a year, they will be used as start-up capital. If there is no need, they will be returned in full after a year."

Su Qing nodded her chin.

immediately.

He revealed a half-smile and said quietly.

"so."

Why did you bring this to me?

The queen before him raised her eyes.

Her beautiful phoenix eyes seemed to hold a hint of cunning and scrutiny, and the petal marks at the corners of her eyes shone brightly.

"But Your Excellency accepted it, didn't you?"

"So you've come here to test me."

Su Qing rubbed her chin, then suddenly laughed and said.

"So what do you say?"

"Now that you have the answer, are you disappointed?"

Qin Lianshang sighed.

He took out a small mustard seed from his waist.

Just a moment ago.

She felt that something had been added to this.

Upon probing with my divine sense, I was astonished to find those fire spirit stones!

For a while.

Qin Lianshang's feelings were quite complicated.

There was a sense of relaxation and a touch of happiness: the young man before me was indeed the kind of person I had imagined, and he would never be tempted by such benefits.

such.

I think I know him pretty well.

On the other hand...

I couldn't help but gasp in amazement.

This is her mustard seed!

Although it certainly can't compare to the quality of Su Qing's clothes, it's considered one of the lowest quality batches.

But her restrictions remain on it.

It's amazing that so many things can be put in without her consent or harming her.

That's absolutely incredible!

This also shows that the young man in front of me is far stronger than myself!

after all.

It can put things in and take things out of it with ease.

There are other things we can do.

For example—slitting her throat without anyone noticing.

At this moment.

Qin Lianshang realized once again with profound clarity just how terrifying the young man in front of her truly was.

At first, I actually thought I would defeat him.

Think about it now.

I actually sensed that it was somewhat far-fetched.

"Eh."

Yun Ling was unaware of the undercurrents between the two.

Hear the words.

He stepped forward and explained.

"We didn't mean to test you."

"Although Palace Master Qin has already decided on how to deal with these things, she insists on asking you before making a decision."

"So I just brought these things over as well."

"Oh?"

Su Qing's thoughtful gaze swept back and forth between the two of them before she spoke.

"When did your relationship become so good?"

Is this what they mean by "when fellow villagers meet, their eyes well up with tears"?

The spirited girl with the ponytail immediately objected.

He raised his chin and said.

"I didn't cry!"

"Moreover, since I've taken charge of those people, I'll continue to take charge to the end."

"Palace Master Qin is now the city lord, but this is just a cooperation. Besides, I'm just doing this for my own amusement, I have no other intentions."

Oh.

Su Qing nodded.