Chapter 48: The Good Strategist

Prince Zhuang was struggling with the shipment of goods for Chen Xiyi. Emperor Li had used a huge amount of resources one after another, which caused the civil and military officials at court to oppose him. Now, the resources were stuck. Not just him, but even Emperor Li found it very hard to move them.

Emperor Li did control the court, but he was not all-powerful, especially in this situation.

Those who wanted bribes refused to let go. Those who wanted a good name used this to attack him. Those who cared about the country wanted to stop this behavior.

“Your Highness, I have important news to report.” Outside the door, the steward of Prince Zhuang’s Mansion knocked and spoke.

“Come in.” Wang Li frowned, feeling a bit strange. What important matter needed to be talked about now?

The steward entered the study and said respectfully, “Your Highness, that gentleman fished a woman out of the pond in the courtyard. He told me to come to you to deal with it.”

“???” Hearing this, Wang Li also looked puzzled. He fished out a person?

Before, it was weird enough when he fished out tables, chairs, and benches. How could he fish out a person now?

But then he thought, since this Great Immortal asked him to handle it, maybe there was something special about it.

“Where is the woman now?” Wang Li asked seriously. Since he was asked to deal with it, he might as well meet her.

“She is being bathed and dressed by the maids. After being fished out by the gentleman, she was all wet. She looked like a lady from a good family,” the steward replied.

“Alright, tell the kitchen to prepare some ginger soup to warm her up. Bring her to see me after she drinks it.”

After a little while, the steward brought Lü Xian.

Entering the study, Lü Xian moved with grace and followed proper etiquette. As soon as she came in, she bowed. “This humble girl, Lü Xian, greets Prince Zhuang.”

“Please rise. Since it is the gentleman’s doing, you are one of us. Please sit,” Wang Li responded.

“Thank you, Prince Zhuang.” Lü Xian was, after all, a well-bred lady and remained very polite in her reply.

The two began to talk. Wang Li found that Lü Xian spoke in a remarkable way. Although she had lived deep inside her home, she had clear views on everything.

During their conversation, he also learned about Lü Xian’s situation and background. Wang Li remained calm when he heard she was fished out by Chen Xiyi, which Lü Xian noticed. It seemed unusual.

“The Lü Family of Baiyuan—are they the Lü Family known for metalworking?” When Wang Li heard that Lü Xian was from Baiyuan City in Sunan, and considering her family name and refined manner, he thought of this Noble Family right away.

“I am from a branch family, not the main one,” Lü Xian explained.

“I see. Then, what are your plans now, young lady?” Wang Li asked.

Although the Great Immortal Fuyao asked him to deal with this, he was not sure how. That was why he asked.

If she wanted to go back, he would arrange an escort to take her. If she wanted to stay, he would give her a separate courtyard. His large Prince Zhuang’s Mansion could certainly support one well-bred lady.

“Well…” Lü Xian was unsure.

She could not go back. She had run away from home. Even with the support of Prince Zhuang’s Mansion, at best she would avoid death, but her reputation would be ruined. Gossip could kill her, and no one would marry her. The best outcome would be to live alone forever.

Wang Li saw her hesitation. He understood the social customs well. To be honest, if Lü Xian had not been fished out by Chen Xiyi, he would not have paid her any attention.

“If you have nowhere to go, you may stay at my Prince Zhuang’s Mansion for a while,” Wang Li offered.

Seeing a way out, Lü Xian quickly said, “Then I thank Your Highness. This humble girl is at a loss for what to do.”

Staying might still affect her reputation, but at least she would not have to worry about gossip.

If she went home, her family might talk behind her back, but in Prince Zhuang’s Mansion, few servants would dare to gossip.

If they dared to say anything out of line, they would lose their heads. Did they think the strict royal family was like those Noble Families?

“No problem. If you need anything, you can ask the steward to help you,” Wang Li added.

“This humble girl thanks Your Highness.” Lü Xian naturally expressed her thanks, as basic manners required.

Then she suddenly changed the subject. “When I came earlier, I saw that Your Highness looked worried. Is there something troubling you?”

“Well… it’s nothing major, just some small matters.” Wang Li did not want to say at first, but then he thought that since Lü Xian was fished out by Chen Xiyi, she might be of some help. So he continued, “The people at court…”

Wang Li truthfully explained how the civil and military officials were holding up the resources, though he only briefly mentioned Chen Xiyi.

Lü Xian listened with narrowed eyes, as if thinking about something.

After Wang Li finished, Lü Xian spoke. “This matter is actually easy to handle. Your Highness only needs to do this…”

As Wang Li listened to Lü Xian’s solution, he was quite surprised. He had not thought there was such a way to solve it.

“You are very talented, Miss Lü. If this succeeds, I will report to the Emperor to reward you.” Wang Li had not expected the solution to be so simple.

Lü Xian covered her face and laughed. “This is just a small trick. It does not deserve Your Highness seeking a reward for me. If I can solve this trouble for you, consider it my payment for staying here.”

As they talked, they became more engaged. Wang Li felt more and more regretful.

It was a pity that Lü Xian was a woman. If she were a man, the Li Kingdom would have another great talent.

Unknowingly, they talked until the Sun set in the west. Wang Li then realized that the whole afternoon had passed.

He then invited her to dine together. Lü Xian did not refuse but gladly accepted.

Lü Xian was smart. Even when they talked about romance, state affairs, or family matters, she did not bring up Chen Xiyi. She could tell that the one who fished her out was not an ordinary person. If she asked, it might make Wang Li wary and distant.

Although she could not ask, when the time was right, Wang Li would surely tell her.

After the moon hung on the willow branches, the two went their separate ways.

But Wang Li did not rest. Instead, he returned to his study to prepare for the plan and check for any flaws.

By the next morning court session, he would be ready to strike hard and remove the obstacles from the civil and military officials once and for all.

Lü Xian’s plan was good, but after all, she was a lady who rarely left her inner chambers. Although her mind was sharp, there was a big difference between theory and practice. That was why Wang Li needed to improve it and make good use of the plan’s key points.