At dawn, ten thousand garrison troops arrived at the mine and immediately began digging canals, while the Imperial Guards withdrew to rest.

The flood discharge channel approved by the Tiangongsi (Heavenly Works Bureau) is seven feet wide at the bottom, two zhang wide at the top, and one zhang deep, with a total length of about fifteen li (approximately 2.5 kilometers).

The laborers in Chiyan County have been excavating for more than half a month and have completed about one-third of the work.

If another 10,000 soldiers are deployed and they dig day and night, it is estimated that the project can be completed in three days.

Qin Zhaoyue could hear the chants and clanging sounds from a distance as the carriage drove into the center of the camp.

Sui Mo held an umbrella, Tao Yao helped her up, and behind them followed Mo Er with a round face and Mo San with softer facial features.

The two of them were carrying large food containers, and they looked quite strained.

"Eldest sister, I'm here!"

His tone was filled with innocent joy, completely out of place with the atmosphere of the entire mine.

Lifting the curtain, Qin Zhaoqiong was sitting there eating a flatbread; it was noon, just in time.

She had been in the army for a long time, eating and sleeping with the soldiers. She was never picky and was content as long as she could fill her stomach.

But Qin Zhaoyue frowned and immediately complained, hands on her hips, "Elder sister, how could you eat this?"

"Uh..." Qin Zhaoqiong was stunned, and subconsciously replied, "The baked hot pancakes taste pretty good."

"Nice my foot! Get rid of it, your sister brought you something delicious."

A large food box was brought out, containing roasted mutton, stuffed bitter melon, pickled cowpeas, and two kinds of side dishes: pickled fern roots.

It wasn't a lavish meal, but it was plentiful.

Even so, Qin Zhaoyue still looked disgusted, saying, "This lousy place can only offer this much food."

Qin Zhaoqiong felt a warmth in her heart, shook her head and smiled, "It's already very good."

She didn't actually throw away the flatbread; instead, she put some roasted mutton on it, added some side dishes, rolled it up, and ate it directly.

The freshly baked flatbread has a slightly crispy crust, the unique aroma of roasted mutton, and the refreshing side dishes that cut through the richness—one bite and your mouth is filled with fragrance.

This is a common way of eating in the North. It's not as elaborate as individual dishes, but it's very satisfying to eat it in big bites.

"Eldest sister, you're too rough..."

Qin Zhaoqiong quickly asked her to sit down next to her, "Sixth sister, you don't understand. People in the north often eat like this. You can roll anything in a pancake, and it has a unique flavor."

Qin Zhaoyue almost rolled her eyes, but managed to hold them back.

She doesn't understand? Lamb skewers wrapped in pancakes, how could that not smell delicious? She almost swallowed her saliva!

But as a princess who was leaving the capital for the first time, she was used to eating the finest and most exquisite food, so she couldn't show any craving.

As they were talking, the tent flap opened, and Meng Jian burst in.

He was "injured" and spent the whole night resting in his tent, which bored him to death.

"Your Highness, Sixth Prince." After bowing with clasped hands, his gaze fell upon the dishes laid out on the table.

"Wow, our great hero has a really good nose. He came right away just by smelling the scent."

Meng Jian felt ashamed, but having heard "great hero" so many times, he had gotten somewhat used to it.

Hearing that the Sixth Prince was coming to deliver meals, I ran over excitedly with a little bit of anticipation in my heart.

Qin Zhaoyue noticed his undisguised expectation, waved her hand, and brought up the second food box, with the same dishes.

"This...this is for me?"

"No, it's for feeding the dogs."

Meng Jian: ...

Qin Zhaoqiong patted her little sister's hand helplessly. It was clearly a good thing, but that mouth of hers...

"Commander Meng hasn't eaten yet, has he? Why don't you sit down and have something to eat?"

"Then I shall respectfully comply."

Meng Jian sat down, and before he even ate, a grin spread across his face.

What he ate was secondary; the important thing was that the Sixth Prince was thinking of him and had sent him a portion as well.

"Mmm, delicious! Your Highness has put a lot of effort into this."

As soon as he took a bite of roasted mutton, he couldn't wait to express his joy.

This time, Qin Zhaoyue couldn't hold back and rolled her eyes dramatically.

The food was prepared by the cook, and the food box was carried by a maid. It had nothing to do with her feelings. She was just trying to praise her because she had no other words.

Just as they were enjoying their meal, they heard footsteps outside the tent.

All of them possessed cultivation and were sharp-witted. Meng Jian gave them a look, and they all understood who had come.

Today, Yin Zhe has found an opportunity to inform the two of the information he obtained, and has confirmed the identity of the county magistrate.

"Sister~" Qin Zhaoyue called out, immediately taking the arm of the princess beside her.

"Zhaoyue was a great help this time, giving the doctor a brilliant idea. How will you reward Zhaoyue, sister?"

Qin Zhaoqiong suddenly shuddered, and goosebumps rose on her arms.

Sixth Sister is... just too sweet.

The county magistrate and his registrar, who had just stepped outside the tent, stopped in their tracks.

Zhou Yanqing glanced at the person beside him, and the registrar shook his head slightly.

He suggested something about maggots, which he had already consulted with the doctor. It might be somewhat useful, but the conditions weren't right now.

Zhou Yanqing realized that this was an exaggeration to claim credit.

They were well-informed and were secretly surprised to hear that the Sixth Princess had saved the lives of many patients in Mingyan County.

Now it seems that's not the case at all.

“Sister, the Duke of Zheng’s manor has an estate in the suburbs of the capital. I heard the hot springs there are very nice, and I want that one.”

Please, sister~~~ sister~~~

Qin Zhaoqiong was so shaken that half of her body went numb.

She gradually lost herself amidst the repeated calls of "sister," with only one thought in her mind: give it to her, give it all to her!

Meng Jian, sitting opposite him, stared in disbelief, unaware that the mutton he was holding had fallen to the ground.

Qin Zhaoqiong swallowed hard. She knew it was acting, but this sixth sister... it was really hard to resist...

"Okay~" Her tone was noticeably gentler when she spoke. "I'll help you get it. If all else fails, I'll exchange it with the Duke of Zheng for a manor."

"Thank you, sister~ You're the best~"

...

Qin Zhaoyue didn't linger for long; after the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, she got up and left, leaving behind two people who clearly had no appetite.

As soon as the curtain was lifted, the county magistrate and the registrar outside the door quickly bowed and addressed him as "Sixth Prince".

Qin Zhaoyue glanced at it indifferently, raised her head slightly, made an "hmm" sound through her nose, and strode over without stopping.

Standing before the eldest princess's tent, the two naturally dared not show any dissatisfaction, but in their hearts they thought that the sixth princess was indeed worthy of her reputation.

After the carriage had traveled a long way, Suimo on the carriage quietly gave a thumbs up.

I learned this from the Sixth Princess; it means to praise.

The Xuanji Guard already lacked high-end combat power, and they even sent a fourth-rank expert down into the mine.

Moreover, Qin Zhaoyue had taken in another maid, Jiang Mingyuan, at this time. Even though she had disguised herself, she still managed to reassure the group of people hiding in Chiyan County. Thus, this little performance came about.

Qin Zhaoyue pressed her palm down, her expression extremely calm.

Let a salted fish play the role of a salted fish, just be itself, okay? It's not difficult at all...