The "gift" sent by Madam Lan, fraught with hidden danger, was like a boulder thrown into an ancient well. Although Su Nian calmly deflected it, the undercurrents it stirred had already spread deep within the royal court. Su Nian's words, "Some roads, once taken the wrong way, cannot be turned back," were like a precise prophecy, striking the hearts of countless people, whether they knew the truth or not.
Helian Jue's investigation of Kumoti was not carried out openly, but rather like a gradually tightening net. Kumoti was placed under house arrest in his own residence, and some of his properties and authority were temporarily taken over by trusted confidants appointed by Helian Jue. This seemingly restrained action sent a chill down the spines of all the traditional nobles who were dependent on Kumoti. Like a disturbed pack of wolves, they bared their teeth in the shadows, restless and uneasy.
The atmosphere in the royal court visibly became more tense. Even the clanging of blacksmiths' hammers in the workshops seemed to carry a hint of oppression.
Su Nian's life seemed to have returned to its previous trajectory, shuttling between the courtyard, study, and craftsman's workshop every day. But she could clearly feel that the gazes directed at her had become more complex. There was awe, curiosity, jealousy, and also... a subtle, almost imperceptible, veiled attempt to curry favor from certain lower-ranking generals and officials.
She knew that she, the "Princess of Southern Xia" and "a slave of some importance to the King," had unknowingly been regarded as a kind of weather vane, or even... an option to bet on?
That day, Su Nian was testing a newly improved stirrup in the craftsman's workshop. She modified the original simple rope stirrup into one with a certain curvature, which better fits the shape of the foot, and with an iron core wrapped in hardwood, to increase the rider's stability and control.
Several selected cavalrymen excitedly mounted their horses, experiencing the completely different riding experience brought by the new stirrups.
"Steady! So steady!" a young cavalryman couldn't help but shout. "It feels like I'm born on horseback!"
"It's even easier to exert force now!" another veteran exclaimed in amazement. "This thing is really good!"
Watching this scene, Ule's face broke into a rare genuine smile. The continuous improvements to weaponry had given him a much more confident stance in front of Helian Jue. His gaze towards Su Nian held a mixture of awe and growing trust.
However, just as the test was nearing its end, a group of people, including Helian Jue, suddenly arrived at the craftsmen's workshop.
Everyone immediately stopped what they were doing and knelt down.
Helian Jue ignored the kneeling people; his gaze fell directly on Su Nian, who was standing beside the test horses. She was wearing a simple cotton dress, her face flushed from her busy work, her eyes bright, and she was focused on the cavalrymen's feedback, not even noticing his arrival at first.
Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the shed, casting dappled shadows on her, making her both strangely integrated into the environment filled with sweat and the smell of steel, and strangely standing out from the crowd.
Helian Jue strode over.
The heavy sound of leather boots brought Su Nian back to her senses. She immediately lowered her head and bowed to the other craftsmen.
Helian Jue did not call out, but walked to the warhorse with the new stirrups installed and reached out to touch the iron stirrups covered with hardwood.
"Did you do this?" he asked, his voice devoid of emotion.
"Your Majesty, these are just some of my humble ideas, which the craftsmen will refine and perfect," Su Nian replied cautiously.
Helian Jue didn't ask any further questions, but instead nimbly mounted his horse! He didn't even use a whip, but simply squeezed the horse's belly with his legs, and the magnificent black horse shot out of the workshop like an arrow and galloped across the training ground.
Everyone watched with bated breath.
Helian Jue performed a variety of difficult tactical maneuvers on horseback: side hooks, turns, slashes... His figure and his warhorse were almost one, his movements fluid and powerful. The new stirrups clearly provided great assistance, allowing him to maintain amazing stability and control even at high speeds.
A moment later, he rode back, dismounted nimbly, and moved with clean, decisive movements.
He walked up to Su Nian and looked down at her head, which was still hanging down.
"Not bad." He uttered two words, which was considered a very high compliment.
Then, he changed the subject, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable authority: "From this day forward, all material withdrawals and personnel scheduling at the artisan workshop will be managed by you in conjunction with Ule. Any major improvements may be reported directly to me."
Collaborative management! Direct reporting!
This practically handed over half of the real power of the artisan workshop to Su Nian! Although nominally she was still cooperating with Ule, the clause of "reporting directly" was enough to give her a transcendent position!
Uller knelt on the ground, his body trembled almost imperceptibly, and his head drooped even lower.
The surrounding artisans and soldiers were also deeply shocked. The king's trust and reliance on this woman from Nanxia had exceeded everyone's expectations!
Su Nian was also stunned. She looked up and met Helian Jue's deep eyes. His gaze was calm, as if he were simply stating a fact, but beneath that calmness lay an almost domineering decision.
She opened her mouth as if to say something, but in the end, she could only manage to say, "This servant... obeys."
Helian Jue's order was like a thunderclap, completely shattering the superficial peace maintained by the royal court.
Su Nian's power visibly expanded. She was no longer merely an "advisor" offering ideas, but possessed actual management authority and a voice. Even the artisans in the workshop, who harbored some dissenting thoughts, treated her with utmost respect. Some lower- and middle-ranking officials and generals who had initially adopted a wait-and-see attitude began to try to contact her, delivering some not-too-sensitive messages or expressing their dissatisfaction with the status quo.
Su Nian handled these relationships cautiously, neither making promises lightly nor completely refusing. She secretly analyzed the intricate power dynamics within the royal court, identifying who were Helian Jue's staunch supporters, who were wavering centrists, and who were loyalists of the traditional nobility.
She discovered that Helian Jue, through his formidable personal martial prowess, outstanding military achievements, and ruthless methods, had seized control of the core strength of the army. However, precisely because of his slave origins and his policies of suppressing the nobility, he faced considerable resistance from the traditional tribal nobles and some vested interests. The Kumoti incident was merely an eruption of this conflict.
That evening, Su Nian had just returned to her courtyard from the artisan workshop when an unexpected visitor appeared.
It's Batu.
His injuries had healed, and he still possessed that lean and composed demeanor. His attitude towards Su Nian was more respectful than before, but it was still more of a businesslike scrutiny.
“Miss Su,” Batu’s voice was not loud, but carried the crispness characteristic of a soldier, “His Majesty has ordered that we depart in three days to inspect the military towns on the northwestern border, and you have been specifically named to accompany him.”
Inspecting the border? And specifically requested that she accompany him?
Su Nian was startled. The northwestern border was the area bordering the Gray Rock Tribe, where the situation was most tense! Helian Jue's decision to take her there at this time was definitely not simple.
"What...does this servant need to prepare?" Su Nian suppressed her doubts and asked respectfully.
Batu glanced at her, his eyes filled with complex emotions: "Take your usual drawing tools with you; they might come in handy. Also, the border is bitterly cold and windy, so pack plenty of warm clothing."
After saying that, he didn't say anything more and turned to leave.
Su Nian stood in the courtyard, watching Batu's departing figure, her brows furrowed slightly. Taking drawing tools? Was Helian Jue planning to involve her in border defense planning? This trust was far too great… and far too dangerous.
[Host! An opportunity! Participate in core military affairs! This is an excellent chance to get close to the center of power and influence decision-making!] 088 analyzed excitedly, [However... the border area is a mixed bag, definitely more chaotic than the royal court, Host, you must be careful!]
Su Nian: "I know. Every cloud has a silver lining; this trip to the border will likely not be peaceful."
She returned to her room and began to pack her belongings silently. Besides the necessary clothes and drawing tools, she also carefully hid the remaining box of wound medicine, some clean strips of cloth, and... a small packet of powder that she had secretly exchanged with 088—a kind of medicine that might not exist in this era—in a hidden compartment of her luggage.
Just as Su Nian was preparing her luggage, in another magnificent tent in the royal court, the atmosphere was as still as the calm before a storm.
Lady Lan smashed the last exquisite ceramic cup beside her, her beautiful face contorted with anger and fear. Kumoti was under house arrest, and the "gift" she had sent was returned untouched, along with that warning. And now, Helian Jue was even going to take that lowly maidservant to inspect the border, and even grant her greater power!
"He's trying to wipe us out! He's going to trample all of us old folks under his feet!" Madam Lan's voice was shrill and choked with sobs. "That woman from Nanxia is a jinx! A monster!"
Her trusted maidservant inside the tent knelt on the ground, trembling, and dared not utter a word.
"We can't let this go!" A glint of mad ruthlessness flashed in Madam Lan's eyes. "Brother Kumoti is still in their hands...the border...yes, the border!"
She grabbed the maid's hand abruptly, her nails digging almost into the maid's flesh, and whispered, her voice like a viper's hiss: "Go, find a way to send a message over there... Say that the King has a woman from Nanxia who is skilled in military manufacturing with him, and values her highly... The itinerary and route for three days from now..."
The maid's face turned deathly pale, and she trembled all over: "Madam... this, this is treason..."
"Shut up!" Madam Lan interrupted her sharply. "If we don't do it this way, we'll all die! Do as I say! And do it cleanly!"
The maid dared not disobey any longer and scrambled out of the room.
Madam Lan sat alone in the disheveled tent, her chest heaving, her eyes filled with resentment as she gazed towards Su Nian's courtyard, muttering to herself:
"Helian Jue... Su Nian... if you won't let me have an easy time... then nobody will have an easy time either!"
"The border... will be your burial ground!"
At the same time, Su Nian shivered, a strange feeling of palpitation sweeping through her heart.
She walked to the window and looked at the gradually darkening night outside. The lights of the royal court flickered in the wind like will-o'-the-wisps.
A storm is brewing.
She knew that the real test might have just begun.
(End of Chapter 107)
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