There is a happy inn in the capital.

Chapter 436 Secret Meeting with the Prince

"Therefore, we need 'seeing is believing,' 'public witnessing,' and even more so... a bit of 'skill.'"

Li Shuchen smiled mysteriously.

“I have some… trinkets from my hometown that might create a similar effect, but the most crucial thing is the interpretation after the ‘miracle’ occurs. This needs guidance, and it needs to be combined with your previous reputation for ‘benevolence’ and the stories we’ve spread.”

"For example, a miracle might point to a dried-up riverbed, and someone might just 'discover' that you're secretly funding herders to dig out the remaining underground moisture there; or the light and shadow in the sky might closely resemble the totem of your mother's tribe... This requires Ziying's public opinion and your popularity among the people to ferment."

Zoya understood; this was a combination punch.

The "miracle" itself may have flaws, but when it is combined with public sentiment and media manipulation, the power it generates is enormous.

"What exactly do you need me to do?"

"First, ensure that Prince Suleiman will be at the observatory that night. He is a traditionalist and attaches great importance to such 'celestial phenomena'."

"Second, you need a reasonable, public 'good deed,' preferably related to the direction hinted at by the 'miracle,' which will be 'accidentally' discovered later."

“Third,” Li Shuchen looked at her earnestly, “when the ‘miracle’ occurs, no matter what you think in your heart, your expression must be one of awe, contemplation, or even… as if you have grasped some divine mandate. You will become one of the focal points of everyone’s attention, and your performance at that moment is of paramount importance.”

Zoya nodded emphatically, feeling the weight on her shoulders and a tremor she had never felt before, a mixture of fear and excitement.

"I understand, I will be ready."

"I'll also prepare my 'little gadgets'."

Li Shuchen squeezed her hand. "Don't worry, I want to see you ride that 'Pink Cloud Chasing the Moon' with my own eyes!"

Unlike the dazzling palace, the manor at night exudes a sense of solemnity and solitude that comes with age.

Zoya wore a simple but well-tailored dark blue robe that Ye Bingli had prepared for her, and a hood that covered most of her face.

Introduced by Umur, he was led like a tribal envoy who had traveled a long way to present a treasure to the old Prince Suleiman in his study.

The study was filled with the smells of old sheepskin, tobacco, and some kind of dried herb.

The old prince, with his white hair and beard, thin but with a straight back, was wearing a worn-out prince's uniform and was perusing an ancient star chart by the light of a copper lamp.

He raised his eyes, his gaze as deep and calm as an ancient well, sweeping over Zoya.

"Umur said you have something concerning the fate of the nation to show me? Or do you have some new information about my grandniece?"

He clearly guessed something.

Zoya took a deep breath, removed her hood, revealing her true face, and gave the old prince a standard courtly bow.

"Grand Uncle, it's me, Zoya."

Prince Suleiman's eyes flickered for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure. He put down the star chart and gestured for Zoya to sit down.

“Zoya…it’s been so many years since I’ve seen you this close. The last time I saw you was…at your mother’s funeral,” he said, his tone complicated. “You look more like your mother now, especially your eyes.”

"Thank you, Uncle, for remembering my mother."

Zoya sat down with composure, placing her hands on her knees.

"I have come here today not to reminisce, but to ask my great-uncle to take a look at the present state of the Kingdom of Boyu, to hear what the sand is lamenting, to see how deep the hoofprints left by the 'Golden Camel' are, and to think... how much of the foundation of our Savar family's rule remains."

The old prince silently stroked his beard, without interrupting.

Zoya continued, her voice clear and restrained, without any deliberate attempt to evoke emotion, simply stating the facts.

"The collapse of the mine in the east buried seventeen people, and Azim suppressed them. The three tribes in the west had their grasslands occupied by the 'Golden Camel'."

"Thirty-four old people and children have starved to death this winter. The price of grain in the capital is five times higher than it was three years ago, while the profits from the jewels that the 'Golden Camel' presented to my father's private treasury last year are recorded as being 30% less."

"The market stalls that the market brother trampled on last month have not yet received compensation from the people, while the daily feed cost of his new horse 'Pink Moon Chaser' is enough to feed a hundred families for a day."

With each word she spoke, the old prince's brow furrowed more deeply.

He wasn't entirely unaware of these things, but hearing them from Zoya's mouth in such detail and coherence had a different kind of impact.

"Grand Uncle, you have witnessed this country's development from the previous generation."

Zoya raised her head, her emerald green eyes staring directly at the old man.

"When my late grandfather was in power, although we were not wealthy, the laws were clear and the taxes were reasonable. The tribes lived in peace, and everyone sincerely prayed for the sacrifices to the gods of the stars. But what about now?"

"The festival has become a lavish and extravagant banquet. The people's hearts are like scattered sand, and resentment flows underground. When a country is about to fall into chaos, there must be evil spirits. The 'Golden Camel' is an evil spirit, but who is indulging in or even relying on this evil spirit?"

"Insolence!" the old prince hissed, but his eyes held more pain than anger. "Do you know what you're saying? Accusing your own father?"

“I am telling the truth, Grand Uncle.”

Zoya remained undeterred. "I'm not accusing anyone. I just don't want to watch the Savar family's empire crumble in greed and folly, consumed by the people's wrath. I don't want to see the Kingdom of Boyu become a giant tomb filled only with jewels and skeletons."

She stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the deep night outside.

"Grand Uncle, you believe in tradition and the guidance of the Star God. So tell me, when the stars are obscured by dark clouds, when traditional justice and benevolence are trampled upon, should we continue to pray to the clouds, or... should we find a way to clear away the fog?"

The old prince remained silent for a long time, the only sound in the study being the occasional crackling of the lamp wick.

After a long silence, he spoke slowly, his voice aged and weary: "What...what do you want to do? And what makes you think you can do it?"

Zoya turned around, her eyes shining with a firm and clear light.

"I'm not alone. There are tribal warriors who see reality clearly and still cherish their homeland, merchants and farmers who have suffered exploitation and yearn for justice, soldiers who are frustrated in the army but still remember their original aspiration to defend their country... and many others."

She paused, then continued, "Having witnessed all of this, the Purple Star delegation, willing to give the Kingdom of Boyu a different opportunity, does not interfere in internal affairs, but they are willing to cooperate with a ruler of Boyu who respects contracts and cares for his people."

"The Purple Star Envoy?" The old prince's eyes sharpened. "They support you? Why?"

"Because they saw the truth, and because... I, like them, believe that trade should be fair, people should live in peace, and the legitimacy of rulers should come from serving the people, not from exploitation."

Zoya replied, "Grand Uncle, I don't ask for your explicit support now. I only ask that you open your eyes wide at the observatory tomorrow night and see if our country can truly continue on its original course, and also see... if any new 'revelation' will appear."