“Greetings, Your Highness!”
Luo Lan and Han Feng rose quickly, bowing to Ninth Princess.
They glanced worriedly at Iron Hammer.
Iron Hammer knelt on the floor, Ninth Princess’s icy stare burned in his mind. His heart tasted like bitter herbs.
He rarely spoke ill behind backs. Today he slipped once, caught red-handed by the princess.
He wanted to slap himself.
Hierarchy was a cornerstone of royal rule in Great Kang. The princess, emperor’s daughter, held supreme status.
If she pursued it, slandering her alone could cost his head.
“Iron Hammer is a crude man, speaks without filter. Please forgive him, Your Highness!”
Luo Lan, who had chatted amiably with Ninth Princess before, boldly pleaded.
“Hmph. For your past service to the nation, I spare you once!”
Ninth Princess said coldly. “Next time, no mercy!”
“Thank you, Your Highness! This humble one dares not again!”
Iron Hammer exhaled in relief, kowtowed several times, then stood in the corner.
Ninth Princess took the black knives last time without money. Today she came to pay, and to chat with Luo Lan about Jin Feng.
Iron Hammer ruined her mood. She had an attendant toss a money bag on the table, said faintly, “Payment for black knives!”, and left.
“Your Highness, Brother Iron Hammer spoke without intent. Your liking the knives is our honour. How can we take money?”
Luo Lan picked up the bag, holding it with both hands. “If the master knew, he would punish me. Please pity Luo Lan, take the money back!”
“This princess never takes without paying!”
Ninth Princess walked out without looking back, entourage in tow.
Luo Lan sighed helplessly, followed, and saw them to the door.
Only when the carriage turned the corner did she return.
“Old Iron, lucky Her Highness let it slide. Otherwise you were done!”
When Luo Lan entered, Han Feng was scolding Iron Hammer. “This is not Xihe Bay where anything goes. Learn caution. Do not bring trouble to the master!”
“Old Han, am I usually loose-lipped? Today was a slip!”
Iron Hammer still felt fear.
Seeing the old soldier who followed Luo Lan, he flared up, ran over, kicked him several times.
“You turtle egg, trying to doom me? Her Highness entered, you did not warn me?”
“Captain, Miss Luo Lan saw it. Her carriage was plain. By the time I recognised her, she had alighted.”
The soldier grumbled. “I could not run ahead into the room.”
“Could you not shout?”
“Old Iron, do not vent on him. Not his fault.”
Han Feng said. “If you guarded, would you shout the moment Her Highness arrived?”
They had said nothing. A shout might make Ninth Princess suspect plotting.
“Fine, I was wrong.”
Iron Hammer scowled at the soldier. “Big Head, after work tonight, I treat you to Furong House. My apology.”
“Oh, Big Head, those kicks paid off!”
Another soldier laughed. “Captain, kick me too, take me along?”
“Scram!”
Iron Hammer had sweated cold. Clothes clung wet.
After cursing, he went to change, but Luo Lan stopped him.
“Brother Iron Hammer, Brother Han, perfect you are here. Let us count Her Highness’s payment. I can report to the master.”
Soap prices were set by Jin Feng and Tang Xiaobei. Accounts clear, no tampering.
Black knives had prices too, but Ninth Princess’s amount Luo Lan could not decide or guess.
She treasured her life, feared misunderstanding. Before Han Feng and Iron Hammer, she opened the bag.
Stacks of banknotes. Luo Lan counted twice. “Exactly twenty thousand taels. Brothers, count too.”
“Her Highness gave exact. No need.”
Iron Hammer waved, went to change.
Ninth Princess had asked black knife prices. Luo Lan told her Jin Feng set eight hundred taels each.
She took twenty-five. Exactly twenty thousand.
Han Feng did not count, asked. “Miss Luo Lan, by time, the men sent for stock should reach home today. Even if the master starts shipping now, carts take half a month. What do we do these two weeks?”
“I continue inn repairs. Your plans with Iron Hammer, I leave to you.”
Luo Lan said. “The master and Madam both said soap and black knives go premium, earn from the rich. This fits the hunger marketing the master spoke of.”
“For now, that is all.”
Han Feng said helplessly.
As they spoke, the gate guard rushed in.
“Brother Han, Miss Luo Lan, Brother Tang Fei arrived with men.”
“Old Tang?”
Han Feng startled, ran out.
Luo Lan followed.
In the yard, short hunter Tang Fei, weary, jumped from his horse.
Long ride left his legs unsteady.
“Old Tang, why you here?” Han Feng asked. “Trouble in the village?”
“No. Miss Mulang got pigeon’s message from the capital. Soap sells fast, black knives taken by Ninth Princess. Master guessed shortage, sent me with soap and knives for emergency.”
Tang Fei wiped sweat, smiled. “Master right? Soap sold out?”
“When has the master been wrong? All gone, not one left!”
Han Feng laughed. “Miss Luo Lan and I just discussed these two weeks.”
“Brother Tang, timely rain,” Luo Lan asked. “How much soap and black knives?”
“We rode horses, could not carry much. Five boxes of soap.”
Tang Fei answered. “But Brother Mancang forged many black knives lately. I brought fifty!”
“Five boxes too few for sale. Better keep for emergencies, prioritise Consort Qing’s supply.”
Luo Lan said. “Brother Han, what do you think?”
