"Even if we're outnumbered in battle, we will still have more confidence and certainty."
Elara nodded. "Weapons are important, but what matters more is the strength of the warriors themselves. Keep strengthening the training, not a single step should be missed."
"Yes! We understand and will remember your teachings, Your Highness."
After inspecting the military department, Elara went to visit the production factory, mainly to check on the progress of the papermaking process.
When she left before, the paper mill had only produced a few experimental sheets. Now, as she walked in again, she saw piles and piles of paper stacked like small hills in the shipping area of the factory, neatly arranged and being carried out by workers, either to be bound into books or separated into batches.
Elara walked up and touched the paper to feel the quality, and she was very satisfied.
She realized that the drawings the farm craftsmen had been holding in the fields earlier were made using this paper.
Most of the paper being bound and sorted was sent to the scholars so they could copy the contents from bamboo slips onto it. Clearly, with more and more paper being produced, these heavy bamboo slips would soon be replaced as the main material for recording texts.
The paper factory was doing quite well.
Just as Elara finished her inspection with satisfaction, a servant hurried over from outside.
"Your Highness, Mr. Kristof sent me to inform you that both young masters from Dahlia Pavilion happen to be there now. He has already arranged a meeting for you at the Qiling Tower this evening around the time of sunset."
Elara looked up at the sky, which was already getting close to evening. She didn't delay and told Uno to go retrieve several stacks of paper, then left the paper mill and returned to the Governor's Residence to wash up and change clothes.
Both young men were present, which meant not only Leif but also Mr. Yu, the crown prince of Dahlia, was there.
That worked well for her. She had business to discuss with both of them, so she could settle it all at once in the evening.
Evening.
At the time of You hour.
Qiling Tower.
When Elara saw Leif and Mr. Yu again, they looked almost the same as before.
Leif was still in snow-white robes, with a soft pink flower mark on his forehead.
Mr. Yu wore the same blue robe, holding a folding fan in his hand. His delicate eyes carried a faint smile, and his posture was relaxed and natural.
When they saw Elara, the smiles on their faces became even more noticeable. Elara stepped forward and sat down in front of them. She picked up a cup from the table and smiled as she offered a toast using wine in place of tea. "Sorry to keep you waiting. I'll drink one as punishment."
Mr. Yu closed his fan with a snap and sat a little more upright. He also picked up his teacup to toast Elara. His handsome features held a graceful, calm smile. If Elara hadn't already known his identity, it would be hard to imagine that this man was the crown prince of Dahlia.
"The Princess has so many duties. Leif and I were just idle after making a delivery, and we stayed out of curiosity when we noticed how much Marigold City has changed. There's no need for you to punish yourself."
Leif also picked up his teacup and looked at Elara with a gentle smile, just as calm as before. His voice sounded the same as Elara remembered, smooth and pleasant. "When life gets busy, time is no longer ours to control. Even I, who only run some trade, understand that feeling. The Princess carries the responsibility of an entire city. Naturally, you're even busier. There's no need to apologize."
As Elara listened to Leif's voice, she couldn't help but wonder if it was because he had mixed blood from a matriarchal nation. Every time he spoke, his tone was warm and calm, with a graceful and gentle feeling. He reminded her of a thoughtful and understanding elder wife. Um, cough… Elara quickly forced that strange comparison out of her mind.
Leif didn't notice her inner thoughts. His refined, snowy gaze stayed on Elara as he continued warmly. "Mr. Yu and I have been to Marigold City three times already. Each visit was just a few days apart, but every time the city looks completely different. Under your leadership, the city is thriving day by day, and the people have finally begun to find peace. I sincerely offer my congratulations to the Princess and blessings to Marigold City."
Before Elara could respond to such sincere praise, Mr. Yu took over the conversation. He opened his folding fan with a snap and leaned back slightly, tilting his body toward Elara. His eyes stayed fixed on her as he smiled and said,
"Yes, when Leif and I arrived in the city yesterday, we nearly thought we were on the wrong road. Marigold City changes every few days. The walls are being reinforced, houses are being rebuilt, the markets and streets are lively again, and even the roads are now paved with bricks. In just over half a month, the city already looks new. It's even starting to show signs of the prosperity seen in the capital cities of other countries. Your talents truly amaze me, Princess."
"Oh, especially the building known as the 'public restroom.' Even in second-tier national capitals, I've never seen anything like it. And yet, you had it built here. It solves the sanitation problems of the city and will have many uses in the future. Such an idea is impressive and admirable. If you didn't carry the royal bloodline of Plumera, I would certainly invite you to return to Dahlia with me to help my country thrive."
Mr. Yu half-joked, eyes still locked on Elara. But Elara just smiled and looked back at him without responding to the flattery. Instead, she asked, "Today marks my second time meeting you both. I know Leif's background, but Mr. Yu, I still don't know which country you are from."
Mr. Yu blinked at her gaze and leaned back, sitting properly again. His smile grew wider. "Then why don't you take a guess, Princess?"
Elara didn't fall for the bait. She just smiled and picked up her teacup to take another sip. "You both flatter me too much. Marigold City and its people have suffered for too long. I've only helped restore basic order. I asked the craftsmen to make these things simply so people could return to a normal life. As for talk of prosperity, we're still far from that. You're giving me too much credit."
Mr. Yu quickly followed up, "So, what you mean is, Marigold City still hasn't reached your expectations? And in the future, it will become even more prosperous?"
This one really knows how to do reading comprehension. Elara glanced at Mr. Yu.
What he said was exactly what she had in mind. Marigold City had not yet become what she wanted it to be.
But dreams and future plans were things she didn't need to share with outsiders.
So she blinked at Mr. Yu and said, "Why don't you try guessing again?"
Mr. Yu's fox-like eyes froze for a moment, then he suddenly covered his mouth with his fan and laughed loudly. "The Princess is indeed refined and interesting."
After laughing, Mr. Yu leaned in again, this time speaking more softly. "But I am still curious. With so many clever designs and ideas in Marigold City, where did you come up with them all? Even someone who's read thousands of books wouldn't suddenly think of all these innovations unless blessed by the heavens or guided by divine insight."
Hmm? Just now he was praising her intelligence, but now he was asking where it came from?
Elara had already met Mr. Yu twice and knew he was skilled in social finesse. Now that she knew he was Changpu Yu, his contradictory words didn't quite fit his usual behavior.
And his words didn't ask if she had guidance from some great thinker. He asked about "heavenly beings" or "divine favor"?
That didn't feel right.
Even the so-called most powerful nation in the southwest of the continent believed in divine beings?
But then again, in ancient China, many brilliant minds also believed in the divine. Besides, she really wasn't her old self anymore. If Mr. Yu looked into her past, he would find obvious differences. So maybe his question wasn't that strange.
Thinking that, Elara smiled with a hint of self-mockery and said, "Maybe my brother and I were too foolish before. The ancestors couldn't bear to see Plumera being ruined in our hands. So they sent me wisdom in a dream to make me wake up."
She had only said it casually. But right after she finished, she saw Mr. Yu and Leif exchange a look. Their eyes seemed to settle as if they had found an answer.
That uneasy feeling in Elara's heart grew stronger, turning into a faint, strange suspicion.
Even if they grew up in this era and truly believed in divine power, their reaction still didn't feel quite right.
System 92 had repeatedly confirmed that there was no metaphysical power in this world.
But these two's reactions…
Before Elara could figure it out, Mr. Yu and Leif both lifted their teacups and toasted her. "In that case, congratulations, Princess."
"Congratulations to the Princess, and to Plumera."
Their expressions were serious. Elara raised her teacup with a smile, but inside, she felt that they knew something she didn't.
It was like there was some silent truth hidden between them that she had no access to.
She felt once again that there was a gap of unknown information between her and this world.
But now wasn't the time to investigate.
So Elara sped up the pace of the meeting. After a few more words, she got to the point and brought out a stack of papers she had taken from the paper mill.
The paper made at the mill had already been cut into several sizes, from large to small.
There were also a few samples that had been trimmed and bound into booklets of different sizes.