Undercover Investigation
Princess Jade Hayes looked calmly at Neil Zhao and said, "Those soldiers have traveled thousands of miles with us, loyal and dedicated. With such devotion, we cannot let them feel neglected. Do you know why the Qin army is so united, why their morale is so strong? As the saying goes, 'A soldier will die for the one who understands him.' His Majesty and I treat the troops as our own children, and hearts are made of flesh. Naturally, these soldiers are loyal to us. All of this is mutual, really."
Princess Jade Hayes's words clearly cast a shadow of confusion in Neil Zhao's eyes.
From Neil Zhao's experience, the weak and lowly were always bullied and oppressed by those in power. Even blood relatives within the same clan were no exception.
Yet those Qin soldiers, all subordinates of Alexander Hayes and Princess Jade Hayes, were treated so well—they were cared for in every way, given land, helped to bring their families, and allowed to settle down and build a life in Qin.
Neil Zhao couldn't figure it out for a moment, so he simply stopped thinking about it. He said to Princess Jade Hayes, "Your Majesty, it's a pity I couldn't gather any evidence against Zachary Yan and Edward Yu for illegally recruiting the Zhao Clan Guards. Those two are cunning. They claim to be hiring workers to renovate the old manor, and every contract says the same. So even though there are witnesses, there's no physical proof. Sigh, Zachary Yan is the president of the Charleston Chamber of Commerce and now the most influential figure in the House of Zhao. He won't be content to pay money and give up land only to lose the patriarch's seat. That's why he's recruiting guards, trying to challenge the Palace of Qin."
Princess Jade Hayes also felt it was a pity and said, "The Palace of Qin just gave the Zhao family a warning, and now these two immediately break the rules. They're truly brazen. If we don't teach them a harsh lesson this time, the other members of the House of Zhao will get the wrong idea. Hmm, I suspect Zachary Yan and Edward Yu won't give up and will keep scheming. Right now, the most important thing for the Palace of Qin is recruiting soldiers, and those two will definitely try to interfere. Neil Zhao, you know the Zhao family well. Come with me and let's see if we can find any evidence to convict them."
Neil Zhao bowed respectfully and said, "As you command, Your Majesty."
After Princess Jade Hayes finished speaking, she rose and went to the inner hall, while Neil Zhao waited in the main hall.
After a while, a charming and elegant young lord entered the hall, accompanied by a refined page. He winked at Neil Zhao and said, "Neil Zhao, let's go."
"Huh!?" Neil Zhao looked up at the two, stunned. "Who are you? I don't know you."
"Ahem, it's me." The charming young lord gave a light cough, but the voice that came out was unmistakably feminine—it was none other than Princess Jade Hayes.
Neil Zhao's eyes nearly popped out of his head! Was this some kind of magic trick?
"Neil Zhao, from now on, I'm Young Master Evans, and this is my page, Lola. I'm a traveling scholar from afar, and we've just become acquainted." Princess Jade Hayes struck a dashing pose.
Neil Zhao stood frozen for a long moment before he finally blurted out in disbelief, "Your Majesty, is this... disguise magic?"
"Ahem! Call me Young Master Evans—we're going undercover, so don't slip up when we're out there. This is my bodyguard, Lola." Princess Jade Hayes shook her fan and tapped Neil Zhao on the shoulder with it, then swaggered out the door with Lola, who was dressed as a page.
Neil Zhao stood there dumbfounded for a while before hurrying after them.
Princess Jade Hayes grinned, gently touching her own face. She said to Lola, "It's been ages since I played Jade Evans. I actually kind of miss this face."
Lola nodded. "And it's been ages since I played Professor Lola."
Neil Zhao, who was walking beside them, muttered, "Evans... Jade Evans... That name sounds so familiar. Where have I heard it before...?"