Without spending a single copper, I had wealthy merchants everywhere scrambling to build my roads

His breathing became heavier and heavier.

Zhen Daijin was also calculating.

How much does it cost to maintain roads in military camps?

A section of road needs its gravel replaced and potholes filled every year, costing a maximum of fifty taels.

The remaining silver can be used to repair barracks or to supplement military pay.

The two exchanged a glance.

Si Renyou spoke first, "Your Highness, regarding these ten sections of road, should the notices be posted in Guizhou Prefecture for the three sections south of the city...?"

Why should the south of the city belong to you?

Zhen Daijin immediately responded.

Si Renyou flicked his sleeve.

"That section of road was under the jurisdiction of the military camp. You haven't maintained it for three years, and now you want to steal the credit?"

Zhen Daijin his neck.

"Whoever finishes fixing it first gets to decide!"

"Posting the results requires official documents from the prefectural government! You can't even draft a proper notice!"

Gu Moran watched as the two started arguing again.

He leaned back in his chair.

"Don't steal it."

They both stopped at the same time.

Gu Moran picked up the charcoal pencil on the table and circled the ten sections of road again on the paper.

"The five sections in the south are issued by the prefectural government, and the five sections in the north are issued by the military camp."

"The inscription on the monument to merit was personally written by this king."

They both turned their heads at the same time.

Si Renyou first asked, "In your own handwriting?"

"Um."

Gu Moran put down the charcoal pencil.

"My calligraphy can still fetch a decent price in Yi Prefecture. If it's on a stele, merchants will be scrambling to pay more."

Si Renyou stared at the paper, his fingers pressing on the corner of the table, not moving them for a long time.

Zhen Daijin was already walking towards the door.

" Old Si, you go back and draft the notice, I'll go back and measure the road. Tomorrow, no, this afternoon, I'll send out the surveyors!"

Si Renyou straightened his crooked official hat and hurried after him.

"Wait! The format, number of characters, and ranking rules for the inscription must all be written into the notice!"

"Let's talk as we walk!"

Their voices faded into the distance.

The footsteps passed through the courtyard gate and quickly dissipated outside.

The main hall fell silent again.

Gu Moran looked at the paper covered with lines on the table and smiled.

It didn't cost a penny.

The road has been repaired.

He gained fame.

The toll fees can be collected every year.

Your Highness.

Su Yao was standing by the screen at some point, holding an abacus in her hand.

Gu Moran looked up at her.

"How long did Manager Su listen?"

Su Yao didn't answer, but simply moved the abacus.

"If each of these ten naming rights is calculated at an average of eight hundred taels, the total road repair cost would be at least eight thousand taels."

She moved another bead.

"His Highness didn't contribute a single penny, yet he claimed the title of having personally inscribed the calligraphy."

"Your words are on the monument, and the entire road is adorned with signs for the Prince Yi's Residence's Mansion. The more prosperous this road becomes, the more renowned the Prince Yi's Residence's Mansion will be."

Gu Moran looked at the abacus in her hand.

"You've calculated everything so meticulously, are you trying to reserve a spot on the monument?"

Su Yao's fingers stopped.

After a moment, she spoke, "If the name of Mixue Ice City could be engraved as the first one on that monument in the west of the city..."

"That depends on how much money Mixue Ice City offers."

Su Yao turned and left.

She took three steps, then turned back.

"One thousand taels."

Give me the first section in the west of the city.

Gu Moran answered quickly.

"Make a deal."

Su Yao disappeared behind the moon gate with the abacus.

Gu Moran lay back down in the rattan chair, putting her hands behind her head.

Before the notice was even finished, his Madam Su, had already bought the naming rights for the first paragraph.

The following afternoon.

The Yun Shuyue, leaped across the narrow alley, landing on the wooden railing outside the Mixue Ice City.

The wound on my back was pulled.

She winced in pain.

The tray in his hands didn't wobble.

The five empty bowls were stacked neatly, and none of them were broken.

She frowned and rubbed her lower back.

Shen Ling'er had told her that she was not allowed to climb over walls or onto rooftops for the next few days, and that she should honestly follow the proper path to deliver the orders.

Taking the main road would require a longer detour.

One trip takes more than half an incense stick's time.

I'll earn two less coins.

Two coins can buy a sesame seed cake.

Baked flatbread is Tiedan and Doubao's favorite food.

Yun Shuyue glanced down at the tray.

The wound may hurt, but it won't kill you.

She reached out and pushed open the half-closed window.

As soon as you step inside, you're greeted by the sweet aroma of tea leaves and honey mingled together.

Looking up again, she was face to face with Gu Moran.

Gu Moran sat on a low couch by the window, holding a storybook in his hand, and was looking at her.

Yun Shuyue's hand trembled.

The tray almost slipped from my grasp.

She quickly pressed down with her arm, and the five empty bowls clattered twice, thankfully preventing them from falling.

"King..."

She was about to say it, but then she changed her mind.

Your Highness.

She had been recuperating at the Prince's mansion for the past few days, knowing full well that the sickly Third Prince preferred to hide away in the Mixue Ice City.

But every time she bumps into it, she still pauses for a moment.

Does this prince really like fruit tea that much?

Or are you worried that the shopkeeper will ruin his poem?

Gu Moran closed the storybook and placed it on her lap.

"Go through the window?"

Yun Shuyue held the tray tightly.

"Take a shortcut."

"Come over."

Yun Shuyue climbed into the house.

Gu Moran picked up a cup of warm milk tea from the table and handed it over.

"Let's drink first and then talk."

Yun Shuyue took the cup and held it with both hands.

The warmth against her fingertips soothed her and eased her frown.

Without hesitation, she tilted her head back and gulped down about half a glass.

The sweetness masked the dryness in my throat and also calmed the irritation that had built up after running around all morning.

Ouch.

She wiped her mouth.

"My legs are killing me today."

Gu Moran asked, "What's wrong?"

Yun Shuyue placed the tray on the table and sat down on the low stool opposite her.

My back hurts again after sitting down.

Her bottom had barely touched the stool when she bounced up half an inch before finally settling down, leaning to one side.

Gu Moran wanted to laugh, but she held it in.

Yun Shuyue didn't notice his expression; she was already gesturing with her hands.

"Your Highness, you have no idea, those people who bought the wooden plaques are insane!"

"A line of gentlemen dressed in silk stretched all the way to the alley entrance. They could win up to twenty taels for a single broken wooden plaque!"

She held up two fingers and shook them.

"Twenty taels!"

"Enough for our Black Wind Stronghold to eat for a year!"

Yun Shuyue got more and more excited as she spoke, and leaned forward a little.

"Besides."

She lowered her voice.

"A poem is printed at the beginning of each volume of the storybook, and it sells for one tael of silver. Only after buying ten copies will you receive a random coaster; and you can't even specify which poem you want."

Isn't this a scam?

Gu Moran picked up the teacup, concealing the smile on his lips.

This business was set up by Su Yao and her group.

It's quite novel to hear your own courier cursing at your employer now.

Gu Moran nodded.

"It's a scam."

Yun Shuyue straightened her back a bit after gaining recognition.

I knew it!

She slammed her hand on the table, then pulled it back in pain.

"Who exactly is this owner? Your Highness, you must know him very well, otherwise why would he come here every day?"

"I'm here to see how many of my poem plaques have sold."

Yun Shuyue nodded gently.

"That's true. If the shopkeeper doesn't give you enough money, I'll steal from him sooner or later."

Gu Moran's teacup stopped in mid-air.

He put down his teacup, his tone serious.

"Sharp."

Yun Shuyue's gaze towards him immediately became much more affectionate.

"Does Your Highness think so too?"

Gu Moran casually picked up a piece of mung bean cake from the corner of the table and stuffed it into her hand.

"Have something to eat."

Yun Shuyue took the pastry and took a big bite.

His cheeks puffed out, and his speech became slurred.

"Your Highness, you are such a kind person."

Gu Moran didn't respond to that.

Looking at the frayed edges of her sleeves, the red marks left by the tray, and the pain she had endured when she landed, I could see the marks.

Even with an injury, she still has to deliver food.

Is this girl really that short of money?

Yun Shuyue finished the mung bean cake in a few bites and patted the crumbs off her hands.

She then set her sights on the paper and pen on the table.

Your Highness.

Gu Moran looked up.

"Did you really write all those poems?"

"I wrote it."

Yun Shuyue blinked.

"Then why did you just give it to that employer to use?"

After she finished speaking, fearing that her question was too direct, she quickly added a sentence.

"I'm not concerned with His Highness's affairs."

"I just feel that, since he's selling your poems, which are supposed to be those of a prince, he should at least get a higher price."

Are you very familiar with him?

Gu Moran's tone was indifferent.

"Not very familiar."

"I take medication regularly, which costs money."

"He paid me, so I sold it."

"I just wrote it down on a whim."

"Written off the cuff?"