Chapter 343: A Wildflower
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Ban Jian pointed to Mingzhu, showing her, “After disassembly, if you install these rollers, it will be more flexible. It can go to narrow and steep places. As long as it needs to go there, it can go.” He then took out several models of arrows, which were obviously thicker and sturdier than ordinary arrows, saying, “However, the step post arrow you mentioned is quite difficult. Just discussing it on paper won’t work. It needs to be tested on the ground.”
This step post arrow, according to the information Mingzhu obtained from those drawings, is a powerful weapon for attacking cities and territories. It is usually made of tough whole wooden materials. When shot out by a modified bed crossbow, it can be nailed into the city wall. Soldiers attacking the city can step on these arrows to directly ascend the city wall. Because it’s special, it indeed requires on-site testing.
Mingzhu looked at Ban Jian’s expectant gaze and firmly shook her head, “Not for now. No experiments.” She couldn’t reveal all her trump cards at once. She must keep a killer move to have a follow-up.
“When will it be okay then?” Ban Jian was very disappointed. Having seen the power of the giant bed crossbow, he couldn’t wait to see how powerful this step post arrow would be. But since Mingzhu said no, then it’s a no. Aside from not disobeying Mingzhu’s words, if Fu Mingzheng finds out, he would be in trouble. Moreover, if Mingzhu gives him the opportunity to showcase his expertise, he doesn’t want to make her unhappy.
“When the time comes, I will inform you.” Mingzhu stood up and asked, “Are there any more of these models? Any blueprints?”
Ban Jian shook his head, “I have always remembered your orders. The blueprints are in my heart, leaving no trace, no leaks, and there’s only one such model.”
“That’s fine.” Mingzhu picked up the model and the rudimentary forms of the step post arrows and threw them into the nearby fireplace. When the wood touched the red charcoal, flames instantly rose.
Ban Jian was caught off guard. When he reacted, he rushed over and plunged his hands into the fire to retrieve the model. Mingzhu had already anticipated him. She quickly grabbed a fire iron and knocked his wrist. Ban Jian winced in pain, holding his hand and hopping, “Why did you hit me?”
Mingzhu sneered, “The most valuable thing about you is your hands. Your entire future is in these hands, yet you don’t cherish them. Instead of letting them be burned by fire, it’s better to give me a few hits.”
Ban Jian was furious and forgot about the order of respect between them, “How could you…how could you be so heartless? Just burn it if you want to?!”
Mingzhu silently looked at him until she saw him retract, then slowly said, “You must understand, whether it’s this model or any other step post arrows, they belong to me, not you. Whatever I want to do with them, I will. From now on, forget about these things. Don’t mention them to anyone.”
Her gaze was cold, unquestionable, completely different from usual. Ban Jian couldn’t help but feel a sense of submission and bowed to her, “I understand.”
Mingzhu then smiled at him charmingly, “Next time there’s something like this, I’ll find you again. Don’t disappoint me.”
Ban Jian finally breathed a sigh of relief and tried to please her, “I won’t, I won’t.”
Mingzhu sat at the table waiting for the model to burn completely. Her gaze passed through the open door and saw Zhang Kun, the young man, whispering to the burly men nearby. Occasionally, they would glance over here. She didn’t need to guess to know that they were discussing her, the little pretty boy. Most likely, they were saying how a fine man like him had turned into this appearance, corrupting their wise and brave Ying Wang.
Quite interesting, even a group of big men gossiped like old women. Mingzhu smiled as she watched, and when they noticed and turned to look at her with satisfaction, she smiled back at them.
All of them widened their eyes, then blushed and looked away uncomfortably. They all became like monkeys with their mouths sealed shut.
Wei Tiande stood half-dead at the door, feeling both depressed and unwilling. He wanted to argue but felt helpless, the frustration of not being able to argue making him very miserable. Their Wangye is clearly a gentleman, with normal hobbies, right? How come in the eyes of these men who’ve never seen a woman, such a beautiful Wangfei has turned into an unruly fox or a little pretty boy? Looking at the way these men peeked, he wanted to spit on their faces. Weren’t they the ones who were being picky? What are you looking at? I’ll tell Wangye, so he’ll gouge your eyes out!
The model finally burned to ashes. Mingzhu stood up and walked out. Passing by Wei Tiande, she didn’t miss his splendid expression and said lightly, “Let’s go!” Without paying attention to Zhang Kun, she went straight ahead.
A man could be so beautiful, it’s no wonder His Highness treasures him so much. Several burly men looked at each other’s bearded faces and grimaced with disdain. They were true men, not pretty boys, bah!
Zhang Kun hurried to catch up with Mingzhu, and Ban Jian came out to wash his hands. Curious, they crowded around and asked Ban Jian, “Who was that?”
Ban Jian was still thinking about the model and was happy that Mingzhu said she would give him more new things to play with in the future. Absent-mindedly and somewhat proudly, he said, “That one? Let me scare you. That’s an extraordinary figure. Do you know who made that bed crossbow? It was her.”
Everyone suddenly realized and showed their respect. No wonder! Such a precious and rare talent, His Highness must naturally treasure and keep her by his side. Someone started blaming another, “You, how dare you gossip about His Highness? I’ve always said our Highness is not that kind of person.”
The accused retorted, “It’s you guys who said this person doesn’t look like a man, more like a little fairy. He smiled at me, and I lost my soul.”
“Yeah, who has ever seen a man look like this? He seems like a woman.”
Ban Jian sneered disdainfully. They were all uncultured rough men; it was clear that the person was a woman. Suddenly realizing that everyone was silent and looking at him as if they were going to arrest him and wouldn’t rest until they got answers, he got scared and quickly ran back into the house, tightly closing the door behind him. “I don’t know anything.”
Because she was afraid of causing too much gossip for Yuwen Chu, Mingzhu just picked up a few pretty stones by the river and went back, obediently packing her luggage and waiting for dinner to leave. However, when Fu Mingzheng and Yuwen Chu finally returned for dinner, they heard Fu Mingzheng and Yuwen Chu joking again, “Your Highness, although that girl is talented and beautiful, our Wangfei is also very good. Wildflowers may be fragrant, but they can’t compare to flowers at home. You should think twice!”
Mingzhu asked curiously, “What do you mean?”
Yuwen Chu glanced at her indifferently, “Nothing much. People outside already know that the little pretty boy is actually just a wildflower. Now they’re starting to sympathize with Ying Wangfei who stayed in the mansion. Where have you been wandering around?”
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