Chapter 139: Chapter 135: Let’s Replace the City Lord

Lady Ning Lan had been confined in that room, and Shen Jingxian had already sent the message to the City Lord, but the City Lord had not responded, seemingly leaving Lady Ning Lan to her fate.

As for his daughter, however, the City Lord was very concerned, sending people three times a day to ask when he could bring his daughter back.

Shen Jingxian glanced at the still unconscious little girl and directly sent people to tell the City Lord that she would take the girl back to Yunyi Country.

Naturally, the City Lord refused and even brought people to confront her.

Who gave this City Lord, unworthy of his position, the courage to come out and make a scene, instead of keeping a low profile?

Already filled with anger because of Lady Ning Lan, Shen Jingxian immediately dealt with the City Lord and then announced in Mingxu City, a public recruitment for City Lord, open to both men and women.

Now there was something to do. Shen Jingxian moved a small stool and sat right under the recruitment notice, experiencing the joys of being in charge.

“Name.”

“Your Highness, in response, I’m Li Jie (your older sister).”

“How dare you!” Hearing this person audaciously claim to be the Princess’s older sister, the guards immediately put a blade to his neck.

There is only one Princess; how could there be an older sister? This man was undoubtedly too impudent!

Only the Princess remained calm, asking again, “Which two characters?”

Trembling, Li Jie explained, and only then did the guards realize their misunderstanding, politely apologizing to him.

But this did not prevent Li Jie from being eliminated.

“As a City Lord, how can you be intimidated by soldiers? It should be the soldiers fearing you, not you fearing the soldiers.”

Unbeknownst to them, this very comment prompted a certain warrior afterward to confront Wen Ranchen head-on to demonstrate his courage, only to be severely beaten.

Wen Ranchen’s ferocity became infamous from then on.

After interviewing a few more, Shen Jingxian still wasn’t satisfied. Plus, conducting interviews one by one wasn’t effective; as the sun grew hotter, she decided to let everyone into the City Lord Mansion to conduct a unified questioning.

Someone raised a concern about how unified questioning might lead to others stealing their answers.

Shen Jingxian replied that they should just think of another answer; if someone else could seize the opportunity first, that was their skill.

“Alright, the first question: Why does Peru City like to sell honey to foreign countries?”

? What kind of question is this?

Most of those participating in the City Lord selection were men, as in Dongwu, the cultural level of women was generally low, and being able to read and write was a privilege for wealthy families.

Unable to read or write, never having been to school, and subject to a culture oppressive to women crafted by men, it was naturally difficult for women to rise in such an environment.

However, to Shen Jingxian’s comfort, among all these men, there was still one flower blooming resiliently.

She looked short in stature, but Shen Jingxian saw determination in her eyes, the kind of simple and tenacious spirit she needed.

However, the girl didn’t seize the chance to speak first, letting someone else jump in, “Different countries have different demands for honey. Honey, inexpensive domestically, can be sold at high prices in other countries. This revenue can increase Peru City’s income, strengthen ties with other countries, and, most importantly, allow the populace to become wealthier.”

Shen Jingxian nodded; it was a standard answer but not what she wanted to hear.

Shen Jingxian signaled with her eyes to see if there were any other answers, and others shared their thoughts.

Yet, they were more or less the same answer, with some alterations in wording but ultimately conveying the same ideas about boosting the economy and improving people’s livelihood.

Shen Jingxian glanced at the girl who still hadn’t spoken, so she let it go.

Ultimately, she had to cross that threshold herself.

“Although you all make valid points, unfortunately, none of you got the right answer to this question.”

“The reason Peru City loves to sell honey to other countries is simply because they don’t like drinking honey.”

Ignoring the dumbfounded expressions on their faces, Shen Jingxian continued, “This question was indeed a bit difficult, but everyone has to keep trying. As long as someone can answer one question correctly, they can assume the position of City Lord.”

Upon hearing this, everyone snapped back to attention, eager to answer correctly—only one correct answer was needed!

“Then the second question: In the northern part of Fang Yao Country, there is a county where the bricks and tiles used for building are painted various colors; why is this?”

This question took everyone longer to ponder than the previous one, and after a long while, someone suggested that it might be to deter wild beasts, given the presence of fierce animals in Fang Yao Country.

Others theorized from a cultural perspective, suggesting it might be a unique belief or faith-related explanation.

Shen Jingxian nodded again; they had valid points, but…

“To my knowledge, Fang Yao Country doesn’t have such customs or beliefs.”

The atmosphere grew awkwardly silent.

Shen Jingxian asked around again, but still, no one answered correctly until she lazily revealed the answer, “They think those colored houses look warmer. Everyone knows it’s pretty cold in Fang Yao Country.”

Alright, so you live in Fang Yao Country, huh? Your hearts are warm, but ours have chilled!

Before the Princess asked these questions, they thought the so-called answering was about who could shout first, who could answer faster, and whoever was quicker would win.

But now, they realized they were wrong.

This wasn’t a question of speed; even answers that seemed logically sound were wrong.

Maybe only someone a bit ’unusual’ could answer these kinds of questions correctly.

The Princess didn’t give them time to complain. After announcing that no one answered the second question correctly, she swiftly moved on to the third question, “Why would there be an uninhabited house in the Capital?”

Many people’s eyes lit up at this question.

Princess, I know this one!!

People in the Capital have delicate skin; it must be because the house isn’t luxurious or comfortable enough!

The Princess said it was somewhat on point but still incorrect.

Others speculated that people in the Capital preferred large houses, so the unoccupied one must not be big enough!

Aside from being not big enough, not comfortable enough, too cheap, or having been a site of death, conspiracy theories also emerged.

Some suggested a high-ranking official’s mistress was hidden in this house, preventing others from living there—a level of imagination that even surprised Shen Jingxian.

It seemed the previous two questions had sufficiently opened up their thinking.

“I think… the reason for nobody living there might be bad feng shui.”

Shen Jingxian’s eyes lit up. The girl finally spoke!

But following the voice, she realized it wasn’t the girl, but another young boy who still seemed very youthful.

With his voice unchanged, it sounded a bit like a little girl’s voice.

“Could you explain your reason?”

“I read in a book that the higher the official, the more they care about feng shui. The Capital is full of high officials and dignitaries, so they must be particularly attentive.”

Shen Jingxian showed a gratifying smile, and in the moment everyone was stunned by her expression, she pointed to the boy who had just spoken and loudly declared, “Correct answer! The future City Lord.”

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