Volume 4 Chapter 85

Volume 4 + Chapter 85: Difficult Matters

In the eyes of others, Xia Yi was just a little foodie who only cared about eating, eating, and more eating.  

Her maid, Elly, followed her carrying various local specialties of the Far North Lands. The silver-haired little girl would finish one snack and immediately start on another, never stopping.  

However, what they didn’t expect was that what Xia Yi was thinking about in her heart right now was—  

Cleansing the Northern Mining Field!  

Actually, when Xia Yi left the Polar Clinic with Elly earlier, their main purpose in visiting the town was to interact with the locals while concealing their identities, using those people to understand the current situation of the Northern Mining Field.  

After all, if they asked the Northern Mining Field directly, they would likely hide most of the past out of fear of taking responsibility, reporting only the good aspects. It was better to investigate incognito for a more truthful picture.  

As a result, after some investigation, Xia Yi did learn some rather unpleasant details.  

Those alone were enough to convict the main administrators of the Northern Mining Field.  

Of course, she couldn’t reveal any of this. She had to play along a bit, using the advantage of her appearance to lower the other party’s guard.  

“How much longer until we reach the Northern Mining Field?” Xia Yi asked. “I’ve almost finished all this food! There isn’t enough left!”  

“Soon, soon, Your Highness! We’ll be at the Northern Mining Field very shortly!” replied the dragon from the Northern Mining Field.  

“Alright then. You’d better get there before I finish eating, or else… I’ll be angry!” Xia Yi threatened.  

……  

……  

Far North Lands, Northern Mining Field.  

“Lord Scott! Her Highness is about to arrive at the Northern Mining Field! Please prepare quickly!”  

A female dragon at the Northern Mining Field was reporting to the highest leader here—Scott Taylor. She mainly served as his secretary.  

Scott was a middle-aged dragon from the notably influential Taylor family. Dressed in noble attire and wearing a tall hat, with a portly figure, he had managed the Northern Mining Field for many years.  

“Prepare? Prepare what?” Scott retorted to his secretary.  

“Lord Scott, Her Highness encountered an accident,” the secretary explained. “The Northern Rebellion Army appeared suddenly and attacked Her Highness. If not for Her Highness’s good luck, something terrible could have happened!”  

“So what?”  

“Doesn’t this expose the internal turmoil in the Far North Lands?”  

Scott had actually received a report earlier informing him that Silver Dragon Princess Xia Yi would be visiting the Northern Mining Field.  

At the time, Scott had tasked his secretary with planning how to handle the situation.  

Thus, the secretary’s plan was to prepare an exclusive tour route, meticulously arranged from start to finish—what should be seen and what shouldn’t. In short, it was meant to be a large-scale reality show to appease the dragon royal family.  

Who could have predicted that a huge problem would arise at the very first step, making this reality show impossible?  

No wonder the secretary was anxious.  

“Lord Scott, it was because Her Highness requested discretion that I didn’t dare arrange an ostentatious escort on the road. Had I known this would happen, I might as well have risked offending Her Highness and arranged a full escort. Then the Northern Rebellion Army wouldn’t have dared cause trouble!”  

However, Scott, who was aware of these circumstances, showed no signs of nervousness.  

He sat in his chair and gestured with his eyes to his secretary.  

The secretary immediately understood, respectfully lighting a cigarette for Scott.  

“So what if she finds out? What place doesn’t have some minor unrest?”  

Scott exhaled a cloud of smoke, speaking with complete nonchalance.  

“It’d be strange if a place like this didn’t have some minor scuffles.”  

Minor unrest?  

The secretary was stunned.  

This wasn’t some minor scuffle, this was outright rebellion! How could he speak about it in such a tone?  

Besides, why did the Northern Rebellion Army even exist? Wasn’t it because of the Taylor family’s…  

The secretary didn’t dare say it aloud.  

“What’s wrong, Secretary? Are you that nervous?” Scott laughed.  

“This doesn’t count as… minor unrest, does it, Lord Scott?” the secretary murmured softly.  

“Hmph, what do you know?”  

Scott looked disdainful.  

“Let me tell you, our Taylor family migrated to the Far North Lands from earlier times to manage the Northern Mining Field. We’ve cultivated this land for many years—it’s been quite arduous! Our influence here has even surpassed that of the dragon royal family!”  

Scott’s secretary didn’t dare refute. Due to the Far North Lands’s blizzard climate, a natural barrier had formed, isolating this region from the rest of the Dragon Kingdom’s territories.  

Compared to the dragon royal family, more dragons had heard of the Taylor family’s name.  

“The dragon royal family has neglected this place for so many years. It’s always been our Taylor family managing it. As long as the mineral production submitted by our Northern Mining Field meets the targets, isn’t that all that matters?”  

“That may be true, but…”  

“The Northern Rebellion Army is a minor issue, not worth reporting to the dragon royal family. We can handle it anytime,” Scott sneered. “Why can’t that be the truth?”  

Scott’s secretary was shocked. The Northern Rebellion Army’s forces were growing stronger by the day. Wasn’t this just turning a blind eye to reality?  

“If I say a deer is a horse, then a deer is a horse. Do I need to repeat myself?”  

“I… understand, Lord Scott.”  

“Get moving. Make arrangements. Inform the dragons currently at the mine to be sensible—don’t say things they shouldn’t.”  

“… Yes, Lord Scott.” The secretary went to make the arrangements.  

Scott flicked ash into a glass tray.  

Truth be told, he really wasn’t worried about this matter.  

If the Silver Dragon Queen herself came, he might need to personally apologize, but even that wouldn’t be a big problem. After all, the family had been established here for so many years, deeply rooted in the Far North Lands. If the dragon royal family wanted to move against them, they’d have to think twice.  

Not to mention, it wasn’t the Silver Dragon Queen who was coming—just a Silver Dragon Princess.  

On the surface, Xia Yi’s status might seem impressive, but in reality, she was just a six-year-old dragon cub, still a child of playful age. What could she possibly understand?  

She was merely superficially imitating her mother.  

Some time ago, the Taylor family had heard that the dragon royal family had purged some nobles in the south.  

At the time, he had been quite tense, but after making inquiries, he learned that it was just the Silver Dragon Queen deliberately arranging experience points for her daughter.  

The real work had been done by the local established power, the Cavendish family, which must have been arranged in advance by the Silver Dragon Queen.  

As for the Silver Dragon Princess?  

She was purely along for the ride, never taking action from start to finish—just a mascot.  

Such a child, raised amidst constant praise and pampering, was easiest to handle. Just give her enough face, say a few nice words, and she’d immediately lose her bearings, becoming light-headed and easily managed.  

“The Silver Dragon Princess should be arriving soon. Let’s prepare to meet her,” Scott said, standing up.  

……  

“We’re here, Your Highness. This is the main city of the Northern Mining Field.”  

Xia Yi stepped off the snow vehicle and looked at the scene before her.  

This was no longer just the scale of an ordinary mine, the Northern Mining Field had grown to the size of a city.  

Amidst the snow-covered city, mechanical-style buildings stood all around her. The most prominent was a massive central pillar in the heart of the city, resembling an enormous heating device that emitted a gentle glow as it operated.  

“This is amazing,” Elly exclaimed in awe.  

She could tell the central pillar was likely a super-large magical artifact.  

Before Xia Yi could even inquire in detail, a middle-aged noble walked up to her.  

The other dragons promptly made way, indicating this middle-aged noble’s status was not simple.  

“Greetings, Your Highness. I am Scott Taylor, the current highest administrator of the Northern Mining Field. On behalf of the Northern Mining Field, I warmly welcome Your Highness’s inspection visit to our region.”  

Scott initiated a bow, using the opportunity to observe Xia Yi.  

She appeared to be a somewhat ditsy-looking silver dragon loli, less than 150 cm tall, with a single stray hair atop her head. Her appearance closely resembled Her Majesty the Queen’s…  

But she really lacked any aura or majesty.  

Scott didn’t feel the slightest pressure—a far cry from the Silver Dragon Queen.  

“Hello, Scott.”  

Xia Yi gave only the most basic courtesy in response, then said in a complaining tone:  

“I’m hungry. I finished all the snacks I brought on the way. Do you have any local delicacies here?”  

“Of course, Your Highness. We have prepared a welcoming feast in advance. For the inspection visit of the dragon royal family, we dare not show the slightest neglect. If you don’t mind, please follow me.”  

“Alright then. As long as there’s food, that’s fine. Let’s hurry~”  

Xia Yi yawned.  

“After eating, I’ll sleep first. When it’s cold, I just want to sleep.”  

Seeing Xia Yi’s reaction, Scott was genuinely amused. Aside from eating, drinking, and having fun, she didn’t seem concerned about anything else. She was practically a mascot.  

But she was just a child, after all, and with such a perfect appearance, she made a fine decorative piece.  

Though he thought this, Scott didn’t show it outwardly. He would maintain proper appearances, doing everything possible to keep this mascot happy so that after the Silver Dragon Princess reported back, the dragon royal family wouldn’t cause trouble.  

“Your Highness, is this your first time in the Far North Lands?” Scott smiled. “If you don’t mind, may I offer some introductions?”  

“Oh? Since Scott is so thoughtful, of course you may.”  

“Your Highness, the city you see now is the core main city of the Northern Mining Field. Normally, it houses our Northern Mining Field staff and miners convicted of serious crimes. During work hours, we escort the miners to nearby mining areas. After mineral collection is completed, we bring them back here before transporting the minerals outside the Far North Lands…”  

“What is that huge pillar in the center?”  

“That is the central heating device. It requires magical power to operate. By burning valuable fuel, it distributes warm heat throughout the entire city via underground channels to meet daily living needs.”  

“That seems impressive, but operating such a device must require significant consumption, right?”  

“Yes, Your Highness, the consumption is quite substantial, especially when processing Frost Crystal Ore, which requires considerable resources… These resources cannot be self-sufficient in the Far North Lands and must be supplied from outside.”  

“I see. So all of this is managed by the Taylor family?”  

“Of course, Your Highness. It is precisely because of the wise guidance of the dragon royal family that our Taylor family has a clear direction to strive toward!”  

While praising, Scott didn’t forget to compliment Xia Yi as well.  

“That’s certainly true! Without us, how could you possibly achieve anything?” Xia Yi showed a very pleased expression.  

Got her.  

Scott thought to himself.  

He had deliberately left some things unsaid—for instance, the central heating device was normally under restricted use, not operating at full capacity or across all areas 24/7.  

It was only because Xia Yi was visiting today that it had been temporarily adjusted.  

This was, of course, to save on expenses.  

When reporting to the dragon royal family, they naturally listed the resource consumption at full power.  

As for where the difference went?  

Scott simply smiled.  

Afterward, Scott led Xia Yi around the main city of the Northern Mining Field, using carefully prepared rhetoric to handle her inquiries.  

Clearly, the Silver Dragon Princess hadn’t detected any loopholes and remained completely unaware.  

“By the way, Scott, on the way here, I encountered an organization calling itself the Northern Rebellion Army. What’s that about?” Xia Yi asked.  

Scott replied methodically, “Your Highness, there’s no need to pay too much attention. It’s just a rogue group that emerged in the past month—a bunch of arrogant fools who like to use various names for minor scuffles. But for some reason today, they went mad and dared to attack you. Our Northern Mining Field plans to formally suppress them.”  

“I heard some of them are prisoners from the Northern Mining Field.”  

“Those are just slanders and rumors. Our management of every prisoner is extremely thorough, with not the slightest oversight.”  

“Is that so?”  

“Your Highness, you may ask any dragon here to verify. If there is even half a false word, you may deal with me as you see fit.”  

“… Alright, I understand.” Xia Yi didn’t pursue the matter further.  

Scott knew it would end like this. But even if she did pursue it, it wouldn’t matter—everyone here was on his side.  

When Scott led Xia Yi into the banquet hall, she saw an array of sumptuous dishes, a veritable feast of rare delicacies.  

This level of extravagance was overly lavish, akin to what the dragon royal palace would serve only during formal events.  

Yet, the little princess was seeing it here today.  

Oh ho, quite the show.  

“Scott, is this what you usually eat?” Xia Yi asked.  

“How could that be, Your Highness? I wouldn’t dare be so extravagant. I am usually quite frugal. It’s only because of your visit that we invited the best chefs from the Far North Lands and sought the finest ingredients—all prepared for you. After all, your status is so esteemed, merely seeing you is an honor for us.”  

Scott gave her all the face she could want.  

With this, a pampered princess like Xia Yi had no reason not to feel flattered!  

Xia Yi’s gaze swept over the luxurious dishes. After a moment of silence, she asked, “Scott, why don’t you have Osmanthus Cake here?”  

“Osmanthus Cake?”  

Scott was taken aback.  

Where would they find Osmanthus Cake in a place like this?!  

In the Dragon Kingdom, there weren’t many osmanthus trees to begin with. Coupled with low demand for osmanthus, Osmanthus Cake wasn’t very common among dragons. Many dragons didn’t even know such a dessert existed.  

“Your Highness, I sincerely apologize,” Scott lowered his head. “Perhaps you could try other pastries. We have local specialties—”  

But before Scott could finish, Xia Yi interrupted him.  

“No, no! I want Osmanthus Cake! Figure it out for me!”  

Xia Yi hugged her teddy bear, turning her head away with a huff, appearing utterly willful.  

The dragons present could almost imagine how spoiled this Silver Dragon Princess must be in the dragon royal palace.  

Scott, however, thought this was even better. Xia Yi didn’t seem to care about crucial matters of governance, instead nitpicking over such trivial pleasures.  

“Your Highness, regarding Osmanthus Cake, we can arrange for a chef to make it. But osmanthus as an ingredient is exceedingly rare in the Far North Lands. We would need to send someone to Wei Bei City to purchase it. Even working day and night, it would take several days to procure the ingredients.”  

“I want it now! Right now!!”  

Xia Yi’s obsession with Osmanthus Cake truly astonished everyone.  

“Your Highness, about this…”  

Scott scratched his head, wondering what excuse he could use to placate this willful princess and how to appease her afterward.  

Suddenly, Xia Yi stopped her tantrum. The corners of her lips curled into a faint, ambiguous smile. Her gaze toward Scott shifted, becoming so sharp it seemed to pierce right through the noble.  

“Heh.”  

The silver-haired loli’s inexplicable cold laugh sent a chill down Scott’s spine. Why did she suddenly seem like a different person?  

But even in this situation, Scott didn’t panic. After all, the Silver Dragon Princess couldn’t possibly do anything to him.  

“Scott, it seems you’re lying to me,” Xia Yi said coldly.  

“Your Highness, I am not deceiving you. The Far North Lands truly have no Osmanthus Cake. Your request is somewhat difficult to fulfill, but we will do our utmost to satisfy you. How about this, I will send someone to Wei Bei City immediately. In the meantime, please enjoy these—”  

“Difficult, you say? Then don’t bother!”  

Xia Yi immediately issued a command.  

“Elly!”  

“As you command, Your Highness!”  

Elly instantly released her true dragon form, transforming into a green dragon. Before everyone’s eyes, she revealed her ferocious posture, smashing the table to pieces and splattering dishes all over Scott.  

“Wh-what are you doing, Your Highness?!”  

—————————— 

[Author’s Note: I have good news to share, the audiobook version of this novel is now available!  

You can access it by clicking on the “Audiobook” link on the book’s page. Xia Yi’s voice is absolutely adorable~]