Chapter 1393 - 758: The Empress Dowager's Edict (Double-Length)

New Year brings numerous tasks, things rarely seen in day-to-day affairs suddenly sprout up like bamboo shoots after a rain.

As the year end approaches, while the Southern Border lacks the harsh cold of the north, its affairs are abundant, with all kinds of petitions requiring the personal review and directives of the Vassal King, nearly filling the large desk.

There are requests for additional allocation of reward silver for various provinces and counties to commend officials during the festive season, reports of small groups of nomadic bandits at border outposts seeking strategies for suppression or appeasement, disputes among Tusi over the top trading spot for the festive season needing arbitration, a rare hail disaster in winter within the domain requesting tax relief and warehouse assistance, and even lawsuits from distant branches of the Imperial Family over trivial matters like title inheritance and land division… An endless array of issues.

Qin Qingluo, these past days, has been almost entirely confined within the study, accompanied by heaps of documents.

The candlelight often burns deep into the night, her brush moves swiftly, marking in vermillion, approving or rebuffing, ordering detailed investigations or directly providing resolutions, her handwriting firm and vigorous, carrying an undeniable authority.

Finally, closing the last memorial concerning salt coupon validation and placing it atop the processed stack, Qin Qingluo exhales a long breath, placing the fine-brushed small script pen on the brush stand, producing a crisp, light sound.

With hands behind her back, she rises and strolls to the window, pushing half open to let the cold winter air in, dispelling the room's oppressive atmosphere.

Previously, during these bustling times with tiring paperwork, Princess Consort Zhuo often assisted by her side.

Zhu E, born of the Nanwei Zhu Family, thoroughly understands the local customs and complex political dynamics of the Southern Border, with an extremely meticulous mind that can often propose precise suggestions, being an indispensable support.

Since Chen Yi entered the mansion, perhaps due to a subtle avoidance, or because of her entangled relationship with Chen Yi, Zhu E's visits to the study have noticeably reduced, recently the one serving supper or timely replenishing tea has naturally become Chen Yi.

Yet… at that thought, Qin Qingluo couldn't help but reveal a bitter smile.

Chen Yi, versatile in changes, indeed possesses remarkable prowess in martial arts and other strange techniques, but remains ineffective in these complex and meticulous official duties.

At most, he can assist in sorting documents by urgency, occasionally making jokes or offering outlandish ideas on topics he finds interesting or absurd, often making her want to chase him out.

History often warns against the interference of the harem in governance, past kings strictly guarded against this, yet whenever Qin Qingluo sees Chen Yi beside her, she inexplicably feels, even if given a harem, he wouldn't be able to govern.

This person is ultimately narrow-minded, focused on worldly pleasures, showing little interest beyond these, tonight seems yet again to be unaware of where to be mingling.

Outside, faint drumming echoes, the night deepens.

As Qin Qingluo intends to withdraw her gaze from the night, a vague smell of gunpowder wafts.

Perhaps fireworks, yet unlike fireworks' brief sharpness, an orange-red glow arises near the Prince Mansion's walls. The glow flickers, then grows intensely bright, Qin Qingluo, momentarily stunned, realizes something's amiss.

A fire outbreak!

Qin Qingluo's heart sinks abruptly.

Dragon Tail City, the foremost city of the Southern Border, also its capital, is lined with buildings and densely populated, dry winter making occasional fires unsurprising; however, with the year end yet to arrive, the city strictly enforces a curfew, with night patrol guards multiplied several times, she had just ordered enhanced fire control and night patrolling days ago, taking preventive measures.

Moreover, from this study's vantage point, the flames are distinctly visible, blazing high, dyeing the night sky red, this is far from a mere household flame, its magnitude already extraordinary,

The location is…

The arsenal?!

Qin Qingluo's gaze turns icy, her mind races.

This fire erupted too abruptly, on too large a scale, at this very moment, following her strict order for heightened alertness, not seeming accidental.

She turns sharply, shouting: "Someone!"

The attendant maid outside responds and enters, yet before discerning her master's expression, hears a cold, urgent command: "Armor up!"

The maid dare not delay, swiftly retrieves a set of light yet resilient soft scale armor, Qin Qingluo cooperates by extending her arms, allowing the maid to deftly equip her with armor, tighten straps.

Barely after being fully armored, without the time to adjust her sleeves, Qin Qingluo strides out, her voice penetrating the silent night of the Prince Mansion:

"Order! Immediate assembly! Command Longwei City Defense Department, Patrol Camp to fully extinguish the fire, seal adjacent streets, allow entry but deny exit! Further investigation, fire origin location, cause, report swiftly!"

...…

Qin Qingluo over there sees the fire, Chen Yi also notices the blaze.

These days accompanying Qin Qingluo in handling official duties, despite not being adept at it, he's familiar with the city layout, that direction is unmistakably the arsenal.

Dragon Tail City has two arsenals, one in the outer courtyard of the Prince Mansion, akin to the palace arsenal in the Capital City, the other near the East City Gate Tower, prepared for foreign intrusions or military expeditions.

And in that direction, what's burning is naturally the arsenal at the East City Gate Tower.

Chen Yi frowns involuntarily, with New Year approaching, a time for calm, even in military barracks, rotations for home visits are early, without drills, only patrolling, how could the arsenal catch fire?