Liser said, "Your Highness, my father is a blacksmith. Our family runs a blacksmith business in the eastern market."
"What about Rozia?"
"Rozia's father is also a town guard."
Liser nodded and pulled out one gold yun from his pocket.
"Sulcas, you are a good person. This is my compensation for what that noble did. I know many nobles are corrupt, and yet, as one of them, I can only offer this. You will need it for her treatment. Also, buy some sweets for the children."
He spoke with an air of righteousness.
In truth, it was not righteousness. It was calculation. Liser did not have the liberty to leave the palace whenever he wished. If he wanted information, he needed efficiency. And money always loosened tongues. Even a child's.
"How can I accept Your Highness's mercy? You have already helped us so much. We cannot repay you. I truly cannot take this."
Liser appreciated the respectful response, but that was not what he wanted. He smiled reassuringly.
"Sulcas, what happened today was unacceptable. And Rozia's recovery will cost money, won't it? You may also treat your friends on my behalf. Do not be so restrained."
Sulcas hesitated for a moment before finally accepting it.
Just as Liser predicted, the boy's guard crumbled quickly. He looked at Liser with a childish smile.
Liser asked, "Sulcas, what do you and Rozia usually do?"
"We run a workshop. We make various products and sell them through nobles."
With visible pride, Sulcas added, "Rozia is brilliant. She came up with all kinds of strange products that sell like hotcakes. I help her manage the workshop and assist with her inventions."
Liser's interest was piqued.
"Oh? What kind of products do you make?"
"We make fine salt, soap, wine, shampoo, and many clothing accessories. No one else sells these except us."
For a moment, Liser's mind went blank.
These were all common household products. Simple things. Yet in this world, they had apparently never existed before.At least it never reached him.
A thought rose in his heart.
Could she be reborn?
It was possible. After all, he himself had been reborn.
Wanting to probe further, Liser took out two more gold yuns and slipped them into Sulcas's hand.
"You have made great contributions to the kingdom. I wish to reward you. Here are two gold yuns. One for you and one for Rozia. The kingdom needs people like you."
Sulcas was stunned.
First, the Fourth Prince personally paid for treatment. Then he handed out gold like water and spoke with unexpected respect.
He snapped out of his daze and stared at the gold in his hand.
"Your Highness, this…"
"Even if we cannot be friends because of our social standing, we can at least be acquaintances. I enjoy speaking with intelligent people."
After hearing this, greed slowly crept into Sulcas's eyes.
Inside, Liser sneered.
It was true. Money makes the world move.
He continued, "Was Rozia always this intelligent? Or did she suddenly change? Did her personality or ambitions shift?"
"Your Highness, I did not know her well before. But one day, her illness suddenly disappeared. After that, her demeanor completely changed. She began inventing things one after another. We thought it was a blessing from God, since her parents had donated a large sum to the temple the day before she changed."
Now Liser was ninety percent certain.
A sudden personality shift. Advanced products beyond this world's level.
She was most likely an Earthling like him.
The carriage soon stopped at their destination.
Upon seeing the grand carriage marked with a royal emblem, people gathered around to admire it. Luxurious carriages were not rare, but one bearing a royal plate with such extravagance was not something they saw every day.
Amid the whispers and curious gazes, Liser stepped out.
He enjoyed this feeling.
Royal blood still commanded respect.
They quickly walked up to the fourth floor, and Sulcas knocked.
Knock. Knock.
"Who goes there?"
A childish yet firm voice came from inside.
A girl who looked about fourteen opened the door. She froze when she saw so many people, especially Liser and his guard, Lucas.
Her gaze then fell on Rozia, unconscious in Sulcas's arms.
"What happened to Rozia?"
"She had an accident, but she is safe now," Sulcas replied.
The girl shouted, "Mother! Come out! Rozia had an accident!"
After a short while, a middle-aged woman rushed over. Though not old, hardship had left visible marks on her face.
"What happened to my Rozia?"
Seeing her daughter in Sulcas's arms, she hurriedly took her into her own embrace. Noticing her healed wounds and steady breathing, she sighed in relief.
Only then did she notice Liser.
Understanding the situation, Sulcas explained, "Aunty, we were shopping. While I was distracted, a noble's carriage rushed past. Rozia pushed me away and got injured. But His Highness, the Fourth Prince, noticed and paid for her treatment. He even gave extra money for her recovery."
Boom.
The words "Fourth Prince" and "helped Rozia" froze both mother and daughter in place.
The mother snapped out of her daze first. She attempted to bow, but with Rozia in her arms, she could only manage a slight one. The younger girl followed.
"Your Highness, thank you for helping our daughter. She has troubled you. We will do anything for you."
Liser felt pleased.
Today, everyone has been respectful. It felt satisfying.
"You need not be so tense. I helped her because it is the duty of the royal family. I am also impressed by your daughter's intelligence. A capable daughter must have a capable mother."
Though older than him, the woman still spoke with humility.
"You flatter me, Your Highness. This is all thanks to the grace of the royal family."
Grace?
Liser scoffed inwardly.
If not for his sensitive position as a neglected prince, he would never have bothered relying on this title.
He said lightly, "Are you not going to invite me inside?"
Although he meant it as a joke, the mother and daughter took it seriously.
"How could we neglect such manners? Please enter, Your Highness."
Inside, Liser saw a worn wooden table scarred by time, a stone furnace, and only one bedroom. There was no drawing room.
He did not look down on them.
He sat at the dining table while the mother served him a drink.
"What is this?" he asked.
"It is a drink called milk tea."
Milk tea. In this era?
"Was this also Rozia's invention?"
"Yes, Your Highness. It was."
Liser finished it quickly. The taste was mild, but it had been a long time since he had drunk something like this.
Dusk was already falling, so he took his leave. Before departing, he invited Sulcas to discuss their products later under the pretext of purchasing them.
Then he bid farewell and returned.
That night, he tossed and turned in bed.
If Rozia was reincarnated…
Then what about Jianwan?
Could she also have been reborn somewhere in this world?
The thought kept Liser awake the entire night.