Xiao Changyan immediately instructed his own men, then turned to Shen Xihe and said, "This humble prince was negligent. Thank you for your thorough consideration, Imperial Sister-in-Law."
Shen Xihe smiled slightly, turning her head toward Xiao Huayong: "Your Highness, since Prince Jing is concerned about our safety and has specially come to welcome us, why don't we depart earlier? The situation in Dengzhou is critical. Prince Jing must have taken time from his busy schedule, and we shouldn't delay his official duties."
Xiao Huayong, who had been lightly covering his lips with a clenched fist, looked up at Shen Xihe standing gracefully before him. Gone was her usual aloofness and the casualness of their private interactions. Every movement was proper and etiquette-conscious, embodying the virtuous and dignified demeanor of a Crown Princess.
Lowering his eyelids to conceal a flicker of amusement in his eyes, he replied gently, "Very well."
With that, he allowed Tianyuan to carefully assist him to his feet.
The carriage and horses were already waiting at the entrance. From this point to Wendeng County, there were no more mountain roads. Although the floodwaters were substantial, they didn't prevent carriage passage. Xiao Huayong boarded the carriage first, followed by Shen Xihe, who took Biyu's hand to ascend. Pausing on the carriage steps, she seemed to recall something.
Turning to Xiao Changyan below, Shen Xihe said, "Prince Jing, the medical maid and physician accompanying me have some medical knowledge. With the current shortage of doctors and medicine in the city, His Highness the Crown Prince and I wish to contribute modestly to the people's welfare. We shall leave them here at your disposal."
"The Crown Prince and Crown Princess are most benevolent. This humble prince thanks the Crown Princess on behalf of the people," Xiao Changyan naturally had no reason to refuse.
Shen Xihe gave a slight nod to Zhenzhu and Sui Axi, and the two remained behind.
The carriage traveled for half an hour before reaching the city gates. Along the way, the rain intensified steadily. Upon entering the city, Shen Xihe lifted the carriage curtain to see rain curtains so dense they obscured even the eaves and roof corners.
Every household had shuttered its doors. Splashing rainwater had soaked the gates, and in many low-lying areas, water had risen above doorsteps, submerging half the buildings. Shen Xihe couldn't help but frown, a trace of worry appearing in her eyes.
Xiao Changyan had already arranged accommodations. The county courier station was in dire condition, with severe indoor flooding making it uninhabitable. Naturally, they couldn't stay there. Xiao Changyan had earlier taken up residence in the county government office, but the compound was too small to accommodate Shen Xihe's party. He had personally purchased a well-situated residence at his own expense.
"Prince Jing, why don't I see Prince Yan?" Shen Xihe asked after waiting briefly upon entering, noticing Xiao Changgeng's absence.
The news of Xiao Changgeng's disappearance had been leaked by Xiao Changyan only to Xiao Huayong's covert observers. It might not have escaped Xiao Changqing's attention either. As for whether His Majesty knew, Shen Xihe couldn't be certain. In any case, the matter hadn't been publicly disclosed.
"Several neighboring counties are also suffering from the heavy storms, and the situation remains grave. The Twelfth Prince is managing affairs in Linqing County," Xiao Changyan explained, maintaining the pretense that Xiao Changgeng was safely in Linqing.
Shen Xihe nodded. Her question merely served to indicate her unawareness of Xiao Changgeng's disappearance. Having received an answer, she pursued the matter no further.
After ensuring they were properly settled, Xiao Changyan hurriedly departed.
They were here as symbolic figures, while Xiao Changyan was the one bearing the imperial mandate for disaster relief. Despite Xiao Huayong's superior status, the authority to mobilize personnel and issue disaster directives rested solely with Xiao Changyan.Xiao Changqing seemed to have no intention of intervening at all. His duty was to protect Xiao Huayong, so he excused himself on the grounds of exhaustion from days of travel and retired to his room to rest.
Shen Xihe stood by the window, slightly lifting her chin as she gazed at the distant sky—not pitch black, but so thick it seemed ready to collapse at any moment.
She wore a light white wide-sleeved ruqun, its sleeves billowing in the wind, the gold-thread embroidered Eucommia Leaves fluttering like dancing butterflies.
Suddenly, a weight settled on her shoulders, wrapping her in warmth. It was Xiao Huayong draping a white cloak, also embroidered with Eucommia Leaves, over her. His tall frame stood behind her as his hands reached forward, his fingers deftly and skillfully tying the ribbons for her.
After fastening the cloak and adjusting it for her, he handed her a booklet: "This is the complete inventory record of all supplies in Dengzhou."
Shen Xihe took it and flipped through, her expression growing even more grave. She quickly scanned the entire booklet, her fingers unconsciously tightening: "At this rate, Dengzhou will run out of food and medicine in less than five days."
Even the most capable housewife cannot cook without rice; even the best physician cannot treat illnesses without medicine.
Shen Xihe's estimate of five days was already accounting for barely scraping by. If the heavy rain continued for another five days, and no one knew whether floods would sweep in, the entire Dengzhou would be caught between internal and external crises, plunging into desperation.
"Do you believe the rain won't stop within five days?" Shen Xihe turned around and asked with concern.
"I don't know how to read celestial signs, nor do I possess the ability to divine fortunes, but I have an intuition that this rain won't cease within five days." Xiao Huayong nodded gently. "If you intend to intervene in this matter, you must prepare early."
"In your opinion, where should I begin?" Shen Xihe had never considered standing by idly. She could only do her utmost, hoping to help tens of thousands of commoners survive this calamity.
"Since you've decided to intervene, then seize full authority and don't let anyone hinder you." Xiao Huayong rarely spoke to Shen Xihe with such solemnity.
His words circled in Shen Xihe's mind, and she understood: "You want me to strike first."
An irrepressible faint smile, like a wisp of mist, appeared in Xiao Huayong's eyes: "Fitting for the Crown Princess's consistently assertive style."
Since Shen Xihe arrived in the capital, in every matter, she had always used extremely firm methods, leaving no one any room to catch their breath, achieving her goals cleanly and decisively.
"Since you've painstakingly built a bridge for me, how could I disregard your kindness?"" Shen Xihe chuckled softly.
Xiao Huayong looked at her with an expectant, almost theatrical blink.
That afternoon after the Crown Prince and his consort entered Wendeng County, it was rumored that while they were taking their midday rest, someone knelt in the rain outside their residence, holding up a wooden plaque carved with the words "Seeking Justice."
The awakened Crown Prince and Crown Princess immediately summoned the person inside. Due to his poor health, the Crown Prince was unable to appear, but instead of having Prince Xin receive the petitioner, the Crown Princess personally attended to the matter.
There were not one but three people seeking justice. After questioning, it was revealed that they were actually wealthy families from Wendeng County. However, half a month ago, their households had been looted by disaster victims. They accused the victims of taking advantage of the chaos to plunder and also accused Prince Jing of favoring the victims, using the opportunity to swindle them out of their grain, cloth, and medicinal supplies—presenting evidence to support their claims.
During this period, they had drained their resources like shedding blood, using all their reserves to aid the disaster victims. They were truly emptied out, leaving their own families with no means of survival.Upon hearing this, the Crown Princess was utterly enraged. She immediately summoned Prince Jing and threw the evidence directly at him: "Your Highness Prince Jing, do you have any defense?"
Xiao Changyan had not expected there to be evidence left behind. His gaze swept over the three people who were tearfully accusing him with reddened eyes: "As my elder sister-in-law, I naturally respect you. However, matters of the court are not for my sister-in-law to question me about."
"If your sister-in-law cannot, can I?"
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