After the Crown Prince arrived at the government office, the guards who had chased after the archer also brought back the archer. However, all they brought back was a corpse. The man had bitten his tongue and committed suicide. Ji Mosheng looked at the corpse on the ground with a cold smile. It seemed that there was still a mastermind behind this Northwest who had not been found.

After imprisoning Prefect Miao, Ji Mosheng immediately sent men to search his residence. As he expected, a large amount of grain was found hidden in the residence. Ji Mosheng immediately ordered the opening of porridge distribution to control some of the displaced people and prevent them from wandering and causing instability in the country.

"Jingxi, where should we open our grain shop? In the east of the city or near the government office?" Jiang Bai asked.

Looking at the porridge distribution tents already set up at the entrance of the government office, Jing Xi couldn't help but marvel at how quickly the Crown Prince had acted. Yesterday there wasn't a single grain of food, and today porridge was being distributed.

“We’ll set up in the east of the city,” Jing Xi said. She had observed along the way that the east of the city was backed by mountains, and the springs on the mountains might not have dried up yet. She would have to find some time to go up the mountain and take a look.

“Alright, Jingxi, let’s set it up in the east of the city. But should we do the same as His Highness the Crown Prince and the others? Give away porridge for free?” Jiang Bai asked nervously. He represented the Hengtong Chamber of Commerce, and if they gave away porridge for free, they would probably lose all their money.

Jing Xi smiled and said, "Of course not. Didn't we promise to build a road from the Northwest to Jiangnan? In that case, let's do work relief. Only those who do a good job of building the road will be able to eat."

“But Jingxi, His Highness the Crown Prince is giving out porridge for free. If we do the same, I’m afraid we’ll face resistance from the refugees,” Jiang Bai said worriedly.

"Don't worry, the Crown Prince isn't stupid. He won't be giving out free porridge here for more than a few days," Jing Xi said confidently.

The Northwest is a vast and sparsely populated region with extensive arable land. Due to drought, the ground is riddled with cracks, and everything is in ruins and needs to be rebuilt. Naturally, people need to repair it, and since labor is required, it is impossible to provide free porridge without the necessary conditions. After all, there is no such thing as a free lunch.

Jing Xi watched for a while and then got bored, so she went back. When she returned to the inn, she said, "Jiang Bai, get me a map."

"Jingxi, I'll go back to my room to get it first, and I'll bring it to you in a bit," Jiang Bai said gently. Actually, he wanted to use the excuse of delivering the map to spend a little more time with Jingxi.

Reader: The abacus is practically jumping into our faces!!!

"Okay." Jing Xi frowned slightly and nodded in approval.

...

"Jingxi, here's the map you wanted." Jiang Bai handed the map to Jingxi.

Jing Xi reached out and took the map, then spread it out on the table. How could she travel between the Northwest and the Jiangnan region in a way that would save her time, effort, and money?

Jing Xi slowly studied the map. Jiang Bai couldn't help but smile as he watched Jing Xi studying the map so intently. He also sat down next to Jing Xi to write a letter to his father, explaining the situation in the Northwest. The situation in the Northwest was not optimistic, and it seemed that his father would have to come over in person.

Jing Xi glanced at the boy sitting next to her who was writing a letter. He hadn't bothered to hide the contents; she could see everything as soon as she looked up. Jing Xi smiled. This fool, if he hadn't met her, he probably would have been sold out and would still be counting the money for the seller.

If she were to marry Jiang Bai, it wouldn't be so bad. First, he couldn't beat her; second, he was an only child; and finally, his family was rich! Jing Xi nodded in satisfaction. She didn't notice that Jiang Bai's forehead was already sweating and his ears were secretly turning red. After looking at it for a while, Jing Xi started studying the map again.

——

"Yan Wan, it's stuffy in the carriage. Do you want to come out for some fresh air?" Ji Mohan said as he rode his horse to the carriage window.

Yan Wan opened the carriage window and asked happily, "Is it alright?"

Ji Mohan nodded coldly, "Okay."

Yan Wan happily dismounted from the carriage and walked to the front of Ji Mohan's horse. Suddenly, she was lifted up by a force and then tightly embraced. Yan Wan gasped in fright.

Ji Mohan pulled on the reins, wrapped his arms tightly around Yan Wan's waist, raised the whip, and with a shout, the horse galloped off.

Yan Wan felt the refreshing breeze on her face. It felt wonderful. The wind was blowing in her ears, and the desert stretched out before her. She felt free and romantic. Yan Wan grinned happily. Ji Mohan felt a sense of satisfaction as he looked at Yan Wan's smiling face.

However, Li Shang rolled his eyes wildly in the background! It's like they're not giving single people a chance to survive!!!

——

"Wei'er, go and leave home," the white-haired old man said sternly.

The girl with the cute baby face asked in confusion, "Grandpa, why? Our Shangguan family and the Li family have never had any dealings, so why are you sending me to the Li family? Has something serious happened?"

“Yes, Grandpa is getting old. The Shangguan family will be handed over to you in the future. He has returned and is now in Lijia. You are the next head of the family. Go and meet him,” Shangguan Zhenghua said.

"Grandpa, you're not old yet. Grandpa wants to stay with Wei'er for the rest of his life," the girl said coquettishly, holding the old man's hand.

"Silly child, go ahead." The old man looked at his granddaughter with a kind expression. The Shangguan family had many children, but none of them were good enough. Only this granddaughter was a promising talent. Only by getting involved with her could the Shangguan family avoid decline. He hoped that this granddaughter would be of some use.

"Yes, Grandpa, Wei'er will set off right away," the baby-faced woman said obediently.

After turning around, the cute and obedient doll's face was full of mockery and ferocity. That damned old man wanted to offer her to his master.

Hasn't she made enough contributions to the Shangguan family over the years?

As she stepped out the door, she slipped a paper package to the middle-aged housekeeper who had just entered. The two quickly separated, and the young woman whispered, "Increase the dosage."

The butler nodded slightly, indicating that he understood.

Old man, since you're so heartless, don't blame me for being ruthless in return.

——

Leaving home.

The man in black appeared silently in the study, startling Li Shu who was behind the desk. Then, he lowered his voice and said, "Why are you here?"

The man in black gave him a cold look and said, "The master has ordered that your whole family keep quiet about what happened back then, or your whole family will go and keep your poor daughter company."

Li Shu gritted her teeth and said resentfully, "I understand. You can leave now."

The man in black glanced at him disdainfully and then disappeared.

At that moment, the secret room in the study opened, and a man dressed entirely in black emerged, asking in a hoarse voice, "What instructions does the one in the capital have this time?"

“Let’s not mention what happened back then,” Li Shu said respectfully.

"Hahahaha, if you don't want people to know, don't do it in the first place. He's been in that position for so many years and still doesn't understand that only the dead can keep secrets!" The man in black robes glanced sharply at Li Shu beside him.

Li Shu wiped away non-existent sweat and said respectfully, "Yes, thank you for your guidance, Your Majesty."

The man in black snorted coldly, then turned and went back into the secret chamber. Li Shu glared resentfully at the person who entered the chamber. "Ge'er, wait a little longer. Father will definitely avenge you."