Li Aili looked down at the city below, "As long as they can see hope, they will continue to endure."

"Of course, you need to make arrangements for receiving refugees into the city as soon as possible."

“Immediately arrange suitable work for them, so that they may exchange it for food, shelter, and money.”

Finally, some relief grain was distributed to people outside the city.

Joanna quickly memorized every order from the city lord.

"Your Highness, what about those nobles and wealthy merchants outside who look like they're from a wealthy family?"

"Do you think we should stop giving them relief food?"

Li Aili decisively rejected Joanna's suggestion, "Of course not, we will give it to her."

Joanna never expected her suggestion to be rejected. "But, but they have plenty of food and don't need relief supplies at all."

Li Aili glanced at the time; it was almost eight o'clock, but there was still little smoke rising from the chimneys below the city.

The starving refugees either stared intently at the gates of Emerald City with red eyes, or wandered around, hoping to snatch some food from someone's hands.

No one would be so foolish as to try and steal the pumpkin patch outside the city.

Clearly, the name "Lord of the Melon" has spread far and wide.

Li Aili said, "Whether they are wealthy merchants or nobles, since they have come here, it means they have given up their past and want to join Emerald City and become Emerald City citizens."

"If you were one of them, would you be willing to be treated differently and lose all the rights of a citizen just because you are rich?"

Joanna: "Of course not!"

Joanna: "..." Her face flushed slightly, as if she was embarrassed.

Li Aili added, "Of course, the people distributing relief food can politely ask them if they need relief food."

She resolved the massive refugee problem outside the city with just a few words.

The Duke looked down at her, his gaze softening.

When they returned to Emerald Castle, Conrad had already prepared a sumptuous breakfast that Ellie would love.

There's always a kind of 'suffering' that the housekeeper thinks you're enduring outside.

Sitting at the dining table, Li Aili almost thought she would be buried under the lavish food.

“Too many, Conrad.”

The silver-haired butler smiled slightly. "Oh, Your Highness, the leftovers will be distributed to the servants in the castle. Trust me, nothing will go to waste."

Li Aili is still a picky eater; she looks for dessert as soon as she sits down.

But the Duke stuffed a plate of nutritionally balanced breakfast into his hands: stewed beans with tomatoes, fried toast croissants, and mini sausages...

Soon, the two began to eat.

Every now and then, Li Aili would also have to be fed by the Duke.

Their seating arrangement did not conform to aristocratic etiquette, but it was incredibly cozy.

“…Oh, right.” Li Aili chewed, “Let’s go to Clark this afternoon.”

Arthur, a pure carnivore, paused in his hand as he cut the kebab, and looked up.

Li Aili swallowed the creamy roasted vegetables in her mouth. "Hmm, I want to ask Albert what his plans are."