Worried that her brother might be in danger, Jiayin quickly stepped forward, her right hand already tucked into her sleeve, clutching a dagger.

As it turned out, the person in the brother's arms was a girl with a terrified and bewildered expression.

The girl looked to be about fifteen or sixteen years old, with fair skin, a round face, big eyes, a small nose and a small mouth, and was very beautiful and lively.

She wore a moon-white ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), simple silver lilac earrings, and her jet-black hair was braided into two long braids, simple yet neat.

This doesn't look like an assassin at all!

Jiayin quietly put away the dagger in her hand.

Sure enough, the woman who jumped out of the carriage next was someone they knew.

Gu Qingqing's hair was a little disheveled. With the help of her maid, she got out of the carriage.

The first thing she did was pull the girl from Jia'an's arms, angrily hissing in a low voice, "How many times have I told you to behave? You just wouldn't listen. We're supposed to be on our way, why are you pulling the horse's tail! Are you trying to kill us?!"

The round-faced girl shrank back guiltily and whispered in defense, "I didn't mean to... the horse's tail swung in, and I just grabbed one. I never expected it to start running like crazy!"

Gu Qingqing raised her hand and slapped her, her hatred growing even stronger.

"If a horse's tail swings in, you want to grab a handful! If the horse falls in, do you want to taste it too?"

The round-faced girl retorted, wrinkling her little nose, "Sister, I'm just curious! I'm not stupid! Who wants to taste horse manure?"

Gu Qingqing rolled her eyes and almost choked to death.

Jiayin glanced at him and saw that her brother seemed a little embarrassed about hugging the girl, and his ears were even a little red.

She quickly stepped forward and said, "Sister Gu, why did you come out of the city during such a chaotic time?"

Gu Qingqing turned her head and saw Jiayin. She happily grabbed Jiayin's hand and replied, "I heard that there is relief for refugees outside the city, so our family wants to donate some food and supplies."

"I happened to be visiting and was looking forward to seeing you, so I volunteered to do this job. I didn't expect you to actually be here! That's wonderful!"

Before Jiayin could respond, the round-faced girl had already moved to Gu Qingqing's side with a curious expression, secretly sizing up Jiayin.

Jiayin found it amusing and asked, "Sister Gu, whose daughter is this? She's so beautiful!"

Recalling what had just happened, Gu Qingqing angrily scolded, "Besides being pretty, she's good for nothing else. Especially her brain, it's practically empty! She's always causing trouble, and she's copied the family rules to pieces since she was little!"

He was sent to his maternal grandparents' house before, hoping it would help him develop a better temperament, but unexpectedly he's become even more mischievous!

The round-faced girl blushed slightly, tugged at her sister's sleeve, and pleaded, "Sister, even if you have to say it, please don't say it in front of the princess!"

Helpless, Gu Qingqing could only say to Jiayin, "This girl is called Tongyu, she's my younger sister. She's always disliked the young ladies of other families, and she was sent away by her family for teasing them. Perhaps she heard about your heroic deeds at the summer banquet and admires you immensely."

“Just now when I was about to come over, she practically rolled on the ground, begging me to bring her over so she could see you.”

Jiayin smiled upon hearing this and said to the round-faced girl, "Greetings, Sister Tongyu. It's been quite a commotion here today. Once things calm down in a few days, I'll send you and Sister Gu an invitation to visit my Princess's residence. I'll pick some delicious fruit for you then!"

"Okay, okay!" Tongyu nodded vigorously, her excitement barely concealed.

Gu Qingqing noticed Jia'an standing to the side and quickly led her younger sister to bow.

Remembering how her younger sister had fallen and been caught in Jia'an's arms, Gu Qingqing felt even more embarrassed.

"Fifth Young Master, we are truly grateful for your help just now. My sister... has really offended you!"

Jia'an is an official, but calling him "sir" is too formal. It would be more appropriate to call him "young master" according to Jiayin's family order of birth.

Jia'an returned the greeting with a cupped hand and said, "It was nothing, no need to be so polite."

Having said that, he didn't want to linger any longer, so he told his sister and went to get busy.

Tongyu stood on tiptoe to look at his back, but Gu Qingqing pulled her back and glared at her fiercely.

What are you doing now that you're being naughty?

"No!" Tongyu replied softly, a rare moment of shyness on her face. "I just noticed how thin the Fifth Young Master is, but how strong he is. He caught me so easily. I thought I was going to fall and get a bump on my head!"

Gu Qingqing was too exhausted to curse anymore!

The Gu family places great importance on rules, especially for women.

She and her sisters had all learned to be virtuous and gentle from their aunt since childhood, but this younger sister was born rebellious and seemed to be missing a screw in her head since she was little.

No matter how many times he copied the family rules or how many times he was punished, he couldn't get rid of this impetuous and reckless habit.

Or rather, this younger sister simply didn't take the rules seriously...

Jiayin couldn't possibly watch her friend get so angry that she died, and she also liked Tongyu's lively and carefree nature.

She looked around and saw that there were too many refugees and the shacks were not clean.

So she led them to her carriage.

Before going in, she took some plum juice and a plate of fruit from her spatial storage.

The cool, sweet and sour plum drink made all three of them breathe a sigh of relief.

Gu Qingqing couldn't help but sigh, "When I was at home, I thought the refugees would be pitiful. I never imagined that seeing it with my own eyes would be so heartbreaking. I wonder when it will rain!"

Jiayin nodded and replied, "At this point, we can only do our best and leave the rest to fate! My second uncle and brother have been staying here recently, so they should be able to settle the refugees down soon."

Gu Qingqing's expression showed a hint of admiration as she said, "Just now my grandfather said that your family never fights for power, but instead has done a lot of practical things. Not to mention anything else, just the changes in the Relief Office are something that many people cannot do."

"So, when my grandfather heard that your family had taken on the task of settling refugees, he quickly prepared five hundred dan of grain and sent someone to deliver it shortly."

Jiayin quickly replied, "On behalf of my second uncle and the refugees, I thank Mr. Gu for his kindness and generosity. There is indeed a shortage of food. With these five hundred dan of grain, at least several hundred people can survive!"

After saying that, she took Gu Qingqing's hand and asked about her health.

Gu Qingqing blushed slightly, but still agreed to everything, and then had Jiayin take her pulse.

Previously, Dr. Zhang had helped to regulate my body, which was naturally very good.

Jiayin took out paper and pen from the hidden compartment and wrote down two more recipes for nourishing medicinal diets.

Gu Qingqing happily put it away, and then pulled Jiayin aside to talk about the recent situation of Xu Xi and the others.

The close friends who used to get together often are now either married or confined to their homes. In short, they can no longer find the freedom and happiness they once had.

Those days of playing cards together, eating fruit together, and gossiping together have all become the most shining treasures in my memory.

Both of them felt a little sad.

Jiayin said, "If there's a chance in the future, we can get together again. I'll think of some more delicious dishes and let you try them then."

"Okay!" Gu Qingqing readily agreed, genuinely praising her.

"I've eaten my fair share of good food over the years, but your pastries and fruits are still the best!"

The two were chatting happily when they turned around and found that Tongyu was leaning against the car window, trying to look out, and his body was almost sticking out of the window.

Gu Qingqing slapped him angrily, "I'm never taking you out again!"

Today's update is here!