The refugees' eyes gradually changed.

The initial gratitude turned into hesitation.

The advisor said that the magistrate specially selected them to help find the missing disaster victims in the village. This was a sign of his trust in them and also a way for them to earn a living. He hoped that they would perform well, win the magistrate's favor, and then rise to a high position in the future!

But what happened before their eyes was completely different from what the advisor had said. In a short period of time, they suffered heavy losses. Was it really worth it for a meager meal?

Especially what the magistrate's nephew said... Magistrate Wu, as the local official in charge of Guangning Prefecture, really hadn't done anything to them!

Magistrate Wu noticed the unrest among the people and raised his voice: "How could I not care about the disaster victims? If I didn't care, I would have assembled the troops first thing on the fourth day of the Lunar New Year."

If I didn't care, why would I give up my comfortable life and come all this way?

First came natural disaster, then man-made calamity. The imperial court abandoned us, leaving us with no one to rely on. Even with my utmost effort, I cannot turn the tide. I have failed the people of Guangning Prefecture, but as long as there is a glimmer of hope or possibility, I will not abandon them!

The eyes of a large portion of the refugees in the group gradually turned to gratitude.

Shui Qing: ...No wonder he's been in officialdom for so long, he can spout official jargon and platitudes without batting an eye.

Bai Ziqian used to think his father was shrewd and opportunistic, and looked down on him. But today, seeing his uncle's true colors, he realized that his father at least earned money honestly and was shrewd and worldly without harming others, and could even help others. His uncle, on the other hand, was not shrewd or worldly at all. He was a black-hearted person who used the guise of a local official!

He was so angry that he couldn't bear to look at his uncle's hypocritical face any longer, so he could only look at Aunt Shuiqing beside him.

Shui Qing understood quite well; after all, it's a waste of youth if you don't act impulsively, and it's already quite remarkable that Zi Qian could restrain himself from arguing and cursing at this moment.

She picked up the conversation: "Magistrate Wu is too modest. I'd like to know what efforts Magistrate Wu has made."

"Speaking out will allow us to see for ourselves. After all, compared to other prefectures, Guangning Prefecture suffered the least from floods, so the current chaos is truly unexpected."

Magistrate Wu's expression darkened, and he squinted without saying a word.

The clerk beside him immediately understood: the master didn't want to say it, but he couldn't!

They didn't make any effort at all, so what can be said?

He stepped forward, stroked his mustache, and sneered: "You, a woman, should be at home taking care of your husband and children. What kind of behavior is this, showing your face in public like this!"

Is there no one left in your Shanshui Village? Why send a woman here to embarrass yourself!

"What woman dares to speak to me? She doesn't even know her own limitations! She's not worthy!"

Bai Ziqian was so angry that his eyes seemed to be spitting fire. The disgusting thing about his uncle earlier did not make him as angry as the disrespect shown by the clerk to Aunt Shuiqing!

Shui Qing wasn't annoyed at all. She reached out and pulled Bai Ziqian, shook her head at him, and then said calmly to the master, "Let's stick to the facts. Why bring up men and women? Just because I'm a woman doesn't mean you can't talk about the beneficial efforts your master has made for the country and the people."

Or is it that your master did nothing at all, and you can't say anything, so in your anger and embarrassment you can only use my status as a mere woman as an excuse?

"Sigh, you're actually quite pitiful, raised by your father alone without a mother."

The clerk's eyes widened, and he interrupted angrily, "What nonsense are you talking about? Who doesn't have a mother? Who was raised by their father? My mother is still alive!"

Shui Qing exclaimed in surprise, "Since your mother is alive and well, why can't women talk to you? Does your mother not talk to you at home? Or is your mother not a woman?"

Seeing your face full of disgust and disdain for women, I assumed you were raised by your father and that you married a man. After all, women aren't even worthy to speak to you, let alone bear your children.

"Pshaw, I misspoke. There's only 'giving birth to sons,' not 'raising daughters.'"