Three days after the wedding, it was Pei Zhi's turn to return to her parents' home.

Pei Zhi is a princess, and she is also required to return to her parents' home after marriage.

Pei Zhi led Qin Xiangyang to the Imperial Study to pay their respects to Emperor Pei.

The two waited outside the door. Pei Zhi overheard something and it seemed that an earthquake had occurred in the north.

Many people died after the earthquake, and now an epidemic has broken out, which is causing Emperor Pei great concern.

Emperor Pei seemed to be raging inside, cursing at many people.

A moment later, Pei Zhi and Qin Xiangyang were summoned inside.

Emperor Pei still had an angry expression on his face, but when he saw Pei Zhi, he forced a smile.

After asking Pei Zhi a couple of questions, he changed the subject and started talking about the earthquake in the north.

"Father, please don't be angry about this. Getting angry will only upset you."

Emperor Pei sighed dramatically, “The refugees have nowhere to live and can’t even get enough to eat. The Ministry of Revenue allocated some silver, but then an epidemic broke out.”

"Building houses for the people, feeding them, and sending them medicine to treat their illnesses—all of these things cost money. How can I not worry about them?"

Pei Zhi served tea, "Father, have a cup of tea to cool down."

Standing to the side, Qin Xiangyang knelt down and said, "There are many disaster victims in the north, and Father is worried about this. Your son is willing to relieve Father's worries."

Emperor Pei was referring to this: "There are many disaster victims, so it will probably cost a lot of money. I'm afraid you'll be spending too much."

Qin Xiangyang said respectfully, "It is my honor to be able to do these things for Father Emperor."

Emperor Pei nodded in satisfaction.

Pei Zhi put down her teacup, lifted her skirt, and knelt down, saying, "Father, I wish to go with the Prince Consort to deliver grain and herbs to the north."

Emperor Pei frowned and asked, "What are you going to the north for?"

"Firstly, I want to comfort the disaster victims on behalf of Father. Secondly, I am worried about whether these supplies will actually reach the refugees."

Pei Zhi lowered his head and said, "Your subject does not want the money that the Imperial Son-in-Law's family has worked so hard to earn to be stuffed into the pockets of corrupt officials."

Emperor Pei pondered for a moment; the disaster in the north was urgent.

Pei Zhi's words also make sense. Wasn't the disaster relief funds that were allocated that time being siphoned off at every level?

"Very well, I will issue an edict appointing the Imperial Son-in-Law as the Imperial Censor in charge of disaster relief for this occasion."

Pei Zhi was overjoyed. "Thank you, Father Emperor."

After bidding farewell to Emperor Pei, Pei Zhi and Qin Xiangyang went to Changqiu Palace.

On the way to Changqiu Palace, Qin Xiangyang couldn't help but look at Pei Zhi frequently.

The Empress spoke a few words of casual conversation to Pei Zhi, essentially saying that Pei Zhi was already married and should not act like a princess in her husband's family.

You should manage your husband's family well and be a virtuous wife.

Since he wasn't born to the Empress, and after the Empress made a few polite remarks, Pei Zhi bowed to Qin Xiangyang and took her leave.

On the carriage ride back, Qin Xiangyang couldn't help but ask, "Princess, did you go to the north this time to gain prestige for the Fifth Prince?"

Pei Zhi was resting with her eyes closed when she heard this. She opened her eyes and looked at Qin Xiangyang, asking, "What makes you say that?"

"The north is dangerous, but the Qin family can cover the costs; there's really no need for us to go there ourselves."

After hearing the princess's suggestion in the imperial study, Qin Xiangyang guessed that the princess's trip was for the sake of the fifth prince.

The fifth prince is the princess's elder brother. The princess went to the north to comfort the disaster victims. Isn't this making the fifth prince famous?

Pei Zhi propped her head up with one hand and said thoughtfully, "What you said makes sense."

Qin Xiangyang lowered his voice, "Since there's an outbreak of disease in the north, I might as well go alone. Why don't you stay in the capital, Princess?"

Pei Zhi laughed and said, "What, aren't you afraid of death?"

Qin Xiangyang frankly said, "To tell you the truth, Princess, after receiving the imperial decree of marriage, I considered myself dead."

Pei Zhi was amused by Qin Xiangyang, "What's wrong? Marrying me makes you so uncomfortable?"

Qin Xiangyang nodded, then shook his head.

Emperor Pei married his princess to the Qin family. The Qin family understood what Emperor Pei wanted.

Therefore, today, when Qin Xiangyang heard Emperor Pei speak of the disaster in the north...

They then wisely offered gold and silver to Emperor Pei to ease his worries.

The only thing that surprised Qin Xiangyang was that the princess actually volunteered to go to the north.

"I took the initiative to go to the North, so I won't let you go alone."

Pei Zhi confidently stated, "I dare to speak, and I am confident that I will return alive."

During the morning court session, Emperor Pei announced the appointment of Qin Xiangyang as the Imperial Censor in charge of disaster relief.

This is a tough job; nobody wants to do it because they're all afraid of dying.

They not only contributed money, but also monitored the disaster situation.

As the saying goes, this is called "giving away money and losing one's life," and no one in the court said anything more.

Upon learning the news, Pei Yuanze was pleased and sent a letter to Pei Zhi.

In his heart, Pei Yuance praised Pei Zhi for finally becoming more sensible and knowing how to plan for his older brother.

After reading the letter, Pei Zhi sneered and tore it up.

To devise a plan for Pei Yuance?

Perhaps, everyone outside now thinks that Pei Zhi is doing this for the sake of the Fifth Prince.

Otherwise, what would a princess be striving for?

Upon receiving the imperial decree, Pei Zhi and Qin Xiangyang set off for the north.

With military escorts accompanying them, there's no need to worry about safety.

It's not summer yet, but the weather is already quite cool.

Qin Xiangyang has traveled extensively over the years doing business, so he adapted quite well to the journey.

Qin Xiangyang thought Pei Zhi was a pampered princess who would start complaining after only a few days.

Throughout the journey, Pei Zhi never uttered a single complaint.

The further north they went, the more refugees they encountered.

The disaster was far more severe than they had imagined.

Although they had rushed here at breakneck speed over the past few days.

Pei Zhi and Qin Xiangyang's group landed at the local prefect's residence.

After inquiring, I learned that the epidemic had become increasingly serious.

To prevent the spread of the epidemic, the prefect has confined the people of the three cities to one city, allowing them to enter but not leave.

"You've imprisoned the people of three cities, leaving them without food. Prefect, are you planning to let them kill each other?"

When there is no food in the city, people will do anything if they are driven to desperation.

The first to suffer will undoubtedly be young children and women.

The prefect knelt down and wept bitterly, "Princess, I had no choice."

"The city has little food left and not enough medicinal herbs. If we release them, what will happen to the people in the other cities?"

The prefect wiped away his tears, "My wife, elderly mother, and children are all in the city. If I had any other choice, how could I have made such a decision?"

Upon hearing this, Qin Xiangyang simply sighed softly.

"I have brought enough medicine and provisions. Today, open all the city gates."

The prefect hurriedly said, "Princess, you mustn't!"

Why?

"The people in the city are already suffering from a severe epidemic, and these herbal medicines are no longer effective in curing their illness."

Qin Xiangyang hurriedly asked, "Before we came, didn't you say you had found a cure for the plague? How come it can't be cured now?"

The prefect lamented, "The patient had improved considerably after taking medicine for a few days, but suddenly the condition worsened, and pustules began to appear on his face and body. Many doctors have already been infected."