It felt like I'd been slapped hard across the face; my cheek stung.

Qin Zhaoyue reined in her horse and stopped, her gaze coldly sweeping over the young military officer.

“I am not your father, and I have no responsibility to teach you.”

Anyone who makes a foolish mistake or acts without authorization will be dealt with according to military law.

"yes!"

The official never expected that his act of kindness would be met with such criticism.

He instinctively wanted to open his mouth to refute, but when he looked up, he found that many people around him were staring at him with unfriendly eyes.

"I..." The words of explanation stuck in his throat, and he couldn't continue. Qin Zhaoyue ignored him and set off again.

"Brother Heqing..."

Pei Xueqiao's gaze was fixed on the figure in front of her, her expression dark and unreadable.

He suddenly remembered his decisive action in the capital when he knew someone was plotting to poison him, and his father's words, "You're not good enough for me."

At the time, I was angry and thought it was my father teasing me, but now it seems...

The order he just gave was undeniably decisive. During the charge, he could see her profile from afar; her pretty face was tense, and the determination and valor she displayed when giving the order were things he had never seen before.

"Brother Heqing..."

The call woke him from his reverie, and he turned to see a pitiful face, as if seeking some comfort.

Pei Xueqiao's eyes darkened. "You were wrong just now. Disaster relief cannot rely solely on enthusiasm or kindness."

If it weren't for... His Highness the Sixth Prince's decisive order to charge, we might have been surrounded by the disaster victims.

The news will likely spread quickly, and the herd mentality could even incite riots, at which point…

The official turned pale, feeling a bit scared. He opened his mouth wide but couldn't utter a single word in defense.

Pei Xueqiao had already looked away.

He felt a fleeting pang of sympathy when he first witnessed that scene; the sight of the struggling infant in its swaddling clothes was simply too shocking.

Intuition told him it was wrong to help without consulting anyone, but he hesitated for a moment before realizing what he was doing. It was only when he saw the group of children and women rushing over like madmen that he suddenly understood.

Pei Xueqiao didn't consider himself a bookworm who had become stupid from reading too much; he understood the principle that traveling ten thousand miles is worse than reading ten thousand books.

The fact that he hesitated before speaking out was proof that he immediately realized the danger involved.

But the Sixth Princess...

How could she, an uneducated woman who had never left the capital, grasp the key to the matter in an instant and issue the correct order?

He wasn't the only one shocked; many others, especially officials with extensive practical experience and seasoned veterans, changed their opinion of Qin Zhaoyue.

But the one who was most shocked was the Fifth Prince, Qin Jingzhan.

Sixth Sister's decision was one aspect, but when she gave the order, none of the guards around her hesitated, including the captains beside the Princess!

Even if the order is correct, shouldn't we at least consult the highest-ranking officer on this mission?

He was the deputy envoy in charge of disaster relief, yet apart from his personal guards, no one paid him any attention.

Qin Jingzhan smiled wryly; this sixth sister of his had kept her true identity well hidden.

I thought I was being low-key enough, but this guy went even further and chose to smear himself.

He suddenly recalled the conversation between the eldest princess and Xiao Liu when the princess left. He had originally thought that she was just telling Xiao Liu not to cause trouble, but now it seemed that... it was not that simple.

The group of people, each with their own thoughts, silently rode forward, and arrived at the county government office in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

Qin Zhaoqiong personally greeted her at the door, and Qin Zhaoyue's eyes immediately fell on her.

His eyes were somewhat dark, and his serious expression couldn't hide his fatigue, but a smile immediately appeared on his lips when their eyes met.

Qin Zhaoyue frowned. In just two days, her elder sister's lips had already become somewhat chapped.

She immediately dismounted, took off her water bag, and rushed forward, saying, "Elder sister, you are the backbone of the disaster relief team. How can you disregard your own safety!"

No one expected that the first thing they would do upon reuniting would be to reprimand each other.

Qin Zhaoqiong was stunned for a moment, but when she saw the anger in her sister's eyes, she subconsciously reached out to smooth it out, but her hand was slapped away roughly.

Looking at her puffed-out cheeks, she seems genuinely angry.

He swallowed hard and said awkwardly, "I have water to drink, but I've been too busy to have time."

Qin Zhaoyue didn't budge, stubbornly staring at the other person, and handed over the water pouch.

Seeing her determined look, Qin Zhaoqiong shook her head helplessly and took the water pouch and drank a mouthful as instructed.

"Have some more!"

Helpless, he took two more sips before laughing and scolding, "Are you satisfied now?"

The Junior Officer of the Ministry of Civil Affairs pursed his lips; he was the official in charge of disaster relief, and his lips were also chapped.

Who saw him? Who cared about him? Who noticed his quiet dedication?

No, not a single one!

"Sister, you must be tired from your journey. Please come into the county office and rest."

"Hmph!" Qin Zhaoyue turned and went inside, leaving her with the back of her head.

Qin Zhaoqiong shook her head helplessly, but couldn't help but twitch her lips into a smile. She couldn't even coax him now...

Qin Jingzhan at the door: ?

They all...left?

The eldest sister only had eyes for her sixth sister; what about her fifth brother?

Can't you see it?