Half an hour later, the disaster relief team set off, with its next destination being Chiyan County.

Five counties through which the main river of Qingyao Prefecture passes were severely affected by the disaster.

The disaster was widespread in Qingyao County, Cuiping County, and Luochuan County, with food shortages and disruptions to order.

Qin Zhaoqiong has already dispatched his deputy general, personal guards, and garrison troops, so controlling the disaster should not be difficult.

With the dredging issue in Mingyan County downstream resolved, it is entirely reasonable to proceed to Chiyan County next, as this has been the plan from the beginning.

Just as the group was about to leave the city, a commotion suddenly broke out ahead.

A captain rode up to the center of the formation and said, "Your Highness, there is a young woman ahead who claims that her parents and brothers all died in the flood and she wants... to beg for a way to survive."

The captain knew this was absurd and immediately ordered his men to drive the horse away, but the woman charged at the horse like a madwoman, as if she wanted to kill herself on the spot.

He could easily detain her, but considering Her Highness's reputation, it would be better for her to make the decision. After all, instructing the magistrate wouldn't take much time.

Qin Zhaoqiong's heart skipped a beat. Could it be that the Xuanji Guard would use such a clumsy method to infiltrate the team?

"Your Highness, I am Yao Guang from Xuanji Guard."

Qin Zhaoqiong: ...

The transmission of true qi, with such a great distance between them, truly belongs to the Xuanji Guard!

What were they thinking, letting her take in a refugee so casually?

"Let's go take a look."

On the way to the central formation, Qin Zhaoqiong secretly told Meng Jian and Zhao Yue, who were sitting on either side of her, about this matter.

Meng Jian also looked puzzled. Couldn't the mighty Xuanji Guard come up with a more reasonable solution?

Actually, it's not that easy to make up.

The disaster relief team traveled with us all the way, and even if we didn't know their names, we became familiar with their faces.

At this point, joining in halfway through, regardless of one's identity, is likely to attract excessive attention.

Yin Zhe is habitually suspicious of everything, such as whether there are people with ulterior motives hiding in the disaster relief team.

After all, civilians don't need a lot of weapons and armor, so no matter where the items are, they are likely to end up targeting just a few people.

Knowing that the disaster relief would pass through Mingyan County and Chiyan County, had arrangements already been made?

Therefore, the identity of someone sent to the Xuanji Guard should not attract too much attention, such as a weak orphan girl with nowhere else to turn, rather than a spy arranged in advance by a princess.

Precisely because it is so absurd and straightforward, it is even less likely to arouse suspicion.

Given the resourcefulness she displayed during the flood discharge and dredging, I believe the eldest princess will be able to put on a good show.

"what to do!"

The "clever" Qin Zhaoqiong was somewhat flustered and couldn't think of a reasonable way to accept it for a moment.

After all, given her consistent style, she would never let such a small matter affect the overall situation.

Anyone who dares to obstruct disaster relief teams should be treated well if they aren't arrested and punished.

"Commander Meng, how about you make a sacrifice?"

Meng Jian tightened his grip on the reins. "No, no, my father will break my legs if he finds out!"

The Meng family had strict rules, and his father governed the family with military discipline.

If they found out he had taken in an orphan girl before his marriage, they would really break his legs.

Qin Zhaoyue curled her lip in disdain, "Tsk, daddy's boy."

Who are you talking about!

It is said that the best way to enhance friendship is to share secrets. After the black powder incident, the relationship between the group has obviously improved, and they speak much more freely.

"Whoever responds, I'll talk to them."

The eldest princess rubbed her forehead, looking at her sixth sister on her left, her eyes filled with sorrow, "Zhaoyue..."

Qin Zhaoyue sighed deeply. Fine, this kind of mess has fallen on my head again.

In the blink of an eye, many three-horse riders arrived at the front of the formation.

A woman dressed in coarse linen clothes and with disheveled hair was being supported by the Imperial Guards on either side. Upon seeing them arrive, she struggled to kneel down.

"Please, Your Highness, take me in!"

My parents and brothers were all drowned by the flood, and my home is gone. I beg Your Highness to have mercy and give me a bite to eat.

"For the sake of flood control and disaster relief, I am willing to give my life, Your Highness!"

Her heart-wrenching cries and the sight of her prostrate on the ground, trembling uncontrollably, were truly heartbreaking to hear.

All eyes were on the eldest princess in the middle, while the guards held little hope.

“Raise your head.”

Before the eldest princess could speak, Qin Zhaoyue, who was standing beside her, spoke first.

The woman looked up in a daze, her unadorned face streaked with tears, giving her a pitiful appearance.

Qin Zhaoyue lowered her body on horseback, her demeanor frivolous and her eyebrows raised. "She is quite pretty. How about this, she will come and be my maid."

The Imperial Guards at the front suddenly became somewhat agitated.

They were on a disaster relief mission, not on a picnic. How could they just take in refugees as maids?

But since it was the Sixth Princess who spoke, then it's alright...

"Thank you, thank you..." the woman quickly kowtowed in gratitude.

After the farce ended, the eldest princess, with a stern face, ordered them to depart immediately, while the sixth princess added another maid to accompany her, bringing the total to an astonishing fourteen people.

Yao Guang carried only a small bundle. Qin Zhaoyue was impatient to waste words with her and gestured to Sui Mo beside her, "Put it in the third carriage first."

"yes."

Qin Zhaoyue had a total of four carriages. She would definitely not let anyone ride in her own carriage. The second carriage was for Gui Mo's group to rest during their shift. The fourth carriage was for storing supplies. Only one carriage was suitable.

The caravan had already set off again, and Yao Guang dared not delay, hurrying along beside the carriage with small, quick steps.

The driver, Qingfeng, reached out his hand without hesitation upon seeing this.

Yao Guang's eyes darkened slightly, but her movements continued as she frantically reached out to grab it.

Qingfeng grabbed her arm and, with a clever twist, pulled her onto the throne. "Let's go inside and rest."

"Thank you, brother."

"It's alright, being with the Sixth Princess... is quite nice."

Yao Guang lifted the curtain and was greeted by a huge figure who grinned foolishly as he saw her come in.

Yao Guang: ?

Are you ostracizing her?

Two streets away, in a teahouse, Yin Zhe witnessed the entire process of Yao Guang being accepted. Sure enough, it was the Sixth Princess who stepped forward.

Their original mission was to secretly follow the two princesses and investigate whether anyone was plotting something, but they never expected to stumble upon such a major case.

A force that dared to misappropriate water control resources and secretly plotted to smelt iron for seven or eight years... was too busy to deal with everything.

"A message was sent back to the capital via express courier, requesting reinforcements."

"yes!"