Ripples gently spread (3)

Several days have passed since she returned from the western suburbs, but Jiang Wanzhi is much busier than usual.

The dilapidated scene she witnessed that day and the longing in the children's eyes were like a thorn stuck in her heart, causing this usually indifferent person to develop a sense of responsibility.

She spends all her time in her small study, with sheets of paper in front of her for writing and drawing.

"Miss, what are you drawing this time?" Chun Tao came in carrying a plate of freshly made Poria cocos cake. Seeing Jiang Wanzhi frowning and thinking in front of a pile of scribbles, she couldn't help but ask curiously.

“It’s a waterwheel… um, a simplified version of a waterwheel.” Jiang Wanzhi didn’t look up, poking at the drawing with her pen.

"Isn't there a patch of abandoned land in the backyard of Ci'an Hall? There's a small ditch next to it. I was thinking that if we could build a simple waterwheel to draw water for irrigation, it would save a lot of manpower carrying water when we cultivate a vegetable garden in the future. Unfortunately, I don't remember everything, so I can only draw a rough sketch..."

Qiuju helped her grind ink and said with a smile, "Miss has almost become a craftsman from the Ministry of Works these past few days. She's been planning vegetable plots and designing tools. Yesterday, she was even thinking about how to piece together some nice and sturdy mats from scraps of cloth to sell. I think if the old steward of Ci'an Hall saw these drawings of yours, he would probably faint with joy."

Jiang Wanzhi felt a little embarrassed by what she said. She put down her pen, picked up a piece of Poria cocos cake, took a bite, and mumbled, "I'm just talking and offering bad ideas. The real implementation will depend on His Highness's people and the old steward."

Even so, her eyes gleamed with excitement. This process of trying to apply vague modern knowledge to ancient times, and potentially actually helping people, gave her an unprecedented sense of accomplishment.

Two days later, Yan Cheng arrived at the back gate of the Prime Minister's residence again without making a sound. He still had that cold expression and conveyed the message concisely: "His Highness asked if Miss Jiang's drawings have been prepared. If they are ready, you can go to Ci'an Hall tomorrow to discuss them in detail with the steward."

Jiang Wanzhi hurriedly handed the thick stack of "project proposals" she had compiled over the past few days to Yan Cheng, feeling somewhat uneasy: "Thank you for your trouble, Guard Yan. However... these are just some of my rudimentary ideas, and they may not be feasible."

Yan Cheng took the stack of papers, his gaze sweeping over the dense annotations and diagrams. A fleeting look of surprise crossed his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure: "His Highness will review them." He paused, then added, "You're very kind, Miss."

Jiang Wanzhi was flattered to receive an extra compliment from this cold-faced guard.

The next day, the same unassuming green-canopied carriage appeared at the back door on time.

When Jiang Wanzhi got into the car, she found Zongzheng Hengyu already sitting inside, looking down and flipping through her stack of "project proposals." He was reading very intently, his cold profile appearing sharply defined in the light streaming through the car window.

Jiang Wanzhi held her breath, not daring to disturb him, and quietly sat down opposite him.

The carriage was quiet, save for the soft rustling of papers turning. Jiang Wanzhi's heart pounded with that sound, as if she were waiting for a teacher's review.

Finally, he closed the last page, looked up, and his gaze fell on her.

Jiang Wanzhi subconsciously straightened her back, like a student waiting for feedback.

"I have many ideas," he said, his tone neither praising nor criticizing.

Jiang Wanzhi's heart sank a little.

However, he then added, "While there are some whimsical ideas, several of them are quite ingenious and worth trying."

Jiang Wanzhi's eyes lit up instantly, like stars that had been ignited: "Really? Which ones does Your Highness think we can try?" She couldn't help but lean forward, eager for approval.

Zongzheng Hengyu's gaze lingered for a moment on her face, which had instantly brightened, before pointing to a few pages: "A simple waterwheel can be left to the craftsmen to consider. Vegetable plots can be divided into sections for crop rotation, which old farmers can handle. Patchwork of scraps of cloth, with novel color schemes and patterns, might be worth a try. As for..."

He turned to a page of paper with a strange grid pattern. "What is the purpose of these so-called 'literacy flashcards'?"

“This!” Jiang Wanzhi perked up and quickly explained, “Doesn’t Ci’an Hall have some teenagers? I was thinking that if I could teach them to recognize a few characters, even if they become apprentices in the future, it would give them more options. These cards have pictures on the front and words on the back. For example, draw an apple and write the character ‘果’ (fruit) on the back. It’s simple and easy to learn, making learning fun and perhaps it can pique their interest.”

As she spoke, she gestured with her hands, her eyes shining brightly.

Zongzheng Hengyu listened quietly, his gaze fixed on her face. His deep eyes revealed no emotion, but he did not interrupt her.

Only after she finished speaking did he nod almost imperceptibly: "Alright. Someone will send over all the writing materials."

He actually agreed! He didn't even question whether teaching those poor children to read was worthwhile!

Jiang Wanzhi's joy was almost overflowing, and she couldn't help but smile: "Thank you, Your Highness!"

Seeing her undisguised joy, Zongzheng Hengyu remained silent for a moment before shifting his gaze back to the window and saying calmly, "It was your idea, why thank me?"

His tone remained calm, but Jiang Wanzhi seemed to detect a very subtle, almost gentle, meaning in it. She smiled, pursed her lips, and said nothing more, but her heart felt as sweet and warm as if she had drunk warm honey water.

When I returned to Ci'an Hall, it had changed dramatically.

The roof was mostly repaired, and the newly replaced tiles gleamed in the sunlight. Neatly stacked timber and bricks were laid out in the courtyard, where craftsmen were busy at work.

The children changed into clean and tidy new clothes. Although they were still made of coarse cloth, their complexions were much rosier and they were no longer sallow and thin.

When they saw Zongzheng Hengyu and Jiang Wanzhi, although they were still a little timid, they dared to approach them and call out softly, "Your Highness" and "Miss".

The old steward came out excitedly, his wrinkled face beaming with joy, and kept thanking them: "Thanks to Your Highness and Miss Jiang! Thanks to Your Highness and Miss Jiang! These past few days we've been well-fed and warmly dressed, and the children don't have to worry about drafts at night!"

Jiang Wanzhi took out her "project proposal" and explained it in detail to the old manager and several specially invited old farmers and skillful women.

She spoke earnestly, even going to the backyard to personally demonstrate where to cultivate a vegetable garden and where to place a waterwheel.

Zongzheng Hengyu did not participate in these detailed discussions. He simply stood not far away with his hands behind his back, his gaze occasionally sweeping over the lake-green figure who was earnestly explaining in the crowd and sometimes squatting down to draw and write on the ground with a twig.

Sunlight bathed her, casting a soft glow upon her. She would sometimes furrow her brow in thought, and sometimes smile broadly, her whole being vibrant and radiant, strangely blending into the new life of this dilapidated courtyard.

A few bolder children gathered around Zongzheng Hengyu, looking up at him curiously with their little faces.

He lowered his head, his gaze sweeping over those clear yet reverent eyes. A little boy mustered his courage and offered him a piece of candy he had been clutching for a long time, now slightly melted, his voice soft and nervous: "Your Highness... have some candy..."

Zongzheng Hengyu's body stiffened slightly; he had never encountered this situation before.

Yan Cheng, standing behind him, instinctively wanted to step forward, but was stopped by a very slight look from him.

He stared silently at the dirty little hand and the sticky candy. After a while, just as the little boy was about to withdraw his hand in disappointment, he suddenly reached out and took the candy.

He didn't eat it, but just held it in his hand and nodded slightly to Yan Cheng.

Yan Cheng immediately understood and took out several delicate pastries wrapped in clean oil paper from his purse, distributing them to the children.

The children received the beautiful treats they had never seen before, cheered, and instantly forgot about the candy, running off happily.

Zongzheng Hengyu looked at the cheap, shapeless piece of candy in his hand, remained silent for a moment, and finally did not throw it away. Instead, he handed it to Yan Cheng and said indifferently, "Keep it safe."

"Yes." Yan Cheng respectfully accepted it, but a slight ripple stirred within him. His Highness hadn't directly rejected the child's kindness. This was truly unprecedented.

The busy time flew by. Jiang Wanzhi and the others finalized a few of the most urgent and easy tasks, such as opening a vegetable garden, organizing needlework, and trying out literacy flashcards. She felt thirsty but cheerful.

As the sun set, it was time to say goodbye.

The children and elderly people crowded around the door again, reluctant to part. Several little girls even boldly tugged at Jiang Wanzhi's skirt, looking up at her and asking, "Sister Jiang, will you come again?"

Jiang Wanzhi's heart softened completely. She squatted down and said softly, "Yes, I will. I will come to see you again, to see the vegetables you grow, the books you read, and the beautiful embroidery you make, okay?"

"Okay!" the children answered in unison, their faces beaming with hopeful smiles.

On the return journey in the carriage, Jiang Wanzhi was still immersed in a mix of fatigue and excitement.

She couldn't help but chatter on and on about the upcoming plans to Zongzheng Hengyu, pointing out areas for improvement and potential difficulties, her eyes shining brightly.

Zongzheng Hengyu mostly listened quietly, occasionally giving a brief "hmm" when she looked at him questioningly.

Even so, Jiang Wanzhi was already satisfied. She discovered that as long as they didn't talk about romance and only focused on practical matters, this prince was actually a very good listener and decision-maker.

Halfway through the journey, Jiang Wanzhi grew tired from talking, and the carriage gradually quieted down. Leaning against the carriage wall, she gazed at the lights of countless homes gradually illuminating outside the window, and suddenly whispered, "Your Highness, thank you."

Zongzheng Hengyu turned to look at her.

“Thank you for being willing to do this, and thank you for… for letting me participate.” She turned to look at him, her gaze sincere and clear. “I’m really happy to see that they have hope.”

When Zongzheng Hengyu met her eyes, which were pure and innocent, filled with pure kindness, his heart seemed to be slightly touched.

He shifted his gaze to the flickering lights outside the window, his voice low and steady: "I am not a benevolent man, but I seek only to have a clear conscience."

“I know.” Jiang Wanzhi smiled slightly, but her tone was exceptionally certain. “But what Your Highness did was indeed a good deed. Moreover, it was a good deed that could truly change their fate.”

Zongzheng Hengyu looked into her burning eyes and said nothing more.

Silence fell again in the carriage, but an indescribable, peaceful, and tacit atmosphere permeated the air.