Chapter Twelve: Turning the Tables

The girl's name was Xiao Wu. She was the fifth child in her family and came from Zhao Family Village, which is under the jurisdiction of Shiya Town in Qingzhou. Zhao Family Village is about 70 or 80 miles away from Qibao Town. A six or seven-year-old girl like her certainly didn't come alone.

Zhao Xiaowu told Chen Qing that her whole family had fled Shiya Town half a year ago. Her father, Zhao Fang, was a stonemason. Because of his skills, he was conscripted as a laborer to work for the officials at the machinery depot.

At first, her family's life was alright, until three months ago, Xiao Wu's grandfather, father, and four older brothers were all conscripted and left home, leaving only her, her mother, and her grandmother at home.

The father and brothers never returned, and the family's food supplies dwindled. As winter approached, heavy snow fell and collapsed the house. Xiao Wu's grandmother's leg was broken, and her mother spent most of the family's savings to hire a doctor for her.

Unfortunately, Grandma passed away after being ill for half a month. Before she died, she was still thinking about her father, brothers and others.

Xiao Wu's mother passed away half a month ago. Grain prices in the city have skyrocketed, and her mother went hungry for a long time in order to save food for her. In addition, the continuous heavy snow and cold weather meant that the house could not be heated.

Her mother was bedridden, whether from hunger or cold, and when Xiao Wu woke up in the middle of the night, she found that her mother had stopped breathing.

She was heartbroken and longed for the day when her father and brothers would return, refusing to leave her mother's place of innocence.

But she was so hungry that she had no choice but to leave the house and go outside to find food.

"Sister, can I keep this pancake and take it home to eat? I wish my mother were still alive..."

Zhao Xiaowu looked gloomy, and as he spoke, he pouted as if he was about to cry.

Pei Xuan was shocked. "Your mother hasn't been buried yet?"

Zhao Xiaowu shook his head, "No, I can't dig the soil. I don't want those people to throw my mother out of the city."

Chen Qing's expression was complicated. She rubbed Xiao Wu's head and said, "Don't worry, eat. I'll go home with you later, and we'll bury your mother together, okay? From now on, you can stay by my side."

She was really worried about a six or seven-year-old girl living alone.

Zhao Xiaowu's eyes lit up at first, then quickly dimmed again.

"No, I can't go with you. What if my father and brothers come back and can't find me?"

"Xiao Wu will wait for them here."

“Then you should go with Sister Qing,” Pei Xuan said proudly. “Sister Qing is no ordinary person. She knows many important people. Maybe she can help you find your father and brothers.”

"Really?" Zhao Xiaowu looked at Chen Qing with shining eyes.

Chen Qing pondered for a moment, "I will try my best to find out information for you; it will be better than you searching alone."

Zhao Xiaowu became happy again.

After she finished eating, she took Chen Qing back to their residence, a common dwelling in the city. The heavy snow had caused many houses to collapse.

Zhao Xiaowu's house was very small, with a courtyard about the size of a square well and three rooms. One of the rooms was partially collapsed, leaving only one habitable room.

Zhao Xiaowu's mother had been dead for half a month, and her body lay silently on the bed.

The weather was cold, and her body was well preserved. There weren't many quilts in the house, so Zhao Xiaowu slept with her every night.

This bizarre scene would have terrified anyone else, but Chen Qing only felt heartache for Xiao Wu.

Zhao Xiaowu lay on her mother's body to say goodbye, and she very thoughtfully wiped her mother's body.

Chen Qing went out and found some people from his neighbors to help him, promising to give them food.

So someone helped Zhao Xiaowu's mother change into clean clothes, and someone else helped dig a grave in the yard. In this situation, this was the only option left for her burial.

Chen Qing sent Pei Xuan back to the Liu residence to find Wang Zhong and ask him to find some dry rations.

These people, suffering from cold and hunger, did not want silver, because even if they were given silver, they could not buy food.

When Pei Xuan ran back to find Chen Qing, she was sitting among the people, looking calm and chatting with them as if nothing was wrong.

She said that the city's garrison would soon be opening the granaries to distribute grain.

Because Chen Zhenyan, a wealthy merchant from Qingzhou, passed through this area and saw the pitiful state of the people inside and outside the city, he voluntarily donated grain to relieve their suffering.

Some villagers who weren't asked to work also voluntarily gathered around, either helping to clean up Zhao Xiaowu's collapsed house or shoveling snow, just to hear Chen Qing talk about some hopeful possibilities.

"Is the garrison commander really going to open the granaries and distribute grain? That's wonderful! My family has been almost out of food for a long time, and now I don't have to worry about starving to death."

"Miss Chen, how did you find out about this?"

"Miss Chen, you're not lying to us, are you?"

Chen Qing smiled slightly, not minding telling them his identity.

"Because I am the eldest daughter of the Chen family, you can rest assured that my father has indeed entered the city and plans to offer grain to the garrison commander. At that time, the garrison commander will definitely open the granaries and distribute grain to help everyone get through the difficulties."

"So it's Miss Chen! No wonder you know these things!"

The local people were encouraged and their spirits improved considerably.

These days, the city gates are closed, the grain shops are empty, and heavy snow continues. The people in the city are facing a shortage of food, firewood, and doctors. Moreover, they are filled with pessimistic thoughts.

Some people said that the garrison commander was going to rebel, and that they would all die when the imperial army arrived to suppress the rebellion.

Some people said that the garrison commander should starve them to death and keep the food for himself.

Conflicting opinions only exacerbate pessimism within the group.

They gave up on themselves, and the once harmonious neighborhood became sensitive, with fights breaking out at the slightest provocation, and some even openly stealing food.

In peaceful times, they would certainly have noticed the tragedy that befell a seven-year-old child, and would never have allowed a child to remain with his mother's body for so long. But now...

Chen Qing remained as gentle as ever. She did not condemn the people's indifference. Like a gentle breeze, she told everyone, "The granaries will be opened soon. You must persevere and help each other. Once the grain arrives, everything will get better."

The group looked at each other, a hint of shame rising on their faces.

They should have helped each other, so why did they become strangers who refused to help each other in distress?

An older woman stepped forward, put her arm around Zhao Xiaowu, and patted her back comfortingly: "Poor child, you've suffered so much. Your mother is gone. From now on, you can eat at my house. As long as there's food at my house, you'll be well taken care of!"

The sun hasn't come out for two consecutive months. Today, the clouds are still very thick, but slivers of light are peeking through the edges of the clouds, while the sun refuses to show its face.

Suddenly the sun came out, as if the continuous gloom had been dispelled. A ray of golden light shone on Chen Qing's face, somewhat dazzling. She subconsciously squinted, "The sun is out."

Everyone cheered with joy, knowing that the sun would make the daytime less cold.

Pei Xuan stood there blankly, his chest pounding as if something was jumping inside him.

Chen Qing turned her head slightly and noticed the boy's long gaze. She smiled and waved to Pei Xuan.

"Xuan Nu, have you brought the dry rations?"

Pei Xuan hurried over, initially walking quickly, then running. He reached Chen Qing's side, and as soon as he stopped, Chen Qing's warm and soft hand pressed against his forehead.

Why are you running so fast? Tell me slowly.

Pei Xuan unconsciously tugged at the corner of his lips; he simply didn't want to keep Sister Qing waiting too long.

Chen Qing quickly took her hand away. The bright sunlight shone on his face. Pei Xuan looked at the expectant crowd and said loudly, "Don't worry, the rations will be here soon. The young lady didn't lie to you; there will be food very soon!"

His tone was firm, showing even more faith in Chen Qing than in himself.

After all, Chen Qing had escaped danger many times along the way, as if dancing on the edge of a knife, yet he always remained calm and composed.

"That's wonderful! Thank you so much, Miss Chen!"

"Our benefactor, you are our benefactor!"

Zhao Xiaowu broke free from the older woman's embrace and ran towards Chen Qing, asking expectantly, "Miss, can I go with you? I can be your maid and do many things for you!"

Unsurprisingly, Chen Qing agreed: "I was going to take you away anyway."

Wang Zhong quickly brought over the dry rations. Everyone who helped Zhao Xiaowu today received a share. Before leaving, Chen Qing encouraged the local people to help each other until the day the rations were distributed.

The sun only appeared for a short while before the dark clouds returned and a cold wind suddenly rose. Zhao Xiaowu was dressed in thin clothes, so Chen Qing decided not to wander around any longer and took her back to change into warmer clothes.

Before leaving, Zhao Xiaowu distributed all the remaining belongings in her home to her neighbors, and she only took some of her mother's things with her.

She asked her neighbors that if her father and brothers returned home, they should tell them that she had left with a young lady named Chen Qing, and that they should remember to look for her.

"Help! Someone please help me!"

"Get away! Don't touch me!"

A girl's cries for help suddenly came from the alley, followed by a lewd male voice.

"Hehe, little beauty, whose family do you belong to? I've never seen you before. You're so pretty, come here and let your brother give you a good kiss!"

The disgusting sound made me want to vomit!

There weren't many people on the road, and even when someone did pass by, they would hurry away, not daring to meddle.

In this chaotic world, everyone is in danger and struggling to protect themselves, so who would dare to do something righteous?

"Li Yi and Wang Er, you two go and see what's going on."

When Wang Zhong delivered the grain, he brought guards with him. Chen Qing wanted to return to her residence first, and Wang Zhong ordered two guards to protect her.

Fortunately, with guards present, Chen Qing didn't have to take action himself.

"yes!"

The guard obeyed and went into the alley, where he saw that the woman being pinned down was none other than Chen Jiao. "Third Miss!? What are you doing here?"

"You dog! Come and save me right now!"

After a beating, Chen Jiao was rescued. Her clothes were disheveled, and her hairpin was nowhere to be found. She hurriedly ran out of the alley, and when she saw Chen Qing, her eyes were filled with hatred.

"It's all your fault! Chen Qing! It's all your fault! If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been touched by someone like that!"

Chen Qing looked completely innocent. How could it be her fault?

Li Yi and Wang Er beat the thug half to death. Chen Qing asked Wang Er to take Chen Jiao back to her residence first, while she stayed behind to clean up the mess.

Li Yi approached Chen Qing and said, "Miss, that scoundrel claims to be the son of Commander Liu. Should we still fight him?"

Without hesitation, Chen Qing said, "Never mind him. If he really is the son of Commander Liu, how could he possibly abduct a woman in broad daylight? It's lucky we stumbled upon him today. If we hadn't, wouldn't even more innocent women have suffered?"

“Cripple him and strip him naked as punishment.”

Chen Qing remained calm, as if he were talking about something as casual as having a bowl of hot tea.

Upon hearing this, Li felt a pain in his groin and then went to carry out his mission.

A shrill scream came from the alley, and then Li Yi came out carrying a few pieces of clothing, his movements swift and efficient.

Chen Qing said with a face full of praise, "Well done, let's go."

On the way, Li took off the thick clothes he had taken off and randomly gave them to beggars, showing a willingness to do good deeds anonymously. He looked at Chen Qing ingratiatingly and said, "Miss, is it alright for me to do this?"

Chen Qing then looked at Li Yi properly. Li Yi was 1.78 meters tall, with long arms and a slender waist. His long legs looked very powerful, not to mention that he had regular features and a dignified appearance.

Chen Qing looked him up and down, a smile playing on her lips: "Not bad."

It's unclear whether they were praising Li Yi's work or implying something else entirely.

Seeing the subtle undercurrents between the two women, Pei Xuan stood in front of Chen Qing, glaring at Li Yi, unwilling to back down.

"You're just a guard, why are you standing so close to Sister Qing?"

Li Yi took a step back, not wanting to argue with him, and bowed his head, saying, "This subordinate knows his mistake, please forgive me, Miss."

Chen Qing waved his hand, "It's alright, Xuan Nu, don't throw a tantrum."

Pei Xuan was even angrier, but he didn't dare to lose his temper with Chen Qing, so he could only sulk by himself.

On the way, he kept comparing himself to Li Yi.

Li Yi was more than a head taller than him, Li Yi's arms and legs were longer than his, and Li Yi looked very strong...

Pei Xuan became withdrawn.

As soon as they returned to the mansion, a bucket of cold water was poured over them, soaking Chen Qing completely, as were Pei Xuanxiao and Li Yi who were with her.

"You vile woman! You've ruined your sister like this! How dare you come back! You need to be disciplined! Granny, grab her and beat her!"

Having just gotten off Chen Zhenyan's bed and regained his favor, Zhang seemed to have regained her power.

Two burly old women came to carry out the order, and called several servants, seemingly determined to pin Chen Qing to the ground and beat him with a board.

Chen Qing sneered, wiped the water off her face, and saw Li Yi and Pei Xuan standing in front of her, blocking the nanny and servants.

"Aunt Zhang, you're just a concubine, yet you dare to try and discipline me, a legitimate daughter? Who gave you the audacity?"

Chen Qing was clearly in a sorry state, but the contemptuous look in her eyes when she looked at Zhang made her seem like a high and mighty queen.

She didn't take the two old women seriously at all. "Li Yi, get them out of here! What use are they if they can't even tell who their master is?"

No matter how disheveled Chen Qing is, she is still the eldest daughter of the Chen family. Her deceased maternal family left behind a vast dowry, all of which is meant for Chen Qing.

According to their status, even a concubine dared to yell at her, which truly shows that she couldn't distinguish between the king and the queen.

Judging by their wealth, Zhang hates Chen Qing so much precisely because Chen Qing is rich and has a good life, right?

Chen Qing stepped forward, while Zhang Shi retreated repeatedly. "You! You silver-tongued slut! You have no respect for your elders! You..."

Chen Qing really looked down on her. How could Chen Zhenyan have taken a liking to such a stupid woman who wouldn't even survive half an episode in a palace intrigue novel?

"How dare you! If your aunt can't discipline you, do you think I, your father, can't either?"

Chen Zhenyan walked out, followed by Chen Jiao, who had successfully filed a complaint and whose eyes were red.

Chen Jiao looked at Chen Qing triumphantly and continued to fan the flames, saying, "Father! It's because my sister is unfaithful! She insisted on going out, and I was worried that she would have an affair and ruin her reputation, so I secretly followed her. I didn't expect to see my sister with someone..."

"It wasn't just me, Wang Er saw it with his own eyes too. If you don't believe me, just ask Wang Er!"