Ning Yao asked, "Did she bring anything back, or eat anything?"

Zhao Ze shook his head: "She hasn't been gone for long, and I haven't seen her bring anything back, but she might be hiding something."

Ning Yao understood; they would have to wait for Zhao Xin to wake up to find out.

"Your daughter has been suffering from cold invading her body, particularly her lungs and internal organs. Coupled with the lack of medical attention over a long period, her condition is worsening and requires careful recuperation! I have a medicine here that can speed up her recovery, but it's rare..."

“I understand! As long as Xin’er can be cured, I am willing to give generous gifts to express my gratitude.”

Ning Yao took out the pills, fed one to Zhao Xin, and gave the rest to Zhao Ze.

"Take one pill a day, and you will recover in seven days. After that, you will need to take good care of yourself. Your daughter will definitely recover within a month."

Seeing that Zhao Xin, who had just taken the pill, was coughing less and breathing much more smoothly, Zhao Ze was pleasantly surprised.

He clapped his hands, and the servant outside carried in two baskets.

"In times of famine, money is of little use. My Zhao family is still quite powerful, so these two baskets of grain are my token of gratitude to the young lady. I will have Zhao Kun send someone to escort her out of the city later!"

Using grain as a thank-you gift is indeed a generous one, and Ning Yao expressed her satisfaction.

"Thank you, Master Zhao. I have another question to ask you."

"Please speak freely, young lady."

"Songyang City is unparalleled in its prosperity. Although the city appears deserted, there must be quite a few people who have stayed behind, right?"

Zhao Ze smiled knowingly: "Since you asked, I won't hide anything from you. Songyang has a population of over 100,000, and each family has accumulated a lot of wealth over the years. Besides, it's just a natural disaster, not a chaotic world where dynasties are changing and wars are needed. Only people who have no food to eat are forced to leave their homes, while for large families like ours, it has almost no impact."

Zhao Ze spoke casually, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Since everyone has the means, why doesn't Master Zhao organize everyone to open the granaries and distribute grain to relieve the disaster and help the people?"

Zhao Ze's smile faded considerably: "How do you know we didn't do it, young lady? Back then, my Zhao family led the way, and together with other major families, we distributed porridge for three whole months, but we didn't receive a single grain of rice from the imperial court. Since the imperial court has abandoned its responsibilities, why should we meddle in other people's business?"

Ning Yao was speechless: "I was mistaken."

With the imperial court in disarray and the Zhang family locked in a life-or-death struggle with various factions, they had no time to care about the people's livelihood.

Zhao Ze and his group really had no reason to meddle in other people's business.

“What you think is not wrong. It’s not that we can’t provide disaster relief, but at least the imperial court needs to show some attitude. As far as I know, the court and the country are not stable. Have you received any disaster relief food from the imperial court?”

Zhao Ze, perhaps feeling he had said too much, quickly changed the subject: "In any case, I still want to thank you today, young lady."

"I see a doctor, you pay the consultation fee, and we're done. There's no need for thanks."

Ning Yao took her "medical fee" and left the city under Zhao Kun's escort.

It was nearly noon by then. After leaving the city, Ning Wenyi and his group waited not far outside the city.

Seeing Ning Yao arrive on horseback, his anxious heart finally settled down.

"Are you alright, Yao Yao?"

Ning Yao dismounted and said, "Father, I'm fine. This is the consultation fee given by Master Zhao. Please keep it."

Ning Wenyi stepped forward and exclaimed, "Wow! Who pays their consultation fee with these two baskets of rice? But they are quite useful."

Shen Wei stepped forward: "Niece, you said it's the Zhao family?"

Ning Yao nodded: "Uncle, do you know him?"

"If I'm not mistaken, it should be the Lord of Songyang City."

"The city lord? That's too stingy, only giving two baskets of rice!" Ning Wenyi muttered.

Shen Wei shook his head: "What do you know? How important is food in a disaster year? Besides, Songyang City has been distributing porridge for three months after the disaster, which is more than enough to show the people kindness and compassion."

"How did you know?" Ning Wenyi asked.

"How would I know? The memorials from Songyang requesting aid are piled up almost as high as you. How do you think I would know?"

Ning Yao asked, "Since Uncle saw it, why didn't you do anything?"

Shen Wei sighed: "I only learned about this later when I entered the palace. Previously, the Zhang family controlled the government, so how could they possibly let me, the regent prince, know?"

The Zhang family had committed numerous evil deeds, and Ning Yao somewhat regretted not killing them.

However, with Empress Zhang dead and Prime Minister Zhang paralyzed, the Zhang family's fate is likely sealed after this drought.

"Let's not talk about them anymore. Let's hurry on our way. Once we leave the city and enter the mountains, it will be quick. We need to find a place to stay before dark."

We bypassed Pingyang City and Xuancheng City, and did not enter the city.

This trip through Songyang City made Ning Yao realize that no matter how big or small a city is, there should be people left behind.

After all, not everyone is like her, blessed with a treasure that allows them to take away wealth accumulated over generations.

Following Lin Qinglan's directions, the group arrived at the village where the siblings had previously lived.

"It's habitable, stay for one night, and leave tomorrow," Ning Yao instructed.

The house they chose was Lin Qingyu's house. It had been uninhabited for a long time and was only covered in dust, but it still looked alright.

"Sister, can you help me get something?" Lin Qinglan held Ning Yao's hand tightly.

Ning Yao nodded: "What?"

Lin Qinglan pulled her into the room: "Last year during the New Year, my brother made me fireworks, but I didn't finish setting them off. Today, we set them off together."

Ning Yao then realized that two months had passed since she left the capital, and it was already the end of the year.

The end of the year means that the New Year holidays are approaching.

Lin Qinglan spent a long time trying to move the object but couldn't, so she asked Ning Yao for help.

Ning Yao easily carried the bamboo basket outside. When Madam Ning saw this, she asked, "What are you two doing? It's so cold, go and warm yourselves by the fire."

"Mom, it's the New Year, let's make something delicious for everyone."

Madam Ning was taken aback, and murmured, "Has it been so long? Alright, let's have our New Year's Eve dinner today!"

Ning Yao smiled. Although the journey had been arduous, the family was fortunate to be reunited.

Except for the eldest sister.

"I hope my eldest sister can also have a proper meal during the holidays."

Lin Qinglan wanted to set off firecrackers, but Ning Yao stopped her with a beaded flower.

Loud noises can attract other things and are unsafe.

The dinner tonight was more plentiful than before, with both rice and meat.

It's not as good as life in Beijing, but it's much better than what I've been going through.

"Today is the Lunar New Year. If Yao Yao hadn't reminded me, I wouldn't have remembered. In this year of disaster, we can only have a simple reunion dinner. We hope that the drought will recede next year, giving people a chance to settle down and make a living!"

The meal wasn't exactly a happy one, but it was still quite pleasant.

After the meal, Zhilan came to report: "Miss, Young Master Lin has woken up and wants to see you."

Ning Yao nodded: "It just so happens that I also need to see him about something."

Lin Qingyu leaned against the corner of the wall, and Lin Qinglan was feeding him thin porridge.

"Sister, my brother is awake!" Lin Qinglan said happily.

Ning Yao patted her head, then looked at Lin Qingyu.

Lin Qingyu bowed to her and said, "I thank you for saving me, young lady."