Outside the Ning Mansion, the carriage had already been prepared. After everything was packed up, Chunqin and Luzhu followed Ning Wan into the carriage and headed for the Shangshu Mansion.
A figure quickly appeared in the corner, sticking to the darkness, frowning slightly: As Your Highness expected, the Third Prince really designed to invite Miss Ning to the banquet.
On one side of the avenue, a beggar in tattered clothes, covered in mud and skinny as a stick stopped his companion who was begging along the street and said breathlessly:
"Hurry up and go to the south of the city. Today, people from the Shangshu Mansion will be distributing porridge and steamed buns there. If you go too late, there will be nothing left."
The beggar who brought the news spoke in a halting voice, but his pronunciation was unusually clear. However, he was still gasping for breath while speaking, and it took him a long time to recover.
"Really? You're not lying to us, are you?"
When the group of beggars heard this, they didn't bother to beg like passers-by, and immediately gathered together. The color in their eyes brightened a little, and they asked in disbelief, swallowing subconsciously in their throats.
They hadn't had a full meal for a long time. If there were porridge and steamed buns, at least they wouldn't have to go hungry today. Just thinking about it made them feel like they were dreaming.
The beggar who reported the news did not get angry when his companions did not believe him. Instead, he spoke even more excitedly: "It's true, it's all true. Why would I lie to you?"
"Today is the birthday banquet for the daughter of the Shangshu family. I heard from the housekeeper that their young lady specially ordered it so that we can also share in the joy."
As he spoke, he pulled out a white steamed bun with five dirty fingerprints on it from his pocket, held it above his head, and spoke excitedly again:
"If you don't believe me, look here. This is what I just received in the south of the city. Everyone, go quickly."
"I rushed here with just a steamed bun to tell you the news. I didn't even have time to drink the porridge."
When they saw Mantou, a strange light flashed in the eyes of the group of beggars again. They no longer questioned anything and immediately rushed towards the south of the city like vicious wolves.
The beggar who reported the news was also pushed aside in an instant. Only the companion who had just held him was left by his side. He asked with some concern: "Are you okay?"
"It's okay, it's okay. Let's catch up with them. If we're late, there will be no hot porridge." In just a moment, the beggar who reported the news came to his senses, pulled the man and hurriedly chased after them.
Ning Wan, who was in the carriage, looked through the curtain at the beggars running in one direction outside, and learned from Xiao Qi that there was a porridge distribution in the south of the city.
Ning Wan breathed a sigh of relief and thought: Anyone who can do such a good deed must not be a bad person. Perhaps this trip is not as bad as she imagined, but she is just too nervous.
Before Ning Wan had time to think about it, she heard Xiao Qi speak nervously: "Host, let's not jump to conclusions too soon."
If the Third Prince Jun Yan succeeds in ascending the throne, then Li Manqing will be the future queen. Perhaps distributing porridge today was simply to gain a good reputation, and it doesn't prove Li Manqing's character.
[If the host lets down his guard and falls into their trap...]
"Xiao Qi, don't worry. Your host is not stupid. If Li Manqing and Jun Yan plot against me together, I will certainly not let them manipulate me."
Ning Wan knew Xiao Qi's worry, and gently lowered the curtain in her hand. A thousand thoughts ran through her eyes, but she finally calmed down and replied calmly.
Outside the carriage, Ning Wan also heard a conversation between passers-by.
"The Shangshu family is truly kind. This is the fifth time they've given out free porridge this year, right?"
"Well, including this time, it is indeed the fifth time." The person next to him also responded very cooperatively, but then turned around and asked in a somewhat tangled tone:
"Tell me, what exactly are Minister Li and his family trying to achieve by doing this? Giving out porridge is just a drop in the bucket and can't really save them from the dire situation. Although it can give these beggars a full meal, what's the point?"
"After a while, I will still starve to death."
"Oh, that's just your shallowness, isn't it?" The man sneered and asked, "You can think of a problem, but do you think Minister Li can't think of it?"
"Don't those beggars know that if no one gives them porridge or alms, they will starve to death?"
"No, they do."
"Everyone has their share of hardship, and even beggars don't have broken limbs. Many of them are capable of supporting themselves, yet they choose to sit back and reap the benefits. Even if their lives are miserable, they will never stand up straight and live with dignity."
"If Minister Li goes all out to help them, isn't that telling these people that being a beggar is a way to get something for nothing?"
"If that's the case, the streets would probably be filled with beggars, waiting for Minister Li and his family to come and rescue them."
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