Sunrise and sunset, calm and undisturbed.
The morning court session that day, as usual, was filled with arguments over a bunch of trivial matters. The civil and military officials tried their best to make a good impression on the Crown Prince.
Inside the Earl's mansion, Old Madam Li was restless and agitated, but she forced herself to do some needlework, even pricking her hand in the process.
Seeing this, Jiayin suggested, "Grandma, it's been a long time since we've been back to Suijintan. Shall we go for a walk around the old house?"
Old Mrs. Li hesitated for a moment and asked, "Would it be better to leave the city now?"
“What’s wrong with that! We have legs, we can go wherever we want!” Jiayin laughed and took her grandmother’s arm. “Besides, the grapes in my greenhouse are probably ripe enough to eat, let’s go pick some.”
“Alright, let’s go for a stroll!” The old lady changed her clothes excitedly, and the grandmother and granddaughter set off.
The people driving and escorting the carriages in the manor were all retired and wounded soldiers. Shui Ling and Shui Yun accompanied the carriages and served them, which was about enough.
However, considering the refugees outside the city, four more veterans were added on horseback to protect them.
Li Lao Er, along with Jia An, was busy arranging for the elderly and children of the relief office. He only gave a few instructions and did not stop them.
As the carriage exited the city gate, the first thing that came into view was the makeshift camp of refugees, so dirty and chaotic that it was unbearable to look at.
Compared to the orderly and clean environment of just a few days ago, it's a world of difference.
It's not that the newly appointed vice minister is not dedicated; the real problem is that there aren't enough people, and the supply of food and supplies is insufficient. Even a skilled cook can't cook without rice!
The refugees complained all day long and dared not cause trouble, but they could still manage to cause a little disturbance by urinating or defecating.
As a result, the once beautiful campsite became this filthy mess.
Grandma Li sighed as she looked around. After all, this was a place where her son and the villagers had worked hard together, and it was a pity.
But Jiayin didn't think so; people should always be responsible for their own actions.
These refugees, who were cared for and protected by the Li family, yet secretly hoped for her to die praying for rain, should have foreseen today's outcome.
Soon, the carriage arrived at Broken Gold Beach.
Because the men from all the families in the second village were fighting on the north bank of the river, and even those who didn't go to war were still at the docks and military camps.
Therefore, the Second Village was not on the list of those to be evacuated south, and apart from Xiao Cui'er, who was absolutely reliable, no one else knew about the Li family's plans.
However, the Li family would not abandon them. After entrusting the Broken Gold Beach to the Third Princess, the Third Princess would protect each family and ensure that they could continue to live in peace.
When the women from the second village saw the host family returning from afar, they quickly went forward to greet them and exchanged a few words.
The carriage continued on to the new village, where elderly people weaving baskets sat at the entrance, overjoyed.
After getting off the car, Old Lady Li didn't go back to her old house; instead, she sat down with them and started chatting.
Jiayin greeted them and had Shuiyun deliver a box of snacks and pastries. Then she took Shuiling to the princess's residence.
The grapes in the greenhouse were indeed good; they were eight parts sweet and two parts sour, just right to eat.
Jiayin picked two baskets of water spirits here, and then went to the herb shop and herb field.
The recipe for the wound medicine has been placed in the box given to the Crown Prince. Although the wound medicine produced here is not as effective as the one from the space, it is still one of the best on the market.
In the future, the money from selling the wound medicine each year is estimated to be around four thousand taels, which will be used to settle the wounded soldiers of this northern expedition and ensure that they have enough to eat and wear for the rest of their lives.
Of course, the imperial court will definitely make arrangements.
But without the Marquis's support and protection, who knows how the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War will embezzle funds.
The pensions that eventually reached the soldiers might not even be enough to fill their stomachs...
Since the Li family is leaving, they should even take the Marquis with them and leave completely.
Jiayin then strived to do her best, to achieve perfection, so that none of those who had been loyal to the Li family and the Marquis would be left without a place to belong...
After wandering around, Jiayin returned to the old house. The old lady had already asked someone to prepare a meal, and she and a group of elderly people were ready to eat and drink.
The village chief and Uncle Zhao were also among them, and they were speaking louder than anyone else, even in a low voice.
The villagers who were planning to stay gathered around, eager to hear and see more.
As if by doing so, they felt a little more at ease.
The old lady didn't say much, but upon seeing her granddaughter return, she said, "The princess has been exhausted these past few days dealing with household chores. Don't worry, we'll continue living the same way we did before. Things will only get better, not worse!"
The crowd vaguely sensed that the host family had plans for their future, and their smiles became even more reassuring.
After the meal, everyone gradually dispersed, and the old lady and Jiayin prepared to return to the city.
Jiayin gave the village chief a basket of grapes and instructed him, "Grandpa Village Chief, please take good care of us these days. In case of any unexpected situation, everyone's safety should be the priority; everything else is secondary."
"Don't worry, Princess, I know what I'm doing!" The village chief nodded, about to say a few more words, when dust rose from the crossroads and a warhorse galloped towards them.
The rider on horseback looked quite disheveled, covered in dust, but his back was ramrod straight!
Jiayin subconsciously turned her head away, her eyes shining with a frightening light!
Mu Xu pulled hard on the reins, stopping in front of the carriage. He almost fell when he jumped down.
But that didn't stop him from leaning against the saddle, grinning roguishly, "Princess, would you like to wander the world with me?"
Jiayin's heart was pounding like a drum, and she didn't even dare to speak, for fear that her heart would jump out of her chest.
After years of preparation, the moment she had been longing for finally arrived!
Everything has reached a crucial moment where the outcome will be revealed!
The old lady and the village chief realized what was happening and came over.
Jiayin took a deep breath, quickly took out two boxes and a letter from her handbag, and handed them directly to Shuiling.
“Go into town to find the Earl. After he reads the letter, he will know how to make the arrangements.”
Shui Ling quickly responded, and before she could leave, Jia Yin gave Shui Yun another push.
"Go get the horses together. You go back to Zhengjiazhuang and tell everyone to hurry to the dock before dark. We must meet before midnight, or we won't wait for you."
"Yes, Princess." Shuiyun quickly went with Shuiling to the old house to fetch the horses, and then the two of them disappeared in a flash.
Jiayin then turned to the old lady, "Grandma, you stay here and go to the dock with everyone after dark."
After saying that, she instructed the village chief, "Grandpa Village Chief, I'm leaving this place to you."
"Princess, rest assured, even if I die, I will not make a mistake at a time like this!" The village chief's hands trembled with excitement, and he turned to get busy.
The entire Broken Gold Beach area will be kept under strict control on the outside but not on the inside, allowing entry but not exit, until nightfall...
Jiayin held her grandmother's hand, wanting to say something, but the old lady had already shed tears and hugged her granddaughter tightly.
“Fu Niu’er, Grandma knows… Grandma knows what you’re going to do! Grandma is scared, Grandma doesn’t want you to take the risk, but Grandma knows you’ll definitely go, and we can’t stop you!”
"Grandma doesn't ask for anything else from you, she only asks that you stay safe and sound. You are my life, if anything happens to you, I absolutely cannot live!"
"Always remember what Grandma said. For Grandma's sake, you must come back safely, okay?"
Jiayin's nose tingled with emotion. She gently patted the old lady's back and comforted her, "Grandma, it's one thing if others don't know, but don't you know how capable your granddaughter is?"
"My granddaughter will always be safe and sound, and no one can hurt me. If there is any bad news outside, don't worry about it. Just wait for me to come back."
"I will even bring my godfather and my father back, so that our whole family can be reunited in peace and safety!"
Today's update is here!
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