"Your Highness, we cannot let them continue like this!" Xin Jiuwei stood up, her eyes blazing with two bright flames—anger at the injustice and deep concern for the suffering of the people. "Father is struggling to hold on in Yingzhou, and Yuncheng has just weathered a storm. Although my sister and brother-in-law can help, it's just a drop in the ocean compared to such a disaster! The court's disaster relief funds are the life-saving money for the victims!"
Xiao Xun looked into her eyes, his heart pounding with a sense of urgency and responsibility that transcended personal grievances and pointed directly to the greater good of the nation. He reached out and grasped her slightly cool hand, saying in a deep voice, "Rest assured, I know what I'm doing. They won't swallow this sum! But..." He paused, his brows furrowing slightly, "An urgent report has just arrived from the northern border. The Rong and Di tribes seem to be making unusual moves, and tensions are escalating in the Yunzhou area. The Ministry of War is already allocating provisions and weapons, the national treasury is tight, and the Ministry of Revenue has an excuse to delay. I must immediately go to the palace to see the Emperor, explain the situation, and at the same time, be wary of my second brother's remaining forces using this as an opportunity to cause trouble."
Xin Jiuwei grasped his hand in return, feeling the strength and determination in his palm, which eased her anxiety slightly. She knew that Xiao Xun carried a heavier burden than she had imagined. Surrounded by powerful enemies on the outside and plagued by internal corruption, every step he took was like walking on thin ice.
“Your Highness, please go ahead. I will take care of things in the capital.” Xin Jiuwei met his gaze, her tone firm and clear. “Although I cannot fight on the battlefield or review memorials, I can do what I can! The children at the orphanage need shelter, and I can contact more charitable organizations to make room for any potential influx of refugees and orphans into the capital. Sister Lin has connections with major merchants in the city; I will ask her to mobilize them to sell grain at a fair price or donate medicine and cloth. The late Lady of Anguo is highly respected; if we can ask her to mobilize the ladies and noblewomen of the capital to donate goods and labor, we can surely accumulate wealth!”
She had a clear mind and was extremely efficient, quickly outlining several feasible paths. This stemmed not only from her sense of responsibility as a future princess consort, but also from her genuine concern for the suffering of the common people.
Xiao Xun gazed deeply at her, as if recognizing for the first time the immense power she possessed. This was no longer the young girl who needed his constant protection and had just begun to shine at the gathering, but a partner who could stand shoulder to shoulder with him in times of turmoil, sharing the burdens of family and nation!
"Good!" Xiao Xun's eyes shone brightly, filled with admiration and complete trust. "Jiuwei, go do it! Use your status as the 'future Sixth Prince's Consort' to do it! I will give you my greatest support! Youye!" he called out.
You Ye responded and entered.
"By order of the King: Open up some vacant rooms in the West Garden of the Royal Palace, and hand them over to Miss Xin for management, to serve as temporary shelters for displaced people. All usable grain, medicine, and cloth in the Royal Treasury are at Miss Xin's disposal! In addition, allocate a squad of Royal Guards to Miss Xin's command to maintain order and ensure security!" Xiao Xun's order was decisive, granting Xin Jiuwei the most substantial power and resources.
"Your subordinate obeys!" You Ye solemnly accepted the order, his gaze towards Xin Jiuwei filled with seriousness.
“Your Highness…” Xin Jiuwei felt a surge of warmth and strength in her heart.
"No need for further words." Xiao Xun raised his hand to stop her, leaned down and kissed her forehead, his deep eyes reflecting her image. "Remember, you are not alone. As long as I am here, the Xin family is here too. Go do what you must do, and let the people of the capital see what kind of world my future queen cherishes!"
Xiao Xun hurriedly entered the palace. Xin Jiuwei took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in her heart, her eyes instantly becoming sharp and focused. Time was of the essence; every moment concerned the lives of countless disaster victims in Yingzhou!
"Xin Kui!"
"Miss, I'm here!" Xin Kui appeared silently like a shadow, her eyes calm yet sharp, ready to serve at any moment.
"Immediately take my calling card to the Marquis of Anguo's residence to see the old lady, explain the disaster situation in Yingzhou and my plan, and earnestly request the old lady to call upon the ladies of the capital to help! Your attitude must be respectful and sincere!"
"Yes!" Xin Kui took the name card, turned around and left, her steps as swift as the wind.
"Someone! Prepare the car! We're going to the Lin residence!" Xin Jiuwei gave the order while quickly organizing her thoughts, trying to figure out how to persuade Lin Jingshu's father, the influential Mr. Lin in the business world.
The carriage sped through the streets of the capital. Xin Jiuwei lifted a corner of the curtain, looking at the bustling crowds outside, unaware of the suffering in the distance, her heart heavy. She thought of her elder sister, Xin Xiyao, far away in Yuncheng. In her past life, her sister was harmed by Qi Huaiyu, her marriage ruined, and she died in depression. In this life, her sister had proven herself a talented woman, marrying the steady and reliable Qi Huaihe. Though in Yuncheng, at this moment, their hearts were connected!
Upon returning home, Xin Jiuwei immediately wrote two letters. One was to her father, Xin Shouye, informing him of the situation in the capital and urging him to hold on, comfort the refugees, and promising to do his utmost to procure supplies. The other letter was for her sister, Xin Xiyao, and brother-in-law, Qi Huaihe.
In her letter to her elder sister, she detailed the disaster and the resistance from the court, imploring, "...Sister, Yuncheng is the gateway to Yingzhou, with convenient trade routes. I know my brother-in-law's business acumen and exceptional skills. In this time of crisis, I earnestly request that you and brother-in-law utilize the Qi family's trade routes to procure grain, medicine, and winter supplies, and transport them swiftly to the most severely affected counties! This is not just for the Xin family, but for the millions of lives in Yingzhou! I will certainly find a way to reimburse the money and grain spent in the capital, or petition the court for future allocation. I earnestly hope that you and brother-in-law will extend a helping hand for the suffering of the people! Your sister, Jiuwei, kowtows with tears of blood!"
She knew that Qi Huaihe was calm and even cunning, a businessman driven by profit, but she also knew that her sister Xin Xiyao was kind-hearted, and that Qi Huaihe cherished her dearly. In the letter, she appealed to her emotions and reasoned with her, placing the common people above the Xin family, believing that her sister and brother-in-law would not stand idly by.
The messenger, riding swiftly, carried Xin Jiuwei's heavy hopes and the hope for survival of the disaster victims in Yingzhou, heading towards Yuncheng.
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