“Young lady, the shops we’ve set up have already taken in a large number of people who have been relocated here. Seeing this, nearby businesses have followed suit, suspending their operations to accommodate many disaster victims.”
Jiang Ye added, "When the innkeepers learned that the Prince Duan's Mansion was taking in disaster victims, they all voluntarily waived the room fees. Apart from the rooms that had already been booked, all the other rooms were open for the use of the people."
"Considering that the inn did not charge room fees, I took it upon myself to use the money to buy ginger and entrusted the inn to brew ginger soup to distribute to the disaster-stricken people."
Gu Qinlan nodded in satisfaction and praised, "You did an excellent job. Later, send some rice to each resettlement site so that they can set up fires and cook some hot porridge for the people."
The servants who went to the east of the city did not return until late at night.
The Prince Duan's mansion has more than 30 servants, ranging in age from teenagers to those in their thirties or forties, and they all came out this time.
They spared no effort in assisting the people in the east of the city to evacuate. They were so exhausted that they could hardly speak, and some even suffered minor injuries, but their eyes shone with a determined light.
Gu Qinlan carefully examined the casualties caused by Luo Feng, personally taking their pulses and diagnosing their conditions before prescribing several doses of medicine to dispel the cold. The injured able-bodied men also received meticulous care to ensure their speedy recovery. In addition, she generously bestowed two taels of silver upon each of them as a reward.
The servants, who had been harboring resentment, beamed with joy upon receiving this unexpected reward. Deep down, they even hoped to have another chance to help the people the next day.
Unfortunately, the relocation mission has been successfully completed today, and the good deeds they longed for will no longer have a chance to be carried out.
The continuous heavy rain lasted for three or four days before gradually subsiding.
The eastern part of the city was ravaged by floods, leaving it in ruins. Countless homes were ruthlessly destroyed, and many people who lost their homes couldn't help but shed tears, heartbroken and devastated.
The Ji family's old house also failed to escape the natural disaster, collapsing in large part.
Looking at the ruins submerged in the floodwaters, Old Madam Ji stamped her feet anxiously and cried out, "Heavens, how are we supposed to live like this! My lord, I have failed you!" After a mournful wail, Old Madam Ji's eyes widened and she fainted.
Others might assume that Madam Ji collapsed from grief over the destruction of her home, but in reality, the reason for her emotional breakdown was that her husband's memorial tablet had been forgotten at home and was now buried under the ruins, filling her with guilt and self-blame.
Although there are quite a few people like her who lose control of their emotions, this situation has not attracted much attention.
Seeing his mother collapse to the ground, Ji Yinli was frantic, like an ant on a hot pan, and shouted loudly. The other members of the Ji family were also extremely anxious, but everyone present forgot to take the old lady of the Ji family to the clinic for treatment.
Gu Qinlan witnessed the farce unfolding at the Ji family from afar and couldn't help but reveal a mocking smile.
In her previous life, she had worked hard and made great contributions to the Ji family, but the old lady of the Ji family always pretended to be sick and tormented her, making her serve her at all times and running her around, while always finding fault with her for not being attentive enough.
Now that Madam Ji has truly collapsed to the ground, none of those so-called filial sons and daughters-in-law truly care about her life or death.
Turning away from her gaze, Gu Qinlan said to Jiang Ye, who was following behind her, "Let's set up a soup kitchen here to provide some substantial assistance to these people who are rebuilding their homes."
Since helping to rebuild houses is unlikely, providing food and warmth for everyone is still within our capabilities.
Jiang Ye immediately began making arrangements.
After inspecting the disaster situation, Gu Qinlan was about to leave when someone suddenly recognized her: "Lady of the Heir Apparent!"
"Your Highness, we are deeply grateful for the shelter you have provided us these past few days, which has saved us from being adrift in the storm."
In that thrilling moment, the man was filled with excitement. He tightly grasped his family's hands, led them to Gu Qinlan, and knelt down without hesitation.
The entire family was ready to bow down in respect to her.
People around were drawn to the family's actions and flocked over to pay their respects to Gu Qinlan.
Seeing this, Gu Qinlan quickly dissuaded them, saying, "Please don't do this, everyone. I haven't done anything earth-shattering. I've only done my bit. I really don't dare to accept such a heavy sentiment from you."
A woman, her face flushed with emotion and tears streaming down her face, said, “No, Your Highness, we are deeply grateful for your kindness. If it weren’t for your generosity, my two frail and sickly children would probably have died of hunger and cold long ago. You not only saved my two children, but also our whole family. We have no way to repay this immense kindness, and we can only express our gratitude by kowtowing with our sincerest hearts.”
The others nodded in agreement, expressing their strong support for the woman's words.
They may not have realized it before, but this heavy rain made them truly witness Gu Qinlan's compassionate heart.
If she hadn't stepped forward and actively sought to rescue them, other officials might have turned a blind eye. In their eyes, as long as there weren't too many casualties, their positions would be secure.
As for those profit-driven merchant families, it's even less likely they would extend a helping hand to them.
However, in this disaster, the Prince Duan's Mansion took the lead in taking action. The officials no longer dared to stand idly by. They opened their own shops to take in the disaster-stricken people and set up large pots to cook food and prepare medicine for them.
It was these measures that allowed them to survive the cold and hunger and avoid the invasion of diseases.
This is undoubtedly the greatest blessing in this natural disaster.
Despite the people's insistence on kowtowing to Gu Qinlan, Gu Qinlan resolutely refused to accept their worship.
"Dear fellow villagers, respected uncles, brothers, and sisters, I was born in the embrace of Jindu. Seeing my hometown ravaged by torrential rains, my heart is filled with turmoil and unbearable anxiety. My actions are not for the sake of your gratitude, but from the bottom of my heart, hoping to provide some assistance to my fellow villagers and alleviate your suffering. However, my abilities are limited, and I cannot do more."
Several women were moved to tears, their voices trembling: "Your Highness, we will always remember your great kindness. If it weren't for your generosity, this natural disaster would have claimed countless innocent lives. We are grateful for your help, and we will remember your kindness forever."
Gu Qinlan held the woman's hand tightly, her tone firm: "Sister, don't cry, we will definitely get through this together."
The woman nodded excitedly, her eyes shining with determination.
Gu Qinlan turned her head, her gaze sharp, sweeping over everyone present: "Please rest assured, the soup kitchen will remain open. Whenever you feel tired, hungry, or thirsty, you can come and enjoy hot soup, quench your thirst, and rest. Please be sure to boost morale and remember that the current predicament is only temporary. Everything will eventually get better, we will rebuild our homes, and the new houses will be brand new."
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