Chapter 778 What is the real "golden branches and jade leaves"
The snow in the capital still shows no signs of stopping.
On the ruins in the south of the city, Qian Zhenyun and Gu Lu led the crowd to fight against natural disasters and the invisible pressure from the prince.
Doctor Qian's clinic has now become a temporary treatment center, with a constant stream of wounded people coming in.
Gu Qingchen was sitting restlessly in the mansion, and she finally received the news brought back by Huanran.
"Miss, I have found out. Young Master Qian and Young Master Gu are both in the south of the city, and Doctor Qian has also gone there with the people from the clinic. They are treating the victims, building shacks, and requisitioning supplies from the Ministry of Internal Affairs." Huanran was panting with a happy look on his face.
Gu Qingchen felt relieved a little.
"I'm glad they're okay," she said softly.
But then, her brows furrowed again.
How much supplies does the Imperial Household Department have? And how many disaster victims are there in the south of the city?
This is just a drop in the bucket.
She remembered what her father had said this morning: the tents in the military camp had collapsed because the officials in charge of the construction had cut corners.
This snowstorm is not only a natural disaster, but also a man-made disaster.
She suddenly remembered what Qian Zhenyun said yesterday - "a reason for her to give up."
She didn't know what the reason was.
But she knew she couldn't just sit there and wait for death any longer.
She had to do something, for Qian Zhenyun and for those innocent people.
Gu Qingchen's gaze fell on the thick account books on the desk.
That was the income and expenditure account of the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion over the years, and it was also what she used to practice mathematics on a daily basis.
She picked up a book, opened it, and a thoughtful glint in her eyes.
The Duke of Zhenguo’s Mansion has both money and food.
She wanted to use the power of the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion to help Qian Zhenyun.
She wanted to let the prince know that she, Gu Qingchen, was not a soft persimmon that he could easily manipulate.
She wants everyone to know that she, Gu Qingchen, is not a fool who only knows how to cause trouble!
"Huanran." Gu Qingchen's voice was filled with an unprecedented firmness and determination. "Go prepare the carriage. I want to go out."
"Miss, where are you going?" Huanran asked worriedly.
"Let's go to the south of the city." Gu Qingchen said, with an unquestionable light flashing in her eyes. "I want to go and see how Qian Zhenyun is doing now."
Huanran was startled: "Miss, it's snowing so hard outside, and the south of the city is in chaos. You can't go!"
"Stop talking." Gu Qingchen's tone brooked no argument. "I have to go. And I'm not going alone."
She looked at the account book on the desk, a sneer appearing at the corner of her lips.
She was going to take the silver and food from the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion and go to the south of the city.
She wanted the prince to shoot himself in the foot!
She wanted to let those who laughed at the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion see what a true "golden branch and jade leaf" meant!
As Gu Qingchen's carriage slowly drove towards the south of the city in the wind and snow.
Zhao Chenan, who was far away in the Eastern Palace, was gathering his staff to discuss the next plan.
How could he completely ruin Qian Zhenyun's reputation?
What should he do to make Gu Qingchen come back to him obediently?
He didn't know that the "strawberry" Crown Princess whom he despised was now walking step by step towards the trap he had set for Qian Zhenyun with a power he had never expected.
And that trap may eventually become his own grave.
The heavy snow was still falling, covering up all the noise and intrigue in the capital.
However, under this white curtain of snow, a more intense game has just begun.
Gu Qingchen's carriage stopped at the outskirts of the southern city.
This place is still some distance away from the worst-hit areas, but the flow of people has already started to get crowded.
Many homeless victims are rushing out of the city with their families, trying to find a glimmer of hope.
"Miss, the road ahead is too difficult to walk on." Huanran lifted the curtain and looked at the road mixed with mud and snow, feeling a little worried.
Gu Qingchen did not hesitate. She pushed open the door and got out of the carriage on the thick snow.
She was wearing a dark winter outfit today, with a thick fox fur cloak covering the outside, and a hood on her head that covered most of her face.
This outfit made her stand out in the crowd.
"Don't worry about the carriage." Gu Qingchen ordered the driver, "You and Huanran wait here. If anything goes wrong, drive away immediately. I can go in alone."
"Miss!" Huanran was anxious. "How can this be possible? The south city is in such chaos right now. It's too dangerous for you to go in alone!"
"It's okay." Gu Qingchen said firmly, "I know my limits."
She pulled out a waist badge from the Zhenguogong Mansion from her sleeve and handed it to Huanran: "If anyone questions you, take this out. Remember, don't reveal my identity unless it's absolutely necessary."
Huanran took the badge with worry in her eyes, but she knew that once her young lady made a decision, no one could change it.
Gu Qingchen took a deep breath, braved the wind and snow, and strode towards the depths of the south city.
The further you go in, the more shocking the scene becomes.
More houses collapsed, and the air was filled with the smell of dirt, sawdust, and blood.
The cries, coughs, and wails that came one after another made people feel heavy-hearted.
She saw a young mother holding a lifeless child in her arms, sitting beside the ruins with a blank look in her eyes.
She saw several ragged beggars gathered around a bonfire, fighting over a moldy steamed bun.
Cold, hunger and despair covered the area like a huge net.
Gu Qingchen's heart felt like it was being tightly grasped by an invisible hand, and it hurt.
She quickened her pace, following the direction of the crowd and the sound, and finally arrived at the area where Qian Zhenyun and Gu Lu were.
Relatively speaking, the order here is much better.
The Dali Temple's officers were wearing uniform white robes and were maintaining order.
They divided the victims into several groups, some of whom were responsible for clearing the rubble, some were responsible for building shacks, and some were queuing up to receive hot porridge and medicine.
Qian Zhenyun's figure is particularly conspicuous.
He was wearing a green robe, which was now covered with mud and snow, and looked a little disheveled.
His hair was messed up by the wind and his face was covered with dust, but his eyes were still bright and determined.
He was bending over, carrying a thick wooden beam out from under the rubble together with several servants.
Beside him, Gu Lu, also disheveled and with beads of sweat on his forehead, was loudly directing the crowd and arranging various tasks.
Gu Qingchen stood not far away, watching Qian Zhenyun's busy figure, a complex emotion surged in his heart.
She saw him personally rescue a child whose legs were trapped from the rubble, saw him carefully bandage the wounds of the injured, and saw him patiently comfort a crying woman.
He doesn't look like a pampered young man from a noble family, nor does he look like a weak and frail companion to the prince.
He was like a true battlefield general, using his calmness and courage to rebuild order bit by bit in the chaos.
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