Chapter 154 Disaster relief, Xiao Wan encounters obstacles
In Longchang Academy, the candlelight in Yan Yuze's study was still on, casting two shadows on the window.
"Your Highness, you mean... let me lead the students to distribute disaster relief supplies and set off tomorrow?" Ouyang Ye said in surprise.
He originally wanted to find an opportunity to report to the Sixth Prince about the matter between Zhao Sicheng and the Yang family, but a more urgent situation occurred at the moment, so he had to put the matter aside for the time being.
"Well, once this happens, I think the Crown Prince and Prince Qi will pay close attention to my movements. You should act in my name to attract their attention, so that I can investigate in secret."
Ouyang Ye nodded, understanding what Yan Yuze meant, but still had concerns.
"It's good to let these kids go out and gain some experience, but Long'an County is very dangerous right now. If something unexpected happens..."
"You are going there under the banner of this king, and the government will definitely send people to ensure your safety. But Bi Cong is after all the King of Qi's men. If your trip touches upon their core interests, I'm afraid he will interfere.
Therefore, I will arrange another person for you, and you must observe her carefully for me on the way."
"oh?"
Yan Yuze smiled faintly, and there was a knock on the door at the right time, "Come in."
Murong Jing walked in, "Sixth Uncle, Dean Ouyang."
She obviously didn't know why Yan Yuze called her over so late at night.
"Long'an County is in serious disaster. Are you willing to go there to help with disaster relief?"
Murong Jing looked a little conflicted. "It's possible, but..."
In her heart, she actually wanted to go, but this year's college entrance examination was approaching, which was related to whether she could return to the military camp, so she was inevitably caught in a choice. What's more, she learned kung fu to kill the enemy in battle, so in terms of disaster relief, her role might not be too great.
"If you can perform meritorious service in this disaster relief effort, I will go talk to your father and ask him to allow you to return to the Northern Frontier."
"Really?!" Murong Jing's eyes lit up immediately, and she asked Yan Yuze to sign a document on the spot.
Yan Yuze scratched his forehead with his fan in a headache, "My words are as good as gold, why should I sign a written agreement? However, during this trip to Long'an County, unless it is an emergency that involves life and death, you must not reveal the identity of the princess."
"That's easy."
"Also, you are not allowed to bring anyone else with you."
"Why?" Murong Jing asked curiously. Mu'er and she grew up together, so couldn't they go together?
Yan Yuze didn't say anything, just looked at her.
"Okay, I promise."
…
The next morning, three horse-drawn carriages were waiting at the city gate, loaded with relief supplies collected in the name of Longchang Academy.
Zhu Lan and others carried their luggage and arrived at the city gate at the agreed time.
"Hey, Dean Ouyang, why is the headmaster not here?" Zhu Lan asked.
"The headmaster has other things to deal with, so I will take you to the disaster relief mission this time." Ouyang Ye said.
Everyone was very punctual. In less than half an hour, most people had gathered and Ouyang Ye began to count the number of people.
Zhu Qingyan and Murong Jing stood together, Zhu Lan, Qiao Youyou and others gathered aside, along with two other students from Class B of the academy, named Li Heng and Yao Xing.
Zhao Sicheng looked around, "Hey, why hasn't Wanwan come yet?"
Xiao Wan is a very punctual person and will not be absent without reason.
Seeing that the city gate was about to open, Zhao Sicheng became a little anxious. He planned to ask Ouyang Ye to let him leave later so that he could visit the Xiao Mansion.
At this moment, Xiao Wan's maid Chunlan appeared in front of everyone.
"My young lady caught a cold last night and is feeling unwell. She cannot come today. She sent me here to let you know that you don't have to wait for her."
"Is she okay?" Zhao Sicheng asked hurriedly.
Chunzhi didn't even look at him and turned away.
Zhu Lan and others looked at Zhao Sicheng.
Zhao Sicheng thought about it carefully. Although he really wanted to visit Xiao Wan, if he missed the opportunity to fight the flood and provide disaster relief, he could only pin his hopes on the provincial examination three years later. He didn't know what changes would happen to their future.
Fortunately, Xiao Wan just had a cold, and she was taken care of by her parents and servants at home, so she should be fine.
He thought it over again and again, and made up his mind, "Let's go."
At this moment, a dull sound was heard, and the city gate was slowly opened. A group of people and three coachmen walked out.
When he arrived at the city gate, Zhu Lan's eyes suddenly caught a familiar figure.
"Mr. Duan?" she called out.
Duan Wenqing turned around and was surprised to see her, and asked them why they were leaving the city.
Upon hearing that they were going to Long'an County to assist in disaster relief, Duan Wenqing was very excited and quickly bowed deeply to Ouyang Ye.
"Duan Wenqing, the folks of Long'an County, thank you all!"
Zhu Lan said to Ouyang Ye, "Dean Ouyang, this Mr. Duan is from Long'an County and is very familiar with the local situation. Why don't we let him come with us?"
Ouyang Ye looked at Duan Wenqing and nodded in agreement.
…
"Dad, Mom, we clearly agreed on this last night. Why are you suddenly stopping your daughter from going to provide disaster relief?"
In the inner courtyard of the Xiao Mansion, Xiao Wan, carrying her luggage, confronted her parents and a group of servants who blocked her way.
There was obvious anxiety on her face. She estimated the time and thought that everyone else must have gathered and were ready to set off.
"Wan'er, your father and I discussed it last night. After thinking it over, I still feel that disaster relief is dangerous and unpredictable. It's better for you not to go." Xiao's mother looked at Master Xiao with embarrassment and advised Xiao Wan earnestly.
"Mother! Didn't I explain it to you long ago? The headmaster of the academy will lead us on this trip, and the Long'an County Office will also pick us up and ensure our safety.
Moreover, if I can make a name for myself through disaster relief, it will be of great benefit to my daughter's future career!"
Xiao Wan's anxiety became more and more obvious.
Master Xiao and his wife looked at each other, and Master Xiao coughed twice, "Your mother and I disagree, there is no need to say more about this matter. Come, send the young lady back to her room and take care of her."
"Dad!" Xiao Wan wanted to say something else, but Master Xiao had already turned and left, and the remaining servants blocked all the exits.
"Miss, please go back to the house."
Mr. Xiao returned to the room, and his wife followed him with a worried look on her face.
"Master, it seems that Wan'er is determined to go to provide disaster relief. What should we do? What if she sneaks out..."
Master Xiao's beard twitched. "It's useless even if she is determined! Don't worry, the roads to Long'an are now blocked. Ordinary people can't go without a government certificate. When the academy's team sets off, Wan'er won't be able to go even if she wants to."
Mr. Xiao paused, then asked, "Has the son of Brother Yang come here in the past few days?"
"I came, but was sent away by Wan'er again."
"Alas. Brother Yang has done a great favor to our Xiao family. Many years ago, I followed my father to Qingzhou for work. On the way, someone stole our money. As a result, my father died in a foreign land due to anger.
I had no money left at the time. If it weren't for Brother Yang who helped with the burial and asked someone to transport my father's coffin back to Jiangzhou, how could my father have returned home? This is a huge favor!"
"Master, although Yang Xin is a talented kid, if Wan'er's heart is not with him, I'm afraid this marriage will be difficult to achieve..."
"It has to be done even if it's difficult. It's the parents' order and the matchmaker's words. How can a little girl like her make the decision on marriage?"
Mr. Xiao's tone was a little firm. "She is a descendant of the Xiao family. The benefactor of the Xiao family is her benefactor. How can she not be grateful?
Besides, Brother Yang is now the magistrate of Jiangzhou, and I have known him for many years. Wan'er will not suffer any loss if she marries him, and this will be good for her."
Seeing that his wife was about to speak but hesitated, Master Xiao raised his hand to interrupt, "Well, you are Wan'er's biological mother, so you should plan more for her. Instead of nagging me, you might as well think about how to create opportunities for these two young people to get along with each other."
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