Yuan Yunzhong sighed softly.
Song Jiyun always managed to grasp the main points.
He had never expected to be able to hide it from Song Jiyun.
"Those refugees, incited by someone, killed an Imperial Court official," he said in a low voice. "Given the Emperor’s character, he definitely won’t let these refugees off."
He looked at Song Jiyun, "Many of these refugees have never even tasted salt, how would they understand rebellion? They are merely being used and driven by others."
Song Jiyun agreed.
"But if it weren’t for my quarrel with Prince Ning," he lowered his eyelids, his clearly-defined eyelashes casting a crescent moon-like shadow under his eyes, "how could they be exploited and driven by others?"
"I," he paused, "I want to volunteer to deal with the refugees outside the city."
Song Jiyun instinctively thought, if you want to go, then go.
But before she could say it out loud, she immediately realized.
This was not the era she lived in, where various public relations tactics were common, and even if negotiations failed, and one were besieged, it would just be a matter of dispatching a helicopter.
Fifty thousand refugees, if they revolted and were besieged, there would be no chance of survival.
She couldn’t help but tightly grab Yuan Yunzhong’s clothes, "No, can you not act? Let’s think of other solutions."
Her face was as pale as snow, and for the first time fear shone from her eyes.
Yuan Yunzhong suddenly smiled and held her in his arms.
"Yun Duo, thank you!" his gentle voice sounded in her ear, "I don’t know why, but I always have this vague feeling that you particularly insist on fair treatment and equal relations, even towards the maids around you. Others might do it to ensure their loyalty, but not you, you’re just used to treating people that way."
He kissed the top of her head, "Do you know? When I thought of going outside the city to deal with the refugees, the first thing I worried about was not whether I could return or if I would get hurt, but what your attitude would be?"
Song Jiyun came to her senses, thinking about his words, and vaguely understood what he meant.
"I was afraid that you would support me going. That would make me feel, perhaps in your heart, I am just like anyone else. As an official of the Imperial Court, I inherently have the duty to rescue the people from dire straits, especially since this matter concerns me," he said. "I was also afraid you would stop me. I would become softhearted, fearful of facing danger, afraid that I couldn’t protect you afterward."
Song Jiyun listened with tears in her eyes, "I want to be a little selfish in matters concerning you."
"I know, I know," Yuan Yunzhong held her even tighter, as if he wanted to fuse her into his heart, murmuring, "I promise you, in a critical moment, I will definitely prioritize my own safety, alright?"
If he were truly such a person, he wouldn’t have thought about mediating this rebellion.
Song Jiyun closed her eyes, nestled against his chest, and remained silent for a long moment.
"Can we persuade the Emperor first?" she spoke again, her voice slightly hoarse, "As long as the Emperor agrees to turn a blind eye, catching those around Prince Ning who instigated the trouble, can most of the refugees be lawfully settled?"
"Yes," Yuan Yunzhong agreed. "Just afraid that everyone thinks draconian measures are necessary in troubled times, better to kill wrongly than to miss a culprit."
"Then you go and beg the Emperor first," Song Jiyun insisted. "See what the Emperor says."
In this world, without the Emperor’s support, in a collapsing situation, Yuan Yunzhong couldn’t possibly come out unscathed.
Moreover, it had to be ensured that when Yuan Yunzhong dealt with the refugees, there would always be someone in the Imperial Court supporting him; otherwise, if the Emperor suddenly changed his mind, Yuan Yunzhong’s situation could become very dangerous.
She gradually calmed down.
Since the refugee matter was a concern for Yuan Yunzhong, even if she could stop him, he would not live peacefully for the rest of his life.
For some people, one of the pursuits in life is to live without guilt.
Since she had decided to be with Yuan Yunzhong, she should respect his decision.
Song Jiyun slowly let go of him and said, "I want to make it clear to you first. If you are no longer here, I will definitely remarry."
Yuan Yunzhong was stunned and then laughed, vigorously ruffling her hair in good spirits.
She glared at him and snatched back her own hair, saying seriously, "I’m not joking with you."
"I know." He gazed at her with tender eyes, "I won’t let you down. I still want to grow old with you!"
But Song Jiyun only felt a sense of sadness.
She said, "Then take me to Master Jinghu’s place."
Yuan Yunzhong was taken aback.
Song Jiyun glanced at him sideways, "Aren’t you in a hurry to meet the Emperor? To manage external affairs, you must first stabilize internal ones. Drop me off at West Jiangmi Alley, then you can hurry to the palace."
"Alright!" Yuan Yunzhong said with a smile, his eyes bright as stars, shining brightly.
Song Jiyun helplessly shook her head secretly and let him accompany her onto the carriage.
As the carriage left the alley, she noticed that officials were constantly coming and going at the entrance to their home.
Yuan Yunzhong took her hand and assured her, "Don’t worry, Wang Hua will handle these matters."
*
Pocket Alley is in the east of the city, and West Jiangmi Alley is in the south. The carriage traversed half the city and took a little over a Shichen before stopping in front of an inconspicuous Courtyard House at Ruyi Gate.
Chief Steward Shao might have received the news beforehand, and he was already at the gate with a few maids. He rushed forward to greet Yuan Yunzhong and Song Jiyun, bowing to them and said with a smile, "Old Master is very happy to hear that Miss Song is coming, and has been waiting in the house for a while."
Yuan Yunzhong laughed upon hearing this.
His smile was radiant, a joy radiating from the heart that was quite different from his usual restrained and modest smile. Moreover, his voice soared, "Is that so? Did the old gentleman have his breakfast yet? What did he eat? Who accompanied him? Was it in the study or the hall?"
Worried that Song Jiyun might not understand, he explained to her, "My maternal grandfather started to dislike going out after his sixtieth birthday. He only gets up at Early Si Hour and has only two meals a day."
Song Jiyun glanced at the sky; it must have just passed the Si Hour.
"Old Master had his usual breakfast: a bowl of white porridge, a boiled egg, a small dish of bok choy, a dish of pickled cucumbers, and a dish of braised fish." Chief Steward Shao responded to Yuan Yunzhong while leading them inside, "Because Miss Song is coming, Old Master didn’t invite Mr. Huang and the others to accompany him; he’s been waiting in the Flower Hall!"
Yuan Yunzhong then smiled at Song Jiyun, "Mr. Huang, styled Yunfeng, was a Juren in the fourteenth year of the Zhengtong era. He was my grandfather’s staff officer. After my grandfather retired, he had no interest in pursuing a government career and stayed at my grandfather’s as a Guest Elder. He usually spends time with my grandfather chatting, writing, and entertaining old friends. He’s very kind."
Song Jiyun smiled and nodded, but her mind was contemplating Yuan Yunzhong’s words.
He asked if Master Jinghu was in the Academy or the hall. Being in the study implies intimacy, while being in the hall implies respect. Master Jinghu knew she was coming and it was her first visit, yet he chose to meet her in the Flower Hall, a place usually for relaxation. What did this mean?
She looked at the joyous Yuan Yunzhong and secretly raised an eyebrow.
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