Master Jinghu listened, and a hint of impatience surfaced in his otherwise gently refined brows.
Indeed, he had made a misjudgment. He had not anticipated that Song Jiyun would disregard her own safety to rescue Yuan Yunzhong, but like many long-established and successful individuals, even if he was affected, he would not easily admit defeat.
When Commander Wang had nearly finished speaking, he took the opportunity to smile and politely interrupt Commander Wang’s words, graciously praising Song Jiyun. "No wonder her elder brother Jiang Chun praised Miss Song as a ’woman who does not let men outdo her in heroism’ after he became a parental official in Liang County!"
The majority of those present smiled kindly toward Yuan Yunzhong and Song Jiyun after hearing this, feeling that Song Jiyun had earned Master Jinghu’s recognition. They thought their travails were over and a happy union was in the offing.
However, Yuan Yunzhong furrowed his brow, sensing that Master Jinghu’s reaction was not what he had hoped for.
His maternal grandfather’s acknowledgment of Song Jiyun seemed too hasty and perfunctory.
This was not in keeping with his maternal grandfather’s usual manner.
He even called out somewhat displeased, "Maternal Grandfather."
Before he could speak, Wang Zi suddenly laughed and said, "Yunzhong, our uncle has reached an age where he knows the destiny of heaven. He has rushed over a hundred miles overnight for your sake, not closing his eyes for a moment, and has also managed to use his personal influence at the Ministry of Revenue to allocate over a hundred stones of food for you, which should arrive soon. Though not much, it will alleviate your immediate emergency. Moreover, our uncle has already written to your grandfather, asking your eldest cousin Jing Nian to go to the Ministry of Revenue first thing tomorrow morning. The Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue is your eldest cousin’s wife’s uncle. With Jing Nian personally intervening, the Ministry of Revenue will not fail to give face to Jing Nian, and the food allocation will certainly be issued quickly."
Master Jinghu glanced at his cousin’s son with a flicker of satisfaction in his eyes, then continued, "Yunzhong, food is not the big issue right now. The major problem is how to settle these refugees. Ever since you told me you wanted to leave the city to comfort the people, I’ve been thinking about this matter."
As he spoke, he asked Yuan Yunzhong, "Do you have a map of the Thirteen Provinces? If not, Ah Zi, sketch a simple map of the Thirteen Provinces for Yunzhong. I have an idea that I need to discuss with you, to see if it could work?"
Song Jiyun kept silent.
Wang Zi and Master Jinghu were coordinating very well!
However, the person she was going to spend her life with was Yuan Yunzhong.
Yuan Yunzhong’s attitude was what mattered most.
She was curious about what Yuan Yunzhong would do.
And Yuan Yunzhong indeed did not disappoint her.
When Master Jinghu reached this point, Yuan Yunzhong became serious, and rather than being swayed by the news revealed by his maternal grandfather and cousin, he solemnly said, "Maternal Grandfather, Cousin, when I was young, you both told me that public duties are never-ending, but family is most important. Let’s set aside public affairs for now and talk about Miss Song."
Master Jinghu and Wang Zi were taken aback.
Yuan Yunzhong continued, "Miss Song is neither a relative nor a friend to me. She knew how dangerous Shijingshan was, yet she not only managed to hire a group of people, but she also personally took risks. A mere light phrase of ’a woman who does not let men outdo her in heroism’ is not enough to express my gratitude toward Miss Song. You are the closest person to me, and Cousin is the person I respect the most. Miss Song saved me, and I hope that you can treat her well, just as I do!" 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢
Master Jinghu and Wang Zi were speechless.
Because of the reasons related to his parents, Yuan Yunzhong had always been a rather obstinate child. Reserved yet articulate, indifferent yet dignified, his character had led to many misunderstandings and even disputes, but he never explained or responded.
It was unexpected that he would speak up for Song Jiyun.
And even more so, that he would express his emotions so openly and without disguise.
Master Jinghu felt conflicted.
The child he had done everything to raise, whose obstinate character he had tried in vain to change, had been so easily influenced by Song Jiyun.
Should he feel fortunate or at a loss?
Master Jinghu let out a long sigh.
However, Wang Zi’s eyes lit up as he exclaimed, "Great-great-uncle, look, the grain-transporting mule train is coming!"
Everyone looked in the direction he was pointing.
Bathed in the glow of the morning sun, stretched an endless line of mule teams, each pulling carts full to the brim with bulging sacks, slowly making their way forward.
"We have grain!" someone shouted, without it being clear who.
At the foot of the mountain, a tumult arose, with overlapping cheers of "Lord Yuan has ordered the transport of grain," "There’s grain," and "We won’t go hungry!" echoing everywhere.
Yuan Yunzhong couldn’t help but smile as well.
Master Jinghu, as if to gloss over the recent events, said with a smile, "It’s a good thing the Ministry of Revenue delivered the grain on time."
Wang Zi also said with a smile, "Yunzhong, where are the officials you brought over? Hurry and let them register and create records, so we can get through this difficult situation at hand."
Yuan Yunzhong nodded.
As the convoy drew nearer, the lead cart driver jumped down from the mule cart, bowed to the people greeting them, and said, "Miss, we’ve honorably fulfilled our task. We’ve transported the exact 120,040 shi of grain you purchased."
"Ah! It’s grain bought by Miss Song!"
People turned around with varied expressions, and some even made way to reveal Song Jiyun, who had been following them.
With a composed demeanor, Song Jiyun made her way through the crowd to stand shoulder to shoulder with Yuan Yunzhong, smiling as she said, "Master Dai, you’ve worked hard. Today, everyone involved in transporting the grain will be rewarded with two taels of silver."
"Thank you, Boss Song!" cheered the grain-transporting cart drivers and guards, as the word spread from one to another.
Cheers rose up once more.
Shao Qing and Wang Hua, who had escorted the grain, ran over radiating joy.
Working with Song Jiyun meant earning money.
Shao Qing even joked, "I should get some too, right?! Though I’m serving in the Shang Twelfth Armies, I’ve taken leave from the Eldest Imperial Son, and right now I’m on my days off. With Boss Song being so generous, don’t be stingy over such a little bit of silver!"
Wang Hua also joined in the fun, "I should receive some too, right?! Although I am a family retainer of the Wang family, the young master gave me to you, so I am now a person of your household. If Master Dai gets his, I should too..."
The words "I should" flashed through his eyes as they swept over the inexplicably hued faces of Master Jinghu and the stunned Wang Zi, who struggled to react, and he abruptly swallowed the rest of his sentence.
"O-Old Master!" he stammered, with a slightly panicked expression, moving forward to give his respects to the two men, "Old Master Zi!"
Wang Zi nodded indifferently, while Master Jinghu ignored him, lost in thought. It was only after a while that he looked towards the mule carts that had arrived in succession and blocked the road in front of the council hall, murmuring, "All this grain, is it all bought by Miss Song?"
"Mhm!" Not waiting for anyone else to speak, Yuan Yunzhong chimed in proudly, "You all don’t know how clever Miss Song is. Not only did she save me, she also managed to buy so much grain right under the nose of the Ministry of War. This is no ordinary girl. Actually, not even a very capable man could necessarily do this. Brother Jiang said she ’does not let her male peers outshine her’, which is not even a slight overstatement. She is really capable, very resourceful, and very strong..."
He went on and on praising Song Jiyun, as if he wanted to make sure that everyone knew of her merits.
Listening, Master Jinghu’s expression gradually became numb.
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