After the meal, Madam Yu instructed Su Wanwan, "I will come to see you tomorrow to finalize the arrangements for disaster relief."
These words immediately attracted everyone's interest.
Yang Zhen suddenly spoke up: "Mother, I am also willing to contribute to the disaster relief efforts. Gathering people of goodwill to donate money is the most urgent task."
Yang Ting paused for a moment, then said, "The most urgent matter is for the imperial court to send capable officials to Shandong to provide disaster relief."
He looked at Lu Xingjian.
He traveled by boat to Beijing, passing through Shandong, where he saw a large number of refugees migrating with their families.
They even dug up the wild vegetables and leaves by the roadside and cooked them to eat.
As the weather gets colder, it's hard to say whether these refugees, who have left their homes, will be able to survive the winter.
Lu Xingjian did not evade the question, but his expression turned slightly cold: "Teacher is now the Minister of Revenue in Nanjing, so he probably doesn't know how much money and grain the Ministry of Revenue in Beijing still has."
Yang Ting felt a chill run down his spine.
He already knew that the Ministry of Revenue was out of money.
The "open-market-for-color" policy, implemented for more than a decade, had long since crippled the imperial treasury.
Border troop expenditures are like a bottomless pit, never to be filled.
Lu Xingjian said to Madam Yu, "I'll have to trouble you, Madam, to take care of this disaster relief effort."
Madam Yu was somewhat flattered and smiled, "As a woman, I can only do my bit."
Lu Xingjian spoke very cautiously: "The student union strongly supports this matter and hopes that the disaster relief will be implemented as soon as possible."
The disaster situation in Shandong is severe.
However, according to the previous disaster relief methods of the imperial court, the disaster relief funds were never actually distributed, as they were all embezzled and deducted by officials at all levels.
It would be better to involve grassroots forces.
He glanced indifferently at Su Wanwan.
It can also boost her reputation.
Su Wanwan felt a cold glint fall on her and cursed inwardly: Ridiculous.
With so many important political affairs awaiting his attention, he still has the leisure to chat idly.
No matter how much effort is put into the grassroots, it can't compare to the effectiveness of official actions taken by the imperial court.
Yang Ting, however, was quite insightful, and launched into a long discourse on disaster relief strategies.
Su Wanwan was exhausted from her journey and secretly yawned while covering her mouth.
Lu Xingjian, who was listening attentively to Yang Ting, noticed her small movement out of the corner of his eye and picked up the teacup beside him.
With a calm gaze, he gently blew on the tea leaves in the teacup.
Yang Ting noticed his somewhat absent-minded expression, realized something, and tactfully ended the conversation quickly.
Lu Xingjian said he had to leave: "It's getting late today, teacher, please go back and rest first, and we can talk another day."
The group left Danyan Tower. The streets were quiet and there were few pedestrians.
Yang Zhen volunteered: "It's not safe after dark. Let's use Xiu to take Junior Sister Su back."
This statement attracted everyone's attention.
Yang Ting looked at his son with deep eyes, suppressing the urge to look at Lu Xingjian's expression.
Madam Yu looked at Yang Zhen with great approval and was about to speak.
Su Wanwan spoke first, a little embarrassed: "No need, I have guards, I can go back by myself."
The air fell silent for a moment.
Lu Xingjian said calmly, "I've come to see Junior Sister Su off."
Su Wanwan frowned, her voice a little cold: "No need."
Yang Ting sensed the tense atmosphere, so he adopted the air of a teacher to smooth things over: "Let Jintang escort Wanwan, and let Yongxiu come with us."
Jintang was the name Lu Xingjian used when introducing himself.
Lu Xingjian didn't move. Only after the Yang family had all left did he say coldly, "Let's go."
Su Wanwan was looking for her carriage when she discovered that only one carriage slowly approached and stopped in front of her.
There was no sign of their own carriage at all.
Even his guards and maids had all disappeared.
Lu Xingjian boarded the carriage first and waited quietly for her.
There was no rush.
Su Wanwan stood there and stomped her feet.
The weather is getting colder.
After a few moments of silence, she quickly made a decision and started walking forward.
She would rather walk back than share a ride with him again.
Lu Xingjian watched her receding figure, his forehead veins throbbing.
When Su Wanwan's injured leg started to ache slightly, she stumbled and almost fell to the ground.
A long, strong arm caught her just in time and pulled her into a hug.
The air was filled with the familiar scent of the man, tinged with a faint aroma of ambergris.
Su Wanwan pushed him away forcefully and took two steps back to keep her distance.
The air instantly became even colder.
The surroundings were quiet, so quiet it was suffocating.
"What are you arguing about?" Lu Xingjian looked down at her, his voice carrying a faint question.
The once bustling street was now deserted.
Su Wanwan was very impatient: "Don't I even have the freedom to walk home?"
Lu Xingjian's tone softened somewhat: "Why force yourself to suffer when there's no suffering to be had?"
Seeing her body sway slightly, he reached out to support her.
Su Wanwan took another step back, staring into his eyes: "You really don't know what I mean?"
Lu Xingjian's hand remained suspended in the air, his eyes growing colder and colder.
The moonlight shone on her face, making her bright and beautiful face appear somewhat aloof.
After a long silence, his voice, tinged with anger, said, "Don't get too close to Yang Zhen."
Su Wanwan's eyes widened, somewhat incredulous: "What did you say?"
“You understand.” Lu Xingjian looked at her face, his voice carrying a hint of command.
Su Wanwan gave a cold laugh.
Yang Zhen and she only met tonight.
The two didn't exchange a single word.
What right does he have to warn her?
Why should she be subjected to his unfounded accusations?!
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