Like Gong You, Magistrate Li had previously harbored some misunderstandings about Pang Xiao’s actions due to his bad reputation.

But now, hearing such an explanation and learning that Pang Xiao’s family, together with Minister Qin from the Ministry of Rites, had actually sold their family property to donate money for purchasing grain for disaster victims, and even ordered that it not be publicized, Magistrate Li was so moved his eyes grew hot.

Those who mingled in official circles were no fools—everyone had their own scales in their hearts. Pang Xiao had donated money but didn’t publicize it, with absolutely no intention of beating gongs and drums to announce it to the world.

Yang County was so close to the old capital that if Prefect Gong hadn’t mentioned it, he wouldn’t have known about this matter, let alone the Emperor far away in the capital.

So Pang Xiao was truly just silently doing things for the people, not wanting to claim credit, willingly remaining behind the scenes to contribute in silence.

Such actions were far superior to certain people who made grand proclamations about disaster relief but never came themselves and sent no relief grain!

Who would willingly sacrifice themselves for others’ benefit like this? Everyone present understood the reason for such silent contribution.

Magistrate Li sniffled, and when he faced Pang Xiao and Qin Yining again, his expression carried several degrees more solemnity.

“My lord, rest assured. This humble official guarantees that every penny of your money will be used where it’s needed most, doing our utmost to ensure more common people survive!”

Magistrate Li’s voice was loud and resonant like thunder, fully expressing his determination.

Pang Xiao was infected by his emotion and felt quite moved himself, nodding. “I believe that with our joint efforts, we can certainly keep more people alive.”

Prefect Gong and Magistrate Li were filled with enthusiasm, both nodding emphatically in unison: “Certainly!”

As darkness had fallen, everyone temporarily rested at the government office.

There were many mosquitoes. Pang Xiao worried that Qin Yining might develop a fever if bitten by poisonous mosquitoes again, so he barely slept all night, getting up from time to time to help Qin Yining ward off mosquitoes and fan her.

The next morning, Pang Xiao still appeared refreshed and energetic—others couldn’t detect anything amiss. After Qin Yining attended to him and freshened up, she rose to accompany Pang Xiao on inspections outside.

Yang County’s disaster situation was somewhat lighter compared to the old capital, perhaps because it wasn’t at the center of the earth dragon’s turning, and with fewer tall brick buildings, the casualties were much fewer.

As they patrolled the city, they again discovered several wealthy households whose walls had been repaired, with one family even having raised their walls somewhat higher.

Such actions truly had the meaning of “protesting too much”—it wasn’t hard to guess that their estates definitely had stored grain.

Prefect Gong asked Magistrate Li, “Are the Ding and Pei families still asking the same prices for grain?”

Magistrate Li nodded with heartache. “Not only do they refuse to lower prices, but after asking several times, they even seem inclined to raise prices further.”

Prefect Gong gritted his teeth and cursed under his breath, “These heartless dog thieves! They exploited people like this in Great Yan before, and now they still dare to feed on people’s blood and flesh!”

“I think they just want to open their mouths like lions to the government, wanting to make a fortune from national disaster! If the government can’t come up with this money, they’ll have reason to say the Emperor is unwilling to feed the people!” Pang Xiao’s low voice was full of anger, and the bulging veins at his temples revealed his fury.

“The prince’s analysis is correct. These heartless wealthy people don’t deserve to be human—we should teach them a harsh lesson!” Magistrate Li was young and more impulsive by nature.

Pang Xiao was domineering and forthright, and his thoughts coincidentally aligned with Magistrate Li’s. Hearing this, he said in a deep voice, “Don’t worry. I’ll go have a talk with them later.”

Having fought on battlefields, when he truly became serious, just one stern look could intimidate people.

Seeing this, Magistrate Li and Prefect Gong felt more confident. As long as Pang Xiao was willing to make genuine efforts, they believed the people’s grain problem could surely be resolved.

Both men instantly felt that after Pang Xiao’s arrival, they had found their backbone.

While Pang Xiao inspected with Prefect Gong, Magistrate Li, Secretary Lu and others, Qin Yining also led her people to act separately, searching throughout the city for possible signals left by the Azure Sky Alliance.

Since the Emperor said the treasure might be in Yang County, if the treasure hadn’t been monopolized by the silver-masked scouts, then the Azure Sky Alliance must have handled it.

If the Azure Sky Alliance had completely betrayed her and didn’t care about facing crazy retaliation from Qin Yining and Pang Xiao in the future, that would be different. Otherwise, the Azure Sky Alliance would definitely contact her.

Qin Yining’s group split up to search and finally found three hints left by the Azure Sky Alliance.

“Madam, look—these signals at these positions, when connected together, mean they want you to go to the mountain north of here. That’s the mountain we passed when coming yesterday.”

Qin Yining nodded. “Destroy all the markers. It’s enough that we know.”

“Yes.” Xiaoman immediately obeyed, silently destroying all the markers.

Ji Yun and Bingtang said quietly, “Madam, do you plan to go?”

Bingtang anxiously advised, “Madam, you’d better not go. They changed their minds at the last minute without telling you where they took the things. Now they suddenly appear and want to lure you to such treacherous mountain roads—they clearly have no good intentions!”

“Yes, Madam, I also find it suspicious.” Dahan also said, “You should be more careful and decide after discussing with the master. Don’t go alone and fall into a trap instead.”

Qin Yining understood their good intentions, and she also felt this wasn’t something she could resolve alone.

So after that day’s inspection, when Qin Yining returned to the government office, she hid in the room with Pang Xiao to whisper.

Pang Xiao held Qin Yining’s waist, resting his chin on her shoulder, whispering in her ear, “You really found the markers?”

“Yes, but I didn’t dare go alone.” Qin Yining also raised her head, whispering in his ear, “I feel things aren’t that simple.”

“Good thing you didn’t go. Today I received a secret report from the capital. Didn’t I leave someone beside father-in-law? This news was sent by father-in-law through him.”

Pang Xiao’s voice dropped even lower, his breath warming Qin Yining’s ear. “The Emperor has secretly come to Yang County. Our actions are all under surveillance. If we act rashly, I’m afraid the Emperor will know sooner or later, and then we’ll be unable to explain ourselves.”

Qin Yining’s whole body stiffened upon hearing this, and she couldn’t help feeling afraid in retrospect.

Fortunately, she had now developed the habit of relying on Pang Xiao, preferring to discuss matters with him before acting. If she still made her own decisions like before, this time she might really have capsized in the gutter, implicating Pang Xiao, possibly exposing the Azure Sky Alliance, and endangering both families in the capital.

“Thank goodness I didn’t go.” Qin Yining let out a long breath.

“Indeed.” Pang Xiao kissed her forehead. “From now on, we’ll just focus wholeheartedly on disaster relief. Don’t worry about the treasure or contacting the Azure Sky Alliance. We can’t show any flaws in our actions, or our families in the capital will be in danger.”

Qin Yining broke out in a cold sweat and quickly nodded.