Qin Yining smiled: “Just follow my arrangements and you’ll know. Ever since I became pregnant, the Prince hasn’t allowed me to think or work on matters. I’ve been content with the status quo for too long—it’s been so long since I’ve acted that my skills have grown rusty.”

Manager Zhong laughed heartily. Seeing Qin Yining’s confidence, half his worries were relieved.

Qin Yining then said: “Tomorrow, use this method to invite Liao Zhibing over.” She whispered a few words in Manager Zhong’s ear.

Manager Zhong nodded solemnly: “I’ll certainly accomplish this for you.”

It was getting late, so Manager Zhong took his leave to rest.

After he left, Qin Yining returned to her bedroom but couldn’t sleep for most of the night.

With grandmother’s safety at stake, Qin Yining didn’t dare be negligent in the slightest. She carefully analyzed her entire plan from beginning to end, mentally envisioning many possible unexpected situations and how to handle each one. Finally, she fell into a drowsy sleep only when utterly exhausted.

The next day, Liao Zhibing brought Hall Masters Zhao Wanjin and Zhao Yinuo with Manager Zhong to see Qin Yining.

Qin Yining had everyone invited to the front hall of the Qin Manor and instructed guards to secure the perimeter, strictly preventing anyone from approaching to eavesdrop, before saying: “When you came, you weren’t followed, were you?”

Zhao Wanjin laughed loudly: “Alliance Leader, rest assured. Have you forgotten what we brothers used to do? Before coming, we already surveyed the outside situation thoroughly. Absolutely no one would discover us.”

Qin Yining smiled and nodded: “That’s good. I’ve called you here today for an important matter.”

“Alliance Leader, just give your orders.”

After Qin Yining led the Azure Sky Alliance to help Li Qitian reclaim the throne, the Alliance had officially shown itself before the current emperor. During the Great Yan Dynasty, they were viewed as rebels, but now they had become loyal ministers and capable generals who could help the emperor. This sense of achievement was indescribable for them.

Therefore, Liao Zhibing and the Zhao brothers were now all in high spirits, full of hope for the future.

Seeing this, Qin Yining felt more confident. She first told them about the Duke Dingguo’s wife being arrested, then introduced the situation with High Commissioner Gao and Young Master Gao, and finally explained what she wanted them to do.

“Through observation, I’ve discovered that the people of the old capital are all living difficult lives. Affected by warfare and natural disasters, many people now have trouble even getting enough to eat. So I plan to establish a soup kitchen in the city to provide porridge to the people. First, it can help many people. Second, it will facilitate my next plan—this achieves two goals at once.”

Liao Zhibing, Zhao Wanjin, Zhao Yinuo, and Manager Zhong were all somewhat puzzled.

However, since Qin Yining had given instructions, they trusted her methods.

Having followed Qin Yining through so many endeavors before had proven she possessed insight and decision-making abilities that others lacked. Combined with their interactions over many days, they all trusted Qin Yining’s character, knowing she wasn’t the type of master who would disregard subordinates’ lives to achieve goals.

Qin Yining’s previous good character and intelligent, decisive methods had earned her subordinates’ wholehearted trust. Without any questioning, everyone nodded.

“Since the Alliance Leader has decided this, she must have thought everything through. We brothers will just follow orders.”

“Yes, it’s just that after establishing the soup kitchen, feeding so many common people will require considerable expense.”

Qin Yining smiled: “I still have income from so many estates and shops. Mobilizing a portion of the grain and silver earned from my properties can save quite a few lives. This time, I do indeed have other plans for the porridge distribution—this also serves dual purposes.”

“Yes.” Since Qin Yining had decided, everyone nodded in unison.

Manager Zhong said: “Proprietress, rest assured. I’ll immediately mobilize silver and grain.”

After Qin Yining nodded, Manager Zhong took his leave first.

Qin Yining then said to the three people in the room: “For this soup kitchen establishment, I don’t want to use the Prince’s name, but rather the identity of a merchant from elsewhere.”

“Why is this?” This time, the Zhao Wanjin and Zhao Yinuo brothers couldn’t help themselves, their voices rising several pitches.

“Alliance Leader, this is such a good opportunity to make a name! Such good deeds would accumulate virtue for the family. Why keep it secret?”

Considering their current situation, Qin Yining smiled bitterly and shook her head: “Actually, why wouldn’t I want to earn some good reputation for the Prince? Unfortunately, the current political situation is tense, and the southern situation is unclear. I don’t dare act rashly and delay the Prince’s important business.

“Moreover, in my plan, establishing the soup kitchen is one aspect, but the main thing is I want to rescue grandmother. After thinking it through, I believe this plan is feasible. So the soup kitchen manager needs to be a kind-hearted wealthy merchant from out of town, and I need your help with this.”

“Alliance Leader, rest assured. We’re duty-bound.” The Zhao Wanjin and Zhao Yinuo brothers were both of bandit origins, frank and full of masculine vigor. Comparatively, Zhao Wanjin was more experienced and smooth than Zhao Yinuo, accustomed to reading situations and observing surroundings.

Therefore, Qin Yining assigned the task to Zhao Wanjin and whispered a few words in his ear.

Zhao Wanjin nodded repeatedly as he listened. Initially, he didn’t understand what Qin Yining’s arrangements were specifically for and felt somewhat frustrated.

But now, having heard Qin Yining’s analysis and plan, all of Zhao Wanjin’s frustration had vanished, leaving only admiration.

Zhao Wanjin nodded continuously: “Alliance Leader, rest assured. I’ll certainly handle this matter clearly for you!”

“Good, then I’ll trouble you all.”

Qin Yining offered tea to see off her guests, and Zhao Wanjin and Zhao Yinuo also left the manor.

In just two days, temporary porridge stalls were set up in the capital’s most spacious open area.

All the grain they could gather was brought out. Coarse grains and beans were cooked into pot after pot of thick porridge, the fragrance of grain wafting through the air. Without any calling, countless homeless people gathered around.

Zhao Wanjin raised his voice: “Everyone quiet down and listen to me. Don’t crowd first—everyone will get a share later, everyone will get a share!”

“Can you guarantee that?!” The people remained skeptical.

Zhao Wanjin slapped his thigh and gave a ceremonial bow, declaring loudly: “I’m Qian Gui, a traveling merchant from the north. Though my family isn’t very wealthy, those who know me understand that while times are hard, I’m accustomed to helping people. I don’t lack food or drink, but I also hope all the people can have a full meal.”

The people all craned their necks to see what was cooking in the large pots. The crowd pressed together—those behind wanted to see clearly past those in front, while those in front were reluctant to give up even half a step, creating very frustrating pushing and shoving.