Time passed for more than twenty days, and the rain in the capital hadn’t stopped.

The pattering drizzle seemed harmless, but falling day and night without cease, large numbers of livestock began dying in the capital, not to mention the crops. It wasn’t just the capital—the entire Great Jin Dynasty was shrouded in the shadow of flooding. A few days ago, the moat overflowed and burst the embankments, drowning many commoners living by the river. The government’s disaster relief efforts were like using a mantis arm to stop a chariot—flood control had become the most urgent priority. The court allocated large sums of silver for disaster relief throughout the land. It appeared to be a grand gesture, but as it passed through layer after layer of officials, each took their customary cut, leaving only scraps by the time it reached the disaster victims.

This led to increasing numbers of disaster victims everywhere. Many whose crops and houses had been destroyed by floods became homeless refugees. The refugees chose to head for the capital—first, because the capital’s terrain was higher and suffered less than other places, and second, because it was at the feet of the Son of Heaven, where they hoped to perhaps get a bowl of hot rice from the government.

But the rainwater kept accumulating, refugees continued pouring in, and the government couldn’t afford the enormous cost of grain. Three days ago, they stopped providing food. So the hungry refugees began robbing wealthy families everywhere. Naturally, wealthy families had personal guards, and the conflict between refugees and the capital’s nobles grew deeper each day. A few days ago there had only been isolated robberies, but now they had begun forming groups of three to five to attack and loot households. All the wealthy families kept their gates tightly shut, not daring to go out. For a time, people in the capital lived in constant fear, hoping this flood disaster would end soon.

The Jiang residence had enough grain to last for some time, so no one realized the crisis. If there was anything different, it was that Second Young Master Li An from Prime Minister Li’s residence came to the Jiang residence every few days. He didn’t do much, just talked with Jiang Quan, maintaining a polite attitude. Jiang Quan couldn’t figure out what Li Dong was really thinking, but seeing that Li An didn’t seem to want to make enemies, he hinted both openly and subtly that he wished to maintain good relations.

Lian Qiao carried in a flower basket, saying disdainfully: “That Second Young Master Li came again today. Those who don’t know might think the Jiang residence is his home. It looks like he doesn’t care about Young Master Li’s injuries and wants to shake hands and make peace.”

Jiang Ruan was reading on the couch. Hearing this, her gaze moved slightly. The Li family couldn’t possibly make peace with the Jiang residence. Li Yang had become a cripple, and neither Li Dong nor Li An were magnanimous people. Li An’s current behavior simply meant he no longer planned to view Jiang Quan and Jiang Susu as enemies.

Bai Zhi frowned: “This morning when passing by the courtyard, this servant encountered Fifth Concubine again. Fifth Concubine said master had proposed sending miss’s birth details over, hoping to befriend the Li family. That Second Young Master Li didn’t agree, but he didn’t clearly refuse either. Miss, what should we do?”

“No need to worry,” Jiang Ruan smiled slightly: “Li An is deep in scheming. If he truly wanted me to enter the Li family gates, he would certainly wait until I was completely defeated with no power to resist before slowly torturing me—he definitely wouldn’t make it so simple.” Unfortunately, this time Li An would never wait for that moment.

Both Bai Zhi and Lian Qiao were somewhat worried. Seeing Jiang Ruan’s unconcerned manner, they swallowed back their words. Just then, Lu Zhu hurried in from outside, her face showing undisguised joy. As soon as she entered, she closed the door, walked to the window, looked around to ensure no one was there, then shut the window.

She walked to Jiang Ruan and said in a low voice with a smile: “Miss, Young Master Gu’s servant sent word back saying they might have news of young master, but General Guan returned by fast horse while the army is still on the road—it will be more than ten days before they return.” She continued: “Young Master Gu says he can’t be certain now, but it’s probably eight or nine out of ten that person is young master.” Lu Zhu smiled: “Young master is now a deputy general!”

Lu Zhu and Bai Zhi were stunned. Jiang Ruan stood up and grabbed Lu Zhu’s hand: “Really?”

Seeing her excited expression, Lu Zhu smiled: “Absolutely true.”

Both Bai Zhi and Lian Qiao smiled, saying: “Now the bitter times have ended with sweet rewards. Once young master returns to the residence, he’ll surely protect miss well.”

Jiang Ruan sat back on the soft couch, her eyes beginning to heat up.

Jiang Xinzhi was still alive! Her only elder brother was still alive! In this world, she wasn’t completely without support. There was still time in this life—she must help Jiang Xinzhi rewrite his fate of dying violently!

Thinking this, her recent worries and sorrows were swept away, replaced by full fighting spirit. In this life, with Jiang Xinzhi alive and well, the two siblings would make their previous life’s enemies die miserably—blood debts paid in blood!

Jiang Ruan suddenly stood up again, her beautiful eyes charming and moving: “Since that’s the case, some things should be prepared.” She said: “Lu Zhu, go hire some people from outside—use the incoming refugees, promising food and drink as payment, and buy a large pot.”

“Miss, what is this for?” Lian Qiao asked hesitantly.

“I’m going to distribute porridge,” Jiang Ruan said calmly.

The plan she had endured and prepared for so long could finally be put to use at this moment.

There were more and more refugees in the capital. The influx of large numbers of refugees cast the capital in an atmosphere of unease. People on the streets walked hurriedly, all with ashen faces, mostly dragging hungry bodies hoping to find work at wealthy households for a bowl of rice. The refugees were even worse—strong refugees began openly robbing in broad daylight. The city guards were constantly busy, but the patrol office was unwilling to arrest these people and put them in jail—even prison meals required grain.

But even so, the Emperor didn’t drive out the refugees. Currently, the Great Jin Dynasty appeared calm on the surface, but only those within the court understood the undercurrents. At this critical time, major incidents couldn’t occur. However, under such circumstances, the Emperor was in a foul mood, and all officials trembled with fear during daily court sessions. When honest and upright ministers worried about the people and proposed widely distributing grain for disaster relief, they only received increasingly unfavorable looks from the Emperor. The national treasury was completely empty—the disaster relief funds sent to various places had already exhausted the treasury’s silver. With this year’s crops destroyed, the grain taxes submitted were also empty accounts.

At such a time when people’s hearts were in turmoil, someone in the city set up a shelter and began distributing grain again.

At this critical juncture, when the court was willing but unable and had long stopped providing relief, the people and refugees were naturally overjoyed, thinking the court still cared for the common folk, and spread the news to each other.

The porridge distribution shelter was simply built. On one side people distributed porridge while on the other side huge pots were set up to cook porridge continuously, ensuring uninterrupted supply. The long lines almost blocked two entire streets in the city. Eight people guarded the pots—all burly middle-aged men with fierce appearances and muscular builds. Those who had been considering taking advantage of the chaos gave up their thoughts.

The person distributing porridge was a kind-faced woman. She called out loudly: “Heaven has sent strange phenomena, floods rage everywhere, we are all suffering people. My family’s general pities the common folk and specifically exchanged half his family fortune for grain to share with everyone. Starting today, we will distribute porridge here every morning. Everyone can receive one bowl, but only one bowl. Times are hard. The general says that after half the family fortune is used up, the remaining half will also be used to aid the people. Please understand—Heaven protects Great Jin, and His Majesty is magnanimous and wise. We believe we can surely survive this disaster!”

Her words were very inspiring and immediately gave people hope. Someone asked: “May I ask madam, which general does your residence serve?”

“How dare a humble servant woman call herself madam?” The woman smiled: “Our residence serves General Zhao, the Auxiliary Duke.”

“General Zhao!” People in the crowd began discussing. Zhao Guang had a good reputation among the common people, so the crowd began cheering: “Thank you for General Zhao’s kindness!”

“General Zhao is truly a hero!”

“We’d be willing to work like oxen and horses for him!”

Mostly praise. Outside the crowd receiving porridge, a carriage stopped. Lu Zhu lifted a corner of the carriage curtain to peek, saying excitedly in a low voice: “Miss, this is wonderful!”

Jiang Ruan smiled slightly: “The people you found are very good.” Just listening from outside, she could tell that servant woman spoke very skillfully. Lu Zhu smiled bashfully: “That woman was originally a governess for a young lady from a prominent family in Cangzhou. She’s literate and speaks clearly, but that whole family died in the floods, leaving only her to come to the capital. This servant saw she spoke properly, and since we needed to impersonate people from the general’s residence, naturally we had to look convincing.”

“This is already very good,” Jiang Ruan smiled.

Not far from the carriage stood another person—tall and elegant, able to make even black clothes look like jade trees in the wind. At this moment he gazed calmly at the crowd queuing for porridge, a flash of deep thought crossing his beautiful eyes.

After a moment, he said to the guard beside him: “Investigate that woman.”

“She’s not from the general’s residence?” Jin Yi was stunned: “Could it be… who would do good deeds in someone else’s name?” Moreover, with grain scarce in the city now, one bowl of porridge a day might not have meant much before, but now it was no ordinary expenditure.

Xiao Shao said nothing, but Jiang Ruan’s indifferent smile appeared before his eyes. More than a month ago, she had bought up all the old grain in the capital—was it for this day? He intuitively felt this matter was connected to Jiang Ruan, but more than a month ago the rain had only been falling for a few days. How could she have known there would be a flood?

At the General’s Residence

Zhao Guang sat in his study. Though already sixty years old, he still appeared vigorous and spirited, with square, stern features—clearly a military man who had long experienced battlefields.

His three sons all stood before Zhao Guang, their expressions very serious.

“The Duke gave me a hint after court yesterday,” Zhao Guang said: “The Eighth Prince is preparing to move against the Zhao family.”

Third Young Master Zhao Yuanfeng had a fiery temperament: “Father, are we afraid of him? If we’re upright, we fear no shadows. Whatever he has, let him bring it on. The Zhao family isn’t something one prince can shake.”

“Shut up!” Zhao Guang angrily said: “When the Duke says this, it means the situation is serious. Get lost and don’t add to your father’s troubles!”

“Third brother,” Second Young Master Zhao Yuanping was fair and handsome with something of a scholarly general’s bearing: “Don’t you know what kind of person Xuan Li is? How many people in court who weren’t on his side in recent years have fallen to his hands? He definitely won’t use ordinary, straightforward methods.”

Eldest Young Master Zhao Yuanjia sighed: “Second brother is right. But why would the Eighth Prince suddenly want to move against the Zhao family? The Fifth Prince hasn’t been eliminated yet, and we support the Crown Prince. Why would he rashly make a move?”

“He’s probably preparing for major action,” Zhao Guang’s gaze was heavy: “His Majesty has protected the Crown Prince for so many years. With the Eighth Prince’s intelligence, he probably saw through this long ago. He wants to drag the Zhao family down with him.”

“Then what do we do?” Zhao Yuanfeng pushed forward unwillingly: “Just let him scheme like this?”

“The Duke would rather die than reveal even the slightest detail,” Zhao Guang sighed: “I’m afraid it’s very serious.” He changed the subject: “Now there are more and more refugees in the capital, and the flooding won’t stop anytime soon. His Majesty has sent the Eighth Prince and the Li family to manage the reservoir—I always feel it’s not that simple.”

When Zhao Guang was young, he had won countless battles and had a natural sensitivity to danger—a soldier’s instinct.

Zhao Yuanjia pondered: “Yi’er has been saying the same thing these past few days. The city garrison has more than doubled. The capital might be changing.”

Just then, a servant hurried in from outside: “Master, something’s happened!”

Zhao Guang frowned: “What matter?”

The servant was articulate and explained everything clearly in a few sentences: “Someone is distributing porridge in the city, one bowl per day, but using our general’s residence name.”

“What?” Zhao Guang shot up from his seat: “Is this true?”

Zhao Yuanfeng said: “Really? Father, this is the Eighth Prince’s idea? Has his brain gone bad?”

Zhao Guang frowned: “Do you recognize that person?”

The servant shook his head: “People from the residence went to look, but we don’t recognize any of them. However, they’re not doing anything else, just distributing porridge.”

“Father, should I go take a look?” Zhao Yuanjia asked quietly.

“No,” Zhao Guang waved his hand: “This matter is strange. Wait a few more days to see.”

What was certain was that the people distributing porridge definitely weren’t from their general’s residence. What did the other party want by using the general’s residence name? Were they Xuan Li’s people or others? If it was Xuan Li, did he have backup plans? If it was others, who could afford so much grain now, and what did they want?

In any case, they couldn’t act rashly in this matter.

The news that General Zhao was distributing grain and porridge spread throughout the capital at wind speed that very day. For a time, this was all people talked about on street corners. Naturally, the Eighth Prince’s residence also received this news.

Xuan Li smashed the porcelain cup in his hand with a “crack.” Though his face still bore a gentle smile, if you looked carefully, you could see the muscles at the corners of his mouth twitching slightly—clearly he was quite angry.

“What a Zhao Guang!” he said coldly.

An advisor said: “Your Highness, how did the news leak? Could there be a spy in the residence?”

Xuan Li laughed coldly: “What other reason could there be? Zhao Guang actually kept this move in reserve—truly eye-opening!” He had originally planned to use this opportunity to submit a memorial proposing that Zhao Guang take out his residence’s grain for disaster relief, with his people echoing from the side. With the national treasury empty and the Emperor anxious, he would naturally agree. With the Zhao family’s financial power weakened, they would be much easier to deal with later. And by proposing this solution, he could also gain the Emperor’s favor and increase his reputation in court and among the people.

Now that Zhao Guang had voluntarily proposed distributing porridge, although the Zhao family’s financial power would still be weakened as in his plan, the significance for him was vastly different! By voluntarily and sensibly distributing porridge, Zhao Guang not only gained the Emperor’s praise but would also establish greater prestige among the people. On the surface, their power seemed weakened, but actually it wasn’t weakened at all—it was even strengthened considerably. And since he had no chance to intervene in this matter, it was all for nothing, wasting this great opportunity!

“How could Zhao Guang think to voluntarily provide disaster relief?” the advisor said: “He’s always been stubborn and hard-headed. How could he bear to squander the family wealth accumulated over generations like this?” To donate all the silver accumulated over generations truly required great courage.

“He’s quite bold,” Xuan Li said: “But that makes him even more intolerable.” To even think of such a strategic retreat—the Zhao family had indeed been court officials for generations and weren’t easily toppled. He never imagined it was someone else using Zhao Guang’s name to distribute porridge. After all, grain was more valuable than silver now—no one would spend such a large sum to benefit others.

“Your Highness, about the spy in the residence…” the advisor asked hesitantly.

“Anyone who can pass messages to the Zhao family under my nose won’t be easily caught. Kill them all and replace them with a new batch,” he said.

“Your Highness!” the advisor was shocked: “These are all carefully selected people.” Training each one required enormous time and money—killing them all was truly too wasteful.

Xuan Li was unmoved, his face showing a cold smile: “Better to wrongly kill a thousand than let one slip through. Kill them.”

The news that Auxiliary General Zhao Guang was using his own money and exhausting his family fortune to aid the people reached the court with extreme speed. The Emperor was naturally very pleased. By doing this, Zhao Guang gave the Emperor grounds to demand contributions from other officials, so officials throughout the court contributed money to fill the empty treasury. Zhao Guang received verbal commendation and gained a good reputation among the people—it seemed he hadn’t lost out.

The people distributing porridge indeed did as they said, arriving in the city early each morning to distribute porridge to the people. With stable food supply, there were far fewer refugees robbing and looting in the capital, making it much more peaceful. Zhao Guang neither denied the porridge distribution nor personally visited the distribution site, and things continued peacefully like this.

On this day, City Garrison Commander Zhao Yi was leading troops on horseback through the capital streets. The refugees’ stability these past days had made his daily duties much lighter. Just then, a soldier came galloping urgently on horseback, looking very anxious: “Sir, at Chongxin Village east of the city, refugees and local residents have started fighting over grain.”

Zhao Yi frowned. As the legitimate eldest grandson of the Zhao family, he inherited Zhao Yuanjia’s upright character and most despised these robbing bandits. He angrily said: “With daily porridge distribution now, they’re still so brazen—this is going too far!” Then he called to the soldiers behind him: “Follow me to take a look.”

“Sir!” But that soldier said: “At Dongwang Mountain west of the city, refugees and residents have also started fighting, and there are far more people there than in the east. Let another team of brothers handle the west at Quwang Mountain.”

Zhao Yi thought for a moment: “Since there aren’t many people in the east, I’ll just take two men. Since they’re all unarmed refugees just fighting for food, don’t harm their lives.”

Then he said to two soldiers behind him: “You two come with me.”

After Zhao Yi left, the messenger soldier said to the remaining troops: “Follow me.”

The two groups split up, but Zhao Yi only took two men total. His martial arts were excellent, and usually suppressing refugees didn’t require so many people, so he didn’t take this matter seriously.

His horse galloped swiftly, but suddenly a carriage rushed out from the side. Zhao Yi was startled and quickly reined in his horse to stop. The carriage also seemed frightened—the horse neighed loudly and barely managed to stop.

Zhao Yi dismounted worriedly: “Is the person inside injured?”

The coachman was clearly hired temporarily and looked helplessly toward the inside. After a moment, the carriage curtain lifted and a pretty maid in green clothes jumped out.

The maid jumped down and said to Zhao Yi: “How rude of you! If our miss is hurt even slightly, you’ll pay for it!”

Zhao Yi was honest and kind by nature. Feeling guilty now, he said: “It’s all my fault. But I have urgent business. If the young lady doesn’t mind, please tell me your residence name, and I’ll visit in a few days to apologize.”

The green-dressed maid pouted angrily: “Who cares about your apology? From your clothing, you’re a city garrison commander, right? Are you going on official business? The capital is peaceful now—could there still be troublemakers?”

Zhao Yi bowed: “Refugees are robbing at Chongxin Village east of the city. This matter is urgent. Please let me pass, miss. When I return after handling this, I’ll certainly apologize properly.”

“Chongxin Village?” A soft voice came from inside the carriage. Then the curtain was lifted, revealing a bright, moving face. Jiang Ruan smiled slightly: “Sir, aren’t you mistaken? How could anyone rob Chongxin Village?”

Zhao Yi was somewhat dazed looking at that face. The Zhao family had been military for three generations, and he’d heard there was once an aunt, though contact with the Zhao family had been lost long ago. Usually he interacted with rough military family young ladies—when had he ever encountered such a bright, gentle maiden? Although several uncles said that daughters of civil officials only knew embroidery and actually had scheming hearts, looking at this beautiful girl before him, he actually blushed slightly.

The soldiers behind him coughed softly a couple times. Zhao Yi suddenly came to his senses and scratched his head embarrassedly: “Miss, why do you say that?”

Jiang Ruan took in his expression completely. This Zhao family cousin was quite an interesting person. She smiled: “I passed by Chongxin Village a few days ago. It’s near the mountains and severely affected by rain damage. The owner of Chongxin Village moved away with his whole family long ago, and many refugees moved in. There are no capital residents living there—how could there be robbery?”

Zhao Yi was startled, his expression becoming serious: “Miss, are your words true?”

“Why would I lie to you?” Jiang Ruan laughed lightly: “And furthermore…”

Zhao Yi stared at her intently. Jiang Ruan said: “When I went there a few days ago, those refugees all had knives and clubs, looking very fierce. Sir, do you really plan to go there with just these two men? I’m afraid before you even reach the village, you’ll be killed by those refugees.”

Both soldiers behind Zhao Yi were startled and said hesitantly: “Sir…”

Having reached the position of city garrison commander, Zhao Yi naturally wasn’t an ignorant child who knew nothing. The meaning in Jiang Ruan’s words made him immediately suspect today’s events were a premeditated conspiracy. Thinking of this, his brow furrowed deeply.

Jiang Ruan smiled slightly: “Let me give you some advice, sir. With so many refugees in the east and only two men under your command, it’s certainly not enough. Why not borrow some men from the Capital Magistrate to go east? If the Capital Magistrate knew of this matter, he wouldn’t stand by either.”

Zhao Yi’s thoughts stirred. Indeed, with only two men, advancing rashly wasn’t wise. But if he didn’t go to Chongxin Village, today’s events wouldn’t be clarified and the mastermind wouldn’t be caught. The Capital Magistrate was also responsible for maintaining order in the capital, so borrowing men wouldn’t be difficult. Thinking this, he looked deeply at Jiang Ruan. This young lady’s appearance was inexplicable, as if she was specifically waiting to tell him these things. It seemed she said it unintentionally, but… Zhao Yi pondered—did she really know nothing? Regardless, if what Jiang Ruan said was true, she had saved his life. Zhao Yi bowed: “Thank you for informing me, miss.”

“You’re too kind, sir,” Jiang Ruan laughed lightly. She lowered the carriage curtain, Lu Zhu returned to the carriage, and Jiang Ruan’s voice came from inside: “One more warning, sir—those refugees in the east are fierce and vicious, not ordinary bandits. When borrowing men from the Capital Magistrate, the more the better. Otherwise, you’ll all be wiped out.” With that, the carriage rumbled away.

Zhao Yi watched the carriage gradually disappear from view, mounted his horse, and shouted: “To the Capital Magistrate’s office!”

Inside the carriage, Jiang Ruan leaned against cushions, lost in thought. Using the excuse of visiting Lin Zixiang at the Lin residence, she had finally managed to save Zhao Yi’s life in time. In her previous life, Zhao Yi had died at Chongxin Village east of the city while suppressing refugees, hacked to death by random blades. Jiang Ruan had never understood how unarmed refugees could suddenly become so vicious, or how Zhao Yi, no matter how poor his skills, could meet such a miserable end. So from when refugees began entering the capital, she had Lu Zhu find people to watch Chongxin Village’s activities. Yesterday someone reported that a group of people had suddenly arrived at Chongxin Village, all carrying weapons but dressed as refugees.

How could ordinary refugees carry so many weapons in such a group? They were probably people disguised as refugees, planning to ambush Zhao Yi today. This person’s calculations were precise—pushing everything onto the refugees. With Zhao Yi dead, the Zhao family’s legitimate eldest grandson would be gone. The Zhao family, suffering such a heavy blow, would certainly be severely damaged. Combined with confiscating the Zhao family’s silver… the Zhao family probably wouldn’t be able to stand up again.

Who could this person be? The Jiang family? The Xia family? The Li family? Jiang Ruan’s gaze was deep and dark—Xuan Li probably couldn’t escape connection to this matter. The Zhao family’s weakening was what he most wanted to see.

But in this life, she provided the grain for the Zhao family’s disaster relief, Zhao Yi didn’t die, and the Zhao family stood firm among the capital’s nobility. When Xuan Li learned of this, what would his mindset be?

Zhao Yi caught that group of people. Regardless, knowing there were spies in the garrison army, when he reported back to the Zhao family, the Zhao family weren’t people who could be easily fooled. While figuring out the situation, they would also become alert. If Xuan Li wanted to strike again, it wouldn’t be so easy.

Most importantly, Jiang Ruan sighed softly. The past events with Zhao Guang remained a barrier. She had saved the Zhao family and saved Zhao Yi. She wondered if using this as compensation for the trade could earn her entry through the general’s residence gates. Regardless, for Jiang Xinzhi’s sake, she had to try.