The Gyrfalcon dropped another iron chain into the hands of those receiving it, then landed beside Xiao Huayong. The rain had soaked its feathers, giving them a dark sheen. Its soft head feathers were matted down, making it look less dignified than usual and rather dopey.

Holding an umbrella, Xiao Huayong stepped back half a pace in an avoiding gesture, extending his arm with his palm against the Gyrfalcon’s forehead: “Though you’ve earned a lady’s laugh, you have no right to slack off. Stay here properly and finish the task.”

After patting the Gyrfalcon’s wings, Xiao Huayong raised his chin at Shen Xihe, signaling her to leave with him.

The Gyrfalcon tilted its round head, seemingly trying to understand Xiao Huayong’s meaning. It blinked its eyes, making Shen Xihe not mind its wet appearance as she stroked its damp wings.

Watching the departing figures of Xiao Huayong and Shen Xihe walking side by side, the Gyrfalcon slowly realized it was being abandoned again. Unhappy, it immediately flapped its wings, quickly shaking its head and spraying water everywhere, splattering Xiao Huayong’s robes.

Xiao Huayong couldn’t dodge in time. As he looked at his heavily dampened robe hem and turned his head, before he could show anger, the Gyrfalcon let out a strange cry and flew away. As it took off, its claws kicked up mud, nearly splattering Xiao Huayong again.

“Pfft!”

Shen Xihe, who usually laughed silently without showing teeth, couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

Seeing Xiao Huayong’s tense face and extremely displeased expression, Shen Xihe pulled his sleeve: “Quickly get in the carriage and change clothes before you catch a cold.”

When facing Shen Xihe, Xiao Huayong’s expression finally softened. Following her suggestion, he climbed into the carriage in a few steps. There were spare clothes inside, and only his outer robe was wet. Shen Xihe took the fresh clothes from Tianyuan and personally helped Xiao Huayong put them on.

With arms spread, he watched Shen Xihe kneeling beside him, bending to adjust his belt and smooth the wrinkles. The carriage space was limited, putting them very close. Her cloud-like black hair carried a subtle fragrance in the damp cold air, instantly improving Xiao Huayong’s mood.

Shen Xihe didn’t know why his mood had suddenly brightened, though she had long grown accustomed to his mercurial nature.

On the return journey, they discussed matters concerning Dengzhou. After circling halfway around, they met up with Mo Yuan who was guarding the road. The carriage didn’t stop – Mo Yuan reined in his horse to follow, protecting the carriage from outside. His voice carried through the curtain: “Three groups are following us.”

Xiao Huayong didn’t want to reveal their method for transporting grain into Wendeng County yet. However, concealing their tracks wasn’t easy, which was why he had Mo Yuan intercept early.

“Three groups?” Shen Xihe raised her eyebrows, looking at Xiao Huayong.

Besides Xiao Changqing and Xiao Changyan, another person was watching their every move.

“The Dengzhou Prefecture Governor, the Marquis of Pingyao’s brother,” Xiao Huayong said.

The Marquis of Pingyao was His Majesty’s confidant, but he was also about to form a marriage alliance with Prince Zhao.

“Prince Zhao is quite calculating,” Shen Xihe immediately knew who had given the orders.

If His Majesty had made the appointment, he wouldn’t have sent the Dengzhou Governor. If His Majesty wanted to know something, he could simply ask directly – how could Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong hide anything from him?

“Unfortunately, his abilities don’t match his ambitions,” Xiao Huayong said flatly.

There was no contempt or disdain in his tone, but rather a kind of dismissal that required no careful interpretation.

Xiao Huayong seemed to have never taken Xiao Longmin seriously.

So far, although Xiao Longmin kept a close watch on everything, he had remained relatively well-behaved, never showing his claws. Shen Xihe was never one to cause trouble, and Xiao Longmin posed no threat to her, so naturally she wasn’t combative enough to confront him, maintaining a peaceful coexistence.

Shen Xihe did not comment on Xiao Longmin. The couple didn’t return to their residence, instead taking a detour to the coastal edge where Tao Zhuanxian and others were stationed.

Shen Xihe had been worried about her maternal grandfather and couldn’t rest easy without seeing him personally.

Most locals had been evacuated from here, staying in other residents’ homes. Though the coastal village was simple, being away from the mountains meant it hadn’t been destroyed. However, most houses had severe water accumulation, both leaking from roofs and seeping up from the ground.

When Shen Xihe’s group arrived, Tao Zhuanxian happened to be leading people to patrol the coast. Food had been prepared at the camp, and since they hadn’t eaten, Minister of Works Zhong Pingzhi stayed to accompany them.

Zhong Pingzhi ordered the government office to serve them bowls of porridge. The porridge was extremely clear, accompanied only by dried vegetables.

“Minister Zhong, is this all you eat daily?” Shen Xihe frowned.

Though they’d come from the county where grain was indeed scarce, it hadn’t reached this extent.

Though over sixty, Zhong Pingzhi remained vigorous: “Your Highness, please don’t misunderstand. This was decided after a discussion with Lord Tao. Currently, Dengzhou’s situation is worrying. Though we’re stationed here, we cannot help much. Being able to fill our stomachs is enough.”

Who knew when the rain would stop? When would the flooding begin? They didn’t know Dengzhou’s grain reserves, but having served as local officials, they could estimate roughly. Saving one mouthful might save several lives.

Shen Xihe opened her mouth, but before she could speak, Xiao Huayong coughed lightly and said softly: “Minister Zhong and Lord Tao are pillars of the state, caring for the common people – they are our dynasty’s blessing.”

“Your Highness’s words are too kind. This official feels unworthy,” Zhong Pingzhi said anxiously.

Though the grain hadn’t arrived yet, and while they had solved the problem of entering Wendeng County, it was still unknown whether they could successfully transport it to Xiao Huayong’s planned location. Grain indeed needed to be rationed, so Shen Xihe swallowed her words of persuasion.

Soon Tao Zhuanxian returned, and they ate dinner together. Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong decided to stay overnight, discussing the current water situation in depth with Tao Zhuanxian and Zhong Pingzhi.

After dinner, they walked along the seaside together. Tao Zhuanxian pointed to a distant dark shadow: “Before the rain, fishermen’s boats were moored there.”

Shen Xihe observed that the seawater had completely submerged the moored fishing boats and expanded about thirty to forty paces in distance.

Xiao Huayong gazed into the distance: “Does Lord Tao think the seawater might breach?”

Tao Zhuanxian and Zhong Pingzhi exchanged glances: “Your Highness, this official has discussed with Minister Zhong, and we both believe the seawater won’t easily break through and flood, endangering the people and spreading to villages.

The current urgent matter isn’t the sea’s ravaging, but draining the city’s accumulated water. Otherwise, before the sea becomes turbulent and surges in, the city will already be flooded.”

Shen Xihe thought of the city’s condition and couldn’t help but nod.

“Lord Tao, please speak freely,” Xiao Huayong said to the hesitating Tao Zhuanxian.

Tao Zhuanxian hesitated for a moment, seeing only the four of them present, then spoke directly: “For the city’s accumulated water, there’s nowhere to release it except by digging channels and ditches to drain it into the sea!”

Shen Xihe was startled. The common people weren’t worried about the ankle-deep standing water – they feared the seawater. If ordered to dig channels and ditches to direct this water they didn’t care about into the sea they deeply feared, it might cause public panic.