Qin Yining ate half a bowl of thick rice, then poured the remaining half of rice directly into the earthen jar Pang Xiao was holding and picked up a white porcelain cup to rinse her mouth.
Pang Xiao frowned: “Why are you eating so little? Now that we have grain, you don’t need to restrain yourself as before. I’m a grown man—even going without food or drink for several days wouldn’t matter to me. But look how thin you’ve become.”
He ladled more porridge for Qin Yining as he spoke.
But Qin Yining shook her head: “I really can’t eat anymore. Perhaps I’ve grown accustomed to eating little these past days. Suddenly eating so much more isn’t easy to digest. Our food supply will become increasingly abundant—how could I not eat well? When I feel better later, I’ll have Bingtang cook medicinal porridge.”
Upon hearing this, Pang Xiao felt somewhat better, but the thick porridge that had tasted sweet and fragrant in his mouth just moments ago now seemed flavorless.
He truly didn’t want Qin Yining to suffer hardship with him anymore, but reality always dealt him harsh blows. He was even beginning to doubt himself—had he done something wrong to reach such a state?
Seeing Pang Xiao’s eating speed slow down and his distracted appearance, Qin Yining didn’t need to think hard to know what he was brooding about again. She moved closer and hugged his arm, resting her chin on his shoulder and tilting her head to look into his eyes.
As soon as she drew near, Pang Xiao snapped back to attention. Seeing her clinging to him so adorably, like a soft and lovely kitten, his heart nearly melted.
For such a wonderful Yining, he could make even the most reluctant decisions decisively!
Pang Xiao pressed his face against hers and ate the rest of his porridge almost fiercely. He called Bingtang aside to quietly instruct her about taking care of Qin Yining’s health, then hurried out again.
Bingtang and Ji Yun entered the room, calling Ziyuan and Hanxiao to clean up, then stayed to chat with Qin Yining.
“Just now His Highness looked rather frightening, as if someone had angered him,” Ji Yun said with lingering fear.
But Bingtang smiled and shook her head: “His Highness was clearly feeling sorry for the Princess Consort.”
Qin Yining pulled her cloud shoulder wrap tighter around her collar, her expression showing a faint smile: “He always makes such a big fuss over small things.”
“How is it making a big fuss?” Bingtang smiled and took Qin Yining’s hand, placing her fingers on the pulse points. “His Highness is the type who would feel heartbroken if he saw you lose a single hair, thinking he hadn’t protected you well enough. Now seeing you’ve lost so much weight, with such poor color, going hungry with him every day—how could his heart not ache?”
Ji Yun nodded repeatedly. Not to mention Pang Xiao—even Tang Xiu had secretly sent her dried rations several times, all saved from his own food portions.
Thinking of Tang Xiu made Ji Yun’s face redden slightly.
Seeing Bingtang taking her pulse, Qin Yining smiled and said nothing. How could she not understand Pang Xiao’s feelings? But this was simply their current situation. Everyone being able to survive was already very satisfying. She had experienced famine before—hardship was only temporary.
After examining both of Qin Yining’s hands, Bingtang shook her head: “Princess Consort, you simply eat too little. Combined with excessive worry, that’s why you’re so weak. You must listen to this servant. Nothing is more important than your own health. If not for anything else, for Young Master Zhao and Young Master Han’s sake, you must take care of yourself. Let me tell you, constantly worrying like this ages a person extremely quickly. Don’t let the young masters not recognize you the next time you see them.”
Though Bingtang’s words contained exaggeration—she wanted to use the two children to motivate Qin Yining not to neglect her own health—Qin Yining’s heart skipped a beat upon hearing this.
They had been separated for so long already. The children were so young when they left. By the time the realm achieved peace and they were reunited, who knew how long it would be? By then, the children might truly not recognize her.
Even worse, their current situation was so precarious that preserving their own lives was uncertain. If something went wrong, they might never see each other again.
Thinking this way, Qin Yining’s eyes reddened.
Bingtang was startled by Qin Yining’s reaction and quickly said: “Princess Consort, please forgive this servant. This servant was only afraid you’d become despondent. This servant was just talking—please don’t take it seriously.”
“Yes, Princess Consort. Don’t you know Bingtang? This girl loves to be alarmist. As a physician, to get patients to listen, she always has to frighten people,” Ji Yun secretly signaled Bingtang to quickly offer comfort.
Knowing that the Princess Consort thought about the children every day but couldn’t show it in front of His Highness, it was true that disaster areas lacked proper eating conditions, and Li Qitian’s relentless pressure created tense circumstances. But who could say that Qin Yining’s worry and depression weren’t because of the children?
This girl Bingtang was being too reckless.
Seeing both of them very nervous, Qin Yining smiled: “What are you doing? I know you mean well. Bingtang is right—even for Zhao Ge’er and Han Ge’er’s sake, I must pull myself together.”
“Exactly,” Bingtang nodded repeatedly. “The journey south is still long. If you’re already in such a state, how will you have the strength to help His Highness strategize in the future?”
Qin Yining smiled and agreed: “I’ll try to eat more next time.”
Bingtang smiled: “This servant will give you acupuncture later to disperse the accumulated depression.”
The three chatted for a while, then took up needlework together.
Over the following days, Pang Xiao was busy as a spinning top. He not only purchased grain and grass nearby but also planned ahead the route for disaster relief in the south, selecting cities and towns along the way. He sent people to investigate disaster conditions, local officials’ situations, and which households were hoarding grain to profit from national disaster—all of this had to be clearly marked on maps carried by various scouts.
Qin Yining also followed Bingtang’s advice and gradually increased her food intake. Perhaps her conviction had become stronger—she seemed filled with energy. When free, she would take people to help at soup kitchens inside and outside the city.
His Highness spent his own money so everyone could eat their fill, while the Princess Consort, beautiful as a finely carved jade figure, mixed daily among the soup kitchens doing rough, tiring work. She would sometimes organize well-fed men to repair houses in the city and build shelters. As weather turned cold, these could house disaster victims from other regions.
His Highness and the Princess Consort working so personally was truly moving.
Pang Xiao and Qin Yining’s reputation around Jin Harbor became even more renowned than before. Everyone who mentioned the couple gave them thumbs up in praise.
Half a month passed in a flash. Court relief supplies still hadn’t arrived, but Jin Harbor’s people had already seen hope for survival—all brought to them by Prince Zhongshun.
“Your Highness, these days we’ve truly depended on you and the Princess Consort. Jin Harbor’s people are settled, disaster victims from other places are properly housed and registered. Everyone can get through this winter by being a bit frugal—all thanks to you. Now that you’re leaving, this subordinate and Jin Harbor’s people are truly reluctant to part with you.”
County Magistrate Chen spoke from his heart, moving everyone around him to tears.
Pang Xiao smiled: “This prince received imperial orders for disaster relief and cannot stay in one place. Many areas in the south still need this prince. County Magistrate Chen is pure-hearted, exceptionally capable, and devoted to the people. You’ll surely achieve great things. Leaving Jin Harbor to County Magistrate Chen puts this prince at ease.”
County Magistrate Chen blushed at the praise. For him, evaluation from such a high-ranking, militarily brilliant, and noble prince as Pang Xiao was more gratifying than performance reviews.
After bidding farewell to County Magistrate Chen, Pang Xiao departed with Qin Yining according to plan.
Who could have expected that just outside the city gate, they would see emaciated people lining both sides of the road? The autumn wind was bitterly cold, and the disaster victims wore thin clothing, but each stretched their necks watching the city gate without anyone wanting to leave first.
Seeing Pang Xiao’s party emerge from the city gate, someone in the crowd said “They’re coming, they’re coming.” Then someone led the way, and everyone knelt down shouting “Long live His Highness!” Some were already crying with gratitude, loudly thanking His Highness for saving their lives.
Qin Yining and Pang Xiao sat side by side in the carriage. Hearing those soul-stirring shouts and seeing such an enthusiastic scene, both were deeply moved. The strategists following Pang Xiao also felt honored, believing their choice to follow such a benevolent and wise master was absolutely correct.
Because Pang Xiao had prepared well, though the subsequent disaster relief journey had obstacles, everything remained under his control.
However, just as Pang Xiao’s group reached the next town, Li Qitian in the capital also received news from Jin Harbor.
“He spent his own money to buy grain?” Li Qitian threw the memorial onto the table as if venting his anger. “Is he showing off his righteousness? Under Heaven, is there any land that isn’t the king’s? I am master of the realm, yet I can’t scrape together silver—where does he get his?”
Xiong Jinshui lowered his eyes, trying hard to minimize his presence. Other young eunuchs in the imperial study also buried their heads low, afraid of becoming His Majesty’s next target for displaced anger.
Li Qitian paced back and forth angrily. The Tatar war situation was urgent. Gao Wenliang was useless—the same Huben Army couldn’t display even half their strength under his command. Ji Zeyu gritted his teeth and persisted, but ultimately military pay couldn’t keep up. How effective could soldiers fighting on empty stomachs be?
But the Tatars had Lu Heng’s assistance. Si Qin himself was cunning, plus a fox-like Lu Heng and the Lu family’s economic support made this battle extremely difficult.
“Xiong Jinshui.”
“This servant is here.” Unable to hide, Xiong Jinshui could only approach with lowered head to pay respects.
Li Qitian said: “Go summon Lei Guoneng and Song Deqiu for me.”
“By your command.” Xiong Jinshui immediately responded and ran to find these two officials.
Meanwhile, Pang Xiao and Qin Yining arrived at a new city, discovering that the influence caused by County Magistrate Chen’s words that day had spread so far. Qin Yining became somewhat worried.
“The people trust you and evaluate you highly—these are all good things. But I’m still somewhat concerned. We want reputation, but I don’t want the Emperor questioning where your silver comes from. What if he doesn’t say it’s treasure but instead accuses you of embezzlement over the years?”
Pang Xiao nodded: “These are all possibilities, but fortunately Master Xie thought of a good solution.”
“What solution?” Qin Yining asked curiously.
But Pang Xiao kept her in suspense: “I won’t tell you now. You’ll see when we enter the city.”