More and more villagers gathered, most of them women and children, along with some elderly leaning on canes.

There wasn’t a single young man among them, only young boys.

They stared blankly at Feng Jiu’er and the others, not daring to step any closer.

Perhaps they were starving, which was why their eyes kept fixing on the wooden crates.

Before the peasant woman and child who’d gone to spread the word returned, Feng Jiu’er coughed lightly.

Receiving the signal, Xiao Yingtao smiled as she looked at the sallow-faced, weak villagers.

She hadn’t expected that a single sudden battle could leave the villagers in such a pitiful state.

This also proved one thing well: Feng Qiongcang was simply not worthy of ruling this country.

“Come, come, come, line up, everyone gets a share,” Xiao Yingtao said with a smile, waving them over.

“The Commandery Princess has brought everyone steamed buns, beans, sweet potatoes, pastries, and more. Besides that, everyone will also receive a small bag of flour.”

“It’s getting late, so come on over, line up, no one will be shorted.”

Looking at Xiao Yingtao’s angelic smile, the villagers stepped forward despite their remaining fear, driven by hunger and cold.

Even if it were poisoned, today they would rather die stuffed full.

As the villagers surged forward, Feng Jiu’er and the others made preparations.

Jian Yi and another brother stood guard on either side, holding their swords, ready for any sudden incident.

The rest, one or two people per wooden crate, stood guard, some opening large sacks of flour, others preparing paper bags for food.

The first to reach the front was a little boy, about eight or nine years old.

“Fairy, may I have three portions? My grandfather and grandmother are at home, both sick, unable to get up.”

As the little boy spoke, his eyes turned red, and his voice grew hoarse.

“Fairy sister, my father and mother are gone, and my older brother is gone too. Now it’s just me at home, and I have to take care of my grandfather and grandmother.”

“I can vouch for it, Little Tiger’s family really does have two sick elders at home,” said a woman standing behind the boy.

“Give him three portions.” Feng Jiu’er waved her hand.

“All right.” Xiao Yingtao and the others nodded at the same time.

A paper bag was pulled out, filled with two steamed buns, one sweet potato, a handful of beans, flatbread, and pancakes.

Soon, the little boy received three bags of food, along with three small bags of flour.

“Thank you, thank you! Big brothers and sisters are all good people.”

The little boy didn’t rush to eat. After giving his thanks, he clutched what he’d been given tightly and turned to run back inside.

It was clear he really was a filial child.

Seeing that food really was being handed out, and in no small portions, the rest of the crowd grew excited.

Some, upon receiving their food, sat down right where they were and began eating.

Others, like the little boy, rushed home with their food.

In less than two hours, the last mother and son pair came before Feng Jiu’er and also received their food.

“Commandery Princess, everyone in our village has been notified,” said the woman who spoke, the same peasant woman from before.

She and her son had gone to notify the villagers, and having returned late, ended up last in line.

As soon as the little boy received his food, he ran off to sit on the grass nearby and began eating.

His mother, without even taking a bite, was busy reporting the situation to Feng Jiu’er.

“Besides five households that only have sick people or elderly who can’t move well, all the other villagers sent a representative to collect food.”

The peasant woman spoke, then looked down at the food in her hands, swallowed, and looked up again.

“Commandery Princess, do you need me to help deliver grain to those five households?”