Chapter 126: The Common People Are Grateful to Wei Ruo

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Yun-shi froze. Then her husband’s image rose in her mind, along with some of the things he had once said regarding their eldest daughter’s education.

Wei Jinyi continued at once, “When Eldest Sister wanted to reclaim the wasteland south of the city, Mother also thought her actions improper, believing that such a thing was not suitable for an ordinary young lady from a respectable household. But now the facts have proven that there was nothing wrong with what Eldest Sister did.”

“If Mother still feels it is inappropriate, I can have Guard Jing ask Father for instructions. But making the trip there and back will inevitably take considerable time and delay the rescue efforts.”

“If Eldest Sister’s decision today should bring her any trouble in the future, I am willing to take full responsibility.”

It was the first time Wei Jinyi had ever said so much to Yun-shi.

After hearing him out, Yun-shi’s brows drew together even more tightly. After a long silence, she said to Wei Ruo, “I can no longer control you. Do as you please. Whatever consequences arise, you will bear them yourself.”

With that, Yun-shi left.

Wei Ruo turned back and exchanged a glance with Wei Jinyi.

“Don’t worry,” Wei Jinyi said. “Nothing will happen.”

Wei Ruo shook her head. “I’m not worried. I’m just very happy that Second Brother is standing on my side instead of lecturing me.”

“I don’t think you’ve done anything wrong. Why would I lecture you?”

Wei Ruo could not help smiling. “Hehe, Second Brother, I think I like you more and more.”

At her words, Wei Jinyi’s cheeks flushed slightly. He turned his face away and said in a low voice, “We should return to the county office.”

“Mm.” Wei Ruo agreed, and the two of them once again set out for the county office.

When they returned to the county office warehouse, Xiumei had already arrived with the wet nurse, bringing two full cartloads of supplies.

“Miss, there aren’t many cotton quilts. We hadn’t anticipated this situation before, so we didn’t stock up on them. We can only give priority to the elderly, children, and women,” Xiumei explained to Wei Ruo.

Previously, Wei Ruo had only instructed them to stockpile grain and coal. She had not specifically ordered them to store quilts, cotton, or similar items.

“Mm. Have the rice, sweet potatoes, and charcoal been brought here?” Wei Ruo asked.

“The charcoal has arrived. We also brought some rice and sweet potatoes. In addition, we cooked a large pot of porridge and roasted a batch of sweet potatoes. I brought some of the roasted ones here, while the rest are still being cooked. Uncle Xu will bring them over once they are ready.”

The sweet potatoes were being roasted in batches. They were afraid the first batch would grow cold, and also worried that the people here would not be able to wait, so Xiumei had brought some over first.

“Come on. Let’s distribute them to everyone.”

Wei Ruo personally joined in, helping ladle out the porridge and hand out the sweet potatoes.

Wei Jinyi and Xiaobei also helped distribute the quilts.

The county office was short-handed as well, so everyone did whatever they could.

Each person received a bowl of steaming white porridge and a sweet potato. Tears filled their eyes as they ate.

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An elderly man knelt directly before Wei Ruo and the others, kowtowing in gratitude.

“Miss Wei, we can never repay your great kindness!”

Others immediately echoed him.

“Miss Wei, you are truly our savior! The lives of our entire family were saved by you.”

“Miss Wei, you arranged fertile fields for us and gave us new homes. That kindness is like granting us a new life. Now you have braved the rain to rescue us again and provided us with food and clothing. We truly do not know how we can ever repay you!”

“...”

Wei Ruo replied, “You do not need to repay me. Live well, cultivate your land diligently, support yourselves and your families, and be kind people. That will be enough.”

Everyone nodded repeatedly.

“Rest assured, Miss. We will!”

“We will never fail to live up to your painstaking efforts on our behalf!”

“Miss, we will remember your words!”

“...”

“There is no need to thank me. Rest properly for now.” Wei Ruo comforted them.

County Magistrate Qian came to check on the civilians who had been moved there. He happened to hear them expressing their gratitude toward Wei Ruo, and could not help sighing inwardly. This Miss Wei truly was no ordinary sheltered young lady.

Throughout the entire Xingshan County, there was only one noble young lady who commanded such respect from the common people.

County Magistrate Qian had originally been worried that the civilians temporarily sheltering from the rain in the county office warehouse would become anxious and restless. As the local magistrate, he had specifically come to comfort them and reassure them. But now it seemed there was no need.

He therefore refrained from disturbing them and instead instructed Adviser Chen to assist Miss Wei as much as possible.

He still had other matters to attend to, and he felt at ease leaving the people from the southern part of the city in Wei Ruo’s care.

Afterward, Wei Ruo distributed white porridge and sweet potatoes to Adviser Chen and the constables as well.

Everyone had been busy for half the day and had not had time to eat.

Now that they had hot porridge and fragrant roasted sweet potatoes, they immediately felt warmth flow from their mouths all the way to their chests.

Wei Ruo also filled a bowl for Wei Jinyi. “Second Brother, have some.”

“Mm.” Wei Jinyi accepted the porridge and sweet potato.

“And this is for you.” Wei Ruo secretly slipped a piece of dried squid into Wei Jinyi’s hand. “You are the only one who gets this, so eat it secretly.”

It was not that Wei Ruo was stingy. There were only a few pieces of dried squid in total, not enough to distribute to everyone.

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“Mm.” Wei Jinyi tucked the piece of dried squid Wei Ruo had given him into his sleeve.

In truth, he was not particularly fond of snacks, but after hearing Wei Ruo say, “You are the only one who gets this,” the dried squid suddenly seemed especially precious and unique.

Afterward, Wei Ruo began drinking her own porridge as well.

There were no decent tables or chairs in the place. Like everyone else, Wei Ruo and the others simply sat on the ground.

While Wei Ruo and Wei Jinyi were drinking their porridge, more bad news reached the county office.

A mountain village west of the city had suffered a landslide, and an entire village had been buried beneath mud and rocks.

County Magistrate Qian summoned the advisers and constables to discuss countermeasures.

After a while, Wei Ruo caught up with Hong Ping, who had just returned from meeting County Magistrate Qian, and asked him, “How are the casualties?”

Hong Ping shook his head. “We do not know yet. The road into the village has been completely blocked by the collapsed mud and rocks, so we have no idea what is happening inside.”

“Has anyone gone there?” Wei Ruo asked.

“While we were discussing the matter just now, someone came to report that your father, Miss Wei, had already taken men there to conduct the rescue. So Magistrate Qian let us return.”

The county office was already severely short-handed, and they would have to rely on the army’s strength.

Wei Ruo nodded. Since the army had already been notified and sent there, the situation should not be too serious.

Wei Ruo knew she would not be of much help in the landslide rescue, so she decided not to go and burden the soldiers further.

She would simply do what she could here.

After finishing her porridge and roasted sweet potato and regaining some strength, Wei Ruo examined the pulses of all the civilians in the warehouse one by one. Those who felt unwell or had already caught a chill were given medicine, which Xiumei and Xiaobei were instructed to prepare for them.

Afterward, Wei Ruo reminded the constable Hong Ping, “If anyone feels unwell during the night, give them their medicine immediately. Do not delay.”

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