Chapter 132: Distributing Porridge

Wei Ruo continued, "Deputy Commander Xu is that friend I mentioned to you before."

"I guessed as much," Wei Jinyi replied.

Perhaps because he hadn't slept the night before and was exhausted, Wei Ruo felt Wei Jinyi's demeanor was somewhat cold, or even displeased.

Since the topic had turned to Xu Zhengyong, Wei Ruo continued, "Actually, he is not just my friend; he is the son of my wet nurse. We grew up together. Although he is the son of my wet nurse, in my heart, he has always been like an older brother to me."

"I know that in noble families, there is a clear boundary between master and servant. If I were to get close to the wet nurse's son, those people wouldn't just fail to see our sibling-like bond; they would likely have some filthy suspicions."

"But in my heart, my wet nurse has treated me better than my two mothers in name ever did, and Brother Xiaoyong is just like my own brother. Our bond is pure. Even without a blood relationship, I feel our connection is no less than that of biological siblings."

Wei Ruo had not clarified this to Wei Jinyi before because she felt their relationship wasn't close enough yet, and she was worried that if she explained, Wei Jinyi would force her to keep her distance to avoid gossip. That was why she had only referred to him as a friend.

Wei Jinyi turned his head to look at Wei Ruo, his eyes deep and unfathomable. "But you told me now."

Wei Ruo said, "Because based on my judgment of Second Brother during this time, I feel that Second Brother wouldn't think that way. You wouldn't demand that I keep my distance from the wet nurse's family like outsiders would, and you can understand my feelings."

"Mm," Wei Jinyi gave an affirmative response.

"Oh, right, Second Brother, you didn't sleep at all last night. You should go get some sleep first; don't wear yourself out." Wei Ruo said.

"Mm." Wei Jinyi agreed, then set down the book in his hand and rose to return to his room.

After he went inside, Xiaobei said to Wei Ruo with a look of joy, "Eldest Miss, our young master listens to you the most. I tried to persuade him for a long time to no avail, but as soon as you said something, Eldest Miss, he went to rest."

Wei Ruo didn't think there was anything strange about it and told Xiaobei, "Take good care of your young master. If he feels unwell, remember to come and tell me."

"Don't worry, Eldest Miss. I've learned my lesson this time. If the young master is the slightest bit unwell, I will definitely come find you!" Xiaobei promised.

Afterward, Wei Ruo returned to Tingsong Garden; she still had things to attend to.

Although the rain had stopped, the damage brought about by this sudden change in weather was far from over.

Coincidentally, Xie Ying came to the Commander's mansion to look for Wei Ruo, and Wei Ruo had Xiumei bring her directly to Tingsong Garden.

As soon as Xie Ying entered, she rushed to Wei Ruo's side, grabbing her and checking her up and down to make sure she wasn't missing any limbs or bruised.

Only then did she ask, "Ruo, I heard you went to the south of the city to save people and then rushed to Xishan Village to do the same?"

"How did you know?" Wei Ruo asked in surprise.

"Are you kidding? Who am I? I am Xie Ying. How could I not know about such a big event?"

Wei Ruo looked at Xie Ying suspiciously.

Xie Ying smiled. "My brother told me. He rushed back from the prefectural capital last night to help, and he found out about your actions from Magistrate Qian at the yamen first. So, as soon as he returned to the mansion this morning, he told me."

As she spoke, Xie Ying said in a depressed tone, "Ruo, why didn't you bring me with you? I wanted to help too!"

Seeing Xie Ying's disappointment, Wei Ruo quickly said, "I was just planning to bring you along for the next part."

"What else is there to do? Haven't the residents in the south of the city and the villagers of Xishan Village already been rescued?" Xie Ying asked, puzzled.

"The work that follows is very heavy. This sudden extreme weather has caused many crops that the common people hadn't yet harvested to rot in the fields. Many people's houses have collapsed, and some families' grain has been soaked; they may face hunger and cold."

"Then how can I help them?" Xie Ying asked.

"We will set up a porridge stall to ensure that those who are hungry can at least have a full meal. Then we will find a way to get some cotton-padded clothes and quilts," Wei Ruo said.

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go now!" Xie Ying grabbed Wei Ruo's hand and was about to take her out.

Seeing her young lady being dragged away, Xiumei hurried to follow. She had stayed at the county yamen yesterday and hadn't followed her mistress, which had made her worry all day; she couldn't let her mistress run around alone today.

In the afternoon, a porridge stall was set up at the West City Gate to distribute porridge to passersby.

Fresh sweet potatoes and porridge were boiled together into a pot of sweet potato congee, fragrant and sweet, attracting the villagers from nearby who lined up to wait for a bowl.

Wei Ruo, Xie Ying, Xiumei, and several maids and servants from the Xie family were busy at the porridge stall. Boiling the porridge, washing bowls, and serving—Wei Ruo and Xie Ying did everything themselves.

The three of them worked until almost dinnertime, distributing ten full pots of sweet potato congee.

In the end, there was a little left in the pot, and Xie Ying, who was famished, served some for herself.

"Ruo, this sweet potato congee is so fragrant and delicious! I feel like even those delicacies from mountains and seas can't compare to it!" For the first time, Xie Ying felt that such simple food tasted so good.

Wei Ruo couldn't help but say, "It's only because you're hungry that you think it tastes good."

Xie Ying said, "It seems that's the reason. I think I can finally understand what my grandfather said. He once told me that he had eaten countless delicacies over the years, but the most delicious thing was still the steamed buns and pickled vegetables my grandmother made for him when he returned home from the fields in his youth."

Wei Ruo laughed, "Your grandfather is right."

"Ruo, let's continue tomorrow, shall we?" Xie Ying said.

"As long as your family doesn't mind, I have no problem with it."

"Of course my family won't mind. When they found out I was here to distribute porridge, my mother and brother couldn't have been more supportive. They even said my grandfather in the capital would be very happy that I did this," Xie Ying replied confidently.

"Then we will come again tomorrow."

"Great!"

###

By evening, the news that Xie Ying and Wei Ruo were distributing porridge at the West City Gate had reached the Commander's mansion.

Although Lady Yun did not approve of Wei Ruo personally rushing to the south of the city to save people, she highly approved of the porridge distribution.

In the wake of a disaster, it was a long-standing tradition for women from wealthy families to distribute porridge—a virtuous and kind act that was highly praised since the time of the founding Sage Empress.

As for Wei Ruo going to the south of the city, getting covered in mud, and sharing a room with villagers, Lady Yun had changed her mind after Wei Ruo saved Wei Mingting.

Perhaps her husband was right; one should not use the standards of a sheltered noble lady from the capital to demand things of her eldest daughter.

The only thing Lady Yun was slightly dissatisfied with was that the porridge stall was set up in the name of the Xie family. Although Wei Ruo had contributed money and effort and led the distribution, those who were unaware assumed it was led by the Xie family, with Wei Ruo merely there to help.