Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 1650: Chapter 1650: True Feelings Are Moving

Just then, from afar came an elderly woman whose steps were slightly unsteady. Her hair was grey, her cheeks somewhat sunken, clearly she was of age and her legs were no longer sturdy.

In her arm was a bamboo basket, covered with a clean cloth. It was unclear what was inside.

However, just by looking at her attire, one could tell she hadn’t recently experienced the fire disaster. Even though her clothes were not luxurious, they were clean and tidy, not like others who were dusty and dirty.

The elderly woman walked onto the street, approached a child, lifted the cloth covering the basket, revealing the steaming hot mixed-flour steamed buns inside.

”You must have not eaten yet? You must be starving. I don’t have much food with me, let the children and women eat first, take a little each, and share amongst yourselves.” As she spoke, she took a bun out and placed it in the child’s hands.

She was about to give some to the child’s mother, but the mother quickly broke off a small piece from the bun, saying: ”One is enough for us, give the rest to others.”

The elderly woman then went to distribute to others. After she finished, she said nothing more, just took the basket and left.

Those eating the buns sniffed, they had just been crying, but now the tears wouldn’t come. Someone shouted to the elderly woman: ”Auntie, thank you!”

Others also thanked her, and the elderly woman smiled, saying: ”There are more buns steaming in the pot, I’ll bring some more over later.”

Bai Ruozhu watched this scene, and her eyes couldn’t help but become moist. The ancient people were indeed pure-hearted, but the next scene made her tears flow unstoppably.

A young couple pushed a cart over, with a large basin of hot porridge on it. The man, somewhat shy, said: ”I sell food at the nearby market.”

His wife kicked him, he grinned awkwardly, saying: ”I’m tongue-tied, but let me be clear. These are hot porridge we’re giving to everyone. No money, no money needed!”

As he spoke, he stabilized the cart, took bowls filled with hot porridge and handed them to the disaster victims.

Subsequently, many more people came bearing gifts — some brought food, some brought blankets for warmth, some brought old clothes, and others brought shoes. Though these items weren’t valuable, a portion of heartfelt sentiment was rare.

Witnessing this scene, Bai Ruozhu was moved to tears. When one part suffers, many come to aid. She was grateful to be there, to experience the warmest true feelings in the human world.

Very soon, Fan Li arrived, bowing to the people who brought supplies, and said: ”Fan thanks you all for your help. This kindness won’t be forgotten. Here, I promise everyone, we will promptly settle the disaster victims well, and the burnt houses will be rebuilt at the Government Office’s expense.”

The disaster victims raised their heads one by one. They regained hope, as once they had a home again, everything could start anew.

The people who came to help also cheered, promising: ”We’ll help build the houses, no need to provide food!”

In many places at this time, when helping people build houses, the homeowners wouldn’t pay wages but would provide food. This statement indicated an unconditional offer of labor, trying to save expenses for the Government Office.

Many echoed, promising they’d definitely come to help then. Fan Li repeatedly thanked them, moved to tears despite being a seasoned officer in the bureaucratic world.

Soon, officers were sent over from the Palace, led by Jiang Yichun with Wang Shun following behind.

Jiang Yichun immediately dispatched people to search the site of the fire, aiming to find injured persons and eliminate risks. Meanwhile, Wang Shun took out the Holy Edict and publicly read it aloud.

”By Heaven’s command, the Emperor decrees that due to the rare conflagration seen in decades in Capital, Fan Li, the Chief Inspector of Capital, is specially commanded to settle all disaster victims. Ensure they have places to live, food to eat, can be treated promptly, and to properly bury the deceased, and console their families. The Ministry of Works is ordered to mobilize all personnel to rebuild residences for the people, and investigate the matter to provide an explanation to the citizens.”

Everyone present knelt, shouting: ”Long live the Emperor! Long live tens of thousands of years.”

Bai Ruozhu listened with some dissatisfaction. She wanted to see whether the investigation would clear ties with the Grand Princess and what explanation the Emperor would truly provide to the citizens.

In Jinluan Hall, the Grand Princess stood below, her head hung low, saying: ”Emperor, that brothel killed Duke of Zheng. What was wrong with me burning it down? Why did the fire suddenly become so fierce? Someone must have secretly done something, trying to frame me!”

Tang Yin’s face turned icy, staring sharply at the Grand Princess: ”Aunt, you still don’t repent. In Capital, buildings are dense. Is it permissible to set fires indiscriminately? You committed arson, do you even realize?”

The Grand Princess knelt heavily on the ground, her voice choked, saying: ”I admit I was clouded by anger, but there’s something suspicious about this, someone secretly plotted against Duke of Zheng, did something underhandedly, intending to blame me, Emperor, you must make things right for me!”

Tang Yin rubbed his temples, saying: ”The fire was set by you. At this stage, the only option is to seek the forgiveness of the people, otherwise, I can only demote you to commoner status and exile you beyond the border.”

Huilan, the Grand Princess, was dumbfounded, and when she came to her senses, she cried out, saying: ”Someone deliberately framed me, Emperor, you must make things right for me!”

Tang Yin snorted coldly, ”It’s useless to ask me, think carefully about what I said.”

The ministers beside didn’t dare to speak. Today, the one who committed an offense was the Emperor’s own aunt. Had it been anyone else, they would’ve been dragged out and flogged by now.

...

On Bai Ruozhu’s side, she had been busy the entire day until she finally saw the disaster victims settled in properly and each given medication. She rubbed her sore shoulders and sighed heavily.

At this moment, a pair of large hands landed on her shoulders, gently massaging them.

Just by the scent, she knew it was undoubtedly Achun.

”You’ve worked hard, we’ll be back soon.” Jiang Yichun’s voice came from behind her.

”Bah, the real hard workers were mom and them, running around all day.” Bai Ruozhu smiled.

Jiang Yichun massaged her shoulders a couple more times, ”That’s why I told them to head back first. Mom also said she would prepare food for you at home, saying you’re too tired and need a good replenishment.”

Bai Ruozhu’s heart warmed. With such a family, a husband here, and a smart, sensible child, she was already very fortunate.

On the way back, Bai Ruozhu asked what decision the Emperor would make regarding the Grand Princess, Jiang Yichun’s face fell.

”The Department of Justice has been instructed to investigate. Yet, the Emperor asks her to seek forgiveness from the people, which is quite considerate. But I reckon from how the Grand Princess acts, she won’t apologize publicly. Deep inside, she looks down upon impoverished citizens.” Jiang Yichun commented.

Bai Ruozhu puckered her lips, ”One Duke of Zheng in exchange for six lives, fifty or more injured. Doesn’t she think it was excessive?”

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Perhaps some might say Mouka is writing about an ideal world, where does such a situation exist in reality? Mouka would say there is indeed. Remember the Wenchuan earthquake, so many people contributed money and effort — it’s the best testament that there is true sentiment in the world.