A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 1498: Chapter 1496: I’ll Trust You for Now

Chapter 1496

Ever since the battle of the South Sea State, the Southern Ocean Kingdom and Lvsong Island have been discontent.

They have not made a comeback only because they lack strength, not because they truly submitted.

On the surface, they seemed dormant, but in reality, they have been scheming and watching like hawks.

Now that Guangnan has encountered a natural disaster unseen in a century, the Imperial Court is in chaos, and the people are in deep distress.

How could they pass up this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?

Especially since the plague has many coincidences and suspicious points.

Linking these things together, it’s hard not to suspect these islands.

Zhao Junyao casually glanced through the documents and set them aside, continuing to ask.

"Have you found any valuable leads?"

It’s not that he didn’t want to look carefully.

It’s just that he had already thoroughly read these local chronicles a few years ago, so there was no need to look again.

He just wanted to hear what his son had to say.

Zhao Qichen’s eyes dimmed, and he shook his head lightly.

"Not yet!"

"However!"

Zhao Qichen continued.

"I suspect that the plague was deliberately spread by people from over there!"

Zhao Junyao squinted his eyes and nodded slightly.

"Indeed!"

Zhao Qichen’s eyes lit up.

"Father, have you found something?"

Zhao Junyao shook his head.

"Not yet!"

"I only received the news this morning!"

"However, our viewpoints match exactly!"

Zhao Qichen’s eyes dimmed a bit, but he still maintained a humble expression.

"Then Father, what should we do now?"

Zhao Junyao patted him on the shoulder.

"What to do? You should be telling me! Cough cough!"

Before he finished speaking, he began to cough violently.

Zhao Qichen became worried.

"Father, are you okay?"

Zhao Junyao shook his head, saying he was fine, but secretly tucked the used handkerchief into his sleeve.

Zhao Qichen saw this and felt a pang of worry in his heart.

...

Zhao Junyao already had an idea in mind, but after careful consideration, he didn’t tell Zhao Qichen.

He wanted to see how his son would handle it.

After all...he couldn’t accompany him for much longer.

After sitting for a while, Zhao Junyao made the excuse of being tired and got up to leave.

Xia Ruqing was somewhat reluctant.

"I haven’t chatted enough. Why don’t you stay a little longer?"

"Did you find out what happened in the city?"

Zhao Junyao endured his discomfort and shook his head with a smile.

"No!"

"We just chatted casually. Chenchen said he was very busy and asked us to go back first!"

"He also said that Guangnan City is a bit chaotic lately, so we shouldn’t wander around!"

Xia Ruqing was full of worry.

"Ah?"

"Are there too many disaster victims? Alas!"

The disaster victims are truly pitiful; ancient natural disasters are terrifying.

Sometimes a single natural disaster could bring down an entire dynasty.

The more she thought about it, the more anxious she became. She tentatively asked.

"Is there really nothing else we can do?"

"We’ve come all this way; staying outside all the time isn’t right!"

They were here to help, not to sightsee!

Zhao Junyao shook his head in refusal.

"Chenchen already has a plan in mind. We should not add to his troubles!"

"If you really want to help, just like you said!"

"Let’s go when the situation stabilizes, okay?"

Xia Ruqing was a bit displeased but still sighed.

"Alright then."

As they spoke, the two of them had already exited the courtyard.

...

The small blue cloth carriage was very light.

The two of them and the servants behind each had one, identical in appearance.

Not knowing the truth, anyone would think that inside was a small household fleeing from disaster, not the Taishang Huang and the Empress Dowager, whom even the current emperor would have to respect.

The roads were smooth, and there were also many carriages like these coming and going.

Some were transporting medicine, some were local officials going back and forth on errands, and some were relatively affluent local families fleeing disaster.

In short... such carriages were a common sight.

Along the way, their group didn’t attract any attention.

The streets were crowded with people; besides the carriages coming and going, there were disaster victims from all over.

They gathered by the roadside, some standing, some sitting, and some lying on the ground.

In short, everyone was too hungry and dejected to lift their heads.

Their clothes were tattered, their expressions numb, like one puppet after another.

Xia Ruqing couldn’t help but lift the curtain out of curiosity to look outside.

Seeing wave after wave of disaster victims, she felt a deep sorrow.

Especially those with children looking skinny and malnourished; as a mother herself, she couldn’t bear to see them.

Therefore...

When passing by several emaciated mothers kneeling by the roadside with their children, begging, Xia Ruqing finally couldn’t resist and called for a stop.

"I want to get off!"

Zhao Junyao intercepted her without a word.

"What are you going to do?"

Xia Ruqing rummaged through the small pieces of silver she carried and asked without hesitation.

"What do you think?"

"They are so pitiful with their children!"

"I didn’t bring food, but at least I can give them some small pieces of silver, right?"

Zhao Junyao’s gaze turned cold, he firmly grabbed her.

"Don’t go!"

The sound was cold and firm.

Xia Ruqing was somewhat incredulous.

"Why?"

"Are you out of your mind? It’s just a little silver. Their children are suffering so much..."

Zhao Junyao felt a pang of compassion but still pulled her back firmly, instructing the coachman.

"Keep going!"

Not a single reason was given!

Xia Ruqing became instantly anxious, breaking free from Zhao Junyao’s arm angrily.

"What’s wrong with you!"

"I’m not doing anything excessive, I’m just giving them some silver!"

"Didn’t we come out to help them?"

"What is wrong with you?"

She was very puzzled.

Zhao Junyao had always been compassionate, and he wasn’t stingy; he couldn’t be so reluctant over a bit of silver.

Especially since those are mothers and children, who are already starving like that.

There must be some reason.

She looked at him inquisitively.

"What’s the reason? Give me one!"

Zhao Junyao turned his head towards the window, after thinking for a moment, finally came up with an explanation.

"There are so many disaster victims!"

"If you give them silver now, others will snatch it away!"

"Then those women and children won’t be able to resist, not only losing the silver but might even get beaten!"

"In severe cases, they might even lose their lives!"

Zhao Junyao almost admired himself.

He came up with such a perfect explanation!

Actually, he felt compassion too; he didn’t want to stop her.

But given the circumstances, Guangnan City was full of danger, he couldn’t help but be cautious.

Xia Ruqing froze for a moment, somewhat unbelieving.

Zhao Junyao patiently said again.

"If you truly want to help them, how about I send someone at night to quietly give them the silver?"

Xia Ruqing was half-convinced.

"Really, is it because of this?"

Zhao Junyao sighed with relief, patting his chest in assurance.

"Why would I lie to you? Think for yourself, doesn’t it make sense?"

"There are so many people on the street, everyone’s starving..."

Xia Ruqing thought about it and agreed, nodding.

"Alright then, I suppose I’ll believe you for now!"