Leng Kui knew very well that as long as Su Muqing was there, he wouldn't have to worry about anything. Thinking of this, a familiar, foolish grin reappeared on his face. "Hehe, hehe, with His Majesty's careful arrangements, your subordinate has nothing to worry about. Everything will be as you say!"
"Alright! Third Brother Leng, this disaster relief journey is long, and it's estimated to take a considerable amount of time. I'm entrusting everything to you. Now, hurry back and inform Sister Cui Ping! I hope she won't blame me for separating your family. After you pack your things, go with Lord Shen to the Ministry of Military Affairs to collect the necessary supplies and vehicles."
"Yes! Your subordinate will pack his bags now!"
After receiving assurances, Leng Kui left the palace contentedly. He really needed to have a good chat with Su Cuiping and give his beloved son a big hug.
Judging by His Majesty's words, they would likely be away for several months. The thought of not being able to spend every day with his son and watch him grow filled Leng Kui with a sense of regret.
With the disaster relief plans in place, Su Muqing turned her attention to other matters. Previously, Feng Shen had hinted that after saving Huo Qiyuan, there would be an SSS-level mission to complete.
Feng Shen's warning signaled the arrival of disaster.
The drought in the Great Yu Dynasty had not yet fully ended, and now a locust plague had appeared in Huaxia. It seemed the great test mentioned by Feng Shen had begun. This suggested that the countries in this small world would continuously face trials.
At the manor in Si'an Prefecture, the public officials dispatched from Huaxia had all arrived the previous day. Si'an Prefecture had suffered severe drought, and many nearby families had moved away. Several large residences adjacent to the manor had fallen into disrepair and were abandoned.
The few families that remained were essentially holding on. Therefore, Huo Qiyuan had bought an entire row of houses adjacent to the manor.
With the houses secured, Huo Qiyuan ordered all public officials to be temporarily housed there. Tomorrow, a city-wide assessment would begin, followed by preparations for large-scale construction.
"Your Highness, lunch has been arranged. Please go and have it!" Leng Feng could no longer contain himself and spoke up.
He had been waiting by the door for half an hour. The other brothers had already eaten and gone to work. Today was his turn on duty, yet the Prince was delaying, insisting on finishing his work before eating.
Leng Feng touched his empty stomach and looked mournfully at Huo Qiyuan, who was still engrossed in his work. He showed no signs of getting up.
Heaven above! His stomach was truly hungry! He, a vigorous young man, was about to starve to death today!
Hmph! Ever since His Majesty returned to Yaojing, the Prince had been working day and night, showing no regard for his own health. When he next met the Empress, he would definitely lodge a complaint about the Prince.
Huo Qiyuan glanced speechlessly at Leng Feng, whose dramatic actions were proving to be a distraction. He put down his brush, stretched his stiff neck, and then stood up, addressing the person making subtle movements outside the door.
"Didn't you say you were hungry? Why aren't you going?"
Seeing the esteemed figure finally rise, Leng Feng instantly stood up and happily followed Huo Qiyuan, both heading towards the dining hall.
As they reached the entrance, a maid, carrying a plate of food, hurried from the opposite direction. Upon seeing the Regent Prince, the maid stopped and intended to step aside to avoid him.
However, she stepped back too quickly, stumbled on her left foot, and lost her balance. The entire plate of food flew directly towards Huo Qiyuan's face, while she herself tumbled down the half-height steps.
Seeing the hot dish flying towards him, Huo Qiyuan raised his hand and waved, deflecting the entire plate elsewhere. Not a single drop of soup touched him.
Leng Feng, who had just rushed forward and hadn't had a chance to act, watched as Huo Qiyuan resolved the situation. Suddenly, he detected a very faint, pleasant fragrance.
Since his hand was already extended, and he couldn't help the Prince, he might as well save the little maid. Falling from such a height, especially headfirst, would certainly cause bleeding, if not death.
The scent from her body was pleasant. He would ask her where she bought the perfume after saving her. Leng Feng felt he was performing a good deed.
In an instant, his hands moved with lightning speed, grabbing the maid's back collar and pulling her steadily. Only when the maid's face was two centimeters from the ground did he release her. At this height, she wouldn't be injured even if she fell.
"Ouch! That hurts!"
The little maid thought she had been rescued, but when Leng Feng turned and dropped her, her nose was struck, and she let out a soft cry of pain.
Hearing her delicate cry, Leng Feng's eyebrows rose. His heart had suddenly skipped a beat, then quickly returned to normal.
The little maid sat on the ground, rubbing her nose and patting her head in annoyance, her innocent demeanor of a pretty girl appearing both cute and unpretentious.
Suddenly, she remembered she seemed to have caused trouble. Had she spilled the food on the Prince? Good heavens! The little maid, without minding that her face was now smeared like a cat's, quickly got up and knelt to beg for forgiveness.
"This servant did not do it intentionally. This servant knows her mistake and begs for Your Highness's forgiveness. This servant will never dare to do it again." The little maid knelt on the ground, her voice tearful, clear, and charming.
Hearing her fright, Leng Feng felt a stir of pity. Huo Qiyuan said nothing, giving the little maid a casual glance before stepping into the dining hall.
Leng Feng looked at the little maid with her head bowed, a playful grin on his face. He deliberately moved closer to her, confirming that the fragrance indeed emanated from her.
Sensing someone approaching, the little maid looked up, revealing a face full of tears, yet fair and pretty. Leng Feng felt the fragrance intensify and his heartbeat quicken at the sight of her eyes.
Feeling he was being too frivolous, Leng Feng quickly stood up and said to the maid, "Please get up quickly! You are fortunate this time, as the Prince did not punish you. But you must be more careful next time. If you are so careless again, no one will be able to save you."
"Thank you, Your Highness. Thank you, sir. Ling'er is deeply grateful." Hearing the maid's voice, Leng Feng paused. He had already moved several steps away, but why was that scent still so clear?
Seeing them walk away, the little maid wiped her tears and tremblingly stood up. She turned and walked to the corner of the corridor, her expression of caution and grievance instantly disappearing, replaced by a sinister, triumphant smile.