The next morning, Lan Yan went out onto the streets, intending to gather information about the area. She only brought Xia Lian with her, dressed in simple clothing, and they strolled leisurely through the main street.
Xia Lian kept glancing around, worried that someone might pose a threat to Lan Yan. Before they left, the Prince had strictly instructed her not to let the Consort suffer even the slightest harm.
Noticing Xia Lian's heightened vigilance, Lan Yan tugged at her sleeve and whispered, "Xia Lian, just act like you normally do. Otherwise, everyone will notice."
As outsiders, they were already prone to drawing attention. Xia Lian's demeanor, however, seemed to scream "do not approach."
Seeing this, Xia Lian reverted to her usual maidservant persona and called out, "Madam, there are some jewelry stalls over there that you might like to look at. Shall we go?"
"Alright." Lan Yan nodded with satisfaction, seeing that Xia Lian had adapted well. She approached a stall, picking through tassels, and asked, "Boss, I notice there aren't many shops on this street."
The stall owner, who had initially been indifferent to Lan Yan and Xia Lian, became more cordial when Lan Yan casually browsed. "This place used to be very prosperous. Ever since the river embankment was destroyed, many people have left."
"Those of us who stayed either had no money to leave or couldn't bear to abandon this place. Madam, everything here is handmade, and the quality and styles are excellent." He saw that Lan Yan was well-dressed and assumed she was wealthy.
Lan Yan successfully obtained the information she sought and, feeling she had kept the stall owner from his business for too long, bought two items.
At that moment, someone suddenly rushed forward, shouting, "Corrupt official, I will kill you!" Holding a small knife, the attacker lunged towards Lan Yan's chest.
Xia Lian stepped forward and, with a single move, subdued the thin, frail assailant. She disarmed the person, forcing them to kneel on the ground in a pathetic state.
The assailant was small in stature, their eyes fiercely fixed on Lan Yan, and they spat, "Hmph, the wife of a corrupt official is also bad."
Lan Yan immediately recognized the person as female, a detail that piqued her curiosity. "How did you know my identity?"
"I saw you yesterday when you were in the carriage. I couldn't get into the official residence, but I've been lurking on the streets, waiting for people like you to come out. Even though I failed today, I have no regrets."
Lan Yan felt a sense of kindred spirit with this determined woman. "What is your name?"
"My name is Ge Niang." Ge Niang then turned her head away. "I won't die as an unknown ghost. Kill me if you want to."
Seeing Ge Niang's fearless demeanor, and considering they were on a public street, Lan Yan had no intention of killing her.
She crouched down, looking directly into Ge Niang's eyes. "My husband is an upright official. You haven't even tried to understand him, so how can you speak ill of him!"
Ge Niang was momentarily taken aback, then thought that the woman before her was an official's wife and said, "Of course, you would defend your husband." She simply did not believe that there could be any good officials in Dingzhou, otherwise, her mother and brother would not have starved to death.
Her eyes welled up with tears.
Lan Yan said, "Before my husband came to Dingzhou, he survived three assassination attempts and fell off a cliff. It was a near-death experience that brought him to your Dingzhou. He only arrived yesterday, and he hasn't rested for a moment, working through official documents."
"Otherwise, why do you think I'm out on the street alone today? Because he simply has no time to accompany me. Tell me, how can such a person *not* be an upright official!"
These words stunned Ge Niang into silence, and she stared blankly at Lan Yan. For some reason, she felt she wanted to believe the person before her!
Lan Yan signaled Xia Lian to release Ge Niang. She then bought two steamed buns from a nearby stall and handed them over. "Go home. If you try something like this again, you won't be so lucky."
Ge Niang hesitated, wanting to refuse, but her stomach rumbled, making her blush as she accepted them. She asked, bewildered, "You're really letting me go home?" She had expected to die.
"Killing you would bring me no benefit," Lan Yan said with a smile. If she killed a citizen of Dingzhou on her first day, it would likely incite rebellion and be detrimental to Jun Yelan.
She turned and walked away, with Xia Lian following behind.
Xia Lian remarked, "Madam, she's still following us."
"Let her follow. Let her eyes prove whether what I just said is true or false." Lan Yan's expression was solemn. Besides Ge Niang, there were undoubtedly many others in Dingzhou who believed them to be corrupt officials.
She intended to use Ge Niang's voice to spread Jun Yelan's actions and win the trust of the local populace.
Ge Niang trailed them all the way, only stopping at the entrance to the mansion. She called out, "You've spared my life. From now on, I'll ensure your safety on the streets of Dingzhou." Without waiting for a response, she turned and left.
Lan Yan had already entered and saw several officials standing in the courtyard, sweating under the sun.
These officials had been summoned by Jun Yelan early that morning. Unaware of the reason, they greeted Lan Yan upon her arrival. "Madam, may we know when the Prince will see us?"
Xia Lian rebuked, "How dare you! This is the Consort." Earlier, for the Consort's safety, she had addressed her as Madam, but now that they were back, the title changed.
The officials were surprised. They had assumed the Prince had brought a concubine, not the Consort. They quickly corrected themselves, "Greetings, Consort."
Lan Yan cast them a cold glance. "When the Prince is willing to see you, he will have his own arrangements." She walked forward and entered the study.
Seeing Lan Yan's displeased expression, Jun Yelan asked, "Yan'er, what has happened?" Hearing that it was about the people in the courtyard, he immediately declared angrily, "Let them continue standing. Do not give them any food or drink."
As he turned to look at Lan Yan, his demeanor calmed. He took her hand and said, "Rest assured, they will not have an easy time."
Lan Yan smiled and nodded. It was good to have someone stand up for her. She settled beside Jun Yelan and recounted her experiences of the day, omitting the part about Ge Niang's assassination attempt.
"Your Highness, for our work to proceed smoothly, we need the people to trust us. Many citizens are sleeping on the streets with no place to stay; their houses were all washed away by the flood."
"Those who have shelter are also starving."
Seeing Lan Yan frown, Jun Yelan knew he had to resolve this matter quickly, as he disliked seeing her worried. "I summoned these officials today precisely for this matter."
"I already have a good plan for the housing situation." He leaned close to Lan Yan's ear and whispered his idea.
Lan Yan's eyes lit up instantly, and she exclaimed with a smile, "Your Highness, your plan is excellent."
Jun Yelan smiled. When the time was right, he asked Lan Yan to push his wheelchair out. Looking at the exhausted officials, he said coldly, "I hear that all of you have private residences, and they are located on higher ground."
"How do you think these would be for housing the people?"
The officials, all plump and portly, immediately cried out, "Your Highness, absolutely not."
Jun Yelan's eyes turned cold. He tapped his fingers on the armrests of his wheelchair and sneered, "However, I was not asking for your consultation. I was merely informing you."
Everyone was startled!