The relief convoy entered Jiangzhou, and the disaster victims looked upon the long procession with hope, their eyes fixed on the carriages laden with supplies. They yearned to rush forward and seize the goods, but managed to restrain themselves.
Wen Mohan, possessing exceptional execution ability, quickly ordered the establishment of a temporary relief station. Porridge was served and medicine distributed to the victims. The accompanying physicians tended to the sick and injured. Where once there was widespread death and despair, life began to flicker anew within two days.
Watching the scene unfold, Wen Mohan felt a sense of peace settle in his heart. Suddenly, someone tugged at his sleeve. He looked down to see a boy, about seven or eight years old, looking up at him with a joyful expression.
"Sir, is your surname Wen?"
Wen Mohan knelt down and stroked the boy's head. "Yes, my surname is Wen. How did you know?"
"Our benefactor told me. He said I should wait for two more days, and then a very handsome gentleman named Wen would come to save us. Our benefactor was right, you've really come."
Wen Mohan was somewhat surprised that someone had known his whereabouts in advance and informed the populace. "How did your benefactor know I would arrive here in two days?"
"I don't know. He just said so."
"What does he look like?"
"Very handsome, very kind," the child said, biting into a steamed bun and grinning widely. "Oh, and our benefactor also said his surname is Xiao."
Wen Mohan's heart skipped a beat. He grabbed the boy's shoulders. "Do you remember any other distinguishing features?"
The boy shook his head. Wen Mohan felt a wave of disappointment. How could it be Man'er? Man'er was still severely injured and unconscious; how could she possibly be here!
Su Cheng, carrying the imperial decree, rushed towards Suzhou Prefecture overnight. However, he was met with a closed door. He was informed that the prefect of Suzhou was out inspecting the disaster situation and his return date was uncertain. Su Cheng was then accommodated at the prefectural yamen.
"Commander, if the prefect of Jiangzhou is absent, the granaries cannot be opened for relief. With so many disaster victims outside, we cannot delay like this indefinitely."
Su Cheng opened the window a crack and peered out. There were guards outside. The imperial envoy had arrived, yet instead of being received, they were being closely monitored, hinting at house arrest. Was the prefect of Jiangzhou truly absent?
"Commander Su, are we to wait indefinitely?"
Su Cheng signaled them to be silent. They were likely being watched. He wondered how Lord Wen was faring.
"Be quiet, we're being monitored."
His subordinates exchanged glances. Had the prefect of Jiangzhou gone mad, to monitor an imperial envoy!
"Has the prefect of Jiangzhou gone mad?"
"Before entering Jiangzhou, the Lord predicted that Jiangzhou might be in trouble. This is where the Yushang granaries are located, and troops are stationed here. By all accounts, even with the flood, the disaster shouldn't have been so severe. I suspect there is something amiss in Jiangzhou, which is why he sent me to come with people, to be prepared for any unexpected events."
"My Lord, what should we do?"
"Tomorrow, use the excuse of looking for the prefect of Jiangzhou. You escape. Return to Lord Wen and inform him that something is wrong in Jiangzhou, and he must be extremely cautious."
"Yes."
Xiao Man settled into an inn in the city. The inn was quite close to the prefectural yamen, allowing her to monitor its every move.
"Master, the prefect of Jiangzhou is not in his residence."
"At this moment, he should be at the army camp in the western district outside the city," Xiao Man said softly. "After all, it is the only son of Prime Minister Wen who has arrived. He cannot be easily harmed. They had intended to seize the relief funds, making Mohan accountable to the court, but we foiled their plan. Naturally, they must reconsider their strategy."
"Master, isn't Lord Wen walking into a tiger's den by coming to Jiangzhou?"
"A tiger?" Xiao Man smiled. "Qin Xue, never underestimate Mohan. Whether he is a sheep or a tiger, we shall wait and see."
"Young Master Wen is, after all, a frail scholar. Jiangzhou is currently like a lawless land. If pushed too far, those people might resort to desperate measures, which would be very dangerous for Young Master Wen."
"If he lacked any ability, why would he dare to take on this task?" Xiao Man's expression remained unchanged. "In the Imperial Capital, everyone only sees the princes' brilliance, while no one pays attention to him. How can a newly appointed top scholar, the heir to the Prime Minister's estate, be incompetent?"
"Master is quite confident in Young Master Wen."
"I do appreciate his capabilities," Xiao Man said leisurely as she boiled tea. "With his meticulous mind, he should have made arrangements. Our presence here is merely to seize an opportunity to gain a share of the spoils. Jiangzhou is prosperous, with many merchant families, which is highly beneficial for the development of trade routes."
"Master, aren't you afraid of your whereabouts being exposed?"
"What is there to fear? The real Xiao Man is lying in Gan Ye Temple. No one can distinguish the truth from falsehood," Xiao Man said with a smile. "It is not easy for a conscious person to disguise themselves, but is it not easy to pretend to be someone who is unconscious?"
"Do you think you can fool the General?"
"My father?" Xiao Man chuckled. "Even if my father suspects, he will cover for me; he will never expose me."
"What about the State Preceptor?"
"That would require Master to get close," Xiao Man said slowly. "I specifically instructed Wuyou not to let Master's people get close."
"Have you perhaps missed someone?"
"Prince Qin?"
"You still remember Prince Qin!"
"He probably guessed it long ago," Xiao Man said slowly. "After all, he personally witnessed Yan Yuqing in my room."
"Then, if Mistress leaves the Imperial Capital, will Prince Qin follow?"
"What reason would he have to follow? This is a golden opportunity for him to hide behind the scenes and watch his brothers fight amongst themselves. He can emerge at the end to reap the benefits. Would it not be a waste to go out and endure that sword wound?" Xiao Man hesitated for a moment. No, Nangong Yu might indeed come here. If he could take control of Jiangzhou, it would be beneficial to him!
"Master, you are too heartless. Don't forget, that sword wound Prince Qin sustained was inflicted by you."
Xiao Man's expression shifted slightly. "I didn't want to hurt him either. Although I made preparations beforehand, plans can't always keep up with reality. Fortunately, my instinct caused me to shift the blade an inch."
"But you injured him and haven't even visited him or apologized."
Xiao Man's face flushed slightly. She glanced away, pretending not to hear.
"You are feeling guilty."
"Why would I feel guilty? I was unconscious. How could I visit him and apologize? When I return, I will find an opportunity to apologize," Xiao Man said in a low voice. "Alright, why are you always lingering in front of me? Keep a close watch on the movements of the prefect of Jiangzhou and the western district army camp."
"Yes, Master." Qin Xue retreated with a smile.
"It seems I need to get Ah Jin to marry you off soon. You're even starting to tease me," Xiao Man muttered. Thinking of Nangong Yu's injury, she couldn't help but feel a bit worried. With Ye Qing there, it shouldn't be serious. She wondered how he was recovering now.
After a moment of absentmindedness, Xiao Man began to process the intelligence reports from the past two days. She had been rushing around and hadn't had a chance to deal with the messages that had come in.