"How can such a person come to help with disaster relief? If she's unhappy and doesn't give us food, won't we starve?"
Yizhi Xie listened and waved his hand with a smile. After everyone quieted down, he spoke:
"Everyone, please listen to me finish. The Eldest Princess is here to provide disaster relief according to the Emperor's decree. We, on the other hand, are here under the Grand Empress Dowager's imperial edict to assist with disaster relief. If you cannot trust the Eldest Princess, can you not trust us?"
Zande the Eldest Princess was truly shocked and angered by Yizhi Xie's words.
She had thought just now that Yizhi Xie was speaking on her behalf, helping her to pacify these people.
But who would have known that he was using her as a shield all along.
Yizhi Xie paid no mind to Zande the Eldest Princess's murderous gaze and looked at the common people who had focused their attention on him.
"Let me clarify. We are here to provide disaster relief according to the Grand Empress Dowager's wishes. Therefore, do not think we have any ulterior motives, nor should you thank us. You should thank the Grand Empress Dowager."
Yizhi Xie's words were like a drop of water creating a thousand ripples.
The previously quiet crowd instantly erupted.
Even if it wasn't a clamoring throng, the heat from their voices was enough to melt the accumulated snow on their bodies.
Zande the Eldest Princess felt like she was about to explode with anger, yet she could say nothing.
Regardless of the internal situation, externally, she had to uphold the dignity of the imperial family.
Even if the Grand Empress Dowager had started disaster relief before the Emperor, it could only be seen as the Grand Empress Dowager's benevolent care for the people.
It absolutely could not be said that the Grand Empress Dowager deliberately embarrassed the Emperor.
After a period of discussion, the people, under the calming influence of Sima Han, continued to register and collect their provisions.
As for Zande the Eldest Princess and Baili Ziyun, they had long been forgotten.
Although being hit and scolded was very infuriating, compared to their own happiness and well-being, living well was naturally more important.
Zande the Eldest Princess wanted to confront Yizhi Xie and demand why he hadn't explained clearly earlier, but instead chose to say these words in front of her on her first day of arrival.
However, she knew that even if she went to ask, there would be no result, so she decided to keep her mouth shut.
Shen Xiaoyan and the others watched as Zande the Eldest Princess and Baili Ziyun boarded the carriage, followed by their entourage, and slowly departed. They felt a deep sense of emotion.
Now, everywhere was covered in very deep snow.
Ordinary people, under normal circumstances, would absolutely not go out, because the moment they stepped out, their clothes and shoes would get soaked.
If they absolutely had to go out, they would only walk carefully, trying their best not to get too much snow on their bodies.
But look at Zande the Eldest Princess and Baili Ziyun.
Although the carriage was moving at an incredibly slow pace, one that ordinary people walking slowly could easily keep up with, they were, after all, inside the carriage.
Not only did they not have to walk in the snow, but they also had warm braziers.
The path from the gate to the main road had been cleared of snow, but the direction towards the town on the main road had deep snow, which no one had cleared.
Under such circumstances, it was difficult for people to walk. How could the monks now have such a large carriage?
Even Shen Xiaoyan had heard from Luoluo that the reason they were able to drive the carriage to their doorstep was because each of the guards had a shovel and had been continuously clearing the snow.
Upon hearing this, Shen Xiaoyan sighed, "Truly worthy of being an Eldest Princess."
Although she now had servants, she never delegated tasks that she could do herself.
In such weather, when travel was inconvenient, she preferred to stay at home and not go out.
Shen Xiaoyan was silently mocking herself for not knowing how to enjoy herself.
Yue Qingxin tugged at Shen Xiaoyan's sleeve.
Shen Xiaoyan looked at Yue Qingxin curiously, "What's wrong?"
"There's nothing for us to do here, shall we go back first?" Yue Qingxin whispered.
Shen Xiaoyan listened, glanced at the busy crowd, and happened to see Zheng Wei look up and nod at her.
Shen Xiaoyan then said, "Then let's go back. I wonder if the little ones have woken up."
After speaking, Shen Xiaoyan and Yue Qingxin walked hand in hand through the gate.
As for why the two of them didn't take Namujong with them, it was because after what happened with Lin Xiaowei, Namujong had declared that she wanted to stay by Yizhi Xie's side at all times.
This was not because she didn't trust Yizhi Xie, but rather, Shen Xiaoyan thought, she probably didn't want other women to get too close.
After all, given Yizhi Xie's appearance and demeanor, he could attract a crowd of women willing to throw themselves at him at any moment.
Inside the carriage, Zande the Eldest Princess was reprimanding Baili Ziyun in a low voice, while Baili Ziyun kept her head down, saying nothing.
Zande the Eldest Princess's voice was not loud, as they were, after all, inside the carriage.
Outside, there were servants and guards in large numbers. If they overheard, they would look down on Baili Ziyun, and that was not the outcome she desired.
After speaking for half the time, Zande the Eldest Princess stopped.
Looking at Baili Ziyun, who kept her head down, she felt a great deal of emotion.
Fortunately, regardless of Baili Ziyun's temper outside, she was still obedient in front of her.
It was a pity that because Baili Ziyun kept her head down, she did not see the look of defiance on Baili Ziyun's face, hidden by her scattered hair.
If she had seen it, she probably wouldn't have thought Baili Ziyun was still obedient.
"Ziyun, everything I'm saying is for your own good."
"Take the incident just now, for example. You could have endured it. We are here for disaster relief, after all."
"We haven't even started disaster relief yet, and you've already caused them to gossip about you. Is that beneficial to you?"
"If someone with ill intentions were to report this to the Emperor, would you still have a chance to enter the palace as Empress this year?"
Zande the Eldest Princess's words, word for word, entered Baili Ziyun's ears and then struck her heart.
"Fortunately, the Emperor still values his aunt, this princess. Even if someone speaks ill of you, he will consider my reputation and not hold it against you."
"However, you must still pay attention to your words and actions. This is a critical period. You cannot afford to make any mistakes, otherwise, the throne of Empress might fall into someone else's hands."
As Baili Ziyun listened to Zande the Eldest Princess's words, her hands, hidden in her sleeves, clenched into fists.
Although these words seemed to be comforting her, telling her that no matter what happened, her mother would stand by her, they were also a form of threat.
They were telling her that with her current temperament and reputation, to become Empress, she would have to rely entirely on her mother, who was the Emperor's aunt.
Various thoughts flashed through Baili Ziyun's mind.
Although she thought a lot, it was all in a blink of an eye before she returned to normal.
She released her hands, a faint smile and affectionate gaze on her face, and looked up at Zande the Eldest Princess, saying, "I know."
"With Mother here, Ziyun fears no one. If I find out anyone dares to gossip, I'll pull out their tongues."
Zande the Eldest Princess smiled dotingly upon hearing this, reached out, and gently flicked Baili Ziyun's nose.
"You, you just refuse to grow up. No matter how many times I tell you, it never sinks in."
Baili Ziyun wrapped her arms around Zande the Eldest Princess's waist and leaned her head against Zande the Eldest Princess's side.
"Ziyun doesn't want to grow up. Ziyun wants to always be Mother's padded jacket."
Zande the Eldest Princess then smiled and gently patted Baili Ziyun's back.