she came to question them. Unexpectedly, it was because of this.“My dear mother, you shouldn't blame Xia'er for this. It was that Second Miss from General's Mansion who insisted on becoming my concu...Speaking of this, Chu Xi's expression turned cold as she quickly walked towards the weeping woman.
Feng Lingxi followed Chu Xi's footsteps and came before the woman. Seeing this, the disaster victims all stood up and watched them from a distance. Feng Lingxi looked at their hopeful yet fearful eyes. She didn't know what they had experienced or why they were reduced to this state.
"Sister-in-law, what's wrong with the child"
"Sir, please, save my child! He hasn't eaten in days and has a high fever. If this continues, he will die."
A woman wept, clutching Chu Xi's trousers. The grief in her eyes moved Feng Lingxi's heart. She knelt down and looked at the child, so thin that her bones were visible. Her face was flushed red from the fever.
Feng Lingxi took out a medicine bottle from her bosom, pulled out a pill, and looked at Xiao Li beside her, "Go get some water."
Xiao Li ran over, and the woman looked at Feng Ling Xi's hand holding the pills, her eyes shining with excitement. "Madam, is this medicine for my child"
Feng Lingxi nodded, "This can bring down the fever, give it to him first."
Feng Lingxi finished speaking and glanced at the surrounding environment. "Chu Xi, is there a place to rest nearby"
Chu Xi shook her head, only to see Feng Ling getting up and going to the carriage. She moved the cushion from the carriage and laid it on the ground. "Sister-in-law, put the child on top, I'll take a look at him."
The woman nodded eagerly, wiping away the tears from her eyes. She was overjoyed. Feng Lingxi examined the child and frowned, looking around before her gaze landed on the woods in the distance.
"Xiaoli, go up the mountain and see if you can find anything to eat."
"Young Master Chu, please protect my wife."
Only then did the refugees realize that Feng Lingxi's identity was a princess, and their eyes toward her changed in an instant.
Chu Xi watched Feng Ling skillfully treat the child with acupuncture. After finishing, she handed the remaining pills to the woman. "In three hours, if the child's fever doesn't subside, give him one more."
The woman gratefully took the pills. Feng Lingxi then looked at the disaster victims. A woman ran over holding her child, “Your Highness, please look at my son, he has been sleeping for days now.”
Upon hearing this, Feng Lingxi wanted to step forward, but was stopped by Chu Xi.
"Fourth Royal Wife, the child is dead."
The woman, hearing this, immediately hugged her child and burst into tears, "You're lying, he's just asleep. It doesn't matter if you don't look."
Seeing the woman like this, Feng Lingxi's heart ached. Looking at the disaster victims here, there was longing and fear in their eyes.
Why was this happening She had already guessed a few points.
"Chu Xi, see if they need any help."
Feng Lingxi opened his mouth, watching the disaster victims start digging up grass roots on the ground again. That resigned expression, as if each day they survived was a blessing, filled Feng Lingxi with pity.
"Your Majesty, you can help these disaster victims, but can you help all the victims in the world"
Chu Xi sighed lightly, her eyes filled with helplessness.
"Such disasters happen every year."
"Seen it, will help if I can."
Feng Lingxi looked at them, her eyes filled with a newfound determination.
This place isn't far from the capital city. Even if the imperial court ignored them, the Yao people wouldn't ignore them either.
The common people's lives are not easy, she will do her best to help them.
Chu Xi wasn't saying anything, perhaps her understanding of the disaster victims was too limited. The poster only asked him to protect her safety, as for what she should do, he had no right to interfere.
Xiaoli returned from the mountains with two wild rabbits. Seeing the glimmer of hope in the eyes of the disaster victims, Xiaoli walked up to the queen and said, "Your Majesty, these are all that could be found in the mountains."
Feng Lingxi frowned, glanced at the disaster victims here, it was simply not enough.
"Chu Xi, how long does it take to get to the nearest town from here"
"Do you want to take them all away"
Feng Lingxi looked at these refugees, “I just want to get some food.”
"Wait."
Chu Xi said a word, walked to the front of the disaster victims, "The young ones come with me if you want to eat."
Many young men and women among the refugees, hearing Chu Xi's shout, immediately followed him, walking towards the mountains. Feng Lingxi looked at Xiaoli beside her, "First feed this to the child."
Xiaoli responded, gathered some firewood, and then proceeded to gut the rabbit before roasting it over the fire.
"Xiao Li, on your way back to Beijing, please bring some food for these disaster victims. I will speak to the Emperor about this."
Feng Lingxi spoke in a low voice, looking at the disaster victims who were eagerly staring at the roasted rabbit meat by the bonfire. Her eyes were very complex.
"...I wonder how many disaster victims there are in the world who are just like them."
Xiao Li comforted her, "Your Highness, I know you have good intentions to help them. However, these matters are within the court's jurisdiction, and we cannot interfere. If we can help these disaster victims, what about those in other places Your Highness' meager efforts can only help so much."
Feng Lingxi lowered her head and smiled bitterly.
"Do what you can, that's all. What else can we do Can you bear to just stand by and watch"
Feng Ling Xi stood up and walked in front of her sister-in-law, watching her hold the child. The way she carefully cared for the child made Feng Ling Xi's heart ache.
"Sister-in-law, when you were struck by disaster, did the imperial court not help you"
"What does it matter to them When the village was hit, all the young and strong ran away. We old, weak, and sick were left behind. We went to the county town, but not only did the magistrate ignore us, he even drove us out! When we asked for food, they beat us away."
An old man spoke, his voice brimming with discontent towards the government.
Feng Lingxi looked around, "When the government encounters this kind of situation, do they just drive people out"
"Your Highness, not everyone is as kind-hearted as you. There are so many commoners like us who suffer. Even when the imperial court sends relief supplies, the officials won't give them to us, they just drive us out."
Wind Ling Xi looked at the elder sister-in-law who was speaking, "Is the government always like this"
"Officials protect each other, and the common people are used to it."
After her sister-in-law finished speaking, she lowered her head. Those habitual words stung Feng Lingxi's heart again. Looking at the helplessness in their eyes, how much pain must they have endured to become like this.
No wonder when I saw them, their eyes held a mixture of anticipation and fear. They anticipated encountering good people, but they also feared being treated like the common folk by authority figures.
"You go towards the capital city. Under the emperor's feet, I will report this matter to him."
"Fourth Princess, is it really possible"
Upon hearing Feng Lingxi's words, the common people's eyes were filled with anticipation. Seeing Feng Lingxi nod, they were overjoyed and immediately knelt down to kowtow and thank her. Feng Lingxi hurriedly stopped them.
"You all, please stop this..."
A sound of galloping horses drew near, Feng Lingxi turned and saw a large contingent of soldiers approaching. The common people were frightened, all huddled behind Feng Lingxi, staring in terror at the approaching officers and men. even a legitimate child.The concubine entered the mansion, and Dugu Cheng did not appear at the Siwangfu for a whole day. He only returned in the evening, learning that the concubine had already ente...