Chapter 13: The Return of the Legitimate Daughter

“This Prince comes on the mandate of the Sage to provide relief and appease the starving masses. How to properly settle the refugees is a matter for your Inspector's Office to handle. Has Lord Yu never once considered this?” Mu Zhao’s gaze was sharp, staring at Yu Shoudao so intensely that the man wished he could bury his head in his chest.

Mu Zhao was almost laughed into a fit of rage by this man's stupidity.

“Do I truly need to hold your hand and teach you such matters?”

“What have you been doing all these days? Why has the official decree not been issued? The refugees outside the city are all being housed in drafty wooden sheds—do you intend to freeze them to death just to boost your political achievements?”

“His Majesty ordered your Weizhou Prefecture to take in these refugees. Now that a massive crowd has surged in, have you not carefully planned how to manage this in the future?”

“Within the jurisdiction of Weizhou, there are so many fallow lands in the subordinate counties and mid-level counties; would you rather let them sit idle than have the refugees cultivate them?”

“Big Brother, big brother, please don't get excited. You mustn't get too worked up.” Mu Feng hurriedly offered a tea cup, glaring at Inspector Yu. “Inspector Yu, you must put more effort into the matter of settling the refugees. Do not think that everything can be handled by my brother. His health is poor and he cannot be overexerted; his presence here to steady the situation is already a massive favor to you!”

“Yes, yes, yes, the Young Master is absolutely right.” Yu Shoudao wiped sweat from his brow repeatedly, his mind a tangled mess.

Seeing that the Prince was becoming angry, Lu Qian also stepped forward urgently. “Lord Yu, you heard what the Prince just said. Your first priority is to issue an official decree to appease the people. Your second step is to order the clerks to quickly reclaim all fallow lands in the nearby towns and counties within a set timeframe.”

“The floods in the Guannan region have left the nearby prefectures with almost no harvest this year. These people have struggled to escape here; if you send them all back, aren't you just sending them back to wait for death?”

“Though the refugees are many, this is also an opportunity for you. If they are settled properly and the fallow lands are reclaimed, think about it—your Weizhou Prefecture's grain production could potentially double by next year's autumn harvest.”

“Therefore, the third step is to have the Registrar and clerks draft preferential policies—for example, how much fallow land a family of a certain size can reclaim and how much land can be allocated to them. Furthermore, within the limits permitted by the Imperial Court, you could appropriately reduce land taxes.”

As Yu Shoudao listened to these steps, it was as if a divine light had dawned upon him. His eyes lit up, seemingly envisioning a future of brilliant political achievements. He nodded frantically in agreement, bowed repeatedly, and muttered to himself as he turned to leave.

Mu Feng couldn't help but roll his eyes in吐槽. “This Inspector is truly something. He’s just reciting everything Brother Xiwen said word-for-word. He really has no thoughts of his own.”

“I don't know how he even attained this position. No wonder he’s been as motionless as a mountain for over a decade with no sign of promotion. He is truly a fool!”

Mu Zhao was also speechless. “It’s a struggle for Lu Xiwen to have to lay out every single step for him. He practically wants to spoon-feed the man.”

Lu Qian coughed lightly. “I only did it because I saw you growing angry, and the Inspector was too muddled to understand your meaning.”

“True, true, Brother Xiwen is the most thoughtful. Oh, Big Brother, don't be angry with such a fool. There will be plenty of work once the grain arrives tomorrow; for now, let's go rest.”

...

Weizhou Inspector's Mansion

Just as the gatekeeper pulled open the doors, he saw Nanny Hu stumbling in, crying out "Ouch, ouch!" as he rushed to support her.

“Nanny, what happened?”

Nanny Hu felt as though they had traveled through wind and snow, surviving a trial by ordeal, just to reach the doorstep. She felt like finding someone to hold her and weep.

“Quick, go notify the Madam. Miss Yu has been brought back.”

The gatekeeper couldn't help but curl his lip. He thought to himself that if she was back, she was back; seeing the Nanny's state, one would think they had brought back some extraordinary daughter of a great house, making such a fuss.

In reality, she was just a farm girl raised in the countryside.

The gatekeeper craned his neck to look outside and saw the carriage parked quietly to the side, with no one descending.

He said, “The Madam gave instructions previously: if this young lady returns, lead her directly to see the Madam. There is no need to disturb the Old Madam or anyone else.”

“Why hasn't she come down yet?” He essentially wanted Yu Linlang to step out of the carriage and enter the gate on her own.

Nanny Hu glared at him. “Why haven't you torn down the threshold yet to let the carriage in?”

Did this gatekeeper think this Miss Yu was some easy-to-deal-with person? If he provoked her, that fierce girl might come over and beat people in the street!

The old woman had been struck several times along the way; now, she only wanted to hand the girl over safely to the Madam to complete her duty.

Besides, Chongyuan Lane was a busy street filled with the relatives of many officials. If a scene were caused, it would be the Inspector's Mansion that lost face!

Pushed by the Nanny, the gatekeeper complied, albeit reluctantly.

Once the carriage had entered the mansion and come to a halt, Nanny Hu hurried forward with a beaming smile. “Miss Yu, I have sent word to the Madam. You may proceed to the Yuchun Courtyard to pay your respects shortly.”

The setting sun cast a golden glow, and the cold wind gusted.

Yu Linlang held Jiujin's hand and stepped slowly out of the carriage, her gaze falling upon the vast estate.

The gatekeeper and the servants all watched curiously to see the young lady's expression.

They had expected that facing such a mansion of carved beams and jade walls, they would see a hint of shock on her face. To their surprise, Miss Yu remained expressionless and entirely unmoved.

It was as if everything before her had nothing to do with her. This plain-looking Miss Yu showed no sign of intimidation, bearing little resemblance to the ignorant village woman they had imagined.

“Nanny Hu, why have you only just arrived?”

“The Madam has been watching the main gate these past two days, hoping for the Miss's return morning and night.” A brisk laugh rang out as a nimble, green-clad elderly woman appeared at the second gate, leading two beautiful young maids, approaching with a smile.

“You old woman, were you idling on the road?”

“Oh, dear sister, don't tease me! How would I dare? It was simply that the refugees were crowding the roads, making travel difficult.”

Turning to Yu Linlang, she gave a flattering smile. “Miss Yu, this is Nanny Zhao, who serves by the Madam's side.”

Yu Linlang gave a slight nod to acknowledge her.

Seeing her cold expression, Nanny Zhao froze for a moment before hurriedly smiling again. “The journey must have been exhausting for you, Miss. It is alright; your room has been prepared. Once you have met the Madam, you may go and rest.”

“Lead the way.” Yu Linlang coldly interrupted Nanny Zhao's pleasantries, signaling her to stop the nonsense and simply lead the way.

Nanny Zhao was left somewhat embarrassed by her bluntness. After composing herself, she gave a sheepish smile. “Very well, Miss, this way please.”

The two walked through the halls and courtyards toward the Yuchun Courtyard of Lady Huo, the Inspector's wife, while Nanny Hu led a group of maids closely behind.

Gradually, Nanny Zhao sensed something different.

She observed that this Miss Yu, who had been raised in the countryside since childhood, was not at all the timid or petty person they had imagined. On the contrary, her every step was composed and her conduct was disciplined; she moved with a steady, unhurried grace that was extremely dignified and elegant.

(End of Chapter)