"Can you tell me where you're from?"
Ye Qingcheng intended to listen to their stories carefully.
If she was going to get involved, she would do it thoroughly.
"My family is from Longchuan, the drought is too severe this year." "I came from Sui Jiang Estuary. The corrupt officials there were inhuman, and they wanted to fight the barbarians again. I couldn't stand it, so I ran this way." "I..."
Ye Qingcheng's heart sank. Not only were there people fleeing the drought to the north, but also people fleeing from foreign enemy harassment to the south. If the refugees flooding into the capital were not properly cared for and settled, trouble would surely arise sooner or later.
"Before, we all heard that the capital was good, that the capital was prosperous, that everyone in the capital dressed neatly, and that the food was extremely good. Now that we've arrived, we know that the ones living well are the people in the capital. We who have come here to receive relief are outsiders! Unworthy!"
A beggar elder gestured wildly, spittle flying, the grief on his face overshadowing his entire countenance.
Ye Qingcheng remained silent. A group of ragged people kept stealing glances at her, trying to figure out what good deed the noble lady was intending to perform.
If only they could be given a meal, their children hadn't eaten their fill in a long time.
"Where do you usually sleep?" Ye Qingcheng asked.
"Wherever we can sleep, we sleep there. Usually in the alleys and on the streets. If we're chased away, we find another place to sleep. If we can't afford the protection fees for that territory, then we truly have nowhere to sleep."
This group of refugees survived better by sticking together, and they didn't have a good relationship with the local beggars.
Without a fixed residence or source of food, they drifted from place to place.
Ye Qingcheng felt that this matter needed to be resolved from top to bottom.
She gave the group some money, enough for them to eat for two or three days, and left amidst their thanks.
On her way back to the prince's manor, she pondered the issue. But then she stopped halfway. She didn't know how Xiao Wangye would view this matter – would he consider the lives of refugees as worthless, or would he genuinely be generous and intervene?
Ye Qingcheng's gaze wandered aimlessly, but suddenly, as if seeing something, her eyes fixed sharply.
If she had transmigrated from the apocalypse, besides herself, only Xiao Wangye had a face identical to his past life.
Now she saw a third person.
Ye Qingcheng gasped.
It was a scholar in front of a bookstore, chatting with the merchant with a smile, wearing clothes with a few patches.
The moment Ye Qingcheng saw his smile, she felt an urge to hit him that welled up from her memory.
In the apocalypse, although she could be said to have wandered alone, she was a drifter who occasionally joined other teams.
But.
She still had a first love she often missed, and a brother who had gotten himself killed fighting zombies in the early days of the apocalypse.
If seeing Xiao Wangye at first was a reminder of him, triggering thoughts of beautiful memories.
Then seeing her brother was a bitterness and grievance that made her grit her teeth.
Could there really be so many people who looked alike in the world?
What was the connection between this world and the apocalypse she came from?
Su Yu was ingratiating himself with the shopkeeper, but in reality, he was calculating how to rent this copy of "Wu Huazi Discussing the Dao" from him at a lower price.
While he was formulating his plan, he suddenly heard a young woman's voice.
"Shopkeeper, how much is this book? I'll take it!"
Ye Qingcheng cut in, her gaze fixed on Su Yu's face.
She compared their faces at close range.
The curve of the nose, the lines of the eyes, the size of the mouth.
The last time she did this was after her brother Ye Mingze had turned into a zombie.
Su Yu paused, then smiled at Ye Qingcheng and said, "Miss, do you know what this book is about?"
"No, but I want it," Ye Qingcheng said generously. She wasn't penniless anymore; she had some assets now.
"This book," Su Yu's face showed a playful expression, "tells the story of Wu Huazi discussing the Dao on Xin Nü Mountain back then. And on Xin Nü Mountain, there was a renowned nunnery..."
Ye Qingcheng felt this explanation had a familiar annoying quality. Her nose twitched, and she retorted directly, "Just make it up! Why don't you make yourself the Wu Huazi from back then!"
Su Yu: "..."
He felt this young woman gave him a strange feeling, but he couldn't quite articulate it.
The bookstore owner said to Ye Qingcheng with a pleasant smile, "Miss, don't listen to him babble. This book was clearly inspired by Wu Huazi sitting on the mountain back then. This brat has a dog's mouth that doesn't spout ivory; he doesn't recognize good things."
Ye Qingcheng cheerfully paid the money and took the book, then triumphantly held it up to Su Yu.
Hmph, you little thing.
"What is your name? Tell me, and I'll lend you the book."
The bookstore owner, watching the innocent young man Su Yu being teased by the domineering girl, leisurely poured a cup of tea.
Su Yu said seriously, "Miss, you may not know, but I, Huang, was born without parents. I only have heaven and earth, and my teachers. Following my teachers' words, I cannot casually exchange names with others."
Ye Qingcheng blinked, "There's such a custom?"
Su Yu nodded calmly.
"Then, if I lend you the book, where should I find you to return it?"
Ye Qingcheng couldn't help but want to laugh at herself, feeling like a bold young girl chasing after her crush, hahaha.
"How about in this bookstore? I'll return the book after I've copied it. What do you think, Miss?"
But then you could just pack up and disappear anywhere, Ye Qingcheng thought.
At this moment, the owner, who had been watching the show, patted his broad chest and assured Ye Qingcheng, "Don't worry, Miss. This kid often comes here to rent books. I recognize him."
Ye Qingcheng had no other choice but to agree.
Su Yu, under Ye Qingcheng's gaze, which felt like an X-ray, breathed a sigh of relief as he left.
Ye Qingcheng once again set off on the road back to the prince's manor, feeling her steps grow heavy.
Coincidence, coincidence, coincidence.
Ye Qingcheng didn't quite believe it was a coincidence.
What if she wasn't the only one who had transmigrated?
Ye Qingcheng pursed her lips, uncharacteristically at a loss.
The butler opened the large door for her. Ye Qingcheng nodded at him and asked, "Is the prince in?"
"The prince is in the study."
Ye Qingcheng had prepared what she wanted to say on the way, but at the study door, she was stopped by Xiao Si.
"Princess Consort, His Highness is discussing important matters with someone."
Ye Qingcheng was too lazy to wait here, so she waved to Xiao Si and said, "Then I'll come back later."
Inside the study, several generals were arguing heatedly.
"Fighting those barbarians is our bread and butter. Don't talk about others, I, Huang Lishen, if given 30,000 troops, can kill 50,000 of them."
"You shameless old scoundrel! Who doesn't know how many of our civilians you've counted in? You talk about fighting barbarians, but you even attacked your own people before!"
"Your Highness, your subordinate believes that the urgent matter at hand is the matter of grain and fodder..."
Xiao Wangye rubbed his temples and made a gesture for silence.