Chapter 298: Touring
As his mood got better, Feng Xiyan gently explained, "By now, most of the refugees should already be at work. Those who remain are the old, sick, and disabled. It should be fine for us to go inside now."
Bai Hanyun’s eyes brightened at his words. She got closer to him and whispered, "That means it’s the perfect chance to gather some information. Let’s go."
With her tugging him along, Feng Xiyan could only follow, a smile lingering on his lips.
The coachman, who had watched everything unfold, blinked in disbelief. He rubbed his eyes and muttered, "Is that really my stern, expressionless Great General who always stays clear of women?"
Yet, despite his doubts, the coachman could only watch as Bai Hanyun excitedly pulled a smiling Feng Xiyan into the refugee camp.
Stepping past the gate, Bai Hanyun was met with countless curious gazes—eyes filled with both fear and vigilance.
A child, no older than three, stared at her before carefully walking closer. In a timid voice, he asked, "Elder Sister, did you come here to buy a servant?"
The question stunned Bai Hanyun. Memories of her own past flickered through her mind as she crouched down to meet the child’s eyes.
"Why do you ask? Are you planning to sell yourself to me?" she teased gently.
The boy hesitated, fiddling with the hem of his clothes, then answered cautiously, "I overheard our neighbor say that if I can work for a wealthy family, I will get free food and earn money to support my family."
He lowered his voice and explained, "My mother is sick, and my elder brothers and sisters can’t earn enough to buy her medicine. If I can find a place to work, I can help earn money for her medicine and lessen the burden on my family."
Listening to his words, Bai Hanyun sighed inwardly at the suffering of the common people.
"You are a good child," she said softly. ".... Too considerate for your age."
After a brief pause, she turned to Feng Xiyan and asked, "Feng Xiyan, what kind of money do you use here?"
"We mainly use barter as a method of trade," Feng Xiyan explained calmly. "Most people here refuse to accept the official currency."
Turning back to the boy, Bai Hanyun said gently, "Little Brother, did you hear what that elder brother said? You can’t use money to buy things here."
At her words, the child’s eyes slowly reddened while tears spilled down his cheeks. Struggling to hold back his sobs, he asked, "Then... then how can I buy medicine for my mother?"
Seeing his tears staining his little face, Bai Hanyun pulled a pack of tissues from her backpack and wiped his face.
"Don’t cry," she said softly yet firmly. "Tears won’t solve your problem."
The boy froze for a moment, stunned by her gentleness and the words she had spoken. Then, with newfound determination in his eyes, he nodded.
Letting her wipe away his tears and snot, he whispered, "Elder Sister, I won’t cry."
Satisfied with his answer, Bai Hanyun took out a pack of beef jerky and placed it into the child’s small hands.
Leaning closer, she whispered, "Use this to buy medicine for your mother. But remember, wealth can bring disaster to those who cannot protect themselves. Don’t trade it all at once. Exchange it little by little."
She thought for a second, then added, "Just one piece of this jerky should be enough to buy some medicine. And if, after trying everything, you still can’t solve your problem, come find me at the Great General’s Mansion. Do you understand?"
The child nodded and replied, "Yes."
Standing up, Bai Hanyun gently patted his head. "Remember, I only help those who help themselves."
Leaving those words behind, she turned with a smile to Feng Xiyan and said, "Let’s go see another place."
Staring at her cheerful expression, Feng Xiyan paused for a second before saying, "Alright."
As the two of them walked away, the little boy clutched the pack of jerky tightly to his chest. After a moment, he fell to his knees and kowtowed deeply toward Bai Hanyun’s departing figure.
Meanwhile, Feng Xiyan kept his eyes on her as they walked around the refugee camp.
Noticing his gaze, Bai Hanyun adjusted her hat, making sure the veil still covered her face.
Finding nothing wrong with her hat, she frowned slightly and asked, "Why are you staring at me? Is there something wrong with my hat?"
Feng Xiyan was silent for a moment before smiling faintly. "Nothing. Miss Bai... is as kind as ever."
Bai Hanyun tilted her head, unsure why he suddenly praised her. With a hint of confusion, she murmured, "Thank you...?"
Chuckling at her cute response, Feng Xiyan said, "You are welcome."
Scratching her cheek, Bai Hanyun felt that Feng Xiyan’s gaze carried a subtle difference from before, though she couldn’t quite place what it was.
An hour later, Bai Hanyun and Feng Xiyan finished their tour of the refugee camp.
Standing at the entrance, Feng Xiyan glanced at the sun’s position and said, "Miss Bai, it’s almost the beginning of chen shi. You must be hungry after all this walking. How about we return to my mansion for breakfast before continuing?"
Rubbing her flat stomach, Bai Hanyun nodded. "Mhm. After breakfast, I want to visit the temple."
"Alright. We will do as you wish," Feng Xiyan replied gently as he helped her back into the carriage.
Once they were seated, the coachman flicked his whip, and the horses began to move at a steady pace.
As the carriage disappeared down the road, Gui Ying walked out from behind a dead tree. Raising his brows slightly, he watched the horse carriage vanish into the distance.
"That figure... it looks familiar. Where did I see her before?" he muttered, trying to recall where he had seen that veiled woman.
A moment later, realization flickered in his eyes. Gui Ying chuckled in a good mood and muttered, "So it’s her."