Chapter 125: Rescuing the People Together

A one-meter-wide aisle was cleared in the center of the warehouse, directly facing the main entrance.

The officials had boiled hot water, and Wei Ruo instructed them to brew extra ginger tea to help everyone ward off the cold. She then wrote a prescription for the feverish little girl and handed it, along with the money for the medicine, to Hong Ping, the bailiff who had been shadowing her, asking him to help fetch the medicine. Wei Ruo specifically gave him extra silver, telling him to buy enough for several doses to keep on hand; with the wind and rain over the past few days, the little girl was likely not the only one who had caught a chill.

Xiumei hurried off to find the wet nurse, instructing her to bring over supplies—they were in dire need of quilts, food, and charcoal. Before leaving, Wei Ruo urged Xiumei to change into clean clothes at the nurse’s place before returning with her.

"What about you, Miss?" Xiumei asked, full of concern.

"I’m fine," Wei Ruo replied. "I’ll handle myself later."

"But—"

"Go quickly and return," Wei Ruo interrupted.

Xiumei had no choice but to agree. "Very well."

Once those tasks were settled, Wei Ruo finally had a moment to ask Wei Jinyi, "Second Brother, why did you return early?"

"It has been raining for days, and I had a premonition that something might happen in Xingshan County," Wei Jinyi said. The rain had been widespread, affecting Huzhou Prefecture as well, but the situation there was far better than in Xingshan. Wei Jinyi had likely guessed that it was raining in Xingshan too and that, due to its inferior infrastructure, the situation would be dire. As it turned out, he arrived to find things in a terrible state.

He had intended to return to the Colonel’s Mansion first, but halfway there, he encountered servants from the Wei household out purchasing supplies and learned that Wei Ruo was not at home. Guessing she might have gone to the south side of the city, he headed that way and met the county magistrate’s team escorting the residents to safety. Upon inquiry, he learned Wei Ruo was still there and rushed to join her.

Wei Jinyi looked at Wei Ruo’s soaked clothing and said, "Follow me."

Before she could even voice her confusion, Wei Jinyi pulled her into a side room. It was a cluttered utility room, but a clean chair had been set out, with a set of clothes laid upon it. Wei Jinyi led her inside, then stepped back out and closed the door behind him. "Change your shoes first," he said from the other side.

Wei Ruo looked into the room to find a pair of newly purchased shoes and socks, as well as a dry towel.

Her feet had been soaked through while she was in the fields on the south side of the city, but she had been too occupied with caring for the little girl and settling the displaced residents to notice. Her feet had been submerged in water for too long; if left unattended, it would be detrimental to her health, even if she managed to avoid catching a cold.

Wei Ruo sat down to change her footwear and asked through the door, "Second Brother, when did you manage to get these clean shoes and socks?"

"I had Xiaobei buy them," Wei Jinyi replied, his back against the door, his gaze fixed straight ahead.

"How did you know what size I wear?" Wei Ruo asked. Shoes for ladies of wealthy families were usually custom-made, and outsiders would rarely know her size.

"When you returned from the south side, your soles were covered in mud, leaving prints on the ground."

"Second Brother, you really are quite observant!" Wei Ruo praised.

Wei Jinyi did not respond, instead urging, "Once you’ve changed, if things here are settled, head back to the mansion. You need a hot bath and a change of clothes."

"If I’m going back anyway, why go through the trouble of having me change my shoes now?" Wei Ruo asked.

"The sooner, the better," Wei Jinyi replied.

"Are you worried I’ll catch a chill, Second Brother?" Wei Ruo teased with a smile.

Silence followed. Well, the answer was clearly yes; her Second Brother just didn't want to admit it himself.

After changing, Wei Ruo wrapped her damp shoes and socks in a cloth that had been prepared for her. To have thought of even that detail—her Second Brother was truly meticulous.

Once they stepped outside, Wei Ruo said, "Let’s go back to the mansion. It’s not just me; you should also take a hot bath and change. Your health is your capital; if you want to save others, you must first take care of yourself."

"Do you not still have things to attend to?"

"The supplies will take a while to arrive, and the medicine needs time to be prepared. There is no point in me just waiting here; I might as well go back and tidy up."

Wei Jinyi nodded. As long as Wei Ruo had no reservations, he had no objections.

He escorted her back to the Colonel’s Mansion. When they reached the entrance of Tingsong Garden, Wei Jinyi stopped. Although Wei Ruo had frequently run into his courtyard and even his bedroom, he had always strictly observed propriety and never entered her quarters without cause. After watching her enter the house, he returned to his own courtyard to change his clothes and shoes.

Inside her room at Tingsong Garden, Wei Ruo didn't have time for a long bath. To save time, she wiped her body down with hot water and changed into clean clothes. She then opened her personal medicine chest and selected a few items to carry with her. Among the people transferred to the warehouse, there might be others besides that little girl at risk of catching a chill or falling ill from other ailments; having these common medicines on hand would be a useful precaution.

She then went to meet Wei Jinyi, ready to head out again.

Just as they were about to leave, Madam Yun, accompanied by her maid Cuiping, arrived at the entrance of Tingsong Garden and blocked their path.

"Ruo'er, you are not to go out again," Madam Yun said with a stern expression.

"I have important matters to attend to," Wei Ruo replied.

"No matter how important they are, you cannot spend your days running about outside. Your Second Brother is a man and can go where he pleases, but you cannot."

Wei Ruo explained, "I am not running about aimlessly. I am helping to relocate and settle the people from the south side. In this weather, if we leave them to their own devices, they will starve or freeze to death."

"The officials will handle the commoners. You are a young lady of a noble family; constantly mixing with them will ruin your reputation," Madam Yun cautioned.

"I do not believe I am doing anything wrong. My heart is upright, and I conduct myself with dignity. Propriety is for ordinary times; these are extraordinary circumstances. Countless people are suffering, and all rules of etiquette should yield in the face of such a disaster," Wei Ruo stated firmly.

"Just because you think that way doesn't mean others will. Once the rain clears, your current actions will be seen as improper and will invite gossip."

"Then I shall have no regrets," Wei Ruo said, her gaze steady and unwavering.

Madam Yun frowned. "Why must you be so stubborn? I am doing this for your own good. I am worried about you; I fear the consequences..."

At that moment, Wei Jinyi spoke up, "I believe Father, who is currently dedicating himself to saving the people from their plight, would fully approve of my younger sister’s actions."