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Jiang Qingqing stood at a high vantage point and witnessed the scene unfolding below.
She immediately informed Jiang Yu, urging him to prepare the anesthetic needles.
“Jiang Yu, hurry up.”
Jiang Yu temporarily set aside his inner turmoil, took the anesthetic needles, and swiftly stabbed them into the acupoints of several men who were leading the riot.
The large men, who had been charging recklessly through the crowd, suddenly lost all sensation in their limbs and collapsed straight to the ground.
However, their consciousness remained intact.
Terrified, they stared at the needles embedded in their acupoints, struggling to move but finding themselves completely paralyzed.
“Murder! The Governor’s Office is killing people!”
“My legs! Why can’t I feel my legs?!”
One of the men lay stiffly on the ground, as if he had seen a ghost, unable to comprehend why he was suddenly immobile.
He attempted to incite the gathered citizens by accusing the Governor’s Office of murder.
However, the hungry people, focused solely on the food, didn’t spare them a glance.
The orderly queue remained intact.
Even those who had considered taking advantage of the chaos hesitated after seeing the fate of the troublemakers. Not daring to cause any disturbances, they quietly lined up at the back.
The citizens who received the steamed buns were overwhelmed with emotion at the fragrant aroma.
Their eyes reddened with excitement.
With hands covered in dirt and grime, they held the two buns as if they were the most precious treasures, trembling as they brought them to their lips.
They took small, careful bites, unwilling to devour them too quickly.
This was real food—actual, tangible sustenance!
Then there was the bottled water—clean, sweet, and refreshing. It moistened their cracked lips and parched throats.
“Holy water! The court hasn’t abandoned us after all!”
Deep down, they all knew that there must have been an internal power struggle within the imperial court.
Otherwise, the new governor appointed by the Empress Dowager wouldn’t have been allowed to oppress the people of Weizhou so freely.
Yet now, with Xu Jifeng representing the Emperor’s faction, distributing food despite having been suppressed before, did this mean that the Emperor was reclaiming control over Weizhou?
“His Majesty is wise! Long live the Emperor!”
Among those receiving food, one person suddenly dropped to his knees.
Soon, more and more people followed suit.
Though weak from hunger, their trembling bodies still turned toward the capital as they collectively knelt down.
Their voices grew louder and more powerful.
“Long live the Emperor!”
“Long live the Emperor!”
The chants echoed through the narrow alleyway.
Jiang Qingqing stood on the high platform, stunned.
Watching the people kneeling and shouting with unwavering devotion, she felt an unexpected warmth spread through her heart.
Her vision blurred.
It was the imperial court that had failed them first.
So why did they still hold such deep loyalty?
Xu Jifeng, also moved by the sight, explained to Jiang Qingqing:
“Your Highness, both Weizhou and Yingzhou were historically exempt from taxation. These two places were the only exceptions among the twelve cities of Great Liang.”
“Because they are near the borders and have suffered from constant warfare, His Majesty changed the policy after ascending the throne.”
“As a result, the people here hold deep admiration for the imperial court and the Jiang family army.”
“But now…”
Jiang Qingqing turned her gaze toward Xu Jifeng, understanding the unspoken words he left hanging.
With the instigators subdued, order was fully restored.
Some citizens even helped others carry their food supplies.
The news of free food being distributed at the Governor’s Office quickly spread, reaching further and further.
Zhang Yuan lounged on a luxurious couch, surrounded by dancing women, sipping fine wine with a hazy expression.
His large, greasy body exuded an air of decadence, making him repulsive at first sight.
“Bring me some grapes,” he ordered lazily, kicking the concubine kneeling beside him.
As the newly appointed Governor of Weizhou and the Empress Dowager’s nephew, Zhang Yuan wielded immense power in the region. Calling him the “local tyrant” wouldn’t be an exaggeration.
Watching his wealth grow as he exploited the people, Zhang Yuan’s greed only intensified.
He even entertained thoughts of extending his influence into neighboring Daizhou.
Just then, a subordinate rushed in, panic-stricken.
“My Lord! Terrible news! Former Governor Xu is distributing food in front of the Governor’s Office! The entire city is flocking there!”
Zhang Yuan’s face twisted with rage.
He hurled his wine cup at the messenger, smashing it against his body.
“Who the hell is ‘Governor Xu’? There is only one Governor of Weizhou now, and that is me!”
The subordinate quickly nodded in agreement.
“Yes, yes! You are the only true Governor of Weizhou, my Lord!”
Satisfied with the flattery, Zhang Yuan stood up and cast a contemptuous glance at the spy kneeling before him.
“You’re telling me Xu Jifeng is distributing food? Are you sure about this? Where would he even get the supplies? Didn’t we already confiscate everything?”
“Or are you telling me you didn’t do a thorough job?”
He kicked the spy menacingly.
The subordinate groaned in pain, repeatedly begging for mercy.
“My Lord, we took everything! We made sure there wasn’t a single grain of rice left for them!”
Zhang Yuan snorted.
Brushing the wrinkles from his official robes, he strutted toward the exit, his large belly swaying with each step.
“Come, let’s go see just how many resources Xu Jifeng has left.”
Since Xu Jifeng wanted to play the hero, Zhang Yuan would simply seize all the food and force the people to buy it from him instead.
That would bring in a hefty profit.
Zhang Yuan smirked at the thought.
Zhang Yuan arrived with a large squadron of armed guards, surrounding the alleyway completely.
The guards, clad in armor and wielding swords, numbered over a hundred.
The citizens, who had been lining up with newfound hope, froze in fear upon seeing the soldiers.
“Why are the officials here?”
“And why are they armed? Are they going to stop the food distribution?”
Whispers of concern spread through the crowd.
The soldiers parted, making way for Zhang Yuan, who strolled forward leisurely.
He spotted Xu Jifeng standing beneath the sign of the Governor’s Office and narrowed his eyes.
With a mocking tone, he sneered, “Governor Xu, what an impressive display of authority. I wonder where you looted these supplies from, to be so generous with the people?”
“What if the food is poisoned?”
With a wave of his hand, he ordered, “Seize all the food immediately!”
“This is for the safety of the citizens!”
Zhang Yuan spoke with a righteous facade, while his guards prepared to take action.
Xu Jifeng frowned.
He had no patience for Zhang Yuan’s antics.
“How dare you! These are provisions granted by the imperial court! Her Highness is here—do you really think you can just take them?”
Zhang Yuan paused, only now noticing the man and woman standing beside Xu Jifeng.
Their faces seemed oddly familiar.
Then it hit him.
“Hah! So that’s how it is, Xu Jifeng. You’re harboring fugitives of the imperial court!”
“Men! Arrest all three of them!”
Zhang Yuan was ecstatic.
Capturing these two wanted criminals and presenting them to the Empress Dowager would be far more valuable than confiscating food.
He might even earn a high-ranking position in the palace!
Xu Jifeng, having been confined to the Governor’s Office for days, was unaware that Jiang Qingqing and Jiang Yu were now fugitives.
He simply thought Zhang Yuan was growing bolder.
To dare act so recklessly in front of a royal princess—he was playing with fire.
Miumi[Translator]
💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜 I’ll try to release 2 or more chapters daily and unlock 2 chapters every Sunday. Support me at https://ko-fi.com/miumisakura For any questions or concerns, DM me on Discord at psychereader/miumi.