When they saw the table full of steaming hot dishes, everyone couldn’t help but swallow.

“Everyone, please don’t be shy. Have a seat,” Shen Qingwan invited them.

Gu Tingyi sat at the head of the table, while Shen Qingwan sat to his right.

The others followed suit and took their seats.

Seeing that Chen Bin was still standing foolishly behind him, Gu Tingyi immediately scolded, “What are you waiting for, boy? Do you expect this general to personally invite you? Sit down already!”

Chen Bin was Gu Tingyi’s personal guard.

Normally, when the general dined, he would stand aside.

But that was when food was not scarce. Lately, food had been so limited that the general had shared his own meals with him more than once.

To Gu Tingyi, Chen Bin was never just a servant but a trusted aide.

Chen Bin grinned sheepishly, then found a seat without hesitation.

Beside them were large baskets filled with steamed buns.

Someone impatiently began distributing them to everyone.

Gu Tingyi noticed that some of them were practically drooling over the table and couldn’t help but laugh and curse, “It’s already come to this—no need for formalities! Eat up! But don’t waste anything!”

With that, Gu Tingyi grabbed a white steamed bun and took a big bite.

Seeing this, the others followed suit, grabbing buns and helping themselves to the dishes.

Normally, they were a bunch of rough soldiers who ate without manners, but today, with Shen Qingwan present, they restrained themselves for fear of embarrassing their general.

Shen Qingwan knew they were starving and didn’t mind their voracious eating.

In no time, the table full of meat and fish, along with the baskets of steamed buns, was nearly empty.

One of the tallest and most robust soldiers had already eaten six buns and was still holding two more.

He had a large frame and a bigger appetite than most.

Noticing Shen Qingwan looking at him, he smiled awkwardly, and she returned a gentle smile.

They had been so hungry that they devoured the food like a storm, barely pausing to speak.

Only when the plates were empty and the two baskets of buns were nearly gone did they finally start burping in satisfaction.

Even Gu Tingyi couldn’t help but burp, feeling fuller than he had in a long time.

“Apologies for the lack of decorum, Shen Gongzi,” Gu Tingyi finally addressed Shen Qingwan after his meal.

Shen Qingwan smiled, unconcerned, and waved her hand. “General Gu, there’s no need to be so formal. I am not a refined noble myself and do not care for such etiquette. Besides, you have all been starving for a long time—eating quickly is only natural.”

Seeing how easygoing and unpretentious Shen Qingwan was, Gu Tingyi found himself liking her even more.

After the meal, Gu Tingyi led his men back to the military camp.

Before they left, Shen Qingwan insisted they take the remaining baskets of steamed buns.

Gu Tingyi did not refuse, knowing there were still many soldiers in the camp waiting for food—he could not afford to be polite.

That night, large cauldrons were set up in the Northwest military camp.

Soldiers who had been on the brink of collapse regained their strength after drinking a bowl of hot porridge.

The once lifeless camp seemed to come alive again.

The next day, the troops were given white rice and steaming hot buns—something they hadn’t had in ages.

At noon, Shen Qingwan took out thirty freshly slaughtered pigs, along with some beef and mutton, and sent them to the camp.

Gu Tingyi was stunned when he saw the meat.

Transporting grain over long distances was one thing, but fresh meat?

That was much harder to store.

Moreover, the pigs seemed to have been slaughtered just recently—the meat was still fresh.

“Shen Gongzi, where did all this meat come from?” Gu Tingyi was well aware of the situation in Xijiang City.

Even if the entire city’s meat supply were combined, it wouldn’t amount to this much.

“If the general still wants more grain and meat in the future, it’s best not to ask too many questions. Just know that I came here on a mission to deliver supplies to the Northwest Army, and I would never deceive you,” Shen Qingwan said without further explanation.

Gu Tingyi pondered.

Shen Qingwan was working under the War King.

Given the War King’s capabilities, transporting grain and meat to them wasn’t impossible.

The fact that the War King was supporting the Northwest Army in these difficult times was already a blessing—he had no reason to doubt Shen Qingwan.

“Alright, I won’t ask,” Gu Tingyi said. “But previously, you mentioned this was only the first batch of supplies. Does that mean more is coming?”

Shen Qingwan nodded. “The War King has prepared 200,000 stone of grain for the Northwest Army. I personally contributed another 100,000 stone, making it a total of 300,000 stone. This should be enough to help the army through this crisis. If you need more in the future, just send me a letter—I will make sure the supplies arrive as soon as possible.”

Shen Qingwan wasn’t sure if Beichen Yuan would continue to send supplies to the Northwest Army, so she didn’t suggest contacting him.

However, she was determined to help her own father, though she had no plans of revealing their relationship just yet.

“Shen Gongzi… you’re not actually under the War King, are you?” Gu Tingyi was no fool.

From Shen Qingwan’s words, it was clear she was not his subordinate.

Otherwise, she would have told him to contact the War King instead of herself.

This meant she had full control over the grain supply.

“I have a business relationship with the War King,” Shen Qingwan explained. “He simply entrusted me with delivering this batch of supplies. Once my task is complete, I will be returning. However, I am a grain merchant and have some extra reserves. When I heard the Northwest Army was lacking food, I decided to contribute 100,000 stone. If you need more supplies in the future, you can contact me directly. I may not be able to promise much, but I can provide grain.”

Shen Qingwan was more than willing to help her father.

Just looking at his face alone, she couldn’t stand by and do nothing.

Hearing that she was a grain merchant and capable enough to work with the War King, Gu Tingyi realized she was someone truly remarkable.

However, thoughts of his wife’s fate soon clouded his mind. He hesitated before looking at Shen Qingwan seriously.

“Thank you for your generosity, Shen Gongzi. I promise that once the war is over, I will personally recommend you for recognition. But aside from food supplies, I have a personal matter to ask for your help with. I wonder if it would be convenient?”

“Please speak, General. If it is within my ability, I will not refuse.” Shen Qingwan had a good impression of Gu Tingyi and saw no reason to reject him.

Gu Tingyi sighed deeply, hesitating before speaking. “Some time ago, my wife and her younger sister came to the Northwest to find me. Unfortunately, they encountered a riot of refugees and were separated in the chaos. My sister-in-law made it to the military camp, but my wife is still missing. I have sent men to search for her, but we have found nothing. Since you are a merchant with extensive connections, I was hoping you could help me find her. If you do, I will be eternally grateful.”

When speaking of his wife, Gu Tingyi did not refer to himself as “General,” but as a desperate husband asking for help.

Shen Qingwan did not immediately agree. Instead, she looked at him and asked, “Don’t you think this situation is strange?”

Gu Tingyi frowned. “What do you mean, Shen Gongzi?”

“Your wife was safe in your manor. Why would she suddenly travel to the Northwest? Your household has guards, doesn’t it? If they brought enough men, how could they be separated so easily? And shouldn’t those guards have prioritized protecting your wife? Why is your sister-in-law safe while your wife is missing? After such an ordeal, shouldn’t she be searching desperately for her sister? Where is she now?”