Chapter 73: She in the Snow

Seeing the situation spiral out of control, Prince Qi’s face instantly flushed crimson, swelling like a pig’s belly.

He gritted his teeth, spat in fury: “Fine, Jiang Mingyu, you’re ruthless!” With a wave of his hand, he signaled his personal guards to follow, storming off in a frenzy.

Jiang Mingyu watched his retreating back with a cold sneer and muttered, “Good thing you’ve got sense. Next time you dare cause trouble, I won’t be so polite.”

Beside him, Cloud of the Murong furrowed his slender brows and said doubtfully, “Xingqiu, something feels off. Logically, Prince Qi’s city garrison should have tens of thousands of men—more than enough to mine coal. How come they can’t dig any out now?”

Jiang Mingyu blinked, agreeing: “You’re right. There must be hidden truths in the garrison we don’t yet know.”

He waved his hand dismissively. “Enough. There’s nothing we can do now. Everyone, get back to work—don’t let this delay you.” On the way back outside the city, Jiang Mingyu instructed Cloud of the Murong: “When you return to the county yamen, tell Gou Dan and Xiao Er to post notices immediately—starting tomorrow, repair civilian homes.”

“As before, prioritize the elderly and those without family or support.”

“Also, tell the people: I’ll collect the coal ash after burning—ten copper coins per cartload.”

The cold wind howled as Cloud of the Murong asked, puzzled: “My lord, why collect coal ash from the people?”

Jiang Mingyu narrowed his eyes and smiled: “For paving roads. Coal ash prevents slipping and looks good.”

Soon, Jiang Mingyu’s notices were plastered across every street and alley of Shangmu County.

The people gathered before the notices, whispering with joy. Elders wept with gratitude; women hugged their children, beaming.

Amid the biting wind, Shangmu County once again breathed with hope.

Jiang Mingyu gazed from afar, a faint smile tugging at his lips. He mounted his horse and returned to the county yamen.

“Come see—the Imperial Commissioner is going to repair our houses!”

“True? There are so many people in town—can they possibly fix them all?”

“The notice is right there—it can’t be fake. Not only that, you can trade coal ash for money.”

“...”

The people buzzed with talk, and Jiang Mingyu’s reputation as a benevolent ruler spread once more through street and alley.

Early the next morning, crowds of villagers spontaneously gathered before the county yamen, brimming with enthusiasm.

Jiang Mingyu didn’t hesitate—he divided the crowd into groups: some chopped trees, some hauled materials, others paved roads; masons began repairing homes...

The people temporarily forgot the cold, working feverishly in their assigned tasks.

At that moment, an unfamiliar visitor arrived at the county yamen.

When Cloud of the Murong found Jiang Mingyu, the latter was busy overseeing work: “Xingqiu, Master Liu is here at the yamen looking for you.”

Jiang Mingyu, mid-gesture, paused: “Which Master Liu?”

Cloud of the Murong explained: “You may not know, but this Master Liu is a well-known benefactor in town—not to be compared with scum like He Dachuan.”

Jiang Mingyu suddenly understood: “Ah, him! I wondered why the name sounded familiar. What does he want with me?”

As he spoke, he recalled hearing the same name mentioned by Wu Er at the tavern.

Cloud of the Murong cleared his throat, his expression complex: “He didn’t say why he came. You’d better go back to the yamen and see for yourself.”

Inside the county yamen, at noon.

Jiang Mingyu saw the middle-aged man before him, dressed in brocade robes, and bowed with a smile: “Master Liu, thank you for waiting.”

The man was slender as a bamboo stalk, yet his face always wore a kind smile, radiating an air of honest simplicity. After pleasantries, Jiang Mingyu asked his purpose.

The man introduced himself: “I am Liu Ximen. Hearing of your benevolent governance, I wish to offer my humble contribution.” With that, he withdrew a silver note from his sleeve: “Five thousand taels—my small token of goodwill toward the people.”

Jiang Mingyu politely refused several times before finally accepting the note: “Thank you, Master Liu, for your generosity. I will accept it on behalf of the townsfolk. Once things settle, I shall visit your home personally.”

Jiang Mingyu showed Liu Ximen around the yamen, where plaster peeled from walls, wooden floors slanted unevenly, and window frames creaked.

Liu Ximen frowned, surveying the surroundings, and teased: “My lord, busy repairing the people’s homes, yet leaving the yamen to freeze in the open air?”

Jiang Mingyu sighed with slight apology: “Master Liu understands—Shangmu County lacks everything. Money is needed everywhere; the treasury is empty.”

He pointed out the window at the street: “I am young and strong—I’ll devote my energy to the people first. If I spend time repairing the yamen while the people freeze or starve to death, what use is it for me to live alone in a palace?”

Liu Ximen’s gaze toward Jiang Mingyu grew more respectful; he nodded slowly: “My lord, your bearing and insight are truly remarkable. I am deeply impressed.”

Jiang Mingyu smiled: “To serve as an official is to bring benefit to one’s locality—it is merely one’s duty.”

He exchanged a few more polite words, then, unable to bear the yamen’s bitter cold, his face paled slightly, and he quickly took his leave.

Jiang Mingyu watched Liu Ximen depart, then turned back to Cloud of the Murong, burying himself in official duties for the rest of the afternoon.

Three days later, in the prefectural capital.

Huang Chaoran’s bloated, water-bucket face remained silent. He coldly asked his servant: “What news from Shangmu County?”

Since conspiring with He Hua to kill Jiang Mingyu, Huang Chaoran had dispatched riders to spy on Jiang Mingyu’s movements.

The servant, clad in coarse cotton robes, bowed quickly: “Master, Jiang Mingyu is leading the people to repair houses—he seems very busy.”

Huang Chaoran’s fat cheeks trembled as he grinned wickedly: “Good. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

“Go at once and tell that man to move—swift and decisive!”

Huang Chaoran narrowed his small eyes, his voice sharp: “I want to see if this man succeeds—will Jiang Mingyu still be hopping around after?”

With that, a cold, cruel glint flashed in his eyes, and a sinister smile curled his lips.

Watching his servant depart, Huang Chaoran’s mood lifted. He slapped his fat thigh and declared arrogantly: “Bring me wine! Today’s free—come with me to the pleasure quarters for some fun!”

The servant beside him forced a smile to dissuade him: “My lord, your father-in-law’s vengeance remains unfulfilled. If the Lady found out, she’d be displeased.”

The servant’s reference to “father-in-law” meant Huang Chaoran’s father-in-law, He Dachuan.

Huang Chaoran sneered dismissively: “What can she do if she knows? If not for the He family’s wealth, I’d never have lowered myself to marry some country bumpkin’s daughter!”

“Avenging that old bastard serves two purposes: first, to wipe away the shame I suffered at the Inspector’s mansion; second, to seize every silver coin Jiang Mingyu swindled from the He family.”

“Don’t mistake me for a fool—I don’t believe his nonsense about rebuilding the city. Jiang Mingyu is too green to challenge me!”

At this, a lewd grin spread across Huang Chaoran’s face: “Enough about him. Just thinking of the new young girl at Manchun Courtyard makes me restless—let’s go!”

With that, he strode off, his subordinates grimacing, forced to follow.

Shangmu County Yamen, at dusk.

That afternoon, heavy snowflakes suddenly began to fall, forcing Jiang Mingyu to halt work.

Standing by the window, watching the snow pile thicker outside, he chuckled bitterly: “We must speed up house repairs—if even one person freezes to death, it’s my fault.”

Beside him, wrapped in a cotton robe, Cloud of the Murong shivered, staring at the drafty rafters of the yamen, complaining: “This yamen must be repaired—if we keep going like this, we’ll be the first to freeze to death.”

Jiang Mingyu shivered too, then smiled: “You’re right. Let’s fix it.”

On Cloud of the Murong’s delicate face, a rare smile finally appeared: “That’s more like it.”

Jiang Mingyu rose: “Since we’re done today, let’s visit Master Liu’s home. He’s contributed so much for the people—I must thank him personally.”

With that, both wrapped their robes tighter, stepped out the yamen gate, and boarded a carriage bound for the Liu residence.

In southern Shangmu County, snowflakes fell like goose feathers, the wind howled, and thick drifts piled high on either side of the trees.

At the Liu residence gate, Jiang Mingyu saw Liu Ximen’s servants braving the snow, distributing sacks of grain to hurried, destitute passersby.

Jiang Mingyu nodded in admiration: “Master Liu is truly a good man.”

At that moment, Liu Ximen arrived, smiling warmly, and invited Jiang Mingyu inside to escape the snow: “My lord, you flatter me. The snow is heavy—please come in and rest.”

To Jiang Mingyu’s surprise, Liu Ximen’s home was unexpectedly simple and elegant, devoid of any wealthy extravagance. Liu Ximen smiled shyly: “My humble abode is plain—forgive the lack of refinement.”

Jiang Mingyu was about to say “Not at all,” but before the words left his lips, he saw a young woman in a pale purple dress walking slowly toward them.

Jiang Mingyu was momentarily stunned—he thought: This lady is a peerless beauty—her skin as white as snow, her features delicate and radiant, her eyes clear and refined, every movement exuding grace.

The woman smiled gently at Jiang Mingyu; his heart quickened, his face warmed, and he nearly stood frozen in place.