Yun Shu's expression shifted slightly before returning to normal.
Shen Yu and the others transporting grain to Wuling Prefecture was well within her expectations. They had always been like this—resolving whatever they could on their own, never asking for her help unless absolutely necessary.
She just hadn't expected them to choose the waterway.
This was indeed somewhat surprising.
As far as she knew, Xindu City had mostly been focusing on agriculture and industry in recent years. Since Zhenbei Prefecture did not border the sea, they hadn't spent much time or effort researching shipbuilding technology.
“Tongzi, where did Shen Yu and the others get such large ships to take to sea?” she asked the little fox quietly in her mind.
The little fox opened the system panel, checked, and said in a voice only Yun Shu could hear, “Host, they found the Fan family, the shipping giants of Liaodong Prefecture. This Fan family is quite interesting. In a chaotic world where men are revered and women are demeaned, the Fan family is the only prominent family headed by women. This is because the women of the Fan family are born with exceptionally sharp senses. At sea, they can even detect reefs by sound and determine their direction by listening to the wind.”
It continued scrolling down.
Spotting something, it suddenly let out a strange cry, its tone turning excited. “Host, you'll definitely never guess why the Fan family lent their ships to Shen Yu!”
“Oh? Why?” Yun Shu tilted her head to look at it.
The little fox leaned close to Yun Shu's ear. “The head of the Fan family took a liking to Shen Yu and wants him to be her son-in-law.”
“The head of the Fan family certainly has a sharp eye. Shen Yu's character and integrity are impeccable; he is indeed a very good man.” Yun Shu lowered her eyes in thought. “Given the current situation in the north, with the two brothers Shen Jue and Shen Yu—one controlling military power and the other political power—if Shen Yu wants to be the blade of reform in my hands, he must completely sever ties with the Shen family. Otherwise, he won't be able to push the reforms forward.”
After a moment of silence, she said, “Perhaps marrying into the female-headed Fan family is a good thing for Shen Yu. At least once he pushes the reforms through, I can still preserve his life and let him live out his retirement in leisure with the Fan family.”
She had witnessed all of Shen Yu's contributions along the way. If possible, she naturally wanted to protect him.
“Host, I'm afraid this won't work out.”
The little fox looked down and licked its paw. “Shen Yu didn't agree to become the Fan family head's son-in-law, and her daughter, Fan Miaozhen, already has her heart set on someone else. The only reason Shen Yu was able to borrow the Fan family's ships to transport grain to Wuling Prefecture this time is because he promised Fan Miaozhen that he would help find her beloved.”
Yun Shu felt a touch of regret.
The little fox couldn't help but offer a suggestion. “Host, don't you have the Moon-Guided Red Thread Set? I remember its skill can alter the red threads of fate. If you tie Shen Yu and Fan Miaozhen's red threads together, Fan Miaozhen can escape the pain of unrequited love, and Shen Yu can enjoy his retirement in peace. Isn't that a win-win?”
Yun Shu flatly rejected this terrible idea. “Matters of the heart must be mutual and voluntary.”
With that...
...her gaze shifted back to the crowd on the beach.
A thin layer of moonlight draped over the rocky beach. The sea breeze blew in, carrying a salty, fishy scent. It rustled her moon-white skirt and stirred the rising steam of the white porridge in everyone's hands, casting a warm glow over their pale, sallow faces.
“Pei Du, make proper arrangements for these commoners.”
Being addressed by the Divine Lady for the first time, Pei Du stepped forward, so nervous that he almost tripped over his own feet and made a fool of himself.
He bowed respectfully. “By Your command.”
The Divine Lady did not look at him again.
She turned and walked toward the sea, the silver embroidery on her skirt shimmering under the moonlight.
The giant fish on the sea let out a low, echoing cry.
Immediately after...
...its massive tail fin slowly slapped the water, sending waves churning into a silver-white staircase.
It extended directly from the surface of the sea to the edge of the rocky beach.
The Divine Lady stepped onto it and walked toward the ocean.
Seeing this, the crowd hurriedly prostrated themselves.
“We respectfully bid farewell to the Divine Lady!”
No sooner had the words left their mouths...
...than a flash of white light blinded everyone.
By the time the white light completely dispersed...
...only a solitary moon remained on the sea, along with the waves rising from beneath, scattering and gathering like shattered silver.
It was as if the Divine Lady had never been there.
Yet, the white porridge in everyone's hands was still hot.
A white-haired old woman lowered her head, pressed her nose to the rim of the bowl, and took a deep breath.
She swallowed her saliva several times, but instead of drinking it, she poured the entire bowl of porridge into a bamboo tube.
A child of about four or five nearby noticed the old woman's actions and looked up in confusion.
“Grandma, why aren't you drinking it? This white porridge is delicious! Look, I've already finished half a bowl.” He held his half-empty bowl to the old woman's lips, wanting her to taste it so she would know how good it was.
“Drink up, my good child. Grandma isn't hungry,” the old woman said, caressing the child's head with her wrinkled, bony hand.
A child's world was simple; he didn't understand the lies of the adult world and truly believed his grandmother wasn't hungry.
Watching this, Zhu Jingzhe's eyes welled with tears. He remembered how his own parents had been the same, always lying to him and his sister, saying they weren't hungry. But if they weren't hungry, how could they have starved to death at home?
“Grandma, take my porridge.” He poured his bowl of white porridge into the old woman's bamboo tube. “The Divine Lady and Her followers are like living Bodhisattvas. They've come to save our Wuling City. Trust me, our lives will only get better from now on. Don't hesitate to eat. Only by staying alive can you lead your grandson to a better life...”
As he spoke, his voice cracked, and tears streamed down his face uncontrollably.
Afraid of being seen by the old woman, he turned and ran.
But the old woman caught him by the arm. “Child, if you give your porridge to me, what will you drink?”
Zhu Jingzhe replied in a muffled voice, “I'm from Dawan Fishing Village. Our villagers wash clothes for the Zhenbei Army, and we get plenty of food in return every day. We don't lack food.”
“Washing clothes can get you food?”
The surrounding crowd crowded around excitedly, surrounding Zhu Jingzhe and asking all at once, “Young man, could you ask the Zhenbei Army for us if they need more people? I can wash clothes too, and I even know carpentry!”
“Me too!”
Zhu Jingzhe said helplessly, “I'm not sure if the Zhenbei Army still needs people for work, but I can ask Master Pei for you tomorrow.”
Everyone voiced their agreement.
...
The next morning, at dawn.
On the calm, waveless sea...
...six large ships emerged from the white fog. Their bows cut snowy wakes through the water, which were quickly swallowed by the dark undercurrents.
On the lead ship, Shen Ying leaned boredly against the railing, gazing out at the vast, boundless ocean.
As soon as Fang Shuo walked out of the cabin, he looked up and saw Shen Ying on the deck. Out of politeness, he approached her to greet her.
“Miss Shen, what a coincidence. Are you here to watch the sunrise too? I heard from Young Mistress Fan that the sunrise at sea is beautiful.”
Rate on N.U.
