Chapter 320 - A Vicious Scheme!

When Baili Junyi and Shen Ninghua returned to their residence, they looked rather dismayed.

It was such a perfect plot from the Zhou Family. After today’s incidents, the citizens and disaster victims would be grateful to Zhou Ziqing. If they wanted to make a move on him and his family without any solid proof, the people would certainly help the Zhou Family clear their name.

However, with Zhou Ziqing’s style of conduct, it would be hard for them to find evidence against him.

Baili Junyi carefully looked at the reports that his subordinate submitted and finally threw them to the corner of the table. “The Zhou Family, what a character. I never expect such a character is hidden in the tiny Zhou City. I don’t know where to start.” He had repeated this thought over and over again in his mind, and his feelings intensified.

Shen Ninghua nodded. “Yes, a family can control a city. Zhou Ziqing is not to be underestimated.”

Baili Junyi held her hand and felt her cold fingertips. Then, he pulled her to bed and assured her, “Sleep. We’ll slowly plan our tactics. The Zhou Family has been occupying Zhou City for years. It’s not easy to get rid of them in a short time, and we have to make our plans properly.”

Nestling in his arms, Shen Ninghua closed her eyes and nodded. “Alright, I got it.”

On the other hand, Zhou Da, who had just finished settling the porridge sheds, stood in front of Zhou Ziqing in jittery. It was a cool night, but sweats drenched his forehead. “Patriarch, I was reckless today. I never expect Princess Zhaohua to be so meticulous, and she could even tell something was off from such a tiny detail.”

Fortunately, Zhou Ziqing arrived in time and warned the man who poisoned the well not to speak nonsense with the sachet he had on him. Otherwise, the consequences would be disastrous. After all, that man was an important clue.

Zhou Ziqing looked up and glared at him coldly. “I’ve told you over and over again that you can’t treat Baili Junyi and Shen Ninghua as ordinary people. They can turn the capital upside down. Do you think Zhou City is more difficult to deal with than the capital where the Emperor resides?!”

“Yes, I’ve always kept your words in mind and constantly reminded the men who worked for me, but they turned a deaf ear to my warning.”

Zhou Ziqing frowned. “Enough with your excuse. You failed your task, and it won’t change the fact no matter how many excuses you find. Luckily, the matter has been resolved and the people and victims have a better impression of the Zhou Family. Take this opportunity to win their hearts.”

“Win their hearts?” Zhou Da was a little clueless. “They’re just a bunch of homeless refugees. Why do we have to win their hearts?”

“Zhou Da, after being a magistrate for so many years, do you still not understand the role of the people?” Zhou Ziqing’s eyes turned cold.

“I’m sorry. The disaster victims can increase the Zhou Family’s prestige, but we have to spend a lot of resources on them. I don’t understand your intention. Please enlighten me.” Zhou Da bowed so low that his head almost touched his knees. The confusion on his face was self-evident.

Rolling his eyes, Zhou Ziqing snapped in frustration, “They are the victims now, but do you think they’ll be victims forever? These people came from nearby cities. When the drought is over, they will sooner or later return to their homeland.”

Zhou Da suddenly came to a realization. “Oh! So you want to win their hearts now and let them be grateful to the Zhou Family, so much so that they won’t forget your kindness in saving their lives when they return to their own cities. Later, you will be able to generate great prestige in the surrounding cities without any effort, am I right?”

“That’s right!” Zhou Ziqing nodded. “I won’t let go of such a good opportunity!” Zhou City was not his only goal.

Zhou Da was still a little confused. “Patriarch, there’s one more thing that I don’t understand. Since you have already planned to win their hearts, why did you order me to prevent them from entering the city in the beginning?”

Zhou Ziqing curled his lips into a cold smirk. “People won’t appreciate something that is easily obtained. Only the favors they receive in desperate moments can make them remember for a lifetime. Moreover, there were so many of them back then, and the cost we had to cover was too high. Isn’t it very good now?

“Yes, yes. Patriarch, you are very smart and wise.” Zhou Da nodded.

Patriarch Zhou was indeed smart. Back then, there were thousands of disaster victims who came to ask for help. If the Zhou Family wanted to settle down so many people, their fortune would probably be hollowed out. Now, they delayed for a short period of time, and they saved a lot of costs, not to mention the effect of gratitude was a hundred times stronger than before. It was an excellent plan.

The next day, when Shen Ninghua and Baili Junyi went to see the disaster victims, the porridge sheds had already been set up and tidied up. The porridge in the pot was fragrant and pleasant. Many disaster victims gathered in groups, expressing their gratitude to the family. They even saw someone kneeling in the direction of the Zhou Family and saluting.

Witnessing the scene, Shen Ninghua and Baili Junyi exchanged glances, and the concern in their hearts intensified. At this moment, the Zhou Family was probably no different from a life savior in the victims’ hearts.

Sitting at the table at the side, Baili Junyi watched the disaster victims line up to receive porridge and steamed buns. Complicated emotions surged inside him. “Calamity and disaster. After this drought, I don’t know how long the northwest will take to recover.”

Shen Ninghua checked the prescription on the table and only looked up after making sure there were no mistakes. “The natural disaster is imminent, and the human disaster is hard to avoid. Father Emperor sent silver to the northwest to help the disaster, but now it seems that the silver has been in someone’s pocket.”

Baili Junyi sneered, “No matter who has it, I’ll make them spit it out!”

Zhou Ziqing, dressed in green, slowly walked over. “Greetings, Your Highness, Princess. You’re here early. Jingshu, quickly come forward and salute.”

He moved slightly to the left, revealing a slender woman wearing a veil behind her. “Greetings, Your Highness, Princess.”

“Miss Zhou, nice to see you. There are so many people here. Why are you here?” Shen Ninghua’s eyes darted around.

“I heard that you saved a lot of disaster victims, but there were people who made a scene yesterday. Fortunately, Princess, you were so brilliant in investigating the truth clearly. I can’t just sit still and do nothing. Although I am powerless, I’ll do my best and contribute wherever I can.”

Shen Ninghua smiled. “Miss Zhou, you are really kind-hearted.”

“Princess, you flatter me.” Zhou Jingshu’s face turned slightly red. She raised her head and pretended to look at Baili Junyi casually, but she was disappointed as there was no expression on his face. Did she fail to attract his attention?

Shen Ninghua lowered her eyes slightly. “Miss Zhou, since you want to help, please help me check the medicinal herbs. Many of the disaster victims are sick, and the medicinal herbs are urgently needed.”

“Alright, I will definitely check it out. If there is something missing, I will ask my elder brother to get it.”

“Thank you very much, Miss Zhou.” The Zhou Family was very powerful. Now that she could use their resources, she would use them wholeheartedly. After all, there were so many disaster victims waiting for the medicinal herbs to save their lives.

Baili Junyi finally looked straight at Zhou Jingshu. “I thank Miss Zhou on behalf of the people of Zhou City.”

Hearing his remark, Zhou Jingshu nodded slightly, her face as red as a tomato due to the excitement. Her heart was in her mouth, and she felt as if she was placed in boiling water.

“M-M-My pleasure to help, Your Highness…”

Baili Junyi nodded and turned to look at Shen Ninghua. “Ninghua, I’ll go see Lord Zhou. I want to know who was the one that blocked the disaster victims outside the city gate. Only after the matter is settled will I look for the culprit who poisoned the well.”

“Alright, be careful. It’s very chaotic now.” Shen Ninghua nodded.

“I will.”

They exchanged knowing glances and smiled. Their smiles had a tacit understanding that was hard to hide. It was so obvious that Zhou Jingshu, who was watching from the side, looked very gloomy. She had a feeling that this was the aura that Baili Junyi and Shen Ninghua always had between them. The aura was so exclusive and private that no one could barge in between them…

Were her feelings really going to end just like that…

When Baili Junyi and Shen Ninghua left, Zhou Ziqing glanced at his younger sister who was immersed in her emotions, and softly called out, “Jingshu…”

“Brother…” Zhou Jingshu glanced back, her expression revealing a sorrowful trance.

“The relationship between the prince and princess is deep. Even now, the rumors about their love stories still linger in the capital. Prefectural Prince Yi will not easily fall in love with someone, but once he does, he’ll risk his life for her. How lucky is it to be able to become such a special person…”

Zhou Ziqing’s voice was extremely gentle. It seemed to carry a hint and inducement, but there also seemed to be nothing at all.

A trace of yearning flashed through Zhou Jingshu’s eyes, and there was only one thought left in her heart, “I want to be that special person…”

After preparing the required medicinal materials, Shen Ninghua washed her hands, looked at the disaster victims who were gradually recovering, and sighed in relief. “Finally, the situation starts to stabilize. Now, all I have to do is wait for the report to be sent to Father Emperor. After a while, everything will be fine.”

Baili Junyi went to interrogate the imprisoned officials, but the answers he obtained made him feel unspeakably jittery.

The officials were very straightforward, and they confessed almost instantly. It was them who stopped the victims from entering the city and ordered them to temporarily live in the nearby woods in case they would cause an impact on Zhou City. They also emphasized that they did not expect a high number of casualties, and they were willing to take the blame for what had happened.

Baili Junyi tightly pursed his lips, his eyes carrying a storm. “Take the blame? Don’t you see if you can afford to take the blame?! It is not a few lives, but hundreds and thousands of lives. So many people are dead. Is it something you can bear if you want to?”

Throwing the confession in his hand on the stool, Baili Junyi sat in silence. Suddenly, there was a light footstep behind him. He frowned and turned his head. “Miss Zhou? Why are you here? Aren’t you checking the medicinal herbs with Ninghua?”

Zhou Jingshu folded her hands in front of her skirt, her face full of timidness. “Your Highness, I’ve already informed my elder brother about the lacking herbs, and they will be delivered soon. I was a little worried since you haven’t returned for a long time, so I came over to take a look.”

Thinking of the conversation he had with Shen Ninghua previously, Baili Junyi frowned slightly. In the beginning, Ninghua felt that there was something wrong with Zhou Jingshu. Now it seemed that the problem was not small. Why would she come to him by herself and try to approach him? It seemed that he had to pay attention to her.