Xu Mu was truly furious with her. For several days, he didn’t ask about her at all.

Meanwhile, Tian Tian remained preoccupied with the refugee crisis, overwhelmed by the growing responsibilities. She had no time to concern herself with Xu Mu. After everything that had happened, she had completely lost hope in him. She no longer wanted to be involved with him in any way. She would just focus on doing her best to help the people, knowing that the outcome was beyond her control.

The task assigned by the deity was for Xu Mu to turn over a new leaf, but his deeply ingrained beliefs seemed impossible to change. It seemed inevitable that he would face a grim end. If she could save a few more lives before then, she would be content.

One day, Xianglan rushed in, panic written all over her face. “Madam, something terrible has happened!”

Tian Tian, who had been reviewing the account books while lying on the small couch, immediately tensed. “What is it?”

Xianglan wiped the sweat from her forehead and explained, “Several grain stores in the city have suddenly raised their prices. Normally, grain sells for seven or eight coins per jin. After the disaster, the price rose to thirty or forty coins per jin, but now it’s been raised to over a hundred coins! The people were already struggling to make ends meet, and now they can’t afford it at all. The steward says that at this rate, the prices will likely go even higher.”

Tian Tian was deeply worried. The very thing she feared had come to pass—greedy merchants were inflating prices during the famine, something that was all too common in times like these.

“Let’s go take a look,” Tian Tian said, closing the account book and preparing to get up from the couch.

Xianglan quickly moved to assist her.

In the past, when such a major issue arose, Tian Tian would have asked if Xu Mu had been informed. But now, having lost all faith in him, she didn’t even bother.

Tian Tian and her servants visited several grain stores, only to find themselves at a dead end. None of the store owners were present. After visiting several stores, the response was the same at each one.

The shopkeepers, however, greeted Tian Tian respectfully. “Madam, I apologize, but the owner has gone out of town to buy more grain. He’s not in Changping at the moment. Perhaps you can come back in a few days?”

Although the shopkeepers managed the stores, the true decision-makers were the absent owners. It was clear that the store owners were intentionally avoiding her, not wanting to meet her at all.

Even though Tian Tian was the magistrate’s wife and held a prestigious position in Changping, she was powerless in the face of the shopkeepers’ polite but evasive responses.

“Let’s go back,” Tian Tian said wearily, her energy drained.

Xianglan was visibly anxious. “Madam, are we just going to leave like this?”

Tian Tian’s face was pale as she forced a bitter smile. “What else can we do?”

“But…”

“Do you know why these shop owners dare to avoid me so openly?”

Xianglan looked puzzled. “I don’t understand, Madam. Please enlighten me.”

“The price hike from thirty-four coins to over a hundred coins isn’t something they’d dare do unless they had backing.”

Xianglan’s confusion deepened. “Backing? But who in Changping, besides the magistrate, could…”

Suddenly, the realization dawned on Xianglan, and her expression changed drastically. “Madam, are you saying that the magistrate approved this?”

Tian Tian’s expression was a mix of bitterness and sarcasm. “Who else but Xu Mu would have given them the green light? Do you think they’d have the nerve to raise prices so outrageously and disrespect me, the magistrate’s wife, unless they had his consent?”

Xianglan was on the verge of tears. “How could the magistrate do such a thing? Is he really willing to disregard everything for the sake of silver?”

Tian Tian’s voice grew cold. “Hasn’t Xu Mu always been like this? He’ll stop at nothing for money.”

After returning to the manor, Tian Tian suddenly fell ill. Perhaps the emotional blow from Xu Mu had been too much to bear. She was trying so hard to save lives, while he seemed intent on ruining them.

Xianglan, deeply worried, quickly sent for a doctor and dispatched someone to inform Xu Mu at the county office.

When Tian Tian overheard Xianglan’s plan to notify Xu Mu, she immediately stopped her. “Don’t you dare tell him.”

Xianglan was at her wit’s end. “Madam, at a time like this, you mustn’t hold a grudge against the magistrate.”

“I said don’t tell him!” Tian Tian nearly shouted, her face flushing with anger. At that moment, she couldn’t stand the thought of Xu Mu, let alone seeing him.

Xianglan, seeing how upset her mistress was, had no choice but to relent. “Yes, Madam. I won’t send for the magistrate. But please, take care of your health and don’t let anger consume you.”

Tian Tian finally calmed down.

The doctor arrived shortly after, examined Tian Tian, and said, “The madam has fallen ill from exhaustion and stress. She just needs to rest for a few days, and she’ll recover.” He then prescribed a remedy before leaving.

That afternoon, while Tian Tian was resting, Xianglan burst into the room, beaming with excitement. “Madam, great news! We’ve all misunderstood the magistrate!”

Tian Tian, a light sleeper, opened her eyes groggily. “What misunderstanding?”

“The price hike at the grain stores—it’s got nothing to do with the magistrate. He found out about it and has already sent officers to arrest those heartless store owners. He even issued an official decree that anyone caught price-gouging during this time will be executed on the spot!”

Tian Tian’s eyes brightened, and she couldn’t help but sit up in bed. “Is that true?”

Xianglan nodded eagerly. “It’s true! I even went to check the decree myself. It’s absolutely legitimate.”

Tian Tian suddenly felt as though half of her illness had lifted.

For once, Xu Mu wasn’t out to make dirty money. Perhaps he still had a shred of conscience left.

When Xu Mu had first received the bribes from the store owners, he had indeed been tempted. The amount was staggering, and few would have been able to resist. But after much consideration, he returned the silver in full.

His little wife had pawned her dowry, her clothes, and her jewelry, giving up everything to help the people. He might not have been a saint, but even he couldn’t bring himself to kick people while they were down. Though he had remained in the county office, he didn’t need to see the suffering firsthand to understand the hardships of the people.

The truth was, he mostly wanted to help Tian Tian. She had done so much, single-handedly sustaining the people of Changping for over a month. He couldn’t help but admire her for it. If it had been him or any other official, they wouldn’t have lasted nearly as long.

Though their relationship was as cold as ice now, Xu Mu had to admit that he respected her deeply.

Zhou Nan, perplexed by Xu Mu’s decision to return the silver, couldn’t help but ask, “Master, with so much silver involved, are we really… returning it?”

Zhou Nan had been with Xu Mu for five or six years, serving him ever since he had been a scholar. In all that time, he had never seen Xu Mu return silver that was already in his possession. The sheer amount—ten thousand taels—was enough to make even a servant’s heart race.

Xu Mu, lounging leisurely on the couch, idly playing with a chessboard, placed a white piece down, then after a moment of thought, picked up a black piece and placed it on the board as well. “Silver is indeed a good thing, but there are some things that can be done, and some that can’t. It depends on the circumstances.”

“But that was ten thousand taels of silver…” Zhou Nan, who had personally returned the silver, couldn’t help but feel the loss.

Xu Mu let out a soft chuckle, with a tone that carried a hint of frustration, as if disappointed by Zhou Nan’s shortsightedness. “Pathetic. You’re paralyzed by the sight of a little silver? How do you plan to stick with me and accomplish greater things in the future?”

Zhou Nan quickly admitted, “It’s my own shortcoming, Master. It’s just that you used to act decisively. Silver that made it into your hands never left.”

Xu Mu laughed heartily, clearly in a good mood. He picked up another white chess piece and placed it on the board. “Do you really think the silver has slipped away this time?”

Zhou Nan was confused. “What do you mean, Master?”

Seeing Xu Mu in such a good mood, he explained further, “Where are those store owners now?”

“They’re in the county jail, Master,” Zhou Nan replied.

Xu Mu glanced at him with meaning. “Exactly.”

Zhou Nan thought for a moment, then realization hit him like a bolt of lightning. His hands trembled in excitement. “I get it now! Those store owners deliberately raised grain prices, committing a serious offense. If they want to leave the jail unharmed, they’ll have no choice but to hand over that huge sum of silver.”

It all made sense now. At first, when those merchants hiked up prices, the magistrate didn’t interfere. Only after public outrage grew did he act, arresting them and issuing an official decree with a clear justification—punishable by death. It was a brilliant move, giving no one room to question it. Now, if those store owners wanted to save their lives, they’d have to cough up tens of thousands of taels of silver. If Xu Mu was in a good mood, that might be enough; if not, they could end up losing everything.

Zhou Nan couldn’t help but marvel at the magistrate’s shrewdness. With Xu Mu’s well-known love of silver, there was no way he would let that much slip away.

Xu Mu smiled, saying nothing more. His plan was simple: those greedy merchants, exploiting the people during a disaster, deserved to lose everything.

After three days of rest, Tian Tian had regained her strength and spirit, back to her usual lively self. Xianglan, observing how quickly her mistress recovered, was astonished. She assumed it was all thanks to Xu Mu—he had done something good, and it seemed to have lifted Tian Tian’s spirits, helping her heal faster.

One day, Tian Tian decided to visit several villages under the jurisdiction of Changping County to ensure that the food distribution, organized by the steward, was being carried out fairly. To prevent more refugees from gathering in the streets, they were distributing raw grain for people to take home and cook themselves.

As the wife of the magistrate, Tian Tian personally oversaw the visits to ensure that no corruption occurred. More importantly, she wanted to see the people’s lives firsthand and hear their thoughts.

She and her group managed to visit four or five villages in one day. By the afternoon, they had just finished inspecting Liu Family Village when a torrential downpour began. The villagers urged her to stay, and with the rain pouring down, Tian Tian decided to wait it out. It was getting dark, and with the slippery roads, traveling in such conditions could lead to an accident. Since she had no pressing matters to attend to, she agreed to rest for the night.

Back in the county office, Xu Mu sat in his room, staring at the heavy rain outside, deep in thought. It was rare to see such a downpour in the middle of winter.

At that moment, Zhou Nan hurried in under an oiled paper umbrella to deliver a message. “Master, a servant from the manor has reported that the madam went to the countryside to inspect the villages but hasn’t returned yet.”

Xu Mu’s heart immediately clenched with worry as he glanced at the pouring rain. It was already getting dark, and she hadn’t come back yet?

“Which village was she visiting today?” Xu Mu asked, clearly unable to sit still.

Zhou Nan thought for a moment and replied, “According to the madam’s schedule, she should be at Liu Family Village right now.”

The more Xu Mu thought about it, the more anxious he became. “Send someone to wait at the manor gate. As soon as the madam returns, report to me immediately.”

“Yes, Master.” Zhou Nan bowed and left.

As the evening deepened, the darkness outside became impenetrable. Xu Mu, growing more and more restless, asked again, “Has the madam returned yet?”

Zhou Nan, equally on edge, reported, “No, Master, she hasn’t returned.”

Unable to wait any longer, Xu Mu jumped to his feet. “Zhou Nan, prepare the carriage. We’re going to Liu Family Village.”

Zhou Nan nodded quickly. “Yes, Master.” He rushed out to prepare the carriage and also sent some officers to find a refugee familiar with the road to act as a guide.

Even though Liu Family Village was within the county’s jurisdiction, none of them knew the route well.

After about a quarter of an hour, two carriages sped down the street. Xu Mu sat in the second carriage, his face full of anxiety. “Hurry up!” he urged, fearing that his wife might be caught in the rain. It was pitch black outside, the roads slippery, and visibility poor. He was terrified she might meet with an accident.

At this moment, his concern for her safety outweighed any lingering anger from their earlier arguments. Compared to the risk of her being in danger, their past quarrels felt insignificant. He wouldn’t rest easy until he saw her safe and sound.

Zhou Nan, riding in the first carriage, cautioned, “Master, we can’t go any faster. The roads are too slippery in this rain. If we go too fast, we might get into an accident.”

“It’s fine. Just be careful and keep going faster,” Xu Mu insisted.

Zhou Nan sighed but followed the command.

After about half an hour of travel, just as they were nearing Liu Family Village, Xu Mu’s carriage skidded off the road and slid straight into a nearby pond.

“Master, be careful!”

The first carriage stopped abruptly when the driver heard the commotion from behind.

“Quick, help the master!”

Two men from the front carriage rushed towards the pond, while one of them shouted to the refugee guide, “You know the way to Liu Family Village, right? Hurry and go get help from the villagers!”

Without help from more people, they wouldn’t be able to rescue Xu Mu from the water. They had left in such a hurry, bringing only three men, and now they lacked the manpower to save their master from the pond.

“Hurry! Go as fast as you can!”

The refugee quickly nodded and dashed off into the rainy night.

Tian Tian, who was staying in the village chief’s house, was just about to retire for the night when the refugee burst in, drenched from head to toe. From his frantic words, she vaguely understood that something had happened to the magistrate, Xu Mu.

“Xianglan, quickly go outside and find out what’s happening. Has something gone wrong?”

Xianglan nodded and left immediately, saying, “Yes, I’ll go right away.” She had also overheard snippets of the conversation outside and sensed something was amiss.

Tian Tian felt uneasy, quickly dressed, and prepared to head out to investigate.

Just as she finished getting dressed, Xianglan rushed back in with a panicked look. “Madam, something terrible has happened! The Master has fallen into a pond just outside the village!”

Tian Tian’s face paled. “What? How did the Master end up coming to Liu Family Village?”

Xianglan relayed what the refugee had said. “The Master was worried when you hadn’t returned to the manor and, with the heavy rain, feared something had happened to you. So, he rushed here to find you.”

Tian Tian’s heart raced with worry. He… came looking for her? But now wasn’t the time to dwell on such thoughts. “Quick, send people to the pond to rescue the Master, and hurry!” She began heading out herself, moving with urgency.

She couldn’t explain the surge of concern she felt for Xu Mu. Perhaps it was because he cared enough to come looking for her, or maybe it was because he had taken action against the shop owners who hiked up grain prices. Or maybe… she still had some lingering feelings for him.

As soon as she stepped outside, Tian Tian saw that the village chief had already gathered a large group of villagers ready to help Xu Mu.

Seeing the sheer number of people, Tian Tian was startled. “Why are there so many people here?” It seemed as though the entire village had come.

The village chief respectfully replied, “The villagers are worried about the Master’s safety and want to do what little they can to help.”

Tian Tian glanced at the crowd and noticed many elderly, women, and children among them. She frowned and said loudly, “I appreciate everyone’s concern on behalf of the Master, but it’s raining heavily outside. The elderly and women with children should stay indoors and rest to avoid catching a cold.”

An older man, around fifty, stepped forward and spoke up. “The Master and Madam have done so much for us. If it weren’t for you two, Liu Family Village might have become nothing but a graveyard by now. Now that the Master is in trouble, how could we possibly sit back and do nothing? We won’t feel at ease until we see that he’s safe.”

The crowd quickly echoed his sentiments. “Yes, Uncle San is right!”

The repeated agreements filled Tian Tian’s ears, and she couldn’t help but feel her eyes well up with tears. These were the sincere, honest villagers—people who remembered every kindness shown to them.

Although it was Tian Tian who had worked hard to help the people, the villagers viewed her and Xu Mu as a couple, believing his support was behind her efforts.

Tian Tian had never denied this. After all, much of the silver used to help came from Xu Mu, who had sacrificed luxuries and sold off belongings. In that sense, he did deserve credit.

“Thank you, everyone,” Tian Tian said with heartfelt emotion before leading the group quickly toward the pond.

The rain continued to pour, and aside from Xianglan holding an oiled paper umbrella for Tian Tian and one other woman holding an umbrella for her pregnant daughter-in-law, everyone else braved the rain unprotected.

The young and able-bodied men walked ahead, while the elderly and weaker villagers followed at a slower pace.

Tian Tian, worried about Xu Mu, moved quickly, slipping several times but refusing to slow down.

By the time they reached the pond, Xu Mu and his men had just managed to crawl out of the water, drenched and shivering. The sound of approaching footsteps and distant voices grew louder, indicating a large crowd was coming their way.

Xu Mu was trembling violently from the cold, and Zhou Nan hurriedly grabbed a slightly dirty rug from the front carriage to drape over him. “Master, this rug is a bit dirty, but it will help keep you warm. Please use it.”

Xu Mu was too cold to care about appearances at this point. Whether it was a rug or a cloak, as long as it provided warmth, it would do.

When Tian Tian arrived, she saw Xu Mu wrapped in a white rug, shivering in the cold wind. The officers around him were shaking even more severely.

Her heart clenched. In all the time they’d been married, she had never seen Xu Mu in such a pitiful state. Every time he had appeared before, he was always impeccably dressed, dignified, and poised. Seeing him like this, vulnerable and full of human frailty, made her feel closer to him in a way.

She rushed over. “Husband, are you alright?”

Xu Mu saw his wife running toward him through the pouring rain, her steps shaky and unsteady, and all his frustration vanished. “Slow down, my dear. Be careful not to fall,” he called out, his heart tight with concern.

Tian Tian approached, her eyes red with emotion. She quickly instructed Xianglan, “Bring dry clothes for the Master and the officers to change into.”

“Yes,” Xianglan replied, hurrying to carry out the order.

“Husband, please change into these dry clothes in the carriage. They belong to the villagers, but they’ll keep you warm and prevent you from catching cold.”

This wasn’t the time to worry about appearances. Xu Mu took the clothes and, nodding, hurried into the carriage to change.

By the time he emerged, the villagers had all arrived. Xu Mu looked around in astonishment at the crowd, which included elderly people and children.

“Citizens, you shouldn’t have come,” Xu Mu said, clearly moved.

The villagers dropped to their knees. “We greet the Master,” they said in unison.

Xu Mu was stunned for a moment, then quickly responded, “Please, get up.”

Tian Tian whispered to him, “The villagers were deeply worried when they heard you had fallen into the pond. Everyone from Liu Family Village came out because they couldn’t rest until they saw you safe.”

Meanwhile, the village chief had organized about twenty strong young men to retrieve the carriage from the pond. Despite the cold and the rain, they eagerly plunged into the water.

Seeing this, Xu Mu protested, “The pond is freezing, and it’s raining hard. You can retrieve it tomorrow when the weather clears. Let them come out of the water.”

The village chief chuckled. “Don’t worry, Master. These men are sturdy farmhands. They can handle a little cold, and they’ll have the carriage out in no time.”

Xu Mu didn’t know what else to say, but he was clearly touched by the villagers’ actions.

Soon, the carriage was successfully pulled from the pond. The village chief warmly invited Xu Mu to stay the night in the village. Xu Mu had come looking for his wife, so naturally, he planned to stay wherever she was staying.

As they prepared to return to the village in a large group, Xu Mu turned to Tian Tian. “Wife, please take the carriage back.” He didn’t want her walking in the rain when they had the option of the carriage. Given that so many villagers had come out to find him, he felt obligated to walk with them, but Tian Tian didn’t have to.

Tian Tian smiled and gently declined. “I’d like to walk with everyone.” As the magistrate’s wife, she felt it was her responsibility to share in the experience rather than take the easier route.

Xu Mu was about to insist when Tian Tian smiled and said, “But there is someone I’d like to see take the carriage.”

“Who?” Xu Mu asked, puzzled.

Tian Tian walked into the crowd and gently pulled out a frail, pregnant woman who looked about seventeen or eighteen. The woman was gaunt and weak, but her large belly indicated she was expecting. “Husband, let her ride in the carriage.”

Xu Mu was equally taken aback by the sight of the young woman. He nodded. “Xianglan, help her into the carriage.”

The pregnant woman, clearly unaccustomed to such luxury, was visibly uncomfortable. “Master, Madam, I can walk. There’s no need for me to ride in the carriage.”

Tian Tian took her hand and led her toward the carriage. “You’re pregnant, and you shouldn’t overexert yourself. The roads are slippery in the dark. Riding in the carriage will be safer. Please, don’t refuse.”

Tian Tian’s gentle tone, calling her “sister,” made the young woman feel both honored and overwhelmed. Despite her gratitude, she couldn’t help but say, “I’m just a simple peasant woman. How can I sit in such a fine carriage? I’ll only dirty it.”

At that moment, the pregnant woman’s mother-in-law stepped forward from the crowd and added, “Master, Madam, please let Chun Niang walk back with us. We’re just humble farmers. We’re not used to such luxuries.”

“Pregnant women are always precious,” Xu Mu said firmly, instructing Xianglan again, “Help her into the carriage.”

“Yes,” Xianglan answered obediently.

Seeing Xu Mu’s actions, Tian Tian couldn’t help but smile. Despite his greed, he did have some humanity left in him. This gave her a glimmer of hope, a sense of light at the end of the tunnel, even when she’d been on the verge of despair.

Perhaps he could be brought back to the right path after all—it would just be a difficult journey.

The pregnant woman and her mother-in-law had no choice but to accept, repeatedly thanking them.

With Xu Mu and Tian Tian leading the way, the group made their way back to the village. Tian Tian quickly arranged for Xu Mu to rest in bed. “Husband, you should lie down. The village chief has already sent someone to fetch a doctor from the nearby town. He should arrive soon.”

Xu Mu lay on the rough, uncomfortable bed, unable to find a good position, but he didn’t complain. This was, after all, the best room in the village chief’s house. “I told you, I’m fine. There’s no need to call a doctor.”

“It’s winter, and you fell into a pond. It’s best to have a doctor examine you,” Tian Tian insisted.

Unable to argue, Xu Mu had no choice but to follow her instructions. As he lay there, with his wife fussing over him again, he felt a warmth in his heart, all the frustrations of the past few days melting away. “Wife, I’m happy.”

Tian Tian blinked, confused. “Happy about what?” She couldn’t believe he could be happy after falling into a pond. How could he even think that way?

“I’m happy to see you by my side again,” Xu Mu said, his gaze fixed on her.

Tian Tian blushed slightly. “There are people in the room! Stop talking nonsense.” She was suddenly less like a strict official’s wife and more like a bashful young woman.

Xu Mu chuckled but said no more. A moment later, hearing some noise outside, he asked, “What’s going on out there? It sounds like a lot of people.”

Tian Tian also heard the commotion. “I’ll go see.”

Xu Mu nodded. “Alright.”

When Tian Tian stepped outside, she saw the courtyard full of people—some holding paper umbrellas, others wearing straw raincoats. The village chief’s courtyard was packed.

“Neighbors, why are you still here? It’s so late, you should go home and rest,” Tian Tian said, clearly taken aback.

The elderly Uncle San, draped in a straw raincoat, stepped forward. “Madam, we’re all worried about the magistrate. We just want to make sure he’s okay before we leave.”

Tian Tian felt both moved and distressed. “Thank you all for your kindness, but the magistrate is fine. He’s resting now, and there’s no need for concern. Please, go home and take care of yourselves—it’s still raining out, and we don’t want anyone falling ill.”

“We’re tough folks, used to working in the fields, wind and rain don’t bother us,” someone in the crowd replied.

Despite her efforts to convince them, the villagers refused to leave. Eventually, Tian Tian had no choice but to tell Xu Mu.

Deeply moved by their actions, Xu Mu said, “Wife, this is really all because of you. They’re doing this out of gratitude for you… I don’t know what to say.”

But even before he could finish, Tian Tian interrupted, understanding what he meant. “Husband, you’re wrong. The money we’ve saved, the jewelry and clothing I sold off—it was all mostly funded by you. You’ve done your part. And you took down those grain merchants who raised prices, giving the people access to affordable food. It’s only natural that they’re grateful to you.”

Tian Tian intentionally spoke highly of the villagers in front of Xu Mu. She knew that only by making him feel sympathetic would they have a chance to save the people. Otherwise, the villagers were doomed.

Xu Mu remained silent, but his expression showed he was deeply touched by the villagers’ actions.

“I’ll go outside and ask them to return home,” Xu Mu said as he prepared to get out of bed. The heavy rain and cold weather could take a toll on the villagers if they stayed out too long.

“Alright, I’ll help you,” Tian Tian offered, reaching out to support him. Her actions were so natural, it was as if they’d never had a falling out in the first place.

At that moment, the village chief entered, bowing respectfully. “Master, please remain in bed and rest. I’ve already made arrangements for the villagers—they’ve all been moved inside to shelter from the rain. They’re crowding together in the rooms and under the eaves, but they’re safe and dry now.”

“Thank you, Village Chief,” Xu Mu said, feeling more at ease.

As soon as Xu Mu lay back down, the pregnant woman’s mother-in-law entered the room, trembling slightly as she carried a clay pot. Xianglan rushed to help her.

As the woman entered, the rich aroma of chicken filled the room.

Tian Tian was shocked. “Granny, is that chicken in the pot?”

The old woman smiled kindly. “It is.”

Tian Tian’s expression grew complicated. “Granny, wasn’t that the village’s only rooster? It wasn’t meant to be slaughtered…”

She couldn’t bring herself to finish the sentence. She knew the old woman had done it for Xu Mu’s sake.

The old woman, humble and simple, replied, “It’s just a rooster. What’s the harm in killing it? The magistrate fell into the water, and he’s caught a chill. He needs something nourishing to help him recover, or he might get sick.”

Given the current hardship—grain was scarce, and medicine even more so—the old woman’s logic was sound. Although Xu Mu had the means to procure medicine, it wouldn’t arrive until the next day. In the meantime, some chicken soup was the best remedy.

Xu Mu, hearing this, felt a heavy weight in his heart. The villagers had sacrificed their only rooster, their last remaining source of fresh food. The kindness was overwhelming.

The old woman ladled out a bowl of chicken soup and handed it to Xu Mu. Tian Tian and Xianglan, understanding the gravity of the gesture, didn’t step in to assist.

“Master, please drink some. There aren’t any spices, so it may not taste the best, but don’t mind that,” the old woman said. In times like these, everyone was struggling to find enough to eat, let alone afford luxuries like spices.

Her words hit Xu Mu like a slap. As the magistrate, he realized it was his inaction that had led to their suffering.

Xu Mu was torn—taking the bowl felt like an injustice to the villagers, but refusing it would be an insult to their generosity.

In the end, he accepted it. “Thank you.”

The old woman smiled. “Drink it while it’s hot.”

Xu Mu nodded, and for the first time, he didn’t question the safety of the food offered to him. Normally, he would never eat anything given to him by strangers without first testing it for poison. But this time, he didn’t doubt the sincerity of the old woman’s gift.

Just as he was about to take a sip, he noticed small holes in the window and door—finger-sized openings, each with a pair of eyes peeking through. Curious, innocent eyes, likely those of children, all focused on the chicken soup in his hands.

The children were watching him with hopeful, envious expressions. He could even hear the sound of someone swallowing their saliva.

Tian Tian and Xianglan heard it too. Xianglan went outside to investigate and returned to report, “Master, Madam, it’s just a group of children. They’re probably drooling over the chicken soup. They didn’t mean any harm.”

The old woman quickly apologized, explaining that the children hadn’t eaten anything good in a long time and didn’t know any better.

Xu Mu nodded slightly and told Xianglan, “Bring the children inside.”

A crowd of children, ranging from toddlers to preteens, came inside, filling the room. They were all thin, dressed in coarse, tattered clothes, and looked incredibly pitiful.

Xu Mu handed the bowl of chicken soup to Xianglan. “Give each child a piece of chicken.”

The old woman panicked. “Master, this soup was made for you! It’s not meant for the children!”

“Let them have it,” Xu Mu insisted. These children had gone without proper food for far too long. One bowl of soup would do little for him, but for them, it would be a rare treat. “Granny, besides the pregnant woman I met earlier, are there any other expectant mothers in the village?”

The old woman shook her head. “No, she’s the only one. These days, people are too scared to have children. Even if they do get pregnant, they can’t keep the baby. We’ve worked hard to ration food to keep her pregnancy healthy.”

Xu Mu nodded in understanding. “Give the chicken to the children, and let her drink the soup. She needs it more than I do.”

The old woman was shocked. “No, that’s not right!”

Tian Tian smiled, feeling a surge of happiness. The more human Xu Mu appeared, the more hope she felt. Whether he was genuinely touched by the villagers or just putting on a show, it didn’t matter. “Granny, don’t argue. This is the magistrate’s kindness.”

Xianglan distributed the chicken, and the children, unable to resist, eagerly ate the pieces as soon as they received them.

The old woman reminded them, “Quick, thank the magistrate and

the Madam.”

The children dropped to their knees and kowtowed three times, expressing their gratitude to Xu Mu and Tian Tian.

Before long, the doctor arrived, examined Xu Mu, and confirmed that he was fine. He left a prescription but lamented the lack of available medicine, making the prescription essentially useless.

Once alone again, Xu Mu remarked, “I told you I was fine, but you didn’t believe me. I know my body better than anyone.”

“I just wanted to be sure,” Tian Tian replied.

Xu Mu sat up, ready to go out. “I’ll go ask the villagers to return home.”

Tian Tian nodded and helped him up. The villagers had crowded into the village chief’s house for most of the night. Xu Mu’s personal appearance would show sincerity.

After thanking the villagers, they slowly began to disperse. Tian Tian and Xu Mu returned to their room to rest.

Lying in bed, Tian Tian thought for a long time. Finally, she decided it was time to have a serious talk with Xu Mu, even though she knew how angry he had been the last time they spoke about this. For the sake of the people, her mission, and her own survival, she knew she had to confront the issue head-on.

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