Ren Anle let out a satisfied hum, like a contented cat, she retracted her claws and lazily leaned back, even her gaze upon Han Ye softened.
Han Ye found it interesting, the corners of his mouth curved up slightly. He picked up the paper on the table and examined it for a moment, then turned his gaze back to Ren Anle.
He was not stingy with his praise, saying, "Ren daren's thoughts are truly meticulous. She even brought out the list of river workers from Jiangnan that was sent to the Ministry of Revenue."
"I am too lazy to take a detour. Investigating officials is the ultimate goal, but who says we can only investigate them? The testimonies of the common people are more trustworthy than anything else."
Ren Anle yawned and said, "The Mu Tian Prefecture was clearly plagued by severe flooding, yet what we see today upon entering the city is a scene of prosperity and tranquility. Isn't it strange?"
"Presumably Zhong Liwen has put in some effort on this matter," Han Ye's voice turned cold, "He thinks gu is a fool. He delayed reporting the disaster for ten days, just to create this false illusion of the Mu Tian prefecture."
"If an ordinary court official had come this time, he would probably not be able to achieve such results. Your presence here, Your Highness, has made the officials in Jiangnan panic."
Han Ye remained noncommittal and called out once. Jian Song walked in from the doorway. Han Ye pointed at the list on the table and ordered, "Go and investigate, return to gu tomorrow."
Jian Song received the order and left. Ren Anle stared intently at this handsome and gentle commander of the Eastern Palace, while Han Ye's hand holding the chess piece paused, and he narrowed his eyes, "What's the matter, Ren daren ? Are you interested?"
What's wrong with this woman? Even though Southern Jin is a remote borderland, it's not to the extent that one cannot avert their gaze upon seeing a slightly attractive person!
Ren Anle reluctantly withdrew her gaze and looked at Han Ye, shaking her head with her chin resting on her hand, saying, "Even if there are three thousand calamities, this subject would only take a sip."
(Even if there were three thousand calamities, representing a vast number of difficulties or challenges, she remains resolute. The phrase suggests that despite the magnitude of the hardships, the speaker would only take small sips, indicating their commitment to enduring and persevering through the trials without succumbing to them completely.)
This is the most impolite sentence Han Ye has ever heard, but he will never admit it in his lifetime. In that moment, as Ren Anle looked over with a smile and narrowed eyes, and gazing into those pure ink-black eyes, deep down in his heart, he was perhaps...somewhat pleased.
Suddenly and unexpectedly, a sudden and unforeseen event occurred, however, it was incredibly real.
Early the next day, Han Ye and Ren Anle donned plain clothes and left the inn. Both of them dressed in men's attire, appearing quite ordinary. Initially, as they strolled through the city, everything seemed fine.
However, the further they ventured towards the outskirts, the more grim their expressions became. Apart from glimpses of peace within the bustling streets of the city, as they traveled along the official road from Mu Tian Prefecture to the breached embankment, hundreds of meters beyond the city's outskirts, it was crowded with raggedy, famished commoners. They had sallow complexions, holding their children and elderly with sorrowful expressions.
Before thousands of refugees, there were only a few porridge stalls. About ten officials stand guard here, grinning and yawning while basking in the sun, their eyes showing indifference and numbness.
Now is the time for distributing porridge and rice. People are lining up to receive the watery porridge, where a few scattered grains of rice are mixed in it. The murky soup even contains bits of grass and roots.
Han Ye and Ren Anle concealed themselves behind a large tree not far away, their expressions cold and solemn.