Displaced Refugees

The carriage slowly passed along the street where the Prince of Anbei's residence stood. When the carriage curtain was lifted, many people could be seen lying in the street. They were refugees who had fled here from elsewhere, some alone and others with their families in tow.

Perhaps they had fled the disaster in haste. Some wore nothing but thin, tattered shirts, while those a little better off had only old padded clothes or a quilt wrapped tightly around them. A night of weary travel, hunger, and cold had left them exhausted.

Suddenly, a mournful wail rang out, so desolate and despairing that those who heard it could not help feeling sorrowful.

"Help! Can anyone save my child? Sob..."

"Somebody, please! Save my child! He's not even three months old yet..."

Yan Wanning stepped down from the carriage and went closer. It was a young married couple.

The woman held a baby whose face had turned blue in her arms. Yan Wanning's heart ached, and she took off her padded cloak and handed the woman the hot-water bottle she held. "Keep the child warm," she said gently.

Seeing Yan Wanning, who was plainly dressed yet carried herself with an extraordinary bearing, the woman seemed to grasp at her last life-saving straw. The couple dropped to their knees before her. "Please save my child, madam. In the days to come, we'll be your oxen and horses to repay you."

"Please get up. The ground is cold; don't kneel there." Yan Wanning called Xiao He over to help the couple up, then said softly, "Bring the child into the carriage. I'll take you to a medical clinic."

"All right. Thank you, madam, thank you." The woman hurriedly held her child close and let Xiao He help her into the carriage. Yan Wanning glanced at the other refugees; there were quite a few young children among them.

She sighed inwardly and climbed into the carriage, her heart heavy. There were so many people; she could save one, but she could not save them all. She ought to think of a reliable plan.

The woman's husband sat with the coachman, and the carriage slowly made its way to the nearest medical clinic.

The remaining refugees breathed a sigh of relief when they saw that a kindhearted person had helped the child.

They were all from the same hometown and had often spent time together. It pained them to see the couple in trouble and be unable to help. ...

After bringing the family to the clinic and waiting for the physician to examine the child, Xiao He paid the silver. Yan Wanning sent someone to General Gu’s residence to fetch An Yingying, then returned to the residence.

After getting out of the carriage, Yan Wanning took Xiao He to the Old Princess Dowager's courtyard. As though she had known Yan Wanning was coming, the Old Princess Dowager invited her to sit beside her as soon as she saw her. With a kindly look on her face, she asked, "A Ning, do you have any ideas?"

Yan Wanning was taken aback, then asked, "Grandmother, you knew I went out?"

The Old Princess Dowager nodded. Yan Wanning considered for a moment, then said softly, "A Ning has an idea, Grandmother. Would you like to hear it?"

"Whatever your idea is, go ahead and do it. Grandmother will support you."

"A Ning is thinking of holding a banquet at the residence and inviting the prominent ladies of Ningguan City to discuss how to provide for the refugees."

"Oh? And after that?"

"The madams and young ladies of the great families live in embroidered silks and dine on delicacies. They must have plenty of unused or old belongings. I thought we could ask each family to donate some money or clothing to help the refugees, and I would be the first to contribute. The madams and young ladies of the great families value their reputations. They'll surely be willing to donate some money to earn a reputation for virtue."

"Once the refugees have been provided for, I'll have someone put up a stele recording the names of those who donated money."

The Old Princess Dowager listened quietly as Yan Wanning spoke of her idea, her voice gentle but firm. Her heart full of affection, she raised a hand and lightly stroked Yan Wanning's youthful face.

"Those madams and young ladies must also have relatives serving in the army. If they can ease the worries of the men fighting at the front, they'll surely feel much more at peace themselves."

"You've thought this through well, A Ning." The Old Princess Dowager called for Lüyun to bring Yan Wanning a wooden casket. When Yan Wanning opened it, she found a stack of silver notes three fingers thick inside. She looked at the Old Princess Dowager in surprise. "Grandmother, this... what is this?"

"Good girl, keep it safe. I'm also a member of the Prince of Anbei's residence. We'll make the first contribution together; this is a small token of my goodwill." By joining in, the Old Princess Dowager was openly showing her support for Yan Wanning. Even those with reservations at tomorrow's banquet would probably make a show of contributing out of respect for the Old Princess Dowager.

The Old Princess Dowager summoned Steward Mu and gave him a series of instructions, then said, "Leave tomorrow's banquet to Steward Mu. Don't tire yourself out."

"Old Princess Dowager, Princess Consort, Young Madam Gu has arrived," Aunt Green Cloud said.

"Grandmother, I'll go and see Young Madam Gu first, then."

"Go on." The Old Princess Dowager waved her off.

"Rest well, Grandmother."

Yan Wanning curtsied and left Cian Court with Xiao He. By then, An Yingying was already waiting for her in Anyuan Courtyard.

Yan Wanning did not say much else, going straight to the matter and telling her about her idea. After listening, An Yingying agreed without hesitation. "This is a good thing. Don't worry, Wanning. Leave the invitations to me. I've also saved quite a bit of spare money over the years. I'll have someone bring it over later, and we'll make the first contribution together."

An Yingying's response took Yan Wanning by surprise. Then she smiled knowingly and said softly, "Sorry for the trouble. I'll do my utmost to prepare everything properly."

"There's no trouble at all. Everyone will be willing to help the refugees."

After saying that, An Yingying did not stay long. She immediately returned to her residence to begin preparing the invitations.