The Marquis Learned His Lesson

However, it wouldn't be right for him to bleed alone, so he wrote to the emperor, asking all the officials to contribute.

Don't distribute the money for charcoal this year; use it for disaster relief.

Each family did what they could to set up soup kitchens and distribute soup to the disaster victims.

Since it was Xu Weibei who proposed it, he should naturally set an example by putting it into practice.

He entrusted this matter to Gu Wanning.

The women in the mansion are idle all day and love to go out, so it's a good opportunity to put them to good use.

Gu Wanning had no objection to this.

She felt happy to be able to help these disaster victims, especially since she contributed her time and effort Xu Weibei provided the financial support.

She discovered that Xu Weibei's silver was truly Schrödinger's silver—it appeared as if it were there, and disappeared as if it were not.

It seems to be specifically targeting her poverty--

Fine, the money stopped before the person even left. This boss really lacks vision.

However, she was magnanimous and didn't argue with him. She considered the help she had given him in taking care of his concubine's daughter these days as a free gift.

However, although she had never eaten pork, she had at least seen pigs run.

The disaster victims are pitiful, but the strong will to survive under hunger and cold may also turn them into mobs.

"My Marquis, when distributing porridge, shouldn't we bring the guards from the manor to maintain order?"

"Take them with you," Xu Weibei. "I'll also have Qin Lie lead a team to help."

Qin Lie?

Gu Wanning's eyes lit up as she looked at Xu Weibei.

Without her saying a word, Xu Weibei understood her meaning. He hummed in agreement and said, "It was his suggestion. Have your First Concubine go tomorrow, and bring Jiaoniang along too, so she can also see the hardships of life. Otherwise, raising her will only turn into enmity."

Xu Weibei thought that if possible in the future, he would let Jiaoniang know about her background when she grew up.

When the time comes, she shouldn't compare herself to her own children and feel mistreated.

Xu Weibei felt he was trying his best to be fair, but some people would inevitably overthink things.

Therefore, some things should be taught from a young age to avoid the situation where a small favor is appreciated but a large one is resented, and you end up raising an ungrateful child.

"Okay," Gu Wanning readily agreed.

She had originally intended to try to bring together her First Concubine and Qin Lie before leaving the Marquis's Residence, but she hadn't expected to be able to leave ahead of schedule.

It seems a bit too late.

But this was still an opportunity, so she decided to take her First Concubine with her.

"If your grandmother sends someone to discuss setting up the soup kitchen together with you, just tell them to send someone to find me," Xu Weibei said.

"Um?"

"The further away from her, the better."

Gu Wanning: "..."

"Did you hear that? You don't need to pretend to be filial. I'm not filial. Let her come at me."

He didn't want to give his grandmother a second chance to hurt Gu Wanning; otherwise, how could he have the nerve to say he'd protect Gu Wanning for life?

"Okay."

Gu Wanning felt that in dealing with the "mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship," although she was a great-grandmother-in-law, she was almost the same as a mother-in-law. Compared to those men who were blindly filial, Xu Weibei was truly able to distinguish right from wrong and was very responsible.

Gu Wanning, however, remembered something else, "My Marquis, will other families also set up soup kitchens tomorrow?"

Yes. Who do you want to ask?

"My older sister."

Gu Wanqing didn't know if she had started selling the calligraphy and paintings her father and brothers had given her.

This matter weighed heavily on Gu Wanning's mind.

She didn't want anything to happen to her father and brothers.

She had spoken to her older brother about it, but she didn't know if he had taken it to heart.

Another thing that's been bothering people is the relationship between Gu Wanqing and Xu Weibei.

Hopefully, these two will never cross paths again; otherwise, Xu Weibei's tragic fate seems to be just beginning.

There's another matter, the wine jar; she plans to pretend to discover it when she gets home.

When she went back to her parents' home to celebrate her birthday last time, she was actually very careful and didn't notice anything unusual.

Sigh, neither my family nor my husband's family is easy to deal with.

Early the next morning, Gu Wanning, along with several concubines, including the Third Concubine who had just returned that morning, boarded a carriage to distribute porridge.

Although it was said on the surface that they were distributing porridge, the Marquis's Residence had actually sent people there long ago.

When they arrived, the porridge was already being cooked, and the disaster victims began to line up with their bowls. Under the scolding and intimidation of the guards, they formed long queues. The queues outside each porridge stall were similar, stretching as far as the eye could see. Regardless of age or gender, everyone's face showed an extreme thirst for food.

"Madam, you've arrived."

Gu Wanning smiled, "Yes, General Qin, it's been a long time."

Chapter 127 What I Learned, My Marquis

The First Concubine was practically huddled up like a quail.

Gu Wanning found it amusing, but didn't dare say anything more.

Qin Lie was clever; he didn't deliberately look at his First Concubine, but while maintaining order, he would occasionally come over to check on her.

The Second Concubine, being shrewd, sensed something was amiss and secretly asked Gu Wanning, "Madam, why does something feel off?"

"Don't overthink it and assume everything makes sense." Gu Wanning glared at her.

The Second Concubine chuckled, "Then I'll understand."

Jiaoniang was deeply shocked to see the thinly dressed disaster victims, especially some children who were even wearing revealing trousers and worn-out straw sandals.

"Auntie." She tugged at her First Concubine's hand, tears welling in her eyes.

The First Concubine snapped out of her daze, "Oh, what's wrong?"

"I'll bring those clothes and shoes that my younger siblings can't wear anymore tomorrow and give them to them."

The First Concubine gave a wry smile, squatted down, and patiently explained, "That won't do. Your clothes are very expensive; if you give them to anyone, they'll likely attract covetous eyes, which would only cause trouble. But it's good that you want to help others..."

"What should we do then?"

"You can take your clothes to a pawn shop and exchange them for old clothes. You can get more in return, and it won't be noticeable."

"Come to my family's pawnshop," said the Second Concubine. "I guarantee fair prices."