The Legitimate Daughter Returns Home
"This prince is here on the saint's orders to aid the hungry. Properly resettling refugees is the responsibility of the governor's office. Has Lord Yu never considered this?" Mu Zhao's sharp gaze locked onto Yu Shoudao, who wished he could shrink into himself.
Mu Zhao was almost amused by the man's incompetence.
"Do I need to teach you this step by step?"
"What have you been doing all these days? Why hasn't the government issued any orders? Refugees outside the city are living in makeshift wooden sheds exposed to the wind. Do you intend to freeze them to death just to boost your political achievements?"
"His Majesty ordered Weizhou Prefecture to accommodate these refugees. With such a large influx of people, have you never planned ahead? Have you not even considered what to do next?"
"There's ample land in Weizhou Prefecture—vast wastelands in Xiaxian and Zhongxian. Would you rather let them lie empty than allow the refugees to farm?"
"Brother, brother, calm down. You mustn't get too worked up," Mu Feng quickly intervened, handing over a cup of tea while shooting a glare at Governor Yu. "Governor Yu, your job is to handle refugee resettlement. Don't assume my brother will take care of everything for you. His health is poor—it's already a great effort for him to even make this trip to the market."
"Yes, yes, the young master is right," Yu Shoudao stammered, wiping the sweat from his forehead. His thoughts were in complete disarray.
Seeing Mu Zhao's growing impatience, Lu Qian stepped forward. "Governor Yu, you've heard His Highness's words. The most urgent task is issuing an official decree to reassure the people. Next, you must order your clerks to survey and organize all available wastelands in the surrounding counties within a set timeframe."
"The floods in Guannan Road have wiped out nearly all grain supplies in the region. These refugees barely managed to escape here. If you send them back, it would be the same as sentencing them to death."
"However, this crisis is also an opportunity. If you resettle them properly and allow them to cultivate the wastelands, Weizhou's grain production could double by next autumn's harvest."
"The third step is drafting preferential policies—how many family members qualify for how much land, the extent of reclamation rights, and potential tax reductions within the limits set by the court."
Yu Shoudao, overwhelmed by these clear and structured instructions, suddenly saw the potential for significant political merit. His eyes lit up. He eagerly nodded, bowed, and hurried away.
Mu Feng rolled his eyes. "This governor is truly remarkable. He only moves when Brother Xiwen spells everything out for him."
"I don't know how he even got this position. No wonder he's been stuck in the same rank for over ten years with no promotions—he's completely incompetent!"
Mu Zhao sighed. "Lu Xiwen practically had to spoon-feed him the entire plan."
Lu Qian coughed lightly. "Perhaps he wasn't being deliberately obtuse—just genuinely incapable of grasping the situation."
"Brother Xiwen really is the one who thinks ahead," Mu Feng agreed. "Brother, don't waste your anger on such an idiot. The food shipments arrive tomorrow, and there'll be more work to do. Let's go rest first."
---
Weizhou Governor's Mansion
As soon as the doorman opened the gate, Madam Hu stumbled in, barely catching herself.
"Oh dear," she gasped.
"What's wrong, Madam?"
Madam Hu felt as if she'd endured a lifetime of hardship—traveling through bitter winds and snow—just to return. Now, standing at the mansion's doorstep, she wanted nothing more than to collapse into someone's arms and weep.
"Hurry, inform the madam. Miss Yu has been brought home."
The doorman curled his lips in disdain. So what if she's back? Judging by the nanny's reaction, one would think they had returned with some noble princess. But in reality, she was just a farm girl raised in the countryside.
Stretching his neck, he peered outside. The carriage stood still, but no one emerged. He muttered, "Madam instructed that if the young lady returns, I should lead her directly to see her—no need to disturb the old madam or anyone else."
"Why hasn't she stepped out yet?" Clearly, Yu Linlang was expected to get down on her own.
Madam Hu shot him a glare. "What, should we remove the threshold so the carriage can roll right in?"
This doorman clearly had no sense. If he angered the wrong person, he'd be lucky if he didn't get dragged into the street and beaten!
Madam Hu had already endured enough hardship on the journey—several beatings included. Now, she only wanted to complete her duty and deliver Yu Linlang safely to her mistress.
She shoved the reluctant doorman aside, and he grudgingly went about his task.
Once the carriage entered the mansion, Madam Hu rushed forward with a smile. "Miss Yu, I've sent word to the madam. You'll soon be meeting her in Yuchunyuan."
The setting sun cast a golden glow as a cold wind swept through the courtyard.
Yu Linlang stepped out of the carriage, holding onto Jiujin's hand. Her gaze settled on the imposing mansion before her.
The doorman and nearby servants discreetly observed her reaction.
Would she gasp in awe at the grandeur—at the carved beams, golden walls, and jade inlays?
Yet, to their surprise, Yu Linlang's expression remained indifferent. She seemed utterly unmoved, as if the grand mansion had nothing to do with her.
The young lady they had imagined—timid, unsophisticated, in awe of luxury—was nowhere to be seen. Instead, this plain-faced Miss Yu displayed a quiet composure that unsettled them.
"Madam Hu, why did she arrive so late?"
"The madam has been keeping an eye on the gates, hoping Miss Yu would return sooner," Shuangli chuckled as she approached. A well-dressed woman in green, accompanied by two young maids, greeted them with a polite smile.
"You lazy old woman—were you dawdling on the way?"
Madam Hu grumbled, "Oh, don't tease me, Sister Zhao. It wasn't intentional. The roads were congested with refugees, and travel was slow."
She turned to Yu Linlang and introduced her. "Miss Yu, this is Madam Zhao, the madam's trusted attendant."
Yu Linlang offered the briefest nod in acknowledgment.
Madam Zhao, caught off guard by the girl's cold demeanor, quickly recovered. "Miss must be exhausted from the journey. Worry not, your room is ready. But first, the madam awaits you."
"Lead the way." Yu Linlang cut off any further pleasantries, her tone commanding.
Madam Zhao hesitated, momentarily embarrassed, before regaining her composure. "Of course. This way, please."
With that, they walked through the courtyards toward Yuchunyuan, where the governor's wife, Madam Huo, awaited them.
Behind them, Madam Hu led a group of maids, following closely.
As they walked, Madam Zhao began to notice something unusual.
Yu Linlang, raised in the countryside, was supposed to be awkward and unrefined. Yet, she carried herself with an air of poise and dignity. Her steps were steady, her gaze unwavering. She neither looked around curiously nor moved hesitantly—she walked as if she belonged.
Madam Zhao's heart stirred uneasily. This girl… is not what we expected.