Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

“Huaiyu,” she said, disrupting Feng Jin’s thoughts, “Help me.”

Feng Jin’s heart trembled, and he replied, “Please feel free to ask what you require of me.”

They were not just close friends. Lanting was akin to family, and he was indebted to her forever.

“I wish to stay in Shangjing.”

Feng Jin said decisively, “No, you should leave quickly.”

He could not bear to implicate his wife and daughter. He had to choose a safer option against his will, but it was different for Jiang Pengji.

If she did not provoke the bandits and the mob of refugees, her safety was guaranteed. Her chances of leaving Shangjing to travel to Chongzhou were also higher.

“Please hear me out first.”

“Please, go ahead. I am listening.” Feng Jin calmed his emotions.

Jiang Pengji continued, “As you have seen, the Emperor wishes to give up on the people of Shangjing by moving the capital city. The imperial guards are his safeguard, and he won’t let them go easily. Notably, we cannot depend on him to suddenly realize his mistakes, or become a saintly ruler that loves his people. Huaiyu, have you thought about it? Perhaps you don’t care. How are the people in Shangjing going to survive? I want to stay to help them.”

The Dongqing Emperor was going to move the capital city, and Jiang Pengji would bring the survivors to the new capital.

Feng Jin sighed and remarked coldly, “Lanting, I know you are virtuous and have a magnanimous heart. But you cannot achieve this by your strength alone.”

Where was the manpower required to save the people? Where were the rations for the survivors? Where were the medications for the injured and sick?

Those were just the basic requirements for what Jiang Pengji wished to accomplish.

What would they do with the corpses? Summer had arrived, and it was hot and humid. The bodies would decompose quickly. If they did not handle the situation well, then a plague would spread.

If a plague occurred, it would affect many. They had no divine doctor to treat the plague!

People were fools; they were easily hoodwinked. Even if Jiang Pengji wanted what was best for them, there were still troublemakers. Some people were impatient about getting their food or blamed her for not handling relief efforts well. There were also those that preferred violence and robbery. How did she plan to curb violent refugees?

Even if those situations were solvable, how was she going to settle people down?

Shangjing city was in ruins. It left the people in shambles. Even the Emperor himself was hesitant about how to solve it. Did she really have the guts to take it on?

Feng Jin didn’t know how to advise her.

“I can do it, Huaiyu,” Jiang Pengji said.

Feng Jin suppressed the unknown worries in his heart. He looked into Jiang Pengji’s eyes intently, then spoke with a hoarse voice. “You are but a scholarly person. You cannot take on this burden. If you wish to save them, you must be ready. Have you thought of how to wrap up that situation?”

The Dongqing Emperor wished to abandon his people. He chose to move the capital city, while Jiang Pengji was merely a scholar that desired to participate. She was taking her life too lightly!

“I know how to end things.” Jiang Pengji was adamant. Her expression did not change. “It is impossible to live in Shangjing. Rebuilding will require a lot of manpower and energy. The earthquake was severe. Its effects have spread not just across Shangyang County, but perhaps throughout a prefecture. We can’t wait around to reconstruct a country on a foundation of ruins. I will bring them to Chongzhou.”

Her voice faded away. Feng Jin’s expression changed, then he pushed the side table away with his hands. The table overturned in the air and crashed loudly on the floor, which startled Wei Jingxian and the baby.

Changsheng’s weak cry sounded. Her red, wrinkled face emitted hot air. Her cry was very pitiful. Wei Jingxian pulled apart the curtains of the tent. As she comforted her child, she looked at them in shock.

“You guys…”

Did they quarrel?

“I am fine…” Feng Jin regained his focus. His cold appearance melted into guilt. He spoke softly, “Please pacify Changsheng…”

There were still occasional aftershocks. Even the adults were afraid, let alone a newborn child.

His emotions were running rampant, and as a result, he frightened his child. His guilt was only natural.

“Lanting, let’s go somewhere further to talk.”

Feng Jin’s facial expression returned to normal. His tone, instead of turning gentle, became stern.

“All right.” Jiang Pengji rose and followed him out of the tent.

The audience members in the streaming room were nervous. Before long, bullet screens poured in.

Yingyang Kuaixian: “Young Feng Jin is so fierce.”

He instantly transformed from a gentle, rich man to a possessed, mean man. It frightened a group of audience members.

Niurougeng Bujiajiang: “Did the streamer say some taboo words and step on his Achilles heel?”

Laosiji Lianmeng: “Pei, you worry too much. Feng Jin’s thoughts are easily discernable. The streamer said something taboo. Regardless of what era they are in, rebellion is not encouraged. The streamer hinted at it just now. She doesn’t want to bear with the Dongqing Emperor anymore; she wants to take it on herself. Young Feng Jin went through mainstream education. It would be weird if he accepted this immediately.”

Woshi Guanshiyin: “The Dongqing Emperor is incompetent. If one doesn’t rebel against him, he’ll be around until Qing Ming.”

Shuijiade Tiaodan: “En, even so, he didn’t have to be so shocked, right? Look at Xu Ke. His ability to accept things so readily is admirable.”

Yin Yuejia Zhuge Qinmo: “Pei. Does young Xu Ke know the streamer is a female?”

After that comment appeared on the bullet screen, many subsequent speechless replies followed. They didn’t seem to understand the relationship between the two.

So what if she was a female? After a long while, when the audience finally understood, they became silent again.

The streamer was a dependable best friend. If she was a male, she could achieve her ambitions and conquer the nations. Truthfully, the Dongqing Emperor was as foolish as a pig. What was the big deal about rebelling against him? The problem was that she was female.

After a while, an audience member revealed the truth.

Nudi Jiawo: “Why do I feel like… dear Feng Jin was shocked by the streamer?”

Her words surprised Feng Jin. He was confused and lost control of his emotions.

“Lanting, why did you…?” Feng Jin wore an indescribable, conflicted look.

He knew his best friend was unconventional. She liked to stir up trouble, but it never occurred to him that she had such ambitions.

“This seems good.” Jiang Pengji’s expression became milder and she painted a scenario for him. “Can you imagine me at home with my husband and son, serving them and helping them cook? Can you see me being meek and compliant, bearing the image of a good wife and loving mother?”

Feng Jin looked as though he had a mouthful of worms. He spoke with much difficulty, “You can stop now.”

He had a limited imagination; he just couldn’t think clearly. It was easier to imagine her punching a tall and sturdy man in the chest over a mere grievance.

“That’s why I will never be able to live the life of an average woman. Huaiyu, I cannot live a cowardly life. Neither can I marry a woman just to hide my female identity. I will not sit back and accept my fate,” Jiang Pengji continued, “I am a human first, then a woman. I am a human, so why can I not be the Emperor? The Emperor is not compassionate. The court is corrupt, and society doomed. I shouldn’t have to deal with how things are going.”

Feng Jin opened his mouth a few times, but under the influence of Jiang Pengji’s words, he couldn’t speak.