After the Crybaby Married the Disabled Villain - Chapter 34

“Does this officer have any other questions? Is the Crown Prince permitted to enter the city?”

Yun Liang looked down with a smile at the kneeling soldiers.

“No, no! This humble official will welcome His Highness into the city immediately.”

Perhaps seeing the respectful attitude of the guards, the refugees changed their mindset as well. After all, whether the Crown Prince was favored or destined to inherit the throne didn’t matter to them; if this Prince could solve their problems of hunger and cold, he was their only hope.

“Crown Prince! Crown Prince, please seek justice for us!” “The magistrate doesn’t care if we live or die! We beg Your Highness to take charge!”

Within moments, cries for justice rose one after another, so loud that many citizens inside the city could hear them clearly.

“Rise. His Highness will naturally give everyone an answer.”

The refugees didn’t know if the words were true, but they all began to kowtow in thanks. This left the nearby officials in a cold sweat. However, considering their master’s capabilities and the capital’s disdain for the Prince, their hearts settled somewhat. He’s just a discarded Prince; what is there to be proud of?

“Highness, please follow us into the city.”

The refugees voluntarily parted to make way, allowing the massive carriage to pass smoothly.

Along the way, An Yu watched Su City through the gap in the curtains. It no longer looked like the “land of fish and rice” where spring lasted all year. Everywhere were refugees, collapsed houses, sewage along the banks, and a foul stench rising from the river. Every detail screamed of the local magistrate’s corruption and negligence.

“The imperial officials can actually turn such a blind eye,” Yun Liang noted, letting the curtain fall.

An Yu replied, “Since Lu Youqi’s people secured this assignment, it was inevitable that Jiangnan would look like this.”

Yun Liang let out a chuckle. “Young Master seems to have quite a strong opinion of the Second Prince. Could it be you’re still harboring a grudge for him orchestrating your marriage to the Crown Prince?”

An Yu snorted. “If you put it that way, the only thing I thank him for is exactly that—arranging my marriage to His Highness.”

Yun Liang brightened with interest, finding a bit of joy amidst the grim surroundings. “Young Master, it seems you are very satisfied with His Highness.”

Behind An Yu, Lu Shiyan—who had been reading—suddenly sat up straight, his gaze instinctively drifting toward the boy.

An Yu spoke with a serious expression: “His Highness is certainly not someone a creature like Lu Youqi can be compared to.” An Yu felt Yun Liang needed a reality check. “Doctor Yun, Lu Youqi is not a good person.”

“Why does Young Master say that?”

An Yu let out a meaningful sigh. “Hasn’t he harmed His Highness enough? And if not for him, Jiangnan wouldn’t be in this state.”

Yun Liang cupped his hands. “Young Master speaks the truth.”

Lu Shiyan walked over to An Yu and patted his shoulder comfortingly. “We’re here. Don’t worry.”

The news of the massive commotion at the city gate quickly reached Zeng Yuan. Currently, he was standing with the Su City Magistrate, Liu Hong, at the entrance of the magistrate’s estate. They watched as the two incredibly luxurious carriages slowly came to a halt.

“This humble official welcomes the Crown Prince.”

Both men were portly, their faces thick with fatty flesh. One could tell at a glance they lived well. The greed in their eyes upon seeing the carriages was undisguised. Moying and Mo Han noted this, and their already grim expressions turned even colder.

Seeing that no one had spoken for a long time, Zeng Yuan prepared to stand up. But just as one of his legs began to leave the ground, a cup of scalding tea splashed directly onto his face.

“Aaaah—!”

Having lived a life of luxury for decades as an official, Zeng Yuan had never experienced such a thing. He instantly began to shriek in pain. Liu Hong, who had intended to follow Zeng Yuan in standing up, froze. Seeing Zeng Yuan’s right cheek instantly turn red and swollen, he sucked in a cold breath. The newcomer does not come in peace.

Yun Liang had just placed the empty cup back when An Yu handed him another one.

Yun Liang: Is he a living Yama?

An Yu whispered, “Quick, there’s one more.”

Yun Liang raised an eyebrow, took the cup, and waited silently. An Yu watched through the gap. The greasy man rolling on the ground in pain was clearly a tax-evading, lazy, and gluttonous type. The other official, dressed in fine silks, must be the local tyrant, Magistrate Liu Hong.

“Rise,” Lu Shiyan said coldly.

The two men outside were delighted to hear this. Liu Hong helped the groaning Zeng Yuan up and moved forward to lift the carriage curtain.

Splash!

Another cup of hot tea flew out from behind the curtain, hitting Liu Hong squarely in the face. The tea wasn’t as scalding as the previous cup, and Liu Hong didn’t cry out like Zeng Yuan, but his face quickly turned red, with blisters threatening to form.

Liu Hong’s voice was filled with terror and uncertainty; he didn’t even know if he should lift his head. “High… Highness?”

As the two stood before the carriage with their red faces, the curtain was finally pulled back slowly. Lu Shiyan sat in his wheelchair with An Yu leaning beside him, playing with an empty teacup.

Zeng Yuan had met An Yu before. Seeing the cup in An Yu’s hand, he naturally assumed it was An Yu who had thrown the water.

“Crown Princess! May I ask how this humble official has offended you?” Hmph. Someone the Emperor doesn’t even like dares to come here and act wild? Once the Second Prince takes the throne, let’s see what storms you can still stir up.

Zeng Yuan abandoned his previous respectful tone and stood straight, pointing a finger at An Yu with undisguised rage.

An Yu’s slightly apologetic expression instantly vanished, replaced by one of profound grievance. In a split second, tears pooled in his eyes: “Highness!”

Yun Liang looked back in disbelief. In the past month, he had never heard the Young Master speak to the Prince in such a voice that long, winding tone was enough to give anyone goosebumps.

Lu Shiyan knew the boy was acting, but it didn’t matter. He turned around and brought the teapot from the stove. He signaled for An Yu to hold out his cup so he could refill it. Seeing this, An Yu beamed instantly and held out the cup.

He said sweetly, “Thank you, Highness.”

In the eyes of Zeng Yuan and Liu Hong, Lu Shiyan was now an undiscriminating, foolish ruler, and An Yu was the “calamitous consort” ruining the country.

Seeing An Yu walking forward with the steaming tea, Zeng Yuan’s arrogance vanished. As An Yu drew closer, he knelt straight back down.

“This official was wrong! I beg the Crown Princess for forgiveness!”

“Oh? And what did the Great Lord do wrong?” An Yu stood on the carriage, looking down leisurely at the two men.

“This official… this official was wrong to stand up without Your Highness’s permission.”

An Yu put on a puzzled look. “It seems the Great Lord understands perfectly. Then why did you stand up?”

“I… I…” Zeng Yuan stuttered, unable to find an answer. A cup of hot tea was poured directly over his head. For his already scalded skin, this was truly adding oil to the fire. He was in too much pain to speak.

An Yu then turned his gaze toward Liu Hong. “And what about Magistrate Liu?”

Liu Hong was already trembling with fear, his words stumbling. “This official does not know. I beg the Crown Princess to enlighten me.”

An Yu nodded in satisfaction and set the empty cup down. “Since birth, this Consort has been at odds with the left foot. Magistrate Liu just happened to step off with his left foot first. You have offended me.”

At these words, not only could Yun Liang not help himself, but even Moying lowered his head with a hidden smile.

“Highness, am I right?”

Lu Shiyan said dotingly, “Xiao Yu has a point.”

Liu Hong suppressed his fury and swallowed his pride. “This official knows his mistake.”

“It’s good that you know.”

Having finally welcomed the group into the estate, Liu Hong breathed a sigh of relief. He grabbed the silent Zeng Yuan and followed behind. As he walked, he instinctively made sure to lead with his right foot.

The magistrate’s estate was massive; it was a long walk to the main hall. Lu Shiyan and An Yu took the seats of honor, and neither Zeng Yuan nor Liu Hong dared to say anything.

The atmosphere was chilly. Liu Hong opened with a smile: “Highness must be exhausted from the long journey. I will have the servants prepare fine wine and food to entertain you.” He moved to call the servants.

Zeng Yuan sat to the side with his swollen face, silent. An Yu thought that he probably didn’t know yet that Lu Youqi had been stripped of his duties; if Zeng Yuan got into trouble now, no one would be coming to save him.

“I’m not tired,” Lu Shiyan said. Liu Hong’s smile froze. He paused, then tried again: “Then Highness must at least sample the specialties of Jiangnan; I guarantee you will like them.”

“Specialties of Jiangnan? Magistrate Liu, do you mean the refugees? I doubt His Highness would like that much,” Yun Liang said with a smile, causing Liu Hong’s face to go rigid.

Finally, Liu Hong let out a helpless sigh. “Highness must have seen the state of Su City. How can it still be called ‘Jiangnan’?”

“So Magistrate Liu is actually aware.”

Liu Hong sighed again, and Zeng Yuan chimed in: “Highness, the situation is already much better than it was a month ago. This past month, we have been using the estate’s grain reserves to provide porridge. We have very little left now.”

Lu Shiyan looked at the two and said slowly, “They say Lord Zeng has a sturdy build. It seems you’ve grown even sturdier since coming to Jiangnan.”

Zeng Yuan gave a strained smile. “This official has a frail constitution. The imperial physicians say my weight is caused by my physical weakness.”

An Yu interjected quickly: “One mustn’t be careless with matters of health! Our Doctor Yun is a match for any imperial physician. Quick, give Lord Zeng a thorough examination.”

Yun Liang moved to step forward. Zeng Yuan waved his hands frantically, stuttering his refusal: “No, no need! No need to trouble the Great Lord. I am already undergoing treatment; I’m almost recovered.”

Lu Shiyan let out a cold laugh. “So, you’re saying both of you are at your wits’ end?”

“This official is ashamed.”

An Yu really wanted to turn this “humble official” into a “crippled official.” He had never heard anyone sound so proud while saying they were “ashamed.” Two of them, no less.

“Since you are at your wits’ end, hand over the disaster relief funds provided by the court to me. I will find a way. How about that?”

Zeng Yuan let out another long sigh. “To be honest with Your Highness, when I first arrived, prices had skyrocketed. The people couldn’t afford grain. This official has already distributed all the relief funds to the people.”

An Yu nearly rolled his eyes. What a wonderful, upright official working for the people.

“So, you’re saying Lord Zeng has no money, no grain, and no plan,” Yun Liang murmured, his voice audible to everyone in the room. He looked up at Zeng Yuan. “All you have left is your life?”

Zeng Yuan snapped his head up, looking at Lu Shiyan in disbelief, waiting for the Crown Prince to react. Instead, he saw the man in the chair looking down, fiddling with a priceless green jade pendant on his belt, completely ignoring what had been said.

Zeng Yuan’s gaze flickered before he said with feigned determination: “I beg Your Highness to give this official one more chance to save the common people.”

Lu Shiyan finally looked up. “Then I shall trouble Lord Zeng.”

Zeng Yuan breathed a sigh of relief and sat back down, his eyes full of calculation. Let’s see how much longer you can be arrogant. Once the Second Prince sends word, this will be our territory.

“Lord Zeng, you may go about your business,” An Yu said naturally, sipping his tea.

“This official”

“Is there something else?”

Zeng Yuan was speechless. “No.”

An Yu’s eyes clearly said: Then why are you still here?

“This official takes his leave.”

Zeng Yuan scurried away, leaving Liu Hong standing there tremulously.

“Magistrate Liu, do you have any money left?”

Liu Hong replied instantly: “Yes, yes! I am entirely at your command!”

An Yu and Lu Shiyan exchanged a look, their smiles filled with deep satisfaction.