My Lady Says She Wants to Marry Me - Chapter 17

Chapter 17

The roiling floodwaters swept across the land, dragging away many villagers who hadn’t managed to scramble onto the high ground in time.

Lu Youming dismounted and looked at the terrified people collapsed around her. She sighed heavily; those swept away by such a torrent had almost zero chance of survival. Standing amidst the throng, she scanned the area frantically, needing to confirm Su Wanrou’s safety before reporting to the Magistrate.

There was little they could do now but wait for the water to recede. Some, still paralyzed by the fear that the water might rise higher, took their families even further up the slopes.

The entire high ground was a chaotic din, a mix of human voices and the squawking of chickens and ducks—over ten thousand people were crammed onto this single ridge.

Leading her horse through the crowd, Lu Youming squeezed past families, searching for her own carriage. Other constables were doing the same, looking for their kin.

Only those who had evacuated early with the Magistrate were currently on duty, trying to maintain a semblance of order. The Magistrate himself was so anxious that blisters had broken out around his mouth.

“Excuse me… please let me through,” Lu Youming urged, weaving through the masses.

“Why are you pushing through with a horse?” a plump woman snapped, clutching her daughter and glaring. Her eyes then slid to Lu Youming’s official uniform. Her expression softened instantly into a wary blink. “Oh… go ahead then.” Lu Youming cupped her hands in thanks and eventually handed her horse over to Yang Zhi to continue her search on foot.

As full daylight arrived, the people began to settle, smoke rising as they started fires to cook. This was the resilience of the common folk: as long as there was a bite to eat, they could find a way to live.

The smoke from damp wood was suffocating. Lu Youming fanned the air with her sleeve, her eyes stinging, until she finally spotted the carriage bearing the Shao family emblem. She broke into a run. Su Wanrou was standing nearby, overseeing the servants as they arranged meals and set up a perimeter.

“Madam!” Lu Youming waved happily. Her spirited shout drew several looks. A few men nearby chuckled, “Look at that lad—can’t bear to be away from his wife for a minute, eh?”

Lu Youming ignored them, running straight to Su Wanrou. Su Wanrou stepped forward, her eyes welling with relief. She had feared Lu Youming hadn’t made it out.

“Phew, you’re alright,” Lu Youming panted, checking her from head to toe. Not a speck of mud was on her.

“I’m fine,” Su Wanrou whispered, handing her a handkerchief. “Here, wipe your face.” Lu Youming took it with a grin. Whatever the future held, Su Wanrou was now firmly within the circle of people she considered family.

By the third day on the high ground, the initial relief of survival began to fray into friction. Food supplies were running low, and tempers were flaring.

Lu Youming, her blade at her waist and a cold look in her eyes, led four constables into the crowd to break up a dispute. She played the “stern official” while Yang Zhi acted as the mediator.

“Uncle, if you throw that punch, it’s a riot. I’ll have to lock you up,” Yang Zhi warned a middle-aged man.

“Then tell me what to do, Yang! This man tried to steal my flour!” The man pointed at a cowering fellow nearby.

“Did he steal it?” Lu Youming stepped forward.

“I caught his hand before he could, Officer,” the man replied.

The accused thief fell to his knees, trembling. “Excellency… my family has no food, I… I…”

“Do you have money?” Lu Youming asked, her gaze piercing. The man looked away. “Answer the Sheriff!” Yang Zhi barked.

“Yes,” the man whispered.

“If you have money, why not buy food?” Lu Youming demanded. When the man remained silent, she announced the punishment: “Since this is a first offense and no theft was completed, you are fined fifty copper coins.”

The man paid the fine under the weight of Yang Zhi’s scabbard against his back. No one saw the flash of resentment in his eyes as he walked away. Lu Youming’s public punishment served as a deterrent—if an attempted theft cost fifty coins, a successful one would be far worse. Moreover, it reminded people that while food was scarce, it could still be traded for.

Later, Lu Youming sat on a rock in the Magistrate’s makeshift tent. “Excellency, food is becoming a serious issue.”

The Magistrate sighed, looking aged. “Zijin, it’s a heavy burden, but you must keep the people suppressed. We cannot have a riot now.”

Easier said than done, Lu Youming thought. I can’t conjure grain out of thin air. When people starve, order vanishes. But aloud, she simply said, “I will do my best.”

That night, Lu Youming returned to her carriage to rest. Su Wanrou was watching the stars over the floodwaters.

“You’re back,” Su Wanrou said, pouring her some water.

“How is the household?” Lu Youming asked after draining the cup.

“Not good,” Su Wanrou frowned. “Our supplies will only last two more days, even with half-rations.”

“Everyone is in the same boat,” Lu Youming sighed, sitting opposite her. “If the water doesn’t recede soon, the chaos will truly begin.”

“We can only hope the heavens are merciful,” Su Wanrou murmured, her hands clasped in prayer. She looked toward the direction of Jinling, her heart heavy with worry for her grandparents. Lu Youming comforted her, noting that if the flood was hitting here, the upstream defenses in Jinling likely held to allow the overflow. “We will find them once the water drops,” she promised.