Most dwellings in Rao City had collapsed, the ground covered with horrific cracks. Livestock and human bodies were mixed together, with a strange odor in the air. Homeless Rao City civilians huddled together by the roadside, too overwhelmed to tend to their own injuries.
An Jin and I immediately divided tasks. He arranged to handle corpses and conduct rescue, while I gathered disaster victims and had accompanying physicians provide treatment and distribute cotton clothing and food.
The city official, hearing that imperial envoys had arrived from the capital, hurried to welcome us. I had my soldiers detain him, intending to punish his inaction. He begged for mercy: “The Prince of Ning is not here, and I did not dare to make decisions independently. Please, Your Highness, show mercy!”
“Where is the Prince of Ning?”
“A few days ago, the Prince of Ning was helping with relief efforts. Then someone reported that a young master had escaped, and the Prince hurriedly left and never returned.”
“A young master escaped?” I thought. Could it be about Xia Zhiyuan? Only he could make Yun Qiao so anxious. “He didn’t return, and you didn’t send anyone to look?”
The city official looked distressed: “We didn’t have enough manpower—”
“At least you know which direction he went, right?”
“I heard he went west, towards Liuxia Mountain.
An Jin tried hard to smile at me. “A Yao… think of something else. Think about when you were little, desperately… bullying me…” I laughed weakly. “At this moment… you… just remember this?” He smiled even more gently. “I remember… everything.” I took a breath, opened my eyes, and looked at him. I knew he had also reached his limit. “Brother Jin.” “Hmm?” “Will you… fall in love with… someone else?” He was stunned. “No. Not in this lifetime.” I smiled contentedly and nodded. “Then… I can rest assured. Although… this is a bit selfish…” His expression suddenly changed. “A Yao—” “I can’t hold on anymore.” I looked at him apologetically. “Brother Jin, help me take care of Mom and Dad, and—” “No!” He interrupted me. “Don’t do anything foolish!” It was too late. I just slightly loosened my hand and immediately felt myself falling rapidly, accompanied by a sense of relief.
Chapter Seventy-Six: Hard-Won
