Shi Muyuan immediately thought of what she had done before. It seemed no different from being a burden.
And the man's meaning was even clearer. He thought she couldn't even take care of herself, so she had no right to criticize others.
She coughed twice, trying to ease the awkwardness. "Do we really have to let Concubine Rui come? Are you sure she can help us?"
"The emperor has already agreed. Even we can't refuse. Your Majesty, bear with it. We'll soon reach the South of the Yangtze River. Concubine Rui probably won't arrive for a few more days. By then, things in the South of the Yangtze River will almost be sorted out. We can just go back directly."
Hearing this, Shi Muyuan also thought that made sense. Gradually, she accepted it.
However, what the two of them never expected was that the person who was supposed to come a few days later found them at dawn.
"Hey, sister, what a coincidence! I was thinking I'd be slower than you and might take a long time to catch up with you."
Shi Muyuan didn't expect to encounter such an unpleasant person as soon as she got up. She sighed inwardly that she hadn't checked the almanac before going out.
But no matter how disgusted she was with the person in front of her, she still had to maintain a proper demeanor on the surface.
"Sister, you came so quickly. It seems you've already moved on from your family's misfortune. You don't have to be too sad. This trip to the South of the Yangtze River with us can be a kind of relaxation. No matter what mistakes you make, sister won't blame you."
Concubine Rui gritted her teeth tightly, her smile stiff. "I rushed all night to finally see you, sister. Look, I was so excited that I even forgot about my family's misfortune. Well, anyway, I've come to terms with it. Life and death are predestined, and wealth and honor are determined by fate. Father did something wrong. He let you down, the emperor down, and the common people down. I can only try my best to make up for it."
Since she had said so, Shi Muyuan couldn't say anything more. She could only let Concubine Rui follow obediently.
After a long and arduous journey, they finally reached the South of the Yangtze River. However, what they heard and what they saw were always two different things.
The once-beautiful South of the Yangtze River, as the legend went, no longer existed in the face of this disaster. Instead, there was nothing but desolation as far as the eye could see and wailing everywhere.
Maybe because she had been a small urban management officer in modern times, she still didn't want to face such a scene after traveling to this world.
She couldn't bear to see the common people homeless, nor could she bear to see everyone suffering.
Logically speaking, they shouldn't have had to endure such hardships.
Shi Muyuan withdrew her gaze, her voice a bit choked.
"You must take good care of the people in the South of the Yangtze River with all your heart."
The people behind her were all in the same state. The former disputes had vanished in the face of the disaster.
"Your Majesty, please rest assured. We will do our best to help the people in the South of the Yangtze River."
"Good."
While they were talking, the local officials in the South of the Yangtze River came to greet them.
"Thank you, Your Majesty and the National Master, for coming. I believe that with Your Majesty and the National Master here, the disaster in our South of the Yangtze River will soon pass."
Concubine Rui was annoyed that this corrupt official didn't even notice her standing beside them and only wanted to curry favor with this bitch.
She coughed discontentedly, and the official beside her quickly noticed.
"Who is this?"
Shi Muyuan pretended as if she had just remembered there was someone beside her.
"Oh, this is Concubine Rui from the palace. The concubine couldn't bear to enjoy the easy life in the harem while the people in the South of the Yangtze River were suffering, so she came with us to help."
"Thank you all for still remembering the people in our South of the Yangtze River. After this disaster is over, I will definitely let my subordinates spread your deeds."
This was the reaction Concubine Rui wanted to see.
"Well, I will do my best to help. If there are any problems, just come to me."
The official led them to the place where the disaster victims were settled. Concubine Rui originally hoped to find a place to rest. Although it was a bit shabby, it was still bearable. But unfortunately, someone wouldn't let her have her way.
"Since we're here, let's go and meet the common people. This will also reassure them."
Concubine Rui came here to atone for her sins, so she definitely couldn't refuse such a thing.
"Then let's go and have a look. Sister, you're really kind and more considerate than I am."
"Yes. When you meet the people later, don't keep a cold face like this. It will disappoint the disaster victims."
Concubine Rui nodded in agreement to all her reminders.
Before they came, the common people already knew their identities. They all flocked over at once.
"Your Majesty, we knew that the emperor and you in the capital still remembered us. We didn't expect you to come in person. We're really touched."
"Yes. With Your Majesty here in person, I'm sure this disaster will pass quickly."
Concubine Rui was once again excluded by everyone. She was very unhappy and could only squeeze in hard to gain some attention.
"Hello, everyone. This time I'll come with sister to help you get through this. You can rest assured that as long as we're here, we won't let you suffer anymore."
When the other common people saw her face, they were a bit stunned. "Is this the senior maid beside Your Majesty? I didn't expect Your Majesty to have such a beautiful maid by her side. We're really envious."
Shi Muyuan could hardly hold back her smile. In just half a day, Concubine Rui had been embarrassed more than once. But she couldn't say anything and could only endure it all.
"Hello, everyone. I'm Concubine Rui. I'm here with the queen mother to help all of you."
There was a moment of silence. After the common people reacted, they just said a few words of flattery casually and then surrounded the young queen mother again.
Concubine Rui stamped her foot and could only go back to her residence first.
Zhu'er quickly stepped forward to comfort her.
"In a few days, the common people will know how kind you are, Your Majesty. By then, they'll all come to beg you. Your Majesty, don't be too angry."
"Humph, that bitch loves to show off so much. In a few days, when I get to know the situation here, I'll let her show off to her heart's content."
"By the way, someone just brought a letter. Your Majesty, why don't you read it now? No one will find out."
That's right. Although the prince's mansion had fallen, Concubine Rui still had many cards in her hand. She wasn't worried at all. She knew that as long as she persisted, she would one day reach the position she desired.
She looked at the content of the letter, and a smug smile appeared on her lips, as if she had already achieved her goal.
"Burn this letter immediately. I don't believe anyone will help her this time."
Zhu'er heaved a sigh of relief. As long as her mistress wasn't angry, the situation wasn't too serious. She rushed to burn the letter clean and then returned to Concubine Rui's residence.