Time flew by like a white pony galloping through a crack. In the blink of an eye, it was the day when the girls' academy would collect all the purchased supplies.
However, seeing Yun Xi getting ready to go empty - handed, Yu Zhu couldn't help but feel anxious.
"Miss, there's still some time. How about we go for another stroll on the street? If you go like this, people will laugh at you!"
Since Yun Xi was named the Princess of Yongning, Yu Zhu had felt a sense of pride and held herself more upright.
The previous gloom caused by Jiang being named a third - rank virtuous lady had vanished.
Originally, Yu Zhu had hoped that through this activity of the girls' academy, Miss could vent her anger in front of those who had bullied her before. She had reminded Yun Xi repeatedly to prepare for it several days ago.
She thought that with Miss's intelligence, she would surely outshine the others and make a stunning comeback.
But until today, Yun Xi still hadn't prepared anything!
Yun Xi got into the carriage. Seeing Yu Zhu standing there, looking at her sorrowfully, Yun Xi sighed.
"Yu Zhu, it doesn't really matter what we buy."
She didn't know how to explain it to Yu Zhu in just a few words.
"But it's better than having nothing, Miss! At least the Second Miss has prepared fine rice. It would be good if you prepared something else!"
Food is the paramount necessity of the people. The most important thing for the common people is food. That's why the girls' academy organized this activity, isn't it?
Even a servant like her understood this, so why didn't Miss get it?
Suddenly, as if thinking of something, Yu Zhu's eyes lit up. She smiled and asked eagerly,
"Miss, did you secretly prepare something already? You just don't want others to know."
Yu Zhu was still holding out hope, but Yun Xi was both amused and helpless. She shook her head honestly.
"Really not!"
Yu Zhu got on the carriage dejectedly. Yun Xi patted her on the shoulder reassuringly.
"Don't worry, Yu Zhu. I won't let you down!"
Yu Zhu was on the verge of tears.
"Miss, my reputation doesn't matter. The most important thing is that you can't afford to lose face!"
Before, Miss was always called the "daughter of a treacherous official". Now that she had finally been named a princess, it was time for her to hold her head high.
If she became a laughingstock because of this, wouldn't all her previous efforts have been in vain?
However, Yun Xi didn't seem to take Yu Zhu's concerns to heart at all. She even hummed a tune all the way, looking forward to the upcoming activity.
Good news had been coming in one after another from the northwest. The disaster - relief efforts were almost over. According to this situation, the displaced people stranded outside the capital city could return to their hometowns one after another before the New Year.
After it was proved that there was no plague among the displaced people, the city gates were gradually opened. Although the displaced people were not allowed to enter the city at will, the people inside the city could go out to offer alms, do business, etc.
Taking this opportunity, the Princess Dowager had specifically set the location for the supply collection outside the city, in the resettlement area for the displaced people.
Firstly, it would give the female students a chance to get in close contact with these disaster - stricken people and experience the hardships of life. Secondly, it would allow the displaced people to choose the things they needed most.
It had to be said that although the Princess Dowager came from the royal family, she had really put a lot of effort into relieving the poor.
This move not only attracted many onlookers but also won unanimous praise from everyone. It also gave the female students a vivid lesson!
There weren't many students in the academy. Therefore, each student could summarize their intentions in one or two sentences when handing in their supplies and could also answer the questions from the crowd.
Although the weather was very cold, it couldn't stop the enthusiasm of the onlookers or the determination of the female students to show themselves.
The supplies purchased by the female students were handed in one after another. The items were all sorts of things, and there were also quite a few jokes.
For example, there was a fool who bought shark fins and sea cucumbers at her own expense. Although she claimed it was to let the disaster - stricken people have something good to eat, she was unanimously disliked by the disaster - stricken people.
Because for ordinary people, shark fins and sea cucumbers, although rare, were like chicken ribs.
They would be gone after one meal. They couldn't fill one's stomach or satisfy one's hunger. They were all show and no substance!
There was also someone who bought tea for the disaster - stricken people, saying that tea was good for health and could cultivate one's temperament. She rambled on and on about the tea culture.
But the question was, when people couldn't even fill their stomachs, who had the mood to drink tea?
Moreover, tea made people feel hungrier. It would be more practical to tighten one's belt!
Now it was Zhen Bao's turn. Goodness gracious, she directly brought up all eighteen kinds of weapons. The disaster - stricken people were surprised: "These can't be eaten!"
But Zhen Bao insisted firmly and said plausibly that these martial - arts weapons could not only make the disaster - stricken people stronger but also, after practicing for a long time, make them as resistant to hunger as the soldiers in the army.
At first glance, it seemed to make a bit of sense!
Maybe one day when another country invaded the territory of the Liu Kingdom, the common people could organize a powerful team to fight back!
It was Yun Ni's turn. She pointed at the fine rice she had purchased proudly and introduced its nutrition, taste, and different cooking methods in all aspects. Anyway, it was suitable for all ages, but the quantity was too small.
Compared with the expensive fine rice, the disaster - stricken people would rather exchange it for ordinary food.
After Yun Ni, finally Wei Xueming appeared. She had an ethereal temperament and elegant manners. As soon as she came on stage, she captured almost everyone's attention.
After all, the number - one talented girl in the capital was not someone ordinary people could see!
Seeing that Wei Xueming had purchased flour, the people outside the field praised her one after another.
"Flour is cheap and practical. Compared with those showy delicacies, tea, and fine rice, this is much more suitable."
"Sure enough, she is the number - one talented girl. Not only is she beautiful, but she is also smart. She can buy things according to the needs of the disaster - stricken people."
Hearing the endless praise, Wei Xueming showed a modest smile. Even the Princess Dowager beside her nodded with satisfaction.
Among the female students in the academy, the one she valued most was Wei Xueming. It was not only because of her intelligence but also because she could size up the situation and stand out among the girls!
"But, why do the disaster - stricken people not seem very happy?"
Suddenly, someone in the crowd said something, and immediately someone retorted,
"What do those disaster - stricken people know? They can't even eat white - flour steamed buns a few times a year. They've been used to a poor life for so long. How could they understand Miss Wei's good intentions! No matter what you give them, they probably won't be satisfied!"
This person was obviously a loyal supporter of Wei Xueming and couldn't tolerate anyone saying anything bad about her.
The truth was just as he said. Ordinary people couldn't even eat white - flour steamed buns a few times a year. Even during the New Year, they would mix white flour with black flour, or have black flour inside and a layer of white flour outside.
That kind of black flour was actually made from sorghum and bran. It was reddish - brown in color, very hard, astringent, and not delicious.
It wasn't that they didn't know how to enjoy life. It was just that this kind of black flour was cheap and could satisfy hunger.
If anyone asked how she knew this, in her previous life, when she was under house arrest by Jiang for several years, someone had secretly given her such steamed buns.
In fact, the requirements of poor people for food were very low. They just wanted to be full and not hungry!
Those who had never experienced hunger would never understand their fear of not knowing if they would have the next meal.
"By the way, I heard that the Princess of Yongning personally named by the Emperor this time is also in the girls' academy. What did she buy this time?"
"Yeah, I heard that she is as beautiful as a flower and has a kind heart. She has saved many lives of the disaster - stricken people!"