Chapter 9, Drought (I)

Although her consolation was not particularly moving, it was still pleasant to hear. At that moment, Wang Zhuo's expression softened even more. After sighing a couple of times, he said to Chen Rong: "Ah Rong, if you have any matters in the future, feel free to speak candidly. If you have any needs, just say so."

Without waiting for the elder to respond, Chen Rong straightened her posture and replied in a clear voice: "I am awake"

Yes

The voice is incredibly benevolent

Wang Zhuo furrowed his brows, raising his head to glance at the fields on both sides of the road. There was little water in these fields, yet he vaguely recalled that along this journey, such fields ready for harvest had always been devoid of water.

Thinking of this, Wang Zhuo nodded and said to Chen Rong: "Thank you for the reminder, A Rong." There was a hint of impatience in his expression

Wang Wulang has not yet responded, when suddenly there was a whoosh, and Chen Rong poked her head out from behind the car curtain

Her carriage had just passed by Wang Zhuo's carriage when Wang's seventh daughter, Hanyun, leaned over. With a smile, she stared at Chen Rong and exclaimed, "Chen's A Rong, are you not trying to show off to the point of madness?"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone exchanged glances. It was not until a considerable time had passed that they finally responded: "Yes"

Wang Zhuo looked at Chen Rong, bowed, and said: "Please ask A Rong to come here, for my uncle wishes to apologize in person. A Rong, my uncle prides himself on his reputation, yet he is far inferior to you, a mere woman"

As he spoke to this point, his facial muscles twitched slightly

Go on, go on

At this time, the team had been on the road for twenty days, having traveled five hundred miles from Pingcheng, and had completed half of their journey

Exactly. It should be so.

Chen Rong met their gaze with clear eyes

Chen Rong's carriage began to move

On this day, a low voice came from outside, "Fifth Brother, I see that the fields on both sides of the road are all dry."

Wherever her gaze fell, several people turned their heads to avoid her scrutiny. As for the girl who had mocked her, she had not shown herself at all.

The carriage is in motion

Chen Rong's carriage arrived beside Wang Zhuo's carriage

He truly regrets it. What happened last night will forever be a stain on their clan! Whether it was the killing of the displaced or being robbed by them, and ultimately being forced to distribute grain, all of this will lead them to face accusations from their own family! Wang Zhuo's political future is even more bleak—how can one expect someone who cannot even handle a small group of displaced people to accomplish great matters of governing the country and saving the people?

Since that incident, Chen Rong has been respectful towards Wang Zhuo and has not made any further suggestions to him.

Before the carriage had even approached, Wang Zhuo's laughter came from one side, "A Rong, why don't you come closer and have a word with your uncle?"

The voice joyfully said: "Very good, very good"

Chen Rong did not notice their curious gazes; she merely furrowed her brows and stared intently at the fields on both sides of the road. After a while, she called out to Shang Sou: "Sou, take me to see the prince."

Under the watchful eyes of the young crowd, Chen Rong's carriage soon arrived beside the prince's carriage

That voice, still the same mocking voice that had ridiculed her, belonged to Wang's seventh daughter, Hanyun

Ah

Her carriage approached Wang Zhuo's carriage

He speaks very sincerely, very sincerely

All the young members of the Wang family turned to look at her. Although they had only been together for a few days, they all noticed that this Chen Rong, despite her young age, was remarkably composed in times of crisis. This was the first time they had seen her so flustered

Chen Rong was also formally invited to join the ranks of the Wang family’s offspring, sharing meals and facing challenges together with them

At this moment, everyone was even more astonished. They hesitated for a while before responding with a hesitant "yes" under Chen Rong's stern admonition. Looking at the lowered curtain of the carriage, the concubine leaned towards the old man and whispered, "What is the matter with the young lady? Why such a fuss?"

Chen Rong smiled slightly. She did not need to turn around to know that Wang Zhuo was still paying attention to the movements here. She then raised her voice slightly and said seriously: "Seventh Aunt, if you do not believe me, why not send someone to ask the nearby villagers? Even inquiring with the refugees walking ahead can confirm whether what I said is true or not"

Wang Zhuo had already drawn back the curtain of the carriage, sitting upright inside as he gazed intently at Chen Rong. When Chen Rong looked over at him, Wang Zhuo sighed, "A Rong, my uncle regrets it; it would have been better if I had listened to your advice that day."

Before long, the carriage arrived at the front of the procession. At this moment, Chen Rong, who had slightly adjusted her robes and hair, had already lifted the curtain of the carriage

When Wang Zhuoyi offered his greetings, Chen Rong quickly stepped aside. Bowing her head, she respectfully said: "Why does the noble lord say such a thing? The migration of the entire clan to the south is a significant matter, even the sages may overlook certain aspects!"

She hurriedly drove the horse-drawn carriage to the middle of the group. After summoning the Chen family members, Chen Rong said solemnly: "From now on, if you see a water source, you must remember to stop until all the buckets are filled with water before you can set off. Furthermore, no one is allowed to wash up unless extremely thirsty; the water in the buckets must not be used!"

Chen Rong bowed and replied: "Yes"

Upon seeing this, Chen Rong smiled faintly, bowed again to Wang Zhuo, and then retreated.

After experiencing this series of events, the Wang family finally understood the importance of restraint. During lunch that day, only four or five dishes were placed in front of each member of the Wang family.

Along the roadside, there were carriages belonging to the Wang family’s offspring. When they saw Chen Rong’s carriage approaching, they all turned to look at her.

As soon as her voice fell, two or three chuckles came from behind, faintly, a small voice emerged, "Last time, when father was a bit courteous to her, she thought she was truly someone of importance."

Chen Rong paid her no mind

Chen Rong glanced at Wang Zhuo, who had a sullen expression, and then bowed slightly, saying, "Chen Rong takes her leave."

She rolled her eyes and saw Chen Rong's carriage moving away, then called out: "Hey, aren't you going to ask about it? Hehe, I mean, Ah Rong, as a woman, why are you getting involved in so many matters? Do you really want to earn a reputation for being learned, so that you can serve as an official in the future?" At this point, Gege burst into laughter

Chen Rong returned to the carriage. After staring at the dim sky ahead for a moment, she leaned out and instructed again: "Ping Yu, you take people to soak all the satin thoroughly before loading it onto the carriage."

Chen Rong, however, knew that if Wang Zhuo did not want to bear the reputation of being foolishly arrogant and unrepentant, whether he was willing or not, he truly had to apologize to her in this manner

Inside the carriage, Chen Rong bowed to Wang Zhuofu and said: "Lord Wang, look at these fields, they are all dry. Could it be that a drought has occurred in this area?"

Wang Hanyun let out a soft snort from her nose, rolled her eyes, and said: "I can't be bothered to ask those lowly people."

The old man shook his head. He looked at the companions surrounding him and replied softly, "The lady's behavior this time is indeed strange. You should follow suit in secret, and remember not to speak of it outside."

Yes