Overnight, the entire Laijin Prefecture was engulfed in cries of despair.
The waters of the Mi River surged violently under the relentless downpour, easily breaching the hastily reinforced embankments. Panicked citizens fled in all directions, seeking refuge elsewhere.
Chaos reigned everywhere.
"Your Highness, Princess, you must evacuate Laijin Prefecture at once."
Shen Xiao knelt before Song Yu and Song Shihuan, his usually immaculate uniform as the commander of the imperial guards now soaked and caked in mud—a stark contrast to his usual composed demeanor.
"The situation is beyond control. The people of Laijin are like startled birds, and in such disorder, I cannot allow Your Highness and the Princess to remain in danger."
This was a flood disaster unseen in decades across the Great Qi Dynasty.
"Commander Shen, my father and I will not leave. If we abandon Laijin, its people will believe the court has forsaken them, and chaos will consume them entirely."
Song Shihuan’s eyes burned with determination. "Father and I have already identified several areas within Laijin untouched by the floodwaters. Please mobilize the people to relocate there immediately."
"Also, seal the city gates. Do not let the citizens flee Laijin." She paused, then added firmly, "If anyone resists, tell them that my father and I remain here, standing with them through this calamity."
A prince wielding the Crown Prince’s decree.
A princess deeply favored by the Emperor.
Together, they were enough to steady the people’s hearts.
"As you command." Shen Xiao bowed deeply to Song Shihuan—a gesture of utmost respect for Princess Fu'an.
After Shen Xiao departed, Song Shihuan turned to Song Yu. "Father, at this point, diversion is better than containment."
Song Yu grasped her meaning instantly. "Hou Zhiyuan, Tan Ye—where are you? Study the maps and see if the Mi River’s flow can be redirected to other prefectures to relieve the pressure on Ji'an."
Hou Zhiyuan and Tan Ye immediately pored over the maps, measuring distances with rulers. The room fell silent as everyone awaited their verdict.
......
Meanwhile, in the capital.
"Outrageous! How dare they conceal a disaster of this scale!"
In the morning court session, Emperor Yuanyou’s thunderous fury shook the hall. At this point, he had only received reports of minor flooding.
The officials stood frozen, their minds racing over how the Crown Prince’s decree had fallen into Prince Qin’s hands. Shen Mingwen felt his blood turn to ice—his own son...
How could he have committed such a reckless act?
"Urgent report—!"
A frantic voice pierced the tension. Emperor Yuanyou’s grip tightened on his throne. "Speak."
"Your Majesty, Laijin Prefecture has been struck by torrential rains. The Mi River’s waters have risen abruptly, causing a flood spanning over a dozen counties—the worst in decades."
"Prince Qin and Princess Fu'an have ordered the city gates sealed and request immediate imperial aid."
"And what of Prince Qin and the Princess?"
The Emperor rose, his voice trembling.
"They remain in Laijin, declaring they will stand with its people to prove the court has not abandoned them."
The messenger had raced five horses to death to deliver this news. Gasping for breath, he finished his report.
Shen Qingping’s eyes flashed with something akin to madness.
"Your Majesty, we must dispatch physicians and flood-control experts to Laijin without delay," he said, wasting no time. "Additionally, Laijin will face food shortages. I implore the Ministry of Revenue to gather supplies and deliver them at once."
"And to prevent unrest, General Gu Zheng should lead troops to Laijin immediately."
"Minister Shen, sending aid is necessary, but mobilizing troops seems excessive," another official countered. "Military deployments require careful deliberation. If we act rashly, who will safeguard the capital?"
"But in Laijin right now are a prince holding the Crown Prince’s decree and an eleven-year-old princess!"
Those familiar with Shen Qingping would recognize the edge of desperation in his voice.
"Enough!"
Emperor Yuanyou’s roar silenced the hall.
"Proceed as Shen Qingping advises."
"Gu Zheng, mobilize thirty thousand elite soldiers to Laijin. Ensure order and protect Prince Qin and Princess Fu'an at all costs."
When another minister moved to protest, the Emperor swept everything from his desk in a fury.
"Anyone who objects may send their own sons to Laijin in their stead!"
"My son and granddaughter are holding the line in that disaster. If I cannot even guarantee their safety, what kind of Emperor am I?"
"Your Majesty, calm yourself."
"By imperial decree: All flood-control experts within Great Qi are to report to Laijin immediately. Rewards will be bestowed after the crisis."
After court, Emperor Yuanyou lingered before the portrait of Empress Yuan for a long time.
A light rain began to fall over the capital.
Wu Qi watched the droplets from the palace steps, his eyes stinging.
Since when had nobility ever rushed into the heart of danger?
May the Prince and Princess return safely.
......
"Your Highness, Princess, based on the Mi River’s current flow, diverting through these points may alleviate the flooding. Please send word to these prefectures at once, ordering them to clear their channels and open the sluice gates."
"Go now!"
Song Yu motioned to Liuxi, who hurried out.
"What are the casualty numbers so far?"
The question lodged like a blade in Song Yu’s chest.
"Your Highness, every available rescuer has been deployed, but... the flood’s force is merciless. We cannot yet account for the losses."
Xu Xu, magistrate of Xiangyao County, wiped his tears. "Entire villages have been swallowed. Many never had a chance..."
"I will see for myself."
Before Xu Xu could protest, Song Yu and Song Shihuan strode out, heading straight for the flood’s frontlines.
"Your Highness, Princess, you shouldn’t be here—it’s not safe!"
Yu Fan waved from a makeshift raft. "Leave this to me! Go back!"
Suddenly, Song Yu spotted a girl being swept away.
In that instant, a vision flashed before him—a scene he’d never witnessed: himself leaping into a lake to rescue a limbless girl. He couldn’t see her face, only knew she was lifeless when pulled ashore.
Shaking off the vision, Song Yu plunged into the torrent without hesitation and dragged the girl to safety.
Physicians rushed over.
"Is she alive?"
Song Yu’s voice was barely a whisper.
"Your Highness, she breathes."
He exhaled sharply, dripping head to toe, yet his heart ached inexplicably.
Why had the girl in his vision been dead?
