The arrival of Gu Zheng and Gu Mingning significantly alleviated the rescue pressure in Laijin Prefecture. The soldiers shed their armor and donned lighter clothing to begin saving refugees trapped in the floodwaters.
Gu Zheng stared at Song Yu, whose hands had turned pale from prolonged soaking, momentarily at a loss for words.
"General Gu, please go assist Ah Huan. She’s managing the refugee settlement alone and likely won’t hold out much longer," Song Yu said.
At his words, Gu Zheng nodded repeatedly and immediately turned toward Tongyang County. Behind him, Gu Mingning clasped his hands in salute to Song Yu before wading into the water with Yu Fan.
Gu Zheng was, after all, getting older. Though he could still charge into battle on horseback, Song Yu feared that prolonged exposure to the floodwaters might aggravate his old injuries.
Recalling the grateful look Gu Mingning had given him earlier, Song Yu allowed a faint smile to tug at his lips.
That boy had grown so much taller in the years since they last met.
......
As more and more injured survivors were rescued, the pressure on Song Shihuan’s shoulders surged abruptly.
"General Gu!"
Her face lit up with joy at the sight of Gu Zheng.
"Greetings, Princess," he replied.
"How many troops have you brought?" Song Shihuan had been tirelessly moving among the refugees since dawn, only hearing of the reinforcements’ arrival without knowing their numbers.
"Thirty-three thousand in total. They’re already assisting His Highness in the rescue efforts. He sent me to aid you in settling the refugees."
"That’s good. Thirty-three thousand should buy us another three days."
Song Shihuan exhaled heavily in relief, her vision darkening momentarily as she nearly stumbled.
"Princess!"
"It’s nothing—I forgot to eat lunch. General, join me for a meal, and I’ll brief you on the refugees’ current situation."
Gu Zheng studied her with unconcealed concern.
If the Emperor saw the Princess in this state, his heart would surely ache beyond measure.
......
Purple Dawn Palace.
Another memorial was flung to the ground. The court officials kneeling in discussion immediately prostrated themselves, begging for mercy before scurrying out of the hall in disgrace.
Wu Qi gazed at the relentless rain outside, feeling as though his brows might wither from worry.
Ever since news arrived of the catastrophic floods in Laijin Prefecture, Emperor Yuanyou had become a powder keg, ready to explode at the slightest spark. These past few days, no one dared submit memorials during court sessions—no one wished to incur the Emperor’s displeasure at such a time.
"Wu Qi!"
Hearing his name, Wu Qi hurried into the hall.
"Your servant is here."
"Has any correspondence arrived from Laijin Prefecture?" Emperor Yuanyou’s agitation was palpable.
"Your Majesty, neither the Prince nor the Princess has sent word. They fear the spread of disease, so Laijin Prefecture is currently under strict quarantine—nothing goes out, only in."
The Emperor slammed his fist onto the table.
"'Nothing goes out'—how convenient."
"But what is this Emperor supposed to do?"
Even during rebellions, Emperor Yuanyou had remained composed, issuing decisive orders. Yet now, with Song Yu and Song Shihuan trapped in Laijin Prefecture, he felt utterly powerless.
"Your Majesty, the Prince and Princess are blessed by fortune. They will surely overcome this calamity alongside the people."
......
While the Emperor fretted, the Ping Prince’s Mansion seemed on the verge of lighting celebratory lanterns.
"Have those matrons been sent away?"
Inside the mansion’s chambers, Shen Hua'er smiled for the first time since the matrons had arrived.
"I ordered them to clean up the long-abandoned courtyards," she said.
Yet Song Yanzheng’s expression remained grim. "How can the Princess Consort still smile? The Crown Prince’s seal is already in Uncle’s hands."
"Yanzheng, true—but he’s now caught in a flood. Whether he lives is uncertain." Shen Hua'er’s eyes flashed with malice. "For us, this is nothing but advantage."
"Why?" Song Yanzheng frowned, while Song Yanchao and Song Yanming looked equally puzzled.
"If Song Yu and Song Shihuan perish in Laijin Prefecture, all our problems vanish."
"If they survive, the people of Laijin will revere them beyond measure. Merit that overshadows the sovereign is a fatal offense. Moreover, the prefect of Laijin is from the Shen family—enough to drag them down with him."
"Is this not the perfect scenario?"
"I see." Song Yanzheng pressed his lips together. Shen Hua'er was right—holding the Crown Prince’s seal didn’t guarantee the throne, and even Crown Princes didn’t always become Emperors.
Hadn’t his own father been proof of that?
"If Laijin weathers the flood, I can volunteer to assist in the aftermath. The Ping Prince’s Mansion will avoid undue attention while still claiming a share of the credit."
Song Yanchao grinned darkly.
Laughter filled the room—chilling to the bone.
......
Day Five.
Song Yu and Song Shihuan stared anxiously at Hou Zhiyuan and Tan Ye.
"Your Highness, Princess, I’ve sent men to confirm preparations with neighboring prefectures. The moment word returns, you may order the floodgates opened."
A commotion erupted outside. Song Shihuan glanced toward the door.
A young man, roughly Song Yanzheng’s age but taller, stood drenched in mud, his hair caked with filth.
"Your Highness, the waters are rising again. The soldiers are using their bodies to hold up wooden planks as barriers, but they’ll only last an hour at most. We can’t hold out much longer."
Gu Mingning could feel sludge in his nostrils, but there was no time to wash. Laijin Prefecture was on the brink.
"If the flooding worsens, we’ll have nowhere left to shelter the refugees," Song Shihuan said.
Gu Mingning turned to her, then bowed. "General Gu Mingning pays respects to Princess Fu'an."
He had never met Song Shihuan before, though his younger sister’s letters described her as a celestial maiden descended from the heavens.
"There’s no time for formalities, General Gu," Song Shihuan said firmly. "All we can do now is wait for word on the flood diversion."
"Liuxi, reinforce the guards at Laijin’s gates and coordinate with neighboring prefectures to evacuate civilians—just in case."
If the worst came, the city gates would have to be opened.
"Understood. This servant will go at once."
As Liuxi rushed off, the room fell silent, everyone praying silently as they awaited news.
They waited until nightfall.
Song Yu and Song Shihuan had already braced for the worst.
Just as despair began to settle, a clamor of excited voices erupted outside:
"Report—!"
"Messages from the neighboring prefectures confirm preparations are complete. The floodgates may be opened at any time!"
For a moment, Song Yu—a man of towering stature—felt tears welling in his eyes.
They could divert the flood. Laijin would be saved.
Without hesitation, he issued the order:
"On my command—open the floodgates!"
