bookrebus Chapter 219 Disaster
Chapter 219 Disaster
Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was already mid-June. More than three months had passed since she had accompanied Chu Ning'an to the provincial examination. Ru Yue's homesickness grew stronger. She missed her adorable and mischievous stepbrother and sister, her family's "Ming Yue" stall, and everything about home.
On this day, light shone through the study window onto the ground, forming patches of mottled light and shadow.
Ru Yue curled up pitifully in the comfortable big rattan chair, her delicate body looking a little lonely.
She raised her head and looked at Chu Ning who was concentrating on reading with her big watery eyes, and said softly: "Chu Ning'an, can we go home tomorrow? I miss home so much." Her tone was full of grievance, as if as long as Chu Ning had any intention of refusing, her tears would burst out like a broken dam.
Hearing Ru Yue's request, Chu Ning slowly put down the book in his hands, stood up and walked towards her. When he reached her, he bent down slightly and looked into her eyes. He saw that her eyes were misty, as crystal clear as the dewdrops rolling on the lotus leaves in the morning.
Chu Ning caressed her cheek lovingly and said softly, "Haha, okay, I'll go home with you tomorrow."
However, Chu Ning changed the subject and said with a worried look on his face: "It's just that you have lost a lot of weight. We have been on the road all the time these days, and we didn't have time to rest properly after returning here before we encountered the Lin family. I am really worried that your body can't withstand such fatigue." After that, he sighed softly.
Ru Yue listened to Chu Ning's concerned words and felt touched.
She knew that with only two months left until the college entrance exam, this should have been the time when many students were studying hard and preparing for the exam. However, Chu Ning, out of consideration for her own feelings, repeatedly postponed her schedule.
Thinking of this, she suddenly felt guilty and uneasy.
"I'm fine. Nanny Qin will definitely take good care of my body after we go back. I'll be back to normal in no time!" Ru Yue looked at him with a worried look on his face and hurriedly spoke to comfort him.
After saying that, Ru Yue seemed afraid that the other party would continue to ask questions, so she quickly changed the subject: "Ah, the college entrance examination is coming soon, you should also focus on studying hard and prepare for the exam! Don't accompany me all day like you do now, otherwise it will really delay your bright future!"
Hearing this, he couldn't help but be slightly stunned, but soon a doting smile appeared on his face again, and he whispered: "Could it be that Ruyue is worried that I won't be able to get the third place, and then I won't be able to marry you in a grand ceremony after you come of age next year?" After saying this, he winked at Ruyue mischievously.
Ru Yue was so amused by his expression that she burst out laughing. She rolled her eyes at him and said, "Humph, even if you can't get the third place, so what? Who says you have to get the third place in the imperial examination to marry me? As long as you treat me well, I will marry you willingly no matter what!"
In fact, Ru Yue knew very well that the reason why he teased her like this was, on the one hand, to make her happy, and on the other hand, to subtly express his concern about whether he could successfully marry her.
Thinking of this, Ru Yue couldn't help but blush and lowered her head, murmuring in a voice as soft as a mosquito: "And...and you are so handsome. If I could marry you, I don't know how many women would envy and hate me! Hehe, just thinking about it, I feel like I've really made a profit!" As she spoke, her fair cheeks became hotter and hotter, as beautiful as a ripe apple.
Both of them were soothing each other's hearts in their own unique ways. At this moment, "Knock knock knock", a crisp and rhythmic knock on the door suddenly sounded, breaking the originally warm and peaceful atmosphere in the house.
Wang Shuisheng's slightly respectful voice came from outside the door: "Miss, Miss Huo sent someone to deliver an invitation, sincerely inviting you to come to her house for a gathering."
After a brief pause, he continued, "Also, Manager Ding from Tianxiang Tower also sent a servant to deliver a generous gift, saying that he wanted to thank you for your previous assistance to them."
The person in the room responded softly, "Okay, I understand."
Although the voice was soft, it exuded a reassuring power.
Time slipped by quietly, and in the blink of an eye it was already afternoon. Sunlight streamed through the window lattices into the Huo family's flower hall, tinging the entire room with a faint golden glow.
At this time, Huo Qingwan was looking at her father helplessly. She didn't know how many times she had tried to drive this old father away from her.
Huo Qingwan said coquettishly, "Father, I invited Sister Ruyue to come to the mansion to play today. If you have something to take care of, please go ahead. You don't have to stay here with me."
Faced with his daughter's kindness, Magistrate Huo was unmoved. He still had a doting smile on his face and had no intention of leaving.
"Wan'er, I've been very busy these days. Today I finally have some free time. How can you be so ignorant and not understand my deep affection for you, my beloved daughter?" Magistrate Huo pretended to be complaining, shook his head and sighed.
"Father, stop pretending. How could I not know what you are thinking? You are obviously anxious to find Master Chu Ning'an to chat and play chess." Huo Qingwan chuckled and exposed her father's disguise, her beautiful eyes full of smartness and playfulness.
"Oh, my dear daughter, it's still me who understands me. Well, since you've seen through me, I won't stay here any longer when Ru Yue comes. When she arrives, you must remember to have someone bring Chu Ning'an directly to the study to see me, so that I won't be an eyesore to you two sisters here." Magistrate Huo teased his daughter in a half-truthful way.
"Hehehe... Sister Huo and Uncle Huo really have a deep father-daughter love, which is really enviable!" At this moment, a clear and pleasant voice was heard. It turned out that Ru Yue had just stepped into the flower hall and happened to hear the interesting conversation between the father and daughter.
She had a smile on her lips and joy in her eyes, and it was obvious that she was genuinely happy about their current close relationship.
"Ruyue, you're here!" Huo Qingwan heard the voice and looked over. A smile as bright as a flower instantly blossomed on her face. She walked briskly and hurried to meet him. Seeing this, Magistrate Huo also smiled and followed her out of the flower hall.
Seeing Huo Qingwan and Magistrate Huo walking quickly towards them, Ru Yue and Chu Ning'an hurriedly bowed to greet Magistrate Huo, and at the same time respectfully presented the gifts they had carefully selected and brought back from Yingzhou Prefecture with both hands.
Led by a group of servants, Ru Yue and Chu Ning'an slowly walked into Huo Qingwan's exquisitely decorated flower hall filled with the fragrance of flowers.
As soon as they stepped through the threshold, they knew that Magistrate Huo had summoned them to discuss something important. So, they exchanged a silent glance, but neither of them voiced their suspicions.
At this moment, Magistrate Huo had put away the intimacy and laughter he had previously displayed with his beloved daughter, returning to his usual solemn and serious demeanor. He spoke loudly towards the door, "Come in and sit down quickly. Wan'er, come and listen too."
Hearing this, the three young men's hearts suddenly tightened. They looked at each other, unable to guess what Magistrate Huo was trying to do.
Magistrate Huo sat steadily in the main seat, his eyes sweeping over the three young men in front of him one by one. He asked slowly, "During your travels, you must have seen many new and unusual things and scenes, right? Did you notice anything unusual?"
Magistrate Huo's nonsensical question left the three people present completely confused and bewildered.
Chu Ning'an was the first to recover. He respectfully clasped his fists and bowed to Magistrate Huo, then carefully replied, "To reply to Uncle Huo, this trip has indeed benefited me greatly and broadened my horizons. However, regarding the 'strangeness' you mentioned... I'm sorry, I'm not very clear on what you meant by that. I wonder what exactly Uncle Huo was referring to?"
Chu Ning'an's answer was both humble and polite, yet also filled with caution. Ru Yue and Huo Qingwan, standing nearby, looked bewildered, clearly baffled by Magistrate Huo's question as well.
Just then, a servant arrived carrying exquisite refreshments, temporarily easing the awkward atmosphere. The three of them each took a teacup, sipped the fragrant tea, and tried to calm their inner doubts and anxieties.
"Oh, it's true that I was too impatient!" Prefect Huo realized that his previous behavior was inappropriate, and hurriedly began to explain, "Since the weather turned warmer this spring, not a drop of rain has fallen in our Jiaqing Prefecture. These days, I have sent a lot of people to inquire about the situation everywhere. The results are worrying. The drought situation is very serious everywhere. Even those experienced old farmers have asserted that the three prefectures of Annan may suffer a rare drought this year. You have been running around all this time. I wonder if you have made any special discoveries along the way?" Hearing this, the two nodded as if they had just woken up from a dream, indicating that they understood the reason.
Chu Ning'an coughed lightly and spoke slowly, "Ru Yue and I left Jiaqing Prefecture in early May and headed north. However, we didn't go beyond the boundaries of Yingzhou Prefecture. Even so, along the way, whether in Jiaqing Prefecture, where we started, or Yingzhou Prefecture, where we passed through, there was absolutely no rain. Just over half a month ago, we were at a farm in Luling, Yingzhou Prefecture, and because we needed to cultivate some fields, we heard from the local farmers that there might be a severe drought this year."
Chu Ning'an's words made Magistrate Huo's already tightly furrowed brows even more furrowed, as if they could pinch a fly to death.
He sighed inwardly: "This God is truly unfavorable. How can human power easily change this kind of natural disaster?" Moreover, the disaster was likely to affect the entire Annan Prefecture. This undoubtedly placed an immense weight on his shoulders, causing him to feel double the pressure and a flood of worry.
"I'm truly ashamed to say this. Normally, I shouldn't have rashly interrupted the two girls' intimate conversation. However, this matter is truly of great importance and cannot be ignored!" Magistrate Huo sighed deeply and spoke slowly, "I've always known that Ru Yue is a sharp-witted and intelligent person. Furthermore, the ingredients needed for the food shops she runs mostly come from crops grown in the fields. The severe drought in Annan is likely to have an impact on your business, and I'm sure the days ahead won't be easy. As for Ning An, you've always had your own ideas. Do you have any plans for dealing with this difficult situation?"
Hearing this, Ru Yue and Chu Ning'an both frowned and fell into deep thought.
They secretly wondered why Magistrate Huo valued Ru Yue so much. Could it be that he had noticed something unknown?
Before Ru Yue and Chu Ning'an could figure out what was going on, Magistrate Huo turned his gaze to the silent Huo Qingwan and said earnestly, "Wan'er, just stand here and learn. Your mother isn't around, and your father, out of consideration for others, can't give you too much instruction in front of others. Fortunately, you and Ru Yue share a deep bond, like sisters, and neither of them is bound by formalities. So, listen and learn more; it will only benefit you and will surely benefit you greatly in the future!"
After hearing these words, Ru Yue and Chu Ning'an suddenly realized that the reason why Magistrate Huo acted in this way was that he wanted to take this opportunity to teach his daughter Huo Qingwan a lesson. Now, the big stone hanging in their hearts finally fell to the ground, and they could feel a little relieved.
"The three prefectures of Annan are located in a remote area, far away from the capital. If they encounter a severe drought, it would be a disaster! By then, the fields will be dry and cracked, and the crops will fail. The people will surely fall into dire straits and suffer terribly!" Prefect Huo frowned, his face full of worry, and even his speech seemed to have lost his former energy and spirit, sighing weakly.
Ru Yue, who was standing aside, looked quietly at the worried official, and a feeling of pity welled up in her heart.
During these days of interaction, she realized that Magistrate Huo not only had to work day and night on the complicated government affairs of the people, but also had to divide his attention to take care of his two children at home. With such a busy and heavy burden on his shoulders, he still adhered to the way of being an official and worked hard for the welfare of the people. This was truly commendable.
Ru Yue knew that Magistrate Huo was also a loving and dedicated father at home. He treated his children with the utmost care, teaching them through words and deeds, and striving to create a warm and harmonious family environment for them. An official who could manage a region while also caring for his family was truly admirable.
Thinking of this, Ru Yue suddenly felt a strong desire in her heart - she really wanted to do her best to help the amiable and respectable Magistrate Huo, to overcome the current difficulties together and save the innocent people who were about to suffer from the drought.