They wanted to take advantage of the chaos, but ethical principles restrained them. If they opened this door, they might benefit in the short term, but if any part of their territory faced disaster in the future, wouldn’t they face the same fate? After much deliberation, the steps of the three countries halted at the border, not daring to make a move.

However, in business, there was no such kindness. Ignoring the life and death of the people of the Holy Dynasty, they abandoned the opportunity to earn huge profits and, risking offending the Holy Water Manor, kept this batch of grain within their own borders.

As the days grew colder, if this grain couldn’t be delivered in time, how many people would survive this harsh winter?

The Holy Dynasty was truly unworthy of its name, failing even to secure this negotiation. It was a disgrace.

While Shui Yixuan continued his complaints, Jiang Xue was curious about what Beiming Yi, the male lead in the original work, was doing at this time.

In the original work, the female lead and this male lead ended up together after the World Conference induced by the Poison Queen’s QB, resulting in her pregnancy. In this lifetime, she had almost no interactions with him. Since he was the ultimate king, how could he allow such a situation to continue unchecked?

It was supposed to be a time to lie low during the winter, but due to the grain blockade, Shui Yixuan had no choice but to set off for the Four Countries, with his first stop being Lanyue.

"Do you want to come with me? And also look for your brother?"

Jiang Xue’s lessons had come to an end. This trip might mean missing the New Year. However, given this year’s circumstances, it seemed no one had the mindset to celebrate. So she readily agreed: "Go, why not? I can do without my father, it’s temporarily impossible to find my mother, but this brother, I must find first!"

Three days later, Jiang Xue went to the front hall alone. Since Dong Yao was not skilled in martial arts, it would be pointless for her to go, so Shui Yixuan chose a highly skilled maid, Zi Su, for her. Zi Su was a maid from Young Master Runyu’s garden, but only served the outer areas; the personal attendants were Mu Hui and others. The twelve of them grew up with Shui Yixuan, serving as both servants and guards with an exceptional bond. Their names weren’t fixed either, as each of the twelve had different roles and, through numerous dangers, only Mu Hui and four others were left.

After arriving at the Mountain Villa, under the direction of the housekeeper next to the manor owner’s wife, a lot of beautiful clothes were made for Jiang Xue. There were so many that Jiang Xue had to personally seek out the nanny to say she didn’t need that many; four sets would suffice. However, ten sets were prepared, and the extent of this favor made her feel quite embarrassed.

As such, when it was heard they were going on a long journey, early in the morning, the nanny came over with people to dress her up. When she appeared, dressed to the nines in the front hall, Young Master Runyu was stunned.

Her eyes were like clear, flowing water, directly touching the heart with their spiritual charisma. Her skin was fairer than snow, unadorned with makeup, with a gentle smile at the corners of her lips. Her sky-blue satin dress enhanced her lithe figure, exuding an air of nobility and charm with every movement. Shui Yixuan couldn’t help but admire her—what a peerless beauty!

Only, dressed like this, isn’t it too conspicuous? He turned back, looking somewhat dissatisfied, at Nanny Chao.

"Nanny, we’re not going on a leisurely tour; why dress Xue’er so extravagantly and complicatedly? Let’s travel light. Xue’er, I think you’d be better off in men’s attire; this women’s clothing is too eye-catching and not suitable." Being pretty already, wearing these beautiful clothes, one wouldn’t even need to look at anyone else.

Jiang Xue felt awkward with the name Xue’er. If she could, she wished everyone would call her Jiang Xue. Yet everyone in the Mountain Villa called her that, even Shui Yixuan without any hesitation, leaving her with no choice.

In the end, Jiang Xue changed into men’s clothing, and Young Master Runyu gave her his precious Purple Fox Cloak. After she put it on and donned the oversized hat, someone again thought it was conspicuous. But as the cloak was his gift, meant for warmth, looking good was due to her own good foundation. Oh well, he decided not to mind it so much.

Thanks to the efforts over the past half year, most of the roads had returned to normal now. Although the earthquake caused severe damage, restoring the roads was the priority; without that, they couldn’t reach and save more people.

Just leaving the Mountain Villa’s vicinity took a whole day. By the time they left its sphere of influence, it was night. The winter nights were nothing like summer’s—cold and hungry, with the cold wind blowing, turning one’s nose red and making the nose run.