I support the army through farming and business.

Chapter 146 Mother and daughter
Tang Zhao toured the area and finally arrived at the soup kitchen of the Duke of Huguo's mansion.

Meng Shuer was right. This soup kitchen was much more shabby than the others, and the soup was not thick enough, so there were naturally fewer disaster victims queuing up.

As soon as Qiu Yu, who was solemnly supervising the construction, saw Tang Zhao, she rushed over like a fledgling, "Miss, you're finally back!"

Tang Zhao transformed into a praise machine, exclaiming, "Well done!"

Qiu Yu chuckled foolishly, then said aggrievedly after a moment, "It still can't compare to the one run by that woman from the Bai family."

Originally, their Duke Huguo's mansion was the first to open a porridge stall. Later, the Bai and Meng families, for some reason, not only followed suit but also encouraged the ladies and young women of Wuwei City to open their own porridge stalls, stealing the limelight from their daughters!
Those disaster victims were heartless; they heard that the soup kitchen at Jimintang was serving thick soup, so they rushed over to queue up.

Qiu Yu looked at the dwindling number of disaster victims in front of their soup kitchen with indignation.

Tang Zhao reminded him, "Try to stop rolling your eyes."

Oh, Qiu Yu lowered her eyes obediently, her face still showing resentment.

Tang Zhao felt that it was unprofessional for her to do things with such emotion. As a considerate and good leader, she comforted her, saying, "It's a good thing that someone is helping to distribute porridge and share the pressure on the Protectorate General's Mansion."

“But those unruly people,” Qiu Yu changed her tune under Tang Zhao’s warning gaze, “the disaster victims all praised that woman surnamed Bai, saying she was even kinder than the young lady!”

Lu Ying frowned; he had never heard of this before.

Tang Zhao didn't care. "The disaster victims are right. They did spend more money on porridge, porridge kitchens, and money than we did."

Qiu Yu complained, "That's because all our money and grain were used to settle the disaster victims brought by Wu Ding Si!"

Lord Lu Ying lowered his head, his face flushed.

Tang Zhao felt that the maids around her were all highly loyal and capable, but their overall perspective needed improvement. As her confidantes, this was absolutely unacceptable!

I should teach them.

"Autumn Rain, who am I?"

"It's a girl!"

"anything else?"

“Princess Zhaoshan, daughter-in-law of Prince Xuan, wife of General of the Cavalry,” Qiu Yu blinked, “and, the Lord of Wuwei City.”

Where did these disaster victims ultimately go?

“Naturally, they will stay in Wuwei,” Qiu Yu said confidently. Unless there is a natural disaster or man-made calamity, the people will not leave easily.

Tang Zhao asked, "Do you understand?"

Qiu Yu was filled with questions.

Lu Ying couldn't stand it anymore. "These disaster victims will all be people under the princess's rule in the future. It doesn't matter who donates money and food, because the princess will be the one who benefits in the end."

The more others donate, the more the princess saves. If Lord Lu Ying were from modern times, he would use a more direct and apt term to describe it: freeloading.

Qiu Yu looked shocked. "Does that mean the Bai family and the Meng family are both working for the young lady?"

Not only did they pay out of their own pockets, but they were all secretly pleased with themselves, thinking they had gotten a great deal!

Tang Zhao humbly replied, "It's a win-win situation, nothing more."

Bai Rouyin and Meng Shuer gained a good reputation; she saved money and grain and won over the people, and everyone got what they needed.

Qiu Yu spent the time it takes to drink a cup of tea reshaped her worldview, and then, as if injected with adrenaline, she went back to supervise the construction. Her gaze towards the disaster victims changed from "heartless bastards" to "we are all one family."

Lord Lu Ying probed, "Isn't the princess afraid that the disaster victims will side with the Bai and Meng families?"

"If they can support the disaster victims for a lifetime, I will be truly convinced."

Lord Lu Ying chuckled, his respect for Tang Zhao growing even stronger.

This Princess Zhaoshan was indeed an extraordinary person, just as her friend had said.

"Regarding the work-for-relief program, I have some matters I would like to discuss with you, Your Excellency." "Please come to the government office, Your Excellency."

"Hey, what are you daydreaming about? The porridge is ready, hurry up and move along, there are still people queuing up behind us!" the cook in charge of cooking shouted.

The old man at the front of the line, with his gray hair and dusty face, withdrew his gaze from Tang Zhao's departure, tilted his head back and drank the porridge in one gulp in front of the cook, before humming a tune and swaying away.

"That's crazy!" the cook cursed under her breath, and continued serving the porridge.

At the Prince's villa, Princess Xuan put down the embroidered kylin bib, washed her hands, ate lunch, and then took a carriage to the Meng family villa.

When Princess Xuan arrived, none of the servants in the Meng household dared to stop her, and she went unimpeded to Old Madam Meng's room.

Madam Meng looked as if she had just woken up from a nap. She was helped by servants to wash and groom herself, while she ate soup and kept an eye on Princess Xuan's expression.

Princess Xuan, left standing to the side, remained expressionless as she savored the tea from her maternal home, yet she could never quite taste the flavor of her youth.

“The Prince Xuan’s mansion drinks tribute tea, which is naturally better than the Meng family’s,” Old Madam Meng complained. “But no matter how good the husband’s family’s tea is, it can’t compare to the tea from my own family.”

Princess Xuan smiled but remained silent.

Madam Meng knew this daughter well. She seemed gentle and quiet but was actually resolute and decisive. The soft-heartedness and emotional appeal that usually worked on ordinary women were useless against her. So Madam Meng asked directly, "Has the Prince agreed to Shu'er's matter?"

Princess Xuan nodded.

“That’s right. The Crown Princess is pregnant, and the Crown Prince needs many people to serve him. Rather than letting other families take the place, it would be better to let Shu’er go.”

Madam Meng's expression softened. "Shu'er has been spoiled by her mother and her reputation has been ruined by the Marquis of Zhongyong's affair. Rather than marrying down to someone from a lower position, it would be better for her to marry into the Prince of Xuan's household. After she gives birth to a child, the Meng family and your position will be more secure."

"Mother, you misunderstand. I am not here to arrange a marriage for Liu'er."

"Who is that?" Old Madam Meng asked with displeasure. "I don't agree with Yuan Ye, and those illegitimate children should forget about it."

Madam Meng understood that Prince Xuan was like the late emperor, valuing not only his children's abilities but also the order of seniority and whether they were legitimate or illegitimate. The heir apparent was the eldest legitimate son and was outstanding himself, making him the undisputed next Prince Xuan. Therefore, even if Meng Shu'er were to become his concubine, Madam Meng would agree.

Nobody else can have it.

Leaving aside the illegitimate child, as for Gu Ci, he was just deceiving Meng Shu'er! With Meng Shu'er's brains, it would be a miracle if she could survive three days under Tang Zhao!

She, the daughter whom the Meng family raised with such care, cannot be sacrificed in vain!

Princess Xuan smiled and said, "It is Your Highness."

"What?" Old Madam Meng didn't understand.

Princess Xuan's smile grew even wider. "I've come here today to arrange for Your Highness to take Shu'er as a concubine."

Madam Meng could hardly believe what she had just heard!
Princess Consort Xuan had never felt so happy. "My daughter has chosen a date, let's do it at the end of this month. Although it's a bit rushed, it's just taking a concubine, so there's no need to make it too grand."

She took the invitation from Granny Meng. "On the 30th, the sedan chair from the Meng family will be waiting at the Xuanwang Mansion's villa. Mother and elder brother can decide the time themselves. Just remember to send them to the east gate; they cannot use the main gate."

Princess Xuan put down the invitation and got up to leave.

"Stop!" Old Madam Meng slammed her hand on the table. "Who said Shu'er was going to marry Prince Xuan? I wrote it all clearly in my letter to you."

Princess Consort Xuan interrupted, "His Highness has agreed."

Madam Meng was like an old hen with her neck grabbed, unable to make a sound.

Princess Xuan bowed respectfully, then turned and left without a second thought.

Only after Princess Xuan's figure disappeared did someone emerge from the inner room.

Author's note: Today I'll answer yesterday's question. I believe that a man who can have only one woman in his entire life, regardless of time or place, must be a very good person with a strong sense of responsibility and morality. Therefore, even if he doesn't like her, he won't have anyone else for the sake of responsibility and morality.

So some fans think Bai Rouyin is Gu Ci's white moonlight, but that's not true. Gu Ci has never liked Bai Rouyin. He only feels a sense of responsibility (Gu Ci believes that as a fiancé, he should treat his fiancée well) and guilt towards Bai Rouyin (he promised to marry her but failed to do so). Out of a sense of responsibility, he felt he should treat Bai Rouyin well, but after Zhao Zhao married him, Gu Ci naturally transferred this responsibility to Zhao Zhao and could only help Bai Rouyin in other ways as compensation.

Second question: Do you all think Zhao Zhao and the system are working for Gu Ci?