"What's your name? I've seen you several times, always leading the charge," the Elder Princess asked the woman in plain clothes who was the captain of her female guard team.
Blushing with admiration, the captain of the guard bowed her head, "Elder Princess, my name is Ge Qing."
The princess nodded, "Good, I will remember."
Nearby, no matter how much persuasion a couple offered up, they saw little success. Many didn't believe them, banding together to seek the aid of the royal court.
Only a small portion of the common folk stayed behind.
"Elder Princess, let us help in whatever way we can. We can carry wounded, gather herbs or cook," suggested a few elderly individuals.
The younger ones volunteered enthusiastically to join the relief team.
Two hours later, most of those who had gone to request aid from the court returned. A handful with stronger pride did not make it back, likely too embarrassed. They had all faced the Elder Princess and her soldiers.
Their eyes red, faces flush with shame, the villagers knelt down in a flood of emotional regret. "Elder Princess, let us join the relief too. I want to save my sister."
"Elder Princess, the royal court... they're dreadful! Not only did they refuse to send help, they threw us out after giving us a beating."
"Elder Princess, we were wrong before... We didn't recognize goodness when we saw it, we didn't know gratitude..."
The Elder Princess watched their tearful apologies, all in silence.
You see, some people still need comparisons. Only then do they realize who really cares for them. Otherwise, they take everything for granted.
She didn't know how long it was until the villagers were on edge before the princess waved her hand, signaling an end to their weeping apologies.
In a stern yet calm voice she spoke, "Those who want to rescue their kin, get on to the lifeboats."
"Even my soldiers are human. They are tired, feel pain, can get injured, and die. Staying awake until now is nothing short of a miracle!"
"I demand not your gratitude, but empathy for their hardships, understanding their exhaustion! We must retreat before tomorrow, this is our last day!"
"Since you are back on your demand, you must follow commands, failure to do so will result in punishing and expulsion for any who provoke trouble."
This time, facing the firmness of the Elder Princess, the people felt no defiance, only gratitude deep within their hearts.
The Elder Princess had them form lines, two villagers to a lifeboat, along with the soldiers to aid the rescue mission.
Others waited for the return of the boats to join the next trip.
The elderly, the sick, and those weak of health were assigned tasks they could handle.
As dusk approached, even with the aid of the villagers, many were still missing. The pace of the rescue efforts had improved though.
The village head counted the numbers and realized there were still some missing, but night was fast approaching.
The Elder Princess looked at the villagers who had lost their loved ones, their eyes filled with despair and hope, all resting on her. Their lips were dry, their faces sallow from exhaustion, some had completed two rescue trips with the soldiers.
They had saved many, yet among those saved, few found their own family.
They looked at the Elder Princess in silence, words unspoken, yet their expressions spoke volumes.
A thick wave of sorrow weaved through the villagers.
The Elder Princess pressed her lips together, glanced at the sky, and remembered the numerous reminders from Gu Sang. She closed her eyes and said, "Let's go one more time!"
"Let us carry torches and search! We must not give up on anyone!"
"Retreat after midnight!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!! Every person choked back their tears, some even knelt in front of the Elder Princess, kowtowing in despair.
They knew that the Elder Princess had done her utmost!
These past few days, she had mobilized countless manpower to search, never stopping for a second.
If they still couldn't be found, it was likely the people had met with misfortune.
Otherwise, there would have been some response by now.
The Elder Princess gathered the elderly, frail, sick, and disabled together, arranging for their evacuation first.
This time, everyone obediently followed the Elder Princess's orders, their eyes filled with gratitude and emotion.
Hundreds of torches reflected on the lake, creating a shimmering effect.
The voices of thousands converged, shouting towards the distant mountains:
"We are here to rescue! Is there anyone out there?!"
As the late night approached, amazingly, they came back with hundreds of common folks rescued.
"Time's up! Retreat!"
"My soldiers have done their best." Without any further hesitation, the Elder Princess led everyone to retreat to the outskirts of the nearest county town.
At this point, dawn was breaking.
Those who were rescued at the last moment were quickly found by their families.
"Wife, son, I thought I would never see you again. If I hadn't decided to look for food alone, we wouldn't be separated."
"Daughter! Sob...seeing you're alive, I can rest in peace."
"All this happened thanks to the mercy and kindness of the goddess and the Elder Princess!"
"......"
Boom!!
The overwhelming thunderous sound, like a herd of galloping horses, instantly drowned out the cries of the crowd and sank their hearts.
It's coming!
The even more fierce flash flood was on its way!
Everyone lifted their heads towards the direction of Liujiang City, they could not see the flood rushing down the mountains, uprooting millennium-old trees, their hard-earned homes destroyed in an instant.
They couldn't see the floodwater, nearly reaching the heavens, but they knew, Liujiang City no longer existed.
They had lost their homes!
They were about to become homeless!
At least, their loved ones, friends were still with them.
But after today, where would they go to survive?
The heavy rain soaked everyone, the size of the drops stinging their faces.
Seeing the Elder Princess getting drenched, a servant hurriedly held an umbrella over her.
The Elder Princess pushed away the overhead umbrella and walked up to the villagers, their faces numb with pain.
She mustered up all her strength and said, "All villagers, Plague City is willing to take you in. If you want to go to Plague City, follow me!"
"I will help you rebuild your homes in Plague City, where you will never go hungry again."
As soon as these words fell, everyone lifted their heads, their eyes filled with shock.
The Elder Princess.....was willing to shelter those who had nowhere else to turn!!
And just at that moment!
Suddenly!
"Clip-clop-clip-clop!"
The uniform beat of hoofprints stomping on the muddy ground emanated a somber, profound noise.
In the blink of an eye, thousand of soldiers and horses appeared, coming with a mighty force.
Were they soldiers from the empire?
"Bold rebels, these are the subjects of my empire, and you dare ensnare my people into joining you in your rebellion." The leading general charged headlong towards the Elder Princess.
This time, Zhou Qichen wasn't by the Elder Princess' side, it was his best chance to capture her.
With this in mind, the general's eyes were filled with murderous intent, as fierce as it could ever be.
With his spear in hand, he launched a direct attack towards the Elder Princess-----
