Chapter 361: Who Is Your Beloved Concubine?

His voice wasn’t loud, yet it was authoritative and impossible to dispute.

Sun Wenyuan was taken aback.

Zhao Zun didn’t rush to speak, instead casting his deep gaze once more at the refugees.

He could see those ragged common people, dragging families along, staggering, their faces marked by exhaustion and despair as they slowly walked into the city gates.

Among them, some used tree branches as crutches, some cradled dying children, and others helped the elderly who seemed to struggle with each step.

Zhao Zun sighed deeply and turned to look at Sun Wenyuan.

“Mr. Sun, these people have come through mountains and rivers. Since they are already at the city gates, it wouldn’t be right to keep them outside. Let them all in.”

Sun Wenyuan looked troubled, rubbed his hands, and said, “Prince, please understand, this… this many refugees coming into the city will be difficult to manage. If any trouble arises… besides…”

He paused, lowered his voice, “As you know, Canzhou is already impoverished; there simply isn’t any surplus grain to aid them…”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zun’s lips subtly curved into a meaningful smile.

“Mr. Sun, you’re overthinking this. I’ve been hunting in the mountains, and my daily haul is considerable. There is so much game piled up that quite a bit has already rotted away in the mountains.”

He paused, and his gaze swept over the refugees outside the city again, “How about this: tomorrow I’ll take them to Fufeng County. I can’t promise much, but the mountain is abundant with game and wild fruits. Cooking the game into meat broth to stave off their hunger is possible. Today, let’s first provide porridge and aid in the city!”

With Zhao Zun’s words, Sun Wenyuan’s eyes brightened with joy.

He knew Zhao Zun loved hunting; the high mountains and dense forests in Fufeng County indeed have a lot of game.

If he could have the refugees follow Zhao Zun, he wouldn’t have to spend any grain to aid them, and he’d also gain a reputation for being benevolent towards the people—truly a win-win!

“You are so benevolent, Prince!” Sun Wenyuan immediately bowed, his face covered in a smile, “I’ll immediately instruct someone to set up porridge stalls to aid the disaster victims.”

As he spoke, he turned to the government officials and demanded, “What are you all standing around for? Go help! Take out all the large pots from the city!”

Zhao Zun nodded slightly at Luo Hai, yet his gaze involuntarily fixed on the queue of refugees outside the gates.

Luo Hai caught his meaning with a smile and turned to busy himself again.

Zhao Zun tied Jin Ercong to a wooden stake, then walked quickly with his trusted aide towards the outside of the city.

Outside the city, thousands of refugees lined up, moving slowly forward, Zhao Zun walked with his head raised, scanning the horizon.

As the distance closed, his heartbeat accelerated—the silhouette he had longed for day and night must be among these people.

At the end of the line of refugees, Han Lei was supporting two elderly individuals with Da San.

She was exhausted, yet still wore her sharp sportswear, standing out among the refugees dressed in ancient styles.

However, the villagers not only refrained from pointing fingers at her, they even conversed with her from time to time, their expressions full of gratitude.

She hadn’t taken the carriage, instead leaving it for those too ill to be able to keep walking.

“Miss Han, please rest a bit,” an elderly lady said with concern, “Thanks to you for looking after us during this journey, otherwise our old bones might not have made it to Canzhou!”

Han Lei wiped the sweat from her forehead and smiled, “Don’t be too polite, dear lady, I’m young and strong; this short distance is nothing.”

After speaking, she turned to Da San beside her, “Go check on the patients in the carriage, tell them we’ve arrived.”

Just then, Han Lei suddenly felt a burning gaze.

Instinctively, she looked up to see a tall man in brocade robes approaching her.

Sunlight cast onto his handsome face, his deep eyes filled with indescribable longing.

“Zhao… Zhao Zun?” Han Lei froze, the water bottle in her hand fell to the ground with a “snap”.

Zhao Zun rushed up to her, words flooding to the tip of his tongue but transforming into a single gentle call: “Girl!”

The surrounding refugees looked on in amazement. Da San’s eyes widened as he stammered, “Prin… Prince? How come you’re here?”

Han Lei’s eyes instantly reddened. She opened her mouth, but found she didn’t know what to say.

Throughout the journey, she had imagined their reunion countless times, never expecting Zhao Zun would come from Beiguan to meet her. From Beiguan to Qingshui County, it’s hundreds of miles!

Overcome with longing, Zhao Zun embraced Han Lei tightly. The familiar jasmine scent surrounded his nose, and he tightened his arms, as if he wanted to merge her into his very being.