Chapter 499 - 499: Power Vortex

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Shi Fang was excited when she saw Tao Dayong. She looked at him with bright eyes and could not look away. She finally felt like her heart could settle down.

Meanwhile, Tao Dayongs mood brightened when he saw Shi Fang. He could not describe how he felt but knew he was happy. He sped up the oxcart, and Shi Fang took a few steps toward him.

Then Tao Dayong got off the oxcart and led it to Shi Fang. He smiled shyly at her, saying, “l brought you a chicken to stew so you can nourish your body.” Chickens were an excellent tonic for farmers, so Shi Fang felt warm in her heart. She said, ‘You keep bringing me delicious food that I’ve gained weight.”

She knew she had put on weight recently because she had been eating the delicious food Tao Dayong constantly brought her. The people at the embroidery shop would envy her whenever Tao Dayong visited.

Tao Dayong said innocently, “It’s good you’ve put on some weight. You look healthier like this.’

Shi Fang pouted. “So you’re saying I didn’t look good because of how skinny I was?”

The couple was familiar with each other, and Shi Fang would occasionally make a fuss with Tao Dayong. She knew he would indulge her but did not want him to worry.

Tao Dayong noticed his fiancee pouting and became anxious. He said, “N-No, you look great either way. 1-1 don’t know what I was saying. Please don’t be mad at me.’

He feared he had angered her and often became more anxious than anyone else whenever Shi Fang got angry.

Shi Fang noticed her fiance’s anxious expression and tugged at his sleeve. “Alright, I’m not angry. I was just joking with you.”

Her heart softened when she saw him trying to explain himself. ‘How can he be so silly? He can’t bear to see me sad, but I don’t want to bully him.’

Shi Fang just wanted to hug Tao Dayong when she saw how anxious he had gotten.

Tao Dayong heaved a sigh of relief when he saw Shi Fang smiling instead of being angry. ‘She got me worked up for a moment.’

He was always good-tempered whenever faced with Shi Fang. He asked,

“Aren’t you cold standing here?”

He was worried she would catch a cold since he had seen her standing at the house entrance just now. He wanted to warm her hands with his but thought it was inappropriate and could only stand still.

Then he tried taking some of his clothes to put on Shi Fang to keep her warm, but she shook her head and said, “No, there’s no need.’

She felt pretty cold as she stood at the door earlier but no longer did after seeing her fiance. Instead, she felt warm inside. “Quick, come inside.”

She was also afraid he would catch a cold, so she hurriedly invited him into the house. Her parents and brother were delighted to see Tao Dayong.

He explained his intention for coming over, and Shi Fang learned he was there to tell them about the earthquake. Tao Dayong feared she would not know about it and would be in danger.

Shi Fang would be lying if she said she did not feel touched. She knew Tao

Dayong was not very good at sweet-talking, but she did. She was very meticulous and could think of many things to say. “Were you worried about me? Is that why you came here?”

‘He should be aware that I already knew about the earthquake since I work at the embroidery shop, and we’re on a three-day leave. Still, he can’t feel at ease until he comes here to tell me about it himself.

‘He always puts in so much effort,’ Shi Fang felt a sense of sweetness in her heart as she thought of this.

Tao Dayong did not know what else to say besides, “l was worried you didn’t know about the earthquake.”

“Don’t worry. We know about it. Shi Fang thought you didn’t know, so she wandered around the house entrance. She even told us she wanted to go to Willow Village to tell you about the earthquake.” Mrs. Shi smiled.

“Since we don’t have an oxcart, we worried about her leaving Willow Village alone. We didn’t expect you to come, but since you’re already here, you two won’t have to worry about each other anymore.

“You haven’t had dinner yet, right? We built a stove in the courtyard; your future father-in-law will cook later. You’re welcome to join us.”

Tao Dayong wanted to decline, but Mr. and Mrs. Shi had warmly invited him for dinner, so he stayed.

Soon after, the chief of Stone Village informed everyone about the earthquake and even instructed everyone to set up tents. Things were the same in Willow Village and others, too.

When Su Binglan previously visited the county magistrate’s place, she did not see him around. Meng Ce had gone to handle some matters and only returned in the afternoon.

Old Madam Feng was anxious to tell him something, and his expression changed when he heard about the earthquake.

An earthquake was no small matter as it concerned the entire county’s safety, and there were several towns, villages, and countless people there.

“Mother, is that true?” Meng Ce l s face turned pale. “Where did you hear this news from?”

His heart was in his throat, and he knew he had to be cautious.

“Miss Su was the one who told me. She says an earthquake will happen within the next three days. Also…” Old Madam Feng told her son everything Su Binglan had said.

She knew her son would have his opinions about this. Meng Ce was talented and would just be a county magistrate as he targeted an essential position in the imperial court.

He wanted to work in the imperial court in the capital. Therefore, he had his rules and principles.

However, an earthquake would be too serious, and Old Madam Fengs expression was severe.

After some thought, Meng Ce said, “Usually, no one can predict earthquakes, but there’s an exception.”

“An exception?”

‘Could anyone predict an earthquake?’

Meng Ce asked, “Mother, do you remember Princess Lan?”

Everyone knew about Princess Lan, especially Old Madam Feng. After all, there were many legends about the young princess.

“Of course, I remember,” Old Madam Feng sighed, “Although it has already been three years since she passed away, her intelligence is unparalleled.”

Old Madam Feng came from the Feng family that lived in the capital, so she naturally knew about Princess Lan. If not for the young princess’s weak body, the current situation in Chu Country would still be unknown.

Princess Lan Ruobing used her power to protect many people, including her twin brother. Otherwise, King Lan Ruozhu, the heir to the deceased royal’s mansion, would have died long ago.

Meanwhile, the emperor did many nefarious things behind the scenes, but the core figures of the influential families knew about them. They could not maintain their status in the power vortex if they did not discover some information prior.

“What a pity that she passed so young!’

‘It’s unfortunate that she is already gone. She was intelligent and kind. She had helped and saved many people. Even now, many still miss her and are grateful to her.’

Meng Ce said lowly, “There was once an earthquake at the border, and Princess Lan predicted it. That was why the Wei army knew about it and evacuated the people at the border.

“Also, the locals in the border provinces didn’t know the emperor. They only

knew the Wei family’s army..”