This night passed in silence and a somewhat oppressive mood.

The next morning, Shang Ruyi woke up on the daybed in the side room. As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw Wo Xue muttering something to herself, carrying a basin of water in. Upon seeing her awake, she immediately said, "Young Madam, you’re awake. The water has been fetched."

"Hmm."

Shang Ruyi got up, but first walked into the inner room to check on Yu Wenye. He was still unconscious, his face ashen, lips pale, showing no improvement from before. However, fortunately, he had not vomited throughout the night, and each time when she checked his breathing, it wasn’t obstructed.

At least, he could still hold on for two more days.

Thinking this, Shang Ruyi quietly watched him for a while before turning to leave.

She went to wash her face, and just as she lifted her head, Wo Xue handed her a towel. Shang Ruyi wiped the water off her face, looking at the face in front of her, which was originally charming and lively but now appeared especially gloomy, with some scratches and burns left from struggling in the fire yesterday.

Shang Ruyi said, "Why didn’t you apply medicine?"

Wo Xue was startled for a moment before she understood Shang Ruyi was asking her. She lowered her head and softly said, "No need."

Shang Ruyi looked at her cautious demeanor, gently said, "For a young girl, being beautiful is very important. Otherwise, how will you marry your perfect match in the future?"

"...?"

Wo Xue widened her eyes and looked up at her, as if she couldn’t believe her ears.

Could she still get married?

Seeing her astonished expression, Shang Ruyi smiled and said, "You wouldn’t think that I’d let you live your whole life without marrying, just serving us by my side, would you?"

"... Can I?"

"Yesterday, you saved both my and the General’s lives. As for the past — it’s all written off."

"..."

"So naturally, you can get married in the future."

Wo Xue’s eyes turned red, but she was too embarrassed to show it. She hurriedly took the used towel from Shang Ruyi’s hand, bowed her head, and after a moment said softly, "Thank you, Young Madam."

Shang Ruyi said, "The past is written off, but you still need to do your assigned duties well. Neither the Second Young Master nor I will treat you unfairly."

"Yes! Thank you, Young Madam!"

Wo Xue was so excited that her voice was a bit shaky. She quickly picked up the basin and was about to leave, but after thinking for a moment, she stopped and brought over a wooden bucket, pouring the leftover water from the basin into it.

Shang Ruyi asked, "What are you doing?"

Wo Xue said, "Water is scarce in the city now. I figured this water isn’t dirty, so maybe it can still be used for something, and it’s better not to waste it."

"Water is scarce?"

Hearing these words, Shang Ruyi felt a pang of surprise: "What’s going on?"

Wo Xue said, "Young Madam might not know, but today the city people are in an uproar. It’s said that the water delivery carts haven’t been going down the streets to distribute water, and everyone is relying on the few wells in the city. But with the army of tens of thousands, the officials and military get priority, and the civilians can’t get any."

"..."

"Moreover, it hasn’t rained in Fufeng for almost a month now. The water that the civilians stored in their jars is nearly depleted."

"..."

"The official office had several tanks of water, but they used it to put out the fire yesterday. So now, even here, water has to be conserved."

Shang Ruyi listened with a furrowed brow and said, "How did it come to this?"

While thinking, she looked up at the sky.

Although it was still early, the sun had already risen in the east, radiating like a blazing ball, and the surrounding temperature was gradually rising. There was no doubt that today would be another hot day.

In such weather, without water—

Shang Ruyi thought for a moment, then went inside to change clothes. She instructed, "Wo Xue, stay here and watch over the General. I’ll go out for a while and be right back."

"Yes."

Shang Ruyi walked out of the courtyard, and happened to see Mu Xian and Cheng Qiao coming over to take over the shift from Shantong’er. Upon seeing her, they all came forward to pay their respects. Mu Xian said, "Where is Young Madam going?"

Shang Ruyi said, "I hear there’s a water shortage in the city, and I want to find out what happened."

Mu Xian said, "I’ll accompany Madam there."

Shang Ruyi looked at him, thought for a moment, and nodded. Then, Shantong’er handed over the patrol to Cheng Qiao and went away joyfully to eat, while Shang Ruyi, along with Mu Xian, left through the second gate. In no time, they arrived at the conference hall in the front. As they approached, they heard a familiar angry voice coming from inside—

"Since that’s the case, why not fight them!"

From the tone and meaning, it was clear it was Ma Xu.

The two walked a few more steps forward, and sure enough, they saw Yin Changyue, Dai Junliang, Song Yu, and Ma Xu were all seated, with Yu Wenqian sitting at the main seat in the hall.

In the center of the hall, stood a soldier panting heavily, covered in dust and bloodstains, evidently just reporting something that had provoked Ma Xu’s outburst. At this moment, he stood up, angrily saying, "You all talked about strong defense, but now they’re cutting off our water supply, shouldn’t we fight?"

"..."

No one responded immediately, but everyone’s expression showed some hesitation.

Song Yu said, "Sir, what do you think—"

Yu Wenqian’s expression also revealed a bit of seriousness, and as he lifted his head, he saw Shang Ruyi at the door. He smiled slightly and said, "Sister-in-law, you’re here."

Everyone turned around as well.

Upon seeing her, Song Yu and Ma Xu exchanged glances, a flicker of panic in their eyes, but no one said much. It was Yin Changyue who rose to welcome her and said, "Madam, is there something from the General’s side?"

"It’s nothing."

Shang Ruyi entered with Mu Xian, nodded at Yu Wenqian, and then said, "I just heard from the people below that there’s a water shortage now, and the townspeople are rioting because of it. So, I came specifically to ask if there’s anything wrong."

Ma Xu immediately sneered, "What’s wrong? Isn’t it just the Great General’s military order? A fine decision indeed."

Yin Changyue quickly said, "General Ma!"

Shang Ruyi remained calm, looking up at Yu Wenqian, "Elder brother, can you tell me?"

Yu Wenqian said, "Let Lord Dai explain."

Only then did Shang Ruyi turn to Dai Junliang, seeing the latter’s serious expression, he sighed lightly and said, "Madam, it’s like this. Previously, the General ordered water usage in the city should rely on well water as much as possible, and if needed from the river outside the city, it must be taken from upstream. We’ve always followed the General’s instructions, dispatching water carts daily to fetch water from upstream for the townspeople."

Shang Ruyi glanced at the soldier standing in the center of the council hall, sensing something.

She said, "And then?"

Dai Junliang continued, "Starting yesterday, those fetching water have been ambushed by the Longxi Army; until now, not a single cart of water has been brought back."

"..."

"Right now, the city’s water reserves are nearly depleted. Although there are a few private wells, they can’t supply water for so many people in the city, so the townspeople are very anxious, demanding the government provide water, or else they’ll open the city gates to fetch water from the river."

"..."

"However, if the gates are opened, the Longxi Army might seize the opportunity to attack."

"..."

"Yet, if we don’t let them fetch water, in this weather, people can’t withstand it."

Yin Changyue said, "Why not fetch water from downstream, which is further from Xue Xian’s camp? He surely can’t intercept our men there."

As soon as he finished speaking, almost simultaneously, Yu Wenqian and Shang Ruyi said, "No way!"

Both were taken aback, lifting their heads to meet each other’s gaze.

The crowd also looked at them, and for a moment, the atmosphere was somewhat strange. Fortunately, Song Yu immediately said, "Young Master, why not?"

Yu Wenqian lightly coughed before saying, "I just arrived in Fufeng and am not familiar with the situation here, but since the second brother gave such an order before falling ill, there must be a reason for it."

Ma Xu added, "Young Master, that’s all well and good, but now the people in the city are dying of thirst. What use is there in adhering to the order?"

"..."

"If a rebellion really breaks out, it won’t be as simple as Xue Xian attacking."

"..."

"If there’s no other way, why not go out to battle? Even if we fight Xue Xian to the death, it’s better than withering away from thirst in the city."

Although he usually paid little heed to such words, this time Dai Junliang found it hard to persist. After all, in such scorching weather, they were suffering themselves, not to mention the townspeople. If unrest continued and Xue Xian attacked, Fufeng would be in genuine danger.

So, he hesitated and looked at Shang Ruyi.

At this moment, Shang Ruyi’s brow furrowed as well.

After a long silence, she still said, "No matter what, we absolutely cannot fetch water from downstream."

Everyone was surprised by her insistence, and Yin Changyue said, "Young Madam, why on earth not?"

Shang Ruyi said, "The old doctor who previously diagnosed the Great General mentioned that the Capital outside the city was built from the corpses of eighty thousand soldiers—"

At this, Ma Xu, who had been aggressive, suddenly felt a bit subdued.

Shang Ruyi ignored him and continued, "With the current hot weather, those corpses are starting to decay, their fluids and blood seeping into the river. Such a water source could easily spread disease."

"Disease?"

Mention of this prompted Mu Xian, standing silently behind Shang Ruyi, to suddenly think of something. He widened his eyes at her, "Young Madam, do you mean there’s a possibility the General’s illness might be—"

"..."

Shang Ruyi glanced at him, and after a moment, she lightly nodded.

Mu Xian gasped.

But immediately, he furrowed his brows and said, "But I remember after the General arrived here—he didn’t drink a single drop of that water; he went out to battle right after settling in. Even if he did drink, how come no one else has fallen ill?"

"..."

"Why him, of all people?"

"..."

Shang Ruyi looked at him, hesitating to speak, her expression growing increasingly somber.