Chapter 136: Chapter 136 The Ninth Prince’s Call Chapter 136: Chapter 136 The Ninth Prince’s Call If allowing thirty thousand refugees through the city gates was done with a simple gesture, then diverting military funds for famine relief was undoubtedly an act of great courage.

With war on the horizon, which army isn’t tightly focused on its food supply? After all, battlefields change in the blink of an eye, and military pay is the key to maintaining the front lines—how can soldiers fight without being well-fed?

Yet even at this critical juncture, the Ninth Prince still cared about the life and death of the refugees—who wouldn’t be deeply moved?

“All the food nearby has been scavenged clean. Without the Ninth Prince’s bowl of porridge, I fear we wouldn’t last three days,”

said the refugees, filled with emotion.

Li Wenli traveled to several places and, hearing and seeing much the same everywhere, decided it was time to return to his residence.

On the way back, Li Wenli appeared pensive and devoid of emotion, in contrast to Ah Dao by his side, whose mood grew increasingly somber.

Noticing Ah Dao’s unusual state, Li Wenli raised an eyebrow, “What’s the matter?”

Ah Dao glanced at Li Wenli but didn’t speak.

Li Wenli smirked, “Is there anything we can’t talk about?”

At that time, Xiao Chan, who had gone out to investigate, had not yet returned. Only Rabbit was in the horse carriage, nibbling on some wild grass. Seeing them return, Rabbit waved ceaselessly at both men.

Ah Dao, after a glance at the carefree Rabbit, finally said, “I don’t think Yuwen Jun deserves all these accolades.”

“Bold of you to call the Ninth Prince by his given name,” Li Wenli laughed as he draped an arm over Ah Dao’s shoulder, “Let’s talk by the river.”

Ah Dao was somewhat uncomfortable with such affectionate behavior from his master, but still allowed himself to be coaxed by Li Wenli to the riverbank.

At this moment, Rabbit felt envious seeing his master take Ah Dao to the river.

When would Old Monk and Smiling Face return?

He also wanted to play by the river. As the chief steward, he was now relegated to staying by the horse carriage—how was that fair?

The two walking towards the river naturally didn’t see Rabbit’s resentment behind them.

Li Wenli looked at the turbid waters of the North River with a hint of disdain and stepped back a couple paces.

The North River had previously been quite clear, but in recent years, too many refugees had dumped corpses into it, turning the river murky.

Even from a distance, one could feel the sullied aura of the water.

Ah Dao was accustomed to Li Wenli’s aversion to the water of the North River and offered thoughtfully,

“If the master dislikes the smell of the North River, we could go back to the horse carriage.”

“That won’t be necessary.”

As he spoke, a gentle breeze blew by, rustling the fragrant grass and tree leaves. This wind, carrying a hint of summer’s cool and calm, dispersed the foul odor of the river water.

Li Wenli extended his slender hand, sensing the changes in the wind’s velocity around him. The wind obediently halted upon touching his fingertips, forming a small whirlwind.

Seeing this, Li Wenli curled his lips in satisfaction, gently grasping, and the whirlwind vanished.

Normally, whirlwinds that people can see, besides those caused by tsunamis like massive tornadoes, are also visible when garbage bags or dust are swept up, revealing one small spiral after another.

But this requires the presence of reference objects like garbage or dust.

Such transparent winds could only be seen by Li Wenli.

What Ah Dao saw was Li Wenli staring at his palm and smiling foolishly, prompting him to sigh.

“Master, if you’re upset, there’s no need to pretend to be happy,”

“Why shouldn’t I be happy?” Li Wenli looked at him amusedly, “Just because someone praised Yuwen Jun?”

Ah Dao remained silent, confirming it by his silence.

Li Wenli scratched his head, “Let them praise him. What does it have to do with me?”