"It's nothing, we had to come up. Seeing your whole family safe and sound puts our minds at ease."
Steward Zheng said that this trip up the mountain brought some rice, flour, grains, oil, and dried meat. He mentioned that Prince Xia was very concerned about them, fearing they might not have enough to eat. Today, they only brought a small amount, but more food and drink would be sent up later.
Gu Chaobei, channeling his inner movie star, quickly bowed in the air, expressing his "sincere" gratitude to Prince Xia, while also inquiring about the situation of the people in the city.
Steward Zheng stated that the disaster situation in the city was very severe, with at least more than half of the population having died this time.
Fortunately, although the temperature was low, it was starting to warm up, and people were gradually able to withstand the extreme cold.
Prince Xia had already set up soup kitchens to provide disaster relief and had ordered soldiers to clear and bury the bodies in the city to prevent future problems.
Gu Chaobei couldn't help but seize the opportunity to praise Prince Xia for his love for his people.
Steward Zheng's face showed a satisfied smile, saying, "That is only natural."
Steward Zheng only discussed the disaster situation in the city and did not mention anything else. Gu Chaobei felt a little more at ease.
He felt that Prince Xia didn't seem to have noticed their stockpiling of supplies, nor did he connect the theft of the gold and coal mines on Jinsha Mountain to them.
This was all for the best.
Gu Qingcheng and the others sat on the side, accompanying the guests, but did not interrupt.
Bored, Gu Qingcheng decided to conduct a loyalty test on Steward Zheng.
Unqualified: No loyalty, do not associate closely.
The system reached this conclusion.
Haha, as expected, Steward Zheng was just a tool driven by Prince Xia. Otherwise, how could he have braved the arduous journey up the mountain to visit them?
Gu Qingcheng was not surprised by this test result at all.
Gu Chaobei and Steward Zheng drank tea and chatted, appearing to be confiding in each other like brothers who would risk their lives for each other.
If one only looked at the surface, there was no way to tell that their relationship was merely one of mutual benefit.
Thinking from another perspective, Steward Zheng braved the extreme cold, risking a broken leg on the ice, a dangerous situation, to visit the Gu family and bring them food and drink. It was like sending charcoal in the snow. How could they not be moved to tears?
As the recipient of this great kindness, Gu Chaobei naturally had to be "overwhelmed with gratitude," accepting all of the other's goodness, like a blind person drinking ice water in winter, every drop felt deeply.
Between the two, it seemed as though they had become brothers who would go to any lengths for each other.
But all of this could not escape Gu Qingcheng's loyalty detection.
With just one satisfying moment, their relationship was exposed.
For Steward Zheng, the Gu family was merely a profitable partner. If Gu Chaobei had not saved Prince Xia's life, and if Prince Xia did not value Divine Doctor Gu, Steward Zheng would not have gone to such lengths to find him.
Besides visiting to express concern, Steward Zheng likely had another request on this trip.
As expected, as soon as Gu Qingcheng finished the loyalty test, she heard Steward Zheng say:
"Divine Doctor Gu, there are many disaster victims with frostbite and disabilities in the city now, but the number of people to treat them is extremely insufficient. Even more than half of the doctors have frozen to death. Therefore, Prince Xia wishes to ask for your help in treating them. What are your thoughts?"
Here it comes, the troublesome matter has truly arrived.
Gu Chaobei, however, replied readily:
"Treating disaster victims is the duty of a physician, why would I refuse?"
"Doctor Gu, your righteousness is admirable!"
Steward Zheng was overjoyed and quickly showered him with praise.
After the pleasantries, Steward Zheng, showing understanding, said:
"Tomorrow, Divine Doctor Gu will descend the mountain with me. Shall I send servants from my manor to attend to Mrs. Gu and Miss Gu's daily needs?"
"How dare I? They are used to their freedom and are not accustomed to being served."
Gu Chaobei quickly refused.
With more outsiders, there was a greater possibility of leaks. How could he allow strangers into their lives?
Seeing Gu Chaobei's firm refusal, Steward Zheng had no choice but to say:
"Tomorrow when I come to pick up Divine Doctor Gu, I will bring more food and drink, as well as coal. I will also guarantee the supply. Rest assured, Prince Xia will not mistreat anyone who has helped him."
Steward Zheng thought he was being a timely savior. Who in their household was not short of food and drink right now?
Although Steward Zheng knew Gu Chaobei had bought a lot of coal, he believed Gu Chaobei had only bought less than a ton, which wouldn't last long. He felt that by bringing them supplies, the Gu family would be immensely grateful.
He was unaware that the Gu family's coal supply could last a lifetime, even if they burned it every day.
Steward Zheng was in a hurry to return to report to Prince Xia, so he did not stay long and left in haste, leaving behind 50 jin of rice, 20 jin of flour, and about 30 jin of preserved meat.
"Old Gu, what should we do? They want you to go down the mountain! Should we think of an excuse to refuse?"
Hu Lanfang was very upset.
The family had originally agreed to live a simple life on the mountain, without worrying about food or being cold. Now, if they went down, Gu Chaobei would have to work hard.
"The need for medical treatment for the disaster victims is real, and as a doctor, I should do my part. This period of treatment won't be long, at most a month."
Gu Chaobei, being a doctor, could make such a judgment.
Even the most severe injuries could be treated within about a month. Those who couldn't be saved by then wouldn't be saved even by the most powerful immortal.
With a one-month deadline, as long as the temperature did not drop drastically again, there wouldn't be a large-scale increase in frostbite victims, so he would be freed by then.
Hu Lanfang and their daughter understood that a doctor's duty was to save lives and heal the injured. Moreover, under duress, they had no choice but to accept this reality.
However, Gu Qingcheng's eyes rolled as she said:
"Dad, why don't I go down the mountain with you for a look?"
Gu Chaobei, seeing his daughter's eyes darting around, knew she must have some plan in mind.
"Aren't you comfortable staying on the mountain? Following me down the mountain, your living and eating conditions will definitely not be as convenient or comfortable as on the mountain."
Gu Chaobei wanted to dissuade his daughter, hoping she would conserve her energy on the mountain and enjoy a leisurely life.
"Dad, haven't we completed our mission of 10 tons of iron yet? I was thinking, since Prince Xia's army has lost half its strength, wouldn't the remaining iron armor and weapons be available? Perhaps no one is managing them."
Gu Qingcheng was actually planning this. She was truly audacious.
"Qingcheng, you are too bold!" Gu Chaobei disapproved.
Hu Lanfang also put on a stern face.
"Fortune favors the brave, Dad, Mom. Don't worry, I'll be very clever. I'll just go down and see the situation, and then react accordingly. There might not even be such a good opportunity."
Gu Qingcheng argued.
Gu Chaobei and his wife exchanged glances. Hu Lanfang did not object.
Gu Chaobei was somewhat surprised but could understand his wife's feelings.
The disaster had forced their child to grow up quickly. If they had not encountered this transmigration, their daughter would have started a new life on a university campus by now.
But since they were already here, he and his wife did not know how long they could protect their daughter. They had to let her train and mature quickly.
Even if something happened to them in the future, their daughter would be able to protect herself.
After hesitating for a moment, Gu Chaobei finally nodded his head with difficulty and agreed.