The cannon fodder heiress trembled with fear after being recognized as a member of her family.

"Wow~Wow~"

The group continued on their way, and the sound of the flowing water grew louder and louder.

Qinghe examined a rough map, his finger landing near the county seat. "Changyong County seat is another fifteen li away. It seems the disaster occurred near the county seat. There was no river here before; it should have been farmland, just a low-lying area."

In the past two years, severe droughts have occurred in various parts of Dayechao, resulting in a significant reduction in grain harvests.

Except for Changxing County, which was unaffected, grain production decreased in all counties of the Daye Dynasty.

The grain obtained from Changjizhai in June relieved the immediate crisis, alleviating the food shortage in various places. The peasants who had been secretly planning an uprising also put down their hoes and returned to the countryside.

In addition, with the Rain-Making Technique handed over by Luo Jingqian at Fuguang Mountain, they have joined forces with righteous people from various sects to bring rain to various parts of the Daye Dynasty.

By July, the drought in various parts of Dayechao had eased, and the autumn harvest had not decreased too much, not to the point of complete crop failure.

Changxing County, in particular, has had a bumper harvest this year, making it far wealthier than other counties.

The output of Changxing County is only a small part of Princess Changyun's monthly income. Before she got married, she did not own many properties. In fact, they were all placed under the names of others by Princess Jinghe, and the annual output was also sealed separately at the Princess Jinghe's residence.

On the surface, Princess Changyun only has income from Changxing County. If Luo Yuan has any difficulties with grain supplies, he can just ask, and Princess Changyun can easily relieve his pressure.

Changxing County is a major grain-producing county. If Meng Zhiping had only taken away the family property he had accumulated over the years, Luo Jingqian would not have been in such a hurry.

He was furious when he learned that Meng Zhiping had absconded with the grain stored in the county treasury and the taxes that should have been handed over to the county lord's mansion.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have brought these people to capture the Meng family so quickly.

"When you make your move, be careful. If Meng Zhiping has the Treasure Bag, remember to snatch it first. As for the Meng family members, capture them alive. If they resist, don't worry about it."

A cold glint flashed in Luo Jingqian's eyes, his killing intent unmistakable.

Since the Meng family enjoyed the benefits brought by Meng Zhiping's power, they naturally could not escape being implicated when he was arrested.

Qinghe hesitated, "Are you sure? Aren't you usually compassionate and kind to these ordinary people?"

"Hurry up! Don't let them get away. I'll rest here for a bit," Luo Jingqian urged.

His unusual behavior went unnoticed.

The guard, whose nose was even more sensitive than a dog's, led the way.

Due to the flooding, some people on the riverbank were directing men to block the flow of water.

The smell is mixed.

The guard sniffed and pointed to the distance ahead, "They're over there! Quick, that wooden raft has already entered the water and is about to escape."

The situation here was chaotic, making it difficult for Qinghe to maneuver. Left with no other choice, he took to the air and headed straight for the center of the flood.

The wooden raft bobbed up and down with the floodwaters.

Those above all turned pale.

Madam Meng immediately launched an attack, "Meng Zhiping, we've been husband and wife for so many years, and I never imagined that I'd have to run for my life with you even when I'm half-buried in the ground! If you hadn't been so lustful, how could you have caused such a terrible disaster! Now that you're in trouble, where has your sweetheart gone?"

These words were utterly unforgiving, and some of the people on the raft shared Madam Meng's sentiments, their eyes filled with resentment.

These people were all born to Madam Meng, including sons and daughters, the youngest of whom was only seven years old. They had followed her through a life of hardship and displacement.

Meng Zhiping had no way to express his grievances and could only let his wife criticize him, while his family resented him.

His beloved stole one of his magic pouches and ran away.

Besides the taxes paid to Princess Changyun this year, there is also a small portion of the embezzled funds that have been withheld from the taxes of the past five years.

No wonder Princess Lianji gave him the treasure bag so readily back then; she must have planned this day long ago.

If he hadn't been careful and obtained the treasure bag hidden in his bosom from a merchant, his family would have suffered greatly if they had gone to Yun Kingdom, and their survival would have been uncertain.

A tall man with a pointed face and monkey-like features glared hatefully at the weeping crowd on the raft, and the crying stopped abruptly.

"Brother-in-law, don't panic. I will ensure the safety of your whole family."

"Eo, are you serious? There are already pursuers on the shore. Even if we escape, it won't be easy for us to get out of the Great Leaf Dynasty checkpoint."

This man was none other than Reihime's younger brother, Eo, who usually lived and ate at the governor's mansion.

Madam Meng disliked him but dared not say much; she was truly afraid.

Ei-o is no ordinary person. Every time Lady Meng deals with Rei-hime, her children suffer broken arms and legs, all at the hands of this person.

Even if she complains to Meng Zhiping, it won't affect Reihime and Eo.

Over time, Madam Meng dared not speak out against her anger and could only keep a low profile with her children.

If Meng Zhiping's disgraceful deeds hadn't been exposed, she would never have known that her previously honest husband was actually embezzling money, using it all for pleasure with Lianji.

On the very first day of Princess Changyun's arrival, she wanted to check the accounts, and that scoundrel actually dragged his entire family away.

If it weren't for her children, she would rather go to jail than do this.

“Brother-in-law, didn’t you issue the clearance documents and keep the seal? There’s always a way.” Huiwei glanced at Madam Meng and her children without leaving a trace. If they couldn’t get out, they could just abandon them. He could always take Meng Zhiping away.

Why did Meng Zhiping regain his senses before leaving?

Eo suppressed the resentment in her eyes, "You guys better behave yourselves, or I'll throw you down there and let you be swept away by the flood."

The flood actually benefited them; even if Princess Changyun wanted to send someone to the capital, it would take some effort.

In a few more days, their group will reach the border checkpoint, and it will be harder than climbing to heaven for the Great Ye Dynasty to capture them then.

Huiwei pushed off with the wooden pole, and the raft shot forward more than ten meters. As long as Meng Zhiping was protected, he didn't care about the lives of others.

If these people were to "accidentally" fall into the water, it would actually be a good thing for him.

I wonder how things are going on my sister's side. If it weren't for Madam Luo's jealousy of Princess Changyun, they wouldn't have been able to take advantage of the situation.

Through Xiao Li's help, they sent people into Meng Zhiping's backyard, and over the years they have reaped considerable rewards.

The tax revenue from the past five years has gone into Little Li's pocket, and his sister left with the envoy without any difficulty.

Huiwei used the wooden pole to push again, and the raft swayed back and forth, causing Madam Meng and her children to fall into the water.

Before Qinghe could change course, he also fell into the water. Madam Meng and her children clung to him tightly, hoping for a chance to survive.

Huiwei grabbed Meng Zhiping and threw him onto her body, then disappeared in a few leaps in the air.

Luo Jingqian didn't see what was happening here. His exposed skin gradually festered, and he fell helplessly off his horse.

Just then, a figure in light green descended from the sky and gently embraced the person. "Are you alright? Why are you alone? Did Qinghe go after the Meng family?"