The Prince's Beloved Little Wife

After the Crown Prince and everyone else had meticulously planned their mission, they quickly sprang into action, making final preparations for their upcoming disaster relief trip. The Crown Prince carefully stored the precious artificial rainmaking machine into his spatial ring. He then contacted Chen Mengyao, requesting that she send him a mobile phone and some power banks. Considering the potentially severe power shortages after leaving the capital, the Crown Prince emphasized this point. Upon hearing this, Chen Mengyao immediately realized her oversight and acted swiftly, not only sending several solar-powered power banks but also thoughtfully preparing solar-powered lamps and flashlights to ensure they had ample light in any situation. The Crown Prince gratefully accepted the supplies, placing them all into his spatial ring for future use.

While packing his personal belongings, the Crown Prince didn't forget to bring enough silver. He took out a large stack of silver notes and a heavy wad of silver from his residence, placing them into his spatial ring for use on the journey. Upon learning that the Crown Prince was about to leave the capital for disaster relief, Prince Duan, Prince Wen, and the eldest princess, among others, generously donated large sums of silver notes from their own treasuries, personally delivering them to the Crown Prince's residence. The Crown Prince expressed his deep gratitude for their support, knowing that this silver would play a crucial role in the disaster relief effort.

With everything prepared, the Crown Prince began arranging the team's route. He taught Lin Minghui how to use a mobile phone and sent him a video tutorial on artificial rainmaking that Chen Mengyao had downloaded for her, ensuring he could operate the machine correctly at crucial moments. Afterwards, the Crown Prince, along with Prince An and his wife, Lin Minghui, and others, boarded carriages and set off in a grand procession towards Yanyang City. Their carriages stood out prominently in the morning sunlight, as if foreshadowing the smooth and successful completion of their mission.

Meanwhile, everyone else was busy with their own tasks. Upon returning to his office, the Minister of Revenue immediately approved a large sum of disaster relief funds and had silver notes delivered to the Prime Minister's residence and the Minister of Works' residence. After receiving the silver notes, the Prime Minister and the Minister of Works quickly organized their own teams and prepared to depart. They adopted the same strategy as the Crown Prince, using some carts loaded with small amounts of grain and other supplies as cover; in reality, the large quantities of disaster relief supplies were already in their spatial rings. The three groups advanced in three different directions, forming an impregnable disaster relief defense line.

But Chen Mengyao didn't stop there. Her good deeds, like a gentle spring rain, nourished silently yet continuously. She not only persevered in her daily porridge distribution, warming countless hungry and cold hearts, but also set her sights on more distant places. She picked up the phone and dialed the numbers of the guards outside the city one by one, gently but firmly telling them that if there wasn't enough space outside the city to set up tents to accommodate the displaced people, they must notify her immediately. She already had a plan in mind: to turn those empty princely mansions into temporary havens for refugees.

After hanging up the phone, Chen Mengyao personally dialed the numbers of each prince's residence, earnestly requesting that they take her to see the spacious courtyards. Upon receiving confirmation, she quickly set to work, following the princes from one residence to another. At each place, she carefully inspected every corner of the courtyard, ensuring they could serve as safe havens for the refugees. Simultaneously, she personally carried batches of supplies from her spatial storage into the courtyards. The kitchens were fully equipped with pots, pans, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and various seasonings; the rooms were neatly arranged with toiletries and bath products; and the bedding was already laid out, awaiting the refugees' arrival. Even rice and flour were pre-stored in preparation for unforeseen circumstances.

To ensure the refugees could live a relatively comfortable life, Chen Mengyao specifically arranged for guards and a steward to stand watch at each residence and prepared sufficient meat and vegetables for them. She told them to inform her immediately if they ran out of food, and she would replenish the supplies. She also thoughtfully instructed them that if anyone came to stay, they must inform her as well, and she would replenish the necessary supplies based on the actual situation. After saying this, she added their phone numbers and WeChat accounts to maintain constant contact.

After arranging everything, Chen Mengyao, accompanied by the other stewards, arrived at the courtyard provided by King Wen. This would become an important base for her to build the Charity Hall. She had already prepared a large amount of building materials, various daily necessities, food, and vegetables, which she neatly placed in the courtyard. To ensure the safe and orderly distribution of the supplies, she again instructed the stewards and guards to stand guard, telling them to inform her only after the supplies had been distributed.

However, Chen Mengyao knew that this sudden disaster required far more than just the immediate assistance she and the country could provide; it also needed a far-reaching and comprehensive reconstruction plan. With unwavering determination and high expectations, she walked side by side with several compassionate princes and princesses into the solemn and majestic palace gates, their steps carrying a deep concern and responsibility for the people in the disaster area.

When the entourage entered the imperial study, Emperor Mingsheng was sitting upright at his desk, intently reviewing the mountain of memorials, each stroke reflecting his deep affection for the country. Accompanied by several princes and princesses, Chen Mengyao respectfully bowed, then, in a calm and powerful voice, she presented Emperor Mingsheng with her carefully considered plan: "Father, I have an idea in mind, and I wish to contribute to the people in the disaster area. I plan to encourage merchants and prominent families across the country to generously donate their wealth and resources to help rebuild the disaster area. This will alleviate the country's financial burden and rapidly advance the reconstruction of people's homes—a win-win situation."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Mingsheng nodded slightly, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes. He was clearly quite satisfied with Chen Mengyao's suggestion: "Yao'er's plan is indeed excellent. I will immediately issue an edict to call on the whole country to work together to raise funds for the disaster area."

A warm feeling welled up in Chen Mengyao's heart. She knew this was the first step in rebuilding their home. So she continued, "My daughter-in-law also plans to set up a fair and transparent oversight body, specifically responsible for receiving and distributing donated supplies, to ensure that every item is delivered accurately to the people, so that they can truly feel the warmth and care from all directions."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Mingsheng's approval deepened. He immediately ordered his servants to summon the court's key officials to the imperial study to discuss the fundraising plan. Soon, all the ministers gathered, and Emperor Mingsheng explained Chen Mengyao's proposal in detail, to which everyone expressed their agreement. After all, rebuilding the homeland was a massive undertaking, which could not be accomplished by the nation alone; the entire country needed to unite as one to overcome the difficulties.

Hearing the response and support from everyone, Chen Mengyao felt a surge of warmth in her heart. She knew that with Emperor Mingsheng's support and call to action, this fundraising event would surely be a complete success. She secretly resolved to pass on this love and hope, so that the people in the disaster area could get out of their predicament as soon as possible and rebuild their beautiful homes.

When discussing the specific implementation plan, Chen Mengyao put forward a very forward-looking view: "In order to encourage more large families and businessmen to participate in the fundraising, we should give them some practical benefits. This will not only demonstrate the benevolence of the imperial court, but also stimulate their enthusiasm."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Mingsheng was deeply impressed by Chen Mengyao's wisdom and foresight. He immediately ordered the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Revenue to cooperate fully in quickly establishing a fundraising platform. At the same time, he decided to personally draft a fundraising appeal, disseminating it throughout the country and calling on people from all walks of life to lend a helping hand. To incentivize large families and merchants, he also decided to propose a series of policies and preferential treatments favorable to them.

The meeting had barely ended when Chen Mengyao rushed back to the Prince's Mansion, her heart filled with a sense of urgency and mission. Without a moment's delay, she immediately threw herself into the preparations for the fundraising campaign. To draw more attention to the event, she personally designed a promotional poster. In this poster, she cleverly used contrast: one side depicted the suffering and hardship endured by the disaster victims, a heart-wrenching image; the other side portrayed the beautiful vision of rebuilt homes—a scene full of vitality and hope, inspiring longing in everyone. Such a design undoubtedly deeply touched people's hearts, inspiring their inner kindness and compassion.

In addition to posters, she meticulously prepared a series of notices. These notices not only explained the importance of fundraising but also offered a series of attractive rewards. She promised that anyone willing to donate money and supplies to the disaster area would receive generous gifts from her, including but not limited to precious medicinal herbs. Even more enticing, they would also receive diamond membership cards for a soon-to-open jewelry store and free admission to auction houses—rare and precious opportunities. Furthermore, all her stores would offer these fundraisers a 50% discount, a lifetime benefit.

To ensure the widespread dissemination of this news, she specifically informed Mu Xue, Lin Yu, Zhao Feng, and others, asking them to help spread the word. She stated that she would provide them with the list of donors, and anyone who came to shop with them, or their family members, would enjoy a 50% discount. She also emphasized that anyone wishing to donate could come directly to the Jingwang Mansion to find her; she would personally register them and distribute prizes and membership cards on the spot.

To ensure that as many people as possible saw the notices and posters, she had her servants make multiple copies, which were then posted throughout the streets and alleys of the capital. She also brought out the prepared prizes, including precious medicinal herbs, diamond membership cards, and coupons redeemed from the mall. In addition, she prepared many notebooks and donation boxes for use when the fundraising campaign began.

To ensure the smooth running of the fundraising event, she summoned all the literate servants in the household and asked them to help register the information of those who came to donate. She instructed them to carefully verify the names of the donors and their family members, and if possible, to also register their addresses. This would not only ensure the fairness and impartiality of the fundraising event but also facilitate the subsequent distribution of funds.

In addition to fundraising in the capital, she also tasked the managers of Longyuan Pavilion with conducting fundraising campaigns throughout the country. Meanwhile, other ministers were not idle either; upon returning home, they utilized their connections and resources to write numerous fundraising appeals and launch nationwide fundraising activities. Of course, the princes, princesses, and other noblewomen also contributed their utmost to the fundraising efforts.

The merchants and prominent families of the capital were extremely satisfied with Chen Mengyao's Jade Beauty Shop and the products in her department store, finding the skincare and household goods to be of very high quality. Now, upon learning that donations would earn them coupons and membership cards for all the stores, they were even more delighted. They believed that Chen Mengyao's shops would only continue to thrive, and thus they all rushed to Prince Jing's residence to donate.

Chen Mengyao and her servants bustled about the mansion every day, constantly registering the names of donors and distributing various prizes. These prizes included not only priceless items such as gold, silver, and precious medicinal herbs, but also many practical daily necessities to meet the needs of different donors. The entire mansion was a scene of busy yet orderly activity, with everyone wholeheartedly devoted to this disaster relief effort.

And so, they worked tirelessly for three days and three nights without a moment's rest. During these three days, Chen Mengyao was almost completely immersed in disaster relief work, without even time to enter her own private space. Ouyang Han had called her once, and after learning about her situation, he didn't bother her any further, only telling her via WeChat that he had arrived at the border and that she could focus on her work and that they would meet again when he had time.

Over the course of three days, wealthy individuals in Beijing responded enthusiastically to the fundraising campaign, generously donating to help the people in the disaster area. To Chen Mengyao's surprise and delight, in addition to these wealthy individuals, some ordinary people also actively participated in the disaster relief efforts. Although they were not well-off, they were still willing to lend a helping hand and do their part for the people in the disaster area.

To express her gratitude to these kind-hearted people, Chen Mengyao prepared some extra prizes for them, including practical items such as daily skincare products and everyday necessities. She knew their lives were not easy, but their kindness deeply moved her. Therefore, she hoped to express her gratitude through these prizes.

After three days of intense and well-organized efforts, the fundraising campaign aimed at aiding the people in the disaster area finally came to a successful conclusion. During these three days, almost all the prominent families and businessmen in Beijing actively responded, generously donating their money. Their acts of kindness, like streams flowing into an ocean of love, brought boundless care and support to the people in the disaster area.

As the person in charge of this fundraising event, Chen Mengyao dedicated herself to every task with exceptional professionalism and a strong sense of responsibility. After the fundraising concluded, she immediately began tallying the donations. After carefully verifying each donation, she was astonished to discover that the total amount raised had reached a staggering several hundred million taels of silver! This figure, like a ray of warm sunshine, instantly illuminated her heart. She deeply understood that this money was not merely cold numbers, but a source of hope and strength for the people in the disaster area to rebuild their homes and restore their lives.

Looking at the substantial donation list, Chen Mengyao smiled with satisfaction. She quickly made several copies and distributed them to her employees and Emperor Mingsheng. While distributing the list, she also offered Emperor Mingsheng a forward-thinking suggestion: the government could provide certain support policies to businesspeople who actively participate in fundraising, to recognize their charitable acts and encourage more people to engage in public welfare.

Emperor Mingsheng was extremely pleased upon receiving the list. He highly praised Chen Mengyao's competence and immediately pledged to adopt her suggestions and provide substantial assistance to these merchants. His actions were swift and decisive; he quickly ordered the Ministry of Revenue to meticulously record the names of the merchants who had donated and to begin formulating a series of preferential measures. These measures included granting them priority in processing paperwork and providing preferential policies in taxation and loans to alleviate their operational burdens.

Furthermore, Emperor Mingsheng made an even bolder decision: he published the names of the prominent families and merchants who had donated, posting them in high-traffic areas of the capital. This list not only detailed the name of each donor and the amount they contributed, but also clearly outlined the various benefits they would receive for their charitable acts. For example, the descendants of the merchants would have the opportunity to participate in the imperial examinations, thus broadening their career prospects; while members of the prominent families would receive the honor of having monuments erected in their honor by the government, commemorating their good deeds and contributions.

This initiative not only demonstrated Emperor Mingsheng's high regard for public welfare but also greatly inspired enthusiasm from all sectors of society. People expressed their determination to learn from the exemplary spirit of these donors and contribute their own strength to the people in the disaster area. Receiving this care and support from the entire society, the people in the disaster area rekindled their confidence and hope to rebuild their homes and restore their lives.

Meanwhile, fundraising efforts were in full swing across the country. Thus, through the collective efforts and tireless struggle of everyone, an unprecedented disaster relief operation quietly began. Although they came from different social classes and shouldered different missions and responsibilities, they all shared the same belief and determination—to strive for the people in the disaster area to rebuild their homes and restore their former peace and happiness as soon as possible. This action not only demonstrated the unity and friendship among people but also highlighted the brilliance and greatness of humanity.