Volume One, Chapter 12: The Value of a Cotton-Padded Jacket

Qin Zhiyin sighed, “The weather is getting colder, and this year the soldiers’ casualties are far greater than in previous years. I wonder if their families and the poor people in the city can endure it.”

Shen Suyun’s eyes softened somewhat. “I was just about to tell Sister-in-law that Xianyue ordered over a dozen carts of fine cotton-padded clothes from Yongzhou, planning to distribute them before the snow falls. Since Sister-in-law is busy with reception matters, why not leave this to me?”

She glanced at Xiao Yuanyi with a look tinged with disdain and challenge. “And the seventh brother’s wife should come along too. After all, you’re idling anyway.”

This was a charitable act, but everyone in Dingzhou knew that it was Xiao Yuanyi’s elder brother who had caused the deaths of two generals. If she dared to show up, those who revered the great generals would have no mercy on her.

Xiao Yuanyi’s fingers trembled slightly.

Shen Suyun sneered coldly, “You’re a member of the royal clan. Surely you don’t lack even a shred of compassion?”

“The second aunt misunderstands. I was just thinking, if the cotton clothes are distributed, not to mention if they really reach those in need, even if they do, without any men at home, it might attract robbers...”

Xiao Yuanyi had seen refugees outside Yanjing city; even a few hard steamed buns could trigger bloodshed.

Moreover, some city dwellers pretended to be refugees just to collect grain rations—let alone fine cotton-padded clothes.

“You’re clearly afraid to go, yet making excuses. Do you intend to obstruct our charity?” Shen Suyun snapped.

Lou Siyuan chimed in, “Exactly, Sixth Sister distributed cotton clothes in past years without incident. The border residents are simple and honest, unlike you people from Yanjing, all greedy and selfish.”

Although the Tianshan snow lotus incident had somewhat lessened Lou Siyuan’s hostility toward Xiao Yuanyi, it was only a little, and he spoke the truth, not deliberately causing trouble.

Their voices grew louder and louder, leaving Xiao Yuanyi no chance to speak, her face flushed with frustration.

“The cotton clothes must be distributed. If Seventh Sister-in-law won’t go, then let Fifth Sister-in-law and I go,” Lin Xuqiu said. Sun Kangyi, also dressed in plain mourning attire, agreed.

“Fourth Sister-in-law is in poor health and should stay home to recuperate. Also, Seventh Sister-in-law has a point; this matter needs careful consideration,” Lou Xianyue said.

Shen Suyun and Lou Siyuan both looked at her as if to say, how can you defend Xiao Yuanyi?

Lou Xianyue shrank back but spoke the truth. In previous years, the aid never truly reached the poor. Even if Seventh Brother personally supervised, human greed was hard to prevent. Besides, they couldn’t resort to force.

Qin Zhiyin stepped in to smooth things over. “Enough. Seventh Sister-in-law is merely expressing her opinion.”

She looked at Xiao Yuanyi with an unreadable expression. Seventh Sister-in-law was said to be spoiled and overbearing, but after all this time, she hadn’t noticed that at all; instead, she was quite intelligent and cautious.

“Seventh Sister-in-law, what did you want to say earlier?”

Lou Siyuan was about to scoff, thinking what ideas a pampered girl could have, but a glance from Lou Hejing silenced him immediately.

All eyes turned to Xiao Yuanyi, but unlike the coldness when they had offered tea that day, now there was more curiosity.

Xiao Yuanyi realized that the Lou family truly cared for the city’s poor, so she shared her thoughts.

Cotton-padded clothes were precious—not because of the fabric but because of the cotton. Ordinary people might never wear cotton in their lifetime.

“What if we cut the clothes open, remove half the cotton filling, and replace it with cotton wadding? The removed cotton...”

Lou Siyuan frowned deeply. Wasn’t this just cutting corners? Would the prestigious general’s household really skimp on cotton?

“You’re talking nonsense...”

“Silence! Listen to her,” someone ordered.

Xiao Yuanyi was slightly surprised that Lou Hejing defended her, but she understood it was only for the sake of the people.

She took a breath and continued, “The removed cotton can still be made into clothes. We only need to keep a few as charity items to distribute. We can say the production schedule is tight and let the people collect the cotton wadding and make their own clothes.”

“Those who don’t lack clothing will disdain garments with wadding inside and instead scramble for the cotton, while those truly in need won’t have the means to make clothes in time and would naturally choose the finished garments. Though filled with wadding, half the cotton remains, and it should suffice to get through winter.”

“We can stagger the distribution locations. Once the clothes at one place are gone, we can say the cotton there was all taken. The greedy will only make a wasted trip.”

She finished speaking, and after several moments of silence, she nervously glanced at Qin Zhiyin, fearing she had said something wrong.

Unexpectedly, Qin Zhiyin clapped her hands and smiled faintly. “Good idea. Where did you learn this?”

Xiao Yuanyi’s privileged background had destined her to a life of wealth and nobility, so she had never truly witnessed the hardships of common folk. How could she have known these things?

“Last year, during the floods in Qingzhou, many refugees flocked to Yanjing. I was too naive then and let some money be distributed, but nearly got my carriage torn apart by the refugees. I suppose I learned from that mistake.”

Lou Siyuan couldn’t help but laugh. Giving out money? Only a lady like her would think of that.

Xiao Yuanyi’s expression was sheepish as she recalled the perilous day, her face paling.

If not for Xie Jingyi’s timely arrival, disaster would have struck. Afterwards, they had jointly devised this disaster relief method.

Though it was only last year, recalling it felt like a lifetime ago.

“Then let’s proceed as Seventh Sister-in-law suggested. Xianyue, can you manage?”

“Rest assured, Aunt, Wenjin is reliable,” Lou Xianyue replied.

She had married into the Liu family in Yongzhou three years ago. With Lou family’s backing, the Liu family had formed a trading caravan dealing in fur between the two countries’ borders, profiting handsomely over the years. They also reciprocated by donating supplies to Dingzhou annually.

Though Shen Suyun despised Xiao Yuanyi deeply, she had to admit her cleverness this time. “Xuqiu and Kangyi will assist your mother-in-law. This matter will be entrusted to me and Seventh Sister-in-law.”

Xiao Yuanyi nodded, but a strong unease rose in her heart.

The sky had fully darkened. Following Qin Zhiyin’s advice, Lou Hejing returned to Qingyuan with Xiao Yuanyi.

The road was quiet; Long Yu carried a lantern ahead of Xiao Yuanyi, and Lou Hejing walked briskly as usual.

Lost in thought, Xiao Yuanyi pondered the impending distribution. Shen Suyun sending her on this mission meant trouble was inevitable, but she had no right to refuse. Angering Shen Suyun would surely bring further complications.

“Hiss...”

She accidentally stepped on a loose stone slab and nearly fell. Long Yu hurried to support her. Because Lou Hejing was ahead, she suppressed her complaints.

But the Lou family’s place was indeed too dilapidated!

“Miss, are you alright?”

Xiao Yuanyi moved her ankle; it hurt, but it seemed unbroken.

Since coming to the Lou family over a month ago, she had suffered countless injuries, from initially crying out in pain to now becoming completely numb.

“I’m fine, I can still walk.”

Long Yu helped her along slowly. Not long after, they saw Lou Hejing standing ahead, arms crossed, looking impatient as if to say how could she even walk properly.