11: Xue Qinghe explained that Yu Tianheng felt wronged.

"I..."

Xue Qinghe opened her mouth. She had many explanations in her belly, but upon seeing Yu Mengzhang's golden eyes, she was unable to give voice to an answer.

Under such a pair of eyes, any defense she made felt as if it were wrong.

Seeing this, the guard Spirit Master hurriedly said, "His Highness has been working day and night for disaster relief, personally visiting the villages in the disaster area. Which minister can do that? If there are shortcomings, it's the noble Sects in your fiefs, they are the ones who..."

Xue Qinghe waved her hand, stopping the other from continuing.

In truth, she could have insisted on enforcement; it was merely about establishing authority. Yet, fearing the loss of support from those nobles, she had given up.

Sweat beaded on the village chief's forehead. He wiped it, saying awkwardly, "Um, if Your Highness doesn't mind, would you like to share a simple meal with us?"

He shielded Yu Mengzhang behind him, feeling helpless inside.

This child speaks without thinking. How could he openly contradict someone like this?

If he offends a noble, he could lose his head!

"Alright." Xue Qinghe nodded gently and sat down beside Yu Mengzhang.

When taking the spot, she even thanked the villager sitting nearby.

"???" The village chief and the others were dumbfounded.

This noble didn't seem quite like the ones they imagined.

Moreover, this is the Grand Prince!

He should be among the most powerful nobles, right?

The guard Spirit Master was also somewhat surprised. Although the Grand Prince was compassionate and kind, this was the first time he had seen him condescend to such an extent!

What was so special about these villagers?

"Elder, please sit as well. Let's talk. To be honest, I want to know the true state of the disaster situation, and from you all is the most genuine..."

Xue Qinghe spoke, but her peripheral vision was fixed on Yu Mengzhang.

This child, only six years old, behaved completely unlike his age.

Even sitting beside him gave her a sense of nervousness.

Yu Mengzhang, however, paid no attention to Xue Qinghe. Influenced by the Azure Dragon, he held a somewhat condescending view of worldly affairs.

It was like a divine nature that transcended the mundane world.

That he could still interact with everyone normally was due to past bonds serving as an anchor for his humanity, preventing him from becoming a completely detached deity.

But for outsiders like Xue Qinghe, there was no such preferential treatment.

This was also the reason Xue Qinghe felt pressure.

"...It pains my heart when I see the people struggling due to the great drought, which is why I took on this task. I used all the gold coins from my residence for relief, but it's still a drop in the bucket."

"And when I conveyed the Empire's orders to those nobles and Sects, they all spoke fine words on the surface, but I don't know if they will truly follow through."

Xue Qinghe elaborated on her current troubles.

It felt more like an explanation, like she was pleading her case to Yu Mengzhang beside her.

"..."

The villagers and guards blinked in stunned silence.

An Imperial Prince... was explaining himself to them?

Were they even worthy of that?

The villagers at the table couldn't eat anymore. Those at other tables also focused their gazes, staring dumbly at Xue Qinghe.

They were terrified!!!

The guard Spirit Master looked around, thinking: Could there be spies arranged by His Majesty nearby, forcing His Highness to put on a show?

Yu Mengzhang's expression remained placid as he fed vegetables to the "Green Lizard."

The "Green Lizard" ate heartily while curiously observing Xue Qinghe.

They were the only two present who seemed completely unconcerned.

"While visiting disaster areas, I saw the crops in the fields withering. I personally sought advice and studied the subject..."

Xue Qinghe desperately tried to justify herself, as if afraid Yu Mengzhang would think poorly of her.

Her brow furrowed, and her voice carried a hint of grievance.

When she heard Yu Luomian's words back then, she had been equally shocked.

Now, she could finally voice her own grievance.

She even wanted to gain Yu Mengzhang's approval.

Even if she hadn't done well enough, she was different from others... at least she had truly tried!

"...But what I didn't expect was that a deity descended, rescuing the masses from suffering. He gave me hope."

This time, Xue Qinghe didn't even pretend, speaking directly while looking at Yu Mengzhang.

She was now utterly convinced that even if Yu Mengzhang wasn't that deity, he was definitely deeply connected to him!

This was a deity!

No amount of closeness was excessive!

Yu Mengzhang glanced at her calmly. "A single rainfall cannot resolve a year of great drought."

Xue Qinghe was taken aback. "It's still not enough...?"

Fearing Yu Mengzhang might offend Xue Qinghe, the village chief sighed and said, "We'd need at least five or six more rainfalls; otherwise, they'll still wither. Even then, many crops are already beyond saving; rain won't bring them back."

The drought had lasted too long; the rain had come too late!

Even if rain came regularly from now on, this year's harvest would still be reduced by at least thirty percent!

Xue Qinghe was slightly stunned, looking at the village chief, but her peripheral vision was fixed on Yu Mengzhang. "The deity will surely continue to send rain! Right... elder?"

The village chief was taken aback, waving his hands repeatedly. "This... how would an old man like me know? We are already endlessly grateful that the deity granted rain. I dare not ask for more."

Xue Qinghe, however, noticed Yu Mengzhang's impassive expression and grew anxious inside.

Why wouldn't he give her a response?

"Elder, if rain becomes normal from now on, if we replant now... would it be possible... to mature and yield a harvest?"

Xue Qinghe gritted her teeth and suddenly asked.

The village chief thought for a moment. "It's possible, but it's very risky. Especially now, it's not easy for farmers to come up with the money..."

"I will provide them with seeds! Since I've taken on disaster relief, I must shoulder the responsibility!"

Xue Qinghe declared righteously, standing up and giving a slight bow to everyone.

But the central focus of her gesture was Yu Mengzhang.

"I believe the deity will not stand idly by while the suffering masses perish. There will surely be more rain. I also wish to rescue the people from suffering, not be a parasite who only enjoys privileges. Official duties call; I must take my leave..."

Xue Qinghe took a deep look at Yu Mengzhang, then turned and left.

The villagers were deeply moved. They had never seen such a humble noble. They all stood up to see her off.

Yu Mengzhang remained in place, quietly watching Xue Qinghe's retreating figure... The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.

Yu Tianheng was confined in a secret chamber for reflection.

To this day, he didn't know what he had done wrong.

Losing to a six-year-old child?

At that moment, Yu Yuanzhen and Yu Luomian came to see him together.

"Tianheng, you have disappointed me greatly. The Dueling Arena is not a place for showing mercy. If you pitied him, you could have given him money. Was it necessary to lose directly?"

"Grandfather, what are you talking about? I... I didn't think that way?" Yu Tianheng was dumbfounded.

Yu Yuanzhen said coldly, "Would you dare lie in front of your grandfather?"

"No, Grandfather, I, I don't know what happened either at the time. It was as if my Spirit was suppressed..."

Yu Tianheng sighed, unable to figure it out.

Yu Yuanzhen laughed in anger. "You brat, you can't even lie convincingly! Our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon is The Number One Beast Martial Soul Under Heaven! The sovereign of all beasts! There is no Spirit or Spirit Beast that can make us feel a Rank suppression!"

"One additional month of confinement! Use it to reflect properly!"