This wooden room was so simple it was heart-wrenching. Rain leaked straight down from the ceiling. Xie Jingsheng stepped onto a stool and patched one spot, telling him, "We can't stay in this room for more than a few days. We'll leave once the rain stops." He patched this spot, but it was still leaking over there. After he finished, Xie Jingsheng jumped down, wiped the stool, and said, "Sit."

He Anchang sat down. Xie Jingsheng rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Want something to eat?"

"No need." He Anchang's anger had subsided a few inches. He sat on the tattered long bench, his rain-soaked hair dripping water, looking cold and pitiful.

Xie Jingsheng turned and called out, "A clean cloth! Aunt Chen, bring the food here." Once the items were delivered, he sent everyone out. He handed the clean cloth to He Anchang, saying, "Wipe your hair."

He Anchang took it, watching him lift the blue cloth covering the basket. Inside were a plate of pickled vegetables and two steamed buns. Xie Jingsheng handed him the only pair of chopsticks, pushed the pickled vegetables closer, and said, "Things are tight here, so there's nothing good. But I'm quite fond of these pickled vegetables. I have a plate every day; consider it a rustic delicacy. Have a taste."

He Anchang stared at the fine scratches on Xie Jingsheng's fingers, and his chest, which had just relaxed, inexplicably tightened again. He took the chopsticks and ate.

Aunt Chen called out from outside, "Lord Xie."

Xie Jingsheng hadn't even had time to grab a bun. He could only open the door and ask, "What's up, Auntie?"

Aunt Chen handed him two steaming hot buns, whispering, "This must be the lord from the capital, right? Ay, you see, we don't have anything good to offer here. We can't let him eat cold food, can we? These buns were made by the wives of Erli Village. We've sent them all out. You keep these two for him to try." She then muttered to herself, "Do lords from the capital eat buns? The opera says they eat 'golden jade soup'."

"Thanks, Auntie." Xie Jingsheng tucked the buns away and smiled. "Didn't I come from the capital too? How come I've never tasted any 'golden jade soup'? Alright, please thank all the young wives in Erli Village for me, just tell them Xie Jingsheng has received them." At the end, he added, "You should hurry back, it's pouring rain."

After seeing her off, he immediately took a few steps to He Anchang, revealed the buns, and raised an eyebrow triumphantly, "Buns made by young wives."

He Anchang snorted coldly, ignoring him. Seeing that He Anchang was about to reach for a cold bun, Xie Jingsheng quickly handed him a hot bun. He Anchang didn't take it this time. Xie Jingsheng snatched the cold bun from him, saying, "You're already snatching food as soon as you arrive." Then he simply held the bun to He Anchang's lips, "Eat this, do me the honor."

He Anchang lifted his gaze and stared at him. Just as Xie Jingsheng was about to tease him, he took a bite, revealing a red bean paste filling. The bun wasn't extraordinary; its skin was thick, the filling sweet and rich, and it was held between fingers that Xie Jingsheng wasn't sure were clean. But He Anchang ate fiercely, bite after bite, his puffed-up, snow-white cheeks made one... made Xie Jingsheng's mouth go dry.

Until he finished, the last bit of warm steam and thin lips brushed Xie Jingsheng's fingertips, making them tremble slightly. He quickly handed over the other bun, saying, "Take it and eat."

"I'm full." He Anchang frowned, turning his head away. "Eat your own."

"Since you're here to inspect the embankment, of course, you can't eat so little." Xie Jingsheng broke the last bun in half, putting one half in He Anchang's hand and eating the other himself. "Finish the inspection and report back quickly. If this rain doesn't stop, the Chang River embankment won't be stable. Staying here might lead to trouble."

He Anchang was thoroughly annoyed by his presumptuous manner. He took the bun and bit into it, then put the chopsticks back. "Shut up and eat yours. I know how to report."

Xie Jingsheng devoured his food like a whirlwind. The cold steamed buns were also gone, and the pickled vegetables were eaten clean. He had been submerged in water, lifting heavy objects all day, and now his hands and feet were ice cold. Even cold steamed buns felt like they could soothe his stomach. He Anchang, holding a still-warm bun, watched from the side. His mood gradually calmed, and he only felt a strange soreness somewhere in his body.

This man was a Provincial Administration Commissioner, a second-rank official, just a hair below a prince or marquis. He had a terrible temper; no one in the capital liked to be near him. The Left Faction secretly mocked him as a 'dog's tail grass' who rose to power through Bai Jiu and the Brocade Uniform Guards. He had no prominent family, perhaps not even a family at all, and he loved to utter frivolous and shameless words.

'Just such a scoundrel.'

'...Yet this scoundrel cared more about the people's livelihood than anyone in the capital's central government. He initiated water conservancy projects, reclaimed fertile land, opened canals, and embraced public opinion. After leaving Qingping, he was reviled for an unknown duration. Upon entering Qingping, he rolled in the mud and did practical work. He didn't stand idly by during Registrar He's murder case, using the excuse of 'going along with people's nonsense,' but in reality, he took all the blame himself. Then he cast aside his reputation, wishing to hide far away and never be seen again.'

"Scoundrel," He Anchang said suddenly in a cold voice.

Xie Jingsheng looked innocent. With only one bench, the two of them could only squeeze together. Although in his heart he harbored wild thoughts about this aloof person, he didn't show it on his face. Puzzled by the scolding, he merely rubbed the bridge of his nose and smiled.

"Haven't seen you for a few days, and your temper has grown, Lord He."

He Anchang stood up. "Let's go, let's take a look at the canal."

"Hold your horses." Xie Jingsheng stretched his shoulders and leaned against the wall, saying, "Let me sit for a bit."

He had expected at least a huff, but to his surprise, He Anchang actually sat down again. Xie Jingsheng's heart itched from the close proximity of He Anchang's scent. He let out a long sigh, turned his head to rest against the wooden plank, and cursed himself to 'stay sober'. After a long while, hearing no sound, he couldn't resist turning back. He saw He Anchang sitting perfectly straight, shoulders level, waist erect—'waist, waist...' Xie Jingsheng licked his lips, genuinely not planning to look away. Unfortunately, before his roguish behavior could even begin, someone knocked on the door again. Xie Jingsheng averted his gaze, too lazy to move, and said, "Your clothes are here. Bring them in and change. Once you're done, we'll go to the canal."

Opening the door indeed revealed a package of clean clothes, which felt thicker to the touch, and even included a cloak. He Anchang rummaged through the bottom, frowning, "Where are yours?"

"I'm not changing," Xie Jingsheng said lazily. "After showing you around, I'll have to go back into the water; the floating planks aren't laid yet. You have to change. After all, you're from the capital; you can't let—" The still-wet outer robe was thrown over his head. Xie Jingsheng laughed aloud. Of course, he didn't close his eyes, nor did he remove the robe. Through the cold-scented garment, from the hazy shadows, he watched the man shed his clothes, one by one.

His shoulders were sharply defined, his waist slender, and his legs long. He was thin, at least to Xie Jingsheng's touch. His legs were so long and straight that it made one's throat tighten and stomach warm. Xie Jingsheng was surprised to find that he wasn't thinking anything obscene; just looking at this person through the hazy scent, he was already uncontrollably stirred. This feeling of trying to act like a gentleman in the face of such a temptation was like self-abuse. Xie Jingsheng tilted his head slightly, his nose gently touching the garment, letting out a silent sigh of hidden forbearance and helplessness.

'He clearly hid far away, so why couldn't he escape? He clearly understood in his heart, so why still not dare to make a move? This person, transformed, should be the moonlight on his heart's tip, yet his palms still held stirring desires and possessiveness. What to do? Should he snatch him? Could he? Could He Anchang? The He Family was towering; did he really want to drag He Anchang down this path of "cut sleeves" and make him estranged from everyone? He was a scoundrel, but He Anchang was not. This person was a noble young master from a prominent family, with a smooth and splendid future ahead, and elderly parents.'

'In life, one is bound to meet such a bane: inescapable, unavoidable, bound within it, sweet amidst the bitterness.'

Suddenly, the view brightened. He Anchang was looking down at him, saying, "Let's go."

Xie Jingsheng swallowed hard, grasping He Anchang's wrist. He immediately used the leverage to stand up, pulling the swaying He Anchang towards his chest, then instantly shifting to steady him, chuckling, "Let's go."

Jiangtang's terrain was relatively high, and the canal was built on its southern high ground, which was originally an extremely meritorious undertaking. Because of this, downstream from Jiangtang, both Qingping and Wuhan Mountain relied on this canal for irrigation. The Chang River's rising water levels were effectively controlled, and the silty water fertilized the fields, benefiting Jiangtang, Qingping, and Wuhan Mountain. Thus, these three regions were collectively known by Great Lan as the 'Nation's Granary'. However, this critical area was the one that could least afford neglect; the embankment was vital, and annual inspections and repairs were a constant necessity. Yet, Prince of Tang had, for unknown reasons, been confused in recent years, repairing it himself without any visible results.

He Anchang investigated diligently because the imperial court had to immediately allocate funds for this matter, and the amount would not be small. He needed to have a clear grasp of the accounts, so he wouldn't be dismissed with just a few taels of silver upon his return.

"If this year's funds still aren't allocated, what will you do?" He Anchang faced the turbulent waves of the Chang River. The water had already overflowed the three engraved lines on the canal. The heavy rain continued; the small openings in the Jiangtang embankment were already difficult to seal. They could only pray that the rain would recede this year and not completely burst the banks.

"Then there's nothing we can do." Xie Jingsheng brushed aside the stray hairs on his forehead, revealing eyes filled with a resolute glint. "Prince of Tang has never managed to fix it; perhaps he simply doesn't want to. If Jiangtang's embankment breaks, Qingping and Wuhan Mountain will immediately suffer from floods. The granaries in both regions will be lost, cutting off Great Lan's winter food supply. Floods cannot be dealt with quickly; with no grain stored, public morale will be unstable, and there will be post-disaster resettlement issues and epidemics. The court will be in chaos, with those who intend to cause trouble, and our two factions will inevitably clash first. By then, even if His Majesty strongly desires to repair the embankment, it will likely be difficult to achieve short-term results. If the floods are not eliminated, and if the common people are improperly resettled after being harmed by the disaster, widespread public unrest will be no small matter." Xie Jingsheng placed a hand on He Anchang's shoulder, turning him to face the other side. "Look at Jiangtang again. Prince of Tang has a stable granary and real military power. The Crown Prince is still away, Beiyang is distant, and the Prince of Yan is gone. The remaining provincial and prefectural troops can only move with a dispatch order from the capital, and their numbers are small and their quality mixed. Only the thirty thousand Capital Guards can still fight. Given this, who in Great Lan can contend with him?"

He Anchang raised his hand and pointed. "He relies on the lives lost in floods, but ultimately, it's not a righteous path. Forcing the palace during chaos is also not a reputable act. Unrighteous and improper, how would he dare? If he dared, he wouldn't have cowered for so long."

"Then he'll find a way to make it seem proper," Xie Jingsheng exhaled a cold breath. "You are constantly in the capital and don't know the filth of the provinces. Even high-ranking provincial officials have such audacity, let alone a regional prince? You missed Great Yuan."

He Anchang turned his head to look at him.

Xie Jingsheng said sternly, "Great Yuan is waiting for an opportunity. Without Beiyang's deterrent, entry and exit from the northern border would be child's play. It might be fine if there's no chaos, but once it starts, the Lion King of Great Yuan is still eyeing us fiercely, his blade not dulled with age. Currently, we only have Prince of Tang who can take on the marshal's seal. In that situation, who wouldn't beg him?"

He Anchang was silent for a while, then suddenly said, "It must have been hard for you, petitioning every year."

Xie Jingsheng chuckled and led the man back. They walked side by side under one umbrella until they reached the front of the house. Xie Jingsheng said, "Go inside and wait. A carriage will come later."

"What for?"

"To send you away."

He Anchang froze. 'I'm not leaving' was almost out of his mouth. But Xie Jingsheng suddenly raised a hand, his palm, icy from the rain, covered He Anchang's cheek, making him forget what he was about to say.

Xie Jingsheng narrowed his eyes slightly, a foxy satisfaction on his face. He smirked and said roguishly, "You have to help me win this one."

"Naturally." He Anchang didn't move, his features composed, yet he still sensed that his cool demeanor had dissipated by seventy or eighty percent.

Xie Jingsheng seemed reluctant to let go, rubbing that cheek slightly. Before He Anchang could react, he stepped out from under the umbrella. Separated by the heavy rain, it was as if they were in two different worlds. He raised his chin, shouting, "Go inside!" He then winked at He Anchang, flashed a smile, turned, and climbed onto the canal. In a blink, he was again lost among the mud.

But this time, He Anchang could clearly distinguish which one was Xie Jingsheng.

He Anchang returned to the capital quickly. First, he submitted a memorial, then strongly urged Zhang Taiyan of the necessity of repairing the embankment. Subsequently, the Left Faction, changing its usual stance, sided with Bai Jiu's faction. Funds were approved swiftly, with supervisors from both sides dispatched, and the money arrived smoothly at the location. Xie Jingsheng didn't stop, rushing immediately to Jiangtang. Without even entering Prince of Tang's Manor, he directly slapped the imperial edict from the capital onto the manor gates, then turned to begin construction.

The repairs continued until winter. The swift horse sent to urge the Crown Prince's return to the capital was eventually worn down by Xie Jingsheng until it moved like an old ox, and before letting the rider go, he plied him with wine until his legs were weak. Xie Jingsheng himself was no better; upon returning to his manor, he collapsed and slept for days, only recovering his vigor after five or six days, having lost a significant amount of weight.

However, not long after he had recovered, Xiao Yan came to see him. Seeing that his stubble was cleaned up and he finally looked presentable, she couldn't help but scold, "You just rely on your youth and don't value your life! Sooner or later, you'll work yourself to death!"

Xie Jingsheng merely smiled, transformed once more into a refined and dashing young master. He tucked his fan into the back of his neck and laughed, "It's fine, it won't kill me." As he spoke, he leaned back on a soft cushion, comfortably stretching his legs. "Ten-plus days without a bath didn't stink me to death, which shows my physique is still strong. Living to a hundred or so years will be no problem." As he was speaking, he suddenly sat up and asked, "Where's the bundle I brought back?"

Xiao Yan said with disdain, "How long did you keep those clothes? I just had someone tidy them up."

Xie Jingsheng suddenly jumped up. "Oh, my sister!" Without even having time to put on his shoes, he dragged one foot and dashed out.

Xiao Yan couldn't catch him, so she could only throw the other shoe at him, saying, "You're crazy!"

Xie Jingsheng caught it, slipped it onto his foot, and shouted back at her, "That's my treasure, sis!" With that, he was gone, disappearing from sight.

Xiao Yan, shocked, leaned against the door, pondering for a long time the question of how this kid could have become foolish after repairing an embankment, but found no answer.