Ji Changqing walked into the exhibition hall wearing a crimson official robe embroidered with cranes, his posture upright and his expression composed.
Upon seeing Feng Qingsui, he smiled faintly. “The orphanage director mentioned that my sister-in-law happened to be here donating clothes. I thought she had mistaken someone else for you, but it really is you.”
Feng Qingsui: “…”
This man had been having her followed all along. She refused to believe he hadn’t known she was coming to the Charity Orphanage.
“I didn’t expect it either,” Feng Qingsui chuckled lightly. “Second Master is so busy with state affairs, yet you still have time to inspect such a small orphanage.”
Ji Changqing detected the sarcasm in her words and knew she had misunderstood. He smiled and explained, “The Qintianjian has predicted that this year will bring a once-in-a-century severe winter. The capital prefecture submitted a memorial requesting a special fund for the orphanage to survive the winter. His Majesty ordered me to verify the situation.”
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have bothered making a special trip to the orphanage.
—Of course, among all the orphanages in the capital, he had chosen this particular one precisely because she was here.
Upon hearing the phrase “once-in-a-century severe winter,” Feng Qingsui frowned. “The winter clothes in the orphanage are stuffed with reed catkins and willow floss. They won’t withstand such a harsh winter.”
The orphanage director, who had followed Ji Changqing inside, stiffened at these words.
“Reed catkins and willow floss? Where did you hear that, Madam? The winter clothes for the children in our orphanage are all made of silk wadding.”
Feng Qingsui looked at her. “That batch of silk-wadded winter clothes was donated by someone four years ago. The newly arrived children don’t have any, isn’t that right?”
The director’s expression froze.
She had been accompanying this lady the whole time and hadn’t seen her interact with any of the children. How could she know so much?
Had she investigated beforehand?
The director tried to cover up, “I was only transferred here at the end of last year, so I’m not very familiar with the previous situation. I’ll look into what you’ve mentioned, Madam. If it’s true, I’ll definitely report it.”
Feng Qingsui asked, “Which orphanage were you at before?”
“Over at Qingyun Road.”
“Were the winter clothes there all made of silk wadding?”
“Of course… though three years ago, some kind-hearted donors also donated a batch of cotton-padded clothes.”
Feng Qingsui’s expression turned cold.
Her sister’s goodwill had become a cover for these corrupt individuals.
Ji Changqing’s face also darkened.
“Director Fang, bring me the financial records for the past years later. I want to review them.”
Director Fang’s heart raced, and she hurriedly replied, “Yes!”
She thought to herself that it was fortunate she hadn’t had time to tamper with the records. If any issues were found, they would be the responsibility of the previous director, not hers.
Unexpectedly, Ji Changqing turned to his attendant and ordered, “Baifu, go to the other orphanages and collect all their account books.”
Director Fang: “!!!”
Her face instantly paled, as if it had been bleached, losing several shades of color.
Ji Changqing acted as if he hadn’t noticed her change, speaking calmly, “Weren’t you going to introduce the exhibits here to me?”
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
With her mind in turmoil, Director Fang began explaining the exhibits to Ji Changqing.
Ji Changqing wasn’t particularly interested in these handicrafts, only sparing a few extra glances at the embroidered painting of the little girl eating glutinous rice cakes—Feng Qingsui had been standing in front of this painting before he entered.
The little girl’s eating expression was embroidered vividly and adorably, though she looked a bit too thin. She would have been even prettier with a little more flesh on her face.
His expression darkened further.
If even their clothing was being skimped on, how well could they possibly be eating?
The Charity Orphanage’s buildings were all tidy, the children wore smiles on their faces, and the exhibits in the display hall fully showcased the orphanage’s nurturing achievements. At first glance, it appeared flourishing and accomplished.
If Feng Qingsui hadn’t pointed it out, he might not have noticed the hidden issues.
How did Feng Qingsui know?
According to Yan Chi’s report, before contacting this Charity Orphanage, she had neither visited nor sent anyone to investigate.
How could she know even the details that the children’s cotton-padded jackets were donated four years ago?
He turned to look at Feng Qingsui, only to find she had already walked outside.
Feng Qingsui left when Wuhua arrived.
With the adoption information for Cuique already obtained and her goal achieved, there was naturally no need to linger.
Walking to the orphanage entrance, Wuhua went to untie the donkey while she waited in place.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps sounded from behind.
A five- or six-year-old boy with burn scars covering most of his face, leading a girl a head shorter than him, ran up to her.
“Madam, thank you for the clothes you gave us. They’re very warm,” the boy said gratefully.
“We don’t have anything to repay you with. This pot of flowers is something my sister and I brought from home. If you dig it up and put it in a water basin during the New Year, it can bloom beautifully. We’d like to give it to you.”
He held up the clay pot in his hands.
The pot was missing a small corner, with several protruding narcissus bulbs planted inside.
“Are you really giving this to me?” Feng Qingsui asked. “This is something you worked hard to preserve.”
The boy nodded earnestly. “Yes.”
The girl nodded along. “We still have a smaller pot.”
Feng Qingsui accepted it.
“Thank you. I’ll take good care of them.”
Wuhua happened to drive the donkey cart over just then. Feng Qingsui had her place the flowerpot on the cart, then took out a box of pine nut candies and handed it to the two children.
The children quickly waved their hands. “Please keep them for yourself. We’re not hungry.”
Feng Qingsui crouched down and tucked the candy box into the little girl’s arms. “Take it. Remember to hide it well and don’t let anyone see.”
The little girl looked confused. “Why hide it?”
Her brother gently patted her head. “If people see it, they’ll snatch it away.”
The little girl’s big eyes immediately widened. “Then let’s finish eating before going back in!”
Feng Qingsui smiled.
“How clever.”
Just like her own thoughts when she was young.
Whenever she and her sister bought food outside, they always finished eating before returning.
The older brother thought for a moment and agreed with his sister’s suggestion.
As the two shared the pine nut candies, Dabeng turned its head to look, snorting fiercely through its nose—pine nut candies were its snacks.
Feng Qingsui smoothed its fur and soothed, “I’ll make it up to you when we get back, with two extra carrots.”
Dabeng’s temper eased a bit.
It nuzzled its long head against Feng Qingsui.
Just then, the gate of a house across the street opened, and a large black dog burst out, charging straight toward Feng Qingsui. Servants behind it shouted in alarm, “Mobao! Stop! Stop!”
The black dog paid no heed, rushing directly at Feng Qingsui.
The two children eating candy were terrified, standing frozen like quails.
Dabeng stepped forward, blocking Feng Qingsui. The black dog skidded to a halt, swerved, and leaped onto Feng Qingsui’s shoulder.
Feng Qingsui quickly turned her head aside, avoiding its large tongue.
She raised her hand to pat its front leg, chuckling softly, “Get down first. You’re too heavy.”
The black dog retracted its legs, stood on the ground, and looked up at Feng Qingsui, wagging its tail nonstop.
The servant caught up, picked up the leash, and bowed in apology, “I’m sorry for offending you, madam. I’ll take it away right now.”
After saying this, he yanked hard on the leash.
“Mobao, let’s go back to the manor.”
The large black dog remained unmoved.
The servant gritted his teeth and added more force.
The black dog turned its head, bit the leash, and tugged in the opposite direction, dragging the servant to the ground instead.
Then, holding the leash in its mouth, it offered it to Feng Qingsui.
The servant: “???”
Ji Changqing had just stepped out of the Charity Orphanage and happened to witness this scene. A flicker of surprise crossed his mind: This dog seems quite familiar with Madam Feng?