Chapter 239: He Knows Everything

Chapter 239: He Knew Everything

Changxi Village.

The fire was much worse than Gu Huai had expected.

Thick, black smoke rose into the sky, and raging flames consumed everything in their path. The bright orange glow lit up the night.

Every gust of wind made the fire spread and grow stronger.

House after house was reduced to ashes, leaving behind charred ruins.

Xie Yan pushed down his anxiety, forcing himself to remain calm as he calmly guided the villagers of Changxi Village in digging trenches to stop the fire and carrying water to put it out.

His face was covered in soot, his clothes torn and ragged, and his hands blistered.

Spring fires are hard to put out.

By dawn, the fire was finally out.

Chaos everywhere, the ground covered in debris.

The air was heavy with the smell of smoke.

Xie Yan fell to the ground, breathing heavily.

As the villagers pushed and shoved restlessly, the old village head coughed lightly and said hesitantly, "Xie Yan, the fire started at the private school and burned half the village. Everyone's life savings are gone, and there's no shelter left. Many people were burned or injured."

The old village head stammered, as if struggling to find the words.

Last night, everyone had seen clearly that without Xie Yan, the fire would have been much worse.

Xie Yan had risked his life multiple times to rush into the flames and rescue the elderly who couldn't move quickly.

They owed him a great debt.

But...

The villagers had to find a way to survive.

"You and Mingchao from the Lu family run a big business. Could you..."

"Could you..."

The old village head pursed his lips, stammering and swallowing the words he was about to say.

Seeing the old village head hesitate, some impatient villagers slapped their knees and blurted out, "You can't just abandon us!"

"You have to compensate us!"

Life was hard for every household.

When survival was at stake, virtues had to be set aside.

"The private school didn't have a kitchen or store firewood. It's always been the case that each family took turns preparing meals for the Old Scholar who taught there. How could such a big fire break out in the middle of the night?"

Someone with a quick mind muttered softly.

"That's true. Even if the Old Scholar accidentally knocked over a candle, it couldn't have caused such a massive fire."

"Was this a malicious act?"

"Then, there must be compensation. Without it, we truly cannot survive. We might as well hang ourselves from the old tree south of the village."

As they spoke, many broke into wails.

They cried for surviving the disaster and the many misfortunes they had endured.

Xie Yan, leaning on Yun Zheng's arm, got to his feet. The movement pulled at the wounds on his back, making him wince slightly.

The follow-up arrangements were crucial; he needed to quickly devise a plan.

For the villagers of Changxi Village, this was truly an unforeseen disaster.

Gu Huai!

A cold glint flickered in Xie Yan's eyes.

"This massive fire was no accident but deliberate arson."

"The clinic doctor determined that the Old Scholar had been drugged with incense, and there were traces of kerosene found outside the schoolhouse. These signs all indicate arson. I will certainly report this to the authorities."

"I hope all those affected will join me in signing the petition."

"Of course, I will not shirk the responsibilities I must bear."

"For those injured in the fire, I will cover all medical expenses to ensure that the injured receive timely treatment."

"However, the losses in household furnishings vary and cannot be lumped together. Upon returning to the city, I will ask the county magistrate to send a clerk and Yamen Runners to assist the old village head in assessing the damages for each household."

"Compensation will be provided without delay."

"Repairing the houses will take at least two weeks. During this time, I will arrange for porridge and dry rations to be distributed to the affected villagers on time, and set up simple shelters to offer temporary protection from the elements."

Bringing in the clerk and Yamen Runners is also to prevent greed from causing further issues.

"Additionally, anyone who provides information or evidence about last night's arsonist will be handsomely rewarded."

"The assessment and compensation will be finalized within the next two days."

"Fellow villagers, you can be assured."

"Old village head, what's your take on this?"

"If there are any concerns, we can address them."

As his words fell, the villagers crowded around the old village head, chattering away.

After a quarter of an hour, the old village head tapped his cane on the ground, "Enough!"

"Let's stop here."

"Xie Yan's response has been quite earnest."

"Don't forget, Xie Yan's elder brother, Xie Sui, built the schoolhouse for the benefit of all the children and grandchildren of Changxi Village."

"We must not forget the contributions of the Xie family just because the schoolhouse caught fire and caused a disaster."

"Moreover, last night, how many of the elderly, weak, sick, and disabled were rescued from the fire by the people Xie Yan brought."

"Xie Yan, we'll do as you say."

The old village head's words left some people red-faced and stammering.

"We've had our share of hard times..."

The issue of compensation and resettlement was settled.

Xie Yan gathered the petition marked with bright red fingerprints and was about to give some instructions when suddenly, his vision blurred, his body swayed, and he almost collapsed.

Yun Zheng steadied Xie Yan, his face etched with worry.

Recalling the message from Commander Mi, he hesitated on how to broach the subject.

"Young master, you need to get your injuries treated in the city."

Last night, while rescuing people, a heavy, flaming beam came crashing down. Though the young master dodged in time, he still took a solid hit.

Xie Yan nodded, "I need to get patched up."

Otherwise, the injury looks too scary, and Mingchao would worry if she saw it.

"What are you not telling me?" Xie Yan glanced at Yun Zheng, who was hesitating.

Xie Yan knew that Yun Zheng was never one to hold back words or hide his thoughts.

Yun Zheng took a deep breath, "Young master, brace yourself."

Xie Yan's heart skipped a beat, his mind racing, "Has Gu Huai taken Mingchao?"

Impossible.

He had left not just Shu Yuan's Shadow Guard but also other hidden protectors.

Unless Gu Huai was reckless, those protectors would keep Mingchao safe.

Yun Zheng shook his head, "Commander Mi said Madam told him and Uncle Chen to hold their positions."

"Young master, Madam chose to return to the capital with Heir Gu, not because she cares for him, but..."

Xie Yan paused, waved his hand gently, and murmured, "I know."

His Mingchao was looking out for him in her own way.

He didn't want Mingchao in danger, and she didn't want to trouble him.

He didn't need anyone to explain; he understood.

He knew it all.

But as her husband, he should be her shelter from the storm.

"Get the horse; we're going home."

Yun Zheng exclaimed, "Young master, you're hurt; riding a horse isn't wise."

"If you want Madam back, just say the word. I'll get the message across. We'll bring her back, no matter what."

Xie Yan remained silent. Take her back by force?

"We cannot make a scene," Xie Yan murmured, his lips dry and cracked.

He could not ruin Mingchao's reputation, disrupt her plans, nor waste her painstaking efforts.

"No, we won't take her by force."

"I will go alone to bid her farewell."

His Mingchao is a woman of exceptional intelligence and bravery.

"Send word to Xu Xun to transfer the capital's authority to Lady Mingchao."

"The lady's commands are my commands."

"Goodbye."