Chapter 83: Begging Grandson and Grandfather
The two of them changed into ordinary clothes and left the East Palace. They passed through the Dong Hua Gate and the Dong An Gate, arriving in the area where ordinary people lived in the capital city.
Despite the heavy snowfall, the streets of the capital city were still bustling with people. The hawkers along the street called out their wares, and the aroma of hot snacks filled the air, creating a lively atmosphere.
If this were normal times, Zhao Rui would certainly be excited. But right now, with her life hanging in the balance, even the most lively scene wouldn't pique her interest.
She numbly and apprehensively followed Li Chen, leaving from Chongwen Gate, passing through Yongding Gate, and walking out of the city limits.
As soon as you step out of Yongding Gate, it's like entering a completely different world.
Desolate and vast, distant mountains can be faintly seen. Up close, a blinding white expanse of snow covers everything, shrouding the entire world in a pristine silver blanket. On the official road, travelers, tourists, and merchants queue up to enter the city, but each person's face is etched with a heavy sadness.
"Sir, please be merciful. This child hasn't had a bite to eat in three or five days. Sir, with your great kindness, please spare something edible or even a copper coin so the child can have a piece of bread."
Li Chen and Zhao Rui had just left Guandao when a gaunt old man with a wooden stick limped over, his one leg dragging. He was hunched over and bowed deeply as he begged for alms. At his feet lay a dirty four or five-year-old child, dressed in rags like a skinny monkey, clinging tightly to the old man's leg with vacant eyes staring blankly around.
The wind and snow blew, causing the grandfather and grandson to tremble.
And there are many such people around here.
Li Chen knew that a large group of disaster refugees had come to the capital, but he didn't expect the number of refugees to be so overwhelming, spreading as far as near the city gate.
Li Chen went out, and of course he couldn't bring money with him, so he looked at Zhao Rui.
As a woman, Zhao Rui had a softer heart. Seeing the frail elderly grandfather and grandson before her, she felt a surge of sympathy. Though she didn't have any money on her, she took off one of her bracelets and wanted to give it to them.

This move was stopped by Li Chen.
"Do you want to kill them?"
Li Chen pointed to the disaster victims nearby, who were staring intently at the bracelet with their eyes gleaming. He said,
"Even the wealthy try to keep a low profile when it comes to their money. This grandfather and grandson, if they took this bracelet from you, wouldn't even wait to sell it for cash before using it to harm those who covet wealth."
Zhao Rui only then realized she almost did a good deed wrong, and hurriedly said, "Yes, I'm sorry."
Li Chen ignored Zhao Rui and clapped his hands.
A disguised jinyiwei immediately walked over.
"Go buy two steamed buns and some flatbreads."
After Li Chen dismissed the Jinyiwei, he turned to the old man with a warm smile and asked, "Old sir, where are you from?"
The elderly knew that Li Chen had sent someone to buy food for him, and he was immediately filled with gratitude. When facing Li Chen's questions, he answered truthfully.
"This kind sir, my grandson and I came all the way from Xishan Province."
"I heard that Xishan Province suffered the worst from the disaster. Since your father-in-law came from there, he had to cross Nanzhili all the way. It must have been a difficult journey, wasn't it?" Li Chen asked again.
The old man lowered his head and reached out his rough, gnarled hand to touch the child's head at his feet. In a nearly numb voice, he said: "Our home is fifty miles from the Yellow River. We thought that even if there was a major flood, it wouldn't affect us. But that night, the dam collapsed directly. I don't know how many people died. The flood came rushing in. Our family was sleeping, discussing whether to go elsewhere for safety, but in the blink of an eye, our house collapsed. My son, daughter-in-law, wife, and two newborn twin grandsons... they are all gone."
"Only this big boy is left, following the old man all the way begging to get here."

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