Even women who travel through time can become prime ministers and nobles.

Chapter 362 West Market Fire

In mid-spring, birdsong burst forth from the locust tree branches, and the Xiangfei bamboo curtain in the front hall of the Shi Mansion was lifted by a corner by the hot wind.

Shi Wanxia paused, the ink spreading on the rice paper, forming a dark cloud.

She stared at the unfinished "Canal and Waterway Management" on her desk when she suddenly heard a high-pitched eunuch's voice from outside the door: "Her Highness the Princess has arrived!"

Shen Yanzhou's action of setting down his teacup caused a subtle rustling sound in the porcelain. The dark dragon pattern on his black brocade robe was faintly visible in the light and shadow, and his black hair, tied up with a jade crown, swayed gently with his movement.

Seeing that Shi Wanxia was about to get up, his slender fingers pressed down on her sleeve first: "Li Pinghai, go and see who is making a fuss outside!"

As Li Pinghai bowed and withdrew, the hem of his robe brushed against the blue bricks, making a rustling sound.

As the crown prince's confidant stepped out of the threshold amidst the dappled sunlight, he was met by two graceful figures.

The sight of the moon-white gauze dress and the crimson palace silk at the same time made him hurriedly kneel down, his forehead almost touching the scorching stone slab: "This humble servant greets Your Highnesses, may I ask why Your Highness has come here so suddenly..."

Princess Ninghua raised her hand to signal him to stand up, and the red gold filigree bracelet on her wrist jingled.

Her gaze passed over Li Pinghai's shoulder and landed on the half-closed carved wooden door, her eyes and brows brimming with undisguised anticipation.

The Fifth Princess, known for her eccentric behavior in the palace, surprisingly showed a hint of urgency: "I heard that the Crown Prince is here, so I have come to pay my respects."

Princess Ningde, who was hiding behind Ninghua, peeked out half of her small face. The twelve-year-old girl still had a childish air about her, and her almond-shaped eyes curiously looked at the slightly old mansion.

The faded vermilion paint on the corridor and the moss growing in the corners of the walls were completely different from the magnificent palace where she had grown up.

She bit her lip and whispered, "Fifth Imperial Sister, is this the place?"

Ning Hua did not answer, and stepped lightly into the front hall.

When Shen Yanzhou's eyes met hers, she gave a slight curtsy, the pearl tassels in her hair swaying with a delicate light: "Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Before he finished speaking, Ningde's gaze had already fallen on Shi Wanxia—the woman was dressed in a moon-white robe, her black hair was casually tied into a bun, and several yellowed scrolls were wrapped around her wrist. She appeared even thinner than the rumors suggested.

"This must be Lord Shi." Ning De smiled, but a complex look flashed in his eyes. "I have long admired your name. Meeting you today, I can see that you are indeed extraordinary."

Shi Wanxia rose to return the greeting, her wide sleeves sweeping across the "River and Canal Treatise" on the table.

She noticed that Princess Ninghua was staring at the manuscript on her desk, her clear eyes full of curiosity: "Is this a strategy for flood control?"

"Indeed." Shi Wanxia pushed the bamboo slip forward. "Your Highness is also interested in water conservancy?"

Before Ningde could answer, Crown Prince Shen Yanzhou chuckled, "My two younger sisters are young and love to hear strange and unusual things."

She turned to look at Shen Yanzhou, her tone carrying just the right amount of concern, "Your Highness the Crown Prince has been working hard on state affairs lately, you must take more rest."

Shen Yanzhou nodded slightly, but kept an eye on Shi Wanxia's reaction out of the corner of his eye.

Since Shi Wanxia was exceptionally appointed to an official post in the late summer, there has been much discussion in the court.

Some praised her for being a woman who was just as capable as any man, while others criticized her for being a hen crowing at dawn.

At this moment, the sudden visit of the two princesses seemed like a carefully orchestrated play unfolding in this small front hall.

"Fifth Princess, look at this!"

Ningde suddenly pointed to a traditional Chinese ink painting on the wall and exclaimed in surprise.

That was Shi Wanxia's copy of "Nine Bends of the Yellow River," in which the varying shades of ink depicted the surging power of the great river.

Ninghua leaned closer to examine it closely, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the hem of her skirt: "Sister Shi is not only exceptionally talented in literature, but also so skilled in painting."

She changed the subject, adding a hint of probing, "But I wonder, have you ever painted for the royal family?"

Just as Shi Wanxia was about to answer, she suddenly heard hurried footsteps outside the door.

A guard rushed in, looking flustered: "Your Highness! Princess! A fire has broken out in the West Market, and the people are trapped!"

The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became tense. Shen Yanzhou abruptly stood up, his gaze sweeping over the "River and Canal Treatise" on Shi Wanxia's desk: "Miss Shi, come with me."

Ning Hua clenched the silk handkerchief in her hand, watching the two figures walk away side by side, the smile on her lips gradually freezing.

Ningde, however, remained staring at the painting on the wall, murmuring, "Fifth Imperial Sister, I want to learn how to control floods..."

As dusk deepened, Ning Hua led Ning De away from the Shi residence.

The carriage rumbled over the stone road. She lifted the curtain and looked back, only to see that the lanterns of the Shi residence were lit one after another, like a few fireflies in the deepening night.

Further away, faint shouts came from the direction of the West Market, mingling with the spring breeze and dispelling her unspoken thoughts.

Even though we were still a block away from the West Market, the heatwave, carrying the smell of burning, was already hitting us.

Shen Yanzhou's black horse suddenly reared up, its front hooves drawing a ferocious arc in the air. Through the carriage window, Shi Wanxia saw a throng of people ahead, like a boiling swarm of ants, with countless spontaneously gathered people coming to help put out the fire or watch the excitement, crowding the street.

"drive!"

Li Pinghai whipped his horse to urge it on, but all he got in return was a chorus of curses from the crowd.

When Shi Wanxia lifted the curtain, she saw towering flames greedily devouring the neighboring shops, and the roof beams, blackened by thick smoke, twisted and deformed in the heat.

The buildings of this era were mostly made of wood. At this moment, the whole street looked like a pile of firewood soaked in kerosene. Amidst the crackling and popping sounds, sparks of wood flew into the air like fireflies and fell into the distant houses.

"Make way! The Crown Prince has arrived!"

The guards drew their swords and tried to clear a path, but were pushed back by the surging crowd.

Cries, shouts for help, and the sound of shattering porcelain mingled together. Some people rushed out of the fire carrying children covered in blood, some knelt on the ground crying and searching for their relatives, and some speculators took advantage of the chaos to loot the scattered goods.

Shi Wanxia clutched the hem of her skirt tightly; the silk embroidered with lotus blossoms was soaked with cold sweat.

She suddenly remembered the unfinished "Dredging of Rivers and Canals" on her desk, but at this moment she felt that those water management strategies were so pale in the face of the disaster before her.

As yet another wooden house collapsed with a roar, sending ashes billowing into the air, she suddenly lifted the brocade curtain: "Stop the car!"

“姑娘！“

Shuyun hurriedly helped Sister Shi, who was about to fall.

Shi Wanxia jumped off the carriage in her embroidered shoes and walked across the rubble to the woodpile by the roadside.

The summer heat intensified under the scorching fire, and her hair quickly became sticky with sweat, her plain dress covered in dust.

"Fellow villagers!"

She stood on the woodpile, waving her arms, her voice broken and fragmented by the howling wind and fire.

"Please don't panic! The fire here is extremely dangerous. For the safety of your families, please leave immediately! Firefighting will be handled by the authorities!"

She was met with a chorus of harsh criticism.

"A female official? What kind of little girl is spouting such nonsense!"

"The officials fled long ago! Last time there was a fire in the East Market, the officials looted faster than thieves!"

"My shop is still inside! What do you officials know!"

Looking at the bloodshot eyes in the crowd, Shi Wanxia suddenly thought of how, in modern times, firefighters, police officers, soldiers, doctors, and grassroots workers are always the first to rush to the front lines in times of danger. After all, "the hearts of the people are like water; they can carry a boat, but they can also capsize it."

She took a deep breath, snatched the gong from Shuyun's hand, and struck it forcefully. The clear sound pierced the noise: "I am Shi Wanxia, ​​Minister of Works! Anyone here who recognizes me, dare to step forward and testify for me?"

The silence lasted only a moment.

Suddenly, a hunched figure emerged from the crowd. The old peddler shakily raised his blistered hand: "Lord Shi! Last month you helped me recover my stolen goods!"

He turned to the crowd and roared, "This girl is a good official! Everyone listen to her!"

Shen Yanzhou had arrived at the woodpile at some point, his dark brocade robe glowing crimson in the firelight.

He raised his hand, signaling the guards to set up a ladder, and at the same time drew his sword, pointing it at the burning tavern: "Li Pinghai, take twenty men to cut off the fire! Captain Zhang, organize the people to evacuate to East Street!"

His voice was deep yet carried an undeniable authority, and the crowd began to waver.