Chapter 475
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Chapter 475: Turbulent Hearts
While Luo Cheng and his men successfully transported the grain to Wild Horse City, back in Mirror City, Luo Ji, after 2 days of much-needed rest, resumed his normal duties.
The weather had been somewhat unpredictable these past 2 days, and there was even another small snowfall recently.
It scared quite a few people, making them think the snow would intensify again.
But by the 3rd day, the snow had stopped.
The only unwavering factor, however, was the biting cold.
The temperature had dropped so low that even breathing felt exceptionally difficult.
Taking a breath, for a moment, made one feel as if their entire respiratory tract, along with their lungs, would freeze.
Wrapped in his thick animal hide coat, Luo Ji decided to tour Mirror City while the snow had paused.
The continuous blizzards of the past few days, coupled with the still dropping temperatures and the food crisis, had caused widespread anxiety among the city’s populace.
It was up to him, the Emperor, to personally appear and calm their fears.
However, the moment he stepped outside, Luo Ji felt an urge to turn right back.
It was unbelievably cold!
The sunlight on him offered no warmth whatsoever. The sun above felt like a useless decoration.
“Let’s go, head to the restaurant.”
Suppressing the urge to retreat, Luo Ji led his guards towards the restaurant.
According to his instructions, hot porridge had been distributed at the restaurant’s entrance for the past few days.
In other words, the city’s most destitute refugees would gather there.
Luo Ji making an appearance there would undoubtedly have the best effect.
But before Luo Ji and his entourage could even get close, a noisy commotion erupted from the porridge distribution stall.
“Hey, this is the second time I’ve seen you today. Each person can only receive one bowl of porridge per day!”
The staff member responsible for distributing the hot porridge at the stall was frowning as he looked at the disheveled woman before him.
“Sir, you must be mistaken. I haven’t been here today.”
The woman held an empty bowl, constantly arguing with the staff member, completely unwilling to leave without a bowl of hot porridge.
“No, I remember very clearly. This is your second time.”
As he spoke, the staff member tapped the notice board standing next to the porridge stall.
Posted on that board was the imperial decree Luo Ji had issued regarding the distribution of hot porridge, along with the relevant rules and order.
“According to His Majesty’s decree, under these special circumstances, each person may only receive one bowl of hot porridge per day. You’ve already received one; leave quickly! Otherwise, I’ll have to call the patrol team!”
“Sir, sir, you really are mistaken.”
Facing the righteous staff member, the woman’s expression turned pitiful. Yet, she showed no intention of leaving the porridge stall.
Due to this unexpected incident, the distribution of hot porridge came to a halt.
The refugees, waiting in the icy cold, their faces growing increasingly disgruntled as they didn’t receive their hot porridge, began urging the staff to resolve the matter quickly.
Just as the situation threatened to spiral out of control, Luo Ji and his guards arrived, managing to stabilize the entire scene.
“Your Majesty… His Majesty is here…”
“Your Majesty…”
“…”
No words were needed.
The gathered refugees instantly parted, respectfully bowing to Luo Ji.
Escorted by He Liang and others, Luo Ji walked directly to the front of the porridge stall.
His gaze swept over the porridge-distributing staff member and the relatively disheveled woman.
“What’s happening?”
“Your Majesty, it’s like this…”
The staff member quickly explained the entire situation.
However, no sooner had he finished speaking the kneeling woman immediately cried out.
“Your Majesty, he’s lying!”
Facing the woman’s accusation, the porridge-distributing staff member’s face visibly changed.
“Your Majesty, she’s the one lying! I’m not lying!”
Both the porridge-distributing staff member and the disheveled woman claiming porridge accused each other of lying.
For a moment, the scene was utterly chaotic.
Luo Ji, a little annoyed by the clamor, directly interrupted the argument.
“Alright, everyone, stop arguing.”
He raised a hand, calming the agitated staff member, then turned to look at the disheveled woman kneeling on the ground.
“Look up.”
Luo Ji’s voice made the kneeling woman’s body stiffen noticeably.
But this initial reaction didn’t necessarily indicate she was lying.
His identity as Emperor was enough to exert pressure on anyone within Myriad World Civilization.
The disheveled woman slowly raised her head.
Her weather-beaten face met his gaze.
Luo Ji looked directly into her eyes with his profound gaze, then spoke again.
“Look into my eyes and tell me, did you or did you not receive porridge today?”
Luo Ji’s gaze exerted immense psychological pressure on her.
This was unavoidable.
When a person faces an existence that can easily decide their life and death, no matter who they are, or what the other party does, whether with malice or kindness, they will experience immense psychological pressure.
“N-no, Your Majesty…”
Looking at the speaking woman, Luo Ji understood.
He then chuckled lightly and said to the staff member responsible for distributing porridge.
“Give her a bowl of porridge.”
The staff member, however, visibly panicked.
“But, Your Majesty…”
“That’s enough.”
Luo Ji raised his hand again, calming the staff member.
“You did nothing wrong in this matter; you were simply following the rules. Give her a bowl of porridge, and have the restaurant kitchen make up for the shortage later. This matter ends here.”
After speaking, Luo Ji signaled for the porridge distribution to continue, then turned and left with his guards.
After they had walked a considerable distance, He Liang, who had been following behind, finally couldn’t help but speak.
“Your Majesty, that woman was clearly lying. Even your subordinate could see that. It would have been lenient not to kill her for deceiving the Emperor, so why give her hot porridge?”
“Who was lying in this matter doesn’t matter at all.”
Luo Ji said casually as he walked.
“The blizzard, the bitter cold, the food crisis. These things have made the hearts of the people in Mirror City turbulent.”
“And that woman happened to be in the disadvantaged position. Whether she was right or wrong, she would always elicit sympathy from a group of people.”
“Under that premise, if I had killed that disheveled woman for deceiving the Emperor, then, no matter what truly happened, it would ultimately lead to the refugees in the city becoming even more unsettled and unstable.”
“In the current situation, stability is crucial. There’s no need to create extra complications over such a small matter.”
Luo Ji sighed at the end, acknowledging that some things were indeed quite helpless.
