The people of Qingcao County widened their eyes and straightened their backs, looking in the direction of the main force, trying to find Sheng Lingwei's figure.

Upon seeing that striking red figure, he gaped in shock, his heart filled with both astonishment and emotion.

"Wow, Princess Chang Le! It really is Princess Chang Le!"

"Waaah, we're saved! We don't have to die anymore!"

"Thank God! We are so grateful to Princess Chang Le for coming to our rescue. Waaah, it seems the court has not abandoned us. It is those damned corrupt officials who have abandoned us."

"..."

They were truly astonished to find that they had been saved by Princess Chang Le.

They had heard that Princess Chang Le was infamous and that everyone feared her, and even they felt deeply apprehensive about her.

Unexpectedly, the person who rescued them was Princess Chang Le.

Therefore, the rumors are incorrect; they have misunderstood the princess.

The people of Qingcao County, on the verge of death, had a strong will to live in their eyes. If they had the chance to live, they would certainly not choose to die.

As they thought about it, everyone burst into tears as if to vent their emotions.

They wept uncontrollably, especially after seeing the burned corpses on the ground.

Bai Ji and the five doctors exchanged glances, quickened their pace, and arrived at the people of Qingcao County as quickly as possible to begin examining their pulses and treating their wounds.

After a thorough examination, Bai Ji and the five doctors were extremely angry. "What nonsense about a plague! The people of Qingcao County are clearly poisoned!"

Bai Ji immediately stood up and reported to Sheng Lingwei: "Princess, it has been verified that the people are not infected with the plague, but poisoned."

The symptoms of this poison are very different from those of the plague. The only similarity is high fever and chills, but its severity is not as severe as that of the plague.

Any skilled physician can clearly distinguish it from a plague.

The fact that Nanchang County failed to properly investigate the people's illnesses before classifying them as infected with the plague is an utter joke. We implore the Princess to uphold justice for the people.”

After hearing what Baiji said.

Sheng Lingwei and her entire entourage breathed a long sigh of relief, then glared angrily at the officers and soldiers kneeling on the ground.

Regardless of whether they obeyed orders or not, it is a fact that they burned the people of Qingcao County alive with their own hands, and none of them were innocent.

They were all murderers.

Sheng Lingwei pondered for a moment, then gave instructions to everyone.

"Xiao Yunzi, take some men into the city to put out the fire."

Xiuer, use your wood-based abilities to heal the injured people.

Zhao Dong found a shady spot to set up camp and settled all the people in tents.

Bletilla striata, you and the doctors should do your best to treat the people and prepare antidotes as quickly as possible so that they can recover their health soon.

Lord Zheng, you are responsible for understanding the family circumstances and casualties of the people in Qingcao County, registering them all, and focusing on investigating how they were poisoned.

"Granny Rong, you are in charge of all miscellaneous tasks for the team. If you need any items or encounter any difficult problems, let me know immediately."

Everyone respectfully accepted the order and got to work on their own.

In no time, only the more than one hundred brothers from Black Wind Stronghold, Chuanwu Chuanqiong, and Big Beard remained behind Sheng Lingwei.

The officers and soldiers trembled like leaves, large beads of sweat rolled down their faces, and their hearts pounded wildly.

This time, they're doomed.

With a cold smile on her lips, Sheng Lingwei waved to Chuanwu Chuanqiong and the others, "Come on, let's teach them a lesson. My infamy is not just empty words."

"Yes, Princess."

Chuanwu and his men couldn't hide their excitement. They strode up to the officers and soldiers, chuckled coldly, and clenched their fists so tightly they cracked.

Then, they were punched and kicked. These people were cruel and deserved to die.

If they had even a shred of compassion, they wouldn't have been so heartless as to participate in burning down an entire city. It just goes to show that their hearts are inherently black.

The soldiers on the scene screamed in agony, their cries and pleas for mercy echoing throughout the area.

"Aaaaaah, stop hitting me! My bones are broken! Please, have mercy on me!"

"Princess Chang Le, sob sob, it's all our fault, but we were just following orders. If you want to blame someone, blame the people above you, they are the real culprits."

"Ah, my hand is broken! Ah, my ribs are broken! It hurts so much! Please stop hitting me! Waaah..."

"Princess Chang Le, I have elderly parents and young children to support. My whole family depends on me for survival. I can't die! I don't want to die!"

"..."

Sheng Lingwei sat languidly in the chair that Bai Shu had brought over, her expression indifferent, her fingers tapping the armrest idly.

Only after all the officers and soldiers were beaten black and blue and had no power to fight back did Sheng Lingwei signal Chuanwu and the others to stop.

Her slender, white fingers, like scallions, slowly pointed to the leading officer, "Bring him here; I will interrogate him personally."

"Yes, Princess."

With quick reflexes, before the others could react, the bearded man dragged the leading soldier in front of Sheng Lingwei.

"Princess, hehe, your subordinate has brought the person over."

Sheng Lingwei gave him a soft "hmm" and gave him an approving look.

The bearded man immediately grinned with delight, scurried up behind Sheng Lingwei, and then smugly glanced at Hei Feng and his gang of brothers.

Black Wind and the others: How annoying!

They clearly recognized the princess as their master before the bearded man, but the bearded man was a show-off who always tried to stand out.

Hmph, they've disliked him for a long time, but they can't get rid of him, so they can only secretly compete with him.

The key is that they have tried very, very hard, but they still can't keep up with the bearded man. He is really cunning, and they are too honest and simple. In the end, they can't compete with his mind.

Chuanwu Chuanqiong shook his head, finding this amusing.

Ever since the princess took these people in, they would occasionally witness a dramatic scene of jealousy and rivalry, making their otherwise dull and boring lives incredibly interesting.

Anyway, they won't get involved.

Because he knew very well that no matter how many subordinates the princess took in, the status of the two brothers and Rong Momo, Bai Ji and Bai Shu in the princess's heart would not change. They would always be the subordinates she trusted and valued the most.

Hehe, the main point is confidence.

Sheng Lingwei looked down at the leading soldiers, her eyes filled with a chillingly cold expression.

"Tell me! Who ordered you to burn the people of Qingcao County? And who said that the people of Qingcao County were infected with the plague?"

The leading soldier lay sprawled on the ground, his head swollen like a pig's head, blood still dripping from the corner of his mouth. At this moment, he no longer had the strength to get up.

But in order to survive, he could no longer heed the warnings from above and only wanted to confess honestly, begging Princess Chang Le to spare his life.

"Ahem, in response to Your Highness's words, I was acting on the orders of Prefect Luo. As for the plague, it was Magistrate Luo of Qingcao County who informed Prefect Luo."

To prevent the plague from spreading to other cities, Prefect Luo immediately ordered me to bring men here to nip the problem in the bud.