It's impossible for me to become an apprentice.

Jiang Qinyu quickly declined, "Professor Mo, you're joking. I'm already this old, studying medicine..."

Before he could even utter the words "Isn't it too late?", Doctor Mo interrupted him, "Hey, at your age, you can do anything, it's the perfect time to study medicine! Besides, you have talent!"

Jiang Qinyu was truly at a loss for words. What kind of medical talent did she have? She could only speak about it because she had seen it in modern times.

“It really won’t work,” Jiang Qinyu waved her hands repeatedly, “Mr. Mo, why don’t you think about what I just mentioned and see if it works?”

If she doesn't change the subject, she might be dragged into becoming Doctor Mo's apprentice tonight.

“Yes, yes, yes,” Doctor Mo came to his senses, “I think what you just said about injecting the medicine into the bloodstream through a hollow syringe is a good idea!”

Having practiced medicine for many years, he knows that if a person's skin is punctured by a needle, it only takes the time it takes to brew a cup of tea to stop the bleeding.

He was also well aware of Jiang Qinyu's statement that blood would flow throughout the body, and in principle, there was absolutely no problem with it.

Just as he was thinking this, Yunzhu came to report from outside, "Madam, dinner is ready. Would you and Doctor Mo like to eat here?"

She had just finished reporting when Ah Ping rushed over and called out, "Madam, Young Master Xiao has arrived."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Qinyu immediately came out of the house and said to Yunzhu, "Bring dinner to Elder Mo."

Then she turned to Ah Ping and asked, "Where is Young Master Xiao right now?"

“In the main courtyard’s flower hall, I already told you that the general has not yet returned, but Young Master Xiao said that seeing the madam first is just as good,” A-Ping said, cupping his hands in greeting.

Jiang Qinyu looked at her outfit and said to Aping, "Please have some tea, Young Master Xiao, and have Amber bring some pastries. I'll go change my clothes and then I'll be there."

"Yes," A-Ping replied, then turned and left.

Jiang Qinyu also quickly went back to change her clothes.

She roughly guessed why Xiao Rui had come, and she felt quite relieved.

No matter what, Xiao Rui was chosen by Lu Yanzheng to assist in the future. The fact that he cared about the people and was willing to come over when Yongshan County was under lockdown showed that he truly cared about their lives.

Based on this alone, she had to go and receive him even when Lu Yanzheng was not around.

In the main courtyard's flower hall, Xiao Rui thanked Amber for the tea and snacks she offered, and then looked at the small house that Lu Yanzheng had bought.

"General Lu is of noble character and is truly a role model for us all," Xiao Rui praised.

Which of the high-ranking officials in Beijing doesn't own a large mansion with three or four courtyards?

It's hard to believe that a great general like Lu Yanzheng, who commands 100,000 border troops, would live in such a small house.

Eleven was also impressed by this, and nodded upon hearing it, saying, "The General is indeed worthy of respect."

Moreover, Lu Yanzheng is the one who will assist the master in the future, so his good character is the master's pride and face.

Jiang Qinyu arrived just as Xiao Rui finished his second cup of tea.

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, Young Master Xiao," Jiang Qinyu said apologetically, bowing slightly.

Xiao Rui immediately stood up and offered her a helping hand, saying, "Please rise, Madam. There's no need for such formality."

Jiang Qinyu straightened up and smiled slightly, "Your Highness, is it because you have urgent business with my general that you came so late?"

Xiao Rui's gaze unconsciously lingered on Jiang Qinyu's increasingly rosy and radiant face. He remembered that the last time they met, Jiang Qinyu didn't possess this subtle yet alluring charm...

"Young Master Xiao?" Jiang Qinyu called out again, puzzled, when Xiao Rui didn't respond.

Xiao Rui snapped back to reality, a hint of disappointment flashing in his eyes. He forced a smile and said, "It's nothing serious. I just heard that the General and his wife were here, so I came to check on them."

"Young Master Xiao knows there's smallpox here, right? Why are you still taking such a risk?" Jiang Qinyu raised an eyebrow, somewhat unable to fathom Xiao Rui's intentions.

Xiao Rui straightened his expression and suddenly bowed to Jiang Qinyu, saying, "The smallpox outbreak in Yongshan County was largely thanks to the General and Madam. I thank you in advance."

The prefect of Yukang, Lu Wanqing's grandfather Lu Sheng, submitted a memorial to the imperial court as soon as he received the news, but the court remained silent as if it were dead.

In other words, without Lu Yanzheng and his wife, the people of Yongshan County would have been left to die. Even worse, the ignorant people might have panicked and fled to other places, spreading smallpox throughout Dayue, which would have been a real catastrophe.

"Young Master Xiao, you're too kind." Jiang Qinyu hadn't noticed and had actually accepted his greeting, feeling a little helpless.

To be honest, Prince Xiao Rui is quite different from other princes.

While other princes were busy with palace intrigues and vying for the throne, he was busy figuring out how to ensure that the people could have enough to eat and wear.

While other princes were busy choosing concubines and having children, he was busy figuring out how the people could live a life of plenty.

Just by looking at the fact that Xiao Rui is still unmarried, you can tell that he is not a lustful person.

Lu Yanzheng had previously said he wanted to observe for a while longer, but Jiang Qinyu felt that the observation period could be shortened.

As they were talking about the smallpox outbreak in Yongshan County, Lu Yanzheng returned.

“General Lu.” Xiao Rui almost immediately sat up straight, and visually moved further away from Jiang Qinyu.

Jiang Qinyu didn't notice this detail. She stood up and stepped forward, naturally extending her hand which Lu Yanzheng grasped. "Is everything taken care of?"

“Well, leave the rest to Lord Wei.” Lu Yanzheng naturally took her hand, and the two walked hand in hand to Xiao Rui.

Lu Yanzheng then released his grip and bowed to Xiao Rui, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness."

"General Lu, there's no need for such formalities." Xiao Rui glanced at his and Jiang Qinyu's hands with an ambiguous look in his eyes, then quickly returned to normal.

Lu Yanzheng sat down next to Jiang Qinyu and asked Xiao Rui the same question.

"I originally thought I could come and help, but who knew that the general and his wife had already brought the smallpox under control. It is said that Doctor Mo has even developed a prescription that can cure smallpox?" Xiao Rui smiled faintly.

Lu Yanzheng nodded, "Yes, Doctor Mo has indeed developed a prescription to treat smallpox. However, the prescription contains several uncommon medicinal herbs that are not easy to obtain. If we hadn't been lucky enough to find those herbs this time, Yongshan County would have been in serious trouble."

He naturally knew the truth: Jiang Qinyu had provided the prescription and special medicinal herbs, but he couldn't tell outsiders.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Rui sighed, "Yongshan County suffered a great calamity this time, but fortunately the outcome was good."

“There is one more thing,” Lu Yanzheng said, looking at Xiao Rui. “Dr. Mo is developing a vaccine that will prevent people from contracting smallpox for life if they receive it.”

"What? Such a miraculous thing exists?" Xiao Rui exclaimed in shock. "What is a vaccine?"

Lu Yanzheng looked at Jiang Qinyu; she was the one who had to explain.

Jiang Qinyu then explained the situation regarding the vaccine, and even mentioned the current state of Doctor Mo's condition.

Watching Jiang Qinyu speak eloquently, Xiao Rui felt a tightness and pain in his chest.

Ultimately, he met her too late...