Chapter 144: Plague in Lotus Town
"A close female friend?" Jiang Lin was stunned. He stared at Qin Xiangnuan and thought for a while. Suddenly, he calmed down and said seriously, "I've never treated anyone like this before."
What does that mean? Qin Xiangnuan felt her heart skip a beat. Jiang Lin's words made her ears ring slightly, and the blood in her limbs was boiling and running. Was it what she had guessed? Qin Xiangnuan looked up, wanting to verify it, and stared into Jiang Lin's eyes, realizing that he was also extremely serious. "Qin Xiangnuan, when I saw you at the General's Mansion from the capital..."
Qin Xiangnuan held her breath, not daring to miss a single word he said. She didn't know whether she was nervous or looking forward to it.
"Why are there so many people running up ahead? Why are the officers and soldiers blocking us from entering?"
"Haven't you heard yet? It seems the people in Lotus Town are all sick with the plague, and many have died. They say the city can't even hold them all. They're trying to escape, probably to survive, but if the plague spreads to us, wouldn't we be implicated too? That's why the soldiers guarding the city won't let anyone in! Now there are refugees everywhere, and I feel so sorry for them."
"This...we can't help, but doesn't the court know? This plague, they should send a doctor!"
"They say a letter was sent to the capital a few months ago, but how do we know who suppressed it? Alas, no one has taken any action yet. I'm afraid that in a few days, everyone in the city will be dead before someone will come forward to take care of it." The people around them were discussing in hushed voices. Jiang Lin and Qin Xiangnuan were distracted by their discussion. They stopped talking and turned their heads to ask, "Where is the place you are talking about? Is what you said true?"
Qin Xiangnuan and Jiang Lin looked like young men from wealthy families. The two old women were a little scared and could only shake their heads and shut up, not daring to say anything more.
"Don't worry, we won't tell anyone about what happened today." Qin Xiangnuan handed the pile of candied haws to Jiang Lin and pulled the two old women aside. "We are here to travel and we know a little about medicine. We thought that if we can help, wouldn't it be a meritorious deed of saving a life?" Qin Xiangnuan's face was pretty and not aggressive at all, which gradually made the old women let down their guard.
The old women looked at each other and pointed tremblingly ahead, "To the east, Lotus Town."
After that, the two of them quickly left. Qin Xiangnuan returned to Jiang Lin's side, narrowed her eyes, and said, "I'm afraid the situation is not good." If it was true as the old woman said, then the plague in Lianhua Town had spread very seriously. It couldn't be solved by closing it off. There was a constant stream of people sneaking out every day, and the surrounding towns would also be affected.
"The prefect shouldn't have left yet!"
As Qin Xiangnuan spoke, Jiang Lin knew her intention, nodded, and ordered the secret guards around him to go find the prefect and bring him over.
About two incense sticks later, the prefect came running in, breathless, his forehead beaded with sweat. He'd probably not stopped for a moment on the way, and his already inactive body couldn't handle the strain. His face flushed, his mouth hanging open with difficulty breathing. He glanced at the candied haws in Qin Xiangnuan's hand, his misunderstanding deepening. "What do you want, my lord?"
"Do you know what happened in Lotus Town?"
Jiang Lin spoke directly, and the prefect almost choked. He coughed violently twice, his expression suddenly changing. Qin Xiangnuan immediately guessed that he was also a key factor in the situation. "What's the situation? Have you sent someone to check? Do you know that knowing something and not reporting it is a serious crime?" She deliberately raised her voice, and the prefect was frightened and immediately knelt on the ground. "Prince! When I received the letter asking for help, I reported it to the capital. But the memorial was suppressed when it reached the Seventh Prince's residence. Not only did they not send a doctor, but they also told me that it was just a common symptom and that they could just find a reason to lock up Lianhua Town."
"It's the New Year approaching, and I don't want to worry His Majesty. I really have no other choice..."
It was Gu Mingqi again. This guy had no regard for the people. Qin Xiangnuan, radiating anger, looked at the prefect and said, "Take us there!"
"Your Excellency! You absolutely cannot go to that place right now. Almost everyone inside is infected with the plague. If you go in now, you'll be heading for death!" The prefect hurriedly stopped him. "Don't worry, my lord. I will definitely find a doctor to treat you. I won't ignore you. Your health is of paramount importance. You can't get hurt again, otherwise Xiaoyao Hou will definitely skin me alive!"
Everyone knows that Xiaoyao Hou treasures his only son the most, and he would never dare to pull out the whiskers of a tiger's head.
"We'll set off today at 3:00 PM for Lianhua Town. I'll bring a doctor and a team of soldiers, and you can also assign some officials to cooperate." Jiang Lin finished speaking, and Qin Xiangnuan added, "When you assign them, make sure to explain clearly to them that this operation is dangerous. If there are elderly people or babies at home, they should stay here. It's best if someone volunteers, but don't force others. If not... I'll find another way."
If they go to Lianhua Town unwillingly, it might backfire, and causing disputes there will only affect their actions.
"Those who volunteer will receive ten taels of silver from the Xiaoyao Marquisate," Jiang Lin said calmly. The prefect's eyes widened, finally confirming that they weren't just making a whim, but were truly going to Lianhua Town to help the victims. He could only nod and agree to meet at the city gate at 3 p.m.
Qin Xiangnuan didn't say a word along the way. Jiang Lin walked side by side with her back to the inn at the fork in the road.
"Little sister! You're finally back! If you hadn't come back soon, Dad and I would have gone out to look for you!" Qin Feng was standing at the door, looking around anxiously. He ran over immediately upon seeing Qin Xiangnuan. He looked his little sister over and only breathed a sigh of relief after confirming that she was not injured. Qin Xiangning, standing at the door of the inn, rubbed his eyes, walked unsteadily on his two short legs, opened his arms and said to Qin Xiangnuan in a baby voice, "Big sister, Beibei wants a hug." Qin Xiangnuan's heavy heart was somewhat dispelled by her, and she bent down to pick up the little girl.
Qin Xiangning was still a little sleepy, but when she saw the candied haws in Jiang Lin's hand, she immediately wanted to grab it.
Her chubby body stood up from Qin Xiangnuan's arms, "Big brother, Beibei wants to eat!"
Jiang Lin saw Qin Xiangnuan nod and took the best one and handed it to her. Qin Xiangning handed it to Qin Xiangnuan, and said with sparkling eyes: "Big sister, eat first!"
"Beibei, eat it. Big sister has already eaten." Qin Xiangnuan rubbed her dusty nose and said gently, "But Beibei, you can only eat two. If you eat more, your teeth will definitely get worms and it will hurt! Be obedient!" After she said that, she put Beibei on the ground and looked at Qin Feng and said, "Where are Second Uncle and Big Brother Wang? I have something to discuss with them."
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