"Brother-in-law, what happened?" Liu Pingkang asked with concern when he saw that the county magistrate looked unwell.
"Nothing's wrong. Where is that Lady Feng?" the magistrate asked, his eyes darkening slightly.
"He contracted smallpox, and there was no cure. He was cremated last night," Liu Pingkang said softly, his eyes lowered.
"Okay, I understand."
The magistrate patted Liu Pingkang on the shoulder with satisfaction and said in a gentle tone, "Now that you are safe, find some time to visit your sister. She misses you very much."
"Okay." Liu Pingkang nodded. "I'll go tomorrow."
"Um."
The magistrate nodded and looked at Yun Zhourong, saying, "I still have matters to discuss with Physician Yun. You may set off again tomorrow."
“Yes, that’s exactly what we were thinking.” Yun Zhourong nodded.
After returning to the county office, the magistrate strode into the main hall and saw a young woman dressed in fine clothes sitting in the main seat.
She was wearing a veil, so her true face was not visible.
"This humble official greets Your Excellency."
The magistrate showed no displeasure at the sight; instead, he knelt respectfully before the woman.
The elegantly dressed woman did not tell him to get up. Instead, she took a sip of tea and said haughtily, "The magistrate must be a very busy man. I've been waiting for quite a while!"
"I was unaware of your esteemed presence and have failed to greet you properly. Please forgive me." The magistrate, being a man of flexibility, continued to humble himself and admit his mistake.
This attitude finally made the woman in the fine clothes feel a little better. After putting down her teacup, she said calmly, "Get up."
"Yes, thank you very much."
The magistrate then stood up, and respectfully cupped his hands, saying, "I didn't know you had come from afar. What brings you here?"
“Your Excellency is quite the magistrate, playing dumb. I’m not going to waste my breath on you. Hand over Lady Feng.” The woman in fine clothes said bluntly.
"Please accept my condolences, Your Excellency. Lady Feng has succumbed to smallpox." The magistrate looked regretful.
"Splash..."
Upon hearing this, the woman in the fine clothes dropped her teacup to the ground and angrily said, "Nonsense! Didn't you say she could be vaccinated against smallpox? Why did she die? Did you kill her on purpose?"
The magistrate quickly said, "Your Excellency is wise and has been wronged. It was Lady Feng who insisted that smallpox was a heretical practice and refused to be vaccinated, which is why I got sick and died."
"These are all just your side of the story. If she could have survived, why would she choose to seek her own death?"
The woman in fine clothes didn't believe it at all and continued, "Besides, even if she didn't want to be vaccinated against smallpox at first, why didn't you vaccinate her after she got sick?"
The magistrate quickly explained, "Your Excellency is unaware that smallpox vaccination is only effective if administered before the disease manifests."
The woman in the fine clothes calmed down a bit and asked for confirmation, "Really?"
The magistrate cupped his hands and said, "It is absolutely true."
Upon hearing this, the woman in the fine clothes remained silent for a moment before asking, "What about the corpse?"
The magistrate sighed, "My lord, even if the corpse of someone who contracted smallpox is brought here, would you like to see it?"
Now, the woman in the gorgeous clothes fell completely silent.
Even if you don't look at it, the corpse is still infectious.
At this moment, the magistrate asked again in a low voice, "However, since the person has already been cremated, the ashes can be taken away by the noble person."
"No need!"
The woman in fine clothes naturally knew that the magistrate was deliberately trying to annoy her, and she was furious, but she couldn't retaliate. She could only suppress her temper and say, "So, according to your logic, vaccination with cowpox can really protect against smallpox?"
Who knows if the ashes contained smallpox? Of course, she couldn't take them with her.
Even if she was a wet nurse, she was still just a servant and not worthy of taking risks.
The magistrate nodded and said, "Yes, I will report this matter. It will surely be a great achievement. If it can be promoted, it will be a great thing for the people and the country."
However, the woman in the fine clothes sneered, "Hmph, is that female doctor named Yun Zhourong?"
The magistrate sensed something was amiss, but still nodded and said, "Yes."
The elegantly dressed gentleman took a sip of tea and continued, "I've heard that your brother-in-law is also in the village."
"Yes, my brother-in-law did a lot of work in the fight against smallpox and has made a small contribution." The magistrate's mood improved considerably as he said this.
If his brother-in-law is successful, he, as the brother-in-law, will also feel proud.
"In that case, Your Excellency, would you like to help your brother-in-law advance from a minor merit to a major one?"
At this moment, the woman in elegant clothes placed the teacup on the table and spoke slowly.
The magistrate was taken aback for a moment, then his pupils constricted slightly as he tentatively asked, "What do you mean, Your Excellency?"
"That's right, the credit for eradicating smallpox can go to anyone, but it can't go to Yun Zhourong."
The woman in fine clothes spoke, her eyes turning icy cold, "So, Magistrate, you'd better think carefully about whether you want this enormous wealth."
The magistrate sensed danger in the woman's tone.
He understood that although there seemed to be a choice today, there was actually only one outcome.
Obey or die!
After hesitating for a long time, the magistrate kowtowed and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Excellency. I know what to do."
He was no saint; when faced with life and death, he couldn't care less about others.
"Very well, the magistrate is a pragmatic man. In that case, write the memorial."
The elegantly dressed noblewoman raised her chin and sneered, "I will personally deliver your memorial."
Meanwhile, Yun Zhourong and Ji Minxiu were just about to go back when Liu Pingkang stopped them, saying, "Yun, I have something to tell you."
"What is it?"
Ji Minxiu grasped Yun Zhourong's wrist, turned around, and said coldly.
"Hehe, Miss, I would like to have a private talk with Physician Yun," Liu Pingkang said with a dry laugh.
Ji Minxiu remained unmoved and unmoved, saying, "I'm sorry, I'm timid and can't be without my cousin."
"..."
Upon hearing this, Liu Pingkang felt like cursing.
If you're timid, then there's no one in this world who's brave!
But in the end, he didn't dare to say it, mainly because he was afraid of being beaten by Ji Minxiu.
So, he took a deep breath and, under Ji Minxiu's gaze, said somewhat shyly, "That Dr. Yun, I... I love you. If you're willing to stay, your status isn't an issue, and I can take care of everything for you!"
"ah!"
This was the first time Yun Zhourong had ever been confessed to, and she was completely stunned.
"Are you looking for death?!" Ji Minxiu was so angry after hearing this that he immediately raised his fist.
"What...what do you want to do? Let's talk this out, don't hit me!" Upon seeing this, Liu Pingkang jumped back several steps in fright.
"Cousin... Cousin, don't be impulsive!"
Yun Zhourong finally came to her senses and quickly stopped Ji Minxiu, shaking her head.
"Listen to what he said!" Ji Minxiu's eyes flashed coldly, and he really wanted to beat Liu Pingkang up.
"A beautiful and graceful lady is the object of a gentleman's affections. It's perfectly normal for me to be attracted to someone as outstanding as Doctor Yun!"
Liu Pingkang was now going all out, sticking his neck out and saying, "Besides, I said it openly and honestly, so it's not offensive."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
