Chapter 93 Three-in-One Heavenly God, you've come to save us, haven't you? ...
With food supplies in hand, the people felt much more at ease, at least they could fill their stomachs every day.
Meanwhile, Jiang Shuifu and the physicians were working day and night to develop an antidote. Although the medicine they were currently preparing could not completely eradicate the disease, it could alleviate most of the symptoms.
Once inside the town, no one was allowed to leave, so Jiang Junyu and Jiang Junyan also joined the rescue team, doing tasks such as maintaining order and distributing medicine.
People wearing face veils could be seen everywhere on the streets and in clinics. The whole town was shrouded in white curtains. Fortunately, the disease did not spread significantly, and people still held onto hope, believing that they could overcome this difficult time.
Shen Jizhao was busy treating patients, calming emotions, and distributing food and porridge during the day. At night, he would gather all the staff to report on the number of dead and injured, the number of infected, and the progress of making the antidote. He never rested for a moment.
However, why hasn't the imperial court taken any action to provide assistance and rescue so far? It's as if they are completely unaware of Su Yang's situation.
He smirked, indicating that a tough battle was yet to come.
This man-made disaster and the resulting plague are far from over.
Ever since Jiang Shuifu's two uncles publicly denounced Shen Jizhao in front of the crowd, calling him a beast in human clothing for abducting a woman, Jiang Shuifu has had absolutely no contact with Shen Jizhao. The two don't even exchange a single word when reporting official business.
Not to mention, Jiang Junyu and Jiang Junyan stared at her like her own eyes every day, hiding her behind them, making her stand out from Shen Jizhao like a sea of people, so that he couldn't even see a single hair on her head. Then they would glare at him with their noses sticking out and their back teeth grinding together.
The relationship between them was truly like that of strangers.
Although the people sided with Shen Jizhao and verbally defended him, they were still somewhat shocked in their hearts.
"I still don't believe it. How could His Highness the Crown Prince do such a thing? His Highness the Crown Prince is a well-known refined gentleman, gentle and polite, and a person who regards rules and etiquette as paramount!"
"Perhaps it's because Your Highness hasn't been with a woman in too long! Men, you know, can't always control their lower bodies!"
"People always change. His Highness the Crown Prince has become like an ordinary man, unable to resist that kind of thing. Sigh! It's really hard to resist the charms of a beautiful woman!"
The people were filled with emotion, but that was all they felt.
Jiang Shuifu focused her attention on the child who was the source of the plague. He had been isolated, and the power of public anger should not be underestimated. He had become a thorn in the side.
On this day, Shen Jizhao put down his work and washed his hands to cook soup.
All his subordinates were stunned. They surrounded him so tightly that they couldn't get through, but they didn't dare to go in and disturb him. They just watched from the outside. When he saw this, he called them in and taught them how to make it together.
The subordinate was flattered and carefully followed his steps.
As the sun set, it was finally finished.
As Shen Jizhao walked out of the government office, his guards carried basins full of freshly baked sesame candied hawthorns. Some of the guards distributed them to each household, while others distributed them to patients in the clinic.
"Your Highness is so kind! Your Highness is truly a blessing to our Great Bei!"
"His Highness made this for us personally! From now on, our ancestors will certainly offer incense to His Highness!"
"Your Highness is wise! Your Highness is compassionate!"
Throughout the journey, the guards constantly heard words of gratitude and thanks, and each of them knelt down to thank Shen Jizhao. The people's hearts remained with him.
When he arrived at the clinic, the people had already heard rumors and were all sitting up, their bodies weak and frail, waiting for his arrival.
Even the child who was isolated alone, with a last flicker of life, hid behind the screen and stared, his eyes full of light and expectation.
He just didn't dare go out, didn't dare reveal even a trace of himself, not even a finger.
He was like a rat or ant in a sewer, unable to see the light of day, hunched over, his tattered and decaying body trembling and hiding, barely clinging to life.
Once discovered, he would be executed immediately.
But he didn't want to die; he was only ten years old.
As soon as Shen Jizhao entered, he waved for the patients to lie down quickly, and his men began handing out candied hawthorns to each of them.
With tears in his eyes and trembling hands, the man immediately fed the child in his arms.
"Doggy, eat up! This is your favorite candied hawthorn! Don't fall asleep! Please, Daddy!"
The child was pale, his eyes closed listlessly, his eyelashes growing increasingly dry. Only when he smelled the candied hawthorn did he desperately try to move his eyes, as if he had been pulled back from the brink of death. Like a resurrected soul, he slowly opened his eyes and tried to bite into the candied hawthorn.
"Yes, I'll eat them all. I had a dream where there were so many snacks. Don't be sad, Mom and Dad!"
But he had no strength at all. Rather than biting, he could barely hold the candied hawthorn in his mouth. His teeth tried to conquer the not-so-hard fruit again and again. His jaw opened and closed with a tremor, and his little hands pressed down on the dizzying, trembling candied hawthorn.
The man was strong and healthy, but tears streamed down his face without him realizing it, and his body trembled. The woman beside him picked up a candied hawthorn, bit it into pieces, and fed it to him, watching him swallow it carefully.
Shen Jizhao recognized them; they were the family that had initially caused trouble at the Zhen Tian Yatai.
He stopped, bent down, and coaxed him, "Eat some candy, and you won't dream anymore."
Seeing that the man before him looked like a god, the dog's eyes lit up with hope, and it nodded.
"God, you've come to save us, haven't you?"
Unable to respond, Shen Jizhao's eyes flashed, he clenched his fist, and got up to leave.
He then walked directly to the barefoot child hiding behind the screen and handed him a candied hawthorn.
His eyes were filled with fear, and his hands instinctively held his child tightly, afraid to take him. But as he watched the tall figure in front of him gradually press down on him and cover him, the tension in his body gradually eased.
He felt that his brother was truly a god who had descended to earth to save all living beings. He was overjoyed and took the sweet candied hawthorn and ate it.
He ate with great delight, his eyebrows and eyes beaming with a pure and innocent smile, as if he had never contracted the plague, as if the plague did not exist in the world, and as if he were still the child his parents loved, who enjoyed climbing trees to steal bird eggs every day.
As he ate, he gradually squatted down: "So sweet! I love it so much, even my dreams are sweet..."
As night fell and the last rays of the setting sun disappeared, he was instantly plunged into darkness and did not move again.
God? Shen Jizhao hated those two words. He wasn't, he couldn't be...
He tilted his head back, his tone extremely indifferent and soft: "Was your wish just to eat candied hawthorns? Fortunately, it came true."
It's unnecessary; he can't do it.
He made candied hawthorns in the hope that his people could have a little more sweetness, and that it would give them the strength to persevere.
.
However, this life-sustaining treatment could not last long; within ten days, the plague broke out on a large scale.
The number of dead and injured in this incident is countless.
As Shen Jizhao gazed at the mountain of corpses covering the land, his eyes grew increasingly dark.
At the same time, the worsening epidemic resulted in widespread anxiety, fear, and frequent unrest.
Once again, the people knelt at his feet, pleading and weeping.
"Your Highness, please save us! More than half the people in the town are already dead! If this continues, we will all have no way to survive!"
"Your Highness! You are the kindest and most benevolent person, and you put the people first. The plague is harmful, and we can die, but the children are innocent. They haven't even seen the beautiful world yet, and they cannot die!"
"Yes! Your Highness, please let us out! We don't want to die!"
They started making a fuss about leaving the city again.
As Shen Jizhao watched the scene of wailing and blood streaming down their faces, he clenched his fists. His people, his subjects, how could he not want to save them?
However, if they were released, it would be his millions of other people who would suffer.
Before he could speak to calm them down, dark clouds suddenly filled the sky, faintly emitting roars and howls. The entire town was shrouded in a red glow, and then, with lightning speed, the red clouds formed the Chi You Banner.
The sound of the people kowtowing stopped instantly. When they looked up, their pupils widened several times in an instant, their eyes filled with disbelief, fear, and terror.
This is not rain from the heavens, but rather an unusual phenomenon in the sky!
The people were stunned for a moment, then erupted into a clamor:
"This is an ominous sign from heaven! It's the gods punishing us!"
"This is the first time such an anomaly has occurred since the founding of the Great Bei Dynasty!"
"Therefore, this plague is the wrath of the gods!"
The people were filled with fear and anxiety, each one speaking in apprehension, their hearts pounding in their throats.
If it were just a plague, that would be one thing, but if it were a curse from the gods, then there would be absolutely no way to survive.
They started kowtowing and begging for mercy again, until their foreheads were swollen and bleeding, muttering things like "I beg the gods for forgiveness."
Shen Jizhao watched as his people kowtowed until their heads bled, their eyes glazed over, repeating the act of kowtowing without any awareness. It seemed as if they intended to keep kowtowing until the end of time.
If this continues, he'll be knocked to death.
His eyes narrowed, his brows furrowed with disapproval of these ignorant people. In the next instant, he decisively drew a knife from a nearby guard and slashed his own arm, blood gushing out immediately.
His blood flowed gushing out, like a small but continuous stream cascading down a mountain spring, dripping powerfully.
His majestic voice resounded throughout the earth:
"I am the crown prince of a nation, and since birth I have been blessed by the heavens. I am also a noble serpent, a manifestation of the true dragon. In the near future, I will personally lead you in a grand sacrificial ceremony to drive away disease and demons and eliminate plague! I will pray for your well-being! The gods will not blame you!"
The crowd below erupted in cheers, turning around and kneeling before Shen Jizhao, shouting:
"His Highness the Crown Prince is a savior! He is the only one who can convey our long-cherished wishes to the Emperor! Long live His Highness!"
...
Shen Jizhao wearily lowered his arms, letting his blood flow freely, staining the peaceful land red.
His people are foolish, but if they weren't foolish, why would they regard him as the ultimate authority and worship him?
Therefore, having received their love and respect, he must also fully accept their folly.
Moreover, for ignorant people, gods represent faith, belief, and hope.
Nothing can replace its place in their hearts.
Shen Jizhao waved his hand and ordered people to bring up bowls of medicine and distribute them to the people.
The people looked at him with suspicion, and he said firmly:
"This is the latest antidote developed by the Medical Department. It can already greatly treat the symptoms. Soon, a complete cure will be developed!"
Indeed, these days the doctors have finally made substantial progress, discovering a solution in a tattered and abandoned ancient book.
This remedy has been tested and is much better than before; it can temporarily save lives.
The most urgent task is to stabilize public sentiment; otherwise, unrest could erupt at any time, leading to internal and external troubles and endless peace.
The people were overjoyed and excited upon hearing this. They held the medicine bowls in their hands and gulped down the medicine in one go. Then they knelt down and worshipped Shen Jizhao with utmost piety.
Sure enough, the medicine was effective. The people had felt much better. The old wounds that had been slow to heal were gradually healing, and the bleeding from their seven orifices had stopped, and the fever was gone.
Many people who were on the verge of death were pulled back from the brink.
Everyone said the medicine was effective, which rekindled their hope.
As a result, things quieted down in the town, and no one caused any more trouble.
Everything seemed to be moving in a positive direction.
Jiang Shuifu was changing the dressings for the child who had been on the verge of death last time. She knelt down and gently coaxed him:
"Your name is Gou'er, right? It doesn't hurt. You'll feel better soon after the dressing is changed! Look, you're much better now. When I come back in a few days, you'll be jumping around!"
She couldn't get him to listen, couldn't tell him to be good.
Because he was already very obedient, no matter how bitter or difficult the medicine was to swallow, he would hold it and drink it very quickly, finishing it in just two or three gulps with his small mouth. He would also not utter a sound when the medicine was changed, even though the sharp bamboo slivers had already penetrated deep into his flesh, he still obediently endured it.
She could tell that he really wanted to live.
After applying the medicine, the dog grinned and said to her:
"Sister, I have parents, and they don't want to lose me, so I can't die! I'm strong again now, all thanks to you, sister. When you come next time, I want to give you something."
The dog spoke in a questioning tone, cautiously and with a shifty expression, as if afraid that she wouldn't like it or accept it.
The dog liked her very much, just like it liked the Crown Prince, because they were not afraid of him, did not avoid him, and did not regard him as a deadly plague.
In today's world, anyone who contracts the plague is regarded as filthy and repulsive by others, who avoid them at all costs.
Jiang Shuifu was silent for a moment, then immediately nodded in agreement:
"Good, Gou'er is a real man! He'll grow up to be a strong and upright man!"
The dog's parents, who were supporting him, couldn't help but shed tears again. He should have grown up peacefully and happily, but who knew that he would encounter such a thing. They were sorry for him.
Jiang Shuifu finished changing the dressing and got up to leave, but before she could turn around, the dog let out a joyful bark:
"Your Highness! Is Your Highness here to see Gou'er today as well?"
As she turned around, Shen Jizhao slowly walked towards them. He was still dressed in a pure white robe, as if he were always untouched by worldly dust and untainted by the mundane.
Even at such a critical juncture of life and death, this is no exception.
According to Gou'er, Shen Jizhao seems to visit him often?
Shen Jizhao had no intention of answering her questions. He walked towards the dog's family, raised an eyebrow, and smiled.
"The noise is louder today, so it seems to be better. My trip wasn't in vain."
The dog grinned broadly at him. His Highness the Crown Prince often visited them, the patients, especially the children. Ever since he ate the candied hawthorn the Crown Prince gave him, he had greatly admired and respected him. Therefore, every time the Crown Prince came, he wanted to shout his name loudly, because his parents often called his name that way, as it was a way of expressing affection.
Shen Jizhao patted the dog's head, telling him to take good care of his injuries and that he would come to see him again later.
The dog's parents also affectionately patted him:
"Doggy is amazing! To have won the favor of His Highness the Crown Prince! Who knows, he might even become a high-ranking official in the future, assisting His Highness the Crown Prince! He is truly the pride of his parents!"
After visiting the children, Shen Jizhao left. Jiang Shuifu had just finished changing all her dressings, so the two met and went out together.
The background noise behind me was still the sound of Dog's parents praising Dog.
In their hearts, Gou'er is the best child, no one can compare to him. They would place all their best wishes and hopes on him. Gou'er carries the full love of his parents.
Jiang Shuifu naturally heard it too, and she smiled. These are her parents.
Unfortunately, although her father gave her a lot of love, she still had regrets.
Her smile faded as she smiled, but she hid it, and no one knew what she was thinking.
At this moment, Shen Jizhao, who was in sync with her, uttered a sentence:
"Aren't you happy now?"
She paused for a moment, then looked up at him, but he was walking away quickly, disappearing from sight in just a few steps.
Yes, she is happy now. She has a loving father who protects her, a kind grandparent, uncles who stand up for her against powerful people, and sisters who love to cling to her. How could she not be happy?
As she watched his retreating figure, she suddenly realized that he was envious. Although both his parents were alive, he was not happy or at ease, with a heartless father and a strict mother.
Is he happy?
In the days that followed, Shen Jizhao's brows relaxed more and more.
Because the problem with the medicine was finally solved, Jiang Shuifu and the doctors worked day and night to develop a formula. Their hard work paid off, and they finally found a solution.
He asked eagerly:
Are you confident?
The doctor nodded: "I'm about 50% sure!"
Only 50%!
What about the remaining 50%?
Jiang Shuifu answered his question: "But one ingredient is still missing!"
The last ingredient is the most important guiding ingredient! It is indispensable!
Shen Jizhao was drawn to her voice. She hadn't seen her for a long time. She had lost weight, her face was thinner, and she looked listless. She must not have rested at all.
His gaze was deep and dark, and Jiang Shuifu was the first to look away, then drooped her eyelids weakly.
Shen Jizhao noticed her subtle expression and her gloomy expression. He immediately understood that this medicinal ingredient was rare, or rather, there was absolutely no hope for it!
He took a deep breath, puffed out his chest, and asked, "What is it?"
.
Unfortunately, not long after, just when people thought there was hope, this half-finished medicine was no match for the speed at which the plague spread.
The plague has evolved; this time, the symptoms come on more rapidly and violently. Red veins faintly appear on the neck, causing splitting headaches and frequent sores and pus. The people suffer terribly, and once the sores penetrate the lungs and internal organs, there is no hope of recovery.
The people drank bowl after bowl of the medicine that had caused the illness to worsen, but it had little effect.
The spread of this plague is happening much faster than expected; in just a few days, another 30% of the town has died.
Moreover, their momentum is overwhelming and unstoppable! Those targeted face only one fate: death!
The common people, like wandering ghosts, hid here and there, only daring to show their empty, hopeless eyes, from which only fear shone.
Finally, the riots broke out.
"Doggy! Doggy! Wake up! Open your eyes and look at your father! Open your eyes and look at your parents! Your parents can't live without you!"
Dog's father stared wide-eyed at the baby in his arms, his eyes filled with terror—terror at the baby's gradually losing temperature, and fear—fear that the baby was about to leave.
So he used his hands, which were white at the knuckles, taut and almost breaking, to shake the baby in his arms with all his might.
The child was shrouded in deathly aura, grayish-white with a hint of black, his eyes were pitch black, his mouth was stained with blood, and his neck was covered with red veins. However, these red veins were gradually losing their color and turning blue and gray.
The child's fists gradually loosened, and the man clenched his large hand tightly into a fist, his thin, bony hands bulging outwards, as if trying to save him in this way. He called out to him loudly:
"Don't let go, little dog! Don't let go, there's still hope! Daddy will take you to His Highness the Crown Prince and beg him to save you!"
The man's eyes were bulging out, hanging precariously from his face. His pupils were extremely unfocused, with a large gap between the whites of his eyes and his pupils, a result of extreme fright. It was quite frightening.
But the next moment, as he murmured "Your Highness the Crown Prince," his pupils instantly cleared.
Yes, he also has His Highness the Crown Prince!
His dog and His Highness the Crown Prince!
His dog loves His Highness so much!
His Highness the Crown Prince is so capable and kind, he will surely be able to save his dog!
The dog is saved!
"Your Highness! Your Highness..."
The man ran frantically to the government office, knelt outside, and screamed at the top of his lungs:
"Your Highness, please save Gou'er! Please come and see Gou'er! Gou'er loves you the most, he'll definitely wake up immediately if you appear! Please, please!"
The man held the baby tightly in his arms, warming his hands with his own. Then, he shouted with all his might and kowtowed repeatedly.
His shouts quickly attracted a large crowd, including Jiang Shuifu, who had just returned from the clinic and was pondering how to deal with the increasingly fierce plague. She never expected to encounter Gou'er upon her return.
To be precise, it was a lifeless dog, barely breathing.
At the same time, Shen Jizhao, who was in the government office, heard the noise, pushed open the door, and came out.
He was shocked by what he saw, but it was not unexpected. He stopped a foot away from them, not daring to take another step forward.
The man was still banging on his head, unaware that Shen Jizhao had arrived.
Shen Jizhao had no choice but to stop him: "That's enough!"
Upon hearing his voice, the man immediately raised his head, his bulging eyes shining brightly. He moved closer to him on his knees and continued to plead:
"Your Highness, please save Gou'er! Gou'er is very ill this time. Look at his neck, look at his fingers! Please, please save him!"
Shen Jizhao remained unmoved, his expression and body motionless, as if he had not heard what he said.
Since he didn't hear him, the man repeated himself several times, his voice strong and clear, yet tinged with sorrow, anxiety, and pleading:
"Your Highness, don't you have medicine? Doesn't it cure the plague? Didn't it cure it before? Give it to the dog, and it will surely get better like last time! Your Highness, have mercy!"
Shen Jizhao remained extremely indifferent and took no action.
The man was so anxious that he started banging his head against the ground again and again. Soon, a large patch of skin on his forehead was torn open, and blood gushed out, flowing from his forehead to the corner of his eye, then meandering to the corner of his mouth and neck. His entire face was swallowed by blood and he was no longer recognizable as a human.
But he kept pleading, his voice gradually becoming hoarse, low, and desperate:
"I beg Your Highness, I beg Your Highness..."
The man's blood flowed all over his body and onto the ground, but it didn't even touch the clothes of the child in his arms, not even a tiny corner of the garment.
The child is fully protected.
The floor tiles were stained with a large amount of blood, but even so, the tiles were not damaged at all, remaining hard and relentlessly continuing to absorb his blood.
He continued his quest, as if his sincerity alone could bring his dog a chance at life:
"Your Highness, please save Gou'er! I am willing to serve you like a slave for eternity to repay your life-saving grace! Or even exchange my life for yours! Gou'er regards Your Highness as a god, please, god, save him!"
His repeated pleas did not earn him a single glance from the arrogant man. No matter how hard the man tried, he could no longer hold the child's hands. The child's body temperature was getting colder and colder, so cold that the man was no longer willing to waste time begging others and just wanted to watch over his child.
His dog's neck veins had turned completely black.
There is no cure.
"Dog, don't abandon your father, don't leave your father. Your father is still waiting for you to become a high-ranking official, your father is still waiting for you to be filial! Didn't you say you would treat your father well in the future? That you would buy your father a big house to live in, and buy him fish and meat to eat? Your father has never lied to you, and you can't lie to your father!"
The man screamed, each word dripping with blood, tears mingling with blood as they streamed down his face and body.
Shen Jizhao froze completely, unable to move, his eyes wide and fixed on Gou'er's hand.
At this moment, the dog's mother ran over frantically, rushed to him as soon as she saw him, and tears streamed down her face.
"My little one, Mommy's going to get you some candied hawthorns. Don't you love candied hawthorns the most? His Highness the Crown Prince gave you some, and you said you wanted more, that you couldn't get enough. So Mommy's going to get you some now. Open your eyes and look, open your mouth and eat. It's delicious. You're such a glutton, but Mommy won't hold you back anymore. From now on, you can eat as much as you want, okay?"
Unfortunately, no matter how much they called out or begged, all they got in return was a body that was cold from head to toe.
The dog didn't even have time to say goodbye to them, or to say, "Mom and Dad, don't be sad, the dog will protect you from heaven."
Those present were heartbroken by what they heard and wept from the smell. They covered their faces and cried, while also distancing themselves from the plague for fear of contracting an even more severe disease.
Jiang Shuifu stood to the side and kept her distance from beginning to end, just like Shen Jizhao.
The dog was beyond saving; she knew it the moment she saw him.
There was nothing we could do but watch him leave.
Shen Jizhao remained stunned, utterly heartless.
The man's blood and tears dripped onto the dog, staining it with a fishy smell. He gently wiped away the blood and tears from the dog's face, drop by drop.
"Dog is the cleanest of all. Dog doesn't like me bleeding. Every time I get injured while hunting, he ignores me for days, but then he can't help but wipe my wounds and bandage them. Dog, it's Daddy's fault. Daddy shouldn't have bled. I scared you and drove you away. I'm sorry..."
The woman raised her trembling hand and slowly closed his eyelids: "My little dog, go to sleep peacefully. In the next life, your mother will definitely protect you!"
Shen Jizhao was speechless. He could only watch as Gou'er closed his eyes, and none of the crying from the outside world could make him open them on his own.
Unbeknownst to her, tears welled up in Jiang Shuifu's eyes and fell to the ground, mingling with the river of blood flowing from the man's body. The transparent teardrops instantly turned red, drowning and disappearing without a trace, just like this ending, which ultimately could not be changed.
But what shocked them was far more than that.
The moment after the dog was tucked in its clothes and settled in, the woman smashed her head against the ground and died!
It was so fast that no one had time to react until a loud "bang" exploded in everyone's ears!
Blood gushed out! He slowly collapsed! He died on the spot!
The woman's eyes were filled with relief, and a smile played on her lips. She could finally go and be with her dog. Dog, don't be afraid, wait for your mother.
Jiang Shuifu instantly took a few steps back, turning her head away in disbelief. At this moment, Shen Jizhao finally moved, taking a few steps forward and blocking her way.
The man watched this turn of events with a wry smile, then suddenly reached out and tugged at the sleeves of the child in his arms:
"My dog is gone, my wife is gone, but what about the gifts my dog prepared for you for so long! My dog was very skillful; he made these two peace knots by hand, hoping you would be safe and sound, and bring blessings to the nation! He said that His Highness the Crown Prince is a good person, a good Crown Prince, a god, and he is happy to be a subject of the gods. He is at peace, knowing that you will surely save the people from suffering, but..."
These safety buckle cords were made for Jiang Shuifu and Shen Jizhao. The man looked at the objects in his hands, his eyes flashing with hatred, his eyes bloodshot, and his jaw clenched so tightly it throbbed.
"You have betrayed him! Your Highness, you clearly had the ability to save them, why were you unwilling? Why did you stand by and watch? Why did you refuse to help them die? Aren't the people of the world your children? Or are you just a hypocritical villain! Utterly indifferent, heartless, and utterly indifferent to human life! Because my dog died, one more person was safe! Perhaps, the divine punishment is all because of you!"
Jiang Shuifu suddenly looked at the safety buckle cord in the man's hand. So, the gift that Gou'er said he would give her was a safety buckle cord that he made by hand, symbolizing peace.
Shen Jizhao had noticed the pair of safety buckle cords long ago. Gou'er had been hiding them in his sleeve, but now the cords were sticking out, their red color dazzling.
He hoped they would be safe, but he...
Fate played a cruel trick on him; he closed his eyes.
Jiang Shuifu was also stunned; the impact was too great.
She suddenly regretted it, regretting that when she studied medicine, she only learned the basics, otherwise she could have saved him.
At the same time, the man's words also sparked discussion and condemnation among the people:
"Nonsense! The plague is getting worse and worse, and His Highness the Crown Prince is helpless because there is no antidote. If there were an antidote, he would definitely save us!"
"Don't spout nonsense. His Highness the Crown Prince is the closest person to the gods. How could the gods rebuke him?"
Although the people defended him and condemned the man, his next words caused them panic:
"That's because he's incompetent! As the crown prince, he carries the hopes of countless people, yet he has no power to save them, and can only watch helplessly as we watch our loved ones die! Now it's me, and next will be you! It's all of you who unconditionally and foolishly believed in him! It's you, along with my dog, who naively gambled your entire fortune and lives on him! I advise you to run away quickly, or you'll only be waiting to die!"
The people agreed with him. Since Shen Jizhao couldn't save them, why not release them and let them find their own way to survive? Perhaps there was a solution!
So they started arguing:
"Your Highness, please let us out! We don't want to wait to die! If we stay here any longer, we'll all become cold corpses!"
"Your Highness, I haven't contracted the plague. I'm safe and won't infect the people outside! Please, Your Highness, let me out!"
"Please, Your Highness! Your Highness is merciful! The people of this town are your subjects too! They are just as precious as those outside!"
In a short period of time, Shen Jizhao was shocked by one shock after another: first the loss of two lives, then the man's slander and accusations, and finally it turned into a large-scale plea.
The situation is already extremely precarious.
Looking at these vibrant lives, at these people struggling and pleading for their lives, he, for the first time ever, doubted himself. Had he done something wrong?
But even if he made a mistake, he couldn't let them out.
Because people infected with the plague cannot be detected in a short period of time, releasing them would be tantamount to letting a tiger return to the mountains.
Moreover, human nature cannot withstand the test. If he releases those who claim to be healthy, even just one, the rest of the infected people will surely riot, and people will kill each other.
However, he swore:
"The antidote is only missing one last ingredient to be successfully made! I will personally go and gather the ingredient! I will return in five days! We will hold a sacrificial ceremony together with the antidote, with the gods as our witness!"
His vows were sincere, and he swore an oath by shedding blood.
With the medicinal ingredient, the people will be saved!
That's human nature. Only after their own safety is secured do they remember the good deeds of others. The people cheered again, believing that Shen Jizhao's words would surely come true, not to mention the oath he made.
Thus, the disturbance ended with Shen Jizhao's vow.
In the days that followed, the people fought hard against the plague, and their morale was more united than ever before.
At the same time, the people also prepared all the items for the sacrifice, including all the utensils and ornaments of all sizes. The sacrifice was a major event involving all the people and could not be taken lightly or neglected in the slightest.
Normally, only the emperor could preside over sacrificial rites, but the current situation is special, and Shen Jizhao can no longer afford to offend the emperor.
During this time, the people have been concerned about who this so-called medicinal ingredient is.
Therefore, the medicinal ingredient was described in great detail. It is said to be a blue flower that grows on a cliff at the edge of the snowy sky. The cliff is thousands of feet deep, and one could easily fall into a bottomless pit. However, the flower grows at the very top of the cliff, and one has to overcome many dangers to reach it.
The flower is called the Nine Immortal Fish Scale Flower, and it has thorns and venom.
Moreover, this flower is only recorded in ancient books; no one has ever seen it or picked it, so whether it exists or not is another matter.
Even if it exists, it's not something an ordinary person can find. There are countless cliffs; how could it be found so easily?
However, just because they are not good enough doesn't mean Shen Jizhao is not good enough. Shen Jizhao is the Crown Prince! He is a flying serpent!
Therefore, everyone affirmed, "His Highness the Crown Prince can definitely do it!"
Jiang Shuifu didn't know if he could do it, but she knew it would be very dangerous.
She now understands that the more support and favor one receives, the greater the responsibility one must bear. It seems that the attacks and insults she suffered in the past have now become a protective shield.
But for him, one sharp blade after another was plunged into his flesh, the depth unknown, his fate uncertain.
In fact, Shen Jizhao had already sent people to pick flowers, but none of them had come back to him. So, he had no choice but to go himself, which would also appease the people.
She became increasingly absent-minded, often changing the wrong medication or prescription during the day, her mind blank, seemingly lost in thought.
So, she slept very soundly at night.
In her dream, it was the day before Shen Jizhao left. He came to find her, and she didn't know why she was crying. He wiped away her tears as always, but her tears just wouldn't stop flowing.
He had no choice but to pinch her cheeks and comfort her:
"Don't worry, I'll be back soon! I don't like it when your face is all messed up from crying."
Jiang Shuifu shook her head. She didn't cry, nor would she cry for him.
But he seemed to hear that she wasn't worried about him, sighed, and immediately walked away from her.
The dream is over.
She knew it was a dream because he hadn't looked for her before he left, hadn't said a word to her, and of course, she hadn't cried for him.
Besides, he no longer liked her, so he let go cleanly, without causing her any distress.
Jiang Shuifu fell asleep again. Actually, she didn't want him to die. He was a good prince and shouldn't die.
She secretly and silently prayed for him.
People hoped he would find the antidote, and she hoped he would return safely.
Soon, the five-day deadline arrived, the day Shen Jizhao had vowed to return.
The people lined up in long queues at the city gate to welcome him, their eyes filled with hope.
They believed that Shen Jizhao would definitely bring back the antidote.
However, the people waited from morning until noon, and then into the afternoon, but they still didn't see him. They couldn't help but start discussing it amongst themselves.
"Is His Highness the Crown Prince injured? Why hasn't he returned yet?"
"Your Highness mustn't get hurt! Your Highness is of noble birth and will certainly not be injured!"
······
The injury itself isn't a big deal, but how serious would it have to be for him to break his promise? For him to be unable to return in time?
maybe······
No way! Why would His Highness go if he wasn't confident? He must have been delayed, so let's wait a little longer.
The dog's father found it amusing to see their worried expressions and scoffed without hesitation:
"You actually believe that?! Maybe he used this opportunity to escape. Why would he risk his precious life just to save us lowly lives? I bet he won't come back!"
These words caused a huge uproar, and the people once again condemned him:
"His Highness the Crown Prince is a man of his word, devoted to the country and its people. He was willing to risk his life to save us. How could he be a treacherous, cowardly person who clings to life?"
Dog Daddy casually retorted, "Aren't you one of them?"
If he had the chance to escape, would he betray his promise? Is he a coward who is afraid of death?
Is it him? Are it the hundreds or thousands of ordinary people?
The people fell silent.
After a while, the people could no longer wait. Panic gripped their hearts, and fear increasingly filled their minds.
They could no longer hold the medicine bowls in their hands; some had even smashed them.
This medicine bowl represents their hope.
With hope gone, unimaginable riots and unrest ensued.
Just then, a figure appeared on the city gate.
The figure held a crystal-clear blue Nine Immortal Fish Scale Flower and the antidote!
It is Shen Jizhao!
It's His Highness the Crown Prince!
It was the life-saving hope they had been waiting for!
The people knelt down, letting out a huge sigh of relief. At the same time, a burning hope, an urgent and intense longing, rose in their eyes and hearts. They raised the bowls of medicine above their heads and shouted in unison, their voices strong and clear:
"Please, Your Highness, grant me the medicine! Please, Your Highness, grant me the medicine!"
The sound was deafening!
The people welcomed Shen Jizhao with the utmost reverence and awaited him with the most grateful voices.
However, they waited for a long time, but the man on the city gate did not say a word.
They slowly raised their heads.
Then, his eyes widened in disbelief, and the whole town trembled three times.
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Author's Note: The real riots are about to begin.
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