Peaceful Farm Life

Chapter 989: Chapter 990: Receiving the Monarch’s Bounty, Sharing the Monarch’s Concerns

By the time An Jing and Xiao Changyi were nearing the base of the Nanshen Tower, they heard Wang Youbao’s voice—

”General Lu, I truly wish to go inside and take a look. Please let me in.”

Wang Youbao, as the Salt Transportation Officer for the South Shen area, did not serve in Nanshen City and thus had avoided the plague.

”Lord Wang, it’s not that I won’t let you in; once inside, you won’t be allowed out. Are you sure you want to come in?” Pausing for a moment, the general in charge of guarding Nanshen City continued, ”The Crown Prince has decreed a lockdown—entry is permitted but exit is not. Otherwise, there will be no mercy.”

Wang Youbao also knew that the Crown Prince had issued such an order to prevent the spread of the plague to other areas. Righteously, he said, ”Granting loyalty for the grace of provision, sharing the sovereign’s worries—the Crown Prince is afflicted inside; how can I only look out for my own safety? General Lu, please open the gates. I must go in.”

General Lu was very surprised; while other officials avoided coming to Nanshen City, Wang Youbao stood firm in his desire to enter, and the general couldn’t help but admire Wang Youbao’s spirit. However, he still dared not let Wang Youbao inside, saying, ”Let’s do this—I will send someone to consult with the Crown Prince. If His Highness agrees to your entry, I will naturally open the city gates.”

Wang Youbao gave General Lu, standing atop the city wall, a clasped hand salute: ”Then I’ll be troubling you, General Lu.”

Hearing the sound of approaching horse hooves, Wang Youbao instinctively looked back and saw An Jing and Xiao Changyi riding toward them.

”Master! Shifu!” Wang Youbao exclaimed with joy.

Seeing Wang Youbao, An Jing was also quite surprised. She tightened the reins, making Moon Stepping halt; without dismounting, she solemnly said, ”Youbao, we heard everything you said to the guard commander just now. Both your Shifu and I disagree with your entering. You should quickly return.”

Last month, she had received a letter from Wang Youbao stating that Li Wuyu was already with child.

Entering would likely be fraught with danger, and she truly objected to Wang Youbao going in.

”Your presence would not aid the situation—it’s better that you do not enter,” she paused before continuing, ”If you truly wish to help, sometimes come around this area. There might be something we ask you to do. Once we’re inside, we can no longer leave. If we’re outside, should there be any issue, we can call out to you from the city walls to attend to the matter. But remember to keep a safe distance from Nanshen Tower to avoid infection.”

Wang Youbao felt that An Jing’s advice was sound and agreed, ”Yes!”

It was then that Qin Yi, from the back, called out loudly to the officers on Nanshen Tower, ”Prince Yi and Princess Yi are here by order to treat the plague—General Lu, open the city gates with haste!”

General Lu recognized Xiao Changyi. After confirming that it was indeed Xiao Changyi who had come, he happily and urgently ordered, ”Quick, open the city gates! Prince Yi has come to treat the plague!”

Gong Juechen began smearing realgar powder on his face while saying to An Jing and the others, ”Hurry and apply it.”

Only then did An Jing and the others start applying realgar powder on their faces.

Wang Youbao was completely confused, not understanding what An Jing and the others were doing.

An Jing cleared his confusion, ”This is realgar powder, it can prevent infection. Hurry back, don’t stay here, it’s not safe. If you do come around this area, remember to also apply some realgar powder on your face.”

”Yes!” Wang Youbao first gave An Jing and their group a salute before turning around and leading his people away.

From behind, Gong Juechen called out, ”Youbao, there’s also realgar and cinnabar...”