The Dramatic Crown Princess Wants to Poison Me!

Chapter 289: Chapter 289: You’re the Old One

Huangfu Jingchen silently nodded at what he had discovered.

If Wen Hao’s preparations weren’t for this purpose, then was it just to provide warmth and heat to the villagers of Wangshan Town? Such a statement wouldn’t even deceive a three-year-old child, would it?

Shang Jingwang’s face turned as pale as paper, but even so, he sat still in his chair without any intention of leaving.

Leave for what?

Where to go?

Instead of leaving like a stray dog, being accused by Yu Shikui, and held accountable by the Court, it’s better to stay and stand with the residents of Wangshan Town.

Back when bandits plagued Huainan Prefecture and several prefectures were lost, he came there, heedlessly putting his life on the line, and has been there for these years. Didn’t he also manage to quell the bandit menace?

Now that he’s older, is he more afraid of death?

If he truly left, even if he saved his life, what face would he have to show others when mentioning this matter in the future?

Besides, he glanced at Huangfu Jingchen.

Even a distinguished person like Young Master Jing from the Capital City, a member of the Imperial Family, and a descendant of the Huangfu family, is here without fleeing. What reason does he, a mere Prefect, have to run?

Having made up his mind, he instead felt a sense of clarity. Death is death, after all. If he ran now, he risked being held accountable by Yu Shikui later, which would not only ruin his reputation but also betray his conscience.

After putting himself in the right mindset, he immediately spoke seriously, ”These are thousands of lives. Even though there’s now a solution to the epidemic, even if there wasn’t, we must do our best rather than resorting to extreme measures. It’s just that my rank is too low, my opinion insignificant, and Commander Wen won’t even see me. If we cannot meet with Lord Governor, we cannot communicate our situation here. Misunderstandings will deepen, and the situation will worsen. According to Young Master Huang, how should I inform Lord Governor of the situation here?”

Shang Jingwang looked much more pleasing for talking about proper business instead of escaping.

Huangfu Jingchen said, ”Wen Hao won’t see you because Yu Shikui instructed him not to. Moreover, although they are equal in rank, the local administration is led by Yu Shikui, and Wen Hao follows his orders. Once Yu Shikui arrives, swift and decisive actions will follow, leaving us no room to react. So, our time is only the half day and night before Yu Shikui arrives.”

”Then what can we do?”

Huangfu Jingchen replied, ”In the quarantine area, the doctors should continue to treat patients with decoctions without any changes. No matter what Yu Shikui intends, as a civil servant, he cannot accomplish it alone. Therefore, it will be Wen Hao who executes his orders. Tonight, I will go find Wen Hao and have a talk!”

Shang Jingwang felt half-relieved. Since Young Master Jing is a noble from the Capital City, when he seeks out Wen Hao, his status will surely give Wen Hao pause. Even though they say once you’re in the epidemic area, neither Wen Hao nor Yu Shikui would consider his identity and would treat him and the villagers of Wangshan Town alike, could they truly disregard it? After all, it is the Prince Kang Mansion, a member of the Imperial Family!

Wen Hao doesn’t see me because my rank is too low.

Wen Hao doesn’t know that Young Master Jing is here. Could he really ignore it if he did know?

If he steps forward, Wen Hao is bound to have a proper conversation with him.

Only Xia Wenjin smiled lightly.

She understood that the ’talk’ that Huangfu Jingchen referred to wasn’t what Shang Jingwang imagined.

For now, it seemed like there was no other way.

While the three were talking, the Undying Poison Doctor came in swaying, holding a small Yan Mink.

After Xia Wenjin woke, she gave the Yan Mink to the Undying Poison Doctor, who intended to bond with it, wanting it to recognize him as its master, taking it for walks daily.

Since Xia Wenjin addressed the Undying Poison Doctor as master, and Shang Jingwang knew of the time when the Undying Poison Doctor refined medicine for the Emperor, even though the Undying Poison Doctor clarified he would only treat Xia Wenjin and not others. However, he could prescribe medicine for Xia Wenjin, who could then use it to treat the villagers of Wangshan Town. Wasn’t the biggest shortage in the epidemic doctors? Furthermore, isn’t he akin to a deity in the medical world?

Thus, Shang Jingwang treated the Undying Poison Doctor with great courtesy.

Hence, the Undying Poison Doctor could move around freely, going wherever he liked.

Seeing the somber expressions on the three faces, the Undying Poison Doctor cheerfully asked, ”What’s wrong, trouble arrived?”

Xia Wenjin concisely said, ”The epidemic situation in Wangshan Town was reported by Lord Shang. The Northern County Magistrate sent the Military Commander with troops to surround Wangshan Town and prepared things like kerosene, sulfur, and saltpeter. Lord Shang requested a meeting, but the Military Commander avoided him!”

The Undying Poison Doctor blinked, ”Are they planning to roast the entire Wangshan Town like a roast chicken?”

”Most likely!”

The small Yan Mink, already able to bounce and jump, circled on the Undying Poison Doctor, then leaped onto Xia Wenjin’s shoulder. Its tail was raised high, fluffy and soft, incredibly cute. Although the gray color wasn’t too appealing, its glossy and sleek fur made up for it.

The fur color of Yan Minks changes with age. In five years, when the Cold Bone Yan Mink reaches adulthood, it will turn red. At that time, even super first-class masters may find it hard to handle.

The Undying Poison Doctor, with a hint of mischief, looked at Xia Wenjin, ”Little girl, what are you thinking? You worked hard to treat the sickness, nearly losing your life, yet the villagers of Wangshan Town may not all appreciate you, causing trouble and rioting. Now, the higher-ups have sent people wanting to set you all ablaze. With your frail state, you surely can’t escape. In your next life, you better learn to be smarter; why engage in such thankless tasks? Really can’t figure out how I dreamt of accepting a foolish disciple like you!”

Well, calling her dumb wasn’t accurate—at least she had a talent for medicine. Also, anyone who can learn his unique movement technique, Cold Moon Xuying, isn’t that foolish.

Xia Wenjin smiled wryly, ”Master, you’re shifting concepts again. The villagers rioting is due to fear of catching the plague, not targeting me. The Northern County Magistrate aimed to avoid trouble and planned to deal with the entire village of Wangshan Town. Whether I’m present or not makes no difference.”

As for escaping? She couldn’t consider it now.

She extended her hand, and the Yan Mink nimbly leaped into her palm, licking where it had bitten her before. Xia Wenjin gently stroked its fur, handing it back to the Undying Poison Doctor, saying, ”Master, tomorrow there’s a tough battle, and the outcome is uncertain. You should leave. This isn’t worth you exerting yourself.”

The Undying Poison Doctor scoffed, taking the small Yan Mink, affectionately grooming it as he looked at Xia Wenjin askance, ”This seat goes wherever it wills. Since when does a little girl like you give orders?”

Xia Wenjin sighed, replying, ”Old master, you’re getting on in age. I’m concerned about the strain on your body.”

”You’re the old one, your whole family is old; this seat is still young and vigorous!”