Chapter 241: Stabilizing the Hearts of the People

 Chapter 241: Stabilizing the Hearts of the People

At the Xingyun Prefecture dock.

As soon as the Zhou family's steward and Steward Sun disembarked, they saw General Lü Shuo waiting for them.

Lü Shuo stepped forward and clasped his fists in greeting, "Are you from the Zhou and Yan families?"

Steward Sun immediately replied, "Yes, General, we are here to—"

Before he could finish, Lü Shuo raised his hand to stop him, his expression serious. "It doesn't matter what you're here for; it's likely that your efforts will be in vain. Xingyun Prefecture has sealed the city. Right now, people can enter, but no one can leave."

"What?!"

Seeing the two men’s faces change dramatically, Lü Shuo quickly added, "Don’t worry too much. The Prefect Magistrate sealed the city to prevent the epidemic from spreading. The people inside are being treated."

He thought for a moment, then added, "The young prince is also inside."

Upon hearing this, both Steward Sun and steward Zhou relaxed slightly.

Since the young prince was in the city, it meant Xingyun Prefecture would not be abandoned.

Steward Sun asked, "General, are my three young masters alright?"

Lü Shuo was silent for a moment before answering, "Young Master Yan Wenxiu has recovered, but Young Master Yan Wenkai is still ill."

Steward Sun panicked, "Young Master Wenkai is sick too?! How is he now? Has he not taken medicine?"

Lü Shuo explained, "Young Master Wenkai is still being treated. The situation worsens as the epidemic progresses. Young Master Wenxiu took medicine and recovered, but it doesn’t seem to be working for Young Master Wenkai. He’s still bedridden."

"And my Young Master Zhou?" The steward Zhou asked anxiously.

Lü Shuo answered promptly, "Young Master Zhou is fine now."

The steward Zhou breathed a sigh of relief, then glanced at the panicked Steward Sun and asked, "General, may we send someone inside to check?"

Lü Shuo looked at them and thought for a moment. Since the young prince had a close relationship with both families, he nodded, "If you're really worried, you can send someone inside to assist. However, unless the epidemic inside is resolved, no one can leave."

Steward Sun and steward Zhou quickly discussed it and decided that both families would send someone inside.

As Lü Shuo turned to attend to other matters, Steward Sun suddenly remembered that they had brought some medicinal supplies and urgently called out, "General, we also brought some medicinal supplies for the young prince."

Lü Shuo immediately stopped.

What was the most needed right now? Food and medicinal supplies.

"Where are they?"

Steward Sun pointed toward the boat, "They're on the ship."

Lü Shuo nodded, "I'll have people unload them immediately."

Soon, sacks of medicinal supplies were carried down.

Looking at the pile of medicinal supplies stacked like a small mountain, Lü Shuo's furrowed brows finally relaxed. He hurriedly signaled for the accompanying physician to examine them.

In no time, the physician’s surprised voice was heard, "General, these are exactly the medicinal supplies we need right now!"

Lü Shuo immediately smiled, excitedly patting Steward Sun on the shoulder, nearly shaking him off balance.

Seeing this, Lü Shuo awkwardly withdrew his hand and then clasped his fists, serious again, "I’ll thank the young prince on behalf of everyone."

Steward Sun rubbed his arm, shaking his head with a stiff face, "My young lady said the quantity is small, so it’s just for emergency use."

Since they couldn’t enter the city, after sending the caregivers into the city, steward Zhou and Steward Sun returned to the boat. They needed to report the situation to their respective families as quickly as possible.

Once they left, Lü Shuo immediately arranged for the medicinal supplies to be delivered into the city.

At a three-entry mansion next to the government office.

Xiao Yeyang and the others were feeling extremely heavy-hearted, as Yan Wenkai’s condition showed no improvement, and Dong Yuanxuan had fallen ill the previous day.

At that moment, Defu hurriedly entered the room. "Master, representatives from the Yan and Zhou families have arrived, and Miss Yan has sent a large quantity of medicinal supplies."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yeyang’s expression brightened, "Really?"

Soon, Qin Xiao Liu, wearing a white mask, and a Zhou family servant entered.

Seeing their attire, Xiao Yeyang and the others were visibly stunned.

And when Qin Xiao Liu saw that Yan Wenxiu and the others were standing there without any protection, he immediately pulled out two new face masks from the bag he was carrying: "Sir, Third Master, please wear these. Be careful not to get infected."

He then glanced at Xiao Yeyang and the others, handing out a few more masks to them.

Yan Wenxiu looked at Qin Xiao Liu and hesitated. "Do we really need to wear these? We haven't come into contact with any patients yet."

Qin Xiao Liu replied, "We should wear them. The young lady said that the virus is everywhere, and it's better to be cautious."

When Yan Wentao heard that it was the advice of Daohua, he immediately put on the mask without hesitation. Xiao Yeyang hesitated for a moment but also put it on.

The others, seeing this, naturally followed suit.

Knowing that Yan Wenxiu and Zhou Chengye wanted to inquire about their families, Xiao Yeyang led the group to inspect the medicinal herbs.

When they saw the herbs Daohua had sent over, Xiao Yeyang let out a deep breath.

Defu quietly reminded, "The physician has checked, and these herbs are exactly what we urgently need."

Xiao Yeyang said, "Leave some for us to keep in reserve. The rest should be sent to the government office. There are patients all over the city, and they must be running out of supplies. The herbs my uncle gathered probably won't make it here in time."

Defu nodded, "I'll take care of it right away."

Xiao Yeyang quietly watched the guards move the herbs, thinking about Daohua, and murmured, "This person has helped me again."

---

Xingzhou City.

Butler Sun and Zhou's steward returned a few days later.

In the main courtyard of the Yan residence.

When Butler Sun came to report, Daohua was also present, and Madam Li and Yan Zhigao didn’t try to hide anything, allowing her to listen in.

When they learned that Xingyun Prefecture had been sealed off and that Yan Wenkai was also ill, Madam Li couldn’t catch her breath and fainted immediately.

"Mother!"

"Madam!"

Daohua and Yan Zhigao hurriedly helped her to the bed.

At this moment, Yan Zhigao was also anxious. His legitimate eldest son and youngest son were both trapped in Xingyun Prefecture—something he never expected. He walked around the bed a few times and, after calming down, spoke to Daohua.

"Don’t tell anyone else about this, especially your grandmother. She’s old and can’t handle the shock."

Daohua nodded and, with a worried look, asked, "Father, they won’t be in danger, right?"

Yan Zhigao frowned and remained silent.

It’s a plague, and he couldn’t guarantee what the outcome would be.

Seeing him like this, Daohua’s heart sank.

Only Daohua and the other two knew about the situation in Jiguang, so the Yan family remained relatively calm.

However, the Zhou family was in turmoil.

When Madam Zhou learned about the closure of Xingyun Prefecture, she made a huge fuss, insisting on bringing Zhou Chengye back.

The next day, Zhou Jingwan arrived to see Daohua, her eyes dark with exhaustion.

Zhou Jingwan looked listlessly at Daohua, noticing that she also seemed down. She sighed, "My mother still wants to send someone to bring my brother back, but my grandfather says it’s useless."

Daohua replied, "Xiao Yeyang is still in the city, and Prefect Magistrate Guo won’t allow it."

Zhou Jingwan said, "My grandfather said the same thing." After a pause, she complained, "How can Prefect Magistrate Guo be so heartless, not even caring about the young prince’s safety? If the young prince wants to leave, I don’t believe Prefect Magistrate Guo would really stop him."

Daohua was silent for a moment and then said, "Because Xiao Yeyang knows his role in staying behind in the city."

"Huh?" Zhou Jingwan looked puzzled. "Role? What role?"

Daohua explained, "Only by staying in the city will the people there remain calm. They need to believe that the court hasn’t abandoned them. Xiao Yeyang is there to stabilize their hearts."

Zhou Jingwan was stunned, not speaking for a long time.

Daohua gave a bitter smile. "In this world, no one can only enjoy without giving something in return."

Because of the Zhou family's kindness to Xiao Yeyang and perhaps their desire to relieve the emperor's worries, Xiao Yeyang would not leave Xingyun Prefecture at this time.

(The end of this chapter.)