Chapter 247: Arrival

 Chapter 247: Arrival

Daohua understood in her heart that the reason Old Madam and Madam Li pushed the decision back and forth was because they were reluctant to let her take the risk, while also worrying about her three brothers who were trapped in Xingyun Prefecture.

If there had been a solution that worked for both sides, neither of them would have passed the burden to the other.

Since they couldn’t make the decision, they left it to her.

Once she realized this, Daohua went to the main courtyard and told Madam Li that Old Madam had agreed to let her go to Xingyun Prefecture.

“What?! Old Madam agreed to you going?”

Madam Li stared at Daohua in disbelief.

Daohua smiled as she stepped forward. “Mother, Grandma raised me. She knows how precious my life is. I won’t do anything reckless when I get to Xingyun Prefecture. Besides, I understand medicine, and I’ve made so many masks and prepared enough protection. As long as I’m careful, I’ll be fine.”

Madam Li still hesitated, but she no longer opposed it as strongly as before.

Seeing this, Daohua decided not to make Madam Li explicitly say she could go to Xingyun Prefecture. Instead, she said, “Then, Mother, I’ll start preparing now!”

Madam Li reached out, wanting to stop her, but in the end, she lowered her hand in defeat.

Even if Daohua didn’t play a big role, if the worst came to pass and her brothers could at least be brought back in their final moments, it would prevent them from being lost in a distant place.

After leaving the main courtyard, Daohua went to Songhe Courtyard and said the same thing to Old Madam.

Old Madam listened in silence for a long time, quietly observing Daohua. Finally, she closed her eyes and said, “Since your mother agreed, then you can go. But...”

Suddenly, Old Madam opened her eyes wide, gripping Daohua’s hand tightly, causing her pain.

Feeling Old Madam’s concern and unease, Daohua didn’t dare cry out, silently meeting her gaze.

Old Madam said, “Your mother and I will wait for you at home. If... if anything happens to your brothers, you must take care of yourself. Even if you can’t bring them back, you must return safely.”

Daohua reached out and embraced Old Madam, feeling a bit emotional. “Grandmother, don’t worry. I have so many estates and shops waiting for me to manage. I’ll be back.”

She gently patted Old Madam’s back.

“I’ll bring my three brothers back. I swear I will!”

Having convinced both Old Madam and Madam Li, Daohua hastened her preparations.

Yan Zhigao only found out about this the day before Daohua left.

Looking at his eldest daughter, calmly eating her meal at the table, Yan Zhigao felt a mix of emotions. He wanted to stop her, but couldn’t bring himself to say it.

His eldest son was someone he had great hopes for, and if there was any chance, he would try to rescue him.

But if that meant risking his eldest daughter’s safety, he was hesitant.

Seeing the worry in her father’s eyes, Daohua’s gaze flickered for a moment before she lowered her head and said, “Father, don’t worry. I’ll take care of myself, and I’ll bring my three brothers back. As for the family...”

Yan Zhigao cut her off, “I’ve already punished Concubine Lin, and that won’t change.”

He understood his eldest daughter’s concerns.

Yes, he had a certain fondness for Concubine Lin and her children, but that affection had never outweighed his respect for his legitimate children and his wife. He had never intended for Concubine Lin’s children to overshadow his legitimate ones.

Daohua smiled faintly. “I trust Father.”

Yan Zhigao looked at her deeply. “I also trust you. I believe you’ll return home with your three brothers.” After saying that, he lowered his head and focused on his meal.

After a while, he spoke again. “By the way, there are some physicians in Xingzhou City who are quite skilled. I’ll make a trip tomorrow morning to try to get them to go with you.”

Upon hearing this, Daohua’s face brightened. “Thank you, Father.”

With the physicians accompanying her, she would feel more at ease.

The boat was borrowed from the Zhou family. This time, Daohua brought more medicine and supplies.

Thanks to Yan Zhigao’s negotiations, five physicians agreed to accompany her. The Zhou family also sent several servants to help.

The group set sail toward Xingyun Prefecture by boat.

On the dock, looking at the receding boat, Zhou Jingwan had a worried expression. After staring at it for a long while, she murmured, “In the end, I’m not as brave as Daohua.”

The maid immediately replied, “Miss, it was Old Master and Madam who didn’t allow you to go.”

Zhou Jingwan shook her head. Some things could deceive others, but not herself. “No, I’m afraid. I’m afraid of catching the plague, afraid of dying. If not, even if Grandfather and Father stopped me, I would still go with Daohua.”

The maid said, “But Miss, didn’t Miss Yan say that even if you don’t go in person, you can still help them?”

Zhou Jingwan’s eyes brightened. “Right, Daohua is right. Xingyun Prefecture needs medicinal herbs. Let’s go back now, find the steward, gather the herbs, and then send them to my brother and Daohua.”

Xingyun Prefecture Dock

Lü Shuo was dealing with the collapsed victims when he saw a boat approach. He immediately ordered people to stop it.

“Quickly leave, leave! There’s a plague here; no boats are allowed to dock.”

However, to his surprise, the boat didn’t turn away as usual. Instead, it slowly approached the dock.

Lü Shuo’s face showed anger. “You’re causing trouble when we’re already so busy,” he said as he stormed over.

On the deck, Daohua, wearing a mask, looked at the scene before her. Victims were collapsed in large groups, and she furrowed her brow tightly.

The several physicians accompanying her also looked serious.

The oldest of them, physician Zhao, spoke up, “Miss Yan, I won’t be going into the city with you. I’ve noticed there are still some survivors outside the city. I’ll stay behind and treat them.”

After he spoke, two other physicians also volunteered. “We’ll stay too.”

These physicians had come not just out of respect for Yan Zhigao, but also because they genuinely wanted to help the plague-stricken victims. Even if they could only save one person, it would still be worth it.

Daohua bowed to the three physicians. “Your kindness is greatly appreciated. I’ll leave some medicinal herbs for everyone to use. Also, I’ve prepared some medicinal powder that can dissolve in water and be sprinkled in places where the victims have gathered. It might help disinfect the area. You may use it as you see fit.”

physician Zhao nodded. During their time on the boat, he had spoken with Miss Yan several times. From their conversations, he could tell she truly understood medicine.

Her suggestions on preventing the plague were quite practical.

Just the mask they were all wearing, for example, was something he found incredibly useful.

So, he wouldn’t disregard her methods just because of her age.

At that moment, the boat had docked.

Lü Shuo approached, ready to scold them immediately.

Everyone was risking their lives to deal with the plague, and their nerves were already stretched thin. The last thing they needed was someone causing trouble. But seeing that the people stepping off the boat were all wearing masks, his expression changed.

There was no way around it. He, too, was wearing a mask. It had been given to him by the Young Prince, who said it could help prevent infection from the plague. Lü Shuo found himself so worried about contracting the disease that he now wore it constantly, even during meals.

Daohua stepped off the boat and looked around, her gaze finally resting on Lü Shuo.

It was because he, among the crowd, was the only one wearing a mask.

“General, my father is the Prefect Magistrate of Xingzhou. When he heard about the plague in Xingyun Prefecture, he was deeply concerned and specially sent us to help.”

(End of Chapter)