Allure of a Country Maiden-Chapter 233 - 231

Rui’an County’s Master and the Sixth Prince? The ministers breathe a sigh of relief; as long as she’s not with the Emperor, it’s all good!

As they watch the emperor’s face turn darker and darker, the ministers immediately start to do damage control:

"Your majesty, indeed, the Master of Rui’an County and the Sixth Prince are a real gentleman and fair lady, perfectly matched by heaven."

"Your majesty, the Master of Rui’an County and the Sixth Prince are indeed a match made in heaven - a couple ordained by destiny. There is no pair more suitable than they are in this world!"

"Yes, indeed, the Master of Rui’an County and the Sixth Prince complement each other wonderfully. A match blessed by Elder Yue himself!"

...

The ministers took turns lavishing praise upon the couple, they even brought up the Elder Yue’s blessing for the most perfect couples.

The emperor was now in high spirits, proclaiming his own wisdom in picking such a good wife for his son. Delighted with himself, he immediately drafted an imperial edict and announced it, laughing heartily: "Retire from court."

When the officials had time to react, they were filled with regret. The emperor was too cunning!

What match made in heaven? What gentleman and fair lady! Ridiculous!

How could a country bumpkin like the Mistress of Rui’an, who was born and raised in a farming village, ever be worthy of their heroic, handsome, elegant ... charming, noble blooded Sixth Prince?

This was like a pig from the mountains digging up fine imperial jade cabbage!

But the imperial edict had been issued, the bowstring had been drawn and the arrow could not be taken back— the emperor does not jest!

So, after a restless night, Shen Chengyao, with prominent dark circles under his eyes, received another imperial edict early in the morning, and immediately felt bewildered!

What is the emperor playing at, issuing two imperial edicts for the same betrothal?

Was the edict from last night merely to prepare him emotionally?

Mrs. Liu and Shen Chengyao took another hard look at the edict, realizing that the date was wrong.

This date was clearly the same as that of the edict for appointment to the agricultural official position.

"Perhaps the secret edict was delayed on the way, only reaching us yesterday." Mrs. Liu couldn’t think of any other explanation, so she suggested that.

Shen Chengyao was suspicious, but he also couldn’t think of a better explanation: "Perhaps!"

The two of them didn’t dwell on it and busied themselves with their tasks.

The next day

The housekeeper rushed in and announced, "My lord, madam, it’s terrible! Many students at the Imperial College have high fevers that won’t go away. Now the entire college has been sealed off by soldiers and no one is allowed to go in or out. Also, many people in Shanghe County have caught smallpox and the entire county is being guarded by soldiers, prohibiting entry and exit."

"Now the soldiers are looking for patients with persistent high fevers everywhere, preparing to isolate them in Shanghe County."

"Sir, Rui’er, Hao’er, and Brother Ri are all still at the college. We don’t know if they are alright." Mrs. Liu turns pale upon hearing this and grabs Shen Chengyao’s arm.

"Nothing will happen. Xiao’er has given them a bottle of medicine when they enrolled, don’t worry!" Although Shen Chengyao was worried too, he reassured Mrs. Liu and himself with this excuse.

"Housekeeper, send someone to the college to inquire about the wellbeing of the young masters!"

The housekeeper immediately went to carry out the order.

This news has thrown the entire imperial city into turmoil! In the noble families of the imperial city, which family doesn’t have one or two descendants studying there?

Then many madams began to sob, urging their lords to go to the Emperor to ask for imperial doctors to treat their children.

The emperor was also furious and anxious. The students of the Imperial College are the future pillars of Minze Country!

The Japanese envoy was simply too hateful.

The emperor dispatched all the imperial doctors from the Imperial Hospital. freewēbnoveℓ.com

Xiao’er had naturally already received word of the incidents.

After Shangguan Xuanyi’s fever subsided and did not rise again, Xiao’er observed him for a day. No red papules appeared on his face or body, so it’s likely he’s cured.

The other two soldiers who had fevers also had their fevers subside, with no sign of papules.

Xiao’er called over Huang Wei and instructed, "The Sixth Prince, I, and the two bodyguards will leave first. The Imperial College and Shanghe County both have people infected with smallpox. We’re going to go and help. You all stay here for ten days. The incubation period for smallpox is generally ten days. By then, if nothing happens, you can go back. If someone gets a fever, just do as you did before. The medicine is all stored over there."

Xiao’er pointed to a corner of the ruined temple.

Huang Wei nodded to indicate that he understood.

"When you leave, burn everything you used, including this ruined temple. After you go home and clean up, burn the clothes you’re wearing too..." Xiao’er left after giving all the instructions she could think of.

"Girl, rest well when you get home. Leave the rest to me," suggested Shangguan Xuanyi, looking at the dark circles under Xiao’er’s eyes.

"Let’s go to the academy first."

Shangguan Xuanyi knew Xiao’er wouldn’t be able to rest without checking on Shen Jingrui and his brothers first, so he accompanied her.

The three brothers were in good health and, at least for the moment, there didn’t seem to be any issues.

After Xiao’er returned to her residence, Shangguan Xuanyi went straight back to the palace.

Shangguan Xuanyi stayed in the palace for less than two hours before setting off to Shanghe County.

There were more and more smallpox patients. The imperial doctors and some doctors from large clinics were simply too busy.

At this time, many small clinics in the civilian sector had closed their doors to customers all together.

Many pharmacies were out of stock.

Xiao’er and Mrs. Liu were leading a group of servants and palace maids sent by Shangguan Xuanyi from the palace, decocting medicine with the water from the space.

Once the medicine was ready, they filled jars with it and sent it to the Imperial College and Qinghe County.

In the evening, Xiao’er entered the space and began to work diligently, constantly planting medicinal herbs.

She also harvested all the Ashoka fruits and left only two for use in case of emergencies. The rest were taken to the processing plant to be made into medicinal pills for smallpox patients.

Shen Chengyao, with a space ring full of medicinal herbs, was going around buying medicinal herbs to avert suspicion.

After a month of fighting tooth and nail with the Grim Reaper, the smallpox mist hovering over the Imperial College and Shanghe County finally lifted.

The students of the Imperial College were young and strong, and every one of them survived this disaster.

Among the people in Shanghe County who were infected with smallpox, the ones who could not be cured and died were either old people or infants. The young ones with good resistance all recovered. This was already the best outcome everyone could imagine.

After this incident, many noble families in the imperial city were deeply grateful to the Marquis Shengping’s residence, and their perception greatly changed.

When Shangguan Xuanhao and Lai Zhewei, both covered in pox marks, appeared in front of Xiao’er, she couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

"Girl, since you’re laughing so happily, it must mean you’re not worried at all. So you must have a way to save my face, right?" Shangguan Xuanhao was bitter at heart. Back in the palace, his father, mother, and siblings had no sympathy for him, they laughed at him as soon as they saw him!

He had no choice but to come here seeking comfort, who would have thought this girl had no sympathy either.

"I think you guys are good like this. Since then, there will be two more public figures in the imperial city to entertain the people!" Xiao’er rubbed her tummy that hurt from laughing so hard.

Bright as the Milky Way? The two involuntarily touched their faces.

Damn the bright Milky Way!

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