The cruel little princess

Along the way, Shen Youyou nervously watched the palace servants coming and going around her. She was not used to such close contact with His Royal Highness Prince Jin in front of outsiders.

When these people saw them, they would take the initiative to avoid them and kneel on the ground to greet them. Shen Youyou couldn't help but ask in a low voice: "Is it okay for us to leave the palace like this?"

His Royal Highness Prince Jin consoled him, "It's okay. We've already paid our respects and offered tea. At least there's nothing wrong with the etiquette! I see you're tired, too. I'll take you home first, and then I'll come back to see Father and ask about the epidemic."

Before they knew it, the sun was setting and its afterglow shone on them, forming a golden halo.

His Royal Highness Prince Jin and Shen Youyou smiled at each other, with endless tenderness and happiness in their eyes.

They know that there is still a long way to go in the future, but as long as they stay with each other, they will be able to overcome all difficulties and create a better life together.

However, when they reached the palace gate, they were stopped by the guards.

The guard said respectfully, "Your Highness, please stay. The Emperor has ordered you and the Princess to return to the Imperial Study immediately to see Him."

His Royal Highness Prince Jin and Shen Youyou knew the situation was urgent, so they followed the guards back to the imperial study.

When they arrived at the imperial study, they found that the emperor's other sons had also arrived.

But apart from Shen Youyou as Princess Jin, there was no other female member of the family here.

So as soon as the two of them entered the palace, they attracted the attention and speculation of the princes and nobles.

His Royal Highness Prince Jin and Shen Youyou had some guesses in their minds, but they didn't dare to express them clearly.

"I summoned you here today because I have something important to announce to you. I just received a petition from the people a few days ago. It was submitted by Tongniu County." The emperor paused slightly.

Everyone showed a look of surprise, whispering and talking among themselves.

"Tongniu County? Isn't it a small county far away from the capital? How come a petition was suddenly submitted?" someone whispered.

"Yeah, could something big have happened there?" another person echoed.

The Emperor continued, "This petition was signed by the people of Tongniu County, requesting that I help them resolve the local plague problem. They wrote that this summer's floods have left the people miserable. Later, insufficient disaster relief efforts led to the plague..."

"What makes me even more angry is that a flood occurred in Tongniu County a few months ago, but the county magistrate failed to conceal it and report it!" The emperor slammed the imperial desk in front of him to show his anger.

"They're simply playing with the lives of the people! The lack of disaster relief efforts in the early stages has led to the plague raging in Tongniu County! As soon as I received the petition, I dispatched Xu Yuanpan, the Imperial Hospital Director, with a dozen or so doctors to Tongniu County to provide disaster relief!"

The Emperor sighed as he spoke, "But progress is too slow, and we're still lacking someone to take command! If the plague is allowed to rage, it won't just harm the area around Tongniu County! It will harm the entire Golden Dragon Kingdom! I'm afraid I can't escape the blame! I must issue an edict of remorse!"

The Emperor then looked down at his many sons and one daughter-in-law. "I consider you of noble status and are the most capable representatives of our royal family!"

After hearing this, everyone's faces showed solemn expressions. The plague was undoubtedly a disaster for the people. If it was not dealt with in time, the consequences would be disastrous.

"So I decided to send someone who can represent the majesty of our royal family to Tongniu County to investigate the cause of the plague and find a way to solve this problem." The emperor looked at his sons and said slowly.

The princes all bowed their heads in thought. They all knew that this mission was arduous, but it was also a rare opportunity to show their abilities. If they could successfully resolve the plague, they would surely receive the emperor's praise and the support of the people.

But everyone was silent. No one wanted to start this. This was no joke, this was a plague! Once infected, it was fatal! If you were dead, what was the point?

At this time, the eldest prince stepped forward and took the initiative to say: "Father, although I am very willing to go to Tongniu County, but a few days ago... I felt unwell. The imperial physician examined me and said that it was stomach discomfort. It is not suitable for me to travel around in the near future..." His voice was a little weak and helpless.

Seeing this, the Second Prince was not to be outdone and quickly said, "I am willing to go too, but I fell off my horse a few days ago while racing, and my leg bones still hurt so much. The imperial physician said that if I keep running around, I might have difficulty walking..."

The other princes also refused, and for a moment, the atmosphere in the imperial study was very cold.

The Emperor looked down sharply, watching his sons, each one more capable of making excuses than the other. His gaze fell on the recently married Fifth Prince, His Royal Highness Prince Rui.

"Fifth Brother, I hope you can go to Tongniu County." The emperor's voice was calm and serious.

His Royal Highness Prince Rui was startled. He looked up and locked eyes with the Emperor for a moment. "Father! It's not that I don't want to go, but I have no choice! Yuyan just diagnosed her pregnancy yesterday, and now the pregnancy is unstable. She needs someone to accompany her... If I just leave, I'm afraid I won't be able to explain to Yuyan..."

Shen Youyou and Prince Jin looked at each other in surprise. She was very confident in the medicinal powder she had developed! So Zhang Yuyan would definitely not be pregnant now!

This Fifth Prince is really going to great lengths to evade responsibility! I'm afraid he won't be able to give birth to a baby in eight or nine months...

Shen Youyou stood aside, listening to them blaming each other, her heart filled with worry. She was well aware of the severity of the plague and the difficulty of this mission. But it was not her turn to speak at this moment. So she wisely chose to remain silent.

The emperor's eyes were filled with disappointment. Normally, everyone would rush to claim credit, even arguing fiercely. But at the crucial moment, they would all close the door and pass the buck...

However, this matter should not be delayed for too long, otherwise the consequences would be disastrous. So the emperor turned his attention to Shen Youyou again, hoping to get some help and advice from her.

"Princess Jin! I heard that you are the last disciple of a genius doctor, with superb medical skills and unique insights into treating epidemics. So I would like to ask you to take unified command of the imperial physicians in Tongniu County and assist them in dealing with this epidemic. As for the candidate for overall command, I will consider it again, but you must cooperate with each other and work together to cure this plague and resolve the current predicament!" The emperor said seriously.

Shen Youyou's inner villain was clamoring frantically: "No wonder a group of princes and nobles had to call me to discuss matters! They are waiting for me here! Isn't this clearly asking me to die?"

But reason told her not to act rashly. After all, in the face of the epidemic, human lives are at stake. What is most needed now is unity and quick action!

As the saying goes, speed is of the essence in war. Only by taking action as soon as possible can we reduce losses and protect the lives of more people. Thinking of this, Shen Youyou took a deep breath and decided to accept this mission.

If they were really allowed to run around and the plague spread, it would be an unprecedented disaster for the entire Golden Dragon Kingdom!

It is impossible for anyone to remain immune!

After realizing this, Shen Youyou stepped forward and said, "Daughter-in-law obeys your order!"

At this time, His Royal Highness Prince Jin was somewhat displeased. "Father! I am willing to go to Tongniu County to take charge of the situation. I beg Your Majesty to allow Youyou to stay in the capital! The journey is long, and I am worried that she might not be able to acclimate herself to the climate!"

His Royal Highness Prince Jin touched his head to the ground, resting his forehead on the ground, and said in a firm tone: "Please revoke your order, father!"

Plague! This is no joke. Although Youyou is a skilled doctor, what if she has no experience dealing with plague? What if she contracts it too? Therefore, His Royal Highness Prince Jin would rather risk his own life to protect her whole life! If one of them must go, he would rather it be him!

At least, he is strong and his physical fitness is much better than Youyou's.

Each of these princes had their own ideas and made suggestions, trying to persuade His Royal Highness Prince Jin to take his wife to Tongniu County. They knew that if His Royal Highness Prince Jin refused, it would likely cause displeasure from the emperor; but if His Royal Highness Prince Jin agreed, he would face huge risks.

"Your Majesty! My ninth brother is worried about the safety of his wife and sister-in-law, so Your Majesty, please let the couple go together! It will be great to have someone to accompany them on the road!" The third prince stepped forward and said.

Upon hearing this, Shen Youyou immediately became furious. She glared at the Third Prince, thinking to herself: "There's a companion on the road?! Are you implying that there's a companion on the road to the underworld?"