The cruel little princess

After the two of them expressed their true feelings to each other, His Royal Highness Prince Jin immediately decided to station his entire army at the entrance of the village.

He directly transferred 10,000 soldiers and horses from the local garrison in Youzhou, plus the 5,000 soldiers and horses he brought from the Jingji camp before setting off, and his own secret guards, a total of more than 15,000 people.

He replaced all the yamen runners assigned by the county magistrate to guard the border area between Wutong and Tongan counties, using the pretext of letting them rest. In reality, he was quietly protecting Tongniu County.

He also sent secret guards to the homes of the two county magistrates to conduct secret investigations.

When County Magistrate Liu saw that all the yamen runners he had sent to guard the place had returned in the evening, he immediately rushed over to apologize.

"Your Highness! It's so dangerous here. Please move to the county government office!" County Magistrate Liu said in fear and trepidation. A thin layer of sweat had already appeared on his forehead. He was afraid that he might not do something right and make His Royal Highness Prince Jin unhappy.

His Royal Highness Prince Jin narrowed his eyes slightly and glanced at Magistrate Liu. He had originally had a good impression of the magistrate, thinking him a good official who was dedicated to serving the people and getting things done, but now that impression collapsed in an instant.

When he begins to doubt someone, whatever they do will make him feel suspicious and uncomfortable. However, these emotions are not revealed on his face.

"I haven't seen the princess in ages. I miss you terribly!" Prince Jin began to demonstrate his impressive acting skills. He knew his most important task right now was to maintain stability and prevent anyone from discovering his true intentions. Therefore, even facing such a suspicious official, he had to remain calm and composed.

"I heard that the princess is still in Tongniu County. It's a very dangerous place! Is the princess okay?" County Magistrate Liu asked with concern, worry in his eyes.

His Royal Highness Prince Jin pretended to be worried and said, "The princess has been in there for too long and is feeling a little unwell..." He secretly apologized in his heart, Youyou, I'm sorry! But missing me too much is also a kind of discomfort! His Royal Highness Prince Jin thought secretly.

County Magistrate Liu quickly suggested, "Then Your Majesty, please bring the princess out immediately! Find another imperial physician or a famous folk doctor to treat her!"

His Royal Highness Prince Jin said with a worried look on his face, "How dare you! The princess knew that there was a plague in Tongniu County, but she still resolutely went in to take charge of the situation! It was because she was the last disciple of the genius doctor! She knew her responsibilities and obligations! Now the princess knows that she is infected with the plague, but she is still meeting me from a distance! You want me to take the princess out?! If the plague is caused to infect and spread again, who can take the responsibility?! Aren't you going to put me in a position of being unkind, unjust, unfaithful and unfilial?" His Royal Highness Prince Jin roared indignantly.

"If the princess understands this, how could I not understand it?" His Royal Highness Prince Jin's voice suddenly dropped, and he muttered to himself, "I am stationed here hoping to see her more... No matter what, whenever I think of the princess, who understands the righteousness and bears it alone, my heart aches."

"Your Majesty, please forgive me! Your Majesty, please forgive me!" County Magistrate Liu had cold sweat on his forehead and was secretly groaning in his heart.

How could he have imagined that the princess had also contracted the plague! Now that was bad, if His Royal Highness Prince Jin blamed him, he wouldn't be able to bear the consequences!

Prince Jin watched Magistrate Liu kowtow profusely and sneered inwardly. This guy really was a good actor! However, he had no intention of exposing him right now, as he was more worried about Youyou's "illness."

"Please stand up, County Magistrate Liu. I was just angry for a moment and have no intention of blaming you." His Royal Highness Prince Jin said calmly, "I just want to see the princess..." His eyes revealed deep attachment and worry, as if seeing his dear princess Shen Youyou would make him feel much more at ease.

Seeing that His Royal Highness Prince Jin was so persistent, County Magistrate Liu knew that persuasion was useless, so he could only sigh helplessly: "Since Your Highness has made up his mind, it is not in my power to stop him. I just hope that Your Highness can be more careful and protect yourself. If you need anything, just send someone to notify me, and I will do my best to help." After that, he knelt down respectfully to His Royal Highness Prince Jin.

Prince Jin looked at Magistrate Liu kneeling on the ground, pondering inwardly. Magistrate Liu seemed loyal, but he always felt something was amiss. Was he really just being paranoid? But Youyou was always a good judge of character. If she said there was something wrong with Magistrate Liu, then there must be something wrong with him!

"If that's the case, then it's true!" Prince Jin spoke directly without a second thought. He looked at Magistrate Liu seriously, his eyes gleaming with determination. "I've borrowed 10,000 troops from the Youzhou garrison, but I'm running low on food and fodder. Please help me find a solution!" Prince Jin glanced at An Yi.

After seeing this, An Yi felt puzzled, but he still stepped forward and asked respectfully, "What are your orders, Your Majesty?"

His Royal Highness Prince Jin: ...I overestimated An Yi's intentions after all!

Shaking his head helplessly, His Royal Highness Prince Jin had no choice but to speak personally: "An Yi, get the banknotes for County Magistrate Liu!"

Hearing this, An Yi's heart ached. He knew that this meant he would have to spend a large sum of money, which he had saved with great difficulty.

But he could not disobey the prince's order, so he had to reluctantly take out the silver note from his pocket.

"I obey your command!" An Yi suppressed the pain in his heart and handed the banknote to County Magistrate Liu.

"Then I'll trouble you, Magistrate Liu!" His Royal Highness Prince Jin said to Magistrate Liu. He was at least saying something polite; after all, he was asking for help.

"Oh, Your Highness, you're... you're too polite to me..." County Magistrate Liu hastily declined, a look of panic on his face. "Your Highness, you're stationed here for the safety of the people of Golden Dragon Nation. How can I accept your money to buy food and fodder?"

Upon hearing this, An Yi was about to withdraw the banknote in his hand, but County Magistrate Liu quickly reached out to take it.

The banknote remained motionless in An Yi's hand, and County Magistrate Liu exerted a little force. "Well, good, I have the banknote."

County Magistrate Liu bowed and saluted. "Since Your Highness has spoken, I will respectfully obey! Your Highness, despite your high position, still remembers the suffering of the people and refuses to take a single grain of their food! This is truly righteous! I thank Your Highness on behalf of the people!"

After offering his thanks, Magistrate Liu noticed that His Royal Highness Prince Jin hadn't shown any unusual behavior. He was probably worried that Princess Jin was ill and had no time to care for him. And since Princess Jin had contracted the plague, she would definitely need proper treatment and recuperation.

It's a shame that his people in Tongniu County also died in the plague, otherwise they wouldn't be so passive. No news can be passed out. Since there's nothing else to worry about, let's go back to Wutong County and buy food! What needs to be done must be done!

When County Magistrate Liu thought of this, he looked at His Royal Highness Prince Jin again. Seeing that there was no change in his expression, he couldn't help but feel relieved.

He knew his gamble was a good one. If His Royal Highness Prince Jin didn't give him the money to buy food and fodder, he would have to raise some out of his own pocket, but he could also use the opportunity to build a closer relationship with His Royal Highness Prince Jin, perhaps gaining a new backer and a new path in the future. But if His Royal Highness Prince Jin gave him the money, it would mean His Royal Highness Prince Jin wouldn't be indebted to him for too many favors. He wouldn't suffer a huge loss, and instead, His Royal Highness Prince Jin would regard him as an honest and upright official.

County Magistrate Liu bowed once more to Prince Jin and said, "Your Highness, rest assured. I will gather food as quickly as possible to resolve the famine in Tongniu County. At the same time, I will strengthen epidemic prevention and control efforts to ensure that no further infections occur."

Prince Jin looked at the honest appearance of County Magistrate Liu, and a subtle glint flashed in his eyes. He knew that County Magistrate Liu was no simple figure.

"Since Your Majesty has no further instructions, I will take my leave now. I will gather all the food and supplies and send them back tomorrow morning." County Magistrate Liu bowed respectfully and left. As he walked, he sighed silently in his heart.

On the way back, County Magistrate Liu felt heavy-hearted, as if a huge stone was pressing down on his heart. As the breeze blew by, he couldn't help but sigh, "What a pity..."

The confidant beside him heard his sigh, but didn't hear what he said clearly, so he asked curiously: "Sir, what do you mean by pity?"

Magistrate Liu looked at his confidant, a trace of regret and helplessness in his eyes. He said softly, "It's a pity that His Royal Highness Prince Jin is so infatuated. If it weren't for this, my daughter Qing'er would still be in her youth, unmarried, and about the same age as His Royal Highness Prince Jin. Alas, it's fate!"

The confidant was puzzled after hearing this, but continued to ask, "Sir, why are you so emotional? Is there something wrong with His Royal Highness Prince Jin?"

County Magistrate Liu shook his head and replied with a wry smile, "There is nothing wrong with His Royal Highness Prince Jin, it's just that the relationship between him and us is too complicated. If I get too close to His Royal Highness Prince Jin, it will probably cause more trouble, and may even lead to the destruction of my entire family. So, it's better to keep your distance. Tell the brothers under you to be more cautious in the future!" After saying that, he sighed deeply again and said no more.