Report to the Empress and the Eldest Princess: They're using the system to poach your men.

Wen Yuening lifted the carriage curtain inside the carriage. On the streets of the city, there were only a few people and empty stalls, looking rather desolate.

The streets were filled with a strong smell of alcohol, and every now and then you could see some people splashing some liquor in front of their houses.

While baijiu (Chinese liquor) has a blocking effect, it can only stop the spread of the epidemic to a certain extent and still cannot prevent it from happening in the first place.

The grand procession soon arrived at the prefectural government office.

There was no one on duty at the gate.

Ruoli went in first and found the place empty.

Shen Sangwan didn't even bother to look for the prefect. She ordered people to find a large amount of liquor and disinfect the prefectural government office inside and out before letting Wen Yuening get off the carriage.

"Are you alright?"

Seeing that her complexion was not very good, Shen Sangwan's face also showed a hint of worry.

"Your Highness, rest assured, I just sat in the carriage for a while, and the injury to my chest is nothing serious."

Qingque gently helped the person inside.

Shen Sangwan paused slightly and beckoned Ruoxin forward, "Go and search this place carefully, see if you can find someone who knows the details!"

"Yes."

"Your Highness, I have carefully observed the situation in the city as we entered it, and I am afraid the outlook is not optimistic."

When Shen Sangwan entered the room, Wen Yuening had already started preparing the medicine.

In this situation, with famine and plague, it would be a miracle if anyone could be optimistic.

"Is there anything I can do for you?"

"I need someone who knows the inside story of the city, how many people are infected with the plague, and where those infected are being quarantined?"

"I have already sent Ruoxin to look for it. Please wait patiently."

Wen Yuening buried herself in carefully selecting the medicinal herbs. It was already dark outside, and the candlelight inside was not very bright, so she was even more careful.

If the proportions or weights are incorrect, it can easily lead to serious problems.

"Xiaotong, I've noticed that people who are serious about their work are all so good-looking! They radiate a dazzling light!"

My lord, you shone brightly even when you mounted your horse and fought those people.

Speaking of this, Xiaotong couldn't help but cheer for her master.

He thought that one day he would definitely bang his head against the wall for his master!

"Speaking of which, I'm rather curious. Even though I'm a princess, I've lived under the five-starred red flag for over twenty years. Why is it that I feel absolutely no emotion when I kill someone?"

"Good heavens, Master, are you about to self-destruct again?"

Logically speaking, shouldn't I be afraid? I don't even feel the slightest bit of fear! Isn't my immunity a bit too strong?

"Your Majesty, weren't you staring at the Empress the whole time? Why are you looking down now? Why don't you look up and see her face before you speak?"

[Hehehe, whatever the master says goes!]

"Hey—!"

Shen Sangwan was puzzled as to why Xiao Tong was ignoring her again.

Just then, he looked up and saw Wen Yuening staring at him without moving. The medicinal herbs he was holding were suspended in mid-air.

"Is there something on my face?"

Shen Sangwan subconsciously touched both sides of her cheeks.

"No, it's just that looking at Your Highness reminded me of a man I saw a few years ago whose profile is very similar to Your Highness's. For a moment, I was a little stunned. Please don't take offense, Your Highness."

[Phew—that scared me to death, Xiaotong! Why do I keep feeling like the Empress can hear my thoughts?]

She's been acting a bit strange these past few days.

【Master, you're overthinking it!】

“Your Highness, this man claims to be an assistant to the prefect, in charge of grain, water conservancy, and thief control. He sneaked in from the backyard just now, and I happened to be passing by. I should be able to answer Your Highness’s questions.”

Ruoxin roughly grabbed the other person by the back of the collar as if she were picking up a chick, and then threw the person to the ground with force.

"Zhizhou Assistant Officer?"

"Your humble servant greets Your Highness the Eldest Princess."

Despite the pain from his knees hitting the ground, the person who came prostrated himself in respect.

Do you know where the prefect of Wuzhou is located?

"Your Highness, the prefect disguised himself and left Wuzhou through a secret passage the day after the plague broke out in the city."

Good heavens, it turns out the plague was a hoax; they really pulled off a clever escape.

"Then why didn't you leave?"

"Your Highness... Your Majesty, I... Your Majesty, my conscience is troubled. I locked all those who had contracted the plague in a deserted garden in the north of the city, and then sought out doctors to find a cure, but to no avail. Today I sneaked back to the government office because I really had no other choice... I thought..."

"Trying to just walk away?"

The people on the ground didn't respond, which was taken as tacit agreement.

Shen Sangwan couldn't bring himself to scold him. After all, the prefect had already fled, and as an assistant official, he had done more than enough by isolating the person and bringing in a doctor to discuss treatment.

"Get up and talk."

"Thank you... Your Highness."

The officer stood up unsteadily, rubbing his knees as he did so.

"Approximately how many people in the city are currently infected with the plague?"

"The abandoned garden in the north of the city has currently housed nearly 8,000 people, and according to previous reports from various counties and villages, nearly 2,000 people have been resettled. We do not yet know their current situation."

"How is the disaster situation?"

Upon hearing this, the officer's eyes flickered slightly, but Shen Sangwan spoke first, "Think carefully before you speak. I have another identity here today—the Imperial Censor in charge of disaster relief."

"You may try to fool me, but you may not be able to bear the consequences."

The superior's imposing words and demeanor, though not meant to be angry, made the subordinate officer feel somewhat suffocated.

"Your Highness, the casualties in various counties... five days ago, a rough calculation... indicated that... 20,000 people had died."

"Five days ago, the plague raged. The number of dead and injured has not yet been tallied, but it is estimated that... it is estimated that there will be no fewer than 10,000 people."

The officer answered in a very soft voice, his breathing even lessened, and his legs felt weak, as if he could already see the large sword hanging above his head falling down.

Shen Sangwan was furious and swept the teacup next to her to the ground.

"Very well, you who eat the emperor's salary, yet do such inhuman things, truly very well!"

"Hadn't the government opened the granaries to distribute grain before?"

"The grain...the grain is in a secret cellar in the government office. The prefect...he leaves it for two days and then puts it out for one day. And the porridge he distributes is mostly watered down, so the disaster victims aren't getting enough to eat..."

The officer didn't even know what he was thinking when he stammered out those words.

"Ruoxin, use the secret guards' method of communication to immediately send a message to Shuyun. After arriving at the city gate, hand over the task of escorting the grain to Huo Jun and tell her to find the prefect of Wuzhou City no matter what, even if it means digging three feet into the ground for me."

Shen Sangwan practically gritted her teeth as she spoke.

"Yes, my subordinate will go right away."

"Your Highness, the medicine has been prepared. We can start decocting it tonight and have someone try it out before we know its effects."

Shuyi received a signal from Shen Sangwan and took the oil paper from Wen Yuening's hand.

"Boil five bowls of water down to one bowl. This is enough for five people. Cook them separately, and remember to simmer them over low heat."

Shuyi nodded in agreement, then turned to her aide and asked, "Where is the kitchen located?"

"After you go out of this courtyard gate, turn right through the corridor and then left."