After the interstellar female general died in battle, she transmigrated into the body of a dashing p

"Epidemic?"

In an instant, the surrounding air seemed to solidify, and the invisible pressure made the guards following behind subconsciously hold their breath, keeping their eyes down and not daring to make the slightest sound.

"Yes."

Zheng Zhian touched the tip of his tongue against his back teeth. "How's her research on the prescription going?"

"Senior Shi said it will take more time." Xia Chan was secretly worried for Zhu Zhiling. Her master was planning to kill her.

"Senior Shi?" Zheng Zhian thought for a moment, then understood, his voice turning colder, "Go and see her."

Zhu Zhiling is quite clever; she even knew to change her name.

Xia Chan led the way, passing through the corridor and front yard, heading straight for a secluded courtyard in the southeast. Just as they entered, the gate opened wide, and a hoarse, jagged voice impatiently called out from afar, "Grind it finer, hurry up..."

Two male figures were busy inside the house. Ling Fei and the others stopped under the eaves outside. Zheng Zhian and Xia Chan entered, and the aroma of medicine wafted in. In the center of the house, two wooden tables were put together, and various medicinal herbs and utensils were placed on them.

An elderly man with a long beard was bending over, staring intently at the white rat in the cage in front of him, completely unaware that someone had entered.

The white rat in the cage was in a very lethargic state, crouching tightly at the feet with its eyes half-closed, as if it might ascend to heaven at any moment.

If Zheng Zhian hadn't spent time with Zhu Zhiling, he wouldn't have connected the old man in front of him with Zhu Zhiling.

After about the time it takes to drink two cups of tea, the white mouse seemed to have regained some energy and slowly moved. Zhu Zhiling's eyes lit up instantly, and she picked up a pen and wrote something down in her notebook.

But before she could finish being happy, the white mouse stopped moving again.

Zhu Zhiling's smile froze. She threw the notebook back onto the table, raised her head, and pinched her neck. She was caught off guard when she met Zheng Zhian's gaze.

Her relaxed movements stopped abruptly, and she said listlessly, "You're here?!"

Zheng Zhian kept his gaze on the white rat, and nodded. "Can you get it out?"

If Zhu Zhiling isn't suitable, then she'll have to find someone else.

Zhu Zhiling grabbed a handful of her messy hair, scraping her upper teeth against her lower lip, and said, "Actually, it's okay now." She understood what Zheng Zhian meant, but because it was autumn, the symptoms of infection varied, and the formula she had developed was effective for mild cases. "But the current formula isn't effective for everyone who gets the disease..."

Although she was more skilled at making drugs, she could never shake off the obsession in her heart to thoroughly study an epidemic she had never encountered before.

"Then hurry up." Zheng Zhian looked at Zhu Zhiling and asked, "How is Chunhua?"

“Her condition was detected in time and is now under control, so there’s no need to worry.” Zhu Zhiling suppressed her anxiety, glanced at the drizzling rain outside, and said, “The weather is getting colder now, so it would be best to get them some thick cotton clothes and blankets.”

The floods have been followed by late autumn, and now it's like adding insult to injury. Without sufficient supplies, it will be incredibly difficult for those refugees to survive.

"Try your best to prevent the spread of the disease, and I'll figure out the rest." Zheng Zhian only thought of this problem while on the road. Unlike the capital, the southwest region does not have four distinct seasons. The most urgent thing is to prepare for the winter with warm supplies.

Her two imperial brothers, who came to provide disaster relief, probably didn't have the time or inclination to deal with these matters.

"You're busy." Zheng Zhian turned and walked out.

After visiting Chunhua, they went to the place where refugees were being resettled. The guards who had been following behind were filled with anxiety and secretly prayed that their magistrate would arrive soon.

Although this man never uttered a harsh word, people dared not breathe loudly in his presence, which was even more intimidating than when facing the county magistrate.

When Jia Yifang received the news, he was preparing to have dinner at his residence. Upon hearing that Zheng Zhian had already gone to the place where refugees were being resettled, he immediately put down his chopsticks and hurriedly rushed to the Lü family villa.

When the refugees were transferred there, they didn't see Zheng Zhian and thought she had already left. However, just in case, they still instructed the people at the city gate to be more vigilant. Unexpectedly, she actually came back.

"This humble official greets the princess." Jia Yifang, disregarding his soaking wet clothes, hurriedly stepped forward to pay his respects.

He had put a lot of effort into acquiring this villa in the Lü family mansion. Asking him to build a place that could accommodate several hundred people within three days was impossible; even if he had three heads and six arms, he couldn't do it.

With no other option, they had to find a suitable place. Baishan County was a tiny place, and after looking at all the suburban mansions, the only one that fit the bill was this Lü family villa.

The Lü family here is a collateral branch of the richest Lü family in Jiangling. Although it is only a collateral branch, the intricate relationships behind it are there. It is not something that can be lent out so easily. Jia Yifang used both soft and hard tactics, promising that all the medicines, food and other supplies needed by the refugees would be purchased from the Lü family, and only then did the matter come to an agreement.

Zheng Zhian was not surprised at all that Jia Yifang had come. He raised his hand and said calmly, "Has Magistrate Jia seen those refugees?"

"I have already checked," Jia Yifang said with a fawning smile. "Thanks to the princess's kindness and foresight in moving them out of the mountains. If they had stayed in the mountains, those weak people would not have survived."

What was meant to be a perfectly ordinary compliment suddenly caught Jia Yifang off guard when he met the gaze of someone turning to look at him from the side. He abruptly stopped, feeling extremely annoyed. Wasn't he implying that Jia Yifang was incompetent?!

He quickly changed the subject, trying to salvage the situation, "I've already had the food prepared for the next two days, and most of the doctors available in the city have been transferred here." He paused for a moment, glancing tentatively at Zheng Zhi'an's expression, and continued, "However, the people in the city have also heard rumors and are already somewhat panicked, they..." He stopped abruptly, but the implication was clear.

"Has the official document I asked you to issue been sent out?" Zheng Zhian stopped outside the courtyard where refugees lived and looked around for a while, but did not go in to disturb them.

It was only a matter of time before the people in Baishan County found out about the refugees' arrival, and panic was inevitable. However, as long as they were properly appeased, the problem would not be too serious.

"It has been distributed, but its effect seems...not very good." Jia Yifang's voice trailed off. It was more than just not very good. The people knew that there were a large number of refugees fleeing from Luotian County, and not only that, some of them had contracted the disease. In an instant, some people frantically hoarded food, others bought medicine, and they stayed home as much as possible, as if the disease would spread throughout the city at any moment.

Meanwhile, the small shops in the city had already had all their essential goods purchased in advance by the Lü family in secret, and the large shops followed the Lü family's lead. In other words, all the grain available for purchase was now in the hands of the Lü family.

Seeing someone looking out from under the eaves of the courtyard, Zheng Zhian nodded slightly and turned to leave, walking out of the mansion. Her voice was devoid of emotion as she asked, "The disaster relief team from the imperial court has arrived in Luotian County. Does Lord Jia know this?"

Jia Yi looked surprised, then delighted. "That's excellent! I'll write to the two princes as soon as I get back to the palace and tell them about the situation here. The refugees' plight will then be easily resolved!"

Zheng Zhian glanced at Jia Yifang meaningfully. "Whether it's resolved or not, I don't know. But first, spread the word about this to stabilize public sentiment. Also, try to get some cotton clothes and quilts." She took the straw hat Ling Fei handed her, put it on, mounted her horse, and looked through the rain at Xia Chan, who was holding an umbrella. "You stay here. I'll come back tomorrow." She then looked down at Jia Yifang and said calmly, "Lord Jia, I'll go first. See you tomorrow." After saying that, she spurred her horse and galloped off like an arrow, cutting through the rain.

When they arrived at Floating Dream Pavilion again and asked for a private room, Yuan Ming threw his bamboo hat aside, patted the rain off his clothes, and asked in confusion, "An'an, what are we doing here?"

"Aren't you hungry?" Zheng Zhian picked up the steaming tea and drank it all in one gulp. He instantly felt refreshed and relaxed, slumping into the chair. He pondered Jia Yifang's words and couldn't help but scoff.

Yuan Ming poured himself a glass of water and drank it. Seeing her like this, he rolled his eyes, dragged his chair closer, and asked, "Are you thinking about that guy surnamed Jia?"