My palace is full of female protagonists.

Oh dear, this is quite a worrying situation. Look at this child, with such small arms and legs, wearing adult clothes makes him look like a little wooden puppet in a long robe. The sleeves reach his knees, and the hem drags on the ground, making it incredibly awkward for him to walk. This won't do! The child is at a crucial stage of growth; ill-fitting clothes not only hinder his movement but could also cause him to trip and fall, resulting in serious injury. What would we do then?

At first, we thought of going to the nearby market to find some children's clothes to tide us over, but in these chaotic times, who had the heart to open a shop and do business? All the shops were tightly closed, afraid of getting into trouble. Fortunately, the attentive palace servants around Consort Zhen, especially those kind-hearted ladies-in-waiting, couldn't bear to see the child in such a state. They rummaged through their own belongings and found a few slightly worn but still clean and tidy little clothes to dress the child in. These clothes, though not luxurious, exuded warmth, and after putting them on, the child looked much more energetic, and his eyes lit up.

However, while the child had escaped the scourge of the sudden illness, it didn't mean they could safely continue traveling with Consort Zhen's rescue team. Their mission was to treat villagers who had unfortunately contracted the disease, and the journey was fraught with danger. If anything were to happen to the child, it would be adding insult to injury. Besides, the disease was incredibly dangerous; who knew if it might suddenly resurface in some hidden corner? It was best to stay away from the sealed-off villages.

So, after much discussion, they decided to send a reliable cavalryman to escort the child back to the Prince's residence. The Prince's residence was, after all, a safe place, with plenty of servants to look after the child; it was better for the child to be there than to be constantly on the move. But then another problem arose. Logically, sending the child to the government office would also be an option, since it was the seat of the government and should be even safer. However, His Highness the Crown Prince was currently busy reforming the court and cleaning up his own ranks, and everyone in the government office was filled with anxiety. No one could say for sure if there were any hidden dangers within. If the child was sent there and not taken care of properly, but instead caused trouble, it would truly be a case of good intentions gone wrong.

After much deliberation, I still feel that seeking direct advice from His Highness the Crown Prince is the most appropriate course of action. Despite his usual stern and aloof demeanor, His Highness is actually quite principled and deeply concerned about the suffering of the common people. If I can truthfully report the child's situation, His Highness might be able to personally find a good place for the child, ensuring the child's safety and proper care.

Upon receiving the mission, the cavalryman did not hesitate. He gently took the child's hand, helped him onto his horse, and followed closely behind, embarking on the journey back to the Prince's mansion. Along the way, the cavalryman patiently talked to the child, using simple words to describe the outside world, trying to alleviate the child's fear and loneliness.

When the cavalryman arrived at the Prince's residence with the child, the servants were astonished by the unexpected arrival of this little life. After the message was relayed to the Crown Prince, the Crown Prince specially cleared out a pavilion in the Prince's residence and immediately ordered the servants to prepare hot water and food to wash the child away from the journey, while also preparing a sumptuous meal for the cavalryman.

From that day on, the child settled down in the Prince's Mansion, like an unexpected ray of sunshine in winter, adding vitality and life to this solemn residence. Although fate had been unfair to him, causing him to lose the protection of his family at an early age, here he rediscovered the feeling of home and experienced unprecedented warmth and love.

Upon learning of this, His Highness the Crown Prince was deeply concerned and specially dispatched a highly skilled physician from the city to conduct a comprehensive physical examination on the child. After examining the child through observation, listening, questioning, and palpation, the physician's face lit up with joy, and he reported to the Crown Prince, "This child is robust and healthy, without any illness; this is truly remarkable." Hearing this, the Crown Prince felt a great weight lifted from his heart. He knew that for a child who had survived such a disaster, health was the greatest treasure.

Concerned for the child's future, the Crown Prince ordered a search of local household registration records, hoping to find distant relatives so the child could be placed in a more suitable home. However, after a thorough search, no clues were found, and the child seemed to have become an orphan, without any support. At this point, the Crown Prince pondered for a moment and added, "Consort Zhen has not yet returned. Even if we find relatives, we must wait for her return before making a decision. I do not wish to cause any trouble or cause the child further distress because of this matter."

After a period of rectification, the local officials who needed to be arrested have been brought to justice, those who needed to be demoted have been demoted, and those whose salaries were to be withheld have been dealt with accordingly. Now, those who remain are all cautious and ambitious officials. Seeing how much the Crown Prince values ​​this child, they all expressed their willingness to help, some even offering to adopt the child and send him to a private school to receive a good education, hoping that he will achieve something in the future.

Among them, an official of about forty years old with a kind face spoke earnestly: "Your Highness, I have no sons at home and have always longed for a child to accompany me. Since this child has the opportunity to come to the Prince's residence and has won Your Highness's favor, I dare to say that I am willing to treat him as my own son and teach him with care, and I will certainly live up to Your Highness's expectations."

The Crown Prince nodded slightly upon hearing this, pondering to himself. He knew that although these officials each had their own motives, it wouldn't be a bad thing if they genuinely cared for the child. So, he slowly said, "This matter requires careful consideration. I will make a decision after discussing it with Consort Zhen. However, I appreciate your kindness. It is a blessing for the child to have elders like you who care for him."

And so, the child's life in the Prince's mansion gradually stabilized. Every day, he studied and played with the other children in the mansion, his face always beaming with an innocent smile. And whenever the night was quiet, he would look up at the starry sky and silently pray that one day he could see Consort Zhen, who had saved him from dire straits, again.

Zhao Chengyu sat at his desk in his study, clutching a courier letter that had just arrived from Yuyao County. The wax seal on the envelope gleamed coldly in the dim candlelight. His brow was furrowed, and a hint of undisguised despondency flickered in his eyes. This letter, urgently sent by the governor of Yuyao County, described in detail the situation in the villages sealed off due to the plague, as well as the villagers' helpless cries and desperate looks.

Zhao Chengyu was filled with mixed emotions. It wasn't that he didn't want to lend a helping hand to rescue the innocent villagers trapped in the shadow of the plague. But reality was cruel, and he knew his strength was limited; many things were beyond human control. He sighed softly, slowly unfolded the letter, and read it carefully again. Every word seemed to weigh a ton on his heart.

"The six female protagonists may indeed be from different novels, but none of them are time travelers. And I, as a time traveler, lack both the ability to foresee the future and the advantages of being reborn," Zhao Chengyu muttered to himself, a hint of self-mockery and helplessness flashing in his eyes. He came from another time and space, carrying with him an understanding of history and aspirations for the future, expecting to make a name for himself in this world and change something. However, faced with this sudden plague, he found himself utterly helpless and powerless to reverse the situation.

He recalled his attempts to combat the plague using modern knowledge and methods, only to quickly discover that the world's medical standards and sanitation were far behind those of the era he was familiar with. His knowledge seemed incomplete here, and sometimes even faced skepticism and opposition due to cultural differences and misunderstandings.

Zhao Chengyu took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. He knew that complaining and self-blame wouldn't solve anything. As an ally of Yuyao County, he had to pull himself together and find a way to do something for those innocent villagers. Even if it was just a small contribution, he wanted to let them feel the warmth and hope of humanity.

He began to think, and one possible solution after another flashed through his mind. He considered how to mobilize more resources, how to coordinate the forces of all parties, and how to find a viable way out of this war without gunfire. Although he knew that these solutions might not be perfect and might even encounter many difficulties, he still decided to give it a try.

Fortunately, the village lockdown measures effectively prevented the further spread of the disease. Those strictly sealed-off villages, though experiencing unspeakable pain and struggle, ultimately kept the virus out. While the villagers lived in fear and anxiety, their resilience and unity became their most precious asset during this dark period.

In areas outside these villages, although a large number of people also developed colds, careful diagnosis and screening revealed that they were not infected with the deadly disease. This discovery, like a ray of warm sunshine piercing through heavy clouds, brought comfort and hope to everyone. Some speculated that this might be because the local groundwater had a filtering effect, hindering the virus's spread. Although this speculation has not yet been scientifically confirmed, it has become a cherished hope in people's hearts.

In this battle against the disease, Consort Zhen's rescue team undoubtedly played a crucial role. They not only bravely rushed to the front lines to deliver urgently needed supplies and medicines to the villagers, but also, before leaving the Crown Prince's entourage, specifically instructed the Crown Prince's men to teach the people of Yuyao County a simple yet practical method—drinking "three-boiled water."

"Three-boiled water"—this seemingly simple name contains profound wisdom and care. Water, regardless of its origin, undergoes three boiling and settling processes. After the first boil, it is cooled and the clear water on top is skimmed off; the second and third boils are done in the same way, each time discarding impurities and potentially harmful substances that settle at the bottom. Water that has undergone this careful three-stage treatment is then used for cooking and drinking, significantly reducing bacteria and impurities and making the water purer and sweeter.

This method quickly spread throughout Yuyao County, becoming an important habit in the daily lives of the people. Every night, wisps of smoke rise from the stoves of every household, as people cook hot meals with "three-boil water," expressing their love for life and their appreciation for health in this way.

As time passed, the epidemic in Yuyao County was gradually brought under control, and people's lives gradually returned to peace and tranquility. Those villages once shrouded in plague also gradually regained their vitality thanks to everyone's joint efforts. The dedication and hard work of Consort Zhen's rescue team and the Crown Prince and others became an indelible mark on this period of history, forever etched in people's hearts.

For a time, the Crown Prince's prestige soared, and his name was sung among the people of Yuyao County, worshipped and revered like a god. During those difficult days, the Crown Prince not only personally directed the rescue work, but also went deep into the countryside to understand the people's hardships, demonstrating through his actions what it means to "put the people first."

He knew that food was the lifeblood of the people, especially during this special time of rampant epidemic and widespread panic. Stabilizing food prices was crucial for maintaining social order. Therefore, the Crown Prince decisively took action, personally overseeing the allocation and price control of grain to ensure that the prices of basic staple foods such as wheat and rice remained at a reasonable level, preventing unscrupulous merchants from taking advantage of the situation to inflate prices and increase the burden on the people.

This move quickly won widespread praise from the people. In the streets and alleys of Yuyao County, it was almost impossible to hear anyone speak ill of the Crown Prince. Even if a few discordant words were uttered, they would be immediately silenced by the surrounding crowd, and sometimes even met with beatings or verbal abuse. In the hearts of the people, the Crown Prince had become their guardian angel, their most steadfast support during this turbulent time.

For the Crown Prince, all of this was an unprecedented experience. For the first time, he truly felt the glory and responsibility that came with being the Crown Prince, revered by all the people. Before, when he was processing memorials in the Imperial Study, all he saw were cold words and numbers, specific officials, grain, and land. Although they were important, they always lacked a vivid, tangible quality.

However, now, as he walks through the streets and alleys of Yuyao County, seeing the eyes that have regained hope because of his efforts, and hearing the words of gratitude for his decisions, he deeply realizes that these concrete and vivid people and events are what he, as the Crown Prince, should pay the most attention to and cherish.

This experience became one of the most valuable assets in the Crown Prince's life. It made him deeply aware of the responsibilities and duties of a leader, and it also strengthened his resolve to pursue his future path. From then on, he was no longer just a prince reviewing memorials in the imperial study, but a true leader capable of guiding the country towards prosperity. Consequently, the Crown Prince genuinely looked forward to going to Yunnan.