Transmigrated into a seven-year-old child, my fate is in my own hands, not in the heavens.

Cuizhi nodded like a chicken pecking at rice: "Madam, the lord did indeed tell me to tell you to pack your things and leave with the Daotai." Looking at the madam's gloomy face, Cuizhi spoke softer and softer.

Madam is usually quite approachable, and her expression rarely looks so frightening. Seeing her like this now, Cuizhi's heart was in turmoil.

She didn't know what was going on either; she was just following orders.

……

As Yang Mei walked along, she listened to Cui Zhi recount what had happened in the main hall, her heart trembling with fear.

He only knew that the plague was serious, but he did not know that it was so serious that it had alarmed the imperial court.

Her husband had never told her any of this. When she asked him, he would just smile and tell her not to worry, while also telling her not to go out, saying there were many viruses outside.

Over the years since she married her husband, he has been very protective of her, and she doesn't have to worry about anything. But the more he does this, the more uneasy Yang Mei feels, because her husband keeps many things from her.

It was past noon. Zhao Lian had just evaded the patrolling soldiers and, seizing a suitable opportunity, leaped onto the roof.

The midday sun was blazing, making the person standing on the rooftop particularly conspicuous. Zhao Lian crouched down and tiptoed to the courtyard to examine the area carefully.

The Suizhou government office was twice the size of the Changting county government office, but standing on the roof, it felt the same everywhere.

Actually, she didn't necessarily have to go up to the roof; she could have just gone to the door to let them know. But right now, she couldn't worry about that.

Because that would take up an unknown amount of time, and Yao Miao had just gone in. At this moment, she didn't want to cause trouble for her godfather.

Just as she was wondering where to go, she saw Yangmei walking along the flower corridor and was immediately delighted.

"That's her godmother!"

At this moment, Yang Mei was accompanied by a maid, who was walking hurriedly, as if she was going somewhere.

Zhao Lian somersaulted and landed lightly not far behind Yang Mei.

"Godmother~"

In her haste, Yangmei seemed to hear Zhaolian's voice. Yangmei, who was rushing on her way, suddenly froze, as if she had been frozen in place.

Could I be hallucinating? How could Zhao Lian be here! Yang Mei's lips curled up, and she shook her head self-deprecatingly.

"Madam, what's wrong?"

Cuizhi, who was following behind, almost bumped into Yangmei because she couldn't dodge in time.

"Cuizhi, can you hear someone talking?" Yang Mei looked around, searching.

"No!" Cuizhi shook her head.

"Godmother~ I'm here!"

Just as Yang Mei was about to take a step, the sound rang out again.

This time, Yang Mei heard it clearly. The voice was behind her, so she turned around and met a smiling face.

A pretty girl was standing a few meters away from me. She had wheat-colored skin, bright eyes that blinked, and a smile that made her eyes crinkle.

"Godmother~"

"Zhao Lian~ It really is you!" Yang Mei was overjoyed and stepped forward to take Zhao Lian's hand, looking her over carefully.

She hadn't seen Zhao Lian for two whole years. In those two years, Zhao Lian had grown taller, her face had lost its childishness, and she looked even prettier than before.

Looking at Zhao Lian's dusty gray clothes, it was clear that she had traveled a long way. Yang Mei asked with a puzzled look, "Zhao Lian, how did you suddenly appear here? Did you come alone?"

"Godmother, it's a long story..."

Zhao Lian didn't answer Yang Mei's question, but asked her directly, "Godmother, where are you in such a hurry to go right now?"

Yang Mei suddenly remembered and said excitedly, "Oh, right, you've come at the perfect time. I need to go find your godfather. Let's talk as we walk."

As she spoke, Yang Mei pulled Zhao Lian along and talked, giving a general account of the matter.

Zhao Lian had heard all of this, and was not surprised at all.

"Zhaolian, what should we do now?" Yangmei was at a loss as well.

This stumped Zhao Lian, who didn't know how to answer.

After a moment of hesitation, Zhao Lian asked, "Godmother, I just want to ask you one question: would you abandon Godfather and leave him alone?"

Without hesitation, Yang Mei replied, "Of course not."

"That's right, the answer is actually in your heart."

After Zhao Lian's prompting, Yang Mei realized, "Yes! I already had the answer in my heart."

No matter what difficulties her husband encounters, she will stay by his side.

At this moment, Prefect Song was in a complicated mood, his eyes anxiously glancing at the doorway from time to time.

Footsteps sounded outside the door, and Prefect Song's heart leaped into his throat.

Yang Mei, dressed in a light purple dress, walked in gracefully, while Zhao Lian did not follow her in.

"Madam~"

Prefect Song felt a pang of guilt and dared not look his wife in the eye.

"I am Liang Miao, and I greet Madam Song." Yao Miao glanced at Yang Mei briefly, then clasped his hands in a respectful bow.

In his opinion, although Madam Song was fair-skinned and gentle, and still had her charm, she was still a middle-aged woman.

Moreover, she was the wife of a high-ranking prefect. What kind of woman couldn't a governor have? Yao Miao couldn't understand why he was so determined to take her away.

"Who is this?"

Yang Mei feigned surprise.

"Madam, this is the Circuit Intendant Yao, sent by the Governor. The situation in Suizhou City is not good right now. You should quickly pack your clothes and leave with Circuit Intendant Yao to avoid trouble for a while."

"I'm not leaving!" Yang Mei stubbornly shook her head and glared at Prefect Song: "I'm not going anywhere. I'll stay wherever you are."

Prefect Song's eyes flickered: "The situation in Suizhou City is too dangerous right now, and I don't feel at ease leaving you here."

Without hesitation, Yang Mei replied, "I'm even more worried because you're in Suizhou City and I'm not by your side."

Then, with a double entendre, he added, "Besides, if I leave, won't you be worried?"

Immediately afterwards, Yang Mei curtsied to Yao Miao: "Your Excellency, please trouble you to tell the Governor that I, Yang Mei, am not going anywhere. I will stay in Suizhou City and stand with my husband through thick and thin."

"Madam Song~"

Yang Mei raised her hand and said with a stern face, "You don't need to say anything more. This matter is settled. If the governor blames you, just tell him the truth and say that I, Yang, am ungrateful."

Yao Miao was embarrassed by Madam Song's bluntness. Madam Song had a gentle demeanor, but she was decisive in her actions.

Moreover, knowing that her husband was in trouble, she was still willing to stand by him through thick and thin, which made him truly admire her.

Yao Miao reminded him repeatedly: "Lord Song, let me remind you one more time. These seven days were secured for you by the governor. If you can't handle it after seven days, and the emperor blames you, you won't be able to bear the consequences."

"Humph!"

Yang Mei smiled coldly: "What a huge accusation! Natural disasters and man-made calamities are hard to avoid. Instead of sending someone down to help, the current emperor is trying to find ways to punish my husband."

"Madam, shut up!" Prefect Song was worried that Yang Mei would say something even more outrageous, so he quickly scolded her.

Yao Miao had a grudge against him in the past. If this got to the Emperor's ears, they would be in deep trouble.