Rebirth and Rewriting Fate

The next day, everyone headed towards Linchuan City. Today, Major General Xu was much quieter and no longer made a ruckus.

The procession proceeded in unusual silence, except as they approached the city gate, when a commotion arose among the crowd, with some people whispering among themselves.

The miners' representatives were talking to the soldiers, and soon the miners turned and left one after another.

As they parted ways at the city gate, Erdan made a special trip to say goodbye to Ye Xingchen.

"Sister, I'm going back to see my parents. Can I come play with you again later?" Erdan asked, blinking his big eyes.

"Didn't I tell you not to shout like that? Don't disturb Miss Ye," Xu Li hurriedly stopped him from the side.

"It's alright, it's alright, go ahead and shout. You can come and play with me. Come find me at the county government office whenever you have time. We'll probably be staying there for now," Ye Xingchen said with a smile, patting Erdan's head.

"Okay!" Having received a satisfactory promise, Erdan happily followed Xu Li.

Soon, Ye Xingchen and the other ministers' sons were taken to the backyard of the county government office and settled in. Ye Xingchen sent Zhu Ling to investigate the current situation in Linchuan County.

As soon as she changed her clothes, Zhu Ling ran back. "The medicine that Miss Shangguan and the Medical Bureau brought is very effective, and the epidemic has been alleviated quickly. The Ministry of Works has sent people to repair the severely affected towns, and fortunately the situation in the county is not bad. The Prince said that we ministers' families can't help much, so let's rest first and go help when the roads are cleared tomorrow."

After saying this, Zhu Ling took a big gulp of tea. Ye Xingchen looked at her amusedly. She blinked and said mysteriously, "Actually, Lord Chengfeng also said: 'Don't cause trouble, or I'll arrest you all!'" Then came Zhu Ling's unrestrained laughter.

Perhaps it was the sudden surge of fatigue from the past few days that overwhelmed them in the quiet environment, but Ye Xingchen and Zhu Ling closed the door, hugged their blankets, and fell into a deep sleep.

"Have all our people been arranged?" Gu Ruoxiao asked, looking at the letter that was presented to her.

“It’s all arranged. The Cui family is keeping an eye on us,” Chiwu replied.

"Send people to protect Miss Shangguan. There can be no mistakes," Gu Ruoxiao said, secretly determined that she would protect her this time, even if she failed to do so last time.

"Is Master worried about Miss Shangguan? He's already sent people to follow her, both openly and secretly," Chengfeng said. "Should we also send people to keep an eye on Miss Ye? We're a bit short-handed with our secret guards."

Gu Ruoxiao closed the letter. "No need. Send the guards who are keeping an eye on things to provide support. Anyway, we're just inside the city, and there are people guarding the city gates. She can't cause any trouble."

“Yes,” Chiwu and Chengfeng both replied.

Ye Xingchen slept for a day and a night in a daze, and when he woke up at noon the next day, his head was still spinning.

"Miss, you're awake? You scared me to death." Zhu Ling came over with a bowl of water.

"What's wrong?" Ye Xingchen asked, puzzled.

"Miss, you have a fever again. The doctor came to see you yesterday, and I'm getting really worried if your fever doesn't go down today." Zhu Ling brought up some water.

So he's sick again. He's been constantly ill ever since this body returned, and this time it's probably because of the water. Ye Xingchen wondered to himself.

"When did you wake up?" she asked while drinking water.

"I woke up last night. When I woke up, I found you had a fever." Zhu Ling brought over a bowl of porridge. "Miss must be hungry, right? Please have some porridge first."

"How's it going outside?" Ye Xingchen looked up and asked.

"The epidemic has been basically brought under control. I heard that the streets are being cleaned up and some shops have reopened. How fast!" Zhu Ling said with a smile. "Sister Nan Rao should be back today."

"Then let's go out this afternoon and visit Nanrao along the way. Let her stay a few more days instead of rushing back," Ye Xingchen said with a smile.

"But you're still not better," Zhu Ling said worriedly.

"It's alright, the fever has gone down. Going out and moving around more will help you recover faster."

"Alright then," Zhu Ling said with a helpless expression.

After getting ready, Zhu Ling went to report to the steward, and the two of them went out.

A carriage was parked outside the gate, with a coachman leaning against it and a servant sitting beside it.

Upon seeing the newcomer, the servant jumped down. "Are you Miss Ye? The manager instructed me to escort you out."

"Okay, thank you." Ye Xingchen thought for a moment. He wasn't familiar with Linchuan, so it would be more convenient since a carriage had been arranged. He and Zhu Ling got into the carriage.

The streets are gradually returning to their former vitality, presenting a busy yet orderly scene. It must be said that Gu Ruoxiao's ability to handle things is quite strong.

People, armed with simple tools like sticks and bamboo baskets, carefully cleared away the rubble and debris. Women, with children in tow, collected usable utensils and wooden implements in safer areas, washing and repairing them for future use. In the market area, small vendors were busy tidying up their broken stalls, setting up makeshift awnings, and repairing damaged shelves, preparing to reopen. A sense of responsibility drove them; life would go on.

Not many shops were open on the street; most were still being cleaned and tidied up. Ye Xingchen bought groceries from two or three shops and was heading towards Nan Rao's house when she suddenly felt a pang of unease; something felt off.

She lifted the car curtain and looked outside, thinking to herself, "I'll take a gamble; it's always better to be prepared than not."

"Zhuling, did you bring the powder I gave you last time?" she asked softly.

Not knowing why her young mistress was speaking so softly, Zhu Ling also lowered her voice, "I brought it, I brought it."

"Give it to me first." Ye Xingchen held out her hand.

Although Zhu Ling didn't understand, she still took off her purse and handed it over.

"Zhuling, I think this is too little. Go back to the candied fruit shop we just passed. After you buy it, wait for me at the tea shop at the city gate. I'm going to buy some pastries," Ye Xingchen suddenly said, raising his voice.

Zhu Ling looked on in astonishment. Ye Xingchen tugged at her, and she quickly replied, "Yes, Miss."

Ye Xingchen lowered his voice and said, "Wait for me at the teahouse. If I don't show up in half an hour, go back and find the prince."

"Miss." Zhu Ling nervously tugged at her sleeve.

"I hope I'm just overthinking it." Ye Xingchen nodded to her.

"Stop the carriage." A voice came from inside.

A moment later, someone outside the car answered, "What's wrong, Miss Ye?"

"Let Zhuling get out of the car. I'll have her go buy some things. We'll go ahead and buy the rest," Ye Xingchen said sternly.

The people outside the car exchanged a glance and then let Zhu Ling get out of the car.

"Boss, are you alright?" The servant nudged the coachman quietly.

The driver pointed inside the carriage and glared at him, "The main character is still here, what are you afraid of?"

The carriage started moving through the streets again.

Fortunately, Ye Xingchen had brought a dagger with her when she went out today. She pulled the dagger from her boot, slit open the sachet, and let the powder inside spill out the window. The sachet was quickly used up. She then untied another sachet and slit it as well. She took a deep breath, her unease making her tremble slightly. She silently prayed that it was all a false alarm, that she was just overthinking things.

The carriage suddenly stopped, but there was no sound outside.