Chapter 265: Chapter 247, Arrival at_1
Daohua knew in her heart that the reason why the old lady and Madam Li had pushed the issue onto each other was simply because they couldn’t bear to let her take the risk, and at the same time, they were worried about Yan Wenxiu and the other two who were trapped in Xingyun Prefecture.
If there had been a perfect solution, neither of them would have shirked responsibility.
Since the two of them couldn’t make up their minds, she would make the decision for them.
Having realized this, Daohua went to the main courtyard and told Madam Li that the old lady had agreed to let her go to Xingyun Prefecture.
“What?! The old lady agreed to let you go?”
Madam Li looked at Daohua with a face full of disbelief.
Daohua, smiling, stepped forward, “Mother, I was raised by the old lady, and she knows how much I cherish my life. Once in Xingyun Prefecture, I definitely won’t run around recklessly. Besides, I understand medical principles and have made so many masks. With proper protection and caution, there shouldn’t be any problems.”
Madam Li was still hesitant but no longer as opposed as before.
Seeing this, Daohua didn’t intend to make Madam Li verbally consent to her going to Xingyun Prefecture but said directly, “Then, Mother, I will start preparing now!”
Madam Li reached out her hand, wanting to stop her, but in the end, she let her hand fall weakly.
The daughter might not be able to do much once there, but if… if something truly did happen to Wenxiu and the others, at the very least, she could bring their bodies back, so they wouldn’t be left in a foreign land.
After leaving the main courtyard, Daohua hurried to Songhe Courtyard and relayed the same message to the old lady.
The old lady, after listening, fell silent for a long while. She looked at Daohua silently and finally closed her eyes, “If your mother has agreed, then go ahead! But…”
Suddenly, the old lady opened her eyes wide and grabbed Daohua’s hand so tightly that it hurt.
Feeling the old lady’s anxiety and unrest, Daohua didn’t cry out but quietly looked at her.
The old lady said, “…Your mother and I will be waiting for you at home. If… if something happens to your brothers, you must protect yourself. Even if you can’t bring them back, you must return on your own.”
Daohua hugged the old lady, her voice slightly trembling, “Grandmother, don’t worry, I now have so many estates and shops to manage when I return.”
With that, she patted the old lady’s back.
“I will bring all three brothers back, for sure!”
Having persuaded the old lady and Madam Li, Daohua accelerated her preparations.
Yan Zhigao only found out about this the day before Daohua was to leave.
Looking at his eldest daughter calmly eating at the dining table, Yan Zhigao’s heart was filled with mixed emotions. He wanted to stop her, but he couldn’t find the words to do so.
His eldest son was the one on whom he had placed great hopes. If there was the slightest chance, he would want to rescue him.
But if it meant exchanging the safety of his eldest daughter for that chance, he hesitated.
Seeing the worry in her stepfather’s eyes, Daohua’s eyes flickered, and she said with her head down, “Father, rest assured, I will take good care of myself and bring all three brothers back. As for home…”
Yan Zhigao cut in, “Having punished the Lin Family, I will not change my decision.”
He knew what his eldest daughter was worried about.
Yes, he had a certain fondness for the Lin Family and their children, but this affection did not outweigh the respect he had for his legitimate children and his wife, nor had he ever intended for the Lin Family’s children to outshine his own legitimate offspring.
Daohua smiled faintly, “I trust Father.”
Yan Zhigao looked deeply at Daohua, “I also trust you, and I believe that you and your three brothers will come home together.” After saying this, he buried his head in his food and fell silent.
After a while, he added, “Right, there are several doctors with excellent medical skills in Xingzhou City. Tomorrow morning, before you leave, I will make a trip and try my best to have them accompany you.”
Upon hearing this, Daohua’s face lit up with joy, “Thank you, Father.”
Having accompanying doctors would also put her at ease.
…
The ship was borrowed from the Zhou Family, this time, Daohua brought even more medicinal herbs and supplies.
Through Yan Zhigao’s efforts, five doctors were willing to accompany them.
The Zhou Family also sent a few servants over.
A group of people thus set sail toward Xingyun Prefecture.
On the dock, watching the departing ship, Zhou Jingwan’s face was full of worry, and after gazing for a long while, she murmured, “In the end, I am not as brave as Daohua.”
When her maid heard this, she immediately said, “Miss, it was your grandfather and Madam who didn’t let you go.”
Zhou Jingyao shook her head; some lies could deceive others but not oneself, “No, I am afraid in my heart. I fear contracting the plague, fear dying. Otherwise, even if grandfather and my parents objected, I would have gone with Daohua.”
The maid: “…Miss, didn’t Miss Yan say that you can still help them without going yourself?”
Zhou Jingwan’s eyes brightened, “Right, Daohua is correct. Xingyun Prefecture needs medicinal herbs. Let’s go back now, find the butler to gather medicinal herbs, and then send them to my brother and Daohua.”
Dock of Xingyun Prefecture.
Lu Shuo was dealing with the fallen victims when he saw a ship approaching and immediately had someone intercept it.
“Hurry and leave, you can’t dock here due to the outbreak of the plague.”
Unexpectedly, the ship did not turn around and leave as usual but slowly continued to approach.
Seeing this, Lu Shuo’s face showed anger, “Dammit, we are already busy enough, and now you’re causing trouble.” With that, he stormed over, fuming with rage.
On the deck, Daohua, wearing a mask, looked at the collapsed victims around the harbor, her eyebrows deeply furrowed.
The several doctors accompanying her also had solemn expressions.
The eldest among them, Doctor Zhao, said, “Miss Yan, I won’t follow you into the city later. I’ve seen some victims still alive outside the city wall; I’ll stay to treat them.”
As he spoke, two other doctors stepped forward, “We’ll stay behind as well.”
These people had come not only to give face to Governor Yan of Xingzhou but also genuinely wished to do something for the victims of the plague. Even if they could save only one life in the end, it would be good.
Daohua bowed to the three doctors, “The high virtue of you doctors is commendable. I will leave some medicinal herbs for everyone to use later. Also, I’ve prepared some medicinal powder that can be dissolved in water and sprinkled in the areas where the victims are gathered. It may have a disinfecting effect, so please use it as you see fit.”
Doctor Zhao nodded gravely. Over the days on the ship, he had had several conversations with this young lady from the Yan Family. From her words, it was clear she truly understood medicine.
Moreover, her methods of preventing the plague were very effective.
Take the masks they were wearing now, for instance; he found them extremely practical.
Therefore, he did not underestimate her suggestions just because she was young.
At this time, the ship had docked.
Lu Shuo, who had come over, was ready to unleash a torrent of curses.
They were all human beings; his soldiers were risking their lives dealing with the plague, already stretched to their emotional limits. Now, with people coming to add to the chaos, it was a testament to his temperament that he had not lashed out in violence immediately upon arrival.
However, when he saw the group of people descending from the ship, all wearing masks, his expression changed.
He couldn’t help it; he was wearing one now too.
It was something the Little Prince had personally had delivered to him, saying it could help prevent the infection from the plague. He almost wished he could keep it on even while eating.
After disembarking, Daohua looked around and finally her gaze settled on Lu Shuo.
No other reason but that among all the people there, only he was wearing a mask.
“General, my father is the Prefectural Governor of Xingzhou. Hearing of the plague in Xingyun Prefecture, he is deeply concerned and has specially sent us to assist,” she said.
