The Crown Prince took a step forward. "Fourth brother, don't be too arrogant. Do you really think I'm afraid of you?"
Fu An stepped forward, trying to block Shen Yue, but was stopped. Shen Yue simply looked up to meet his gaze and smiled. She indeed possessed a beauty that transcended gender; her face was ashen white, her lips vividly red, and the exposed skin was as fair as snow.
The young man's eyes curved, his voice raspy. "Aren't you afraid of me?"
In the dappled light beneath the falling leaves, the Crown Prince saw Shen Yue's unnaturally vibrant lips, maintaining a curve that was neither a smile nor a frown. A tremor of panic seized him, and he instinctively took a step back, his gaze darting away.
"You..."
The Crown Prince's face flushed crimson, his hand trembling as he pointed at Shen Yue, as if she had committed some heinous crime.
Seeing the Crown Prince pointing at her for so long without uttering a word, Shen Yue found it amusing. She displayed a mocking smile, cast a contemptuous glance, and then gracefully turned to leave, leaving the Crown Prince fuming in her wake.
---
Xuzhou has a greater distribution of lakes, their surfaces shimmering with countless glints of light, resembling a vast, brilliant starry sky. Beside them, verdant willows drooped, creating a picturesque scene.
However, the streets were eerily deserted, populated only by beggars or people in hooded masks hurrying to and fro.
Every ten meters, a porridge stall was set up. Those tending to them were ragged and stared longingly, the queues stretching long. The sun beat down intensely, the heat oppressive.
Shen Yue emerged for inspection, clad in black, form-fitting attire, appearing distinctly out of place. Yet, the common folk were too preoccupied with getting porridge to pay much attention to her.
After walking for a long time, Shen Yue finally stopped by the lakeside, gazing into the distance with calm, unruffled, dark, and moist eyes.
If this plague were not contained, more and more people would die. Eventually, the city would not have enough people to perish, and it might even spread outwards.
As night fell, several individuals gathered to discuss the situation.
When they were at a standstill, Shen Yue, who had been silent, suddenly spoke, "I have a plan."
All eyes turned to her. The Fourth Prince sat not quite upright, leaning back slightly, taking a small sip of tea. The coarse, plain tea did not even make her eyes blink. Her lips, already vividly red, became even more prominent after being moistened by the tea. She raised her eyelids, her dark eyes reflecting the firelight.
Under everyone's gaze, Shen Yue casually stated, "Drag out those infected with the plague and burn them."
Upon hearing this, everyone was shocked, exchanging glances and murmuring amongst themselves.
After all, a significant number of people had contracted the plague. Burning them all would be excessively cruel, and there would be no way to explain it to the people of Xuzhou.
However, if the plague were not brought under control, and the infected continued to increase, the situation would only become more difficult, and the losses would become more severe.
Shen Yue had been out all day, and the hem of her clothes was inevitably stained with mud. The warm yellow light was bright, casting upon her. A touch of gentleness was added to her indifferent face, but this was merely an illusion.
The depths of her eyes were unfathomable. Her slender, jade-white fingertips lightly tapped the tear mole beneath her eye. Her posture was languid. "This is a last resort. Only by doing so can we prevent the spread of the plague and stabilize the situation and the hearts of the people."
For a moment, no one dared to refute, yet no one could agree. Such methods were too violent and cruel; these were all human lives, how could they be watched as they were burned alive?
The Fourth Prince, seated in the high position, showed no change in expression. Such cold-bloodedness was even more chilling.
Shen Yue's gaze swept over them one by one. Just as she was about to speak, she was abruptly interrupted by a clear, melodious voice.
"This minister disagrees."
The atmosphere grew slightly tense, and everyone's attention was drawn to the speaker. Shen Yue also looked over.
The man had gentle and elegant features. Perhaps due to the fatigue of recent days, his eyes were shadowed with dark circles, his gaze as calm as a deep spring. "Several hundred to a thousand people in Xuzhou have contracted the plague. If we burn them, what's the difference between that and massacre? Fourth Highness, these are all lives. How can you speak of burning them so casually?"
These words echoed the sentiments of everyone present, and the others chimed in with their agreement.
But for Shen Yue, as long as death had value, it was necessary.
The person seated on high had sharp eyes, and his lips were pursed in an aloof and indifferent manner. "Then tell me, what better method do you have?"
Cheng Qian Gong rose and knelt on the ground. He was inherently radiant and pure in appearance; even kneeling, his back was straight, as if he would rather break than bend.
Despite such a respectful kneeling posture, Cheng Qian Gong's eyes held no warmth. Fire churned in his heart, and he lowered his head, concealing the cold expression on his face.
"This minister is still investigating and has already found some leads. I implore the Fourth Highness to grant me more time."
After a long pause, a faint voice drifted down from above.
"What guarantee can you give?"
Cheng Qian Gong's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately suppressed his emotions. "My life."
A cold laugh ensued. Cheng Qian Gong thought the Fourth Highness would continue to be difficult, but unexpectedly, the other party simply stood up. Cheng Qian Gong lowered his head, only feeling a faint fragrance drift past him before quickly disappearing.
He was unsure if it was an illusion, but he seemed to sense the Fourth Prince's anger, directed at him.
---
With his life as collateral, Cheng Qian Gong immersed himself even more deeply, working day and night with imperial physicians to research medicine, not sleeping at all, completely disregarding his own life.
Fortunately, his body was robust; otherwise, he would have fainted long ago.
During the day, he also personally attended to the refugees. In the eyes of those refugees, Cheng Qian Gong was like a living Bodhisattva.
Cheng Qian Gong's demeanor was gentle and amiable, lacking any airs of a high official, appearing approachable. Naturally, this would stir some inappropriate thoughts in certain people.
"Lord Cheng, please rest. You've been busy for a long time."
A woman of delicate beauty approached Cheng Qian Gong, her eyes sparkling and her voice soft and gentle.
Chen Qian Gong looked up. He hadn't rested for several days, and his vision was momentarily dizzy. He sat down to recover, and the woman had already arrived beside him.
"Lord Cheng, are you alright?" the woman's voice was full of concern.
Cheng Qian Gong subtly distanced himself, his gaze clear, a faint smile on his lips. "I am well. Thank you for your concern, Miss Yun."
Yun Ran shyly clutched the handkerchief in her hand and pointed to a food box. "My father asked me to bring this. It's all famous pastries from Xuzhou."
Yun Ran was the youngest and most beloved daughter of the city lord, so Cheng Qian Gong had to show her some respect. "Thank you for your trouble."
"It's nothing, Lord Cheng. Please try them quickly. This Ruyi cake is delicious." Yun Ran opened the food box and placed a small plate of pastries in front of Cheng Qian Gong.
Several sheets of Xuan paper were spread on the table. Yun Ran did not notice them as she placed the pastries one by one on the paper, looking at Cheng Qian Gong with expectant shyness.