ant of such basic principles.""Your Majesty, the Marquis of Pingxi and Lady Luo request an audience."Shu Tai-fei raised her eyebrow slightly, "Tell them to wait in the front hall for a moment. This im...Feng Lingxi looked at Lu Nian's smile in her eyes. She knew that even if she didn't give him the money, Lu Nian wouldn't ask the court for it, but he would help him get it back.

"Many thanks to Master Lu for your righteous assistance. I will never forget today's kindness. Once the court disburses the relief silver, I will definitely give it to you, Master Lu, not a single copper coin less."

Liu Daren's attitude made Lu Nian very happy, "Based on Liu Daren's words, I, Lu Nian, will definitely help. I'll go to the city gate right now and tell them to purchase as soon as possible and transport it to Tumu Town."

"Just a moment."

Feng Lingxi stopped Lu Nian, "I didn't say what kind of herbs I needed. How can you go out and let them buy"

"Isn't it just Sichuan peppercorns Don't worry, I remember."

"Nature is more than that."

Feng Lingxi wrote down the medicinal herbs she needed and handed them to Lu Nian, "Purchase these amounts. You can contact Dugu City, right Tell him to keep an eye on the medicinal herbs in surrounding towns and villages, so no one else buys them up."

Lu Nian nodded, "I understand what you mean, don't worry, I'll go right now."

Lu Nian did not tell Feng Lingxi that before he came, he and Dugu Cheng had already discussed this matter. His brother-in-law was much more reliable than he had imagined and had made arrangements long ago.

These herbs won't fall into their hands unless they're stolen from Lu's family warehouse.

When Lord Liu saw that the problem of medicinal herbs was resolved, he let out a sigh of relief. He walked to the side and took a cup of water, taking a large gulp. He choked and started coughing. Feng Ling Xi heard his cough and turned around to look at Lord Liu, hurriedly asking, “Lord Liu, what’s wrong with you……”

"I choked on my water, but I'm fine, Your Highness. Thank you for your concern."

Then, Liu Da calmed down and explained, looking into Feng Lingxi's concerned eyes, he was deeply touched.

"Lord Liu, please take care of your health. Right now, the entire town of Tumwood still needs Lord Liu to oversee it."

Lord Liu nodded, "Rest assured, Your Highness, the official has been carefully following your instructions. As the magistrate of Tumuwu Town, I dare not neglect my duty during this time of hardship."

"Sir Liu, you've worked hard."

To have such officials as parents is also a blessing for the people here.

"Your Highness, the Crown Princess, this humble official has studied diligently for ten years and served in office for many years. This is the first time I've met a princess like you who treats the people as her own family. Which dynasty or generation had a princess who would personally come down to treat the people, disregarding her own safety This humble official admires you from the bottom of his heart. Even if this official falls ill, he will not disappoint Your Highness and will do his best to cooperate."

"Sir Liu, you're being too kind. As a doctor, it is my duty to care for the sick. Please rest for a while, Sir Liu. Later, I will need you to accompany me to the source of the outbreak. I want to take a look."

Lord Liu responded with a sound, watching Feng Lingxi's busy figure. He felt energized and full of vigor all over his body.

Feng Aotien heard what Liu DaRen and Feng Lingxi were saying at the door. He was thinking that this time he came here with Feng Lingxi, although her medical skills were superb, if she couldn't cure the plague here, they might both die. Over the past two days, Feng Lingxi had been working almost non-stop on preparing medicine, while he couldn't help much at all. Every time he saw her treating the patients without complaint, regardless of the risk of infection from the plague, Feng Aotien felt very uncomfortable inside.

He used to treat her that way, but now, Feng Lingxi still helps him without any hesitation.

"Your Highness, this is what you requested."

Feng Lingxi looked at Feng Aotien walking in, meeting his weary face. Her voice softened slightly, "You should rest early, I can handle the rest."

"It's okay, I'm not tired. I'll stay and see if there's anything I can help with"

Feng Aotian looked at the medicinal herbs around Feng Lingxi, wanting to help but not knowing where to start.

"These are medicines I'm experimenting with, I've got enough for myself. You have a lot to do tomorrow, don't worry about me."

At this point, if Feng Aotian were to fall, the situation here would only become more complicated. Everyone was watching Feng Aotian, the Duke of Zhen Guo, and her, the Princess Consort of Chen, believing that they had been sent by the imperial court to rescue them. But how could they know that they had come on their own

"I heard everything you just said, and I will tell the court about it."

Feng Lingxi was slightly surprised, recalling what Lu Nian had just said, and nodded. "Then, thank you, General Zhen Guo."

She took a careful look at the list of medicinal herbs Feng Aotian had given her, and Feng Lingxi's brows furrowed slightly. Feng Aotian immediately asked beside her, "Did you find something wrong"

"How come these herbs' prices have increased so much They didn't seem to be this expensive before"

"The prices of medicine shops in the city are like this now, during a very difficult time."

Feng Lingxi's face darkened immediately, "These pharmacies are truly national burdens. Have they forgotten that we're treating them for free right now How can they act like this"

Feng Lingxi was very angry. The medicinal herbs she brought were bought with her own money, and the pharmacy here sold them at a high price to the government, making money from the government. It was simply too despicable.

She had thought they were compassionate doctors before, but it seemed she was mistaken.

"These doctors were invited by the government, and their prices are several times higher than usual. After all, for such a disease, it's already very difficult for them to be willing to treat it. If they weren't paid so much, they wouldn't even be willing to go to the slums to see patients."

"In that case, if I come here to see patients and provide them with treatment, wouldn't I also need to charge them And would they have to pay me for the medicine I give them and the prescriptions I write"

Lord Liu looked at Feng Lingxi's anger, sighed helplessly.

“Your Highness, I know you’re angry, but not all apothecary owners are overcharging. Many still sell at normal prices. As a county magistrate, my stipend from the court is limited. Given the current situation, being able to cure this plague is already enough. If the money isn’t sufficient, I can only cover it for now.”

Feng Lingxi looked at him suspiciously, "Master Liu, where did you get so much silver to pay for this"

Lord Liu awkwardly explained, "To be frank with Your Highness, the little money I've saved over these years as an official, though not much, has all been taken out."

"I've brought all the money I had with me."

Feng Aotian looked at Feng Lingxi, "Otherwise, how could there be money to buy these herbs."

"Why didn't you say so earlier"

Feng Lingxi was furious, her anger unpredictable. "The plague in Tumu Town is none of your business, nor the court's. You two spent money on this without even telling me! I thought it came from the town, that we were providing free treatment. Instead, we used expensive medicine bought from them!" She stared at the two, her face burning with rage.

"This official is only trying to keep his hat on and not offend the Princess Consort."

Lord Liu apologetically looked at Feng Lingxi, while Feng Aotian had a face full of embarrassment. He wasn't afraid that Feng Lingxi would say he was stingy, was hehad wanted to, he would have done so long ago. Why would he wait until now, retreating here and guarding the borders of Linxi CountyFeng Aotien let out a cold snort, "If it weren't for the former empe...