Exile? A mad, wicked woman empties the national treasury to escape famine.

Just when Xiao Wu thought the eldest prince might not speak again, he heard Chu Jinsheng say,

"I already told you to have people surround Zhang Lizheng's yard. Now that things are starting to look up, everyone better be on your guard. I said, not a single fly is allowed to get out. If you mess this up again, hmph, you'll be in for your punishment!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Wu trembled. The words "go and receive your punishment" seemed like a curse that permeated their entire lives as guards.

Although the eldest prince would talk to him more often, he treated him much the same as the other guards.

Thinking back to the punishments they received when things went wrong in the past, Xiao Wu felt a chill run down his spine.

"Yes, I understand. I will explain this to them properly."

After saying that, he turned and left quickly.

The guards surrounded Zhang Lizheng's house. To avoid cross-infection, they had kept a distance between each other. Now that it was night and pitch black, he had to go around to notify them one by one. Otherwise, the guards would have no idea what was going on.

Perhaps some of the more carefree ones are already asleep.

Under the big tree nearby, Dr. Li had thrown Ji Yunyao into the water to soak for a while. After feeling that her fever had subsided a little, he dragged her out. At this moment, her eyes were still closed, her face was pale, and she was motionless, like a dead person.

When Chu Jinsheng looked away, he saw this scene. A hint of impatience flashed in his eyes, but remembering that Ji Yunyao was still useful, he turned his gaze back to Doctor Li.

Dr. Li was half asleep, one hand covering the severed finger, leaning against another large tree not far from Ji Yunyao, his sleep somewhat restless.

"Dr. Li!" Chu Jinsheng snorted coldly, startling the sleeping Dr. Li so much that he jumped up and unconsciously used some force, accidentally touching Dr. Li's hand with the severed finger, causing him to wince in pain.

He dared not delay, so he quickly got up and hurriedly walked towards the carriage.

"Your Highness, is there something you need?"

Chu Jinsheng didn't even glance at him; his gaze was fixed on Ji Yunyao, who was not far away.

"Is she dead or alive?"

Doctor Li glanced back at Ji Yunyao, who lay lifeless under the tree, and hurriedly said...

"She's alive, she's alive. Your Highness, don't worry, Miss Ji is not in any danger. She's just quite ill. She had a high fever just now, but I've already brought it down. She should wake up soon."

Chu Jinsheng gave a faint "hmm" and said, "Doctor Li, I trust you. You said those people have contracted the plague, so I believe you. You must not disappoint me!"

Furthermore, Ji Yunyao is still useful to me. I don't care what method you use, you must save her life. If she dies, you don't need to live either.

He spoke calmly and slowly, but Doctor Li, who had served the Crown Prince for many years, knew that the Crown Prince was warning him.

His heart skipped a beat, and he almost knelt down.

"Yes, yes, Your Highness, rest assured, I will do my best to cure Miss Ji."

As for his previous statement about the villagers contracting the plague, he remained silent.

He was very anxious, worried that if the doctor the eldest prince had found really found out that the villagers did not have the plague, then what would the eldest prince do to him?

Thinking of this, Doctor Li was almost in tears. He wanted to plead with the Crown Prince, but seeing how grim the Crown Prince's expression was, he didn't dare to speak at this moment.

Chu Jinsheng didn't give him another chance to speak. He lowered the carriage curtain and lay back down in the carriage.

The rain was getting heavier and heavier. They had deliberately chosen a high place to take shelter from the rain, but the water had already risen up.

The area where Doctor Li and Ji Yunyao were lying was already quite flooded, as was the area where the First Prince's carriage was parked, with the horses submerged inside.

Braving the heavy rain, Xiao Wu ran around Zhang Lizheng's house, searching for the guards who were stationed there.

Sure enough, he found several guards, all of whom were dozing off.

He woke up the guards one by one, feeling frustrated and disappointed.

What a bunch of idiots.

The purpose of having them guard the area was to prevent the villagers and Ji Yunshu from taking the opportunity to escape. However, these guards, taking advantage of the fact that no one was watching them, actually started sleeping openly!

Many of the guards, perhaps due to the disease, were shivering with cold, huddled together, and still had fevers.

Xiao Wu felt a little uncomfortable watching this; they were all just mortals.

Despite the heavy rain, the First Prince completely disregarded their lives, leaving them to guard Ji Yunshu and the villagers in the rain.

If these guards don't receive treatment soon, they might not make it.

However, the First Prince's order had already been given, and Ji Yunshu and the others were now showing signs of leaving. At this crucial moment, they absolutely could not let their guard down and let them escape again; the First Prince would surely execute them.

"Alright, alright, everyone, perk up! I'm up ahead and I see that Ji Yunshu and the others have already packed their bags. It looks like they're ready to set off. No matter which direction they go, the First Prince said we must stop them and not allow them to leave!"

If you can't stop them, send someone to report this immediately!

Most of the guards are now barely alive, their bodies just can't take it anymore.

"Xiao Wu, how long are we going to keep guarding this place? If this keeps up, the brothers are going to die here. We all have fevers, and we're being soaked in this heavy rain. Even the strongest bodies can't take it! What is the First Prince thinking?!"

"Yes, it's been raining ever since I came here to keep watch. I've been soaked to the bone, and the shadows I see are all overlapping. It's like someone is stirring my head with two chopsticks, almost stirring my brains out. My body is also cold."

At this rate, let alone protecting the princess, we'll all collapse first. Could you ask Doctor Li to get us some medicine?

The guards spoke pitifully, and the other guards nodded in agreement; they couldn't bear it any longer.

"Get medicine? What kind of medicine? If what Doctor Li said is true, you have the plague! Doctor Li said he can't cure the plague, he can't cure the plague!"

That's why the eldest prince ordered you to stay here and not let the princess and the others go out and infect others!

"But whether it's a plague or not, for now you can only rely on yourselves to get through it. Regardless of whether Doctor Li can cure the plague or not, where is Doctor Li going to find medicine in the middle of the night? He himself has lost a finger and is half-dead!"

Xiao Wu said irritably.

Fearing he might also be infected, he stood some distance away from the guards. Seeing that they had all been woken up, he prepared to turn back, giving the guards several instructions before leaving.

"I've already told you, the First Prince said that if you mess this up again, you'll be punished yourselves. As for what kind of punishment, you probably already know. Don't blame me for not warning you!"