take my pulse.""Yes!"The bell immediately sounded, and she retreated backwards out of the bedroom."Huiqi, you have replaced the incense burner's lid. Tomorrow, bring it back to my bedroom. Continue bu...“I understand, Your Lordship is acting on orders to deliver these herbs meant to prevent the spread of plague. Naturally, you are aware of the dangers within them and have prepared accordingly. However, I possess the Empress's decree. Upon entering the city, all soldiers and physicians will be under my unified command.”

The wise attendant spoke humbly yet confidently.

Immediately, the two sword-wielding female attendants behind her stepped forward. These two were the Empress's personal guards, their identities different but both exuding a powerful aura. They were all battle-hardened veterans, so the two soldiers guarding the checkpoint immediately stepped forward and saluted.

"Have your lieutenants come to see me."

One of the female guards, her face unusually cold, spoke first.

"Who has such a big mouth to see me."

The Zhao-surnamed deputy general who received the message arrived wearing armor and accompanied by two aides.

The female guard directly handed the Empress's order to Zhao, her deputy. After reading it, his eyes flickered, and he finally spoke:

"Let us take care of this matter! If something goes wrong with Sir while he's in Fengxuan City, even all our heads wouldn't be enough to chop off."

"You needn't worry about this. We know what we're facing since we're going into the city, you need not interfere any further."

The female guard's voice was very cold.

"This"

Zhao's deputy general's eyes still swept over the three carriages, as if thinking about taking some down, after all, at this stage, medicinal herbs were the most precious thing.

The wise servant frowned and walked straight over, staring into Zhao's deputy general's eyes and saying:

"You forget about these herbs. I brought them here under the Empress's orders for the three princesses trapped within the city. If anything were to happen to them, you and your whole family will be wiped out."

Zhao Fuzhang's eyelids twitched, and his face turned pale upon hearing this. When did the Third Princess enter Fengxuan City He had no idea.

"How could the Third Princess be in the city This... I truly don't know. I'll send people to join you and enter the city together to bring the Third Princess out."

"No, if the Third Princess is already infected with the plague, she naturally cannot leave the city. If it were because of her alone that the plague spread, the Empress would not allow it. As for why she entered Phoenix City..."

"The wise servant paused here, letting out a cold snort before continuing,"

The Empress punished the three princesses by requiring them to serve in the army for a year. After becoming new recruits and passing the assessment, they were sent to Longling City to reinforce the troops. As for why this batch of new recruits appeared in Fengxuan City, which was experiencing a flood, you'd have to ask your superior.

Now, immediately let us into the city. Don't play any tricks. If even one of us dies here, your Zhao family army will pay the price!

The words of the wise counselor were harsh, and when he looked at General Zhao's eyes, there was a flash of ferocity. If it weren't for the Zhao family sending new troops to preserve their strength, how could his daughter have fallen into such danger

Zhao, the deputy general, dared not make any excuses this time. He immediately waved his hand to order the soldiers to open the gate. Then, he mounted his horse and was the first to charge towards the city gate.

The stern-faced female guard then addressed Zhao's deputy.

"Tell General Zhao to pray three times a day for the safety of the Third Princess. If anything happens to her, her family will face the Empress's wrath!"

Having finished speaking, he turned his horse's head directly and, passing through the last gate, entered Fengxuan City.

Zhao the Deputy General was already drenched in sweat. She immediately turned around and went to deliver a message to General Zhao. This time, they were in deep trouble.

The anxious attendant spoke plainly, wanting to enter the city quickly and prevent the Zhao family from plotting anything sinister. His intention was to make them fearful.

Just now, when that Deputy General Zhao found out his identity, he started digging a hole for him, asking him to bring out the Third Princess. To be honest, he was tempted, but he couldn't agree. Otherwise, once the plague spread, even if it wasn't the Third Princess who transmitted it, the Zhao family would definitely blame the Third Princess and him.

He wouldn't give them such an opportunity. This time, he had made an enemy of the Zhao family. The second princess shouldn't even think about ascending the throne smoothly. Even if his own daughter was unable to become empress, he didn't want someone who resorted to such underhanded tactics to become queen.

The wise servant thus led the people into the city. After entering the city, someone came to greet them and directly took them to the barracks of the army inside the city, located in the south of the city. All the soldiers who entered the city were stationed here because of the outbreak of the plague; they were unable to withdraw from Phoenix City and could only stay within the city.

These new recruits helped maintain order within the city while assisting in isolating those infected with the plague, both civilians and soldiers. They also guarded the granaries, ensuring the timely distribution of relief supplies to sustain the basic survival of the city's populace. Meanwhile, Lord Xian brought three carts of medicinal herbs; immediately, medical practitioners gathered around them.

"Everyone, please remain calm! The herbs I brought are all tailored to treat specific ailments. You can use these three carts' worth first, and the rest will arrive gradually. The Empress will not abandon anyone."

A thousand-man captain who remained in the city immediately came over, dispersed the crowd, and then took the nobleman to see the Third Princess.

After the Third Princess contracted the plague, the thousand-man commander knew the new recruit's identity. At that time, she was nothing but helpless and could only send her to a solitary tent. She ensured medicine, food, and other necessities were prioritized for the Third Princess and her guards, praying every day for her recovery.

Otherwise, don't even mention her; not even Zhao deputy general guarding outside would have a good life.

The loyal attendant, anxious to see the Third Princess, wasted no time. He simply left his men and the supplies provided by the Empress Dowager in charge, then took only his own personal guards to the solitary tent.

Upon entering the cramped tent, I saw the Third Princess lying on a wooden board. Her face was flushed, her eyes tightly shut, and her breathing was very rapid. Even in sleep, she seemed restless, mumbling something in her lips.

"My son"

When the wise attendant saw the Third Princess, his eyes welled up with tears. His always lively and energetic daughter had never looked so dejected before.

"Forgive me, Master! It is our fault for failing to protect the Third Princess!"

The three female soldiers inside the small tent immediately knelt down and apologized.

"Come on, talk back. This has nothing to do with you. Tell me about the three princesses first."

The wise attendant immediately stepped forward, wanting to take a closer look at the young daughter's condition, but was stopped by one of the female soldiers.

"My wise servant, please put on the mask first, don't let the sickness spread."

Saying that, he handed up a triangular cloth towel made of white cloth. The attendant bowed his hand, took out a black face mask from his waist pouch and put it on, then took two steps forward and reached out to touch the forehead of the Third Imperial Princess.

The three people in the tent looked at Xian Shijun, who they knew had come prepared. They let out a sigh of relief. The oldest female soldier stepped forward and told the story of how the Third Princess had contracted the plague.

They were newly enlisted and deployed to Longling City as reinforcements for the losses sustained against Panlong Nation. The previous three months had been relatively peaceful.

They are new recruits, doing the things that veteran soldiers are unwilling to do, such as patrolling the streets during the hottest part of the day, assisting relocating citizens with their settlement, and standing guard on the city walls.

The Third Princess also gradually adapted, but after a month of continuous rain, their new recruits were assigned to disaster relief. you'll haul us up. If something unexpected happens and you can't handle it, just pull the rope, and we'll float back up."Li Qian arranged things neatly."Okay, be careful!"Li Qian used a rope to tie t...