Even women who travel through time can become prime ministers and nobles.

Chapter 432 Poisoning

Her brows had relaxed, her lips were no longer clenched, and there was even a very faint curve at the corners of her mouth, as if she were having a peaceful dream.

Her breathing was even and deep, indicating that she had fallen asleep again.

Perhaps the pain had exhausted all her strength, or perhaps she felt especially safe in his arms, and that's when she fell into a deep sleep.

Choi Ji-ho looked at her peaceful sleeping face, was stunned for a moment, and then sighed helplessly.

This girl, he just said so many heartfelt things, but she didn't hear a single word and just fell asleep.

He lowered his head and gently smoothed out the last trace of wrinkle between her brows with his fingertips, his movements incredibly gentle.

The worry and lingering fear in his eyes had not completely faded, but there was also a hint of indulgence that was both funny and exasperating.

Fine, if you didn't hear it, you didn't hear it.

As long as she is safe and sound, as long as she can sleep peacefully in his arms, nothing else matters.

He adjusted his position to make her more comfortable, and then held her there, sitting quietly on the edge of the bed.

The morning light outside the window grew brighter and brighter, shining through the curtains onto the two of them, giving them a warm golden edge.

The scent of medicine in the air seemed to have faded, leaving only a quiet warmth flowing gently.

Choi Jiho looked down at the sleeping face of the person in his arms, his eyes filled with tenderness that could melt hearts.

He silently repeated the sentence to himself, this time speaking it to himself:

"Wanwan, you must take good care of yourself. I can't afford to lose you again."

He will stay by her side and protect her until she is fully recovered, until all the lurking dangers have vanished.

This time, he would never let her slip away from him again.

While Shi Wanxia was recuperating in the villa, Shen Yanzhou visited her almost every day.

That afternoon, as soon as he entered the door, he saw Shi Wanxia frowning at a map of Chuzhou. Several files were laid out on the table, all of which were records of post-disaster resettlement and the distribution of food and fodder.

"You're not fully recovered yet, why are you working so hard again?"

Shen Yanzhou accepted the tea from Yuan'er, his tone filled with concern.

"I can't lie still."

Shi Wanxia looked up, a hint of worry in her eyes.

"Your Highness, please take a look. This is the record of the medicinal materials requisitioned for the resettlement shed in the south of the city."

"In the past three days, the consumption of medicines for colds has increased by 30% compared to usual. However, according to the medical officer, the weather has been fine recently, and colds should not be so prevalent."

Shen Yanzhou picked up the file and examined it closely, his brows gradually furrowing: "This is indeed unusual. Could there be an error in the statistics?"

“I have sent Cui Zhihao to check the resettlement shed and see if there are any other abnormalities.”

Shi Wanxia pointed her finger at the location in the south of the city on the map.

“There are more than 5,000 disaster victims living there. The population is dense and the sanitation is poor. If there is any sign of an epidemic, it must be controlled immediately.”

Just then, Zhao Hu rushed back, his face grave: "Lord Shi, Your Highness the Crown Prince, something is wrong."

"Indeed, quite a few people have fallen ill in the resettlement sheds in the south of the city. Their symptoms are not those of a common cold, but rather persistent high fever, vomiting and diarrhea. Two people have already fallen into a coma."

"The physicians were at a loss, saying they had never seen such a disease before."

"what?"

Shi Wanxia's heart sank. "Have any patients been isolated? What medicines have been used?"

"The patient has been moved to an open space on the edge of the shed area. The medical officer used a prescription to clear heat and detoxify, but the effect was minimal."

Zhao Hu wiped the sweat from his forehead. "What's even stranger is that in the corner of the thatched hut where the patients stayed, my subordinates found several strips of cloth stained with dark brown dirt. They smelled fishy and foul, unlike ordinary filth."

Shi Wanxia and Shen Yanzhou exchanged a glance, both seeing wariness in each other's eyes.

"Take me to see it."

Shi Wanxia struggled to get up, and Cui Zhihao quickly helped her up: "Your injuries haven't healed yet, so His Highness the Crown Prince and I can go. You stay here and keep in touch."

Zhao Hu also reassured him, "Lord Shi, rest assured, we will investigate carefully and report any findings immediately."

The group left in a hurry, leaving Shi Wanxia standing alone in front of the map, her fingertips icy cold.

The floodwaters had just receded when an epidemic broke out; this was too strange.

She thought of Yuan Xiaomiao and Wang Qinian. Since she returned to Chuzhou, the two of them had stayed in the city under the guise of "assisting in disaster relief," but they were acting strangely and repeatedly obstructed her from checking the grain and fodder accounts.

"Shiqing".

Shi Wanxia called out, "Go and check Yuan Xiaomiao and Wang Qinian's whereabouts in the past few days, especially whether they have had any contact with the resettlement shed in the south of the city."

Shi Qing accepted the order and left. Shi Wanxia sat down again and carefully reviewed the past files.

She noticed that a batch of medicinal herbs had disappeared after being stored in the warehouse half a month ago. The registration record stated that the herbs were "damaged by dampness," and the person who signed the confirmation was Wang Qinian.

Among those medicinal herbs were several key ingredients for treating highly contagious diseases.

The unease in her heart grew stronger, and Shi Wanxia picked up her pen and wrote a secret letter, instructing her confidant to send it to the capital by fast horse, requesting the Imperial Hospital to send a master of epidemic prevention to provide assistance.

She had a vague feeling that this sudden "epidemic" was probably not as simple as a natural disaster.

When Shen Yanzhou and Cui Zhihao arrived at the resettlement shed in the south of the city, the atmosphere there was already extremely panicked.

The number of patients continued to increase, and cries of pain rose and fell. Some people began to pack their belongings and tried to escape, but were stopped by the yamen runners.

"His Royal Highness!"

The captain in charge of guarding the area rushed forward, saying, "If this continues, things might get out of hand!"

Shen Yanzhou said in a deep voice: "Pass on my order to immediately seal off the resettlement sheds and strictly prohibit anyone from entering or leaving. Select another secluded open space to build an isolation area, transfer all patients, and temporarily isolate and observe anyone who has been in contact with patients."

"Cui Zhihao, take your men to inventory all the supplies in the shed area, especially the medicines and food, and see if there are any abnormalities."

The two divided their tasks: Shen Yanzhou personally went to the isolation area to check on the patients, while Cui Zhihao led the yamen runners to carefully search the resettlement sheds.

Just as Cui Zhihao was inspecting an abandoned thatched shed, he suddenly discovered several men in black hiding in the corner, secretly sprinkling some powdery substance into a water tank.

"What are you doing?!"

Cui Zhihao shouted and drew his sword from his waist.

Seeing that things were going badly, the man in black immediately drew his sword.

Although Cui Zhihao's martial arts skills were not weak, his opponents outnumbered him and were ruthless, with each move aimed directly at vital points.

During the struggle, Cui Zhihao was stabbed in the shoulder, and blood instantly stained his clothes. He fought back two men in black with all his might, but found that the powder they had scattered turned into a strange bluish-black color when it came into contact with water.

"It's poison!"

Choi Ji-ho was startled and was about to call for help when a man in black attacked from behind covered his mouth and nose with a sleeping potion. He lost consciousness as soon as everything went black.

On the other side, Shen Yanzhou had just finished examining the patients in the isolation area and was discussing their conditions with the medical officer when he suddenly heard the sound of weapons clashing outside.

He strode out of the tent and saw several men in black carrying the unconscious Cui Zhihao away, while the guards had been knocked to the ground.

"Put the person down!"

Shen Yanzhou roared and drew his sword to meet the attack. The men in black were clearly prepared; two of them engaged Shen Yanzhou, while the others, along with Cui Zhihao, took advantage of the chaos to break through the encirclement.

Shen Yanzhou was highly skilled in martial arts, but his opponent seemed to know his moves inside and out and cooperated perfectly, making it difficult for him to break free for a while.

At this critical moment, an arrow pierced the air and accurately struck the wrist of the man in black who was holding Cui Zhihao hostage.

Zhao Hu arrived just in time with the Imperial Guards and the government office guards, shouting loudly, "Lord Shi has ordered that His Highness the Crown Prince and Lord Cui be rescued!"