The Lucky Heiress

“These past few days, many people within the Taizhou prefecture have fallen ill. They mainly show one set of symptoms: fever, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Serious cases lapse into a coma. Doctors in the Government City and from our house have seen them and prescribed medicine, but there hasn’t been noticeable improvement,” Madam Yuan described.

Upon hearing this, Wei Ruo quickly asked, “Does this disease exhibit signs of person-to-person transmission? Like, do people around those who have contracted this disease also show the same symptoms after a short time?”

“It seems there is such a situation…” Madam Yuan described.

Wei Ruo’s heart sank as she realized the seriousness of the issue.

“Madam, where are these patients currently?” Wei Ruo asked, her demeanor serious, a sense of urgency in her eyes.

“Most of them are in their homes,” Madame Yuan explained.

“Madam, please take me to the nearest patient. I need to diagnose them in person,” Wei Ruo said.

“But I’m afraid that you might contract the disease…”

“Without diagnosing in person, it’s hard to prescribe accurate treatment. If we’re afraid of transmission, I can’t cure people,” Wei Ruo says.

“Then, I will accompany you,” Madam Yuan declared.

“Madam, you still have to take care of little Shen. It’s inappropriate for you to take risks, just send someone to take me there,” Wei Ruo said.

Of course, Wei Ruo wouldn’t dare let Madam Yuan take such risks, not to mention her son who was less than a year old, who also faces potential infection. Moreover, Madam Yuan’s unique status should prevent her from going into risky situations.

“But Ruo’er, what about you…”

“Madam, rest assured, my medical skills are competent. I won’t let myself be harmed easily,” Wei Ruo reassured her.

Hearing this, Madam Yuan seized Wei Ruo’s hand, thanking her gratefully, “We are relying on you now!”

“Please don’t worry, Madam, as a member of the Taizhou prefecture, I also don’t want to see countless innocent civilians die untimely deaths,” Wei Ruo said.

Seeing Wei Ruo’s firm expression, Madam Yuan’s heart stirred, “Ruo’er, you are the most extraordinary woman I have ever known. If you were a man, you’d have a place on the royal council.”

This world has many constraints for women, even for Princess Jingmin, who is pampered by her royal father, she too can’t escape this reality.

“For things that I can’t change, I don’t waste time thinking about them. What I do is what I can change. Whether I am a woman or a man won’t prevent me from following my heart,” Wei Ruo said.

“Alright, I’ll have Qingyi go with you now. Anything you need, you can tell Qingyi, and have her take care of it,” Madam Yuan said.

As she said this, Madam Yuan took off the jade pendant she wore and placed it in Wei Ruo’s hand: “This is my token, whoever sees this token could regard it as if they saw me. Ruo’er, keep it, it will help you. I am asking for your help in this matter, and you are taking risks for the people on my behalf. I owe you a favor.”

“Madam, we’U talkabout this later, let’s go see the patients first,” Wei Ruo said.

Without wasting any more words, Madam Yuan immediately ordered her underlings to lead Wei Ruo to the home of the nearest patient.

Aside from her personal maid, Qingyi, Madam Yuan also arranged for six escorts for Wei Ruo, to ensure her safety.

###

At the Military Prefecture, in the Welcome Bamboo Garden.

“Young Master, regarding the outside news, we haven’t received any news about the seventh prince yet. But something else has happened in the city, many people have fallen ill. The situation in Government City is on the verge of chaos,” Xiaobei reported to Wei Jinyi about the latest news relayed by Ke Chongshan.

“Has Miss returned after being taken by the Magistrate?” Wei Jinyi asked.

Even though he wasn’t sure why Madam Yuan would want Wei Ruo at this time, Wei Jinyi expected it was related to the recent events.

“Not yet,” Xiaobei answered.

Wei Jinyi frowned slightly.

“Young Master, are you worried that Madam Yuan asked Miss Wei Ruo to do something? It seems unlikely, the current mess outside, Miss Wei Ruo wouldn’t be able to help much. She is good at farming, it won’t be a good timing to show her skills until next spring. Now that Madam Yuan asked her over, it’s probably for a chat to pass the time,” Xiaobei said.

“Not necessarily,” Wei Jinyi responded, ” Send a message telling Ke Chongshan and the others not to bother searching for the whereabouts of the seventh prince these next few days. They should stay home safe, and we will discuss further when the new year has passed.”

“Then I will go right now,” Xiaobei hurriedly proceeded to carry out the order.

###

In Wangmei Garden.

Hearing that Wei Ruo was picked up by the carriage sent by Madam Yuan and taken to the prefecture’s office, and had not returned by this time, Cuihe couldn’t help but grumble to Wei Qingwan:

“The eldest miss is really capable, I don’t know what kind of spell she has cast on Madam Yuan to make her like her so much that she called her to her residence even during the holiday.”

“Perhaps it’s just because my sister’s temperament suits Madam Yuan’s taste, that is her ability,” Wei Qingwan said.

“Speaking of abilities, I think you, Young Mistress, are more capable than she is. She can only farm and cook some dishes, none of these are the skills a proper lady should possess. She has no skill in zither, chess, calligraphy or painting,” Cuihe said.

“There’s no use complaining about this. Even if I had more chances to showcase these skills, Madam Yuan might still prefer my sister’s way. What can I do?” Wei Qingwan said.

“I don’t know. I just feel it’sunfair for you, Young Mistress.”

“Let’s not discuss this anymore, go prepare the new year’s things. Mother is waiting to use them,” Wei Qingwan said.

Wei Qingwan and Cuihe continued to help Mrs. Yun with the tasks around the house.

###

Wei Ruo went to the home of a female tutor in a little alley next to the prefecture’s office. The female tutor and her maid had both contracted the disease, and the symptoms appeared to be the same.

After Wei Ruo finished diagnosing the tutor and her maid, she came out from the room.

Qingyi, who awaited outside the door, cautiously asked about the situation: “Miss Wei, how is it?”

“It’s pneumonia, they need immediate medication. This disease is somewhat contagious, so you shouldn’t enter the room,” Wei Ruo said.

“Contagious? Is it an epidemic? Is the entire Taizhou prefecture in danger?”

The faces of Qingyi and the guards standing behind her turned pale immediately.

If it turns out to be a plague, the problem will be severe.

In the event of a plague at this juncture, the Taizhou prefecture will likely be filled with corpses!

“Don’t panic yet. It won’t necessarily spread to the whole Taizhou prefecture. Based on the current results, the infection rate of the disease isn’t high. We can keep it under control with immediate measures,” Wei Ruo responded.

Before treating the sick tutor and her maid, Wei Ruo asked about the situation of the people who have been in contact with them and evaluated the infectivity of the disease.

So far, only older people in poorer health have died, whereas robust youngsters largely only display some symptoms, with no fatal cases to date.

The tutor and her maid she had just examined were not old. The tutor was in her thirties and her sixteen-year-old maid presented milder symptoms due to her young age and more physical activity in her day-to-day life.

“Now, what should we do?” Qingyi asked.