The plague, the one everyone feared the most, had truly arrived.
The Prince, leading his guards, completely sealed off the area at the village entrance.
Villagers cried and wailed. For the entire morning, the village seemed to have fallen into complete darkness.
The shadow of death loomed over everyone.
Only Chu Qianli remained composed, calmly arranging everything.
"The villagers are causing quite a stir. I'd like to see what this princess is capable of to truly quell the public's anger."
Compared to the chaos outside, Lan Fan's room was incredibly serene and comfortable.
After Chu Minghao ordered a pot of tea, he watched Lan Fan leisurely savor it.
However, despite this, a hint of undisguised unease flickered across Chu Minghao's brows.
Lan Fan seemed lost in thought. After a couple of sips of tea, Chu Minghao lost his appetite entirely. He quickly walked to the door and opened it.
"My Lord Prince..."
"Do not approach!" Chu Minghao said sternly.
The guards quickly retreated to their positions and bowed, asking, "My Lord Prince, what are your orders?"
"Dispatch another dozen guards to firmly secure this courtyard for me. Do not allow any villagers to come near, understand?"
"But... but my Lord Prince, our men have been reassigned by Deputy General Xi from the Princess's side."
"What?" Chu Minghao's expression changed instantly. "When did this happen!"
He had only been in the room drinking tea for a while, and the guards outside the courtyard had already been moved by that crazy woman, Chu Qianli?
Without those people for protection, what if some villagers broke in?
They were all carrying the poison of the plague!
If he accidentally contracted it, it would be a matter of life and death in minutes.
"It was just now..." the guard whispered, lowering his head. "My... My Lord Prince, over there... I heard they were severely short-handed, and Deputy General Xi said that even subordinates like us... we might have to go help at any moment."
"He dares!" Chu Minghao was truly starting to panic now.
If Chu Qianli, that crazy woman, really demanded people, he would have no reason to refuse.
If he refused, and the matter got out, it would definitely cause his father, the King, to lose all public support.
"Mr. Lan, what... what should we do now?" After closing the door, Chu Minghao immediately sought Lan Fan's counsel.
"My Lord Prince represents King Yu. When the common people are in distress, you naturally must do everything you can to help. Otherwise, wouldn't that be losing public support for King Yu?"
Lan Fan glanced at him indifferently. "Even if Chu Qianli didn't ask you, you should have taken the initiative to help."
"I... I naturally understand that, but..."
Chu Minghao was at a loss for words.
As a man of stature, was he supposed to admit that he was afraid of the plague?
But he truly was afraid!
This was no laughing matter. Every plague in the past had resulted in many deaths!
It didn't matter if you were a martial arts master or a fearsome general on the battlefield; if you contracted the plague, you would die!
Chu Qianli's recklessness was her own business, but he, as the Crown Prince, had the imperial throne to inherit in the future. He could not afford to have an accident.
"Mr. Lan, it's not that I'm afraid of dying, it's just... it's just... I still have many things to resolve for my father. I..."
Lan Fan glanced at him indifferently.
Despite having more to say, Chu Minghao couldn't continue.
Finally, he said in a low voice, "Mr. Lan, I don't want to die. Please think of a way for me. In the future, I will definitely repay you!"