Song Qingchao dared to act this way precisely because she understood Feng Shaocheng so well.
The Emperor wanted the epidemic to stop. Killing was one way, but saving them was another.
Although implicitly permitted to kill them all, if the acting official saved them and achieved the goal, it would be a great merit.
She firmly believed Feng Shaocheng would agree to her proposal.
Her wrist was suddenly grabbed.
Song Qingchao stumbled, her foot catching her skirt.
She then leaned towards him.
"Shaocheng?"
She placed a hand on Feng Shaocheng's shoulder, trying to maintain a distance.
Bai Youan was right behind her; she didn't want to cause any unnecessary misunderstandings.
And, she truly found him disgusting…
"Is the special medicine Sister Chao mentioned really effective?"
See, just as she had thought.
"It is. Eighty percent of the recovered in the city have already healed, and the rest will soon follow."
"I always believe what Sister Chao says, but..." Feng Shaocheng smiled, his tone of absolute certainty, "The Emperor has given me a deadline. If I can't resolve this within a month, I will be the one to face the consequences. Sister Chao, you wouldn't bear to see me die, would you?"
Song Qingchao suppressed the chill, ignoring his fingers rubbing against her wrist. "I am doing this for your own good."
"Oh?"
"One month is enough time. Furthermore, saving the lives of tens of thousands in these few cities would be a great act of merit, which would surely benefit your future career."
Feng Shaocheng sighed with a smile. "It's not that I don't trust Sister Chao, but if I do this, it would be defying the imperial decree. Unless..."
Song Qingchao shivered.
After two months, how had Feng Shaocheng become so sinister?
"Unless what?" she swallowed and then asked softly.
"Unless you return to Chang'an with me, I will not take such a risk."
Song Qingchao met his deep gaze. "What if I refuse?"
"If you refuse, then I will obey the decree and burn down Feng County."
Song Qingchao felt the grip on her wrist tighten.
She tried to pull her hand away with a smile, but was met with an even more frantic tug.
"Shaocheng! I need to consider it!"
She closed her eyes and bumped into Feng Shaocheng's chest, her nose stinging and her head swimming.
"Consider?"
Feng Shaocheng's sickly voice echoed from above, the sound vibrating through her bones and making Song Qingchao's ears go numb.
"Then come back with me to consider."
With that,
Song Qingchao was scooped up by Feng Shaocheng.
He didn't give her any chance to speak.
As she struggled, Song Qingchao twisted her head to stare at the line of sight watching her from behind the large door.
It was over…
She could already imagine Bai Youan's reaction.
Seeing the door gradually open and the person emerging from within.
Song Qingchao could no longer feign weakness.
She jumped out of Feng Shaocheng's arms and tried to run back, explaining as she did, "I think it would be better to go back and consider!"
She hadn't taken two steps before
"Swish swish swish," a rain of arrows fell from the sky.
The arrows were also burning fiercely.
Soon, they formed a natural fiery dragon in the middle.
"Sister Chao, if you take another step forward, these arrows will be aimed at the city walls."
Song Qingchao: "..."
She retreated, turning to look at Feng Shaocheng.
He stood with his hands behind his back, smiling heartily, completely oblivious to how cruel his words were.
As if to declare his ownership, Feng Shaocheng stepped forward, grabbed Song Qingchao, and pulled her to his side.
His slightly pointed chin tilted up. "Isn't this your fiancé? Still alive."
Bai Youan, facing the flames, had a cold expression. He twitched his lips. "Don't hurt her."
"Heh." Feng Shaocheng smiled gently, but the next moment, he picked Song Qingchao up. "Release the arrows."
"Shaocheng!" Song Qingchao called out to him nervously, no longer daring to struggle.
Who knew what this madman would do?
"Don't be afraid, you know I won't hurt you."
She turned her head to see Bai Youan dodging arrows and charging forward through the flames, shaking her head disapprovingly.
She believed Bai Youan would understand her meaning.
Bai Youan indeed stopped obediently.
He just wished he could crush the fan in his hand.
She stood before the burning inferno, watching Song Qingchao being taken away, powerless to intervene.
He couldn't gamble the lives of an entire city.
From any perspective, clashing with the army was the most unwise choice.
But this didn't mean he would let Feng Shaocheng take Song Qingchao away!
Only when Song Qingchao was no longer visible did Bai Youan turn and head back into the city.
He had heard the entire conversation clearly.
Although the timeline had shifted, he had sent out the prescription earlier. Logically, even if the Chang family had spread the virus, they should have been quickly treated and it shouldn't have been severe enough to alarm Chang'an.
And now, the timing of the fire had not been missed, but rather advanced, meaning there was a problem with his own people during the execution.
He knew what had happened, but he still couldn't believe it.
With that person's intelligence, how could he not have guessed such an outcome?
The door opened.
Bai Youan stepped inside.
Chang Pinghe walked towards him, asking anxiously about Song Qingchao's condition.
He had already donned his armor, with a white sash tied around his left arm, closest to his heart.
Bai Youan replied, "It's fine."
He then instructed, "Tell everyone not to panic, just live their lives normally. The troops outside are here for support. Once everyone has recovered, they will withdraw."
Chang Pinghe mused for a moment and agreed.
He believed Song Qingchao had the ability to bring the dead back to life.
Besides, Bai Youan had said so.
"Is there anything else I need to do?"
"Leave us the medicinal herbs we need. Pack the rest and send them out tonight at the Chen hour."
"Alright," Chang Pinghe agreed readily. "Will this help exchange for Miss Song's return?"
Bai Youan held his fan, a smile on his face.
"Don't worry, she'll be fine."
Fine meant that he would not let that young man Feng Shaocheng off the hook!
As night fell.
He, who had always worn white, had changed into night-traveling clothes.
He went alone to the army encamped outside the city walls.
During the day, he had stood on the city tower, observing their movements.
Feng Shaocheng entered and exited the central tent the most.
He avoided the patrolling soldiers and made his way towards the center.
Feng Shaocheng had been diverted by Chang Pinghe, who was delivering medicine.
This was enough time for him to rescue Song Qingchao.
He knew Song Qingchao's objective and was certain she wouldn't be harmed, but he simply didn't want Song Qingchao to be with that Feng Shaocheng.
He couldn't explain why.
He just didn't want it, and he was unhappy.
In his excitement, Bai Youan was almost discovered, but he reacted quickly.
But why was that Feng Shaocheng still here!?
Damn it!