CHAPTER 8

The Plants Are More Expensive

When Yu Linlang followed the two matrons, several girls from the provincial governor's house were hurriedly embracing their mistress and crying.

At first, Yu Linlang thought the lady had died, and she wailed in grief. But when she checked her pulse, she realized the lady was fine.

Upon closer inspection, a strange expression appeared on Yu Linlang's face.

"Miss has a noble constitution, and her body is losing heat due to exposure to the cold wind. This is normal. If a person's body does not have time to adjust to the external cold, symptoms such as fever, headache, and muscle soreness may appear."

She gently pressed several points on Miss Li's abdomen. When the young lady groaned in pain, Yu Linlang continued, "Her lips are dry and pale, and the cold has penetrated her body. The wind chill has caused abdominal pain and yin deficiency. The lady is already weak and should not be left in this open space. Wrap her in more quilts to induce sweating."

A maid approached, carrying a bowl of hot ginger soup. Yu Linlang glanced at her and asked, "How many bowls has she had?"

"This is the third bowl. Is something wrong?"

"Ginger soup dispels cold, warms the stomach, and promotes blood circulation. However, excessive consumption can be harmful in this condition. Moderation is key."

The maid frowned and glanced at the older woman beside her.

The elderly woman, understanding the situation, smiled and said, "Miss Yu, could you prescribe a remedy for my lady?"

Yu Linlang shook her head. "Miss Li is stable. Once she returns to the city, she can visit a common medical hall to get some herbal decoctions. Since I have no medicine with me, I will not trouble myself unnecessarily."

"I wonder if Miss Yu is skilled in acupuncture? I have heard that experienced doctors can relieve severe pain through acupuncture."

Yu Linlang's expression remained calm. "Acupuncture must not be administered recklessly. In your lady's case, it is not yet critical. If something were to go wrong, would you take responsibility?"

The old woman forced a smile and said, "Then, in your opinion, what should my lady do now?"

"If the wind and snow persist, she must be kept warm. It is best to enter the city as soon as possible."

The old woman looked at the falling snow, then stepped forward and tightly wrapped Miss Li San's cloak around her. She hesitated before speaking again. "Miss Yu, I wonder if you could lend us your carriage?"

"You have seen for yourself—my lady is kind-hearted and gave her carriage to the poor and hungry. But in this severe cold, her illness worsens. If you are willing, could my lady share your carriage for a night or two?"

"We would not trouble you too much. We will even assist with your daily needs."

Yu Linlang looked at her and shook her head. "I'm afraid that's not possible. You saw earlier—my carriage is already full, and there is no space left."

Seeing that Yu Linlang was about to leave, the old woman grew desperate and called out, "Why can't you make room? Just move those potted plants outside!"

Jiujin, standing nearby, rolled his eyes.

"Oh, Miss Yu, flowers and plants are common. When we return to Weizhou Prefecture City, our madam can compensate you with as many as you like. But for now, shouldn't you be kind enough to help our lady? Surely, those ordinary flowers aren't more valuable than my third lady's life?"

Hearing this, Yu Linlang nodded seriously. "That's true."

The old woman opened her mouth, stunned. "Ah?"

"I take great care in raising my plants. Some of them are one of a kind," Yu Linlang said expressionlessly. "Compared to your third lady, my plants are indeed more valuable."

"What's more, it was your lady who gave up her carriage, and you, as her servants, failed to dissuade her. If anything happens to her, it is you who will bear the punishment. What does that have to do with me?"

"I encountered you by chance and treated your lady out of kindness. But now you expect more from me? Is this the kind of upbringing that the provincial governor's household instills?"

The maids from the provincial governor's house fumed with anger but could do nothing as Yu Linlang and her servant left without hesitation.

Madam Hu, nursing her swollen face, stepped forward. Her eyes held barely restrained anger. "Girl, you really shouldn't offend the officials of the provincial governor's office. Do you realize that the master's annual evaluation relies heavily on Governor Li's opinion?"

"Your delay in treating the lady of the Provincial Magistrate's Mansion will bring serious consequences for our master…"

Yu Linlang cast her a glance before boarding the carriage, not bothering to explain.

Jiujin lowered the curtain. Then, turning his head, he gave Madam Hu a cold look. She instinctively took a step back.

"You—what do you intend to do?" Madam Hu stammered, her face paling.

She was truly afraid that this girl would raise her fist again. Even now, her face ached.

"Don't disturb the girl's rest. If you don't want another beating, keep your head down and leave." Jiujin pulled a firestick from his back, weighing it in his hand. Seeing this, Madam Hu and the others scattered like frightened birds.

When Madam Hu and her companions finally climbed onto an ox cart, the girls whispered among themselves, their faces pale.

"That girl is truly heartless."

"Not just that—she's completely impervious to pleading," Madam Hu murmured, shivering. "She's ruthless."

Her eyes earlier had been chilling—like she was looking at a corpse. It sent shivers down Madam Hu's spine.

This Miss Yu… she was terrifying.

Since the desperate Hongwei had been taken away, Madam Hu felt that everything had gone completely off-course from what her mistress had planned.

The situation now seemed entirely under Miss Yu's control. Many times, Madam Hu and the others dared not speak against her.

Fortunately, the journey over the next two days was smooth, though their pace slowed when they got caught among waves of refugees.

General Zhao and his men followed the road, ensuring their safety.

As they neared Weizhou Prefecture City, more porridge and medicine shops appeared along the way.

The snow had stopped, leaving the air damp and cold.

Yu Linlang lifted the carriage curtain and gazed at the towering city walls in the distance.

Weizhou Prefecture City had finally arrived.

Outside the walls, hundreds of wooden relief shelters were set up, offering refuge to the displaced.

Huddled inside were starving people—faces pale and gaunt, their bodies trembling, eyes filled with despair.

Yu Linlang lowered her eyes and let the curtain fall.

The carriage shook as it moved forward but soon came to a halt, blocked by a crowd.

Jiujin lifted the curtain slightly and turned to Yu Linlang. "Miss, there's a large gathering ahead. It looks like something has happened."

Yu Linlang held his hand and stepped out of the carriage. The cries of men and women filled the air.

"The baby was only five months old! You quack doctors misled us—misled us!"

"Huichuntang is too careless! We demand an explanation!"

Yu Linlang descended from the carriage with Jiujin's support.

Madam Hu rushed forward to stop her. "Miss, there are too many people. We should stay away."

Yu Linlang merely said, "Move forward."