Chapter 290: Chapter 290: Can We Wait?

Looking at the Undying Poison Doctor, who was glaring with puffed cheeks, the three of them: “…”

Xia Wenjin, in a good-tempered manner, said, “Alright, alright, I’m old, but Master is in the prime of life, young and strong, not afraid of getting hurt!”

“That’s more like it!” The Undying Poison Doctor snorted, stroking his small mink, and said, “I love a lively event the most. If the whole Wangshan Town becomes a roasting pan, it must be quite a sight. How could I miss such excitement?”

Hearing this, Shang Jingwang’s face turned pale.

Xia Wenjin rolled her eyes, thinking the old man’s words were always so offensive. She deliberately provoked him: “Aren’t you afraid that you’ll also be a little chick on this roasting pan?”

The Undying Poison Doctor proudly said, “That Northern County Magistrate hasn’t got the skills yet. If he ticks me off, those five thousand stationed troops aren’t worth squat, I’d wipe them out just like that!”

Xia Wenjin: “…”

Better not provoke the crazy old man; he indeed has the capabilities, but doing so would only make things more chaotic.

She smiled good-naturedly, saying, “Don’t worry. Master, you’re a hermit sage. Even if they had the guts of a lion, they wouldn’t dare to oppose you. Master, you should take good care of your little mink—it’s over half a month old now, and if you don’t find some food for it soon, it’ll run away from home!”

The Undying Poison Doctor cherished his little mink and left immediately.

Huangfu Jingchen shook his head and laughed.

Shang Jingwang still had a pale face: “Doctor Xia, this… Mr. Poison Doctor…”

Xia Wenjin laughed, “My master’s staying here is our last line of defense. If things become truly unmanageable, I’ll ask for his help!”

Shang Jingwang said hesitantly: “Will he listen?”

Mr. Poison Doctor is such an independent and unique person, and he doesn’t really care about the lives of the people in Wangshan Town. He’s come to terms with life and death a long time ago.

Xia Wenjin confidently said, “Don’t worry! I have a way! Besides, it may not even come to that point! Let’s proceed according to plan and do what needs to be done!”

Seeing Xia Wenjin’s confidence, Shang Jingwang felt hopeful and immediately got involved in the epidemic relief with meticulous planning. With his many years of local governance and anti-banditry experience, he didn’t miss a thing. He was treating the epidemic like eliminating bandits!

Huangfu Jingchen sent Xia Wenjin back to the quarantine zone. On the way, Huangfu Jingchen looked at Xia Wenjin and finally voiced what he had been thinking: “Wenjin, your illness is cured. Let me take you out tonight under the cover of darkness. If things become unmanageable tomorrow, and with your health still weak, it’ll be very dangerous!”

Xia Wenjin shook her head and smiled, “I’m staying behind to save the people of Wangshan Town. Our initial efforts have been quite effective by directly isolating the infected, successfully controlling the spread of the epidemic. From the discovery of the epidemic until now, nearly two months, less than half of Wangshan Town’s people are infected, and there’s hope for curing the epidemic now, which is the result of our hard work. Even if I were to leave, it should be after the Imperial Physician from the Capital City takes over!”

“Can we really wait for the Imperial Physician from the Capital City to take over?” Huangfu Jingchen wasn’t being pessimistic, but Grandpa was always busy, and a delay in any part of the process could affect the outcome.

Whether Grandpa would immediately dispatch the Imperial Physician upon seeing the memorial, even he wasn’t sure. If they weren’t dispatched, or were dispatched too late while Yu Shikui arrived early, then the Imperial Physician might only see scorched earth and ashes when they arrived!

Xia Wenjin didn’t respond, as she knew all the efforts Huangfu Jingchen made, but she also understood that while man proposes, heaven disposes; they’ve put in their efforts, and the outcome depends on destiny.

She glanced slightly sideways and saw the young man’s side profile. Originally a youthful, high-spirited figure in brocade clothes, due to the epidemic, his daily struggles added a bit more steadiness and solemnity to him, seemingly matured a lot.

This version of Huang Zheng, compassionate and responsible.

She guessed he came from an extraordinary background with a life of luxury; initially, she had no feelings about such people, thinking they were just born lucky. However, after prolonged contact and seeing his conduct and character, she ended up appreciating him.

A young master from a rich family, accustomed to a comfortable life, living and eating with the villagers in Wangshan Town with no discomfort despite the humble food.

Seeking doctors and medicine, paying out of his own pocket, coordinating with Shang Jingwang’s overall plan, displaying both wisdom and bravery.

He constantly ran around, looking for the County Magistrate, finding the Prefect, faced with cold receptions and rejections, yet still managed to achieve his goals using his methods.

In him, there’s no arrogance typical of a noble son, only a compassion that embraces the world. He speaks with the villagers in a kind and warm manner as if he were one of their sons, brothers, or elder brothers…

The villagers liked him very much, and he earnestly worked for their welfare.

His efforts for the people of Wangshan Town indeed made Xia Wenjin see him in a new light.

Huangfu Jingchen’s words were somewhat pessimistic because the situation was indeed like this. Xia Wenjin looked at him and said, “As you told Shang Jingwang, tonight is the last chance to leave!”

Huangfu Jingchen turned his head, meeting her gaze directly, his eyes filled with determination: “We haven’t reached the point of utter despair. Until the last moment, no one knows what the outcome will be! We’ve decided to stay, not scared away by the epidemic. Why should we now, when we are about to resolve it, get scared away by the Government instead? If we leave, the people of Wangshan Town would be left even more hopeless.”

“But… there might be death!”

“A great man knows what to do and what not to do. If I die because of this, I think my mother could accept it.” Huangfu Jingchen smiled a bit, feeling a hint of homesickness for his father, mother, and siblings!

The two exchanged a glance, eyes reflecting a bit of helplessness towards reality, but more importantly, determination, putting life and death aside, genuinely putting their heart into helping the people of Wangshan Town.

Everything was understood without words.

The night was chilly with a faint breeze, no stars or moonlight.

Huangfu Jingchen, with familiarity, left from a previously weakened defense area.

Still finding a soldier in a hidden spot, he knocked him unconscious, took his clothes, and avoided the guards, heading towards Wen Hao’s military tent.

It was already the hour of the pig, and Wen Hao hadn’t slept yet, playing chess with his military strategist.

The military strategist made a move and smiled, “Sir, I won this round by luck!”

Wen Hao tossed the chess piece in his hand into the chess box, saying idly, “Enough, I’ve lost three games in a row, no more playing.”

The military strategist smiled, “Sir, your mind is elsewhere, unable to give your all, giving me an advantage.”

Wen Hao said, “We’ll play next time! You should go rest!”

The military strategist stood up, saying, “Sir, you don’t need to be worried; Lord Yu has already made a decision. This is a significant matter, and you just need to cooperate well. After the event is successful, Lord Yu certainly won’t forget your contributions!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep