Chapter 213 - Chapter 213: Chapter 213 They All Misunderstood l (1/2)
Chapter 213: Chapter 213 They All Misunderstood l
Translator: 549690339 I
On the eighth day of the Lunar New Year, the medicinal herbs arrived at last, having been transported in three large carts by people dispatched by Lady Yuan.
Having received the herbs, everyone could not help but rejoice. The entire courtyard filled with the strong scent of herbs.
No one perceived this odor as unpleasant, because it represented hope.
Pots of herbal medicine were then sent out from the courtyard to the homes of every patient.
Meanwhile, Wei Ruo once again sent a message to Lady Yuan, requesting the Government Office to conduct a door-to-door census of the sick, ensuring that no patient was overlooked.
Since the disease was infectious, a single overlooked case could cause an endless array of problems.
Fortunately, due to the heavy snowfall and the general fear of the plague, most of the city’s citizens chose to stay indoors. This substantially reduced the large-scale spread of the plague during this period.
The bodies of all deceased patients, their worn clothes, and some personal items needed to be promptly incinerated by staff dispatched by the Government Office. The ashes could then be returned to the families.
After receiving Wei Ruo’s letter, Lady Yuan promptly informed her husband, Yuan Zhengqin, and arranged for the necessary measures to be taken.
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The tenth day of the Lunar New Year.
Wei Ruo had not yet returned to the Military Prefecture.
Madam Yun had given Wei Ruo plenty of allowance, but there were limits. Even if invited to spend the New Year at someone else’s house, propriety dictated that Wei Ruo couldn’t stay away until the tenth day of the Lunar New Year without any communication.
So, Madam Yun decided to send Jing Hu to the Yuan Residence to inquire about the situation.
When Wei Yichen found out about this, he once again insisted on bringing Wei Ruo back home himself.
“Mother, the Yuan Residence is not like other households, it is more prudent for me to go in person.”
If a servant was sent and failed to handle the matter properly, it could have left a bad impression on the Yuan family.
They were of lower status compared to the influential Yuan, and even during extraordinary times, they should respect their superiors and not abandon courtesy.
Concluding that his reasoning was sound, and considering that the situation seemed to be improving these few days with many families beginning to emerge from their homes, Madam Yun agreed with Wei Yichen.
“You go straight there and come straight back. Do not delay on the way. Take the carriage and don’t ride a horse, to avoid contact with others.”
“Understood,” replied Wei Yichen.
Wei Yichen then left promptly, taking a horse carriage as Madam Yun had suggested.
The servant driving the carriage had a handkerchief covering half of his face, which was a preventive measure recommended by the Government Office to avoid contagion from the plague. Though people did not understand the rationale, they adopted the practice faithfully.
Upon reaching the side gate of the Yuan Residence, Wei Yichen informed the guard of his purpose, and the guard asked him to wait.
A short while later, the guard returned with a message from Lady Yuan.