From cute to empress

Chapter 159 The Truth About the Epidemic

My consciousness gradually blurred, and I heard Zhen Youcai's anxious cry: "Mengmeng! Mengmeng, what's wrong with you!"

I tried to open my eyes, but found my eyelids were heavy as if filled with lead. In a daze, I felt someone gently holding me up, and then a warm breath enveloped me.

"Don't worry, she's just exhausted. She'll be fine after a rest." Doctor Sun's voice came from the side, with a hint of fatigue, but also full of calmness.

I slowly opened my eyes and found myself lying on the bed in the village chief's house. Zhen Youcai was sitting beside the bed, looking at me with concern.

"You're awake! How do you feel? Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere?" He asked hurriedly when he saw me wake up.

I shook my head gently and struggled to sit up, but Zhen Youcai held my shoulders and said, "Don't move. Get some rest."

"I'm fine, how's the robber?" I asked.

"They've all been driven away, don't worry." Zhen Youcai said softly, "Thanks to you. If you hadn't shown up in time, we really wouldn't know what to do."

I looked around and saw the villagers gathered around the window, their eyes filled with gratitude and admiration. My heart warmed, knowing that everything I had done was worth it.

"Fellow villagers, thanks to Her Majesty the Empress and all the gentlemen, we were able to escape this danger." The village chief stepped forward and bowed deeply to the crowd. "We can't just sit there and wait for death. We must do our part to protect our home!"

"Yes! Protect our home!" the villagers shouted in unison, their voices full of power.

"Doctor Sun, now all the herbs have been collected. As for the epidemic..." I looked at Doctor Sun, my eyes full of anticipation.

Doctor Sun nodded, a serious look on his face. "I've already started researching these herbs. I'm sure I'll find a cure soon."

For the next few days, I stayed in the village to recover from my injuries, and Zhen Youcai stayed by my side every step of the way. The villagers also spontaneously organized themselves to help Dr. Sun collect herbs and care for the patients.

Looking at this busy and orderly scene, my heart is filled with hope. I believe that as long as we unite as one, we will be able to defeat the epidemic and rebuild our home!

One evening, Dr. Sun came running into my room, his face brimming with excitement, holding a herb with tiny purple flowers in his hand. "Eureka! I've found a cure for this epidemic!"

"Really?!" I excitedly grabbed Dr. Sun's hand. His hands were as rough as tree bark from years of collecting herbs and making medicine, but at that moment, they made me feel incredibly warm and strong. "Dr. Sun, you are truly our savior!"

Divine Doctor Sun stroked his beard, his face showing fatigue, but more of a sense of relief. "I dare not take credit for this. This is all thanks to Your Majesty! If it weren't for your persistence in finding herbs, I wouldn't have been able to develop this treatment."

I shook my head and looked out the window at the villagers rushing back and forth to collect herbs. Some carried backpacks, others carried baskets. Their faces were filled with a desire to defeat the epidemic. "It is only through unity that we can overcome this disaster."

"Your Majesty is right." Divine Doctor Sun pulled a cloth bag from his medicine chest and unwrapped it layer by layer. Inside were dried purple flowers that exuded a faint fragrance. "This herb is called 'Purple Heart Grass'. It grows high on mountain cliffs and is extremely rare. After several days of experiments, I have determined that combining Purple Heart Grass with several other herbs can effectively suppress the spread of the epidemic and cure those infected."

"What are we waiting for? Let's publish this prescription right away so that more people can get treatment!" I said as I was about to stand up, but Zhen Youcai gently held me down.

"Mengmeng, you haven't fully recovered yet, so let me take care of these things." He looked at me gently, his eyes full of heartache. "Don't worry, I will personally deliver the prescription to medical clinics everywhere to ensure that every infected person can receive treatment."

I nodded, shook his hand, and said solemnly, "Youcai, I'll leave this matter to you. Tell all medical clinics to strictly follow Dr. Sun's prescriptions and not make any mistakes. In addition, the epidemic has not been completely lifted. All places must strengthen prevention and control and must not take it lightly."

"Don't worry, I've got it in mind." Zhen Youcai said, and turned to leave. But when he reached the door, he stopped and looked back at me, "Mengmeng, you have to take care of yourself too and wait for me to come back."

After watching Zhen Youcai leave, I turned to look at Divine Doctor Sun and asked, "Divine Doctor Sun, this purple heart grass..."

"Your Majesty, rest assured. I have found a way to cultivate purple heart grass. Given time, we will be able to grow it in large quantities. We no longer need to worry about herbal shortages."

"That's good..." I murmured to myself, and a big stone in my heart finally fell to the ground.

As I watched the sky gradually darken outside the window, a sense of inexplicable unease suddenly welled up in my heart. I felt like something was about to happen...

"Dr. Sun," I raised my head suddenly and looked at him, "Do you feel..."

Doctor Sun seemed to see my worry. He stroked his beard and said in a calm tone, "Your Majesty, are you worried about a recurrence of the epidemic?"

I nodded, my brow still furrowed. "Although the purple heart grass is effective, this epidemic is too severe. I'm worried..."

"Your Majesty, there's no need to worry too much," Divine Doctor Sun reassured him. "I've visited many pharmacies in the city these past few days, and they've all distributed their treatment prescriptions free of charge to the people, in accordance with Your Majesty's instructions. I believe the epidemic will be under complete control soon."

His words were like a reassurance, making me feel a little more at ease.

Over the next few days, just as Dr. Sun had predicted, more and more infected people began to recover, and the once overcrowded clinic gradually returned to peace. The panic in the capital and surrounding areas gradually eased, and smiles returned to the faces of the people. Life slowly returned to normal.

Just as I was feeling relieved, the guards delivered an urgent memorial. I couldn't wait to open it and saw the news that County Magistrate Li was being investigated and punished for corruption and bribery!

"Great! It's really gratifying!" I couldn't help but clap my hands and cheer, feeling an indescribable joy in my heart.

Magistrate Li was a notorious miser in the court, frequently abusing his power to enrich himself and oppress the people. I've long sought to bring him to justice, but lacked solid evidence. Now that he's finally received the punishment he deserves, it's a comfort to the innocent people he harmed.

"Your Majesty is wise!" The maid beside him also smiled happily, "Evildoers will eventually be punished, and justice will eventually triumph over evil!"

I nodded, but I still maintained a sense of vigilance. I knew there were many corrupt officials like Magistrate Li in this world, and it would take more effort to completely eradicate them.

Just as I was about to continue reviewing the memorials, I suddenly heard hurried footsteps coming from outside the door.

"Report——"

A guard rushed in in a panic, his face pale and sweating profusely.

"Your Majesty, something terrible has happened..." He gasped, "The border..."

"What happened at the border?" My heart sank suddenly and an ominous premonition came over me.

The guard took a deep breath and said in a trembling voice, "There's been a sudden alarm at the border area... An unknown force... is approaching..."

"What happened at the border?!" I stood up suddenly, and the memorial in my hand fell to the ground. "Tell me clearly, what exactly happened?"

The guard swallowed his saliva and said tremblingly, "Your Majesty, a large number of troops of unknown origin suddenly appeared in the border area. They are well-trained and well-equipped, and..." He paused, as if choosing his words, "Moreover, they also brought with them many sick civilians..."

"What?!" I felt a chill run up my spine. Sick civilians? Could it be that a neighboring country was deliberately driving the sick to our border, hoping to cause chaos and take advantage of the situation?

"Your Majesty," the previously silent Divine Doctor Sun suddenly spoke up, "This matter is very strange. I am worried..."

"Doctor Sun, are you worried that there's something else going on with this epidemic?" I frowned, feeling vaguely uneasy.

Divine Doctor Sun stroked his beard and said solemnly, "Your Majesty is wise. I have practiced medicine for many years, but I have never seen such a ferocious plague, and..." He paused, as if to organize his words, "Also, I have discovered that the speed of spread and the symptoms of this epidemic are different from those in the past. It seems..."

"It seems to be manipulated by humans, right?" I took over his words, and the uneasy feeling in my heart became stronger.

Doctor Sun didn't say anything, but just nodded heavily.

"What a way to take advantage of trouble!" I slammed my fist on the table, seething with anger. If someone was truly manipulating this epidemic, their purpose was definitely more than just creating chaos.

"Pass the order down! Immediately summon all civil and military officials to the court for a meeting!" I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself. Now is not the time to panic. I must quickly uncover the truth, identify the mastermind behind this, and protect my country and its people!

"As you wish!" The guards took the order and left, leaving only Dr. Sun and I in the hall.

"Doctor Sun," I looked at this venerable old man, my eyes filled with trust, "I order you to rush to the border immediately. You must find out the truth about the epidemic and find a solution!"

"I obey your command!" Doctor Sun bowed and accepted the order with a firm look in his eyes.

After watching Dr. Sun leave, I turned and looked out the window, my mind racing. The sudden appearance of unknown forces in the border region, coupled with this sudden outbreak... all of this seemed to foreshadow an even greater storm about to strike.

"Your Majesty," the maid who had been waiting outside the palace came in and said softly, "General Zhen requests an audience."

Zhen Youcai? Hearing this name, a glimmer of hope suddenly ignited in my heart. He has guarded the border for many years and is experienced. Perhaps he can help me solve my current dilemma.

"Hurry up and announce it!" I couldn't wait to know the purpose of his visit.

However, the moment he stepped into the hall, I sensed a hint of something unusual from his solemn expression...