I started out with seven husbands, and I worked hard to support my family while crying.

Chapter 422: He said there is a shortage of medicinal herbs.

Li Wan'er's face turned pale. "What should we do? I asked the shopkeeper, and he said that medicinal herbs are in short supply and we can't buy them at all."

Fang Xiaoxiao pondered for a moment, then a glint of light flashed in her eyes. "Princess, I have an idea."

Li Wan'er asked anxiously, "What method? Tell me quickly!"

Fang Xiaoxiao lowered her voice and said, "We can go to the mountains outside the city and look for some useful herbs."

Li Wan'er hesitated, "But the mountain is fraught with danger..."

Fang Xiaoxiao grasped Li Wan'er's hand and said, "Princess, there is no other choice now. As long as we can save the people, we have to try, no matter how dangerous it is."

Seeing Fang Xiaoxiao's determined look, Li Wan'er nodded, "Okay, let's get ready and set off immediately."

Fang Xiaoxiao and Li Wan'er began packing their things, preparing to embark on the arduous journey to find the medicine.

Fang Xiaoxiao and Li Wan'er hurriedly left the city. As soon as they stepped out of the city gate, a strange and absurd scene came into view.

Outside the city, in an open space, stood a tall altar, surrounded by fluttering colorful flags and wafting incense smoke. A group of officials, dressed in solemn official robes, stood with their hands clasped together, their expressions devout and solemn, intently praying. Several Taoist priests, in the center of the altar, wore flowing robes, held peach wood swords, and performed a mysterious ritual, their movements fluid and their voices chanting incantations.

Fang Xiaoxiao's eyes widened immediately, her curiosity evident, and she unconsciously moved closer to the altar. Li Wan'er hesitated, but followed closely behind.

"What are they doing?" Fang Xiaoxiao tilted her head and muttered softly, her eyes full of doubt.

Li Wan'er frowned slightly and said softly, "Perhaps they are praying to heaven to eliminate this terrible plague."

Fang Xiaoxiao curled her lip and said disdainfully, "How can this work? It's just a waste of time!"

Li Wan'er quickly reached out and covered her mouth, saying nervously, "Xiao Xiao, don't talk nonsense, or you'll get yourself into trouble."

At this moment, a Taoist priest suddenly brandished a peach wood sword and shouted loudly, "Heavenly spirits, earthly spirits, may the plague and evil spirits be banished!"

The surrounding officials joined in the shouts, their voices echoing in the empty city.

Fang Xiaoxiao couldn't help but burst out laughing, a sound that seemed particularly abrupt in the solemn atmosphere.

A stern-faced official immediately strode over angrily and shouted, "Where did this ignorant brat come from, daring to disrupt the ritual here!"

Fang Xiaoxiao showed no fear, straightened her back, and looked directly at the official, saying, "Sir, do you think this will cure the plague? Isn't this just a waste of time and energy?"

The official, his face turning ashen with rage, his beard trembling, said, "Ignorant child, what do you know! This is an appeal to Heaven for protection, to reassure the people!"

Fang Xiaoxiao crossed her arms and retorted, "My lord, the people's hearts are won through concrete actions, not these charlatan tricks!"

The official glared angrily, about to erupt, when Li Wan'er quickly stepped forward and apologized, "My lord, please calm down. My sister is young and ignorant, and spoke without thinking. I hope you will forgive her."

The official glanced at Li Wan'er, his expression softening slightly, but he still said with displeasure, "Take her away immediately and don't let her cause trouble here!"

Fang Xiaoxiao stubbornly stood still, refusing to move an inch, and said loudly, "Sir, if you continue like this, the people will only suffer more!"

At this moment, an elderly Taoist priest slowly walked over and said, "Young lady, you must not be disrespectful to the gods. This is a ritual, intended to appease the people."

Fang Xiaoxiao looked directly at the Taoist priest and said, "Taoist priest, if you can truly appease the people, why are they still suffering? Why hasn't the plague subsided?"

The Taoist priest was speechless for a moment and remained silent.

Fang Xiaoxiao continued, "Instead of doing these useless things, we should think about how to treat patients and how to control the spread of the epidemic!"

The officials looked at each other, their faces showing embarrassment and hesitation.

Just then, a violent coughing sound suddenly came from the crowd, followed by a person collapsing to the ground in pain, convulsing all over.

The scene instantly descended into chaos, with people panicking.

Without hesitation, Fang Xiaoxiao rushed over, squatted down to check the condition of the person who had collapsed, and said with a grave expression, "This is bad, this person has contracted a serious illness!"

The officials were so frightened that they all retreated and dared not approach.

Fang Xiaoxiao stood up, glared at everyone, and said, "Look at this, this is reality! What's the use of just praying!"

Li Wan'er said anxiously, "My lord, we should hurry and find a way to save them!"

The officials finally woke up from their daze and began whispering among themselves, discussing countermeasures.

Fang Xiaoxiao and Li Wan'er took the opportunity to turn around and leave.

"Xiao Xiao, you were too reckless just now," Li Wan'er said, still shaken, as she walked away.

Fang Xiaoxiao said with a determined look, "Princess, I really can't stand their inaction. We must find a way ourselves."

Li Wan'er sighed softly and said, "But we can't be so impulsive. What if we cause trouble?"

Fang Xiaoxiao said, "Princess, don't worry, I know what I'm doing. Let's hurry up and find some herbs."

The two walked along the rugged mountain path, surrounded by towering trees and overgrown weeds.

"Xiao Xiao, this road is too difficult to walk on, I really can't go on anymore." Li Wan'er was panting heavily, her forehead covered in sweat.

Fang Xiaoxiao turned to look at Li Wan'er and encouraged her, "Princess, hang in there a little longer, I believe we will find the herbs soon."

Li Wan'er gritted her teeth, nodded, and continued to follow with difficulty.

Suddenly, Fang Xiaoxiao heard a clear, flowing sound.

"Princess, there seems to be a stream ahead. Let's go get some water and rest for a while," Fang Xiaoxiao said excitedly.

The two arrived at the stream, squatted down, cupped their hands in the cool water, and drank it in large gulps.

"Oh, I feel much better now," Li Wan'er said, a look of relief on her face.

Fang Xiaoxiao stood up, looked around, and said, "Princess, there might be the herbs we're looking for nearby."

After saying that, he began to search carefully in the grass.

Just then, Fang Xiaoxiao's eyes lit up as she spotted a uniquely shaped plant.

"Princess, look, isn't this the herb we've been looking for?" Fang Xiaoxiao exclaimed excitedly.

Li Wan'er quickly leaned over, and after observing carefully, said, "It seems so, that's great!"

Fang Xiao carefully dug up the herbs, roots and all, and put them into her cloth bag.

“Keep looking, there might be more,” Fang Xiaoxiao said.

The two searched the area thoroughly and found quite a bit.

"Now the people are saved," Li Wan'er said, a relieved smile on her face.

Fang Xiao smiled and nodded, saying, "Princess, let's go back quickly."

The setting sun cast long shadows on them, and filled with hope, they quickened their pace to return to the city.