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

Chapter 421: The situation is terrible, more and more people are getting sick.

Fang Xiaoxiao shook her head and said, "The situation is very bad. More and more people are getting sick, and the symptoms are very severe."

Li Wan'er's face turned pale as she said, "What should we do? We need to think of something quickly."

Fang Xiaoxiao took a deep breath and said, "Princess, don't panic. I already have a preliminary plan. First, we need to find a large amount of herbs, brew them into a decoction, and distribute it to the patients. Then, we need to organize people to thoroughly clean and disinfect the entire city, especially the places where the patients live. Also, we need to make sure everyone pays attention to their diet and rest to strengthen their own resistance."

Li Wan'er listened and nodded repeatedly, saying, "Okay, I'll do whatever you say."

At this moment, Li Wan'er suddenly said, "No, I must write to my father and ask him to send more manpower and supplies."

Fang Xiaoxiao quickly stopped her, saying, "Princess, you mustn't."

Li Wan'er looked puzzled and asked, "Why? This is the fastest way to save the people of Suzhou."

Fang Xiaoxiao's expression was serious as she said, "Princess, think about it. The plague has been raging in Suzhou for so long, the news couldn't have been stuck. But so far, no reinforcements or supplies have arrived, there must be something fishy about this. If we write a letter rashly, it might be intercepted by someone with ulterior motives, and we might not only fail to save Suzhou, but also endanger ourselves."

Upon hearing this, Li Wan'er frowned and said worriedly, "What should we do? We can't just wait like this."

Fang Xiaoxiao pondered for a moment and said, "Princess, I think that woman who sold herself to bury her husband is quite reliable. Why don't we ask her to help send a letter back to the capital?"

Li Wan'er hesitated for a moment and said, "Will this work? What if she's unwilling or something goes wrong along the way?"

Fang Xiaoxiao grasped Li Wan'er's hand and said, "Princess, there's no better way now, we can only try. I'll talk to her properly, and I believe she'll agree."

It was a dark and windy night. Fang Xiaoxiao changed into some light clothes and quietly went out.

Her figure moved swiftly in the darkness, like a nimble cat. Arriving at the woman's residence, Fang Xiaoxiao gently knocked on the door.

"Who is it?" A woman's wary voice came from inside the house.

"It's me, Fang Xiaoxiao," Fang Xiaoxiao said softly.

The door opened, and the woman saw Fang Xiaoxiao, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.

"Miss Fang, what brings you here so late?" the woman asked.

Fang Xiaoxiao walked into the room and said, "Big sister, I have a very important matter to ask of you."

The woman said, "Miss Fang, please tell me. As long as it's within my power, I will not refuse."

Fang Xiaoxiao explained in detail why she had asked her to deliver the letter, and the woman remained silent for a moment after listening.

Fang Xiaoxiao looked at her nervously, feeling uneasy.

Finally, the woman raised her head and said firmly, "Miss Fang, don't worry, I will deliver the letter even if it costs me my life."

Fang Xiaoxiao was deeply moved and said, "Big sister, thank you so much. The journey is long, please be careful."

Leaving the woman, Fang Xiaoxiao's heart remained heavy. But she knew this was their only hope at the moment.

Back at the inn, Li Wan'er was still waiting for her in the room.

"How is it?" Li Wan'er asked.

Fang Xiaoxiao said, "Princess, the woman has agreed."

Li Wan'er breathed a sigh of relief and said, "I hope she can do well."

Fang Xiaoxiao said, "Princess, we cannot relax yet; we must continue to prepare for dealing with the plague."

The two looked at each other, their eyes filled with determination and resolve.

Fang Xiaoxiao and Li Wan'er huddled together in the dimly lit room, whispering about their next plan of action.

"Princess, it's settled then. I'll go out and check the situation in the city first. You can go and ask the shopkeeper about the medicinal herbs." Fang Xiaoxiao's eyes were firm, revealing a resolute determination.

Li Wan'er bit her lip, looked at Fang Xiaoxiao with concern, and said, "Xiaoxiao, you must be careful."

Fang Xiao smiled slightly and gave Li Wan'er a reassuring look, "Princess, don't worry, I'll be fine."

After saying that, Fang Xiaoxiao turned and went out the door. She had deliberately changed into a set of tattered coarse cloth clothes, made her hair messy, and smeared some soot on her face, making her look exactly like a beggar.

Fang Xiaoxiao kept her head down and hurried towards the south of the city. At this moment, the south of the city was like a dead city, eerily silent. The trees along the roadside were withered and yellow, and fallen leaves swirled in the wind.

Fang Xiaoxiao arrived at an abandoned courtyard and gently pushed open the rickety door. A strong, stench of decay immediately assaulted her nostrils, making her stomach churn. But she forced herself to endure it and stepped into the courtyard.

The courtyard was littered with corpses, gnawed beyond recognition by hungry rats. Fang Xiaoxiao's face turned ashen, and a wave of sorrow washed over her.

"This damned plague!" she cursed inwardly, her brows furrowing tightly.

She carefully observed her surroundings, trying to find some clues about the spread of the plague.

After leaving the courtyard, Fang Xiaoxiao rushed to the north of the city. The situation in the north was equally appalling; the streets were deserted, with only a few emaciated stray cats rummaging for food in the garbage heaps.

Just as Fang Xiaoxiao was about to leave, she suddenly heard heavy footsteps and shouts.

"Oh no, it's the yamen runners!" Fang Xiaoxiao's heart suddenly raced. She looked around frantically and found a corner piled with junk not far away.

She darted inside as swiftly as a nimble cat.

Through the gaps in the clutter, Fang Xiaoxiao saw several fierce-looking constables driving a group of ragged people slowly towards them, pulling a cart full of corpses.

"Hurry up and throw these corpses in!" a burly constable roared.

Those people were trembling with fear, not daring to disobey in the slightest, and laboriously threw the corpses one by one into the yard.

"When will this plague end?" a constable muttered.

"Stop talking nonsense! Finish your work and get out of here!" another constable shouted.

Fang Xiaoxiao hid in the corner, not daring to breathe, her palms were sweaty.

After the constables left, Fang Xiaoxiao cautiously emerged from the corner. She dusted herself off, her brow furrowed as she pondered her next move.

"It seems this epidemic is far more serious than we imagined," Fang Xiaoxiao muttered to herself.

She quickened her pace and hurried toward the inn.

Back at the inn, Li Wan'er was pacing anxiously in her room.

"Xiao Xiao, you're finally back! I was so worried!" Li Wan'er rushed over as soon as she saw Fang Xiao Xiao.

Fang Xiaoxiao, barely catching her breath, hurriedly said, "Princess, the situation is terrible. The south and north of the city are littered with corpses and swarming with rats."