In order to accompany her father, Bai Zhi’er followed Bai Xilie to the Imperial Study Room.
The Imperial Physician returned with a report after examining the conditions at Prince Kang’s Mansion.
It was confirmed that Prince Kang indeed contracted smallpox, the cause being...
"Are you saying Prince Kang caught it at the brothel?!" Bai Xilie confirmed with suppressed fury.
To prevent contagion, the guard responsible for errands outside nodded and said, "That day, the Third Young Master had a quarrel with the Prince, and in a fit of anger, went to the brothel and squandered money lavishly."
"Upon learning this, the Prince went to bring the Third Young Master back home, thus contracting smallpox. We have traced the source and found that most of the dancing girls in the brothel have already fallen ill."
According to the rank, Bai Yaoyu is the Third Young Master.
Bai Xilie slammed the table and angrily said, "Yaoyu, such a good child, was also led astray by Third Brother!"
As he caught a glimpse of his daughter Bai Zhi’er, with her big watery eyes looking at him, Bai Xilie’s expression softened a bit.
He reached out his palm to touch his daughter’s head and reassured her in a lower voice, "Zhi’er, don’t be afraid, Daddy is not angry with anyone."
Bai Zhi’er’s chubby little hands were holding a cream pastry, and crumbs covered her small lips as she ate.
Amid her busy eating, she mumbled in response, "Mm-hmm~ Zhi Bao’s not afraid~"
Bai Xilie then gravely commanded to those outside, "Order those who are infected to stay home and not move about for the time being."
The guard hesitantly asked, "But what if they don’t comply and sneak out in secret?"
Bai Zhi’er softly interjected, "Guard Brother, you can tell them to wait at home every day. The Imperial Physicians will send medicine from the palace, and if they’re not home, it will be assumed the family doesn’t need the medicine!"
"Also, don’t deliver the medicine at a fixed time; sometimes in the morning, sometimes in the afternoon, so they won’t wander around unless they don’t want the medicine."
"I’m sure no one is not afraid of death, they’ll definitely wait obediently."
The guard was astonished by the Princess’s quick thinking.
Bai Xilie said in a heavy tone, "Do as the Princess instructed."
Bai Zhi’er, having had her fill, brushed the crumbs from her little hands and jumped down from the chair.
"Daddy, has Sister Qingmei been released?"
Bai Xilie nodded, "Although she is unharmed, she was in the jail for two days. Daddy ordered her to bathe and burn incense before resuming her duties at Ruizhu Palace."
He was somewhat surprised in his heart.
His daughter had confidently said that Qingmei was already fine.
The Imperial Physician came to check and indeed found that not only had Qingmei not shown signs of rash or smallpox,
but even the scratch on her arm had healed.
"Mm, I’m full too, I’m going back to think about the medicine recipe now."
She waved her small hand to her father and walked out leisurely, with a steady pace.
Seeing the little one’s composed demeanor, Bai Xilie couldn’t help but smile wryly.
No matter how tricky the issue, seeing his daughter’s innocent and lovely face, Bai Xilie felt he had the courage to face anything.
A group of palace attendants escorted Bai Zhi’er back to the palace.
But the little one did not directly return to Ruizhu Palace.
Instead, she arrived outside the stone forest.
She stopped her small feet and instructed everyone, "Wait for me outside."
The palace attendants exchanged a glance and did not dare disobey, bowing and waiting respectfully.
Bai Zhi’er walked into the crevices of the stone forest and tied a small cloth to her eyes that she carried with her.
Then, the little child, with her hands clasped behind her back, stood there, a rosy bundle, obediently waiting for the little eunuch brother to bring her Ju Zi to eat.
The Brocade Armor Shura Guards were very busy at the moment.
They had orders to find out how smallpox started spreading in the palace.
However, Feng Fuce heard the report from his confidant hidden guard, set aside his current matters, and turned to head into the stone forest.