Ye Qichi felt a tinge of nervousness at Xiao Wu’s words.
She looked at Xiao Wu, trying to confirm she hadn’t misheard.
"After I explained the situation to Pang Nan at the Pang Mansion, he hurriedly showed me their medicine jars, and all the medicinal materials the Princess wanted are gone! Pang Nan is now trying to find a way to get the medicinal materials back, saying that he will notify us as soon as there’s any news, and if he finds the materials, he will deliver them immediately," Xiao Wu quickly added.
"There’s no news about the medicinal materials yet, how long are we to wait?!"
"Pang Nan cannot give us a definite answer, just promises to satisfy the Prince as soon as possible," Xiao Wu said anxiously.
Ye Qichi forced herself to remain calm, confirming, "Did you tell Pang Nan to isolate the servants? Did you make it clear that everyone else should also self-isolate?"
"I did," Xiao Wu nodded, "I also especially told Pang Nan to take care of his health and not to go out, and for everyone in the mansion to stay in!"
Xiao Wu’s tasks were generally completed without any issues.
But what about Xiao Jinxing now?!
She turned her head to look at the man sleeping in the chair, from afar she could feel his heavy breathing, he must be sleeping very restlessly.
"Princess, what shall we do about the Prince now?" Xiao Wu also looked at the Prince, asking nervously.
"Wait for news from Pang Nan for now. Xiao Jinxing shouldn’t die in a moment’s notice."
"There are no ’what ifs’." Ye Qichi didn’t want to frighten herself, she told Xiao Wu, "It’s late, rest now, we’ll wait for news from Pang Nan tomorrow."
"Oh." Xiao Wu nodded.
Ye Qichi found a comfortable chair, leaned on it, and closed her eyes to sleep as well.
Xiao Wu certainly couldn’t sleep, standing next to Xiao Jinxing, just accompanying him.
"Xiao Wu, keep your distance from Xiao Jinxing," Ye Qichi didn’t open her eyes, but guessed what Xiao Wu was doing.
He must be staying right by Xiao Jinxing’s side, not leaving an inch.
"Xiao Jinxing has caught the plague, it’s contagious, aren’t you afraid he will infect you if you are so close?"
"I’m not afraid," Xiao Wu stated resolutely, "If possible, I wish I could take the Prince’s place and fall ill instead."
Truly loyal to the core.
Ye Qichi did not try to persuade him further, knowing it would be futile.
"Just make sure you tell us immediately if you feel unwell," Ye Qichi instructed.
"Okay." Xiao Wu quickly nodded, then with some confusion added, "I just went to the Pang Mansion again and saw that servant, and that servant is still perfectly fine."
"That means he’s just a carrier now, not yet a plague patient," Ye Qichi explained, "Simply put, the sickness of plague is greatly related to one’s health. Generally, people in good health are much less likely to be infected, while those in poor health are easily susceptible."
"So, does the Princess mean that the Prince fell sick because his body was too weak?"
"Weak as a chicken," Ye Qichi assessed.
"..." Although Xiao Wu had never heard the term "weak as a chicken," he guessed it wasn’t a compliment.
"You see, most of those infected are commoners, the old, weak, sick, and disabled, while the trained soldiers are rarely infected. That’s the logic," she continued.
Xiao Wu nodded, understanding now.
"Enough talk, let’s sleep," Ye Qichi yawned, "Good rest makes the body stronger and less susceptible to infection."
"Yes," Xiao Wu responded respectfully.
The next moment, he obediently pulled over a chair and slept beside Xiao Jinxing.
The large silent house was utterly quiet.
Ye Qichi finally fell asleep, only to be abruptly awakened by a disturbance, "Princess, it’s bad, the Prince, the Prince..."
Xiao Wu’s urgent voice was in her ears.
Ye Qichi opened her eyes abruptly and hurried towards Xiao Jinxing.
Xiao Jinxing’s body was shaking uncontrollably, his whole body trembling fiercely.
"Why is he convulsing all of a sudden?!" Ye Qichi asked.
"I don’t know, I had just fallen asleep when I heard sounds at my side, and upon opening my eyes, I saw the Prince trembling non-stop as if he can’t control his body..." Xiao Wu said, terrified.
Ye Qichi stepped forward to touch Xiao Jinxing’s forehead.
Before she could touch him, her arm was suddenly seized by Xiao Jinxing.
Ye Qichi couldn’t break free and urgently called out to him, "Xiao Jinxing, let go of me... Ah!"