“Cough, cough…”

Just as everyone was tense with fear, someone coughed dryly a few times.

The village head, startled by how close the sound was, quickly turned his head and saw that Xiao Chen had choked on some water and was now coughing uncontrollably.

Old Man Lu panicked and immediately covered his grandson’s mouth, trying to stop him from coughing further.

Although Old Man Lu acted quickly, the guards had already heard the sound.

One of the soldiers pointed at the child in Old Man Lu’s arms and barked, “Take that child out first!”

Old Man Lu and his wife were terrified and immediately pleaded, “Sir, my grandson isn’t sick! He just choked on water by accident—he hasn’t caught the plague!”

The village head, seeing that Xiao Chen was about to be taken away, also stepped forward to explain, “Sir, this child only choked while drinking water. He is not sick. He is still young and cannot be separated from his family. Please, have mercy!”

Despite the village head’s respectful tone, the soldier rudely pushed him aside without hesitation. “Whether it’s the plague or not, the doctor will determine. If he’s fine, we will return him to you.”

As he spoke, he grabbed the child and pulled him away.

“Waaah! Grandpa, I’m scared! I want my mother! I want my mother!”

Xiao Chen wailed in fear, crying for his mother, but the soldier ignored his sobs.

The child struggled desperately, but like a helpless chick, he was lifted up by the back of his collar and taken away.

“Sir, I beg you! Please don’t take my grandson! He really isn’t sick!”

“Brother! Don’t take my brother!” Xiao Yu also cried out, but was held back tightly by Zhou Huiniang, who didn’t dare let her go.

“Little Chen! Let go of him! Waaah!” Grandma Lu was so distressed that she beat her chest in despair, but there was nothing she could do.

“Cough, cough… Sir, I am also coughing. Take me with him.”

Just when everyone was at a loss, Lu Jiaojiao suddenly stepped out from the crowd.

Though small and delicate, she stood tall and straight, covering her mouth as she pretended to cough.

“Jiaojiao!” Grandma Lu gasped and quickly tried to pull her back.

But Old Man Lu immediately understood his daughter’s intention and did not stop her—because Xiao Chen was too young.

If no adult accompanied him, he might never return.

Jiaojiao glanced at her parents, signaling that she would be fine. “Father, Mother, don’t worry. I will take care of little Chen and myself.”

“Take her too,” the soldier ordered.

Lu Jiaojiao was taken away along with Xiao Chen.

She quickly stepped forward and held the boy in her arms.

Seeing his familiar aunt, Xiao Chen sobbed and clung to her, his cries muffled as he buried his face in her chest.

As Xiao Chen and Lu Jiaojiao were taken away, the Lu family was filled with worry.

Having learned from this incident, the villagers of Dahe Village now kept a close eye on their children, afraid that any accidental cough might get them taken away.

At the front, a doctor was examining the refugees, dividing them into two groups—those showing symptoms on one side and those without symptoms on the other.

Fortunately, due to their precautions, no one from Dahe Village had been infected yet, so they stayed together and were eventually escorted to an abandoned temple.

Meanwhile, Lu Jiaojiao carried Xiao Chen into a large courtyard where many people had already been detained.

Some had flushed faces and leaned weakly against the walls, while others had rotting sores on their skin, groaning in pain.

Coughing, wailing, and the nauseating stench of decay filled the air.

Lu Jiaojiao, just a young girl, trembled in fear.

Holding Xiao Chen tightly, she covered both their noses and mouths, unwilling to step further inside under the watchful eyes of the sick.

She wasn’t foolish—she could clearly see that these people had already contracted the plague.

She and Xiao Chen were still healthy, but if they stayed here, they would inevitably get infected too.

She found a corner near the entrance and huddled there with Xiao Chen.

She chose this spot because there were guards at the door—if anything happened, she could call for help. A young girl with a small child in such a dangerous place had to be cautious.

“Aunt, when will my mother come back? I miss her…”

Xiao Chen lay against her, his eyes red from crying.

Lu Jiaojiao gently patted his back. “Be good, little Chen. Your mother will be back soon. She will come and save us.”

She wasn’t sure if she was comforting him or herself.

She could only hope her sister-in-law would come soon.

Back when they were fleeing, her sister-in-law had protected her without hesitation, never abandoning her even when they were caught.

That memory gave her the courage to step forward today.

She knew how much her sister-in-law loved the two children—if anything happened to little Chen, she would be devastated.

Jiaojiao had to keep him safe until she returned.

..

Meanwhile, Shen Qingwan was still trapped in an inn, unaware of what had happened in Dahe Village.

After the patrolling soldiers left, she climbed out of the window and left the inn.

She remembered that Bai Erye had once mentioned that the Bai family had businesses in nearly every major city.

If she could find one of their shops, she could ask for help and get an introduction to the county magistrate.

If she could meet him, she could hand over the prescription to cure the plague. Only by containing the outbreak could they safely leave.

Shortly after she left, Bei Chenyuan also departed the inn, heading straight for the government office.

The plague was a serious matter.

He needed to leave immediately and notify the surrounding cities to take precautionary measures.

The infected refugees had to be treated on the spot—there was no way the plague could be allowed to spread to Suzhou.

At this time, Ji City was already under lockdown. If he wanted to leave, he had to meet with the county magistrate.

Shen Qingwan arrived at the Wan Tong Money House, only to find its doors shut tightly.

The shopkeeper and staff were gathered in the courtyard, idle because business had come to a halt.

When she suddenly climbed over the wall and entered, the shopkeeper was startled and quickly called for the guards.

Realizing they mistook her for a thief, Shen Qingwan hurriedly explained, “Please don’t panic, Shopkeeper! I am a friend of Second Master Bai.”

She quickly took out the jade pendant Second Master Bai had given her and showed it to the shopkeeper.

The shopkeeper’s expression immediately changed upon seeing the pendant. He quickly waved off the guards and bowed respectfully.

“Ah! So you are a friend of Second Master Bai! My apologies for the poor hospitality. I am Wu Renjie, the shopkeeper of Ji City’s Wan Tong Money House. May I ask, what brings you here?”