Chapter 189: Heartflutter

"What?" Lord Ge's body shivered, his complexion turning deathly pale in an instant: "How could that be? Are you sure it's my daughter?"

"I'm certain. Ling Ai has developed many red rashes, now has a high fever that won't subside, and has already been taken to the plague infirmary."

"No! How could my daughter be sent to such a place? Quickly! Bring her out!" Ge Linquan shouted: "Hurry! Hurry!"

"No, sir, didn't you say that anyone infected with the plague or who has contacted an infected person must be taken to the plague infirmary?"

"Lord Ge." Divine Doctor Xie Yuwei said lightly: "Do you think my office is just for show?"

"I would not dare; my little daughter is still young…"

As luck would have it, an official courier pushed a cart past not far ahead, and on that cart sat and lay many toddlers covered in red rashes—these children were all destined for the plague infirmary.

Ge Linquan thought for a moment, then turned to Chi Nan Yi and said: "Sir, please save my little girl's life!"

Chi Nan Yi saw his stance and understood in his heart.

It seems this Lord Ge has long known that the city's plague is not smallpox at all.

Letting the disease run rampant through the city, ravaging the populace.

What exactly are his intentions?

Chi Nan Yi handed him the pill in his hand: "It can cure the illness, but this pill uses many rare herbs…"

"No matter how much silver, I, Ge, can afford it."

"Fine."

Ge Linquan took the pill and ran toward his home.

He left Divine Doctor Xie Yuwei hanging there.

The other officials exchanged glances, said nothing; some adjusted their cuffs, others their hems, their contempt unmistakably clear.

"This is downright audacious!" Qing Zhuo shouted angrily: "You, as a Censor sent by imperial decree to combat the plague and provide relief, dare to be so negligent—where do you place a Censor? Where do you place the imperial edict?"

Chi Nan Yi heard that and sneered: "With a guilty conscience, how can you still mind your manners? You overestimate them."

Qing Zhuo glanced at Chi Nan Yi's side and asked inevitably: "What about Ji Bai?"

"I sent Ji Bai to look for my maternal grandfather."

"Divine Doctor Xie, it's cold outside; let me escort you to the relay inn!"

"No need, I can go myself." Divine Doctor Xie Yuwei stared coldly at them, his tone unhurried yet carrying an indescribable pressure: "Fear not the cold of the sky, but the cold of the heart is even greater."

With that, he led the group toward the relay inn.

Watching them depart, an official stepped forward and whispered: "Lord Li, what did Divine Doctor Xie just mean? Have we offended him?"

"If you can't even understand this, you might as well take off your official robes!" Li Qintian said gravely: "This Xie Yuwei was a petty official a month ago; now he's clinging to big figures, a pheasant turned phoenix, his rank above mine, contributing nothing to the state, benefiting the realm not at all. How can he, sitting as Censor of the Ministry of Revenue, point fingers at me? Ignore him, leave him out for a few days, let him see that even if he occupies that position, his virtue doesn't match the rank, disaster will follow." He lifted his chin, his eyes full of arrogance: "He's a third‑rank official, I'm fourth rank; what's the difference?"

Divine Doctor Xie and several others arrived at the relay inn; Qing Zhuo still couldn't swallow his anger, shouting: "Sir, look at this relay inn—what does it even look like inside? Where is this a place for officials to stay? Even the relay inn of Qingjun County is a hundred times better."

"Now is a year of disaster; we have no choice but to be simple. We can't bring this minor issue before the Emperor; the Emperor would only think I'm lacking generosity."

"So you just let them bully you?" Qing Zhuo said, his chest puffed: "They clearly don't regard a Censor like you."

"No problem; I didn't come here to show off." Xie Yuwei turned to Chi Nan Yi: "Miss Chi, is the city's disease truly the plague?"

Chi Nan Yi nodded: "Indeed, it is the plague, but now the city's plague seems to have eyes—have you, sir, noticed the oddities along the way?"

"What oddities?"

"Those infected are mostly ordinary citizens, while the high‑born nobles remain untouched. Though a hemp rope may snap at a weak point, it can't be so conveniently broken."

"So it does seem that way." Qing Zhuo nodded in agreement: "Today, the local officials who came to greet you are numerous, indicating none of them are infected."

"Miss Chi, you mean someone deliberately released the plague in the city?"

"Indeed, and perhaps Lord Ge knows something." Chi Nan Yi smiled: "Lord Ge took my medicine; he must be trying to spit something out."

Divine Doctor Xie watched the sparkle in her eyes, his heartbeat quickened a few beats, as if something lightly struck his chest, bringing an indescribable feeling.

He knows few women, but has never seen anyone like Chi Nan Yi; even in danger she remains composed, facing the nobles' conspiracies with poise, even pre‑digging pits for them and watching coldly as they fall—such wit and daring truly stir the heart.

His Adam's apple rolled involuntarily; he quickly averted his gaze, yet Chi Nan Yi's cunning and lively image lingered in his mind.

At that moment, a cold, hard face and eyes exuding chill appeared in his mind.

A bone‑deep chill coursed through his entire body.

He recalled the scene of Prince Li escorting Chi Nan Yi out of the capital.

What exactly is her relationship with Prince Li?

At that moment, a guard at the doorway said: "Sir, Lord Ge's young servant has arrived."

Divine Doctor Xie looked at the expression that should naturally be on Chi Nan Yi's face, increasingly feeling her extraordinary cleverness, and the sudden flutter in his heart seemed like something had taken root and sprouted within him.

"Let him in."

The young servant of the Ge household entered, trembling, and gave a deep bow: "I present myself before you, sir."

"What business?"

"Sir, my master wishes to invite you and the young master who gave the lady the pill today to his residence for a chat."

"I am exhausted today; any matters can be discussed tomorrow!"

The servant heard this and felt a pang; how could this be? His master had said that whether by kneeling or by invitation, they must certainly bring this sir and the Divine Doctor to the residence.

"Sir, my master truly wishes to invite you to his residence."

Chi Nan Yi gave a faint smile: "Your master is only a fourth‑rank official; wanting to invite a sir to his house, yet he merely sends a young servant to convey the message, expecting you to scramble over there to see him. Your master really has grand expectations!"

The servant knelt on the ground, pulling his neck back: "My lady has fallen ill; my master is anxious and cannot spare himself. Please, sir, understand."

"Go back and tell your master, if you want to invite someone, you must show proper attitude."