Ning Wanwan frowned and accepted it. Although she had some knowledge of medicine, the prescription was unfamiliar, following a “fighting poison with poison” approach. After some thought, she pretended to agree. Once the servant left, she instructed Yuan Bi to leave several hundred people guarding outside while the rest returned to the stockade, planning to verify the prescription’s effectiveness before recalling the others.
Back at the Yi Wang Mansion, Ning Wanwan had Uncle Zhou study the prescription. He was amazed, stating he had never seen anything like it, but it might actually be effective. They gathered the herbs and boiled a pot of medicine. After feeding Si Zhan one bowl, they noticed his condition improved, and by that night, his chills disappeared.
Although his body was still cold, he could finally sleep through the night, suggesting the prescription was indeed useful.
After taking the medicine for several days, Si Zhan’s condition improved. Wearing a fox fur, he could now walk in the courtyard. After explaining her plan to visit Ghost No Degree, the couple strategized how to govern Qian Nan.
Qian Nan was surrounded by mountains on three sides, with the south facing the sea. The land was barren, resources scarce, and it had always been a remote area beyond imperial control, known for poor mountains and bad waters, unruly people, corrupt officials colluding with gentry, and rampant banditry, making governance extremely difficult.
Though Si Zhan’s fief, it had been exploited by corrupt officials for many years. Many people, oppressed by local officials and gentry, had no choice but to become mountain bandits, resulting in a completely ungovernable area.
To investigate local customs and conditions, Ning Wanwan and Si Zhan changed into ordinary clothes and went out walking with the Yuan Bi siblings. Due to her growing belly, a simple horse-drawn carriage followed at a distance.
The local market was sparse with few merchants and nearly empty streets, creating a particularly desolate atmosphere. The shops’ goods were outdated, and some items were covered in dust.
Compared to Bian Capital’s prosperity, this place seemed primitive.
“Please, have mercy and spare some food,” a skinny old woman cried out, leading a thin little girl.
Upon arrival, the dozens of people who entered were surprised to find no tables or chairs, and no tea. Everyone stood outside the closed second gate, unsure of Si Zhan’s intentions.
