"Tell me," Ji Zizhao straightened her expression as she saw her fourth sister's serious face.
"Last year, before the New Year, the mountains were sealed by heavy snow, so I could only find a place to settle nearby. The weather was cold, and many of my people had caught colds. I thought of sending someone to find some physicians to take a look. But when I sent people to inquire, I found out there were no physicians at all where I had settled."
Ji Zibi had traveled before, but for safety, she always camped outside the city.
Now, hearing that there were no physicians within the city, she was naturally surprised.
Since Ji Zizhao arrived here, her understanding of the outside world had been through her maternal grandfather's military notes. Hearing about such a thing, she also found it strange. "Are there no physicians in the nearby cities either?"
Ji Zibi shook her head. "None at all. However, the local people seem to be accustomed to it. In the past, they would use folk remedies for minor ailments like headaches and fevers, and only seek out physicians in cities for serious illnesses. I only learned after inquiring that in our Yulin, county towns do not have physicians or medical clinics at all." Su Dan Novel Network
Ji Zizhao understood as she listened.
The provinces, prefectures, and counties were familiar to her as states, cities, and counties.
The people in the county towns had always lived off the land and water, so their economy was naturally backward.
During the reign of the High Ancestor, the people in the county towns had no habit of seeking medical treatment. Most of them would try to cure themselves with folk remedies.
Later, as the number of deaths from illness gradually increased, the High Ancestor ordered physicians and medical clinics to be established in every county town.
However, the cost of medical treatment was not affordable for the common people.
Furthermore, the people in the county towns were inherently dismissive of seeking medical help. Over time, the medical clinics in the county towns fell into disuse.
By now, if people in county towns wanted to see a doctor, they had to go to the prefectures of the neighboring cities.
"It was better before. The people in the county towns followed the rules of their ancestors, and they didn't feel anything was wrong. But when I went there, the county town where I stayed, as well as several neighboring county towns, had almost everyone infected with the common cold. I heard from the local people that tens of thousands of people died from colds alone this year," Ji Zibi said, still shaken.
She hadn't expected that what seemed like a common cold to them would claim so many lives.
Ji Zizhao frowned. "Knowing that people would die, why didn't they go to the prefecture for treatment?"
Ji Zibi sighed. "It's not that they didn't want to go, but the current Luoyi is also overwhelmed."
Ji Zizhao suddenly realized that those county towns belonged to Luoyi.
Ji Zibi had merely mentioned this casually, wanting to comfort her elder sister so she wouldn't be sad about her paternal uncle's wife.
But in Ji Zizhao's mind, it was not that simple.
The lack of medical clinics and physicians in the county towns was ultimately due to the people's rejection of them.
Why did they reject them?
Naturally, because they felt the money spent was not worth it.
Ji Zizhao had seen this kind of mentality in the era she had lived in before.
People could afford to eat, drink, and have fun, but they felt that seeing a doctor was a waste of money.
Thinking about how her fourth sister said tens of thousands of people died from colds alone, Ji Zizhao could not help but be shocked.
Human lives were at stake, and this was not a matter to be trifled with.
Moreover, in this feudal era, the common people were the most crucial to the rise and fall of a nation.
Physicians said, without health, there is no longevity.
Monarchs said, without the common people, there is no kingdom.
Most importantly...
This matter also involved Luoyi.
The more Ji Zizhao thought about it, the more her heart pounded.
Because she knew that if her thoughts were realized, the biggest beneficiary would be Xie Jingqi.
She was now relying on Xie Jingqi. If he prospered, she would naturally prosper.
The Ji family would also prosper.
Ji Zizhao got up, spread out the paper, and ground the ink, outlining her plan.
After finishing writing, she called Qingzhu in. "While it's dark, take this letter to the Fourth Prince's mansion. Be sure to hand it to someone he trusts. Come back after delivering it."
There was no need to wait for a reply on the spot. Qingzhu took the letter and left.
It was not the first time Qingzhu had entered and exited the Fourth Prince's mansion, so Ji Zizhao was not worried.
In this world where men were superior to women, it was incredibly difficult for women to go out. No matter how anxious Ji Zizhao was, she could only wait for a reply from the Fourth Prince.
She believed that the Fourth Prince would understand her intentions.
She only hoped that she wouldn't have to wait too long.
Belief...
Ji Zizhao was surprised at herself when she thought of this word.
Ji Zibi's return had caused a stir in the Ji family, but then things quieted down.
The main courtyard remained quiet. The Old Madam continued to claim she was ill and did not pursue Ji Zibi's matter.
The Fourth Madam, Xiao Jingshu, who had been worried for several days, finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Although Qingzhu and Lianju did not say anything, they were secretly very vigilant.
They were afraid that the Old Madam would use this as an excuse to demand justice for Ji Zongyou's broken leg.
Ji Zizhao was not worried at all.
The main courtyard was feeling guilty now, so they wouldn't easily provoke trouble.
After all, once the crack was made, it wouldn't be easy for the main courtyard to mend it.
It was heard that Gu Peilan had woken up that night, but that kick had confined her to bed, and she had been resting all day.
Ji Renran was wholeheartedly looking after the Old Madam, going there early and returning late. The people in the main courtyard treated her with even more respect. Some even whispered that Miss Renran was filial and righteous, worthy of being a daughter of the Ji family.
Upon hearing this, Ji Zizhao's lips curled into a cold smile.
Her own mother lay sick in bed, yet she went far out of her way to play the ailing Old Madam for attention...
Such filial piety and righteousness were truly moving.
However, Ji Renran's diligence now might be a way to force the grandmother to make a decision quickly.
After all, Ji Zizhao would not remove the mourning hall until the matter of her mother was resolved.
Now Ji Renran was pressing closer, and her aunt was crying and wailing every day...
It was likely that the grandmother would make a decision soon.
She should have expected this bitter fruit when the grandmother favored her and suppressed the true cause of her mother's death. Ji Zizhao was happy to watch the drama unfold from the sidelines.
She had said that none of those stained with her mother's blood would be spared.
None of them would have an easy time.
"Miss, the eldest daughter of the Zhong family from Zhongyong Hou's mansion has sent a post, inviting you to their mansion to meet. She says it's spring and the plum blossoms will be gone if you don't appreciate them now, and you'll have to wait until next year." Nanny He entered with the post.
Ji Zizhao frowned.
She had lived in the Ji family since she was young. She had never even seen a young lady of noble family like those from the Zhong family, let alone sit with them to admire flowers.
Two strangers sitting together...
The scene would be so awkward, wouldn't it?
Ji Zizhao was about to refuse when she thought of something. "Nanny, did you say it was the eldest daughter of the Zhong family?"
Nanny He nodded. "That's right. Back then, the Old Master Zhong of Zhongyong Hou's mansion was a general who fought alongside our Old Master in the north and south. Unfortunately, Old Master Zhong was severely injured on the battlefield many years ago. The Emperor gave him the title of Zhongyong Hou as a homophone and he has been living in retirement since."
If Ji Zizhao remembered correctly, the current Empress was also surnamed Zhong.
Looking at the post in front of her, Ji Zizhao knew that the person who wanted to see her was likely not this eldest daughter of the Zhong family.
Ji Zizhao changed into a simple outfit and left the courtyard with Shui Ling.
Qingzhu and Lianju had worked hard during their trip to Luoyi. Ji Zizhao was trying to give them a break during this time.
Shui Ling was delighted to follow her young lady out, and her smile increased.
But before they reached the entrance, they saw familiar figures standing in front of the mansion gate.
Shui Ling looked again and could no longer smile.
Wasn't that Fu Dong, a maid from the main courtyard...
And Miss Renran, who had just returned!