"Sister-in-law, is the work at the Yizhuang finished?" Ajjiu stepped forward and asked.
"We've run out of snake venom, we'll have to wait a few days," Liu Caier said, arms crossed, looking at Duke Zhou. "Today, send my sister back. My elder brother and I are enough here."
Ajjiu understood that her sister-in-law didn't want her to suffer here too.
"Yes, Duke Zhou," Yun Hao said, cupping his hands. "The Prefect initially only asked this subordinate to guard the Yizhuang until the end, and did not require Miss Ajjiu to guard it continuously. Now that Miss Jiujiu has proposed a solution, she should be allowed to leave."
Duke Zhou straightened his back, his sharp gaze fixed on Liu Caier's face.
"Isn't Meng Jiujiu your family's sister-in-law? She is also a member of Hua Lan Medical Hall. No one can leave without authorization until the last moment."
Duke Zhou most detested Liu Caier's commanding tone, her haughty demeanor.
"You're picking a fight with my Liu family. I see you're taking personal revenge." Liu Caier saw through him at a glance.
"So what if I am taking personal revenge? Who asked your father to be so uncooperative?" Duke Zhou did not back down at all. "Look at yourself, what are you, to dare to be arrogant in front of this eunuch."
"As expected..." Liu Caier had been in Nanzhou County for so long and had already sensed something was amiss. It turned out this eunuch was indeed the one causing trouble for the Liu family.
Ajjiu saw a venomous glint in her sister-in-law's eyes.
"You are the one harming our Liu family from behind the scenes. It seems you've taken quite a bit from other medical halls."
As soon as these words were spoken, Ajjiu's heart sank. No wonder her sister-in-law had nothing good to say about Duke Zhou.
But wasn't her sister-in-law being foolish? He was someone close to the Prince, after all. How could one's arm contend against a thigh?
"This eunuch is merely addressing the matter at hand and recommended Hua Lan Medical Hall. How can that be considered harming? As for benefits, Miss Liu, what evidence do you have?"
Although Duke Zhou said this, his face was full of smugness.
"Sister-in-law, please calm down. You can't get into more trouble," Ajjiu pulled her sister-in-law aside and whispered in her ear.
Liu Caier gritted her teeth, unwilling to yield. "Fine, I won't argue with you about this. My sister must return to the city today. Duke Zhou, please arrange it quickly."
Heh, you truly won't shed tears until you see the coffin. Today, I will show you who is in charge:
"There is no room for negotiation on this matter, unless there is a recall document."
"You are deliberately making things difficult." Liu Caier's patience had already been worn thin from facing the deceased all day at the Yizhuang.
"So what if I am making things difficult? I'll say it here today, without my endorsement before the Prince, none of you will leave, hmph..."
Duke Zhou finished speaking, flicked his sleeves with a cold snort, and turned to leave.
"Aren't you just a steward? You have no official rank, no enfeoffment, and are nothing but a runner. What's there to be so arrogant about."
"Sister-in-law, please stop. We have no power right now, and it's not good to offend people anymore," Ajjiu quickly tugged at her sister-in-law. This was for the sake of sending her back to the city. If things escalated, Ajjiu would be uneasy.
Just then, the sound of horses' hooves approached.
Duke Zhou, who was about to fly into a rage, also looked over.
Through the swirling dust, several galloping horses could be vaguely seen. As they neared and their hooves landed, they kicked up dust that made everyone want to curse.
Ajjiu fanned the air in front of her with her small hands, and only then could she clearly see who had arrived.
"Sister Ajjiu, I'm here," Tuoba Yan said, dismounting with great energy.
"Little Yan Yan? Why are you here? Didn't I tell you not to apply for a transfer?" Ajjiu's face lit up with a smile. Truth be told, she had missed Little Yan Yan and Grandma quite a bit during these past few days they were away.
"This time is different. News of you recovering has spread throughout Nanming City. I specifically asked our chief to get a document from higher up for me."
As he spoke, Little Yan Yan took out an envelope from his embrace.
Liu Caier's ears perked up upon hearing this, and she looked at Duke Zhou. "It seems not everyone has this authority."
"Who are you?" Duke Zhou's old face lost all its color. He stepped forward, asking intently, perhaps there was something fishy going on.
"From the patrol official Zhang Liang'ai's team," Little Yan Yan said, still looking at Ajjiu with a smile as he handed her the document.
Ajjiu eagerly tore it open to read.
Meanwhile, Duke Zhou's face had turned completely black. "How can someone from the patrol official have the right to interfere in matters of plague?"
Ajjiu, who had just opened the envelope, was startled. She quickly moved to her sister-in-law to show her. "Sister-in-law, why do the characters on this great seal have the words Nanming King on them?"