Paralysis, Serena Rampages Through the Capital

Help!

Capital Prefect Yan wasn’t exaggerating in the slightest—Capital Prefecture Court was on the verge of total paralysis. If this couldn’t be resolved, not just the Prefecture but the entire Imperial City would descend into chaos.

Capital Prefect Yan was so anxious he was practically jumping up and down. As soon as he saw Serena, he poured out a torrent of complaints. Fortunately, Serena’s mind was clear—she sifted through his scattered words and picked out the key points.

The constables from the Capital Prefecture Court raided the coffin shop and seized a pile of coffins containing corpses, along with various grave goods.

These things had been buried underground for hundreds, even thousands of years, steeped in yin energy and corpse-气. No matter how careful the constables were while moving them, something unclean was bound to happen—and the accident did.

Corpse-poison!

Every constable in the Capital Prefecture Court had contracted corpse-poison. Aside from a few clerks who never touched the grave goods or decaying bodies, everyone else showed symptoms—some mild, some severe. The worst cases had skin ulcerations, oozing pus, and a stench like rotting corpses.

"Did you call for a doctor?" Serena interrupted the Prefect’s complaints. He choked, then hurriedly replied, "Yes, yes! The doctor from Young Family Pharmacies said it was an epidemic and told me to isolate those people. I’ve already done that, and the whole yamen has been cleaned with vinegar and hot water. Miss Feng, don’t worry—the epidemic hasn’t spread. I’ve got it under control."

"Did you submit a memorial to the court?" Serena didn’t go in, but stood at the door speaking with the Prefect.

"Well..." The Prefect looked troubled. If he reported this, the higher-ups would definitely charge him with dereliction of duty.

Serena could tell at a glance that the Prefect wanted to cover things up. She kindly advised, "You’d better report this as soon as possible, sir. Something this serious happening under the Emperor’s nose—there’s no way you can hide it. Instead of waiting for someone to accuse you, it’s better to report it yourself and ask His Majesty to send imperial physicians. After all, this wasn’t your fault to begin with."

The Prefect thought it over and realized she was right. He couldn’t sit still any longer and said urgently, "Miss Feng, I’ll go write the memorial right now. But when will you be free? I’d still like to ask for your help—your medical skills are unmatched. Please, think of a way to save me."

By the end, the Prefect was nearly in tears. If he couldn’t contain the epidemic, he’d lose his official hat; if it spread, even his entire clan wouldn’t escape execution.

Thinking of how serious things were, the Prefect broke out in a cold sweat. Now, all his hopes rested on Serena.

Since this whole mess started because of her, Serena certainly wouldn’t refuse. "Give me a moment to prepare, sir. I’ll head to the Capital Prefecture Court in half an hour."

"Thank you, Miss Feng." The Prefect bowed deeply to Serena, not rising until he’d finished.

After sending the Prefect off, Serena returned to her operating room, took out her medicine chest, activated the Smart Med-Pack, and selected several drugs for viruses and epidemics.

"The medicine supply keeps shrinking, but my Medical Ethics Points aren’t increasing. Sooner or later, the Smart Med-Pack will run dry." Serena sighed softly, set the worry aside for now, and carefully arranged the drugs, ready for a servant to fetch them. Just as she was about to step out, she heard the Snow Wolf’s voice: "Awoo..."

The Snow Wolf called out from outside the door, just like it used to on the sea—Serena handled the medicine, and it took care of carrying it.

"It’s practically become a spirit." The Snow Wolf was growing smarter by the day, and with the weather getting colder, it was more energetic than ever, running all over the place.

Serena put on her doctor’s robe and opened the door to let the Snow Wolf in.

"Awoo..." The Snow Wolf didn’t rush to carry medicine. Instead, it sat up in front of Serena and stretched out its front paw, begging for a head rub.

"You’re filthy—I’m not touching you. Get to work." Serena tapped the Snow Wolf’s head with the medicine chest. The wolf whimpered in protest, its mouth quivering as if about to cry.

"Why do you look just like Feng Jin?" Serena was exasperated. The Snow Wolf grew even more pitiful, whimpering as if sobbing. Serena looked up, sighed, and comforted it: "Be good, do your job first. I’ll get you braised beef later—as much as you want."

"Awoo!" Instantly restored to full energy, the Snow Wolf rushed forward, scooped up the medicine from the table, and followed Serena, urging her to hurry up.

The sooner they left, the sooner they’d be back for beef. It had been ages since the Snow Wolf had eaten a whole tub of braised beef.

Serena led the Snow Wolf to the front gate, just about to step out when Spring called from behind, "Miss, please wait—I have urgent news!"

Serena paused and signaled the Snow Wolf to get in the carriage first.

"What is it?" Serena stood at the door with her medicine chest. Spring caught her breath, glanced at the people outside, then leaned in to whisper, "Miss, we’ve finished investigating. Mr. Jingyang is indeed staying in the side villa, in the maid’s room of Miss Ling Tian."

"Just as I thought..." Serena smiled. "Send this news to the palace, and inform Ninth Royal Uncle. The epidemic at the Capital Prefecture Court is almost certainly connected to Mr. Jingyang."

Now Ninth Royal Uncle should finally move against Jason Lan. If he still did nothing, Serena would take matters into her own hands.

"Understood," Spring replied. After a moment, she asked, "Miss, should we post guards outside?"

"Yes. Everyone except the Eighteen Riders—if Mr. Jingyang leaves the villa, kill him on the spot. I want no survivors." Only with Jason Lan dead would Serena feel at ease. As for retaliation from Liancastle?

If Jason Lan lived, Liancastle would never let her go.

"I know what to do." Spring never questioned Serena’s orders and immediately went to arrange the manpower. Serena turned to the Eighteen Riders at her side: "With the Snow Wolf accompanying me, I’ll be fine. You stay here and protect Feng Jin and Ling Mo. Don’t let anyone near Feng Jin—not even Ninth Royal Uncle."

"Understood." The Eighteen Riders respected the Snow Wolf’s prowess and didn’t insist further. Their mission now was to protect Feng Jin at all costs. If anything happened to Feng Jin, not only would Serena punish them—even Left Shore wouldn’t spare them.

Just thinking about the weapons Left Shore had invented made the Eighteen Riders shiver. None of them wanted those things used on themselves.

The Capital Prefecture affair was a major case. As soon as Serena got in the carriage, she ordered the driver to hurry. The driver didn’t disappoint—thanks to the Snow Wolf clearing the way, the carriage sped smoothly toward the Capital Prefecture Court.

Along the way, many people sat in teahouses and inns. Some outsiders, seeing this scene, were baffled: "Who are these people, so bold as to gallop through the Imperial City with a wolf leading the way? Aren’t they afraid of being impeached by the censors?"

"Censors? Which censor would dare impeach her? Unless they have a death wish." Someone spotted the Feng family’s insignia and replied with envy and jealousy.

"Huh? Who has such powerful backing?" The outsider looked confused, seeking answers from the crowd. A few bold locals dipped their fingers in water and wrote a few words on the table. The outsider was stunned, unable to understand, until someone explained: "The world is changing, and people aren’t what they used to be. She’s just a woman, yet she relies on the Regent’s power—galloping through the streets, acting like a tyrant, ignoring the people’s lives. It’s truly shameful."

Some stubborn scholars and elders saw this and shook their heads, sighing as tears welled up in their eyes...

"A beauty brings disaster! Because of a woman, the whole Imperial City is in chaos—hearts are anxious, and the Regent is blinded by love."

The crowd’s discussion was loud, but Serena inside the carriage didn’t hear a word. Across the street, however, a few hawkers heard everything clearly. As they lowered their heads, a cold, ruthless glint flashed in their eyes—something no ordinary person possessed...