Changn County.
A carriage stopped at the city gate.
There were about ten guards accompanying it.
Xiao Wu hurriedly rode over and swiftly dismounted, preparing to kneel to pay his respects.
"No need for formalities," Xiao Jinxing said from inside the carriage, "I’m traveling incognito; don’t reveal my identity."
"Yes," Xiao Wu responded respectfully.
Seeing that the Emperor was planning to disembark, Xiao Wu quickly lifted the curtain and helped the Emperor out.
Xiao Jinxing alighted from the carriage and looked at the sign reading "Changn County." "How are things inside?"
As he asked, he began walking in on foot.
Xiao Wu followed behind him.
The other guards also followed in their wake.
"Your Majesty, Doctor Feng has already found a redy for the plague. The patients in the critical condition ward have shown significant improvent, but since they haven’t fully recovered, they’re still under observation in quarantine until they are completely healed," Xiao Wu reported. "Doctor Feng is currently treating patients with moderate symptoms. If all goes well, at the current pace, the plague in Changn County should be under control within half a month."
Xiao Jinxing nodded.
"Why did Your Majesty suddenly co to Changn?" Xiao Wu couldn’t help but ask.
Every day they had people quickly sending news of the plague back to the Imperial Palace. Logically, the Emperor should have received news that the plague was being effectively controlled, so why did he personally co here?
"I had nothing better to do," Xiao Jinxing replied candidly.
"..." Isn’t the Emperor supposed to attend court every morning?! He’s always busy with state affairs.
Moreover, the Emperor was planning to personally lead a campaign northward to drive the Cang Kingdom, which has long been a threat to Daxuan Kingdom, out of Tiann Pass.
The invasion by the Tatars made the Emperor feel that Daxuan must not remain passive. Only by taking the initiative and eliminating all threats could other nations see Daxuan’s military prowess, thereby ensuring true peace for Daxuan. Hence the preparation for a military campaign was already in place.
But because General Xie suddenly beca pregnant, the plans were delayed.
Though there’s no war for the mont, the Emperor has been attentive to military deploynt and still has nurous political affairs to handle. How could he suddenly be free?!
Xiao Wu dared not ask any further.
The Emperor had already arrived.
He just assud that the long ti in the palace made the Emperor need so fresh air.
Facing civil and military officials every day is exhausting.
Even he was sowhat excited when he suddenly received the order to bring Feng Xiyun to Changn, as it ant he wouldn’t be cooped up in the palace, though he missed his wife and children.
"Where is Feng Xiyun?" Xiao Jinxing suddenly inquired.
"At Linghe Temple," Xiao Wu replied. "Would Your Majesty like to go directly to see Doctor Feng, or first rest at the County Magistrate’s Mansion?"
"Go to Linghe Temple."
"Yes," Xiao Wu responded respectfully and added, "Doctor Feng has indeed been working hard these days. To treat the plague patients, he probably sleeps only an hour or two a day, constantly confining himself in a room to write prescriptions. Fortunately, Doctor Feng’s dical skills are superb and has brought the plague under control."
Xiao Jinxing listened indifferently.
Xiao Wu wasn’t sure if the Emperor wanted to hear this.
Since he worked in the palace and served the Emperor, he knew that the relationship between the Emperor and Doctor Feng was quite delicate.
Everyone in the palace was talking about the unusual bond between the Emperor and Doctor Feng.
It seed everyone was just waiting for Doctor Feng to be made a concubine and move into the harem.
Because of these rumors, Xiao Wu deliberately ntioned things about Feng Xiyun.
But the Emperor didn’t seem to react much.
"Besides Feng Xiyun, are there other doctors in Changn County?" Xiao Jinxing asked.
"Yes. When the plague broke out, Changn County enlisted over fifty doctors. They’re all at Linghe Temple, and so of those infected are in quarantine..."
"The special ones," Xiao Jinxing interrupted Xiao Wu.
Xiao Wu paused.
Was the Emperor inquiring about soone?!
The next mont, a sudden realization struck him.
Could it be that the Emperor thought the Empress was here?!
After all, Her Majesty is also a doctor. Given her character, she might indeed co upon hearing about the plague in Changn.
So the Emperor still had lingering feelings for the Empress?!
If there are feelings, why not keep the Empress by his side?
Xiao Wu couldn’t figure it out either.
Matters of the heart are too complicated.
Especially when the Emperor has three palaces and six courtyards.
It’s like his relationship with Lu You—trusting and sincerely caring for each other, one life, one pair.
"Hmm?" Xiao Jinxing frowned.
Not having received a response from Xiao Wu, he appeared displeased.
"Yes," Xiao Wu snapped back to reality and quickly responded.
Xiao Jinxing’s gaze shifted.
"There is one doctor who completely disregards his own safety, unafraid of infection, and insists on diagnosing patients in the plague area, working in concert with Doctor Feng. Without his dedication, Doctor Feng might not have been able to formulate the plague redy so quickly, so his contributions are significant."
As Xiao Wu spoke, he occasionally watched the Emperor’s expression.
Of course, he couldn’t discern much.
The Emperor was always inscrutable.
Xiao Wu continued, "His na is A Li. And..."
Xiao Jinxing turned to look at Xiao Wu.
Xiao Wu gathered his courage and said, "He’s a man."
So it wasn’t the Empress.
He was really afraid the Emperor would be disappointed.
Besides, the plague was so tightly sealed off that no news could get out.
Even the Empress couldn’t have known about the plague in Changn County.
She couldn’t have co.
In the silence.
Xiao Jinxing suddenly asked, "Is he inside the plague area?"
"Yes, he’s the only one inside assisting Doctor Feng in diagnosing the patients and conveying ssages out, allowing Doctor Feng to prescribe accordingly," Xiao Wu promptly replied.
"To the plague area."
"What?" Xiao Wu thought he misheard.
Had the Emperor gone mad?!
He thought he was quite clear.
His na is A Li, and he’s a man!
"I’m already here, so I might as well see the patients in the plague area," Xiao Jinxing said plainly.
"But Your Majesty, the patients in the plague area haven’t recovered yet, and you might catch the plague..."
"Haven’t they already found a cure for the plague? Even if I get infected, it’s no big deal. Besides, is he infected?" Xiao Jinxing asked.
"He?"
"A Li."
"There’s been no news of him being infected," Xiao Wu quickly replied.
"So you think my constitution is inferior to a doctor’s?"
"I wouldn’t dare; I’m just worried about Your Majesty..."
"No need to worry. Don’t tell anyone. Just accompany inside to have a look. Don’t cause unnecessary disturbances," Xiao Jinxing instructed, his tone firm.
"... Yes." Xiao Wu had no choice but to agree reluctantly.
He didn’t know what had gotten into the Emperor!
When an epidemic broke out in Yuzhou years ago, the Emperor never showed such concern; now he even wanted to personally visit.
The people of Changn County must be counting their blessings!
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