Daxing City, beneath Mingde Gate.
The city gate remains tightly shut, but unlike the usual stillness when no one is entering or leaving, a troop of Left Brave Guard Army with orderly and heavy footsteps cos forward at this mont, replacing the city guards.
They have erected a long shade near the gate, with over a dozen tables and chairs arranged under it in two rows, leaving a space of more than a unit between them.
These tables and chairs are prepared for the dical officers of the Imperial dical Bureau, who in a while will follow the Grand Chancellor’s order to co for consultations, determining whether the 321 patients listed from Yanzuo Square have recovered and can return ho; the spacious distance in between is reserved for the passage of the patients.
This passage directly leads to Mingde Gate.
Such grand preparations naturally alard many citizens nearby, who opened doors and windows, curiously looking out, seeing the situation at the city gate, they are filled with doubt.
So even started whispering to one another—
"What is this for?"
"Just heard them say, seems like they’re preparing to let so patients leave the city. Over at Yanzuo Square, most of them have been cured."
"So impressive? I heard that Yanzuo Square is managed by Young Master Yu Wen."
"Indeed, this Young Master is truly kind-hearted. I’ve heard before, at Changle Square it costs a silver coin for a bowl of dicine, but over there, dicine is given away for free; now, the patients inside haven’t spent a penny and so many are cured."
"As expected, this Young Master is indeed more capable."
"In that case, that second young master must be—"
These whispered discussions also drifted on the breeze to the second floor of a street-side tavern not far from Mingde Gate.
This tavern has been without business for several days, barely holding on, but today, suddenly a few guests arrived. The shopkeeper, seeing a stroke of fortune, bustled up and down energetically, and because of the commotion at Mingde Gate, many dared to co over to see the excitent, the crowd grew, and it brought back so of the past bustle.
But all this lively chatter quietened near the window of the elegant room on the second floor that faced the street.
Shang Ruyi sat inside the elegant room, listening to the soft-spoken words of the person beside her, while inadvertently peering through a slit in the window down at the street. Preparations at Mingde Gate were completed, a few soldiers ran over hurriedly said a few words, evidently ready to greet the dozen dical officers from the Imperial dical Bureau.
It was almost 3:45 PM.
At this mont, the murmured report beside her ended as well, Shang Ruyi’s expression remained unchanged, but her breath faltered for a mont, after a silent pause, she looked up at the person beside her: "Is this what you found when you went back to inquire?"
"Yes."
The one responding was none other than her subordinate Jiang Kesong.
After purchasing that batch of dicine outside Tongguan, Jiang Kesong rested for a while, but hadn’t even rested for two days when Shang Ruyi returned, encountering the epidemic in Daxing City, Jiang Kesong was once again dispatched by her. However, this ti, there was no significant task, rely gathering so information.
It wasn’t until today, just when the city gate opened at noon, that he returned to the city.
After Jiang Kesong finished, he pondered for a mont, speaking quietly: "Due to the unusual circumstances on the Luoyang side, I worried about exposing our actions, so I dared not make too much noise, this information—"
Shang Ruyi imdiately said, "There’s no need to explain, I understand."
"..."
"When I asked you to gather information, it was also with the premise that you do it within your ans, no need to force it."
Saying this, she picked up the wine cup in front of her, watching the gentle sway inside, radiating layers of shimring light, her eyes flickered likewise, she said softly, "Besides, this information is already sufficient."
Jiang Kesong slightly opened his eyes wide.
He clearly felt puzzled, wanted to ask, but after all, it was the master’s business, the practice of not seeing, hearing, speaking, becos a kind of essential requirent for a subordinate, he wouldn’t know or ask, just focus on carrying out tasks.
So he suppressed his curiosity and spoke softly: "Then, I’ll take my leave."
Shang Ruyi nodded, smiled: "You’ve worked hard on this trip, go back and rest first.
"Yes."
After speaking, Jiang Kesong saluted, nodded again toward Wo Xue and Tushere standing behind Shang Ruyi, then turned around and left the private room, shortly after, the sound of footsteps descending the staircase was heard outside.
Just as Jiang Kesong left, Tushere couldn’t hold back and spoke up: "No wonder we couldn’t find him since we ca back from Fufeng, turns out Miss sent him out again. But Miss, why did you send Brother Jiang to investigate those matters? And furthermore, back to Ban Yan Temple?"
User Comments
0 comments from readers