allonlinenovel Chapter 329 Even though time has passed, my love for him remains undiminished.
Chapter 329 Even though time has passed, my love for him remains undiminished.
When Zhao Yi returned from the yamen, he met the clerk who had been waiting for him in the front hall.
The person in charge specially prepared a courtyard with four side rooms to accommodate Zhao Yi and Gu Changsheng's group.
After settling down in the courtyard, Zhao Yi instructed Jiang Mu to wait for Gu Changsheng in the front hall.
Jiang Mu accepted the order and left.
Zhao Yi stood by the window, pushed open the diamond-shaped window, and saw that the locust tree branches in the courtyard were covered with white snow, shimmering silver in the dim light.
A lithe, black figure leaped down from the roof, startling the snow off the branches.
The guard reported: "Master, after you left, Magistrate Xu wrote a letter and sent it out."
This news was within Zhao Yi's expectations. The moment Magistrate Xu came to him to curry favor, he suspected that Magistrate Xu had ulterior motives.
He deliberately feigned illness to test Magistrate Xu.
If Magistrate Xu does not take any action, then he is being paranoid.
Magistrate Xu's actions now confirm his suspicions.
Since Magistrate Xu had ulterior motives, he could use Magistrate Xu's words to spread the news of his illness and pave the way for his future in Northern Qi.
Zhao Yi instructed, "Keep an eye on it."
"Yes." The guard quickly left.
Zhao Yi closed the window and saw Jiang Mu push the door open and come in.
Jiang Mu reported, "Second Master, Young Master Gu has returned to the manor."
Zhao Yi instructed, "Go to the kitchen and prepare a few light dishes and a bowl of clear soup, then take them to Cousin Gu's room." After a pause, he added, "Make the rice soft and mushy."
"I'll go prepare right away." Jiang Mu quickly left.
Zhao Yi opened the door, and a warm yellow light shone through the window of the west wing, casting a long shadow on the window paper.
He walked over and knocked on the door.
"Cousin."
"Please come in."
Zhao Yi pushed open the door and entered, only to see Gu Changsheng pour a few black pills into his palm and swallow them.
"Is your headache acting up again? Should we summon Dr. Chen to take your pulse?"
He remembered that Gu Changsheng spent a lot of time treating people, and his body couldn't handle it.
"I'm fine. I spent most of the day in Jiang'anfang, taking some medicine as a precaution." Gu Changsheng poured a cup of water from the teapot and handed it to Zhao Yi: "You came so late, what trouble did you encounter?"
Zhao Yi observed Gu Changsheng's complexion and, after confirming that he was alright, finally felt relieved.
“Indeed, there is something I need my cousin’s help with.” Zhao Yi briefly told Gu Changsheng about Magistrate Xu’s matter, and then explained his purpose: “The Imperial Tutor has supreme power and prestige in Northern Qi. Many officials are attached to him, but there are also forces whose interests conflict with his.”
"I am a prince brought to Northern Qi by the Imperial Tutor, and I was ordered by him to deal with the plague. Along the way, I have heard many negative rumors about the Imperial Tutor, all of which are related to this plague. I am afraid that someone is pushing behind the scenes to ruin the Imperial Tutor's reputation."
Zhao Yi speculated, "The person hiding behind this wants to overthrow the Imperial Tutor, and will definitely not allow me to successfully control the plague. They will come forward to interfere."
Gu Changsheng frowned slightly: "You are not only a prince of Northern Qi, but also the son of the Princess Protector of Great Zhou, and are highly valued by Emperor Jing'an."
"If you die in Yingcheng, Northern Qi will have to give an explanation to Great Zhou. The mastermind behind this will bring out the Imperial Tutor."
"Assassinating you would not be a wise move. Yingcheng is currently ravaged by plague. If we use the plague to take your life, no one will suspect anything. Even if they do, there is no evidence."
"There's probably something wrong with the private residence that Magistrate Xu prepared for you."
"That's why I've come to see you," Zhao Yi said gently. "Is there any medicine that can make my symptoms resemble those of the plague?"
Gu Changsheng fetched a pen and ink and handed them to Zhao Yi, then listed several medicines: "Take one dose a day. The symptoms are the same as those of an epidemic, and ordinary doctors cannot diagnose it. Stop taking the medicine for three days, and the symptoms will dissipate."
"Thank you, cousin."
Zhao Yi dried the ink stains, folded them neatly, and put them into his sleeve.
At this moment, Jiang Mu came in carrying a food box and placed the food on the table one by one.
Gu Changsheng's vision was blurred, as if veiled by a thin white mist, but he could vaguely make out the outlines, all of which were made according to his taste.
Every one of his closest relatives kept him in their hearts.
Remember his likes and dislikes, remember his habits.
A strange feeling arose in his heart, indescribable in words, yet he knew that this feeling warmed his heart.
"You're very thoughtful," Gu Changsheng reminded her. "Go write to Manman and tell her not to worry about you."
"Okay." Zhao Yi didn't bother him any longer and got up to say goodbye.
After seeing Zhao Yi off, Gu Changsheng returned to the table, sat down, and began to eat.
As he tasted the soft, tender texture of the rice, a look of emotion welled up in his eyes.
The rice his father prepared for him was soft and tender, as was the rice his aunt prepared, and now even his cousin's husband prepares it the same way.
They treated him as the young man he once was, telling him through every little detail that their feelings for him had never changed, even though time had passed.
-
Magistrate Xu drank the medicine to prevent the epidemic, but he was worried that the medicine would not work. He was anxious all day and couldn't sleep at night.
He felt no discomfort until the next morning, and only then did he breathe a sigh of relief. He immediately sent someone to inquire about Zhao Yi's condition.
After breakfast, the minor official he had sent out returned.
"Lord Xu, His Highness did not take his subordinates to clean the streets or treat the disease today. He claimed that he had caught a cold. He only sent his trusted confidant Jiang Chao to protect him, while another trusted confidant stayed at the mansion to take care of him."
"It's strange, if he caught a cold, why did the divine physician who came to Yingcheng yesterday forbid anyone from the manor from approaching the courtyard where the Crown Prince is staying?"
"You mean... His Highness has contracted the plague?"
"If he has contracted the plague, why not send him to Jiang'anfang?"
The clerk was puzzled, feeling that something was amiss.
Magistrate Xu laughed: "If there are no surprises, His Highness has contracted the plague. He claims to have caught a cold and is concealing the truth in order to stabilize the situation in the court."
With his heart finally at ease, he instructed the clerk to spread the news that Zhao Yi had contracted the plague, thus muddying the waters.
-
Sure enough, after Magistrate Xu released the news, the people in the shadows remained still, seemingly trying to verify its authenticity.
Three or four days passed, and Zhao Yi still did not show up. Even official business that required his personal attention was handled by people around him.
The news of Zhao Yi's infection with the plague spread rapidly outside, and those hiding in the shadows could no longer contain themselves. Under the pretext of transporting supplies, they made a special trip to Zhao Yi's residence to visit him.
To determine whether Zhao Yi has been infected with the disease.
They stood in the front hall waiting for a servant to announce their arrival. Hearing a noise at the door, they glanced outside and saw servants coming and going, but they never saw the person they wanted to see.
The censor could no longer contain himself. He glanced at Magistrate Xu, who had come with him, and with a sullen face, got up and went to the door. He saw the maid who had gone to announce his arrival and hurried over.