Chapter 7 Smallpox Jiang Zhuoying trembled; she knew about it too…
Jiang Zhuoying trembled. She already knew about this, so there was no need to emphasize it again...
At a time when life and death are at stake, how can this second prince remain so calm and composed?
Wasn't this the red carp that Consort Wan left for him when she was alive?
Wasn't it supposed to be something you cherished extremely?
Could it all be fake?!
“Master, this earthenware jar probably won’t last much longer. We used it in the first place because it was lighter. If we had known Zhuozhuo would be so naughty, we should have used a porcelain jar.”
Jiang Zhuoying huddled at the bottom of the jar, curled up in a ball, too afraid to move at all.
What a smooth-talking eunuch! He smiled so obsequiously at her earlier, and now he's spouting empty platitudes.
If this vat really cracks, how will she survive?
Hurry up and think of a solution for her!
"Hmm, go and have someone change the tank." A nonchalant voice sounded from above.
Jiang Zhuoying: "?"
Should we replace the cylinder?
Such a large earthenware jar, and there was a second one along the way?
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will send someone to change the jar immediately."
Chu Yixin quietly left the carriage, leaving only herself and Li inside.
Jiang Zhuoying curled up into a ball, trying her best to protect her face.
She was terrified that the earthenware jar might suddenly shatter, and what if the shards of earthenware hurt her face?
The man stared at the crimson carp curled up in the earthenware jar and slowly spoke: "My mother once said that you are extremely intelligent. If that's the case, then bless me to accomplish this great thing."
A casual whisper sent a chill down Jiang Zhuoying's spine.
What important event is it?
She couldn't help but guess in that most unbelievable direction, and the next moment she curled herself up even tighter.
Good heavens, does this second prince, who has been sidelined from the court, have such audacity?
Although this red carp was anciently known as the fairy fish, it is said to possess spiritual power.
But she has never learned how to bless people since she came from this red carp.
Don't call her, don't call her...
Fortunately, not long after, Chu Yixin led people to replace the earthenware jar for her.
The high-pitched, soft voice praised her as she made arrangements: "Zhuozhuo's tail fin is really powerful; its strength is getting greater and greater."
Jiang Zhuoying remained stiff and motionless, but still managed to spit a few bubbles at him.
[Flattery.]
After saying that, Chu Yixin turned her head again: "Master was prepared in advance. The earthenware jars that you had people prepare beforehand really came in handy."
The man had already taken his seat, holding a book on military strategy. He didn't look up when he heard this, but lazily said, "Next time, prepare an extra jar, just in case."
"This servant understands."
Jiang Zhuoying heard this too. Should we prepare one more?
How flimsy must this tank be?
...
The wheels soon started rolling again. Jiang Zhuoying wanted to look outside, but her earthenware jar couldn't open a window for her.
Bored, she lay lazily at the bottom of the water, trying to control herself from jumping around excitedly, lest she damage the fragile earthenware jar again.
Just as she was about to fall asleep, a report came from outside.
"Sir, we've arrived."
"We've arrived already?" Jiang Zhuoying suddenly perked up.
It's only been half an hour since we set off, so it seems the Osmanthus Grove isn't far from the Second Prince's residence.
The earthenware jars were carried on the shoulders of the servants and then escorted off the carriage.
Jiang Zhuoying didn't dare to move around in the vat, hoping that she could be put back into the pond as soon as possible.
She was truly trembling with fear and lingering apprehension while sitting in that earthenware jar.
"Your Highness, Second Prince! Your Highness is benevolent; please, save my young lady's life!"
Suddenly, a sharp and impassioned shout reached her ears.
That sound?
Jiang Zhuoying's body trembled; the voice was extremely similar to Xiangyue's!
"Who goes there?" The man's voice remained calm, cold as ice.
"This servant will go and take a look."
Chu Yixin gave a simple bow and walked towards the girl who was being stopped ahead.
The girl was dressed strangely, and her face was even wrapped in a veil...
Jiang Zhuoying's heart was beating faster and faster. She must have heard correctly; it was Xiangyue.
She just shouted for help to save her young lady. Could it be that something went wrong with her original body?
...
After about half a cup of tea's time, Chu Yixin got the gist of it and then led the girl dressed as a maid to Qi Fan.
"Master, this young lady claims to be the personal maid of the second daughter of the Duke of Rui's family."
Jiang Zhuoying's heart skipped a beat; it really was Xiangyue!
As soon as Xiangyue approached, she knelt down in front of Qi Fan with a "whoosh," repeatedly banging her head on the ground: "Your Highness, Second Prince, please have mercy and save my young lady!"
The man narrowed his eyes slightly: "Jiang Zheng's daughter?"
"Indeed, my daughter's name is Jiang Zhuoying. She is Lord Jiang's only legitimate daughter. I beg Your Highness to save my daughter, considering the great contributions Lord Jiang has made to the Rong Kingdom!"
The man looked down at the woman kneeling on the ground. She was very careful to keep her distance from others, and she was wearing a face mask that covered most of her face.
"Take off the face mask."
Xiangyue was so anxious that she was covered in sweat, and with her eyes red, she suddenly bumped her head on the ground.
A pebble chipped her forehead, but she didn't care and gritted her teeth to tell the truth: "Your Highness, this servant cannot remove this veil!"
A look of understanding flashed in the man's eyes, but he didn't show it on his face. Then his voice turned cold.
"Tell me the truth, and I'll spare your life."
Xiangyue gritted her teeth: "This servant did not intentionally hide it. My young lady suddenly lost consciousness ten days ago, and then had a high fever. The doctor said... that the young lady has smallpox!"
She lay prostrate on the ground, her back bent: "However, I had smallpox when I was young, so there is absolutely no way I could have been infected. I have also been careful not to have any contact with Your Highness's people. Before coming here, I took a medicinal bath and wore a face towel."
Jiang Zhuoying, inside the earthenware jar, was astonished to discover that she had contracted smallpox!
She had never contracted smallpox since childhood. To prevent any accidents, her parents arranged for Xiangyue and Xiangxing to stay by her side, both of whom had contracted and recovered from smallpox.
She hasn't left the village at all recently, so how could she have contracted smallpox out of nowhere?
"Since you've already consulted a doctor, why are you still coming to me for help?" the man asked in a slightly gentle tone.
Xiangyue felt a great sense of relief; the Second Prince hadn't blamed her after all.
It seems that the rumors about the second prince are not entirely true.
She composed herself and said, "Your Highness, we sent word to the Duke's manor, but not only did we not receive the imperial physician, we also received people who surrounded the young lady's estate."
"They said...they said they couldn't let the smallpox spread..."
"The doctor has already finished the medicine he prepared earlier, but it hasn't been very effective for you. That's why I dared to come and ask the Second Prince for help."
After Xiangyue finished speaking, Jiang Zhuoying suddenly understood.
A few days ago, the eldest son's family sent someone to deliver many things to her, from silk and satin to jewelry and ornaments.
She had looked at most of them, and there was one handkerchief with the lotus flower pattern that her mother loved most when she was alive. She picked it up and looked at it for a long time.
Could this be the reason?
But... she subconsciously refused to believe that possibility.
"Yu Ji." The man turned his head and called out a name, then ordered, "Go with this maid."
"yes."
The man who had been following not far away walked over and stood in front of Xiangyue: "Miss, please get up. I still have some medical skills, so I will go with you to see your young lady."
"Yes, yes, thank you Your Highness, thank you Young Master!"
Overjoyed, Xiangyue burst into tears and quickly stood up to lead the way for Yu Ji.
After the two left, the man turned his head and instructed Chu Yixin: "Have someone send a message by carrier pigeon to the head of the Imperial Medical Academy, saying that someone in a manor on the eastern outskirts of Luoyang is suspected of having smallpox. As an imperial physician, you should know how to properly handle this matter."
Chu Yixin's heart skipped a beat, and she immediately nodded in agreement.
The master and his subordinates around him had all contracted smallpox, so they were naturally fearless.
But if Miss Jiang's smallpox is real, it will probably cause a huge commotion.
Jiang Zhuoying knew all too well how dangerous smallpox was, and her own body wasn't exactly strong; if she couldn't survive it...
Does that mean she can never go back?
The red carp slumped listlessly at the bottom of the tank.
*
Both Qi Fan and Chu Yixin noticed the strangeness of the red carp.
Ever since the fiery red carp was placed in the fishpond, it has remained curled up in the corner, refusing to move no matter how others tried to coax it.
Chu Yixin asked anxiously, "Master, could it be that Zhuozhuo was frightened just now?"
Since the earthenware jar showed signs of cracking, Zhuozhuo has become much less active than before.
"This servant will go and fetch some of Zhuozhuo's playthings right away!"
Chu Yixin left in a hurry...
Jiang Zhuoying was somewhat moved. Although the eunuch was used to flattery, he might have some genuine feelings for her.
But she was preoccupied with worries and couldn't muster any energy.
After Chu Yixin left in a hurry, Qi Fan sat down directly on the ground.
Guihualin's house was nothing compared to his villa; it was merely a single courtyard.
The fishpond wasn't built with great care, but it was still a result of some thought and effort.
In previous years, when I stayed here for a short time, I never had such symptoms.
The man pursed his lips slightly, his eyes fixed on the fiery red figure in the pool: "Since you're in my hands, just live as you please."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhuoying raised her head.
She looked through the pool water at the taut jawline on the shore.
He said he should just live as he pleases, but just now he asked her to help him succeed.
"Gurgle, gurgle..."
She blew a few bubbles; there was really no other way now, but the second prince couldn't be blamed for this.
On the contrary, he should thank him, as he sent Yu Ji to accompany Xiang Yue away. Now he can only hope that he can live up to his potential.
Chu Yixin quickly brought out a tray of toys, including several luminous pearls.
Jiang Zhuoying, however, showed little interest in this, but she still swam a few laps as a courtesy and even wagged her tail at the two of them.
Chu Yixin breathed a sigh of relief and turned his head: "Master, Zhuozhuo should be gradually recovering."
"Um."
The man nodded, then stood up: "If there is any news about Yu Ji, inform me immediately."
"This servant understands."
Chu Yixin was well aware that this was a major event.
The man stood with his hands behind his back, his back to the fishpond, and instructed, "Write another letter to the head of the Imperial Medical Academy, and tell him to do everything he can to save Jiang Zheng's daughter's life."
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