When the news that the Seventh Prince was infected with the epidemic reached Yan Cheng's ears, the epidemic in the palace had already spread from North One to North Four.
No one lives in the second north residence, the eighth prince lives in the third north residence, and the ninth prince lives in the fourth north residence. Palace servants in these three residences have been infected with the epidemic, so all three residences are sealed.
The eighth and ninth princes were lucky enough not to be infected by the epidemic and have now moved to another place to live temporarily.
At this time, no one in the Yan family thought it was a bad thing that Emperor Jingxi did not recognize Yan Cheng earlier.
Chu Yuan said thankfully, "If Yan Cheng is recognized as a member of the royal family, he will probably live in North Second Residence. North Second Residence is too close to North First Residence. If North First Residence is plagued by an epidemic, North Second Residence will also be unable to rest."
Yan Xi nodded: "That's right, luckily Cheng'er didn't move into the palace. Cheng'er's health is not good now. If she gets infected with the epidemic, how miserable she will be!"
Yan Cheng felt helpless and emphasized again: "I just look healthy, but I'm actually stronger than a cow."
Yan Xi looked at his pale little face and said decisively: "I don't believe it."
Then she puffed out her cheeks, glared at him, and muttered, "You always report good news but not bad news. You even endure being unwell and never tell us anything."
"No?"
How can you report good news but not bad news? He is very honest, okay?
"You did. A few years ago, when you were playing in the mountains with others, you accidentally fell into a trap set by a hunter. You told us that you were slightly injured, but ended up breaking your arm."
Yan Cheng said vaguely: "It's just that my arm is broken."
Although he was spoiled in this life, he had fair skin and tender flesh and had hardly ever suffered any injuries.
But his previous life before he was recognized by his biological father was very "wonderful". He had suffered so many serious injuries to his hands and feet that he couldn't count them all.
For him, a fracture is really a minor injury.
Yan Cheng returned to Qinglan Courtyard and found Yan Zhuo sitting at the stone table in the courtyard waiting for him. There were fallen leaves scattered on the ground and the trees above his head were covered with withered yellow leaves that were about to fall.
As soon as she saw him, she said solemnly, "I always feel that the timing of the Seventh Prince being infected with the epidemic is too coincidental."
Yan Cheng nodded: "It's quite a coincidence."
Just as his assassination attempt on him failed, the Seventh Prince was infected with the plague.
It was as if someone desperately hoped that one of them would die.
You can't blame Yan Cheng for thinking this way. Ever since he knew about his relationship with the Seventh Prince, every time he thought of himself, he couldn't help but think of the Seventh Prince in the palace.
Moreover, he was basically convinced that the act of switching the daughter of a prince was done by Concubine Yun Shu herself, and he also thought that the person who wanted him dead the most was Concubine Yun Shu.
Concubine Yun Shu was the most beloved daughter of the Marquis of Zhenbei. She took the position of Concubine Shu when she entered the palace, and also took over the network of contacts left by the late emperor's favorite concubine, Concubine Yun Gui, after the death of Concubine Yun Shu's aunt.
Who could do such a thing as swapping children under her nose?
She was the only one most likely to do such a thing.
The reason why Concubine Yun Shu did this was simply because she wanted a prince who could inherit the throne.
He and the seventh prince were twins. As long as they were both alive, neither of them would have the right to inherit the throne. Only if one of them died would the other have a chance to claim the throne.
When the twin rumors spread throughout the capital, Concubine Yun Shu ignored him, but a few days ago she suddenly sent someone to deliver something to him.
The person who came was Nanny Gao, a confidant of Concubine Yun Shu. She seemed kind and considerate. She told him that Concubine Yun Shu could not believe that the fifth princess was not her biological daughter these days and was too sad to dare to contact him.
Now that Concubine Yun Shu had just gotten over her grief, she immediately sent her confidant to see him. She also said that she had ordered people to take care of the North Second Residence and would ensure that he would live comfortably when he returned to the palace.
After that, Concubine Yun Shu said many nice things to him, trying to make him believe that Concubine Yun Shu cared about him very much and to bring the mother and son closer.
Only a few days later, the Seventh Prince was infected with the epidemic. What a coincidence.
An autumn breeze blew slowly, and the lifeless leaves on the trees collided with each other, making a rustling sound. Some dead leaves could not bear the weight and fell down.
With his palm covered with thin calluses, he raised up and caught a golden and green dead leaf that was destined to become nutrients to nourish the earth.
Yan Zhuo seemed to hear a sigh in the wind, as if it was beside his ear, but not quite real. He woke up from his thoughts and looked at Yan Cheng in a daze.
However, a rare blank expression appeared on the boy's face. He was still here, but his soul seemed to have gone to another world.
"Cheng'er?"
This state was very strange, even a little scary, and Yan Zhuo couldn't help but call out Yan Cheng's name.
"What’s wrong with you?"
Yan Cheng closed his palms, and the dead leaf shattered in his palms: "I just suddenly felt that human life is as fragile as this leaf."
"Just a slight pinch and it will be completely unrecognizable."
He opened his palm and saw that the leaves that had originally had a complete shape had been shattered into pieces.
"One more gentle lift and it will melt into the mud, and then dust to dust, earth to earth."
The broken dead leaves mixed into the dead leaves on the ground, and it was difficult to piece them together into a complete leaf.
Yan Zhuo: “…”
It's just... quite sad?
Yan Cheng's emotions came and went quickly. The snow-white handkerchief brushed across his palm, taking away the dirt that he had brought upon himself.
Yan Zhuo was still in a daze when Yan Cheng suddenly said, "Brother, I have a feeling I'll be going to that imperial city soon."
"…Why do you say that?"
"Because someone is eager to confirm my identity."
Yan Cheng said: "Ma Xiaochun's mother is missing, and Ma Xiaochun came to me for help. He hopes that I can help him find his mother."
Yan Zhuo was completely bewildered: "What does this have to do with Ma Xiaochun's mother?"
"Ma Xiaochun told me that his mother was once called Suyun. She was a confidant of Concubine Yun Shu and was released from the palace about ten years ago."
Yan Cheng lowered his eyes and said, "When I was born, Suyun was still with Concubine Yun Shu. If the child swap was done by Concubine Yun Shu, then as her confidant, she must have been involved."
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