Chapter 19: Will Your Majesty Be Willing?
In the court, the emperor sat high on the dragon throne, his eyes slowly sweeping over the ministers in the palace. He asked solemnly, "My dear ministers, there has been an epidemic in Hangzhou Province recently. The epidemic is spreading rapidly and the people are suffering. I want to find a wise man to go to Hangzhou Province to save the people from the disaster. I wonder if anyone here is willing to go?"
The court suddenly became silent, and one could hear a pin drop.
Plague is different from common floods and insect plagues. It is an extremely terrible existence. Once infected, it is most likely fatal.
Jing Siye frowned, feeling conflicted.
Under normal circumstances, he would have stepped forward without hesitation.
However, Li Xiao's case is now imminent. If he takes on the task of going to Hangzhou Province to fight the epidemic, he will be busy traveling all the way and will have no time and energy to investigate the case.
Then Li Xiao can only wait to be beheaded.
At this time, Wei Yue, the prime minister of Wei, stepped forward and bowed respectfully, saying, "Your Majesty, I think the third prince is the best candidate. The third prince is highly skilled in martial arts, and he is also accompanied by Chen Lian, who is known as a miracle doctor. With such help, he will live up to your expectations and successfully fight the epidemic."
"I second this motion."
After Wei Yue said this, everyone hurriedly agreed. Each of them had their own ulterior motives, fearing that this dangerous and difficult task would fall on them.
The emperor pretended to be hesitant, his eyes flickering, but in fact he was waiting for this moment.
He was secretly happy that everything was going according to his plan.
"Ye'er, do you have any objections?" the emperor asked with seeming concern.
"Your son is willing to go."
Jing Siye knew in his heart that this was clearly a conspiracy between them. If he refused at this moment, his purpose of wanting to save Li Xiao would be too obvious.
"Well, today I order the Third Prince Jing Siye to be the Imperial Envoy to go to Hangzhou Province to fight the epidemic. He will set off in three days, without any delay."
"Your son obeys your order."
Jing Siye suppressed his anger and bowed to accept the order.
At the Zhaonan Palace, Jing Siye's carriage had just stopped when a figure sitting at the door, looking forward to something, eagerly came into his sight.
Zhu Wenqinman almost ran to meet him.
"My Lord, you are finally back!"
Jing Siye nodded slightly. He knew that what the little guy wanted most was to go with him to see his mother as soon as possible.
"Well, Guard Zhu has been waiting for me at the door?"
The young man in front of him didn't know that the situation had become more difficult, and his eyebrows curved:
"Well, my Lord, I have prepared your uniform. When shall we set out?"
"It will be later."
Jing Siye really didn't have much time to waste. He had too many things to do in these three days.
Several people changed into casual clothes and went out. The biting cold wind blew in their faces. Jing Siye glanced at Zhu Wenqin beside him and lifted the curtain:
"I wish the guard will be well again and sit in the carriage with the king."
"Okay, thank you, Your Highness." Zhu Wenqin was eager to do so and sat on it without any hesitation.
Qi Feng and Xue Nian rode on horseback and accompanied him. Lu Bo whipped his horse and galloped in the other direction.
Not long after, the carriage stopped in front of Juxian Tea House.
Zhu Wenqin got off the carriage and looked at the teahouse in front of him, full of doubts:
"Your Majesty, didn't you say you would take me to see my mother? Why are we in this teahouse?"
Jing Siye raised the corner of his mouth slightly, as if smiling, and said jokingly:
"Guard Zhu, are you afraid that I will sell you out?"
Zhu Wenqin paused and muttered, "Will Your Majesty be willing to do this?"
Jing Siye looked at him like this, his smile deepened, and he continued:
"Then it depends on whether Guard Zhu behaves well."
Zhu Wenqin calmed down and said playfully:
"Don't be ridiculous, Your Majesty. If you were to sell me, you wouldn't choose this teahouse, right?"
Jing Siye seemed to be intrigued and deliberately asked:
"Oh? Then Guard Zhu, tell me, where should I sell you to?"
Zhu Wenqin raised a confident smile on his face, and instantly changed into a cynical look. He flicked his sleeves in a pretentious manner and said loudly:
"With my outstanding talent and appearance, I must sell it to Yuxiang Pavilion to help you make a fortune."
After saying that, he deliberately raised his hand exaggeratedly to tidy up his clothes, and touched his hair, as if he was showing his charm to everyone, with pride between his eyebrows.
Jing Siye opened his mouth slightly when he heard this, and was speechless for a moment:
Have I been too indulgent towards him on a daily basis? How dare you openly confront me like this!
However, looking at Zhu Wenqin's quirky appearance, he was not angry at all. Instead, he found it extremely amusing and just shook his head pretending to be helpless.
As they were talking, several people walked up the stairs of the teahouse to the second floor.
Xue Nian had followed the prince for many years and knew his prince's taste very well. He ordered a few dishes according to the prince's preferences with ease.
Soon, the waiter came in with steaming dishes that looked, smelled and tasted delicious, and placed the dishes one by one on the table.
Zhu Wenqin looked at the table full of delicious food, but the doubts in her heart became more and more intense, and she couldn't help but ask:
"Your Majesty, you didn't really just bring us here for dinner?"
Jing Siye did not answer, but just gave a mysterious smile.
Just then, a slight sound of footsteps was heard, and a middle-aged woman came in carrying a tray of tea.
The woman was wearing a plain light blue dress with her hair simply tied up. Without any fancy decorations, it was hard to conceal her inner elegance and dignity.
Zhu Wenqin raised her eyes inadvertently and felt that the woman's figure looked familiar. When the woman raised her head, Zhu Wenqin's eyes widened instantly and shouted in surprise:
"Mother, it's really you! Why are you here?"
The woman's eyes were already red. She put down the plate, grabbed Zhu Wenqin's shoulders and looked at him:
"Qin'er, it's mother. Let me take a good look at you."
Zhu Wenqin spread her hands, turned around, and said:
"Mother, look at me, I am fine, not a single hair is missing."
Zhu's mother stood aside, following her son's figure with tender eyes, her eyes full of love:
"Yes, yes, it's you."
As she spoke, she tapped his forehead lightly with her finger.
At this time, Jing Siye, who had been sitting quietly in the main seat, opened his lips slightly:
"Madam Zhu, please sit down too."
Mother Zhu finally came to her senses and realized her own mistake. Her face turned pale in an instant. She knelt down in panic and saluted, her voice trembling:
"Your Majesty, please forgive me. I was so happy that I forgot to pay my respects to you."
Jing Siye looked gentle, waved his hand casually, and said in a calm tone:
"This king forgives you, please sit down."
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