Mu Jingrui accompanied Shangguan Wanning for a meal, and only said goodbye to Shangguan Yue and went home when it got dark.
Shangguan Wanning took a short rest and then wanted to go to Deshan Hall.
"Miss, the master asked you to go to the study because a distinguished guest has arrived."
Shangguan Wanning felt strange. What kind of distinguished guest would come to visit at this time?
She changed into some decent clothes and came to the study with doubts in her heart.
"emperor?"
Shangguan Wanning was shocked and was about to bow down to greet her, but Xiao Yujue bent down slightly and helped her.
"This is the Prime Minister's residence. I am only here incognito. Besides, we are all family, so we can waive these etiquettes."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Shangguan Wanning glanced at her father.
Shangguan Yue didn't give her much response.
"Your Majesty came here today for..." Shangguan Wanning asked tentatively, secretly observing the changes in Xiao Yujue's expression.
"I heard that you have found a way to cure those who are sick, right?"
"Yes."
"I came here today for two things. I'm afraid both of them will be difficult for you."
"Your Majesty, please speak."
"First, I hope you can pass on your acupuncture techniques to other imperial doctors so that they can treat the people just like you do. After all, your time and energy are limited."
Sure enough, after Xiao Yujue finished speaking, he saw Shangguan Wanning lower her eyelids.
"I also understand that Doctor Lu would not want his superb medical skills to be leaked, but human life is at stake, and as a doctor, it is his duty to save the world. In the future, if Doctor Lu blames you, I will bear the responsibility."
Shangguan Wanning was speechless and didn't know how to respond for a moment.
Xiao Yujue wanted to take responsibility, but his words were just politeness.
"Your Majesty, what about the second thing?"
Shangguan Wanning did not answer for the time being. She needed some time to think carefully.
"The second thing... is more troublesome."
Xiao Yujue lowered his head and coughed lightly, as if he was organizing his words.
"I have gathered all the sick people from several towns near the capital and set up a temporary concentration camp. I hope... you can bring the imperial physician into the concentration camp and thoroughly understand this strange disease. But... your wedding date with Jing Rui is approaching..."
Shangguan Wanning also understood in her heart that if she agreed to Xiao Yujue's request, then her wedding date with Mu Jingrui would have to be postponed.
"I also know that you and Jing Rui have experienced life and death together... Even if you agree to this matter, Jing Rui will not agree easily. So I hope you can convince him."
Shangguan Wanning understood immediately.
Xiao Yujue condescended to come to the Prime Minister's residence in person today, but she just lowered her posture and put more pressure on her.
He kept saying that he was discussing this with her, but in fact he didn't leave her any room to refuse.
In fact, Shangguan Wanning was also willing to put the overall situation first, but Xiao Yujue's behavior made her feel that she was forced into a helpless situation.
"Your Majesty, please give me some time."
"Okay." Xiao Yujue did not dare to relax, "As soon as possible, after all... time waits for no one."
The rumors outside have shaken the people's confidence in him. Although they cannot threaten his position, they will inevitably cause unnecessary trouble over time.
"I'm going back, you have a good rest."
"Your Majesty, I respectfully send you off."
Shangguan Yue accompanied Xiao Yujue out of the Prime Minister's Mansion, and watched his sedan chair go to the yard, with a hint of depth in his deep gaze.
He returned to the study and saw Shangguan Wanning sitting in a chair in a daze.
"What are you thinking about?"
"Dad, the emperor has given me a difficult problem. I..."
"Ning'er, actually, there is only one problem."
"Dad means..."
Shangguan Yue sat down opposite Shangguan Wanning and said, "If you are willing to teach acupuncture to Li Qiao, Zhou Shan, and the imperial doctors, then they can enter the concentration camp for you. You must go there in person. You and Jing Rui can get married as scheduled."
"But the Emperor's intention is..."
"Silly girl, you are still too naive. The emperor is not giving you two difficult problems, but two paths to choose from. After all... the emperor needs to rely on Jing Rui for too many things. At this time, he will not let Jing Rui feel uncomfortable."
Shangguan Wanning thought about it carefully, and it seemed... that this was indeed the case.
"Dad, what do you think my daughter should choose?"
“It depends on your heart.”
Shangguan Wanning was so lost in thought that she couldn't fall asleep the whole night.
The next day, at dawn, she got up and went to Deshan Hall.
There were few pedestrians on the street. She looked out through the curtain of the sedan chair, with Xiao Yujue's words from last night still lingering in her mind.
Suddenly, a little beggar rushed out and blocked the sedan chair.
Grape took out a few copper coins from her sleeve and handed them over, saying softly, "Little brother, could you please make way for me?"
After the little beggar took the copper coin, he handed a letter to Grape. "Someone asked me to give this letter to Princess An Ning."
Grape was a little surprised. She took the letter, read it, and walked to the sedan chair.
"Miss, do you want to see it?"
"Give it to me."
Shangguan Wanning took it carelessly and found that there was not a single word on the envelope.
She opened the letter and there were only four words on it.
"Don't spread it outside."
Shangguan Wanning's thoughts were churning, and the familiar handwriting made her excited.
She hurriedly got off the sedan chair, walked up to the little beggar, and asked, "Little brother, who asked you to bring this letter?"
"I don't know him, he's an old man."
"Then do you know where he is?"
"In the last yard of Yonghua Lane in front. He gave me food."
After the little beggar finished speaking, he took the copper coin that Grape gave him and ran away happily.
"Go to Yonghua Lane."
Shangguan Wanning immediately rushed to Yonghua Lane. She knocked on the door, but no one responded and there seemed to be no movement inside.
"Master...Master, I'm Ning'er, are you in there?"
Shangguan Wanning waited for a long time, but still no one opened the door. She hesitated for a moment, then turned to the sedan bearer and said, "Pick someone to climb over the wall and open the door."
"yes."
The sedan bearer in front took the order, took a running start and jumped onto the wall, then jumped down again.
Not long after, the sedan bearer opened the door.
"Miss, there's no one inside."
Shangguan Wanning rushed in somewhat unwillingly. She searched the yard inside and out twice, but there was indeed no one there.
However, she smelled a familiar scent of sandalwood in one of the rooms.
This is Lu Xiangzi's favorite flavor.
"Master, where are you?"
Shangguan Wanning slumped down on the stool in disappointment, feeling exhausted.
She couldn't understand what had happened to Lu Xiangzi and why he avoided her.
Not allowed to be spread outside.
These four words were like a spell on her heart.
Of the two paths Xiao Yujue gave her, it seemed that she only had one left.
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