Chapter 138 Unveiling the Secret
While they were waiting, the yellow dog seemed to realize that they had come looking for something. It suddenly barked softly and struggled to stand up.
One of the guards couldn't bear it, so he took a water pouch from his waist, poured some into his palm, and fed it some.
The yellow dog drank quickly, and soon licked the water dry, still wanting more. It stood up, grabbed the guard's robe by the corner of its mouth, and limped toward the semi-open shed next to the thatched hut.
"That is..."
"Go and take a look quickly."
Before long, a guard came forward carrying a wooden waist tag. Qi Jun and Xiao Yuxuan saw the words on it and their expressions changed.
"Tianji Tower"
How could it be the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion?
Tianji Tower was a renowned organization in the capital of Qi, known to almost everyone in the country.
They can take lives or uncover secrets; as long as the price is right, the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion can do anything.
Such an organization that disregards laws and regulations has always been a target of the imperial court's attempts to negotiate the recapture of the region with the Master of Tianji Tower, but the court has never been able to meet with him.
If we were to send people to forcibly take it down—those powerful and influential people in the capital all have some business dealings with Tianji Tower, and every transaction is registered and traceable. Once they are brought under the control of the court, wouldn't they all become leverage for the royal family to control them?
This stalemate has lasted for many years, and to this day, the Imperial Household Agency remains a major concern for the imperial court.
I never expected to see the Tianji Tower's badge here.
It's unclear whether this was left behind by those "disaster victims," and whether it was intentional or unintentional.
Things were getting more and more complicated. What was initially thought to be just bad luck and a sudden epidemic had now become connected to the Eastern Palace's spies and the Heavenly Mystery Tower. Qi Jun's brow remained furrowed for a long time.
"Put this away safely. Is there anything else unusual?"
"Aside from a decomposing adult male corpse, there was nothing else unusual inside the house."
In this weather, if a person dies and is not buried within seven days, they will indeed decompose.
Xiao Yuxuan's wishful thinking ultimately failed to materialize; Li Kun's father did indeed pass away.
I wonder how sad that child will be when they find out.
Before leaving the thatched hut, Qi Jun instructed a few guards to stay behind and fill the courtyard with spirits before the group headed towards the capital.
"Miss Xiao, what is your opinion on this matter?"
The two sat on their horses, and Xiao Yuxuan was somewhat surprised to hear the Crown Prince ask such a question.
"I think there must be something wrong with the water in that well, but considering that most of the people who have been infected with the plague in the capital these past few days are ordinary people, it's probably not that simple."
"Why is it that even though everyone uses the same water, so few nobles and wealthy families fall ill? And why is the eldest princess..."
Qi Jun had just as many doubts as Xiao Yuxuan, but figuring it out on his own was one thing, and having others summarize it in this way was quite another.
What are the differences in drinking and water usage between ordinary people and wealthy nobles?
"unboiled water!"
"Make tea!"
The two spoke in unison, revealing the crux of the problem.
In an instant, Wujiu sensed the excitement of the two people on horseback, and their speed increased considerably.
The wind whistled past the ears of the young boy and girl, quickly calming their excitement at finding the answer.
"Firewood was expensive in the capital, and ordinary people rarely boiled water unless they were cooking or occasionally boiling water for bathing in winter. On the contrary, wealthy families who could afford tea always drank boiled tea instead of raw water."
After she finished speaking, Qi Jun remained silent for a while before asking:
"Before Miss Xiao returned to the Xiao family, did she know how much firewood cost in the capital?"
Xiao Yuxuan pursed her lips.
After all, she had returned to the age of fourteen from her thirties. She couldn't remember the prices of things in the Ye family before, but she had managed the Xie family's household affairs for more than ten years, so she naturally knew the prices of these consumables.
“In the summer it was fine, at most forty coins a load (1), but in the winter when more firewood was needed, the firewood sellers would raise the price on the spot, and it would cost at least sixty coins to buy a load... You know, a pound of pork was only about twenty coins, which was already an extremely high price for ordinary people.”
"I forgot to tell Your Highness that a load of firewood is just enough for a family of six to burn for three days. That means an ordinary family in the capital would have to spend at least half a tael of silver a month just on firewood."
Half an ounce a month, that's six ounces a year.
If there are many people in the family, and firewood is expensive in winter, then it's hard to imagine how much it will cost.
With prices like these, unless people are wealthy, everyone would just make do with drinking tap water. Who would be willing to spend money to boil water?
The boy behind him slowly let out a long breath.
Compared to other parts of Qi, the people in the capital are already living much better lives. I wonder how the people outside the capital are struggling to make a living in other unseen places.
Although he didn't know the prices of these everyday items, he was clear about the salaries of officials, concubines, princes, and princesses.
For example, Minister Xiao, a second-rank official in the capital, received a salary of 700 shi (a unit of dry measure) per year, which is equivalent to 1,800 taels of silver.
Each person receives one tael of silver per year. With over a hundred people in the Xiao family, that's more than a hundred taels.
His throat tightened, and he said softly:
"Thank you, Miss Xiao. I have learned a lot."
Xiao Yuxuan was already surprised that the Crown Prince would ask such a question, but judging from the obscure and hesitant tone of his voice, he probably also realized that the people's lives were difficult and he was very distressed.
She shook her head: "Your Highness, what I have said is nothing more than the most ordinary life of the common people. Moreover, this matter cannot be accomplished overnight. The most important thing now is for you to take good care of your health so that the country can have successors. We can plan for the future slowly and steadily, so as to support the country and ensure that the people can live in peace and prosperity."
It's always like this.
Qi Jun couldn't help but wonder why she was so certain that he hadn't taken good care of himself.
But right now, with the city gates right in front of us, it's not a good time for a long talk. Let's find another opportunity to ask later.
The people at the city gate had either gone home or entered the city, and the area was now quiet and empty, with only the guards stationed at the gate standing dutifully at the entrance.
Upon seeing the prince's mount galloping towards them, they all knelt on one knee to pay their respects, and then opened the main city gates wide.
The main city gate could not be opened except for the emperor and crown prince. Xiao Yuxuan, who was with the crown prince, personally experienced the grandeur of entering through the main city gate.
Upon entering the city, the Crown Prince immediately returned to the palace to summon the imperial physician to examine the well water he had brought back, as well as to deal with the spies and the Tianji Tower. Xiao Yuxuan was also eager to see the coroner's autopsy results. The two exchanged a glance and suddenly smiled at each other.
Along the way, Xiao Yuxuan and Qi Jun developed a greater respect for each other. However, both of them were too busy to even take a break, so after saying goodbye, they went their separate ways.
"Girl, you're finally back!"
Pei Xing'er had been waiting inside the city gate for a long time. When she saw Xiao Yuxuan, she rushed over to greet her. Seeing that Xiao Yuxuan was unharmed, she finally felt relieved.
"Young lady, I just heard there was a huge commotion at the city gate. Some people gathered and rioted, and the Crown Prince even shot and wounded several spies! Were you frightened?"
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