Chapter 135 Leaving the City
After Li Kun finished speaking, he saw that both young ladies had fallen silent, and he became even more anxious.
Although he wasn't well-read, he was quite adept at reading people. Seeing that both women's expressions turned serious after he finished telling them about his father taking in disaster victims, he mustered his courage and tentatively asked:
"But what's wrong with those refugees? They claim to be refugees from Longxi, whose fields have been seized by wealthy landowners, so they came to the capital to try their luck and find work."
Longxi?
Not Southern Vietnam?
Xiao Yuxuan was slightly taken aback, but the symptoms of the epidemic were exactly the same as those in her previous life. Why did it come from Longxi? Was it to confuse people?
It's not impossible.
Xiao Yuxuan said, "What else do you know? Tell me everything. No, can you write? If you can, write it down on paper."
Li Kun hesitated, then said, "Then my father..."
"Don't worry, I'll send someone to the outskirts of Beijing right now."
There was only one thing Xiao Yuxuan didn't say: after so much time, the possibility that Li Kun's father was still alive was extremely slim.
Without treatment, most people who contract the plague die within three to five days, and some who are already weak die within two or three days. Seven days have already passed...
She didn't say it, but Li Kun had already guessed this outcome. Nevertheless, he knelt down again and kowtowed to them with gratitude.
In any case, if his father really passes away, he can go to the underworld and reunite with his father in peace, and die without regrets.
The coroner is still examining the body, and it seems unlikely that the results will be available anytime soon. Xiao Yuxuan plans to go to the outskirts of Beijing first.
“Young lady, why put yourself in such danger? It would be just as good to send your men.”
Pei Xing'er stopped her, refusing to let her go no matter what she said.
Xiao Yuxuan pursed her lips: "Listen to me, I'll be right back. There are guards here, so ordinary people can't get close."
Only she has the memories of her past life; if she doesn't go herself, it's useless for anyone else to go.
She had a reason she had to go, but she couldn't tell Pei Xing'er.
“Girl! How can you not understand! Those families have members infected with the plague but can’t get treatment. They’ve gone crazy with worry. They’d love to eat you alive if they saw you leaving the city!”
Pei Xing'er's words were extreme, but that's the truth.
Even in times of peace and prosperity, there are always those who resent the wealthy, preferring mutual destruction to working together harmoniously, let alone in such extraordinary times.
"You don't need to say anything more, I definitely have to go."
Pei Xing'er knew she couldn't stop them, and she stamped her feet in frustration.
"Then I'll go with you!"
No sooner had she finished speaking than a commotion arose from the thatched shed in the open space at the end of the alley.
Every now and then, she would hear people shouting "Long live the Crown Prince!" Pei Xing'er turned pale with fright. The Crown Prince?
Xiao Yuxuan also looked in the direction of the sound and easily saw Qi Jun surrounded by guards.
He sat on his horse, wearing protective gear that obscured his face, yet his steady, reserved, noble, and dignified demeanor still stood out from the crowd.
He seemed to say something, and the Prefect of the Capital followed behind him, bowing and scraping repeatedly. The people cheered and shouted excitedly in the thatched hut, "Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Your Highness the Crown Prince!"
The alleyways, which had been quiet for a long time, suddenly became lively.
The people, who were suffering from the plague and mostly listless, smiled more after hearing what the crown prince said.
Qi Jun calmed the overly excited crowd, and with a slight shift of his gaze, he saw Xiao Yuxuan standing at the entrance of the courtyard not far away.
He dismounted and strode over.
Pei Xing'er was so frightened that she hid behind Xiao Yuxuan. She didn't even dare to go to the Princess because she thought there were too many rules, let alone the Crown Prince. How could she, a commoner, have ever seen such an important person?
"Your Highness—"
"Why did Miss Xiao come in person?"
"I was worried and didn't feel at ease even at the Princess's residence, so I came here to see if I could help in any way."
Xiao Yuxuan said so.
"Is the coroner inside?"
Although the things that Xiao Yuxuan spearheaded these past two days were all done in the name of the Eldest Princess, the memorial was clearly written by Xiao Yuxuan herself—of course, Qi Jun was the one who reviewed it.
As for the autopsy, he originally intended to have the Crown Prince issue a dispatch order to the Prefect of the Capital to arrange a coroner. However, the young girl was impatient and bold, and she actually entrusted someone to invite a coroner as soon as she left the palace. She really couldn't wait even a moment longer.
"Indeed, but I just saw a child..."
Xiao Yuxuan quickly recounted what Li Kun had just said to the Crown Prince, and then took out the piece of paper that Li Kun had written.
"I think that since Li Kun's father may have been the first person to contract the plague, we might be able to find the source of the plague through him. I plan to go to the outskirts of the capital."
Qi Jun unfolded the paper, listened to her words, and without looking up, asked:
"You're going? When?"
"Now."
Qi Jun looked up and glanced at the girl's clear, bright eyes.
"The situation outside the city is not peaceful, so I will escort Miss Xiao there."
The fact that the Crown Prince didn't stop her, saying that she, a young lady from a humble family, was overestimating herself, already surprised Xiao Yuxuan. When she heard that he was even going to give her a ride, her eyes widened.
"This is inappropriate! Your Highness is the Crown Prince of the nation, a person of noble birth. How can you take such a risk?!"
Qi Jun folded the paper back and handed it to Xiao Yuxuan.
“Miss Xiao also said that I am the crown prince of a country. If I am afraid of such a thing and am willing to hide behind a woman, then I can give my position as crown prince to Miss Xiao.”
These words are too treasonous. Pei Xing'er, who was hiding behind, blinked. The young lady is going to be the crown prince? It sounds strange at first, but upon closer inspection, it's not impossible.
The girl is beautiful, intelligent, and has a heart for the world; she is not foolishly kind...
The more she thought about it, the more out of control she became, and Pei Xing'er tapped her forehead.
In front of her, Xiao Yuxuan was speechless, not knowing what to say.
So, is the Crown Prince using this as a pretext to make her consider the safety of the heir apparent and back down?
“Your Highness, a wise man does not stand under a dangerous wall. You really don’t need to do this. I am well aware of my situation and will not put myself in danger.”
Qi Jun nodded: "I trust Miss Xiao, but what is Miss Xiao afraid of?"
"I……"
"If Miss Xiao is not in danger, why am I standing under a crumbling wall?"
The Crown Prince asked too quickly, with a somewhat unforgiving attitude, leaving Xiao Yuxuan speechless and choked up.
"That's not what I meant..."
Qi Jun beckoned, signaling the guard who was leading his horse to come over:
"The tallow tree is a prized Akhal-Teke horse from the Western Regions, far faster than ordinary horses. If Miss Xiao and I ride together, we can return to the city before dark if we go fast."
She hasn't learned to ride a horse yet. Going by carriage would be twenty miles round trip, and she might not be able to return before the city gates are closed. But if she waits until tomorrow... she can wait, but the sick people can't. The sooner they find out the truth, the sooner they can get the right medicine.
Xiao Yuxuan finally nodded: "Then I'll trouble Your Highness."
Qi Jun shook his head, not finding it troublesome at all:
“My aunt specifically instructed me to take care of Miss Xiao, and all that Miss Xiao has done is for the sake of the people, which is truly a righteous act.”
"Your Highness flatters me. It is the humblest of men, even the most insignificant, who have a responsibility to protect the world." (1)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com