Having weathered so many storms together for so many years, apart from Chang Yan who was bound by his identity and Fang Heng who guarded the frontier for his beliefs, the rest of them were inseparable.
If we're really talking about separation, it might be the gentle and refined Xu Mo, the constantly on-and-off Zheng Ruqian, or even the carefree Jiang Sheng.
Wen Zhiyun is the least likely candidate.
He was a quiet and reserved doctor, the youngest brother in the family. He was slender and beautiful like a little girl, timid and cowardly, and always kept his lips pursed and silent.
His attachment to this family is evident to the naked eye, and his dependence on his relatives is deeply ingrained.
But now, he himself says... that they want to separate.
Jiang Sheng stared blankly at her fourth brother, wondering how much struggle he had gone through and how much effort he had used to make this decision.
Xu Mo was shocked and speechless. After a long while, he said, "Xiao Si, I know you care about the people, but the Imperial Hospital has already sent envoys, and countless famous doctors in Jiangnan are discussing whether it is an epidemic."
In comparison, the most important thing was probably the long banquet that accompanied his ascension to the throne.
“But elder brother.” After struggling, Wen Zhiyun’s pupils returned to calm. “The Imperial Physicians are so old. They taught me medicine and helped me out of the fog. I can’t bear to see them put themselves in danger.”
"Furthermore, Fengjing is far from Jiangnan, but Anshui County is only a few days away. The sooner I arrive, the sooner I can deal with the epidemic."
"Even if we take a step back and say that the person who caused the outbreak of the epidemic had bad intentions, my younger brother is waiting to ascend the throne, and as the fourth brother, I should do something for him."
The sixteen-year-old boy looked up, his face fair and delicate, his figure thin and frail, carrying a medicine box wider than his shoulders, looking so weak that he seemed about to fall over at the slightest push.
Yet his eyes were so firm, his spine radiating solemnity and decisiveness, as well as the seriousness of thinking things through before acting.
He seemed to be the same frail little fourth brother, yet in an instant he became a real doctor and a mature and steady older brother.
Eight years have flown by, and more than one person has grown.
Quietly, their little one has grown up too.
Xu Mo let out a long breath, wanting to say something more, but Jiang Sheng had already grabbed his arm.
"Big brother." The little girl's eyes gleamed with reluctance, but her tone was incredibly light. "Let's go to Fengjing and wait for fourth brother. He'll catch up with us, right, fourth brother?"
“Yes.” Wen Zhiyun nodded solemnly.
“Then it’s settled. We’ll wait for you in Fengjing.” Zheng Ruqian leaned forward, sticking his big head out.
The siblings couldn't help but laugh again, and as they laughed, tears welled up in their eyes.
That's how growth is. When we're young, we long to grow taller; when we grow taller, we long to grow up; and when we grow up, we have to face separation.
Unfortunately, people experience joys and sorrows, separations and reunions, just as the moon waxes and wanes.
"Fourth Brother, we're waiting for you in Fengjing. Hurry up... you must come quickly."
As the girl's calls faded into the distance, the carriage sped away, becoming a tiny black dot as it headed towards the distant city.
Wen Zhiyun hugged the small medicine box tightly, glanced at Jiang San who was acting as the medicine boy, and said, "Let's go."
Jiangnan is full of water towns, and these water towns are where wealth and prosperity reside.
Upon arriving in Danyang County, the graceful and elegant architecture provided a striking visual impact. Unlike the grandeur of Fengjing, Jiangnan was more like a charming young woman, exquisite in every detail.
In my mind, Jiangnan should be a bustling and prosperous place with cars and people coming and going.
But now, there are few pedestrians on the road, and no customers in the restaurants on both sides. Only the waiter with a white towel draped over his shoulder is bored and sighing.
“I’ve been to Danyang County with my master before, and it was so lively. How did it become like this?” Jiang San muttered with a frown.
Epidemic.
It was an epidemic at the time.
The inexplicable disease became a knife hanging over the hearts of the people in Jiangnan. They stayed at home, keeping their doors tightly shut, trying to resist the unknown with flimsy wooden planks.
However, there are countless ways in which an epidemic can spread. The water we drink, the food we eat, and even a tiny mouse can bring endless trouble.
Wandering aimlessly through the city was pointless, so Wen Zhiyun pursed his lips and decided to head to the Danyang Prefectural Governor's Mansion.
When trouble breaks out in a place, the first thing to do is to talk to the local official. Only after communicating with the local official can the culprit be found and the trouble be quelled.
Jiang San knocked for a long time, but not a single gatekeeper came out.
Wen Zhiyun felt the coolness in his sleeve, hesitating whether to use it or not, when the door cracked open a crack, revealing a pair of dark eyes, "The master has not been receiving guests for the past few days."
How can a dignified prefect turn away the people?
Jiang San pressed down with his feet, and the gap gradually widened until the door opened.
The gaunt gatekeeper collapsed to the ground, covering his face in panic. "I've already said that the magistrate doesn't receive guests. The entire Danyang County knows that the magistrate doesn't receive guests. Who are you people to force your way into the prefect's residence? Do you know what crime you've committed?"
Jiang San was furious and was about to unleash the tricks the girl had taught him to use to intimidate others.
Wen Zhiyun frowned and squatted down, placing three fingers on the doorman's pulse. "Are you sick?"
The gatekeeper grew increasingly furious, "They won't listen to reason, so they'll have to suffer the consequences! Guards, seize these two lecherous scoundrels..."
Before he could finish speaking, a golden token appeared before his eyes, with the three characters "Crown Prince's Token" carved in a flowing, elegant style.
The royal decree was strictly enforced, and the Crown Prince took it very seriously.
Those who see the token feel as if the person is present in person.
Wen Zhiyun personally went to Jiangnan for Changyan, and Changyan used the token to protect her weak fourth brother.
Family members complement each other perfectly.
"The Prefect of Danyang has been infected with the plague, hasn't he?" Wen Zhiyun put away his token. "Take me to see him, or I'll take your life right now."
Behind him, Jiang San drew his long sword, its sharp blade reflecting light and illuminating the awe-inspiring presence of the gatekeeper.
Everything is progressing smoothly.
The gatekeeper led the way, and Jiang San leaned over and asked in a low voice, "How did you know, young master, that the Prefect of Danyang has been infected with the plague?"
“The epidemic is highly contagious. Even the gatekeeper is seriously ill. How could the prefect of Danyang be spared?” Wen Zhiyun gripped his small medicine box tightly. “Even the flowers, trees, grass and leaves here cannot escape it.”
"Then wouldn't we also..." Jiang San looked horrified and hesitated.
Those who practice martial arts fear neither heaven nor earth, neither injury nor scheming, but only illness.
But now, looking at the young doctor's thin yet straight shoulders, Jiang San couldn't bring himself to back down.
There are no deserters on the battlefield, and no cowards in the sickroom.
At worst, I'll die, but I'll be a hero again in eighteen years.
Jiang San staggered and laughed, not even having time to feel regret, a resolute determination to die for his country gradually rising in his eyes.
"What's wrong with you?" Wen Zhiyun turned around. "The source of the epidemic has not been found. Even if it is, there is a chance of recovery. It's not that you have to die just because you have the disease."
Jiang San stumbled this time, then stood up straight and scratched his head with a silly grin to cover his embarrassment.
The gatekeeper who had led the way finally stopped and pointed to the gloomy bedroom, saying softly, "The master... is inside."
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