Chapter 167 He always can't get over her
Lu Haozhi and Meng Yan were both shocked.
In my previous life, this epidemic never reached the palace.
Although they had not yet come to Shanghe Garden at that time, the epidemic was still only spreading in the mountainous areas outside Beijing, and its scope was extremely limited.
Shanghe Garden was still a hundred miles away from the place where the plague lingered in the previous life. The fact that the plague had spread here had really shocked the two of them, not to mention that someone in the garden was infected!
"Who's sick?! Has the imperial physician been consulted?!"
Before Lu Haozhi could speak, Meng Yan asked first.
Rong An wiped the beads of sweat from his forehead and replied hurriedly, "Your Majesty, it's a young eunuch in charge of purchasing in the Imperial Kitchen. He asked his master for leave two days ago, saying he was feeling unwell, with diarrhea and vomiting. His master hadn't seen him out for two days and was worried, so he went to his wing room. But when he got to the door and called for a long time, he didn't answer. His master felt something was wrong and, with a eunuch, broke the door open. They saw the young eunuch lying on the kang, vomiting two large pools of blood on the ground, his body cold! They were both scared to death. His master had seen people die of plague outside, and the death was almost identical to this young eunuch's. They didn't dare to neglect it and quickly reported it to the Imperial Hospital. The Imperial Hospital sent a doctor to examine him and said he had indeed died of plague. Upon hearing the news, I dared not delay and hurried to report to the Emperor and the Empress."
Lu Haozhi frowned deeply and said in a deep voice, "This place is still a hundred miles away from the source of the epidemic. How could the disease be introduced into the garden?"
Before Rong An could reply, Meng Yan spoke up, "An epidemic is a disease that can infect people, whether it's water, wind, or food. It can spread from one person to another. Shanghe Garden isn't isolated from the outside world, with people coming and going every day, so it's not surprising that it's spread into the garden. However, this little eunuch is in charge of purchasing for the imperial kitchen..." At this point, she frowned slightly and said to Lu Haozhi in a serious tone, "Your Majesty, I beg you to close Shanghe Garden from now on and strictly inspect all food and drink in the garden... No, I request your permission to burn all existing food in the garden!"
Lu Hao, whose medical knowledge was limited, was quite puzzled by her words. He asked, "Yan'er, is burning all the food in the garden too radical? The treasury is empty, and there are disaster victims displaced in Shaanxi. The court is facing a difficult time. Such an action might cause criticism."
Meng Yan shook her head and said, "Your Majesty, I have heard about the young eunuch's illness and death. I am afraid that this disease may have originated from his diet, which has damaged his stomach and intestines. He was in charge of purchasing for the kitchen. I don't know how much of the rice, flour, fruits and vegetables in the garden have been contaminated. If anyone eats them, they will definitely get sick..."
Before she finished speaking, the palace maid outside reported that Xiahou Yu wanted to see her.
The two knew that he must have come because of the epidemic in the garden, so Lu Haozhi immediately agreed to meet him.
Xiahou Yu entered and greeted the Emperor and the Imperial Concubine, then said, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, two more palace maids in the garden have fallen ill with the plague and are suffering from vomiting and diarrhea. I have ordered them to be moved to a separate area and isolated, and no one is allowed to approach without permission. I request Your Majesty's permission to immediately burn all the food in the garden!"
This statement coincided with what Meng Yan had said before.
Although Lu Haozhi did not understand medical principles, Meng Yan and Xiahou Yu were both famous medical experts. Since they both asked for permission at the same time, they must have their reasons.
He pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly. "Since both of you say so, I will approve your request." He then instructed Xiahou Yu, "Physician Xiahou, the epidemic has spread to Shanghe Garden. The situation is no longer normal. I will entrust the safety of this place to you..."
Before Lu Hao could finish his words, Meng Yan spoke up, "Your Majesty, I have something to say."
Lu Haozhi stared into her eyes, but he had already guessed what she would say next. He simply instructed Xia Houyu, "From today on, you will conduct a thorough search of all the medicinal materials you need..."
"Your Majesty! I beg your Majesty to leave this matter to me. I am willing to share your worries!"
Meng Yan interrupted him and said loudly.
Lu Haozhi remained silent, his expression as indifferent as water.
The room was silent, and even Rong An was worried about Concubine Meng.
Xiahou Yu couldn't help but look sideways, and saw Meng Yan wearing a tea-green sweater and a Hangzhou crepe skirt, a casual outfit. Her pretty face was full of determination, and her clear eyes looked directly at the emperor.
Since he came in, Meng Yan hadn't even looked at him.
After a moment, Lu Haozhi raised his head and looked at her, saying without comment, "My Lady, in this critical moment, you should take care of the princess and serve the queen mother."
Meng Yan said, "Your Majesty, several people in the garden have been infected. Even if all the food and fodder were burned immediately, the disease wouldn't disappear overnight. If the disease can't be eradicated, the Empress Dowager and the Princess won't be safe. Furthermore, as a noble consort, how can I retreat at this moment? Imperial Physician Xiahou is only an imperial physician. If he alone were to take charge of this matter, I'm afraid he wouldn't reassure everyone."
Lu Haozhi fell silent again, looking into her eyes, and a look of pity suddenly flashed across his face for a while.
From just now, he had guessed what Yan'er wanted to say, so he repeatedly told her not to speak.
Lu Haozhi actually knew in his heart that if Meng Yan could stir up this matter at this time, her reputation would surely soar, which would be of great benefit to her future coronation as queen, and would also bring glory to the royal family of the Great Zhou.
However, this is an epidemic, a highly contagious disease! So many people have died from it, and even entire families have been wiped out. If she were to shoulder this responsibility, she would inevitably be infected by the disease. The epidemic wouldn't spare her, just because she's a noble concubine!
As a monarch, Lu Haozhi understood very well that he had to let her do what she wanted.
But as her husband, Lu Haozhi couldn't help but be selfish. He wanted to hide her in the deep palace and live in peace.
The fear of possibly losing her again gnawed at his heart like ants.
"Yan'er, you don't have to..."
Meng Yan smiled at him and said, "Your Majesty, please issue an order."
Lu Haozhi sighed lightly, "From now on, all matters concerning the epidemic in Shanghe Garden will be placed under the jurisdiction of Concubine Meng, with Imperial Physician Xiahou providing assistance."
No one can change what Yan'er has decided, not even him.
He could never get over her, it was the same in his past life and it was the same in this life.
Meng Yan accepted the order with a smile.
Meng Yan immediately ordered all existing food and fodder in the garden to be burned and replaced with new supplies. Several wells were also covered and locked, requiring only water from the springs of Yuquan Mountain. Strict orders were also issued that no raw or cold fruits or vegetables be consumed, and that water must be boiled before drinking. An imperial decree was also issued to cordon off the Liluo Courtyard in the northwest corner of the garden. Any sick person, regardless of status, was to be moved there to recuperate and released only upon recovery.
Xiahou Yu couldn't help but admire her arrangement, as it sounded well-organized and efficient.
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