Chapter 168 This Heart Belongs to You Forever
The arrangements were made, and Xiahou Yu had nothing else to say for the moment. Seeing that it was too late, he took his leave.
After such an incident, Lu Haozhi had no appetite to eat anymore, so Meng Yan ordered the palace maids to clean up the leftovers.
Yunxiang brought up some fragrant tea and green salt. Lu Haozhi took a sip and then left.
The two sat across from each other at the table. Lu Haozhi spoke after a long pause, "Yan'er, I'm not trying to stop you. It's just that the epidemic is serious, so you must not be careless. Unless it's necessary... No, you shouldn't come into contact with those patients. You're the imperial concubine, not the imperial physician. I don't want anything to happen to you. You still have me and Doukou, so you should think carefully about everything you encounter."
After hearing Lu Haozhi's words, Meng Yan couldn't help but smile. She said, "Your Majesty, you make it sound like I'm about to do something extremely dangerous. Your Majesty, don't worry, I know my limits. According to my previous life, although this epidemic is fierce, its transmission rate is not very high. As long as we strictly control the source of the epidemic and find a cure for the disease as soon as possible, and prescribe the right medicine, it shouldn't be difficult to eradicate the epidemic." At this point, she suddenly remembered something and asked, "Your Majesty, I remember that at this time in my previous life, the Liang family offered a prescription that seemed very effective. So, in this life, this prescription must still be in the hands of the Liang family?"
Lu Haozhi listened to her talk for a long while before saying, "Yan'er, in your past life, this was a great achievement for the Liang family. It was so great that I had many obstacles when I was dealing with the Liang family in the future. If it continues like this in this life, the Liang family will surely continue to run rampant in the palace for two more years... Are you really so magnanimous?"
Meng Yan smiled at him and said softly, "Your Majesty, if it were my selfish desire, I would not want to do this, but I do not want to see the people of the Great Zhou suffer. If that prescription can truly save the people and free them from the suffering of the plague, even if it means Liang Chengbi enjoying a few days of glory, I do not mind. Besides..." As she spoke, she reached out her hand, and her pink and tender fingertips gently stroked the back of Lu Haozhi's hand, "Your Majesty's intentions, I understand. As long as Your Majesty's heart is mine, I do not care about anything else."
The bright candlelight reflected on Meng Yan, revealing her delicate skin and figure beneath her silk crepe dress.
Under the moonlight and in front of the lamp, she looked gentle and graceful, like a fairy from the Jade Terrace.
Lu Haozhi's heart was as soft and rippled as spring water. He held the delicate little hand with his backhand and whispered, "Yan'er, my heart will always be yours."
The two smiled at each other and remained silent for a long time.
The lights flickered, the room was sometimes bright and sometimes dark, and I don’t know how many emotions were surging in the dark.
After a long while, Lu Haozhifang continued, "I've already ordered Xiahou Yu to try that recipe." At this point, his thick, dark eyebrows knitted slightly. "For some reason, it's not nearly as effective as it was in my previous life. Several people infected with the plague took it, and while their symptoms improved, they developed other symptoms, nearly killing them. Xiahou Yu said the recipe was too toxic. While young and strong people might be able to try it, the elderly and weak wouldn't survive. I dare not rashly administer such a prescription to the people. Earning a bad name is a minor concern, but killing the people would be a grave sin."
Meng Yan listened and guessed something in her heart.
In a previous life, Xiahou Yu had assisted Lin Yanrong, and Lin Yanrong and Liang Chengbi were birds of a feather. Perhaps Xiahou Yu had contributed to the Liang family's efforts to save the people in a previous life.
In this life, Xiahou Yu has almost no contact with Lin Liang and the others until now, so how could he help them complete the prescription?
What's more, this prescription was hastily offered by Liang Chengbi in order to protect himself after he caused trouble in the Yangxin Palace. The Liang family might not have had enough time to invite many famous doctors to check it.
Therefore, what Lu Hao currently has in his hand is only an incomplete prescription.
In reality, Lu Haozhi didn't need to worry about all that. He could simply build clinics among the people and distribute the prescription. Even if some died from the effects of the medicine, others would recover. The world would only see the Great Zhou Emperor's love for his people, saving countless civilians from the plague, and praise his kindness. As for those who died, they had already contracted a severe illness, and the general public would simply assume they died of the disease.
Lu Haozhi had been on the throne for five years, and at a critical juncture in his campaign to eliminate the influence of his old ministers, he desperately needed such fame and prestige. However, he did not disregard the lives of the people for the sake of fame and reputation. Such a benevolent monarch was a blessing to the people of the Great Zhou.
Meng Yan suddenly understood why she had a special liking for this man.
It's not because he is the master of the world, nor because he looks like Pan An. This man has lofty ideals and ambitions, and there is always a touch of compassion and tenderness in his broad mind.
She smiled faintly and said, "Your Majesty's compassion for the people will surely move Heaven. With Heaven's blessing, the Great Zhou will surely be able to turn disaster into good fortune. This epidemic is only a temporary disaster. I believe that as long as the court can unite as one, we will soon overcome this difficulty."
Lu Haozhi nodded slightly, then suddenly said fiercely, "You're right. Tomorrow I'll gather all the ministers to discuss the matter and force them to come up with a plan. The country is the people. Without the support of the people, the court will collapse in an instant. Even if they don't want to be united with me, they must be united with me! Whoever dares to abandon his responsibility or cause trouble at this time, I will chop off his entire family's heads!"
Meng Yan laughed, picked up the tea bowl, and said to Lu Haozhi, "Then, I will use tea instead of wine to wish His Majesty a successful start!"
Lu Haozhi also smiled slightly, picked up the tea bowl and clinked it with hers.
The two talked for a few more words. Lu Haozhi was worried that there were still many urgent memorials waiting for approval in Zhonghe Hall. He didn't want to disturb Meng Yan's sleep, so he got up and left.
After seeing the emperor off, Meng Yan took off her headgear and walked to the washbasin in her pajamas to wash up.
Ruizhu passed the face towel, soap, and other items to her while whispering, "My Lady, this isn't an easy job. If you take it on yourself, I'm afraid it will be a thankless task."
Dealing with epidemics is no fun.
Everyone knew this epidemic was spreading rapidly, and there was a fear that it would flare up again. The Imperial Concubine wasn't a Daluo Jinxian descended to earth, so how could she possibly come up with a panacea instantly? If more people died from the disease, there would have been no one to complain about it before, but now that someone was in charge, the Imperial Concubine would naturally be held responsible.
This is how the world and human nature are.
Meng Yan washed her face, took the hand towel, wiped it twice, and then threw it into the basin. She sat at the dressing table, took some balm and applied it to her face. She said lightly, "You are right. I have thought about all these things. However, Ruizhu, everyone should live their lives and shoulder the responsibilities that come with their status. The emperor has his duties, the ministers have their duties, and I have my duties to do. How can I choose to avoid or pursue something just based on the severity of the disaster?"
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