Chapter 41 The Epidemic Crisis 2
"Bang"
The sounds of smashing and breaking echoed from the main hall of Yikun Palace. Songzhi stood guard outside the door, worried but dared not go in. This was because Consort Hua, after receiving the secret letter, had strictly forbidden anyone from entering to disturb the peace.
The hall was in a mess. After knocking over the incense burner, Nian Shilan collapsed to the ground, feeling powerless. Thinking about every word in the secret letter, tears streamed down her face.
Musk, and it's the highly medicinal musk from the Northwest. What merit does Nian Shilan possess to have enjoyed such a unique privilege for so many years?
No wonder the Imperial Household Department always promptly sent her fresh "Joyful Incense" whenever her brother returned from the Northwest. It's like killing someone by breaking their spirit; if her brother knew that he himself had presented her with this musk, thus ending her lineage, how much pain and regret he would feel.
"Your Majesty, how cruel you are! You have deceived Shilan so cruelly..."
Because of the groundwork laid by Hongli and Cao Qinmo, and because of her observations of the Emperor, she had already anticipated the moment the spices were sent out, thanks to Qi Yuebin's reminder.
Although the truth still caused her unbearable pain, Nian Shilan had no intention of committing suicide. Instead, it aroused the ferocity in her bones.
The Emperor was unwilling to give it to her, but she insisted on having it!
She wanted children, favor, and the glory of the Nian family!
If the emperor can't give it, then let's get a different emperor!
Nian Shilan staggered to her feet, sat down at her desk, and rewrote a letter home, starting with the hints Hongli had given her, then the secret of the Huan Yi Xiang she had discovered, and finally her thoughts.
"Songzhi".
"This servant is here."
Pushing open the palace door, Songzhi rushed in and was startled by the mess inside. Without saying much, she lowered her head and silently walked to Consort Hua's side, saying, "Your Majesty."
Nian Shilan sealed the letter and handed it to Songzhi, saying, "Send this letter out secretly to your elder brother."
"For the eldest master?" Songzhi was somewhat surprised. The eldest master, Nian Xiyao, was always upright and serious. Although he was good to the Empress, she never liked listening to the eldest master's nagging and always asked the second master, Nian Gengyao, for help.
“That’s right,” Nian Shilan looked at Songzhi seriously. “This matter is of great importance, concerning the honor and survival of our Nian family. As long as we have faith, we will live.”
Songzhi immediately became serious, forgetting all her other thoughts. "Yes, Your Highness, rest assured, this servant will ensure that this letter reaches Master intact."
...
"Your Highness, the master's reply."
Just three days later, another secret letter was delivered to Nian Shilan.
Nian Shilan hurriedly opened the package and saw her elder brother's eight characters, "Success is achieved through secrecy; plan carefully before acting." Her previously flustered heart was completely calmed down.
When her elder brother asked her to take good care of the Fourth Prince, Nian Shilan naturally accepted. Or rather, it was precisely because of Hongli's presence and the feeling of his kindness that Nian Shilan had the initial motivation to persevere. So the "crow" that she once loved because of the house has now become Nian Shilan's favorite, her new "house."
When she saw her elder brother write "I will never let her suffer this injustice in vain" at the end, Nian Shilan burst into tears. With the comfort of her family, she could no longer hold back and cried uncontrollably.
"Your Majesty..." Songzhi, standing to the side, also had tears in her eyes, looking at her with heartache. Because she shared the fate of the Nian family, Nian Shilan did not hide anything and told Songzhi the truth. While Songzhi resented the Emperor's ruthlessness, she felt even more heartache and worry for Nian Shilan.
The master and servant embraced and wept bitterly. After finally calming themselves down, Zhou Ninghai walked in in a panic.
"Your Majesty, an epidemic has broken out in the palace!"
"What?"
Consort Hua suddenly stood up, somewhat surprised. Songzhi hurriedly said, "This servant will go and fetch the imperial physician immediately. Your Highness's safety is of utmost importance."
Zhou Ninghai hurriedly replied, "There's no need for Miss Songzhi to go. The news came from Jingren Palace. The Empress has instructed all palaces not to move around easily. She said that the Imperial Hospital will prepare the medicine to drive away the plague as soon as possible and send it over. It should be made into sachets to hang on your body and indoors, and you should also burn mugwort leaves morning and evening to drive away the plague."
Nian Shilan nodded, having no intention of competing with the Empress at the moment. "I understand. Go and prepare. I'm leaving Yikun Palace to you."
"yes."
"How could an epidemic have broken out in the palace? Could it be that someone deliberately brought it in to harm people?"
Songzhi's guess flashed through Nian Shilan's mind like a flash of inspiration. Although her elder brother told her not to take action and to take care of herself, how could Nian Shilan resist such a golden opportunity?
If he doesn't give her any offspring, then his favor is meaningless. So she will take away his offspring and kill his beloved concubine!
“Songzhi, the epidemic is dangerous. Consort Fucha is pregnant, and Consort Wan is delicate. If they are infected, they will surely not survive.”
"Yes, I understand."
...
"Imperial Physician Zhang, you are the head of the Imperial Hospital. In your opinion, what exactly is going on with this epidemic?"
Upon learning of the outbreak of the epidemic at Jingren Palace, Yixiu immediately summoned Zhang Mi.
Zhang Mi replied solemnly, "This illness is caused by pathogenic factors. It starts with fever and headache, followed by an outbreak of disease and blockage. If one person is sick, it can infect a room, and if one room is sick, it can infect the whole palace. We should take precautions as soon as possible to avoid a major disaster."
Yi Xiu's heart skipped a beat, and she pressed, "Is it that powerful?"
"Your Majesty, I dare not exaggerate. Some of the palace servants have already contracted this disease, which shows how fierce it is. The Imperial Medical Academy will take preventative measures as soon as possible. I urge Your Majesty to inform all the palaces..."
Yi Xiu had lost interest in listening to what Zhang Mi said after that. In the end, she followed Zhang Mi's instructions and, after seeing Zhang Mi off, sat down in a chair, clutching her pounding heart.
“Your Majesty…” Jianqiu stepped forward with some concern.
Yi Xiu shook her head, her eyes shining brightly. "It's fate, it's Heaven's will to help me... The plague is so severe... It's normal to lose my lineage..."
...
Due to the epidemic, people in the palaces were not allowed to move around freely, making it even more difficult to gather information in Yanqing Palace.
"Bang"
After hearing the news that Jixiang had obtained from the spies in Yikun Palace, Qi Yuebin threw the medicine bowl to the ground and slumped weakly onto the bed: "Useless thing... Nian Shilan... she actually... she has no backbone at all... she only knows how to target two minor noble ladies... what happened to her usual methods against me..."
"Your Majesty..." Jixiang, with tears in her eyes, stepped forward to help Qi Yuebin up.
Qi Yuebin leaned mostly against Jixiang's chest, looking at her with difficulty, and said haltingly, "Jixiang... tell the palace... all the people... to get moving... the Emperor should look at Consort Fucha more... Consort Wan... should be favored more... the Emperor should... should share both happiness and hardship... that's right..."
"Yes, yes, I understand."
Qi Yuebin grabbed her hand tightly, "You must do it, or I will die with my eyes open!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
