Chapter 77 Clues
After a busy week, perhaps heaven heard their prayers, and it rained, but it was just a light drizzle. Everyone was just starting to scramble to prepare for the rain when it stopped.
Shelters and wards were set up in the city.
With many displaced people around, upon hearing the news, they slowly began to flow back into the city, hoping to find a place to rest and have something to eat in the shelters. This put a lot of pressure on management and food supply.
The ward is also admitting new patients every day. Fortunately, they arrived in time, cutting off the contaminated water source and providing clean food. After a week of observation, it can be basically confirmed that there has been no large-scale spread of infectious disease, and most patients only have gastrointestinal infections.
After a week of treatment, those with mild symptoms have recovered and been transferred to a shelter, while those with severe symptoms have also shown improvement.
It hasn't rained since, and with the remaining guards from the Prince's mansion joining in, the efficiency of the riverbank repairs has increased significantly.
When Zhuang Dongqing's ward was almost on track, the sections of the river embankment that had been washed away had been treated with sandbags, so he could confidently focus all his energy and attention on reinforcing and rebuilding the embankment.
On this rare occasion, Zhuang Dongqing went to the government office at noon and had lunch with Cen Yan and Li Yang.
"Phew, I can finally take a breather, that's great."
Li Yang also talked about her recent situation while eating.
Cen Yan, however, thought of something else, "You said..."
Li Yang: "?"
Cen Yan: "Now that things are mostly resolved, when is your third brother coming back?"
Li Yang: "..."
The meaning of this sentence is simple: it's almost over, and Li Zhuo hasn't contributed a single bit of effort. If he still wants to come back and steal some credit...
Li Yang has a bitter face.
Cen Yan stopped there, not saying much more, and turned to call Zhuang Dongqing to eat, saying that he had lost weight.
Li Yang suddenly said, "Your Highness, Brother Dongqing, your relationship... is better than I thought."
Cen Yan glanced at Li Yang with a hint of mockery in his eyes. Li Yang wondered if she had seen wrong. Cen Yan didn't say anything, but instead put a piece of food on Zhuang Dongqing's plate.
Zhuang Dongqing: "Mmm."
I was so hungry that my stomach was practically sticking to my back, and I didn't care about anything else but eating.
Li Yang: "..."
Okay.
Li Yang glanced at Cen Yan again, then at Zhuang Dongqing. He was surprised. It turned out that Zhuang Dongqing had said he and Cen Yan hit it off immediately. Even after spending so much time with the Prince of Dingxi, he couldn't say he completely understood the other's temperament. It was truly amazing that these two could become friends.
After finishing his meal, Li Yang went back to his room in the government office for a midday rest.
After he left, Cen Yan led Zhuang Dongqing to his room. "You finally have some free time, why don't you take a nap?"
Zhuang Dongqing nodded firmly after less than a second of consideration, saying that he had been too tired lately.
Cen Yan: "The bedding is all clean. Liu Qi sent someone to change it long ago. I haven't slept yet."
Zhuang Dongqing: "Shall we rest for a while together?"
Cen Yan: "I can sleep with you for a while."
"Hmm."
After settling in, Zhuang Dongqing soon felt sleepy and her eyelids drooping.
Cen Yan suddenly asked, "Isn't An'an's birthday coming up soon?"
"Yeah, we can make it. We're going the day after tomorrow. We'll get everything sorted out in the next couple of days, and I can spend half a day with him that day," Zhuang Dongqing muttered.
Seeing that he was too tired, Cen Yan did not ask any more questions, and soon Zhuang Dongqing fell asleep.
Cen Yan got up very quietly, perhaps because he had been really exhausted lately, and Zhuang Dongqing did not notice at all.
After summoning his attendant, Cen Yan asked, "Is the ward still busy today?"
This attendant has been following Zhuang Dongqing these past few days; he has some medical skills and can help him out.
"We're still quite busy. Not only are the refugees hearing that we can provide food and medicine, but many patients from neighboring counties have also come here seeking medical treatment."
Cen Yan: "Hasn't Master Zhao been over there the whole time? The rules still haven't been established?"
Zhuang Dongqing had previously said that the rules for the ward should be established, and once the doctors and pharmacists' procedures were standardized, things would be much easier later on.
The attendant, understanding Cen Yan's meaning, said thoughtfully, "That's about enough. The young master's absence won't have much of an impact."
Cen Yan nodded in satisfaction.
"Don't wake him. Wait until Qingqing wakes up before going to the ward."
The attendant agreed.
That afternoon, Zhuang Dongqing naturally overslept, but she only thought it was her own problem and didn't think about Cen Yan.
Fortunately, the ward did indeed standardize the procedures, and once Zhuang Dongqing finished overseeing this, its usefulness was actually limited.
After all, when it comes to practicing medicine, especially traditional Chinese medicine, he is indeed not as skilled as a veteran doctor with many years of experience.
However, Zhuang Dongqing was always open-minded. As long as she had played her part, that was enough. As for not being given important responsibilities later, who would complain about having an easy job?! Zhuang Dongqing was completely aboveboard!
When Zhuang Dongqing went to ask Master Zhao about another herbal prescription she didn't understand, Master Zhao's forehead veins throbbed with excitement, but... he couldn't scold her or say anything harsh.
Master Zhao forced a smile and said that the ward was on track, but Cen An'an was still waiting for Zhuang Dongqing at the inn. If he had time, Zhuang Dongqing could keep Cen An'an company. Otherwise, the child was so young and would make a fuss if she was separated from him and Cen Yan for too long.
Zhuang Dongqing thought it made sense.
Master Zhao wiped the sweat from his forehead and breathed a sigh of relief.
As expected, Zhuang Dongqing spent the day with Cen An'an at the inn. The next day, Cen Yan returned, and they celebrated Cen An'an's birthday together.
"Daddy~"
After washing up, changing clothes, and wiping his hands with strong liquor, he had just pushed open the door when a bright red little ball of flesh rushed out of the room like a small cannonball and immediately hugged Cen Yan's leg.
Yes, it's Cen An'an dressed in a very festive manner.
Grandma changed her clothes and tied her hair into a little topknot, which swayed with Cen An'an's movements, making her look especially cute.
"An'an!"
Cen Yan smiled and picked up the little one, tossing him in the air twice, making the little one giggle.
Children seem to really enjoy this kind of catching and tossing game.
"Father, you're the only one left."
Once Cen Yan had a firm grip on Cen An'an, the little one's chubby arms were already wrapped tightly around his neck, as if he were very attached to him.
"Okay, here you are. Let me see what we've prepared for An'an's birthday today."
"Wow, there are even sugar figurines! Who made them?"
Cen An'an named a cook, one of his many good uncles.
Cen Yan pinched his nose: "Did you make this especially for you?"
Cen An'an just smiled.
Zhuang Dongqing: "It's not just like that. Look, this, this, and this were all made by his good uncle. I've heard him discussing the menu with An'an for the past month."
The little brat also likes to run around in the kitchen when he has nothing to do. At his age, he is not good at helping out, but he is lovable and loved by everyone in the mansion. If Liu Qi, Hao San, and Xu Si's preference is that they like to take the little brat out to play, then the chefs' preference is particularly straightforward and blunt: to make delicious dishes.
The little rascal has tricked his way into getting so many delicious treats in the kitchen.
Cen Yan glanced at the table and then laughed.
Let's put the birthday celebrant back in the main seat and begin today's main event: longevity noodles.
The little brat ate with gusto, turning what was originally a small bowl of plain noodles into a delicacy.
Cen Yan said that he took after Zhuang Dongqing. Zhuang Dongqing wiped the sweat off the little boy's neck and thought it was good that he took after him.
It's good if you can eat well and be strong.
After finishing the sumptuous meal, today's birthday was over. Cen An'an's eyes were fixed on his sugar figurine and candied hawthorn, wanting to eat them.
Zhuang Dongqing solemnly announced: "From today onwards, our An'an is a two-year-old child."
"Come on, little birthday boy, here's your sugar figurine and candied hawthorn."
Cen An'an: "Thank you, Baba."
After saying that, he licked it with his tongue, his eyes narrowing.
Cen Yan: "It's not convenient here. How about we take An'an out to play when we get to Hangzhou?"
"good!"
There's food, and the little one is quite easy to talk to.
After Zhuang Dongqing gave him the food, Cen Yan put the longevity gold lock that he had made this year on Cen An'an's head, and then let him go out to find Liu Qiliufu and have some fun.
Because the epidemic has not spread, Cen An'an's range of activities has expanded considerably, from one corridor to almost half of the inn.
However, sometimes happy times are always short-lived.
When Cen An'an came upstairs and said that a strange uncle had come looking for her father, Cen Yan and Zhuang Dongqing exchanged a glance. Cen Yan took the lead, and Zhuang Dongqing carried Cen An'an downstairs.
As I walked downstairs, I saw the Third Prince, Li Zhuo, standing in the lobby of the inn.
Cen Yan scoffed, "Ha, who am I talking about? Has the Imperial Envoy finally remembered that he came here to control the floods?"
Li Zhuo remained unmoved by such teasing, saying, "It's difficult to mobilize supplies and personnel. There's a disaster happening all around us, so there's nothing we can do."
And they put it so grandly.
Cen Yan ignored him and asked, "Did the Third Prince come here just to tell me this?"
"No, that's not it!"
Li Zhuo closed his fan and looked at Cen An'an with a playful expression: "I heard you had a son when I was in the capital. I've long wanted to see your son, but we've been too far apart. I heard today is your son's birthday, so I've come to offer some small gifts. Please accept them as a token of my respect."
As he spoke, the servant presented the gift, a small, fine-quality jade pendant, suitable for Cen An'an's age.
Zhuang Dongqing didn't react much when she saw it, and Cen Yan didn't even look at it, only letting Liu Qi accept it.
"I've seen it, is that all?" Cen Yan asked.
Li Zhuo took the gift from the servant himself and said with a smile, "I've been choosing for so long, shouldn't I personally deliver it to the young prince?"
Cen An'an felt uneasy and clung tightly to Zhuang Dongqing's neck with her chubby little hands.
After a moment of eye contact, Cen Yan finally nodded.
Even if you dislike Li Zhuo, you can't find anything wrong with giving him gifts out of courtesy.
So Zhuang Dongqing carried Cen An'an forward, and the little boy accepted the gift with both hands, obediently saying, "Thank you, Uncle."
Li Zhuo reached out to touch Cen An'an, but she dodged him.
Li Zhuo wasn't angry. His gaze flickered, then he suddenly stopped.
After a moment, his gaze darted back and forth between Zhuang Dongqing and Cen An'an's faces, and he said strangely, "Why do I feel like he looks a bit like you?"
This was said to Zhuang Dongqing.
To this question, Zhuang Dongqing simply replied, "Is that so?"
"The Third Prince might as well take another look."
Looking again, Li Zhuo's gaze swept back and forth between Cen An, Cen Yan, and Zhuang Dongqing's faces several times. At first glance, they looked alike, but upon closer inspection, Cen An still resembled Cen Yan more. With Cen Yan present, Cen An's features had no resemblance to Zhuang Dongqing's.
Zhuang Dongqing naturally knew this as well.
There's no other reason than that the book has described too many times that Cen An'an doesn't look like the original owner of this body, but rather like the Prince of Dingxi.
Therefore, he was not alarmed by this.
Li Zhuo then realized his slip of the tongue, laughed it off, and changed the subject.
Zhuang Dongqing stepped back with Cen An'an in her arms, and Li Zhuo then said to Cen Yan, "After the flood control is finished, shouldn't the salt administration inspection team be heading to Hangzhou?"
Cen Yan: "And then?"
Li Zhuo: "My father ordered me to finish controlling the floods and then go with you to inspect the salt and govern Hangzhou."
"Once the salt administration in Hangzhou is sorted out, we will return to the capital together and reward each other according to our merits."
Cen Yan raised his eyebrows and nodded, saying, "Understood."
Li Zhuo suddenly asked, "Has Your Highness not changed your mind about my proposal?"
Cen Yan had lost his patience: "The gifts have all been given, so I won't keep the prince any longer. Show him out."
Li Zhuo didn't say much. Liu Qi saw him off, and he still had that smiling look on his face as he left.
After everyone had walked away, suddenly, a small voice whispered in Zhuang Dongqing's ear.
"Bah, this uncle isn't smart at all!"
He looks like both his father and his dad!
Zhuang Dongqing almost burst out laughing.
After Li Zhuo left, only the two of them remained. Cen Yan then revealed Li Zhuo's purpose: "He must have come to make amends."
After a pause, he finally voiced his guess.
"Judging from how direct and eager he is in asking questions, the game of vying for that chair in the capital is probably coming to an end soon."
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