After more than a month, all matters in Shangzhou were basically resolved.
The imperial physicians tried to develop a prescription but to no avail. Finally, Doctor Zhong combined Doctor Ye's prescription to develop a prescription to treat the plague.
Except for dozens of people who died in the beginning when they were at a loss, no more deaths were reported after Doctor Ye's prescriptions were used to control the situation.
In early November, Cheng Zhao and his entourage returned to Beijing, and the people of Shangzhou lined the streets to see them off.
In the carriage, Cheng Zhao felt a little regretful. He had originally wanted to invite Doctor Ye to work in the Imperial Hospital, but unfortunately Doctor Ye suddenly left without saying goodbye two days ago. He sent people to look for him for several days but could not find any trace of him.
Seeing that his master looked unhappy, the personal eunuch Zheng Fusheng asked with concern, "Your Highness, is there anything on your mind?"
"Nothing, I just don't know why Doctor Ye left without saying goodbye."
Fu Sheng pondered and said, "I think Doctor Ye also has his own difficulties. He saved His Highness and the people of Guo County without asking for anything in return, and he didn't even reveal his name.
The people of Guo County only know Dr. Ye, the miracle doctor who saved their lives, but they don't even know what he looks like or what his name is. This shows that Dr. Ye has a good character and is indifferent to fame and fortune.
"I think this kind of person is very much like the hermit masters described in the story books. It is normal for him to leave without saying goodbye. Your Highness, don't worry." Fu Sheng expressed his opinion seriously.
Cheng Zhao looked at him with amusement, "Whose hidden master is only thirteen years old? He is so young, and there is no adult accompanying him. It is not safe for him to go out."
Fu Sheng pouted and said, "You say I'm young, but you're one year younger than me."
…
Two days later, Cheng Zhao and his party returned to the palace. The emperor praised the officials who went to provide disaster relief in the court.
Cheng Zhao had just come out of his father's Shengchen Palace and went straight to his mother's Weiyang Palace. He hadn't seen his mother for three months.
Halfway through, a figure suddenly appeared and blocked his way.
The Second Prince looked at him with a broad smile and said, "Third brother, you are back. I haven't even congratulated you on such a great achievement yet, but Father has praised you highly in the court."
Cheng Zhao stopped and bowed politely, "Thank you for your kind words, Second Brother. Sharing the worries of the court and seeking the well-being of the people is what we should do."
The Second Prince patted Cheng Zhao on the shoulder and said, "You are so good at sharing the worries of the court and working for the well-being of the people. Third brother has so much talent and ability that I, your elder brother, cannot compare to him."
"Second brother, you are joking. Second brother, you are the eldest son of our father and have a good reputation. Everyone in the court praises you. How can my younger brother compare to you?"
The Second Prince looked at his third brother, who was full of sincerity, and laughed out loud: "Hahaha, yes, my Great Jin Dynasty values the eldest son, and my third brother sees it clearly."
As he spoke, the Second Prince looked at Cheng Zhao with a serious expression, "I hope you, Third Brother, will always remember this."
After saying this, the Second Prince strode away, "Second brother has something else to do, so I'll leave first."
Cheng Zhao did not take the Second Prince's words to heart. Seeing him walk away, he turned around and strode towards Weiyang Palace. He was really in the way and delaying him from seeing his mother.
Ning Yuxi had been waiting at the door since early morning. When she saw her son had become darker and thinner, her eyes couldn't help but tear up.
Cheng Zhao knelt down to greet him, "Your son pays his respects to Mother. I am unfilial and have caused Mother to worry." His father had just said that Mother had fallen seriously ill due to worrying about him a while ago, and he felt really guilty towards Mother.
Ning Yuxi hurriedly helped the man up, "It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back."
Cheng Yao and his friends knew that their brother was coming back today, so they took a leave and waited here. The mother and his sons had a reunion dinner together.
After dinner, Ning Yuxi wanted to take Cheng Zhao away to reminisce about the past, but considering that her son had been traveling for two days, she decided to let him go back and rest first. It would not be too late to reminisce tomorrow.
Cheng Yao and Cheng Xi also left together. Shu Xuan knew that her mother had the habit of taking a nap, and just as she was about to go back to her room, Ning Yuxi stopped her.
Shu Xuan subconsciously began to recount her actions over the past few days, "Mother, I've been very well behaved these past few days."
Ning Yuxi glanced at her helplessly and said, "You, don't hang out anymore lately."
"Why? I would feel uncomfortable if I stayed in the palace every day~" Shu Yu's face was full of pleading.
Ning Yuxi said sternly, "Your father told me that Huo Qing is dead. It is said that he slipped and fell while building the city wall and died on the spot. The old lady of the Ningguo Mansion was so heartbroken that she also died."
"Duke Ningguo and his wife cried so hard that they nearly fainted. Later, it was heard that Duke Ningguo, in a gloomy mood, beat and killed many of the maids and servants in the mansion. An imperial censor could not bear to see this and wrote a letter of impeachment.
Not long after, the censor's mother took her daughter and grandson out to burn incense, and on the way, the carriage got startled and fell off a cliff, leaving no trace of their bodies.
Hearing this, Shu Xuan's face was filled with anger. "It must be that Duke Ning's doing. He's so vicious! Doesn't the emperor care?"
Ning Yuxi sighed, "Without evidence, the government can't arrest people without reason."
The reason why Shu Yun was asked not to go out recently was because he was afraid that Duke Ningguo would do something unfavorable to Shu Yun out of his madness.
"It's really hateful. Huo Qing deserved to die. He was sentenced to death in the first place. Father showed mercy and spared his life, but God couldn't bear it and took him away. Yet he can vent his anger on others." Shu Yu's face turned red with anger.
Ning Yuxi warned, "Remember, don't go out recently."
Shu Xuan looked at her mother's eyes full of concern and gritted her teeth to agree.
…
In the blink of an eye, it was the end of the year. Shangzhou had just suffered a flood, and after the winter came, the emperor fell ill several times, his illness becoming more serious, so he lived a frugal life that year.
The new year begins with the spring examination, which is held every three years. After the results of the joint examination are announced, the palace examination is held in early March. The emperor personally attends the examination, and he personally reviews and ranks the papers of the first and second class candidates.
In the past, the emperor would personally review the test papers of only the three candidates in the first place and select the top three. This time, he also personally reviewed the test papers of more than 20 candidates in the second place.
This caught a group of officials off guard.
What is surprising is that the top scorer in this spring examination is a sixteen-year-old boy.
Zhu Jingchen, the Minister of Rites who was in charge of the imperial examination, looked at the name at the top, Lu Ze. He had some impression of this person, as he had ranked fifth in the examination.
He had read this person's articles, and they didn't look like they were written by a sixteen-year-old boy at all. His experience and knowledge were comparable to those of many people over thirty.
Judging from his essay alone, he deserved the title of top scorer, but each candidate's paper was reviewed and graded by several examiners. Officials from aristocratic families naturally looked down on candidates like Lu Ze who had no background at all.
If the emperor had not come suddenly this time, Lu Ze would probably have been ranked second. The difference in treatment between the first and second class is huge.
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