Chapter 52 The Deadly Plague Unleashed by Clouds and Locust Trees Three months later. The year-end. ...
Three months later. The end of the year. A small courtyard at the foot of the mountain.
After ten years, Yunxiang's book, "Effective Prescriptions for Women's Diseases," was finally completed. A huge weight was lifted from her heart.
Mingqi stood by the window, organizing her manuscript. A few snowflakes drifted in from outside, landing lightly on the manuscript. Before the snow could melt, Mingqi blew them away, then turned to close the window, laughing, "Little snowflakes, you can't ruin my Xiangjun's hard work! These are all her treasures!"
Hearing the noise, Yunxiang came out from the inner room, yawned, and said, "What are you muttering about?"
Mingqi stepped forward and put his arm around her, saying, "It's nothing, just a few playful snowflakes that wanted to see your masterpiece."
Yunxiang pushed open the door, looked at the snow falling all around, and said, "With such heavy snow before the New Year, next year will surely be a bumper harvest." Yunxiang stroked her increasingly protruding belly, a touch of emotion rising in her heart, and said again, "Another year has passed. Come to think of it, we've lived here for five years now, and soon we'll be having our own child."
Since Yaoxu was born, Mingqi and Yunxiang have also settled here and rarely go up the mountain.
Mingqi said, "Now that your wish has been fulfilled, we can finally have a good New Year."
Yun Xiang said, "Many women in the world have no way to seek medical treatment. They respect and worship me, and even if I could use my magic to cure them all, it would not be a long-term solution. I only hope that after this book is passed down, they will have access to medical care."
Ming Qi pulled her cloak tighter around her, then stroked her belly, his eyes filled with anticipation and joy. He smiled and said, "This little one is quite sensible; he didn't bother you."
Yunxiang looked down and said, "I don't know if it's a boy or a girl. I just hope it grows up healthy, carefree and happy."
After becoming a mother, Yunxiang became even more sensitive to children. She couldn't understand the priests' practice of giving birth but not raising them. Although she sympathized with those children, she couldn't openly help them. She could only do things for them in secret, hoping that they could all grow up well.
Mingqi knew she was thinking about the children again and comforted her, "We can't control their fate. We've done what we could; let the rest take its course. Now, you should think about what you want to eat for the New Year, and let Yaoqi..."
Before he could finish speaking, Yao Qi rushed in. Ming Qi's eyes lit up and he said, "I was just talking about you and you're here."
Yaoqi took a few deep breaths, his expression grave, and said, "Something's happened!"
Two days ago. Yunhuai Palace.
The initial trials of the newly manufactured agricultural manipulators outside the city went smoothly, and Mi Zhen was discussing with Gong Shuming matters such as expanding the scope of the trials in the spring.
Gongshu Ming was the head of the Imperial Workshop and the most skilled blacksmith in Yunhuai after Mi Zhen.
Although he came from humble beginnings, he was exceptionally talented, steady, and eager to learn. He was a talent personally promoted by Mi Zhen and one of the participants in the creation of the mechanical man. He was Mi Zhen's most trusted subordinate.
After they finished discussing business, Mi Zhen started chatting with him about family matters: "Your wife is due to give birth soon, isn't she? How is everything at home?"
Gongshu Ming was taken aback, a hint of panic flashing in his eyes. He bowed and said, "Yes, Your Majesty."
Seeing his taciturn demeanor, Mi Zhen shook her head helplessly and teased, "You're so clueless about romance, how could you have been attracted to me in the first place?"
Upon hearing this, Gongshu Ming merely gave a shy smile and remained silent.
Mi Zhen said, "I was planning to give you a break once the mechanical system was running smoothly, so you could go home and spend time with your wife and children. You've worked hard these past few days." After saying that, Mi Zhen took out a brocade box containing a gold-inlaid jade peace lock and added, "Consider this my newborn gift for the child."
Upon seeing this, Gongshu Ming knelt down with a thud and said in a panic, "Thank you, Your Majesty. But this is too precious, please take it back."
Mi Zhen found his sudden action strange and said with some displeasure, "What are you doing? You are doing this for the country and the people, what is there to be afraid of? Besides, this is for the child, not for you."
Gongshu Ming paused for a moment, then kowtowed deeply to Mi Zhen and said, "I am already grateful for Your Majesty's kindness and have received much more than I should receive."
Mi Zhen looked at Gongshu Ming with a scrutinizing expression and said sternly, "What's wrong with you today? Is there something you're hiding from me?"
Gongshu Ming paused for a moment and said, "It's nothing. It's just that I believe that loyalty to the emperor and love for the people are a subject's duty. Being appreciated by the emperor is already a great favor. Anything more would be undeserved. Even my children should strive for it themselves."
Mi Zhen laughed twice and said, "Gongshu Ming, oh Gongshu Ming, I really don't know what to say to you. According to you, does that mean you can be exempted from your leave?"
Gongshu Ming said, "Your Majesty is right."
Mi Zhen sighed softly, waved his hand, and said, "Alright, get up." He pointed to the brocade box in front of him and said in an unyielding tone, "You must accept this! This is an order! Don't try to refuse anymore, take the things and go home quickly!" After saying that, he picked up his pen and continued to process the memorials, no longer looking at him.
Gongshu Ming had no choice but to accept the brocade box, thanked Mi Zhen, and then withdrew.
Seeing Gongshu Ming leave, Mi Zhen gave a helpless laugh, then took out another brocade box. Inside was a small jade ring, warm and clear, with some rough lines on it. It hadn't been finely carved yet, but it already had a basic shape. Mi Zhen picked up his tools and carefully carved it, his gaze unconsciously becoming exceptionally gentle.
Outside the imperial city. Huliu Village.
As Lunar New Year's Eve approached, this winter was exceptionally cold. Yu Zhi, accompanied by a batch of supplies and two imperial physicians, visited villages outside the city to offer his condolences and personally wrote New Year couplets and the character "福" (fortune).
On the return journey, light snow was falling, a cold wind was blowing, and people on the street hurried along, heads down and wrapped tightly in their cotton robes as they rushed home. The snow and wind blurred their vision, and no one noticed an old man with a limp walking hurriedly towards a carriage ahead.
The next moment, a long neigh from a horse echoed through the peaceful street: "Hiss—!!!"
Yu Zhi, sitting inside the carriage, was held tightly by her maid to prevent herself from falling off. She immediately protected her stomach, quickly calmed herself, lifted the curtain, and asked, "What happened?"
Before the guards could answer, a man wearing a bamboo hat shakily stood up from the ground, muttering something, but the wind was too strong to hear clearly. Because of the hat, his features were obscured, but it was possible to vaguely see something gushing out from beneath him.
It was the same lame old man from earlier.
Upon seeing this, the guard hurriedly drew his sword and pointed it at him, shouting, "Who are you! Don't you know this is the Emperor's residence...?"
"etc!"
Yu Zhi interrupted the guard because she could see through the firelight what was flowing on the ground—a pool of black blood!
The old man suddenly fell backward, and many people gathered around to watch carefully after hearing the noise.
The incident happened so suddenly that Yu Zhi had no time to think. He quickly summoned the imperial physician to examine the old man. A guard and the physician cautiously approached with a lantern, their bamboo hats rolling far away. The old man seemed to have fainted, his disheveled hair obscuring his face. Just as the physician was about to examine him, the old man suddenly leaped up, knocking the physician to the ground. He then ran towards Yu Zhi frantically, his mouth wide open, emitting a "woo-ah" sound. Yu Zhi recognized him; he was crying out, "Help me!"
Just as he was about to pounce, before Yu Zhi could say anything to stop him, a guard protecting her swiftly stabbed him through with a sword.
Strangely, at the very moment the piercing occurred, anyone who looked directly at him witnessed a spiderweb-like red pattern growing from his body, spreading rapidly to his neck and face, eventually filling his entire eyeball like a tangled mess.
With a "bang," his eyeballs exploded instantly, splattering black blood all over the ground. A few drops even landed on Yu Zhi's face.
What kind of monster is this?!
The people in front of them were utterly horrified. The man who had drawn his sword was so shocked that he pulled it out immediately. Black blood flowed down the tip of the sword, and the old man collapsed to the ground with a thud.
"ah--!!!"
Screams erupted one after another from the crowd, and more and more people gathered to watch, gradually turning the scene into chaos.
Yu Zhiqiang suppressed his fear and the nausea rising in his throat, wiped the blood from his face, and ordered the guards to wrap the old man in a mat, move him aside, and keep a close watch on him to prevent further disturbance to the people. At the same time, he sent several others back to the palace to report the matter to Mi Zhen. He then loudly reassured everyone, "Don't panic! This happened suddenly today, and I'm sorry to have disturbed you all. I assure you I will investigate this matter thoroughly, but it's suspicious. Please don't linger here; go home safely. We've got you covered!" Finally, he added, "The roads are slippery in the snow; please be careful on your journey and arrive home safely."
When everyone saw that it was the Empress, whose tone was gentle yet powerful, serious yet resolute, their hearts gradually calmed down.
The crowd dispersed, leaving only Yu Zhi and a few others on the empty street.
The maid helped Yu Zhi up and, seeing her tired face, said with concern, "Your Highness, it's so cold, let's go back to the palace."
Yu Zhi didn't speak, but looked at the straw mat beside her, a strong sense of unease rising in her heart. She shook her head and said firmly, "No, we'll wait here."
Seeing her resolute attitude, the maid helped her into the carriage. As soon as she sat down, Yu Zhi seemed to deflate, her vision went black, and she collapsed onto the maid's shoulder.
The maidservant cried out urgently, "Your Majesty..."
Just as she was about to utter a word, Yu Zhi, who had regained consciousness, stopped her: "Don't make a sound. I'm fine, just a little tired."
The maid asked, "Your Highness, are you really alright?"
Yu Zhi closed his eyes wearily, patted the back of her hand, and indicated that he was alright.
Yu Zhi carefully recalled the scene just now, still feeling shocked. But then she thought of the old man's appearance, the black blood flowing out, and his silent plea for help, which made her inexplicably certain that the person was not some demon or monster, but a real person.
If he were human, he would most likely be poisoned or have contracted some kind of disease. If it were contagious, the consequences would be unimaginable. Therefore, she sent someone who hadn't been stained with blood to return to the palace, and she absolutely couldn't let him return like that.
Soon, Mi Zhen arrived with his troops. Upon hearing the noise, Yu Zhi hurriedly lifted the carriage curtain and loudly warned, "Don't come near! Be careful of infection!"
Upon hearing this, everyone present stopped in their tracks. But husband and wife are one, and Mi Zhen had already known what she was thinking, so he had everyone prepare masks and gloves for protection before they arrived.
Looking into Yu Zhi's determined eyes, Ke Mizhen felt a mix of emotions. She had so much to say, but could only manage to ask, "Are you alright?"
Yu Zhi waved to him and returned a reassuring smile.
The matter was of utmost importance, and Mi Zhen dared not slacken his efforts in the slightest. Before leaving the palace, he had already dispatched a large number of people to conduct a thorough investigation overnight. At this moment, he also ordered the imperial physician to examine the old man's body.
The imperial physician was astonished to discover that the man's entire body was covered in bright red, glaringly vivid patterns, almost leaping off the skin. These patterns spread from his back to his entire body, like a giant spider web. At this moment, tiny hairs seemed to grow on each of the patterns, like spider tentacles. Soon, blisters began to form on his skin, emitting a stench even worse than swill. Seeing the blisters multiply and grow larger, the physician cried out in alarm, "Disperse them!! He's going to burst!!!"
Everyone scrambled to get out of the way, and with a loud "boom," the corpse exploded on the spot, spraying black blood and flying pieces of flesh. The entire street was filled with an increasingly strong, foul odor. Fortunately, everyone was wearing masks and thus escaped unharmed.
The men sent out were incredibly efficient, confirming the situation before dawn: throughout the entire Cloud Locust Imperial City, there were already fifty people with obvious red markings on their bodies. These people were mostly found because the red markings were on their backs and not easily noticeable. Comparing these markings to the old man's, it was clear that the red markings gradually deepened, initially even being colorless or transparent.
All indications suggest that this is a highly contagious disease.
But that wasn't the worst of it. During their investigation, they discovered a symptom completely different from that of the blood spider plague.
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