Chapter 1267 Staying in Chang'an for the Time Being
Before we knew it, it was the first day of the seventh month, which was the ninth day of the ten-day deadline given by the emperor.
The atmosphere in Chang'an became strange.
There were no foreign enemies invading, but the guards at the gates of the imperial city were suddenly strengthened, and the number of patrol teams in the city was much larger than before. In particular, they patrolled the most important avenues all night long, and the people along the streets were often awakened from their sleep by the crisp sound of horses' hooves.
Everyone knows that in just one more day, His Highness the King of Qin will be moving to Luoyang.
This incident not only shocked the court and the public, but also stirred up a huge wave among the people. Everyone was very surprised that the Prince of Qin, who had made great military achievements, held immense power, and whose popularity almost overshadowed that of the Crown Prince, was suddenly kicked out of Chang'an, the center of power, without any room for resistance. This was both surprising and unsettling.
Of course, what made them uneasy was not only the curfew and strict security measures within the city.
Whether it was their imagination or not, just a few days ago, some people near Yanxing Gate seemed to have heard the city gate open in the middle of the night and people leaving the city. However, the number of people seemed to be small, with only a few scattered riders.
However, it seems that a large group of people left the city a couple of days ago.
However, when asked more carefully during the day, no one knew about this matter. Moreover, the imperial court had not recently issued any decrees to wage war abroad, so those who heard the sound simply thought they were asleep and mistook the incessant wind and rain of the past few days for the earth-shaking iron horses in their dreams.
It wasn't just ordinary people; as the day of parting approached, Yuwen Yuan also couldn't sleep.
It was already dark, but the palace gates were still open, and the Liangyi Hall was brightly lit. The sound of the rain was like countless raindrops hitting his heart. Although the air was damp and slightly cool, he felt restless and uneasy. He had only been sitting for a short while when he felt like he was sitting on pins and needles. He stood up and paced back and forth in the hall with his hands behind his back.
At this moment, a sweet, gentle voice said, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please don't worry too much."
Yuwen Yuan turned his head and glanced at Zhang Yuping, who was sitting obediently on the other side watching him. He sighed deeply and said, "How can I not worry?"
As he spoke, another bolt of lightning ripped through the sky, its cold white light illuminating his preoccupied face and the worry in his eyes.
Upon hearing this, a cold smile flashed in Zhang Yuping's eyes.
She got up and walked to Yuwen Yuan's side, took his arm and slowly walked back to sit down. Then she sat behind him, stretched out her jade-like hands to massage his stiff neck and shoulders, and said, "That's true. Your Highness was sick not long ago. How come you're sick again today?"
Upon hearing this, Yuwen Yuan's face darkened.
Zhang Yuping added, "If Your Majesty is truly worried, why not go yourself—"
Before he could finish speaking, Eunuch Yu walked in from outside and reported, "Your Majesty, Imperial Physician Su has come to the palace to report."
Yuwen Yuan immediately said, "Send it quickly!"
After he finished speaking, he gently brushed Zhang Yuping's hand away. Zhang Yuping naturally did not dare to be negligent and hurriedly stepped aside to sit up straight. When she looked up, she saw Su Qinglan walking to the entrance of the main hall. Perhaps because news suddenly came from the Prince of Qin's residence that the young prince was ill, and the emperor had ordered her to leave the palace overnight to treat the young prince and also asked her to come back and report on the condition, she seemed particularly nervous. She even tripped over the high threshold when she entered the hall.
She strode over and bowed deeply, saying, "Your Majesty."
Yuwen Yuan asked, "How is Yuan Gan? Why is he sick again?"
The Liangyi Hall was brightly lit, and the flickering candlelight clearly illuminated Su Qinglan's rain-soaked clothes, which were still dripping wet. Her forehead was also covered with a fine layer of water droplets, whether from the rain or sweat, it was unclear. Hearing Yuwen Yuan's anxious question, she swallowed hard before softly replying, "Your Majesty, the young prince... does indeed have a fever... yes, he has fallen ill."
Upon hearing this, Yuwen Yuan frowned.
Zhang Yuping, who was standing next to him, glanced at his face, sneered inwardly, and immediately said, "The young master was sick just a while ago, how come he's sick again after only a few days?"
Upon hearing this, Yuwen Yuan's expression darkened further, and he angrily retorted, "No matter how well the people of the Qin Prince's Mansion take care of you!"
Although his words were directed at the people of the Prince of Qin's mansion, Su Qinglan's heart pounded even harder.
But Zhang Yuping wasn't about to give up. She moved closer to Yuwen Yuan and said softly, "Since Your Majesty cares so much about the young prince, why don't you go see him? Anyway—"
A thunderbolt suddenly struck down from the night sky.
The deafening roar was like a warning bell, making Su Qinglan tremble. She suddenly raised her head and said in a deep voice, "The Emperor cannot go!"
Yuwen Yuan frowned as he looked at her: "Hmm?"
Zhang Yuping curled her cherry-red lips into a cold smile and said, "Imperial Physician Su, His Majesty is going to visit the young prince, how dare you stop him?"
"..."
"Could it be that the young master's illness is something—"
Su Qinglan hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, I dare not. However, the young prince is ill and should not see anyone."
Yuwen Yuan immediately asked, "Why?"
Su Qinglan said, "I didn't have time to explain in detail just now. The young prince's illness is not a common cold and fever, but smallpox."
"What!?"
Upon hearing this, Yuwen Yuan's brows furrowed even more, but the anger on his face subsided somewhat.
Zhang Yuping's expression changed: "Smallpox?"
Su Qinglan said, "Yes, children are most prone to smallpox at this age. However, the Prince's Palace has already enshrined the Goddess of Smallpox and hired people to cleanse and exorcise evil spirits. I left behind the prescription, and I just brewed a dose and had the child take it. The young prince is sleeping more peacefully now."
"..."
"However, patients with smallpox should avoid exposure to wind and people. Your Majesty is probably not in a good position to visit the young prince during this period. It will be better to wait until the young prince has fully recovered before visiting him."
"..."
"Your Majesty, please forgive me for speaking out against it."
Yuwen Yuan's expression softened slightly.
He knew this too; children with smallpox should avoid being around too many people, and if they were exposed to wind, they might not recover easily. So he could only sigh, "That's all we can do."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Yuping's face darkened.
Su Qinglan paused for a moment. Although she kept her head down and couldn't see anyone in front of her, she bit her tongue hard, almost drawing blood. The stinging pain made her more alert. She took a deep breath and said, "Also, Princess Qin asked me to ask His Majesty if she could stay in Chang'an with the young prince for a few more days."
"..."
"Also, let General Shi Yuxin stay in Chang'an for the time being, so that he can escort the young prince to Luoyang after he recovers."
Yuwen Yuan's gaze suddenly deepened.
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