After a moment of stunned silence, Yang Mengchen suddenly turned and hurled herself into the arms of the man before her, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist as her eyes shimmered with hot tears.
The familiar scent, heartbeat, and warmth enveloped her completely, shielding her from the strife and hurt of the outside world.
Both of them trembled with emotion, yet they remained silent, simply embracing each other with all their might.
After some time, Long Xuanmo released his beloved wife. In the flickering candlelight, he gazed deeply at her face, which had visibly thinned. His heart felt as if it were being savagely gripped and torn apart, the acute pain dimming the light in his eyes as his body quivered slightly.
Feeling the hot tears on his neck, Yang Mengchen’s spirit shook, and she raised her hand to gently stroke his back. No words were spoken, yet her eyes were moist with tears.
When they had calmed down, Long Xuanmo turned and lay flat on the bed, his arms tightly embracing his wife, filling the emptiness of his heart for more than a month with contentment and warmth.
Leaning against the warmth of Long Xuanmo’s chest, listening to his strong heartbeat, Yang Mengchen softly asked, "How did you come here?"
"After receiving Mo Mei’s secret report, knowing that the matters were concluded, of course, I had to come and take you home."
"The affairs of the state still need a few days to be sorted out. Additionally, I want to see if I can find some suitable business opportunities to develop Dan Yang’s economy and improve the living conditions of the people."
"The people you’ve chosen are good, and in no more than two days the Ministry of Appointments will send down official documents. Moreover, Yang Chenghong and Nangong Lingfei have come with me. You should discuss economic and trade matters with them tomorrow. As for the affairs of state, leave them to me."
"I’m so glad you came. Now I no longer need to worry about how to handle those governmental affairs. If it weren’t for those officials, I really wouldn’t know how to deal with matters."
Turning his head, Long Xuanmo kissed his wife’s forehead, understanding that she was avoiding impropriety; otherwise, with her abilities, she would have more than enough to deal with those affairs of state.
"By the way, Wende, how are things in the Capital?"
"The day after you left, an outbreak of smallpox occurred in the Capital." Long Xuanmo narrated the events to his wife: "The Emperor immediately called in heavy troops to guard the Capital. Yao Chuanbai and others were also active in treating the patients and administering vaccinations. Zhang Duheng and stewards from various hospitals began preventive work against smallpox everywhere at the same time. Although a few dozen people died in the Capital, a greater disaster was averted;
Now officials from all regions are submitting reports, and the people are also joining in petitions expressing their gratitude to the Emperor, who is immensely pleased, saying that if it weren’t for you, this ’lucky star,’ the consequences would be unimaginable;
Of the seven escapees, four went to the Capital. Three of them caught smallpox and died, while the remaining one was saved by the utmost efforts of Yao Chuanbai and has now recovered;
One of the other three died on the official road a hundred miles away from Julu Prefecture (which borders Yuzhang Prefecture, to which Dan Yang County belongs), luckily without infecting anyone;
The other two died five days after reaching Jibei County, but resulted in nearly a hundred people in Jibei County contracting smallpox. Fortunately, Deng Pengfei (one of Yao Chuanbai’s disciples, in charge of the affairs of Huimin Hospital in Wudu Prefecture) received the news and immediately rushed to Jibei County for treatment. Over a dozen people died, but the rest of the patients have now all recovered;
Because these seven individuals triggered this calamity, the sole survivor, after recovery, will serve three months of prison labor as a warning."
Yang Mengchen had no objections.
Even though the actions of the seven had reasons behind them, the fact that so many innocent lives were lost meant that punishment was warranted lest it not be enough to quell public outrage.
"Mo Mei mentioned there were some taking advantage of the situation in the Capital to cause trouble. Has the mastermind behind it been caught?"
Shaking his head, Long Xuanmo said in a deep voice, "No."
Yang Mengchen fell silent upon hearing this. If they couldn’t quickly find Young Master Huang and the leader of that unidentified force, Dong Chu would be prone to unrest and upheaval.
The night grew deep, and Long Xuanmo carried his wife to the inner chamber to freshen up briefly before returning to bed, where the couple embraced each other intimately and fell into a peaceful sleep.
The following day, after breakfast, Yang Cheng’an and the others continued to vaccinate the locals, while Yang Mengchen, Yang Chenghong, and Nangong Lingfei roamed about seeking suitable commercial opportunities for the development of Dan Yang County. Meanwhile, Long Xuanmo stayed at the County Office to handle state affairs.
Outside Nanxiang County Town, in the stone pavilion behind Guangyuan Temple.
Lin Zheqi, dressed in dark cyan brocade robes, stood with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing at the distant mountain ranges endlessly sprawled before him, yet with no mind to appreciate the picturesque scenery.
The ’Uncle’s’ words echoed continuously in his ears.
"My Ah Rong is a woman of hard fate. She never wanted to become a concubine. She said she wanted to build a home with me in a place with clear mountains and beautiful waters, to have a few more lovely children, and to live a simple and happy life as a family."
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