Jiang Ming hesitated before speaking, "Princess, Wang Ping knew his crimes were grave and committed suicide in prison."
Seeing the grim expressions on everyone's faces, Jiang Ming slowly spoke again, "Your Highness the Crown Prince and the Princess, please go inside and rest for a while."
Looking around at the furnishings of this provincial administration office, Bai Chuxiao sneered. This Yunzhou prefecture was built better than those in the capital.
After the group settled down to rest in the hall, Bai Chuxiao smiled slightly and asked, "Lord Jiang, how is the epidemic situation in Yunzhou? Why are there so few people on the streets?"
Jiang Ming smiled faintly, "Your Highness, you may not know, but that strange illness originated from miners at Mingyue Mountain in Qing County. Wang Ping burned them all to the ground, which actually brought the illness under control and prevented it from spreading. However, the people in other cities of Yunzhou were inevitably terrified, which is why they stayed indoors."
Bai Chuxiao sneered, "So you're saying that all those who got sick were burned alive by you? How many people in Qing County were affected?"
Jiang Ming lowered his eyes. "Qing County is located at the foot of Mingyue Mountain. The fire was set at night, and most of the people in the county were burned to death. A small number escaped to nearby Hua County."
Chu Tianyou was furious. So many people had died, and he was being blamed for it. If it weren't for his father suppressing the matter and letting it get out, he would have been finished as the crown prince. "Jiang Ming, what kind of governor are you? Have the people who escaped been properly taken care of?"
Jiang Ming quickly cupped his hands in greeting, "Your Highness, please calm down. No one could have predicted that the magistrate would suddenly set fire to the mountain last night. As for whether those who escaped were infected with any diseases, it's unclear. Therefore, Qing County, along with the nearby Hua County, has now been surrounded by the garrison, allowing entry but not exit."
Bai Chuxiao frowned. "Your Highness, let's take the imperial physician to Hua County to have a look."
Jiang Ming smiled and said, "Your Highness and the Princess have had a long journey. It's getting late, so why don't you rest for now and set off again tomorrow?"
Chu Tianyou pondered for a moment, then nodded in agreement. "I'm going to Prince An's residence. Would the Princess like to come along?" This old scoundrel had actually tricked him; he wanted to see what other tricks this good imperial uncle could pull.
Bai Chuxiao nodded slightly, "Of course I will go with Your Highness."
Prince An is nominally their elder, so it's obviously impossible for him to take the initiative to visit them.
The Prince An's Mansion and the Provincial Administration Office were both located in the most prosperous area in the center of Yunzhou City, not far away. The group of people quickly arrived at the gate of the mansion on horseback.
"Your Highness, Princess Consort of Yan, please come in," said the head steward of the Prince's residence with a smile.
Chu Tianyou looked displeased. "Where is your prince?"
The head steward of the Prince's residence said respectfully, "Our Prince is usually quite carefree, and he's a little tipsy from drinking, which is why he couldn't come out to greet us personally."
Bai Chuxiao smiled and said, "It's alright. Uncle is an elder, so it's only right that we pay our respects. Lead the way."
Unlike the desolate streets outside, the main hall of the Prince's mansion was bustling with activity, filled with the sounds of clinking glasses, singing, and dancing. Prince An, with a beautiful concubine in his arms, sat casually at a table, thoroughly enjoying himself. He didn't even lift his eyelids when they entered.
Chu Tianyou sneered, "Uncle, what a refined taste you have."
Bai Chuxiao sized up the so-called Prince An. He did bear some resemblance to Emperor Wenxuan, but looked more than ten years younger than His Majesty the Emperor. Despite reeking of alcohol, he still exuded a refined and scholarly air.
Prince An then smiled and said, "Isn't this my good nephew? Why are you in Yunzhou instead of staying in the capital?"
Chu Tianyou gritted his teeth, "Isn't Uncle asking a question he already knows the answer to?"
Prince An smiled faintly and did not answer. Instead, he looked at Bai Chuxiao and said, "I was blind. Who is this?"
The head steward of the Prince's residence quickly said, "Your Highness, this is Princess Changning, who is also the Princess Consort of Yan."
Prince An swayed to his feet and laughed loudly, "So it's my nephew's wife!"
Bai Chuxiao said with a smile, "Uncle, I've heard so much about you."
Chu Tianyou snorted coldly, "Royal Uncle, I'm not here to chat with you."
Prince An remained unmoved, waving his hand dismissively, "All of you, leave. I wish to properly entertain my nephew and his wife."
The music inside the hall immediately stopped, and all the dancers bowed their heads and withdrew. Servants then brought in some hangover soup, which Prince An drank a few sips of, and he seemed to sober up a bit.
Bai Chuxiao said calmly, "The area outside Yunzhou is desolate. Doesn't Imperial Uncle intend to offer any explanation?"
Prince An chuckled lightly, "I have never concerned myself with politics. Yunzhou is managed by people sent by my elder brother. If you're going to talk about these things, you've come to the wrong place."
Anger flashed in Chu Tianyou's eyes. "Uncle, let's be frank here. You were the one who approached me about the gold mine, and now that things have gone wrong, you're denying everything?"
Prince An smiled enigmatically, "When a mineral deposit was discovered within Yunzhou, I reported it to the court and the Crown Prince according to regulations. What's wrong with that? From the beginning of the mining operation, everything has been decided by you, nephew, and the gold has all gone into your pocket. What does it have to do with me?"
Chu Tianyou's eyes were practically spitting fire. "Chu Wenzheng!"
Prince An remained unfazed. "I am your elder. You'd better put away your princely temper in front of me."
He then added with a smile, "I never expected that my elder brother would send his nephew's wife."
Bai Chuxiao smiled slightly, "I have a wild nature, that's why Father Emperor released this princess to see for herself."
Prince An smiled faintly, "I have heard of my nephew's wife's charm in the North, so there's no need for modesty. Since my brother sent you here, he must value you highly."
Bai Chuxiao concealed her expression and said with a smile, "Uncle is indeed a reasonable person."
Prince An then slowly spoke, "Since you've come to Yunzhou, why don't you stay at the Imperial Uncle's residence?"
Chu Tianyou's expression was grim. "No need," he said. Staying in this old scoundrel's house was making it impossible for him to eat or sleep properly.
Prince An spoke with impeccable tact, yielding little information. After the group returned to the Provincial Administration Office and had dinner, Chu Tianyou went to rest. Traveling all night was indeed tiring for a prince raised in the capital.
Inside a side room, Xia Fan, dressed in black, bowed and said, "Your Highness, according to the people, the Yunzhou garrison blocked all roads in and out of Yunzhou more than half a month ago. After the incident in Qing County, the people of Yunzhou were in a state of panic. A man claiming to be a mighty general appeared out of nowhere, saying he would seek justice for everyone, so most of the people went to him for refuge."
Bai Chuxiao frowned, "Where is that mighty general?"
"It is said that they were stationed in Lan County, west of Yunzhou."
Bai Chuxiao raised an eyebrow. "Neither Prince An nor Jiang Ming mentioned this general today. Are the Yunzhou garrison not going to do anything about it?"
Xia Fan shook his head. "That mighty general has already gathered quite a few people in the west. The Yunzhou garrison is basically stationed in Yunzhou City and the cities to the east, as well as outside Huaxian County. They show no intention of interfering. Currently, the two sides are at peace, and it seems that neither wants the court to know, so they have jointly blocked the news."
Bai Chuxiao frowned. "Zhan Chi, you stay and keep an eye on the Crown Prince. Xia Fan, let's go to Hua County tonight and see what these garrison troops are up to. Wasn't that strange little town in Hua County? Maybe Lin Huai's whereabouts are..."
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