Peach Blossoms in Chang'an

The opposition officials were taken to the Tianlao, but their followers secretly observed Wu Tao and Hu Bugui, looking for opportunities to retaliate. After dealing with those treacherous officials, the emperor rubbed his temples tiredly, but he was still thinking about the epidemic. He remembered the epidemic prevention suggestions Wu Tao made in the court, and he couldn't help but admire this extraordinary woman even more.

"Pass on my order and summon Wu Tao and Hu Bugui to the palace at noon tomorrow. I want to discuss with them how to better control the epidemic." The emperor ordered the old eunuch beside him.

"As you wish." The old eunuch bowed and replied, then stepped back to arrange the delivery of the decree.

Wu Tao and Hu Bugui returned home, and before they had time to rest, they received the emperor's decree. They understood that the emperor wanted to use them, and they were excited and nervous.

"We will go to the palace to meet the emperor at noon tomorrow." Hu Bugui solemnly promised the eunuch who was delivering the imperial edict.

After the eunuch left, Wu Tao and Hu Bugui began to prepare for entering the palace the next day. They carefully studied the medical books brought back from the Imperial Hospital, hoping to come up with more effective epidemic prevention measures.

However, fate always seemed to play jokes on them. The next morning, a sudden downpour swept across the entire city of Chang'an. The pouring rain blocked the roads and also blocked Wu Tao and Hu Bugui's way to the palace.

"It's raining so heavily, what should we do?" Wu Tao looked out the window anxiously, his heart full of worry.

Hu Bugui also frowned. He knew that the emperor had summoned him, so how could he delay? But it was pouring rain and he couldn't go out at all.

"I'll go see if there's a place nearby where I can shelter from the rain." Hu Bugui said, then picked up an oil-paper umbrella and rushed into the rain.

Wu Tao paced anxiously in the house, praying that the rain would stop soon. Time passed by, and it was almost noon, but the rain showed no sign of abating.

At this moment, a young eunuch came running over, all wet, and said breathlessly, "Miss Wu, where is Mr. Hu? The emperor has been waiting for a long time."

Wu Tao's heart skipped a beat when he heard this, and he quickly explained, "Eunuch, you don't know that there was a sudden rainstorm this morning, and the roads were blocked. We really can't go to the palace to see the emperor. Please inform the emperor on my behalf. My husband and I will go to the palace to apologize tomorrow morning."

The young eunuch was embarrassed and said, "Miss Wu, this... I am just a messenger. The emperor is furious, so I dare not say much."

Wu Tao wanted to explain more, but the eunuch had already left in a hurry. She slumped in the chair, feeling uneasy.

At this time, in the palace, the emperor was anxiously waiting. He had placed high hopes on Wu Tao and Hu Bugui, hoping that they could help him control the epidemic and bring peace to the people as soon as possible. However, after waiting for a long time, the two did not come.

"What exactly are their intentions?" There was a hint of displeasure in the emperor's tone.

Seeing this, the opposition officials who had been waiting for an opportunity immediately stepped forward and slandered: "Your Majesty, in my opinion, Wu Tao and Hu Bugui clearly do not take Your Majesty seriously! They may think that they have made contributions and can rely on their favor to become arrogant and disrespect the emperor!"

The emperor was already upset because of the epidemic, and now he was even more angry after hearing these words. He slammed the table and said angrily: "How can this be! I summoned you with good intentions, but they dared to be so negligent. How presumptuous!"

"Your Majesty, please calm down. Perhaps the two of them really have something to hide. It won't be too late to send someone to inquire about the situation after the rain stops." Seeing this, another official hurriedly spoke to comfort them.

However, the emperor was so angry that he would not listen to any explanation. He snorted coldly and said, "No need, I have made up my mind. There is no need to mention this matter again!"

Wu Tao was extremely anxious. The rain wet her face and extinguished her last glimmer of hope. The eunuch's words were like a bolt from the blue, echoing in her ears for a long time. The emperor was so angry. Did all their previous efforts go to waste?

Hu Bugui finally came back. He was soaking wet, but he didn't bother to change his wet clothes. He grabbed Wu Tao's hand and asked anxiously, "How is it? What did the emperor say?"

Wu Tao's eyes were red as she told Hu Bugui everything that had happened. After hearing this, Hu Bugui's face suddenly turned livid. He punched the wall hard and said angrily, "It's all my fault! It's all my fault! If it wasn't for me, you wouldn't have missed the time to see the emperor, and you wouldn't have let the emperor misunderstand you!"

"What's the use of saying this now? We must go to the palace as soon as possible to explain everything to the emperor!" Wu Tao said, and was about to pull Hu Bugui out.

"It's useless." Hu Bugui shook his head, his expression gloomy. "The palace gates are closed now, we can't get in at all. What's more, the emperor is very angry. Even if we really go in, I'm afraid it will only make him angrier."

Wu Tao felt a surge of despair when he heard this. Could it be that they were really going to watch this hard-earned opportunity slip through their fingers?

The next morning, just after dawn, Wu Tao and Hu Bugui came to the palace gate with generous gifts and waited. They waited for a day and a night, but never received an audience with the emperor. The guards at the gate looked at their embarrassed appearance with mockery and disdain on their faces.

"Please go back, both of you. The emperor said that he won't see me anymore, so don't waste your energy." The guard waved his hands impatiently, as if he was driving away two annoying flies.

Wu Tao was unwilling to give up and wanted to fight for it again, but was stopped by Hu Bugui. He knew that it was useless to say anything now, the emperor had lost trust in them, and if he continued to pester them, he would only bring shame upon himself.

"Let's go!" Hu Bugui pulled Wu Tao and turned to leave. Their backs looked particularly lonely in the morning light.

The genius doctor stroked his graying beard, feeling grief-stricken, "Your Majesty, Madam Wu and Master Hu are both rare geniuses. They are sincere and the heavens and the earth can bear witness to their sincerity! I guarantee with my life that they never intended to offend Your Majesty!"

The villagers also knelt down one after another, pleading for Wu Tao and Hu Bugui: "Yes, Your Majesty, Madam Wu has saved the lives of all the people in our village!" "Master Hu has even risked his own life to quell the plague and has been running around everywhere!" "Please Your Majesty, please be more discerning and don't wrongly accuse good people!"

However, no matter how the miracle doctor and the villagers begged, the emperor remained unmoved. He sat on the dragon throne, his face as gloomy as water, like a cold statue. His anger towards Wu Tao and Hu Bugui had not yet subsided, so how could he change his mind so easily?

Wu Tao and Hu Bugui stood aside, listening to the desperate cries of the miracle doctor and the villagers, with mixed feelings in their hearts. They knew that all this was caused by their negligence, but it was too late to regret now. They had lost a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and also lost the emperor's trust. What would be waiting for them?

"Let's go." Hu Bugui patted Wu Tao's shoulder gently, his voice low and hoarse. He didn't know how to comfort Wu Tao, because he himself felt extremely confused and helpless.

Wu Tao raised her head and looked at the deep loneliness in Hu Bugui's eyes, and a feeling of bitterness welled up in her heart. She knew that Hu Bugui had given up his wealth and glory, and his life of luxury for her, but now he had to bear this false accusation with her and drift in the wind and rain.

"No, we can't give up just like that!" Wu Tao suddenly raised his head, his eyes flashing with determination, "Although we have lost the emperor's trust, we still have ourselves and each other! I believe that as long as we keep our feet on the ground and have a clear conscience, one day the truth will come to light!"

Hu Bugui looked at Wu Tao's resolute eyes, and a spark of hope ignited in his heart. Yes, they still have each other, and they still have a vision for the future. They can't be defeated like this!

"Okay, let's work hard together!" Hu Bugui held Wu Tao's hand tightly, his eyes full of strength.

They walked out of the palace side by side, with the disappointed and regretful eyes of the miracle doctor and the villagers behind them. They didn't know what the future would be like, but they knew that they would face it together and never give up!

After leaving the palace, Wu Tao and Hu Bugui were not discouraged. They returned to the small village where the plague broke out. Although the plague had subsided, the villagers were still living in poverty. Wu Tao decided to pass on his modern agricultural knowledge to the villagers to help them increase food production. Hu Bugui used his military talents to teach the villagers to build water conservancy facilities and resist natural disasters.

As time went by, under the leadership of Wu Tao and Hu Bugui, the small village underwent earth-shaking changes. The crops in the fields were abundant, and the faces of the villagers were filled with happy smiles. When the news spread to other villages, many people came to seek refuge, and the originally desolate small village gradually developed into a prosperous town.

One day, an unexpected guest came to the town. He was dressed in fancy clothes and had a stern face, followed by several guards. The villagers had never seen such a scene before, and they tried to avoid him. Only Wu Tao and Hu Bugui went forward to greet him.

"Who are you? Why are you here?" Hu Bugui asked vigilantly.

The man sneered, "How dare you! You don't kneel down when you see the imperial envoy!"

Wu Tao and Hu Bugui looked at each other, confused, but still knelt down.

"In compliance with the Emperor's oral order, Wu Tao and Hu Bugui are summoned to the capital to meet the Emperor!" The imperial envoy unfolded the imperial edict in his hand and read it aloud.

Wu Tao and Hu Bugui were stunned. Could it be that the emperor changed his mind and was willing to believe them?

PS

Chapter fifty-three should be the second volume. The meaning of this volume is that the emperor is a product of the feudal era. Once an emperor becomes an emperor, he no longer needs to restrain his ambitions, and his desires grow infinitely. As a result, he enjoys wealth and glory when he is young, but when he gets old, he becomes afraid and wants to live forever. This trend is terrifying.