Adoption brings disaster

There are many people with ulterior motives in this deep palace, and there are many eyes and ears. I know that I cannot hide the fact that there is something wrong with my body from the Seventh Prince.

First, I had originally arranged for A-da to investigate this matter, and it had gone through the hands of the Zhenbei Palace. Even if A-da kept his mouth shut, could the servants of the Zhenbei Palace help me hide it from the Seventh Prince?

Secondly, although I am the master of Qianqiu Pavilion, everyone in the palace knows that the real master of Qianqiu Pavilion is still the Seventh Prince.

It’s just that the Seventh Prince treats me with special respect, so I have the honor of being the master.

The servants in the deep palace are very good at judging people by their status. In this situation, even if I take every precaution, there will still be servants who are eager to make progress and rush to show off in front of the Seventh Prince with this news.

Therefore, I knew very well that the news of my physical abnormality could not be concealed. Moreover, the Taoist priest and A Da found such a perfect reason for me, so I naturally went along with it and confirmed the matter to avoid any more trouble in the future.

When the Seventh Prince came back, I took the initiative to start the conversation, and then let A-da and the others tell him what they had imagined in vivid detail.

After hearing what Ada and the others said, the Seventh Prince was actually a little scared. He immediately asked me to practice with him every day, for fear that I would make mistakes again.

Although I didn't know why the Seventh Prince cared so much about me, it felt good. At the same time, I was afraid that if I refused, the Seventh Prince would find out that I was a fake, so I readily agreed.

Although the Seventh Prince has been working very hard recently, he is still a child after all. It is normal for him to sleep more and not be able to get up. Every morning I have to urge him repeatedly before he reluctantly gets up to practice.

But ever since he knew that I had gone astray in my practice and that there was something wrong with my body, he would actually get up a little earlier than me every day and personally use his true Qi to help me regulate my breathing.

The world of high martial arts is very magical. The Seventh Prince helped me to relieve my anger, which made me healthier. In just three days, my pharyngitis was completely cured. It was really a relief.

On the morning of the fourth day, the Seventh Prince got up early again. I saw that I was feeling much better and didn't need the Seventh Prince to help me with my breathing, so I yawned and said, "I'm feeling much better now, there's no need to help me with my breathing. It's still early, Chongguang, go back to sleep."

The Seventh Prince listened, but did not stop, and simply said: "But I disturbed Yuan Qing."

After hearing this, I quickly said no. The Seventh Prince then said, "I have something to do and need to leave the palace today. You don't need to practice today. Get some more sleep."

The Seventh Prince is of noble status, so it is normal for him to leave the palace when necessary. However, there are many refugees in the capital recently, and I am also worried that the Seventh Prince will be bumped into by the refugees when he leaves the palace, and may be infected by evil spirits or be frightened.

So he sat up suddenly and looked at the Seventh Prince, wanting to say something but hesitant.

When I took a look, I found that the Seventh Prince's attire today was very strange. It was not casual clothes, nor training clothes, nor the prince's python clothes, but armor.

I was very confused by his strange attire, so I asked, "What is Chongguang doing dressed like this?"

"It's just a small matter, Yuan Qing, don't worry, go back to sleep. When I come back in the evening, I will bring you some delicious food from outside the palace."

The Seventh Prince looked as usual, and his tone was as cheerful as when he went to school. If there hadn't been a hint of anger and a hint of crying in his voice, I would have been fooled by him.

Although I didn't know why the Seventh Prince was like this, I also knew it was best not to ask any further questions now, so I stood up, took the cloak from A Da's hand, and helped the Seventh Prince tie it up.

Then he checked the Seventh Prince's armor and saw that he was dressed neatly before saying, "If Chongguang doesn't want to talk about it, I won't ask. But I want to tell you that I'm waiting for you to come back. You must protect yourself outside the palace. If you get hurt, not only will His Majesty, the Prince, and the Concubine be sad, but I will be sad too."

If I had said these words on normal days, the Seventh Prince would have been happy, but today he just looked at me with red eyes and turned his head away without saying a word.

I knew the Seventh Prince was unhappy, but I didn't know what else to do. All I could do was say to Ah Da and Ah Er, "Today, the two of you will follow His Highness the Seventh Prince. You must protect His Highness and not make any mistakes."

Ah Da and Ah Er hurriedly agreed. At this moment, a eunuch came out from behind the Seventh Prince, bowed, and urged him, "Your Highness, the imperial carriage is waiting outside. Please hurry."

The eunuch had been standing in the shadows. I hadn't noticed him before, but when I heard him speak, I realized that the eunuch was actually the emperor's personal eunuch, the most powerful eunuch in the palace, Eunuch Gao, the head of internal affairs.

I saw that it was Eunuch Gao who was urging me, and I knew the matter was urgent. Although I was worried, I could only say, "Even if Eunuch Gao is here to convey the decree, it must be something I cannot know. Your Highness, please go quickly. I will wait for you in the pavilion."

"Your Highness Yuan Qing, you are truly mortifying this old servant. Actually, it's not something you shouldn't talk about," Eunuch Gao said. "The son of the commander-in-chief of the capital is dead. His Majesty, mindful of the Seventh Prince's long-standing friendship, has allowed him to offer condolences, thus fulfilling their mutual acquaintance."

"Who is the son of the general of the capital?" I was confused. This question was a bit inappropriate.

When Ah Da heard the question, he hurried over and whispered in my ear, "That's Mr. Lu, the one who often drank with the Seventh Prince in the pavilion a few days ago."

When I heard this, I felt sad from the bottom of my heart, my head was buzzing, and I could hardly stand. When Ah Da saw this, he quickly supported me, and I didn't fall down.

I thought about how not long ago, I was drinking tea and chatting with Xiaolu, and I never thought that we would be separated forever. I felt sad and murmured, "How could it be? He was so young, still a child, how could he be gone?"

When the Seventh Prince saw how sad I was, he became even sadder himself. For a moment, the Seventh Prince and I looked at each other in silence. We just stood there sadly without saying a word.

When Eunuch Gao saw this, he was anxious but didn't dare to urge him. Seeing the shadows swaying outside, Eunuch Gao had no choice but to say softly, "Your Highness, it's almost dawn."

The Seventh Prince was sensible and although he felt sad, business was more important, so he asked Ah Da to stay and take good care of him, and then he left without looking back.

As soon as the Seventh Prince left, A-da helped me lie down on the bed.

I felt bad and wanted to be alone, so I said in a muffled voice, "Ada, go find out some information."

A Da took the order and left. Not long after, Xiao Tian came in and stood silently by his side to serve.

I felt so sad that I couldn't sleep well. I kept waking up and falling asleep, and I had nightmares. I was so drowsy that I couldn't get up.

When I struggled to get up, it was already noon. The sun was so bright that it made me uncomfortable. My eyes hurt and I was about to cry.

Xiaotian was also worried when he saw this, but he was not good at speaking, so he could only say, "Your Highness, don't be too sad."

I waved my hand to indicate that it was nothing. When Xiaotian saw this, he hurriedly served the meal and asked someone to come in to help me wash up.

I had no appetite and ate a quick breakfast. Then Ah Da came back. I pressed my aching head and asked, "Xiao Lu was surrounded by personal guards. How could he be dead?"

Chunyu saw that I had a headache, so he walked behind me and pressed my head to make me feel better.

Although Xiaolu was a bit of a dandy, he was honest and had a heroic spirit. Ah Da was also very close to him. Now that Xiaolu was gone, Ah Da was naturally sad. He said in a sad tone: "Mr. Lu was not murdered, but died of plague."

When everyone heard the word plague, they unconsciously took a step back, and even the spring rain stopped for a while before continuing.

I wasn't afraid of the plague, so I didn't react as strongly as they did. I then said, "Xiaolu has so many people around him, how could he be infected with the plague?"

"Master Lu was kind-hearted. When he was driving the refugees out of the city, a child fell down and Master Lu saved the child. Unexpectedly, the child was infected with the plague and Master Lu was infected."

Ah Da choked up before continuing, "At first, Master Lu had some red rashes and it was a little itchy. We thought he had picked up something unclean when he was driving those refugees away. It wasn't until last night when he developed a fever and convulsions that we hurriedly summoned the imperial physician. However, Master Lu was already terminally ill, and the physician couldn't save him. In less than half an hour, he passed away."

"Where does all this news come from?" I asked.

"I left the palace and found Mr. Lu's personal guards. He told me this himself."

"Your Highness, I picked some mulberries in the imperial garden. They are delicious. Come and try them." Xiao Tao ran in excitedly with a basket and placed it in front of me like a treasure.

Chunyu knew I was in a bad mood and was afraid I would vent my anger on Xiaotao, so she quickly knelt down and said, "Xiaotao didn't know about Mr. Lu's affairs and didn't do it on purpose. Please forgive me, Your Highness."

"If it were in another palace, an unruly maid like Xiao Tao would have been beaten to death countless times. You are just relying on your Highness' kindness and compassion to be so unruly."

Ah Da's tone was serious and his eyes were sharp, which frightened Xiao Tao so much that she quickly knelt down and scattered a few mulberries.

I am not the kind of person who takes my anger out on others, and this person is Xiaotao, so naturally I will not take my anger out on her.

I picked up a mulberry casually, not caring whether it was clean or not, and ate it directly. After eating it, I said, "It's delicious. Xiaotao is thoughtful."

Normally, A Dashao meddles in other people's affairs. Today, he was unhappy because Mr. Lu was gone. And he saw that I not only did not blame Xiaotao, but praised him instead.

He also looked indignant and advised: "Your Highness, please don't blame me for being too talkative. If we just brush aside Miss Xiaotao's incident today, what will happen if others follow suit?"

"Ada is right. Chunyu, take Xiaotao away and punish her."

I gave Chunyu a look, and Chunyu naturally understood, and hurriedly beat Xiaotao out in a few punches.

I looked at Ah Da again and continued, "I'm an upright person. I don't do anything despicable, so I'm not worried about others hearing anything."

Xiao Tao heard what I said outside and felt that I was backing someone up. She also became bolder and cursed, "Your Highness is right. I thought your Highness was the same as you. You are full of mean thoughts."

After hearing this, Chunyu was so frightened that he quickly pulled Xiaotao out to the backyard.

Xiao Tao was also spoiled by me. Not only did she not leave, she stood there and said, "Your Highness was just talking to A Da about the plague. I know about it. I'll tell Your Highness." Then she rushed in.

A-da knew that I favored Xiaotao, and a good man never fights with a woman. Seeing that I didn't scold Xiaotao, he held back his anger and didn't say anything.

I knew I was wrong about this, so I gave Ah Da a soothing look and teased Xiao Tao, "Xiao Tao, my preference for you is obvious to everyone. If you get yourself killed one day, you really can't blame me."

"How could I die with your highness's favor?" After saying that, he presented me with the mulberry leaves.

I took it and ate another one without caring whether it was dirty or not. My mouth was full of purple. Chunyu hurriedly wiped it with mulberry leaves.

When Xiao Tao saw me eating, she said happily, "I heard that this plague is terrible. If you get infected, it won't take more than a quarter of an hour for your body to explode and die. I heard that there are rivers of blood outside now."

"It's not like he's possessed, how could he explode and die?" Ah Da was already unhappy about Xiao Tao rushing in just now, and now after hearing such nonsense, he naturally sneered.

"I have also heard some news, but I don't know whether it is true or not. I also want to tell it to Your Highness." Chunyu also said when he saw Xiaotao's exaggeration.

I glanced at Chunyu and motioned for her to speak.

"I heard from the cooks in the imperial kitchen, the palace guards, and the patrol captains themselves that those infected with the plague will resurrect from the dead, sucking blood and eating people like zombies. They are also incredibly strong and indestructible. They are terrifying, and that's why the palace gates are under martial law and people can't leave."

"What you said is even more outrageous. Why don't you say that there is an old immortal who slays demons and eliminates evil?" After hearing this, Ah Da was speechless and rolled his eyes and complained.

Chunyu listened to Ah Da's complaints and said, "I heard about it too. You guys are talking about this. I heard some news and I can't help but tell His Highness."

"Hearsay is not true. If you want to know the specific situation of the plague, why not go to the Imperial Hospital?"

Everyone's eyes lit up when they heard what I said. Ah Da was feeling annoyed, so he volunteered to go to the Imperial Hospital to ask the doctor for clarification.

Ah Da was about to leave when the Taoist priest on the roof said, "I've been to the Imperial Hospital a long time ago. This is a memorial written by the director of the hospital. Your Highness, please take a look."

After that, a page of paper appeared in my hand.

I opened the paper in my hand, and they immediately gathered around me. I looked at A'da Xiaotao and said speechlessly, "You know so many words, just come over here." A'da Xiaotao smiled awkwardly and walked to the side to serve.

I handed the paper to Chunyu again and asked her to read it out loud.

"The plague is like an evil spirit. Clothing and skin that come in contact with it will cause illness. The evil spirit's body is yin, forcing out the yang. The patient will have a persistent high fever and a rash all over the body. Within a day or two, the yang energy will dissipate, and the yin and cold will set in, causing fear like malaria. Death will occur within a quarter of an hour."

When everyone heard this, they all felt cold, as if there was really an evil ghost around.

Xiao Tao was the most timid. She rubbed her body vigorously and said, "Sister Chunyu is right. This plague is really caused by evil spirits. It's really scary."

Ah Da remained silent. In this ignorant age where ghosts and gods were revered, no one had a good way to deal with the highly contagious and fatal plague.

I took it and looked at it again, muttering to myself, "This plague isn't spread through fecal-oral or airborne transmission, but through direct contact. This way, it shouldn't be highly contagious."

I'm not well-versed in infectious diseases, so I couldn't come up with anything for a moment. I muttered to myself, "Infection causes fever and rash. Is it bacterial or viral? With my limited medical knowledge, I don't seem to be able to figure this out. Death is rapid and the mortality rate is high. This is a serious problem."

"Your Highness, what are you talking about?" Chunyu asked after hearing me talking to myself.

I had no other choice but to offer some words of reassurance, saying, "With Your Majesty in charge of the Imperial City, we have nothing to fear from any evil. As long as everyone is united, we can weather even the greatest disaster, not to mention this minor plague."

"Your Highness is right. I think this plague will be completely eradicated in a few days."

"Your Highness, what you said makes perfect sense. Could you please give me a piece of clothing that fits my body? You sleep with His Highness the Seventh Prince every night, and your clothing is stained with dragon energy. Please give me something to protect myself, Your Highness."

I looked at Xiao Tao speechlessly and said, "Why don't you want His Highness the Seventh Prince's underwear? Wouldn't this dragon energy be even worse?"

Xiao Tao scratched her head embarrassedly when she heard the question and said, "The Seventh Prince only favors the Highness and not me. How could I dare to ask for the Seventh Prince's underwear? But the Highness favors me, so I want to."

Actually, I don't mind giving Xiaotao a set, but if I give her the underwear, it would be a serious crime of defiling the harem and cannot be forgiven.

My little Tao was also very annoyed when she made this request, and she cursed, "Get these idiots out of here!"

Qiushou Dongzang heard that I was angry, and hurried in to pull Xiaotao out. Xiaotao was dragged out, still shouting: "Your Highness, please give me a set, Your Highness."

"Your Highness is a little too doting on Xiao Tao. Now she has no rules at all. It is necessary for her to learn some rules." Chun Yu naturally knew why I was angry, and said with a dark face.

I gave the paper to Chunyu and asked her to put it away properly, and then I asked her to deal with Xiaotao. I must teach Xiaotao a lesson and never talk nonsense like that again.

He also ordered Ah Da to go to the Imperial Hospital every half a day to get the latest news, but he did not mention it.

Ada took the order and left. I was also tired of sitting, so I stood up and looked at the towering palace walls and the guards in the yard. I had an indescribable feeling in my heart, as if something big had happened.

To find out what the plague will be like, please stay tuned for the next episode.