HXC Chapter46

Dawn was just breaking, and the Shen Mansion was already bustling.

 

Mother Shen had learned that her son was going to the plague-stricken area to help, and after crying and trying to stop him, she finally realized she couldn’t. Early in the morning, she went to the main courtyard to find Shen Yanqing, bringing him a cloak with a safety charm sewn into the lining.

 

“My body and skin are gifts from my parents, so rest assured, Mother, I will take good care of myself.”

 

Mother Shen let out an ‘Aye’, wiping her eyes and glancing at the empty corridor.

 

Shen Yanqing helped his mother out of the courtyard and said, as if it were a matter of fact, “Ji Zhen was so worried he couldn’t sleep all night. It was I who told him not to come out and see me off.”

 

Though he said this, Shen Yanqing couldn’t help but look behind him as well. However, until he walked out of the courtyard and through the main gate, the figure that used to chase after him was nowhere to be seen.

 

Yesterday, after receiving the order to go to the plague-stricken area, Shen Yanqing had found Yi Zhi and given him a letter.

 

He said to him, “There is a difference between master and servant. I can’t fully trust what the Third Prince says. Here in the capital, the people I trust most are you and Yu He. This time, as I go to the plague-stricken area to help, I can’t let go of Ji Zhen, so I am leaving Yu He behind. If there’s any trouble, he will find you. Open this letter immediately and do as it says. Yanqing would be very grateful.”

 

Once a rift forms between master and servant, it is like torn fabric, no matter how neatly it’s stitched on the surface, the ugly seams remain hidden beneath.

 

After the plague broke out, a large number of refugees gathered in front of the city gates. Yi Zhi had to take turns on duty at the city gate every day.

 

Yi Zhi solemnly accepted his request, which gave him one less thing to worry about.

 

Shen Yanqing bid farewell to his parents, mounted his horse, and couldn’t help but look at the open mansion gate again. The person he cared about had not come to see him off.

 

He gripped the reins and remained silent for a few moments, masking the disappointment in his eyes. He then spurred his horse forward to the rendezvous point.

 

Because the city gates were crowded with refugees, the group set off from the south of the city. When Shen Yanqing arrived, the team was already fully assembled. Lu Chen was standing beside his horse, talking to a person dressed as a guard.

 

When Shen Yanqing saw the guard’s face clearly, he was slightly taken aback.

 

Lu Chen protected the guard behind him, cupped his hands, and said in a low voice, “I hope Lord Shen won’t make a fuss. Miss Wang just wants to do her part.”

 

Shen Yanqing looked at Wang Lingzhi, who was dressed in men’s clothes, and mused, “Miss Wang has the demeanor of a heroic woman. If she were to become an official, she would surely be an honest one who speaks for the people. If I were to report her just because she’s a woman, wouldn’t that show how narrow-minded I am?”

 

Upon hearing this, Wang Lingzhi temporarily put aside her prejudices, walked generously into the morning sun, and said, “Thank you for your understanding, Lord Shen.”

 

Shen Yanqing nodded. “In that case, let’s set off.”

 

With such an important mission, there was no time for delay. The group did not ride in carriages and instead sped on horseback, so that they can reach the plague-stricken area in one day.

 

The golden morning light spread across the land. As the leading official, Shen Yanqing stood at the head of the team with a goose-feather sword at his waist, a black-winged hat upon his head, and a deep red official robe draped over him. His face was cold and focused.

 

With a single command, the sound of horse hooves broke the morning silence, and the dust they kicked up filled the air.

 

I long to ride the wind across the sky and journey through thousands of miles of mountains and rivers.

 

Pa-da—

 

Ji Zhen opened his eyes and watched the fleeting spark from the silver charcoal. Hearing footsteps, he abruptly closed his eyes.

 

“Young Master, Lord Shen has already left the mansion.”

 

Ji An was the one who came in with the washing supplies, and only then did Ji Zhen slowly sit up from the bed. Shen Yanqing’s departure had caused quite a stir; the entire mansion had seen him off. Yet, he, as Shen Yanqing’s wife, had been hiding in the side room, pretending to be asleep.

 

He didn’t care what others would think of his actions, nor did he regret his decision. But after the Shen Mansion became completely quiet, it felt as if something was missing in his chest.

 

Affection is a word that does not follow the heart’s will.

 

Ji An noticed Ji Zhen’s low spirits and racked his brains for words of comfort. “It’s common for you to want to sleep in and not be able to get up. Besides, Lord Shen will be back soon. While he’s away, you can also relax a bit.”

 

Ji Zhen forced a smile and agreed, “You’re right. I’m not that happy to see him anyway.”

 

“Young Master, why don’t we think about what we should do during this time?” Ji An pulled up a small stool and sat down. “How about we roast sweet potatoes in the courtyard or go on a spring outing? I heard the flowers by the Lake Pavilion are about to bloom. Would you like to go see them?”

 

Ji Zhen knew Ji An was trying to cheer him up. He temporarily suppressed his gloomy mood and played along. “I also want to go to Ziyun Lou to eat marinated duck.”

 

Ji An’s mouth watered. “We haven’t been to Ziyun Lou in a long time! Young Master, let’s go tomorrow…”

 

One hundred miles north of the capital, near the plague-stricken area of Jinzhou, refugees were seen everywhere.

 

As soon as Shen Yanqing and his group appeared, some angry citizens threw small stones at them, cursing under their breath.

 

“You murderous, worthless officials! You’re all scum!”

 

Shen Yanqing blocked a stone aimed at his head. A guard was about to step forward and arrest the perpetrator, but Shen Yanqing said in a deep voice, “Leave it be.”

 

The closer they got to the plague area, the more shocking the sights became.

 

Corpses littered the roadside, a three-year-old sobbed over their dead mother, and an elderly figure stared blankly, clinging to a tree trunk, barely holding on…

 

Shen Yanqing raised a hand, dismounted, and handed the child to a guard. He instructed, “Take them to a nearby rest station to settle down.”

 

Lu Chen said mournfully, “This is only a hundred miles from the capital. The local officials must be so careless with their governance. If they had reported it sooner, how could there be such widespread suffering?”

 

Shen Yanqing looked around and said loudly, “Speed up. We must reach Jinzhou within the next half hour.”

 

The group continued on their way. When they entered Jinzhou, they saw an official lighting a pile of seven or eight corpses with a torch. The fire instantly ignited the white cloths that covered the bodies, and the air was filled with dust.

 

The accompanying imperial physician said, “Everyone, tighten your white clothes. Don’t breathe in the dust.”

 

Shen Yanqing’s pair of cold, black eyes was visible as he surveyed the street filled with cries of grief. Not far away, an old woman was arguing with an official. “My granddaughter is only coughing. Please, My Lord, don’t take her…”

 

The official gripped a stick, his expression fierce as he shouted, “Move out of the way!”

 

He was about to strike the old woman, who had difficulty moving, with the long stick.

 

Wang Lingzhi gritted her teeth. “How dare he!”

 

Before her voice could even fade, Shen Yanqing spurred his horse past the crowd. He drew the sharp goose-feather sword from his waist, the silver blade glinting coldly in the sunlight. In a swift motion, he struck the official, who was about to harm the old woman, with the blunt edge of his sword.

 

The official cried out in pain and fell to the ground.

 

Shen Yanqing’s beautiful and detached face was full of killing intent. He held his sharp sword with the tip resting on the ground, retrieved the token from his waist, and spoke in a booming voice to the sea of gray, disheartened eyes before him. “I am Shen Yanqing, commissioned by His Majesty to take charge of the plague-stricken area in Jinzhou. From this moment on, anyone who conceals information, abuses their power, or oppresses the people will be executed without mercy.”

 

The last four words echoed with a deafening resonance.

 

The official who had been struck by the blunt side of the sword scrambled to his knees, kowtowing and begging, “Please spare me, Lord Imperial Commissioner! Please spare me…”

 

Lu Chen rode forward and said in a low voice, “Lord Shen, judging by this situation, I’m afraid we have a tough battle ahead. We shouldn’t delay. Let’s go to the rest station to discuss a plan.”

 

Shen Yanqing gave the official a cold glance, nodded heavily, and rode off while the old woman offered her thanks.

 

—

 

“Young Master, did you just hear that?” Ji An poured tea for Ji Zhen. “They said the refugees at the city gate are causing trouble again.”

 

Ji Zhen was sitting in the private room, and he pushed the door open to look at the high mountains outside the city. Through the mist, a lush green expanse stretched across the entire mountain range.

 

Nine days had passed since Shen Yanqing left the capital. Today, the Shen Mansion received a letter from Shen Yanqing, and his mother had called Ji Zhen to read it. The letter simply reported that he was safe, without saying much else.

 

Disasters caused by humans can still be controlled, but natural disasters are difficult to stop. The plague was spreading fiercely, and a cure had yet to be found. More and more people were dying from the disease, and public resentment was mounting. Many refugees were lingering outside the capital city. As the most promising candidate for the crown prince position, the Third Prince was duty-bound to strictly guard the city gates and soothe the people, and so far, he had not made any mistakes.

 

However, as long as a cure was not found, there was no telling when this massive epidemic would pass.

 

Ji Zhen had received little information, but he knew the plague had already reached the north, with cases even reported in Ningzhou. Before Shen Yanqing left, he had told Ji Zhen that his elder brother was near Ningzhou. Ji Zhen only wished that his elder brother would be safe and sound.

 

The food on the table was barely touched. Ji Zhen pulled his gaze back and said, “Let’s go back to the mansion.”

 

Ji An grabbed a handful of melon seeds and stuffed them into his clothes. As he walked out with Ji Zhen, he saw the guards not far away and grumbled, “These followers are impossible to shake off.”

 

Shen Yanqing had left the capital, but the people he had sent to follow Ji Zhen were still close by.

 

Discussions about the plague could be heard everywhere on the streets. People were burning mugwort in front of their doors, and the murky air was unbearable.

 

Ji Zhen coughed a few times, choked by the dust, and felt better only after he was inside the carriage.

 

On the way back to the mansion, they came across a street fight. The road was blocked by a large crowd of onlookers, forcing the carriage to stop. Ji Zhen, who was being curious, peeked his head out. Just as he lifted the curtain, a small, wrapped cloth package was thrown inside.

 

He was startled. Ji An exclaimed, “What is it?”

 

The coachman heard the noise and asked, “Young Madam, do you need anything?”

 

Ji Zhen picked up the cloth package and replied loudly, “Nothing, my attendant and I were just messing around.”

 

He looked out the curtain again. The street was bustling with people, and he couldn’t tell who had thrown it. Ji Zhen held the somewhat weighty cloth package. Filled with a mix of curiosity and anxiety, he opened it to see a purple jade, crystal clear from top to bottom. Inside the palace walls, he had personally placed this purple jade on Li Muhui’s waist.

 

Ji Zhen instinctively wanted to throw the item out, but when he felt it again, he realized there was a note tucked under the purple jade. He immediately felt a sense of dread. He pulled it out but didn’t open it right away.

 

Ji An recognized the purple jade. “Aiya,” he said, “isn’t this your jade pendant, Young Master?”

 

Ji Zhen anxiously clutched the note. He didn’t know what it said, but a memory of the bloody scene at the execution ground flashed in his mind, and his stomach churned again, his face turning pale.

 

He had to admit that with Shen Yanqing no longer in the capital, he had lost his protection. It would be as simple for Li Muhui to take his life as it would be to crush an ant.

 

But since the other party had managed to send him a letter, he must have expected that he would take the bait.

 

The street gradually cleared, and the carriage was able to move forward.

 

Ji An was playing with the purple jade. Seeing Ji Zhen’s distracted expression, he worriedly asked, “Young Master, do you know who threw it?”

 

Ji Zhen nodded. After taking a few deep breaths, he slowly unfolded the small note.

 

Sunlight streamed through the carriage curtain, landing on the slightly yellowed paper. A single sentence was enough to make Ji Zhen panic.

 

“Ji Jue has been infected with the plague on his journey and is at death’s door.”

 

Ji An was not very literate and only recognized Ji Jue’s name. But seeing Ji Zhen’s reaction, he knew something terrible had happened.

 

In an instant, Ji Zhen made his decision. He snatched the purple jade from Ji An’s hand. The corners of his eyes were red. He pressed on Ji An’s shoulder and said, “Ji An, listen carefully. Whether this is true or false, I have to go on this trip. If I don’t come back, I have told you everything you need to know before…”

 

He pushed Ji An away, rushed out of the carriage, and grabbed the coachman. “Stop!”

 

The carriage had not yet come to a complete halt when Ji Zhen leaped out and dove into the surging crowd. The accompanying guards tried to follow him but were blocked by the flow of people.

 

Ji Zhen heard Ji An calling his name from behind. He gritted his teeth, forced back his fear and hesitation, and completely disappeared at the end of the street.

 

The author has something to say:

Lord Shen (counting on his fingers): The ninth day without my wife. I miss him, I miss him, I miss him so much!