Noble First Daughter-in-law

Chapter 1267 Staying in Chang'an
In a blink of an eye, it was the first day of July, the ninth day of the ten-day deadline given by the emperor.

The atmosphere in Chang'an City became weird.

There was no invasion by foreign enemies, but the guards at several gates of the imperial city were suddenly strengthened, and even the number of patrol teams in the city increased a lot compared to before, especially on the most important avenues, where they even patrolled all night long. Ordinary people along the streets would often be awakened from their deep sleep by the crisp sound of horse hooves on the long street.

Everyone knows that in another day, His Royal Highness the Prince of Qin will move to Luoyang.

This incident not only shocked the government and the public, but also caused a huge uproar among the people. Everyone was very surprised that His Royal Highness the Prince of Qin, who had made great military achievements and had great power in the court, and whose fame almost overshadowed that of the Crown Prince, was suddenly kicked out of Chang'an, the center of power, without any room for resistance. This was both surprising and unsettling.

Of course, what makes them uneasy is not only the curfew and strict precautions in the city.

I don’t know if it was an illusion in their dreams at night, but just a few days ago, some people near Yanxing Gate seemed to hear the city gate opening in the middle of the night and the sound of people leaving the city. However, the number of people did not seem to be large, as if there were only a few scattered horses and riders.

But, two days ago, it seemed that a large group of people left the city.

But when they asked carefully during the day, no one knew about this matter. Besides, the court had not issued any decree to use foreign troops recently, so those who heard the sound just thought they were sleepy and regarded the continuous wind and rain in the past few days as the iron horses shaking the earth in a dream.

It wasn't just the common people. As the day of separation approached, Yuwen Yuan also couldn't sleep.

It was already dark, but the palace gates were still open and the lights in the Liangyi Hall were brightly lit. The sound of the rain was like countless raindrops hitting his heart. The air was damp and slightly cool, but he seemed restless and uneasy. He felt uneasy after sitting for a while, so he stood up and walked back and forth in the hall with his hands behind his back.

At this time, a sweet voice said softly: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, don't worry too much."

Yuwen Yuan turned his head and saw Zhang Yuping sitting on the other side, looking at him obediently. He sighed deeply and said, "How can I not worry?"

As he was speaking, another flash of lightning streaked across the sky outside. The cold white light illuminated his worried face and the worry in his eyes.

Hearing this, a sneer flashed in Zhang Yuping's eyes.

She stood up and walked to Yuwen Yuan's side, holding his arm and slowly walked back to sit down, then she sat behind him, stretched out her white jade hands to massage his stiff neck and shoulders, and then said, "That's true, the little prince fell ill a while ago, why is he sick again today?"

Hearing this, Yu Wenyuan's face darkened.

Zhang Yuping said again: "If Your Majesty is really worried, why not go there in person--"

Before he finished speaking, Eunuch Yu came in from outside and reported: "Your Majesty, Imperial Doctor Su has come to the palace to report."

Yu Wenyuan immediately said: "Hurry up and pass it on!"

After he finished speaking, he gently pushed Zhang Yuping's hand away. Zhang Yuping naturally did not dare to neglect him, and hurriedly stepped aside and sat up straight. When she looked up, she saw Su Qinglan walking to the door of the hall. She didn't know whether it was because there was a sudden news from the Prince Qin's Mansion that the young master was ill and the emperor asked her to leave the palace overnight to see the young master and come back to report on his condition, she seemed particularly nervous and tripped over the high threshold when she entered.

She walked over quickly and bowed, "Your Majesty."

Yuwen Yuan asked, "How is Yuan Qian? Why is he sick again?"

The lights in the Liangyi Hall were bright, and the flickering candlelight could clearly illuminate the corners of Su Qinglan's clothes that were wet by the rain, and water was still dripping down. Her forehead was also covered with a layer of fine water droplets, and it was unknown whether it was from the rain or sweat. At this time, she heard Yu Wenyuan's anxious question, and she swallowed again, and then whispered: "Reporting to the emperor, the little prince... is indeed a little feverish... Yes, he is sick."

Upon hearing this, Yu Wenyuan frowned.

Zhang Yuping, who was standing next to him, looked at his face, sneered in his heart, and immediately said, "Young Master was sick a while ago. It's only been a few days, how come he is sick again?"

Hearing this, Yu Wenyuan's face darkened a little, and he said angrily: "How are the people in the Qin Palace taking care of us!"

Although his words were directed at the people in the Prince of Qin's mansion, Su Qinglan's heartbeat became even more intense. Zhang Yuping was unwilling to let go. She moved closer to Yu Wenyuan and said softly, "Since the emperor cares so much about the young prince, why not go and see him. Anyway--"

A bolt of thunder suddenly struck from the night sky.

The loud rumbling sound was like a warning bell, which made Su Qinglan tremble all over. She suddenly raised her head and said in a deep voice: "The emperor cannot go!"

Yuwen Yuan frowned and looked at her: "Hmm?"

Zhang Yuping's cherry-red lips curled up into a cold smile, and she said, "Doctor Su, the emperor wants to go visit the young master, how dare you stop him?"

"..."

"Could it be that the young master's illness has something—"

Su Qinglan said hurriedly: "I dare not, but the young master is ill and should not be seen by others."

Yuwen Yuan immediately asked: "Why?"

Su Qinglan said: "I didn't have time to explain in detail just now, but the young master's illness is not a common cold and fever, but a smallpox."

"What!?"

Hearing this, Yu Wenyuan's brows furrowed even more tightly, but the anger on his face subsided a little.

Zhang Yuping's expression changed: "A smallpox?"

Su Qinglan said, "Yes, children are most likely to get smallpox at this age. However, the palace has already enshrined the Smallpox Goddess, and has also hired people to clean and exorcise the evil spirits. I left a prescription and just boiled a dose and took it. Your Highness is sleeping more peacefully now."

"..."

"However, patients with smallpox should avoid being exposed to the wind and seeing people. Your Majesty, I'm afraid it's still not a good time to visit the little prince during this period. It won't be too late to visit the little prince after he recovers."

"..."

"I just tried to stop him, please forgive me, Your Majesty."

Yuwen Yuan's expression eased a little.

He knew that children with smallpox should not see too many people. If they are exposed to the wind, they may not be able to recover. So he could only sigh and say, "It has to be this way."

When he said this, Zhang Yuping's face darkened.

Su Qinglan was quiet for a while. Although she lowered her head and could not see anyone in front of her, she did bite the tip of her tongue hard, almost biting it and bleeding. The stinging pain made her more sober. She took a deep breath secretly and then said, "Also, the Princess of Qin asked me to ask the Emperor for permission to let her and the little prince stay in Chang'an for a while longer."

"..."

"Also, let General Shi Yuxin stay in Chang'an temporarily, so that he can escort them to Luoyang after the young prince recovers."

Yu Wenyuan's eyes suddenly darkened.

There will be more later