Yun Zhen felt relieved upon hearing this. As long as the spread could be stopped, it would be manageable.
As for the Zi Luo root, within this pass, it was a common sight everywhere.
It tasted slightly bitter at first, but then left a lingering fragrance. He didn't like drinking it initially, but later found it excellent for quenching thirst and began drinking it whenever he could. Unexpectedly, it had saved him from being poisoned.
"Good."
Yun Zhen led Meteor and Jing Yun away. They encountered Shangguan Lin, to whom Yun Zhen recounted the events. The Prince Lin was initially disbelieving.
Finally, a flicker of respect crossed his dark pupils, and he unhesitatingly joined Yun Zhen in undertaking this task.
Some people started fires, while others went to find the Zi Luo root. Soon, wisps of smoke curled up along the West City riverbank, and the bitter aroma of the Zi Luo root spread over the water.
Next, all the survivors, imperial physicians, army doctors, and even the soldiers who came to help, each took action. Using round wooden buckets filled with Zi Luo root soup, they delivered it to the tents one by one.
The infected people, upon hearing they were saved, eagerly vied to drink the Zi Luo root soup.
The entire West City lakeside was filled with the joy of surviving a crisis, so potent that even the willows on the embankment trembled slightly. A light breeze stirred, and the river water rippled.
Everyone toiled until well past midnight before all the patients had drunk the soup.
In Prince Yun's tent, Prince Yun, after an hour of soaking, was also fed the Zi Luo root soup.
By evening, he actually woke up. He slightly raised his eyebrows. Under the soft light, his body, hunched over the desk, remained diligent and persistent. His straying temple hair obscured his face.
Prince Yun was momentarily stunned, then remembered that this was his daughter, his most beloved daughter, Yun Xiao.
Although her appearance was disguised, she was still so striking and lovely. His child was finally no longer foolish. Prince Yun was overcome with emotion and couldn't help but speak.
"Xiao'er."
Yun Xiao was startled. Beside her, Wanwan called out reflexively, "Young Master, His Highness has woken up."
She was accustomed to calling Yun Xiao "Young Master."
Yun Xiao quickly darted to the bedside, grasped Yun Mo's hand, her eyes crinkling with a smile, and said softly, "Father, you're awake. That's truly wonderful. Everything will be alright."
"Xiao'er, you are indeed my Xiao'er."
Yun Mo reached out to touch Yun Xiao's face, his joy profound. His slightly thinner, resolute face was illuminated by a radiant glow, and his eyes constantly welled up with a liquid light, like the first tender sprout emerging in spring, or the brightest ray of dawn in a cold night.
In his desolate and cold heart, it ignited a warm beacon. All this time, Xiao'er's foolishness had weighed him down, but now he only wished to shout aloud, to share his joy with the world.
Who said his Xiao'er was foolish? She was a good person, a lovely, beautiful, unparalleled treasure who charmed everyone and made flowers bloom.
"Yes, Father."
"Xiao'er, why did you leave the palace? What has the Emperor done?"
After his joy, worry surfaced on Shangguan Yao's face. Had the Emperor done something to Xiao'er?
Yun Xiao looked at this man, who shifted from joy to concern. Fearing he would be overexerted, she was unwilling to tell him that she had been deposed.
Just as she was about to find an excuse, the tent flap was lifted, bringing a gust of breeze. Someone rushed to her side; it was her brother, Yun Zhen.
Upon seeing his father awake, Yun Zhen's usually tense face suddenly relaxed. His deep, well-like eyes cleared, and a gentle smile graced his lips, as refined as jade.
In that moment, he returned to the gentle and refined brother Yun Zhen that Xiao'er remembered, as if he had stepped out of an ancient book.
"Father."
This call was almost a choked sound, uttered with all his might. Something finally surged forth, clouding his clear eyes.
During this period, he had been terrified, afraid his father would die. If that had happened, he would never have let the emperor off.
"Alright, Zhen'er, I'm fine. You've worked hard during this time. How is the plague now?"
"Father, everything is under my care. Don't overexert yourself; recovering your health is the most important thing."
Yun Xiao also chimed in, "Yes, Father, Brother is handling everything."
Yun Mo spoke a few words and then grew tired, supporting himself with effort, wanting to say more to Xiao'er.
He had never dared to dream of such a scene. He had so many things to say to Xiao'er, but why did his eyelids feel so heavy?
This damned body was truly troublesome. Yun Mo thought this as he spoke in a sleepy murmur.
"Xiao'er, wait, don't go. Father has many things to tell Xiao'er."
"Mhm, I'll wait."
Yun Xiao nodded. Yun Zhen looked at her from the side. His sister was so captivating at this moment, radiating an undeniable aura.
But he knew she wasn't the original Xiao'er. Although he didn't know what had happened, she brought so much hope to their father and to himself.
Moreover, she harbored no malice; her heart was so kind. Therefore, regardless of who she was, he accepted her.
Yun Mo slept peacefully, a contented smile on his face.
Having been on their feet all day, everyone's stomachs growled. Someone had already started a fire to cook.
At the entrance of the tent, Mu Qing blocked an approaching figure and respectfully reported inwards, "Young Master, the meal is ready. They are asking you to come and eat."
Yun Zhen and Yun Xiao exchanged smiles and walked out together. Meteor, Jing Yun, and Wanwan followed them.
The sky was pitch black, dotted with countless stars, like a black brocade adorned with dazzling diamonds, twinkling brightly.
The new moon hung like a hook, casting a faint glow over the West City lakeside. Thin mist rose from the ground, like wisps of steam, floating into the air before being dispersed by the wind.
On a clear patch of grass, torches were lit, and several iron pots were set up. They were cooking pork stew with Chinese cabbage, the aroma occasionally drifting out, making people's stomachs rumble with hunger.
Furthermore, everyone had drunk the Zi Luo root soup and no longer feared poisoning, so they ate heartily.
When their group arrived, many people had already begun eating. In times like these, no one paid attention to formalities.
Seeing them approach, people looked up and greeted them, but then a silence fell, punctuated only by the sounds of eating and slurping soup, a stark contrast to the usual lively atmosphere.
Yun Zhen looked up and understood. The Prince and his entourage were seated not far away.
Those imperial physicians, with their beards bristled and eyes wide with disbelief, had traveled a great distance only to receive such hospitality. They found it difficult to accept.
Gazing at the large, flowery porcelain bowls filled with greasy chunks of fatty meat, they felt a wave of nausea. Looking up at the others, they saw them eating quickly and with relish.
These imperial physicians could only sigh. By their nature, they would have protested long ago, but glancing at their own Prince, who could also endure such fare and was eating with his head bowed, they too began to eat.