"It is likely man-made, though it appears to be rat plague on the surface. Rat plague is a highly contagious disease. If this were truly a plague, this place should be an empty city by now, not a place where some people have died and others are still alive. This indicates that it is very likely someone has poisoned them.
As for those who are alive and well, they must have eaten something that others haven't, and these things have anti-toxic properties. My elder brother must be the same way."
Yun Xiao turned her head to face Yun Zhen without changing her expression. Their eyes met in mid-air, and a warm radiance seemed to rise, as if vowing to overcome this together.
"But we cannot spare any more men at the moment. Besides the military doctors, some soldiers will also be drawn over. The rest of the people are waiting in the East City and cannot be moved around casually. That is the only military force we have."
The current manpower is too scarce, and it simply cannot be distributed effectively. There are still many people alive in the city. To question them one by one would require a lot of manpower.
Yun Zhen was contemplating where to transfer manpower from when he heard someone reporting from outside the tent.
"My Lord, Prince Lin has brought a group of imperial physicians from the capital and is currently waiting at the city gate."
Yun Zhen looked up, his pupils shining brightly. Heaven truly helps those who help themselves; people are coming when needed. This is excellent. He quickly stood up and looked at Yun Xiao, "It seems heaven is on our side. Since people are coming, there's no reason not to use them. You wait here, I'll go receive Prince Lin and the imperial physicians."
Yun Xiao's eyes flashed, and she smiled and nodded, but not without a reminder to Yun Zhen.
"Don't tell anyone who I am. Brother, just say I am still a distant relative from the Yun family, named Feng Guan. You might not know what's happening in the capital, but I have been deposed by the Emperor, and the whole world knows it. Now, many people loyal to the Emperor and the Empress Dowager are hiding within Fengya Pass. If this news reaches the palace, even if we escape the plague, we might not escape that sinister hand. He will surely hold Father responsible."
Yun Zhen's pupils suddenly blazed with the coldness of a deep abyss. He pursed his lips tightly, a menacing aura spreading around him. He clenched his fists, wishing he could immediately enter the palace and teach that man a lesson. How could he be so despicable?
Even if the Empress had to be deposed, it should at least wait until they returned to the capital. Perhaps he thought they would all perish in this plague, hence his arrogance.
"Xiao'er," he turned, his eyes filled with reluctance.
"It's alright, go. Don't keep Prince Lin waiting."
Yun Xiao turned and pushed him outward. She felt nothing but happiness at being able to leave the palace and regain her freedom.
As for love, it is something that can be met but not sought. It requires two hearts to be in sync, to be each other's sole focus, and to remain true for eternity. However, such a concept is likely impractical in ancient times.
Even Father, who loved Mother so deeply, had concubines. Therefore, she had made up her mind to enjoy a life of freedom and adventure in the martial world.
Yun Zhen knew that current affairs were more important. Although he felt pained for Xiao'er, the plague in Fengya Pass had not yet been resolved.
Furthermore, this plague might not be a natural outbreak, but the work of someone with ill intentions. This person would then be a hidden spy, a secret agent of Xiliang, and not just one person.
Inside the tent, Yun Xiao had just sat down when the two military doctors who had gone out earlier walked in, standing respectfully by Yun Xiao's side.
"Doctor Feng, do you have any instructions for us?"
Yun Xiao was startled and looked up at their expressions. Her brother must have said something.
Regarding Yun Zhen, she knew he already suspected that she was not foolish, and this matter would likely not be kept from him.
Despite Yun Zhen's seemingly gentle demeanor, he had inherited his father's domineering nature deep down, only he kept it hidden. Now, the fangs he had been showing were bared, flashing with bloodlust.
"Did you give the Prince senna?" Yun Xiao asked. Logically, he should have, or her father wouldn't have held on for so long. However, the toxicity of senna is very strong, and most people would not be able to resist it. Moreover, even if it killed, it might not be effective.
"Yes, Young Master Feng. We administered senna to kill the toxins according to the plague treatment method. However, the Prince has been working hard on the border battles and the situation of the plague within the city, so he has not rested, and his body has become weak, only to fall ill."
Yun Xiao's slender hand touched her father's cheek. The protruding cheekbones hurt her hand, and tears welled up in her eyes.
But she could not cry, for her current identity was not suitable for weeping. What she needed to do was to heal him and then investigate the true nature of this plague.
"Alright, help me prepare a basin of warm water, six liang of Ma Huang, three liang of Gui Zhi, and two liang each of Gan Cao and Shao Yao. Put them in the warm water and bring it in. Also, prepare a bathtub. You two put the Prince in it to soak for an hour."
"Yes," the two military doctors, upon hearing the young man's instructions, knew he was no ordinary person. This gentle soaking method was indeed a way for weak and debilitated patients.
While it might not completely kill the toxins, it could at least restore some of the patient's strength and delay the spread of toxins in the body.
Coupled with the fact that he had previously sealed the Prince's vital meridians with acupuncture needles, the Prince should be safe for a while. They had previously thought the Prince was on his last legs.
This person is the Prince's lucky star.
"We will go and do it immediately."
The two military doctors took their orders and left the tent. Yun Xiao then commanded Liuxing and Jingyun.
"You two, join the ranks of those imperial physicians later and inquire about the living people together, and compile the records."
"Yes, Master."
Liuxing and Jingyun nodded. They held no good feelings towards Prince Lin; no one from the royal family was good.
However, it was important to do their part now. Fortunately, they had always remained hidden, and Shangguan Lin did not recognize them.
Since leaving the palace, their Master had ordered them not to live in the shadows anymore. Their lives, which had been lived in obscurity, finally found salvation.
At the city gate, Yun Zhen received Shangguan Lin and a group of imperial physicians from the palace. He originally intended to escort them to the guesthouse to rest, but Shangguan Lin insisted on meeting Prince Yun.
Yun Zhen's expression turned slightly grim, blending into the light. His dark eyes were sharp as knives, and he spoke with a half-smile.
"Prince Lin, is this also the Emperor's wish?"
A cold remark made the atmosphere somewhat stiff, yet Yun Zhen raised his eyebrows and smiled faintly.
"Just a joke, Prince Lin won't take offense, right? Let's go."
As he finished speaking, he spurred his horse and galloped away, leaving behind only a trailing hem of his flowing robes. His figure, beneath the towering city walls, appeared cold and chilling.
Shangguan Lin was closely followed by his personal guard, Mu Li, who raised his eyebrows and glared at the departing figure, speaking in a stern and sharp tone, "Your Highness, how dare he?"
Before Mu Li could finish speaking, Shangguan Lin, enveloped in a chilling aura, did not get angry.
Although he had not yet entered the city, he had already sensed the grim situation within. Facing such vast death, Yun Zhen's attitude was quite understandable.
Moreover, when the Emperor ordered their father and son to lead the troops, he only provided fifty thousand troops. Their hearts must have been in a precarious position, surviving in the cracks. It was understandable that there would be some peculiarity.
"Let's go, enter the city."
Shangguan Lin pulled on the reins and caught up with the figures ahead. Behind him, Mu Li waved his hand, and several carriages followed in procession. Behind them were two hundred cavalrymen clad in soft armor, heading straight for the city.