Chapter 81: You Have Never Been a Burden

Qiao Qingyun looked at Xu Lu and Chun Cheng with some confusion, and the two hurriedly stood up. “Teacher, for some reason, this fever can't be cured this time!”

“It can’t be cured?”

The woman furrowed her brows. “What are all the symptoms?”

Chun Cheng thought for a moment. “Fever, persistent high fever, vomiting.”

“And diarrhea,” Xu Lu added. Qiao Qingyun’s pupils contracted sharply. “Qingluo, Hong Ying, take Zhong Shi with you and head to the clinic first. Be mindful of your own protection—wear face coverings, and dampen them with spirits, the higher the concentration, the better.”

“Chun Cheng, Xu Lu, you two have been wearing the masks I gave you, haven’t you?”

Yuan Zaichun had never even heard of such things, but the two nodded. “Yes, you two do the same. Also, Zhong Shi, remember, if any of the feverish patients try to cause trouble or attempt to escape and spread the illness, you must strike them down without mercy.”

“Yes,” Zhong Shi responded, though he didn’t understand why Qiao Qingyun was so insistent. Still, he followed her instructions to the letter.

With that, Qiao Qingyun knelt before Yuan Zaichun, a trace of pleading in her eyes. “Your Highness, I beg you to inform His Majesty that the capital may now be facing an epidemic.”

“An epidemic!”

A gasp ran through the crowd. Yuan Zaichun started in alarm, rising to his feet. “Are you certain?”

“Fever, vomiting, diarrhea that can’t be cured—these are all caused by plague. Otherwise, even the most severe cold, I’m confident I could bring down the fever within three days. But in this case, only an epidemic could explain it.”

Upon hearing this, Bu Shenglian hurried forward and took Yuan Zaichun’s arm. “My lord, your health is precious. Now is the time to take refuge in the palace.”

Qiao Qingyun, utterly exasperated, stood up and lashed out at Bu Shenglian. “From the very beginning, I haven’t made things difficult for you—otherwise, would I have let you into the residence? But what are you doing now? Ignoring the lives of the people? Aren’t you afraid your own father might catch it?”

“Insolence!” Yuan Zaichun barked coldly, but Qiao Qingyun showed not a trace of fear. “Am I wrong? If all the people die and you lose their hearts, will the throne still be secure?”

With a sharp crack, the man struck Qiao Qingyun across the face, sending her reeling forward—only to be caught by the quick-handed Feng Ke.

“Your Highness! What are you doing, striking a woman?”

Qiao Qingyun stood stunned where she was, staring dazedly at Yuan Zaichun, her eyes brimming with tears, ready to spill at any moment. Yuan Zaichun himself was shocked; he hadn’t expected his own outburst. Yet, seeing the look in Qiao Qingyun’s eyes, he suddenly felt a pang of guilt.

Bu Shenglian stepped in hastily. “Princess, confronting His Highness head-on—will that solve anything?”

“Fine! If you won’t help, I’ll do it myself! Zhong Shi, Hong Ying, Qingluo—prepare yourselves to face death. I can’t promise a cure, nor can I guarantee your safety. Are you willing?”

“Our lives were saved by Your Ladyship. Even if you told me to stab myself, I wouldn’t hesitate,” Hong Ying and Zhong Shi answered in unison.

“I feel the same as my brother,” said Qingluo, kneeling. “Your Ladyship’s kindness to this servant is as heavy as a mountain. Without you, there’s no meaning in living—I am willing.”

Hearing their words, Qiao Qingyun instinctively glanced at Feng Ke, who blinked in surprise. “Hey, wait, you’re taking me too?”

Qiao Qingyun said nothing, only looked at him quietly. Feng Ke hesitated, then waved his hand, resigned. “Fine, fine, I give in. I’ll do as you say.”

“Hurry. Go to the Hundred Flowers Courtyard and have Xiao Er fetch as much spirits as he can, the more the better. See if there are any trustworthy people willing to come, but only if they do so willingly.”

“All right.”

Without a word to Yuan Zaichun, the group set off, leaving Bu Shenglian watching Yuan Zaichun’s expression in silence.

“Liu Fu… go with them,” Yuan Zaichun finally ordered. Unable to refuse, Liu Fu glanced at Yuan Zaichun, words on the tip of her tongue.

Yuan Zaichun noticed and asked, “What is it?”

Liu Fu considered carefully. “My lord, what Her Ladyship said was true. Though her tone was harsh, it’s only because she’s so concerned. If she can’t contain the outbreak, she might die as well, and then there will be no safety within the capital.”

With that, she watched Yuan Zaichun for any reaction. Though his expression didn’t change much, it was clear he was displeased.

“My lord, I’ll go look after Her Ladyship.”

Then, Liu Fu turned and hurried for the door, while Bu Shenglian stayed close to Yuan Zaichun, visibly uneasy.

“My lord, have I caused you trouble?”

“No, you never trouble me.”

Though Yuan Zaichun said so, he could sense that something in his heart had begun to change. In the past, he’d seen no other woman in his eyes, but now, the faint yet undeniable tacit understanding between himself and Yuan Zaichun made everything feel dangerous.

And Liu Fu—everyone knew she was the person he trusted most, yet he’d so lightly sent her to someone else.

“Yes,” Bu Shenglian replied, fully aware of how to retreat in order to advance. She remained obediently by Yuan Zaichun’s side, but inside, her resentment toward Qiao Qingyun had already begun to take root.

Meanwhile, Qiao Qingyun had already moistened everyone’s face coverings with spirits and handed them out before heading straight for the clinic. Following her orders, Zhong Shi and the others had sealed off the area in advance. Fortunately, the clinic was large enough, but inside, the patients were all wailing in misery.

“I’m sorry, but please cooperate with our treatment. During this time, you must not return home. Because this is an infectious disease, we hope you won’t pass it on to your families.”

“Also, we will bring your families to a quarantine area for observation.”

At these words, an old woman struggled to her feet and came trembling before Qiao Qingyun. “Girl, just tell us, is it true that our illness is all the same and can’t be cured?”

The old woman’s tear-filled, cloudy eyes left Qiao Qingyun momentarily speechless.

It was a long moment before she nodded. “Yes, it’s very difficult to cure. But I will do everything in my power. I will never give up on your chance to live. I hope you can understand—please don’t leave, and don’t harm the innocent.”

“There are guards outside. Anyone who tries to leave will be killed on sight.”

“No! I can’t die! I can’t die!” Among the crowd, a young man, already overwrought with fear, couldn’t bear it any longer and dashed for the door, trying to escape.