The news sped swiftly towards the capital.
Ever since Qu Dubian left the capital for Xianghe, Emperor Chongzhao had not slept well for days.
It wasn't just him; countless others were secretly anxious, hoping that the Minister of Works and Xie Jingshan would send good news quickly after arriving in Xianghe Prefecture.
As it turned out, news did arrive, but it was distressing, heartbreaking news.
"Infected with the plague?!"
Emperor Chongzhao rose to his feet, losing his composure. "How could he be infected?!"
Eunuch Yu: "That is what the message says. It states that after meeting with Consort Xuan, the Seventh Prince did not leave Le'an County with her, and that is how... You are aware, Your Majesty, the Seventh Prince's health has never been robust."
"I knew it!"
Emperor Chongzhao said anxiously, "I should have had someone bring him back right then!"
It was the plague.
The report stated many had already died.
Once the acute symptoms manifest,
a person could be gone by the next day!
That reckless boy...
A fire seemed to burn in Emperor Chongzhao's heart.
The lazy response from the Emperor of Nanning was already frustrating enough. They promised aid in grain, but the shipment 'accidentally' fell into the river at the border. They claimed they couldn't spare resources to assist the Nanning people within Great Zhou's territory at the moment—
Fine words, but in essence, it was abandonment!
These past few days, he had been busy discussing with the Minister of Revenue how much of the second batch of disaster relief silver needed to be allocated. He was already overwhelmed, and now, upon hearing this dreadful news, the three fever blisters above his lip throbbed even more painfully.
Emperor Chongzhao took a deep breath, trying to suppress the sharp pain in his chest stirred by his emotional turmoil. The more nights he stayed up, the more frequently the pain in his heart occurred.
"Have people keep a constant watch on the situation in Xianghe. I must know of any developments there at once."
This news spread rapidly throughout the capital.
Soon, people arrived outside the Zichen Hall. Except for the Third Prince, all the other princes had come.
The Second and Fifth Princes arrived together; the Fourth and Crown Princes came alone. Having learned the news around the same time, they all converged at once.
They exchanged glances, each with their own calculations and assessments in their eyes.
"Second Brother, Fourth Brother, Fifth Brother."
"Eldest Brother, Second Brother, Fourth Brother."
After a brief exchange of greetings, they fell silent.
After Chief Eunuch Bao went in to announce them, Emperor Chongzhao summoned them inside.
He swept his gaze over these sons of his: "State your business."
The Fifth Prince bowed and said, "Father, with Little Seventh infected by the plague, we, as his elder brothers, are deeply concerned. I beg your permission to proceed to Xianghe." He paused, then added, "Little Sixth is also there, and Consort Lan is likewise worried."
The Second Prince also frowned, saying, "Indeed, we are truly worried. At the time, I felt we should have had Little Seventh brought back. Alas, we were a step too late. Little Seventh's concern for Consort Xuan and Sixth Brother is commendable, but his temperament is truly..."
Truly willful.
Causing them such worry and concern here.
The Crown Prince: "What does this have to do with Seventh Brother? It's not as if he wanted to fall ill. He only went out because he was worried about Consort Xuan. Aren't we standing here before Father also out of brotherly affection, concerned for Little Seventh, wanting to go and see him?"
"Enough, your Second Brother is also concerned," Emperor Chongzhao said. "Once he returns safely, I will teach him a proper lesson. I must make him correct that willful nature of his!"
The Crown Prince said, "Father, your son is willing to go to Xianghe, and can escort the second batch of disaster relief silver along the way."
The Fifth Prince was about to say something when the Second Prince tugged at his sleeve.
"Fourth Brother hasn't spoken yet."
The Fourth Prince was well aware of their subtle contention—merely using Little Seventh's name to vie for a reputation of fraternal harmony and seizing the opportunity of the disaster in the three prefectures to go to the afflicted areas and install their own people.
A high-sounding pretext, cloaked in the skin of familial affection.
He felt somewhat weary and disgusted, directly addressing a possibility they were avoiding: "There is no confirmed prescription to treat the plague yet, Father. It is highly possible Little Seventh may not return."
"Perhaps because Little Seventh is often ill, you have forgotten—this time is different from the usual. So many have already died."
The hall fell silent immediately.
"The most important thing now is not deciding who will distribute the second batch of relief silver, but to dispatch imperial physicians from the capital and summon renowned doctors from across the land to rush to Xianghe Prefecture."
The Second Prince rubbed his fingertips for a moment and said, "Fourth Brother is right. No matter how worried we are, we cannot help directly. We must call upon physicians to go and treat the epidemic."
Emperor Chongzhao closed his eyes. "I will not let anything happen to Little Seventh. Physicians must be summoned, and the disaster relief silver must also be disbursed. Eldest Son, you shall handle this."
"Second Son, you have no objections, do you?"
Second Prince: "Eldest Brother has ample experience in handling affairs. Your son has no objections."
Emperor Chongzhao: "I am tired. You may withdraw."
Only then did the four princes take their leave.
However, as soon as they stepped outside, they encountered Grand Tutor Fang, who was walking hurriedly.
They greeted him: "Grand Tutor, we hope you are well."
Grand Tutor Fang, suppressing his urgency, returned the greeting hastily. "This old minister has matters to attend to and cannot chat with Your Highnesses now."
The Crown Prince didn't think much of it. Having received his assignment, he went straight back to his own residence. The Fourth Prince, upon returning, had Leng Yue summon famous doctors from the capital and arranged for them to be sent to Xianghe Prefecture.
The Second Prince, however, narrowed his eyes: "Grand Tutor Fang is quite concerned about the Seventh Prince."
Fifth Prince: "Well, they were all his students." Once they reached the palace gate, he asked, "You didn't compete with Eldest Brother for the assignment of distributing the relief silver. It's a good opportunity to install your own people in the three prefectures. You don't want it?"
The Second Prince smiled without answering: "An assignment isn't necessarily a good thing."
Fifth Prince: "What are you planning?"
The Second Prince patted his shoulder. "Don't worry, it will benefit you too."
Fifth Prince nodded: "Let me know if you need anything."
The Second Prince was not completely distracted by the Fifth Prince. After returning to his residence, he continued to ponder Grand Tutor Fang's demeanor earlier.
Fang Hechuan, Xi Shiqiu, and Lin Zongping.
The reason Father chose these three as Grand Secretaries to assist him in handling government affairs was because they had not aligned themselves with any faction at court.
But what if someone had privately already taken sides, or developed a leaning?
Seventh Brother...
His maternal grandfather holds military power. After the power division alleviated Father's suspicions, Father has regained trust in Xu Jin.
Looking at us brothers, those with maternal families commanding military power are, besides Little Seventh, only Little Sixth.
Little Sixth is a fool; he doesn't even notice that scorpion, Old Fifth, watching him. Moreover, the military power at Zhennan Pass is far less independent than that of the Northern Garrison. Comparing the two, Little Seventh still holds the advantage.
Little Seventh's disadvantage is that he has not established himself at court and lacks his own faction.
But his relationship with Consort Xuan is one of adoption; he can naturally mobilize the connections of the Xie family. The Xie family has many upright, scholarly officials. They may seem insignificant individually, but together they form a force.
But Grand Tutor Fang is different.
How many disciples does he have? Who can know?
The old fox has been in the officialdom for decades, experienced both glory and retirement. After staying in the prestigious but relatively powerless Hanlin Academy for so many years, he was recalled to such an important position.
If he were to take sides, once Little Seventh establishes his own princely residence and begins attending court, he could completely make up for the disadvantage of being the last to join the court proceedings.
Military power, court connections, Father's doting affection and favor.
He would have them all.
If not for Little Seven's frequent illnesses revealing his frail constitution and poor academic performance, this youngest brother of his might have been the most likely among their brothers to secure the position of Crown Prince.
The Second Prince sat at his desk, his brow gradually furrowing.
Perhaps... he should investigate privately what exactly Tutor Fang has been tutoring Little Seven in during those frequent extra lessons.
Fourth Prince's Manor.
The Fifth Prince came to visit the Fourth Prince.
"Fourth Brother."
"Little Five is here, have a seat."
"How is the search for physicians going?" the Fifth Prince inquired.
Fourth Prince: "We've found all that could be found."
Fifth Prince: "That's good."
The Fourth Prince might be lazy, but anything he sets his mind to doing seriously, he accomplishes quite well.
"Little Five, you seem to be getting closer and closer to Second Brother," the Fourth Prince pushed a poured cup of water towards him and offered a reminder out of fraternal duty. "Second Brother appears amiable, but he is actually difficult to get close to and hard to read. It's not good for you to get too close to him."
The Fifth Prince smiled: "Mhm."
He had always known what he was doing.
"I hope Little Seven returns safely."
The Fourth Prince said firmly: "He will definitely return safely."
Both of them understood that as princes, being at court meant being at the very center of the vortex. Even a slacker like the Fourth Prince would occasionally get pulled into it.
The bonds of imperial family affection were as thin as this.
Only their seventh brother, pure-hearted and passionate, genuinely regarded them as his closest brothers.
They too hoped their youngest brother could avoid stepping into the eye of the storm, forever protected, forever innocent and happy.
Xianghe County.
Le'an County.
Xi Zixing was unfamiliar with this area. Coupled with the quarantine between counties, there were few travelers on the road, leaving no one to ask for directions.
He took two wrong turns and only reached his destination by evening.
Holding a cloth tightly over his nose and mouth, he passed through the epidemic zone and noticed that while the number of afflicted commoners was still increasing, some had already begun drinking medicinal decoctions.
After meeting Magistrate Hua, Xi Zixing said: "I came from the capital with the Minister of Justice and Lord Xie. They are occupied with other matters and couldn't come, so I came to visit the Seventh Prince."
This statement was phrased quite artfully.
Magistrate Hua harbored some suspicion: "So you are a lord from the capital. Please, come in."
It was only after seeing the familiarity displayed towards Xi Zixing by Captain Xia Fuyang that Magistrate Hua let go of his doubts.
Xia Fuyang gave Xi Zixing a light punch, asking in surprise: "What are you doing here?"
Xi Zixing: "If you can come, why can't I?"
He pulled Xia Fuyang aside. "Let me go in and see how he is."
Xia Fuyang grabbed his arm, saying: "He won't allow anyone in."
"Who?"
"Little Seven."
Xia Fuyang: "I went in yesterday to see him, and after that, he stopped allowing entry. Even Young Eunuch Yuan can only go in occasionally now."
Xi Zixing: "Then who is taking care of him now?"
"Physician Yang, and a few other doctors, taking turns going in."
"But why won't he let anyone in? Afraid of contagion? I just want to see, even through a window would be fine."
Xia Fuyang was quiet for a moment, then told him the reason Qu Dubian had given. "That guy said he's all grimy right now, feels a bit embarrassed about his appearance, and doesn't want people seeing him and laughing at him."
Qu Dubian loved cleanliness and looking handsome, enjoyed dressing flamboyantly—they all knew this. So this absurd reason actually sounded quite convincing.
Even though they all knew it was really because he didn't want them getting too close and getting infected.
Xi Zixing said angrily: "Who would laugh at him!"
Ye Xiaoyuan came from the courtyard. "Lord Xi, it's best to heed His Highness's wishes and not enter for now. How is Consort Xuan faring?"
Xi Zixing: "All is well."
Ye Xiaoyuan: "That is the best news for His Highness. Thank you, Lord Xi, for braving the risk to visit His Highness."
Xi Zixing said awkwardly: "What friends should do."
Xia Fuyang shot him a glance.
"Since you're here, stay. We're short on hands anyway. You're quite learned; help Magistrate Hua and the Secretary manage some of the county affairs."
Magistrate Hua and the Secretary had mobilized every usable person. Xia Fuyang wasn't skilled at managing such things. Now that someone with good learning and administrative ability had arrived, he could be put to good use.
Worried about the situation inside, unable to enter but unwilling to leave, Xi Zixing settled in.
Magistrate Hua worked anyone he caught to the bone. Xi Zixing understood administration, was a high-quality management talent, and required no monthly salary. He handled affairs methodically and with great attention to detail.
Magistrate Hua was overjoyed and directly put him in charge of the detailed regulations for zoning management of disaster victims and patients.
"This is the disaster management guidelines Layman Biandou gave to the Seventh Prince. It's the original copy I transcribed and brought back to the prefectural office. The extras have been distributed. Copy one for yourself to read. After copying, put the original back safely. This is something I intend to treasure as a family heirloom."
Magistrate Hua repeatedly urged him to be careful while copying, so as not to get ink or other stains on the original manuscript.
He was extremely nagging.
Yet Xi Zixing didn't hear half a word of it.
He was staring intently at this original manuscript of the disaster management guidelines—
After nearly every sentence, there was a habitually left tiny dot.