The white cloth was lifted, bringing a gust of fresh air. Someone stood beside him, and a deep, cold voice echoed, "Is this the outcome you all desired?"
The military doctor gazed at the scene before him, feeling the cold, desolate air flow around. He dared not utter a word.
Suddenly, a stern, cold command sounded from outside, "Are you going to stay inside forever? It's time to get to work."
Yun Xiao had regained her composure. She had been a little nervous upon seeing Shangguan Lin, but now she was a young man, a physician at that. Shangguan Lin would never dream of suspecting someone like him.
In truth, her disguise wasn't that sophisticated. However, many people were clouded by preconceptions. The people in the palace were still foolish. Even if they sensed her eyebrows bore a resemblance to the foolish empress, they would never connect her to a fool.
Could a fool cease to be foolish? Could a fool possess such high medical skills?
This was utterly impossible. Thus, Yun Zhen had already begun to suspect her. But for now, they needed to work together to ascertain whether this was a plague or poisoning. One wrong step could lead to eternal damnation. How could they scheme against each other at such a time?
With a shout from Yun Xiao, those inside rushed out. Shangguan Lin's face was filled with melancholy, his aura radiating a biting cold, as if he had stepped out of the snow, carrying a chilling breeze. His dark, deep eyes held a profound sorrow, and a trace of genuine emotion welled up.
"Immediately instruct the imperial physicians to determine the nature of this plague. Produce a prescription at once to curb its spread."
"There's no need," Yun Xiao refused outright.
There was no time to investigate a plague. The priority was to identify the poison these people had contracted and administer an antidote as quickly as possible, then find the source. Trying to find the source now would only accelerate their deaths.
Moreover, those old fogeys in the Imperial Hospital were slow and pampered. Could they face this epidemic calmly? It would likely be a waste of time.
However, Shangguan Lin clearly did not agree with Yun Xiao's words. Although he observed that the young physician's plan for treating Yun Mo seemed promising, he believed that without the examination of multiple individuals, relying solely on a young person's conjecture might not be safe. Therefore, he advocated for examination.
"Do you dare question my words?"
"Is His Highness here to save people or to annihilate the city?"
Yun Xiao did not hold back, glaring with righteous indignation. An air of arrogance permeated her, and the bright sparks in her eyes seemed on the verge of igniting.
If Shangguan Lin insisted, she would even fight him to prevent him from delaying further.
Yun Zhen, standing beside them, quickly moved between the two and turned to face Shangguan Lin.
"I trust Feng Guan's abilities. Your Highness should order your men to act."
"Hmph," Shangguan Lin considered it thoroughly and felt the young person's words held merit. Saving lives was paramount. He then lowered his face, remaining silent.
Yun Xiao, on the side, issued her commands decisively.
"Your Highness, please order the guards or soldiers you've brought to follow Young Master Yun's instructions. Immediately head to the east city and investigate the recent dietary habits of those who are still well. As for the imperial physicians, they should be responsible for questioning the infected patients to learn what they ate. By comparing the two, we should find something that can resist the plague."
"Then what should I do?"
Shangguan Lin rarely asked such a question. Everyone else had tasks, and he was idle, which felt strange. But for him to ask was even stranger.
Everyone in the tent looked at him. He was a prince, and who dared to assign him tasks? However, since he had spoken, Yun Xiao did not stand on ceremony. She was always of the principle that if she lacked manpower, she would utilize anyone available.
"Then Your Highness should select some men from your subordinates, prepare pots and firewood. As soon as we discover the inhibiting agent, we will immediately start a fire to boil it and have everyone drink it."
After issuing her commands, Yun Xiao turned and instructed Liu Xing and Jing Yun, who were standing by.
"You two go and assist the Young Master."
"Yes, Young Master," the two replied and walked to Yun Zhen's side, awaiting his orders.
With everything arranged, Yun Zhen led the way out, followed closely by Shangguan Lin, and then Liu Xing and Jing Yun.
However, as Shangguan Lin reached the tent entrance, he had a realization. He, a dignified prince, was personally preparing pots and chopping firewood. What was a mere physician doing? Surely not doing nothing? Shangguan Lin's gaze turned fierce as he abruptly turned back.
"And you, what are you doing?"
Yun Xiao rolled her eyes and pointed to the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone on the table. "Don't you see I'm searching for the source? Your Highness should hurry and chop firewood."
Shangguan Lin was infuriated. Turning his head, he saw a woman standing beside Yun Xiao, who seemed somewhat familiar. As he walked out, he pondered, who was this woman? She was beautiful, but he had seen more beautiful women. Why did she feel familiar?
He had reached the easternmost part of the tent, and there was no longer time for him to overthink. He immediately relayed Yun Xiao's instructions.
The two hundred cavalrymen, having received the order, immediately followed Yun Zhen to the east city. The group departed swiftly.
However, the twenty to thirty imperial physicians, upon hearing they were to enter the tents to question the patients, turned ashen and stepped back, resolutely refusing to move forward. Finally, Shangguan Lin, in a fit of rage, roared.
"You bunch of old scoundrels! Even I, your prince, am personally chopping firewood and preparing pots, and you're still whimpering here! If I hear another complaint, I'll break an arm. Two complaints, and I'll break a leg!"
With those words, the imperial physicians rushed into the tents, not even bothering about contagion.
Everyone divided their tasks, and Shangguan Lin did not falter, leading his subordinates to prepare pots and chop firewood...
By evening, everyone had a record in hand, and Shangguan Lin's pot was set up, the firewood chopped, ready to start the fire and boil the medicine.
This task was indeed arduous for the prince, but his actions had won him the hearts of the people. The soldiers defending Feng Ya Pass were deeply moved upon hearing that the prince had personally led the team and was personally preparing pots and chopping firewood for those afflicted by the plague.
Those soldiers were moved to tears.
Feng Ya Pass's deputy general, Feng Licheng, along with several military officers who were not infected, came to pay their respects to Shangguan Lin.
Fearing that they might disturb the patients in the affected area, Yun Xiao ordered them to be driven away. If they wanted to pay respects, they should do so from a distance.
Feng Licheng and his subordinate generals were surprised to encounter such a peculiar young man in Prince Yun's tent.
This young man was the supervisor of this epidemic? Since when? He had no idea.
Feng Licheng's expression turned grim. He had always been well-informed about matters in Feng Ya Pass, yet no one had reported this young man's involvement to him. It seemed he had indeed been too busy lately.
After everyone was dismissed, inside the tent, two sets of records lay on the table. Yun Xiao meticulously compared and examined them, looking for any discrepancies. Soon, she discovered the difference.
These living individuals, including her own brother, all enjoyed drinking a certain tea. This tea was made from a common wild herb found on the nearby mountains, called Zi Luo Gen (Purple Luo Root).
Both its roots and leaves were purple. Residents liked to pick them, wash them dry, and then brew them into tea. Those who drank the tea remained unharmed, indicating that Zi Luo Gen had a detoxifying effect.
Now, if those infected with the plague took Zi Luo Gen, though they might not be fully cured, it could at least prevent the spread.
As soon as Yun Xiao discovered this, she immediately commanded Yun Zhen.
"Brother, this Zi Luo Gen has a detoxifying effect. Hurry and find some of this in the vicinity."