Yun Xiao and Wan Wan dismounted from the carriage, with Liu Xing and Jing Yun following closely behind her.
As everyone stood still, they saw that the tent was filled with military doctors and small soldiers in soft armor assisting.
Everyone who entered or exited the tent conscientiously washed their hands and wore masks, acting with extreme caution, fearful of infection.
Yun Xiao raised her head and scanned the area. Her heart grew heavy. This was the patient area, and she was here to see her father. The fact that they had brought him here meant only one thing.
Father had contracted the plague! The thought made Yun Xiao unable to stand still any longer.
"In which tent is Prince Yun?"
This tent had one advantage: it kept patients isolated from outsiders. If a patient died in this tent, the tent itself, along with the corpse and their clothes and shoes, would be burned to ashes.
Yun Xiao observed the military doctors and soldiers coming and going. Although they appeared tired, none of them seemed to have contracted the plague. If it truly were a plague, and this city had been spreading it for such a long time, it would have become a dead city. How could these people have survived until now?
The two soldiers flanking her seemed very afraid of this place. Upon hearing Yun Xiao's question, they cautiously pointed forward and spoke in low voices.
"It's in here."
After speaking, they led the way. Despite their fear, these people were guests of Prince Yun's manor. If they failed to provide adequate service, how would they be able to get by in the future?
The group walked along the edge of the tents, heading towards the back. They reached a large tent, twice the size of the others. Two expressionless middle-aged men stood guard at the entrance. These two men were strong and sturdy, with sharp eyes, clearly seasoned generals.
However, a heavy weariness was evident in their eyes. Liu Xing and Jing Yun glanced at them and whispered.
"Those are General Mu Qing and General Mu Bai, two of Prince Yun's subordinates. These two have followed the Prince through thick and thin for many years and are highly skilled. It is said that the Prince once offered them official positions, but they refused, insisting on remaining by his side."
They seemed to be loyal and righteous individuals. Yun Xiao's eyes felt a little warm. This was a testament to the Prince's care and consideration for his subordinates, which earned him such loyal followers. If every man were like that man in the palace, brutal and fierce, even the best people would eventually abandon him, leaving him to be a solitary figure.
All of this was attributed to her father's character: loyal, upright, and just.
Even she, a woman who had transmigrated, felt his deep fatherly love and had developed a dependence on him, let alone those who had followed him for years.
In this era where human relationships were so indifferent, some people chose warmth over high positions and wealth. Who did not long to live a life filled with warmth?
The commotion of the approaching group alerted the two men at the entrance of the large tent, Mu Qing and Mu Bai. As they looked up, their eyes emitted a rolling chill, and a sharp roar erupted, "Who goes there?"
The two small soldiers who had led Yun Xiao there were so frightened by the bellow that they fled as fast as they could, shouting back from a distance.
"The Prince is inside."
Yun Xiao, agitated, hurried forward. Disregarding Mu Qing and Mu Bai, she raised her hand and revealed the jade pendant she had taken out at the city gate.
Her father was within sight, and all she wanted was to see him. She didn't want anything to happen to him.
Upon seeing the jade pendant, Mu Qing and Mu Bai, standing at the tent entrance, noticed two large, elegantly written characters on it: Yun Xiao.
This was indeed Miss's jade pendant. They abruptly looked up and stared at the dark-skinned youth before them. His bright eyes were now clouded with profound sadness, tinged with a hidden sharpness. His nose was aristocratic, his lips shapely. He wore a pale silk robe, exuding an arrogant and unrestrained aura. The folding fan in his hand was clenched tightly.
His hands, though dark, were slender and fair, now emitting a faint, pale sheen.
Who was this?
What was the deal with this jade pendant?
Mu Qing and Mu Bai did not move aside. Their faces darkened. "Who exactly are you? Why do you possess Miss's jade pendant?"
As Mu Qing spoke, Liu Xing, who had been standing behind Yun Xiao, stepped forward and respectfully cupped his fist. "This is?"
Before he could finish speaking, Yun Xiao grew annoyed. Without waiting for Liu Xing to finish, she delivered a kick towards Mu Qing. As he dodged, Yun Xiao nimbly crouched and slipped through the gap between Mu Qing and Mu Bai.
Mu Qing and Mu Bai's expressions changed drastically. As they were about to give chase, Liu Xing quickly moved closer and whispered.
"She is the young master."
"Miss?"
Mu Qing and Mu Bai were stunned, their mouths agape. They looked at each other and then back. The two of them had experienced much and seen all sorts of things, but this event was no less shocking than a thunderbolt from the heavens.
The agile and clever youth from moments ago was actually the young lady, their young master who had been foolish for so many years. Now, not only was she no longer foolish, but she was exceptionally intelligent, not just ordinarily so, but incredibly so. Good heavens, had heaven finally opened its eyes?
They believed that good deeds were rewarded. The Prince was so upright, loyal to his superiors, and caring towards his subordinates. The Prince was wise and intelligent, and Madam Ji was also clever. Why would they have a foolish child?
Unexpectedly, the young lady was no longer foolish. She had indeed inherited Madam Ji's intelligence. But what exactly was going on?
For the first time, Mu Qing and Mu Bai lost their composure, stunned. They didn't even notice when Liu Xing and Jing Yun walked in. When they came to their senses, they looked at each other and asked.
"But who are they?"
They were also unaware of Liu Xing and Jing Yun, as these two secret guards had been secretly trained by the Prince to protect Yun Xiao.
Inside the tent, a large, soft couch occupied half the space. The couch was covered with a slightly worn, crimson silk quilt and a pillow embroidered with lotus leaves. A person lay quietly on the couch.
His resolute and handsome features were now covered with a dark, greenish hue. His eyes were sunken, and he had lost a significant amount of weight.
Looking at this man whom she loved and who had always stood tall and strong, now struck down by illness and lying there so lifelessly.
In an instant, something rushed into her eyes, blurring them.
Someone was by the bedside, accompanying him. It was the elegant and refined Yun Zhen, her brother. That gentle scholar. How long had it been since they last met? She saw that his dark eyes now held a sharp and deep dominance, like a treasured sword about to be drawn from its scabbard, instilling a sense of dread.
His previous forbearance had brought no stability; on the contrary, it had still plunged her father and herself into a conspiracy. Therefore, he would not tolerate it any longer.
Inside the tent, two military doctors walked back and forth, examining the person on the bed. Their faces were filled with distress, and their eyes showed a mixture of reluctance and disappointment, as if Prince Yun were truly beyond saving.
The sound of footsteps at the tent entrance alerted those inside. Several people looked up simultaneously. They saw a handsome youth at the front, his eyes holding tiny specks of tears that slid down, appearing like fine pearls, crystalline and clear. But who was he?
Yun Zhen frowned, his deep, profound eyes meeting those of Liu Xing and Jing Yun. His throat seemed to constrict, as if he had swallowed an egg. He pointed incredulously at the youth at the very front.
"You, who are you?"
Yun Xiao glanced at the military doctors inside the tent and waved them away, signaling them to leave. The doctors were momentarily at a loss and looked at Yun Zhen. Yun Zhen nodded.
They filed out one by one, and the tent fell quiet. Yun Zhen looked over, and Yun Xiao, her voice trembling, called out, "Brother."