Even though the situation within the city was imagined to be dire, facing it in reality still couldn't suppress the shock.
Black smoke permeated the air from near and far, with flickering flames. As far as the eye could see, the ten-mile city was empty, devoid of any people, save for the broken gates and signboards that swayed gently in the wind, occasionally falling with a thud, striking at one's heart.
The city's inhabitants had already been quarantined. Those diagnosed with the plague were relocated to the west, where hundreds of tents had been erected to house the sick, while those not infected were moved to the east of the city.
This division, east and west, was like a deathly boundary. How desperately the dying wished to cross it, but all that awaited them was a weak cup of wine on the road to the underworld. This life was over, to be pursued in the next, starting anew.
Shangguan Lin led a troop of soldiers, following closely behind Yun Zhen, heading straight for the western part of the city.
By the riverbank in the west, on the previously empty grassland, hundreds of tents were now erected. From a distance, they resembled small mounds, burying the souls of the living, evoking an urge to cry out and scream, yet no sound could be uttered.
Faint cries could be heard from within the tents. How many could truly face death with equanimity?
It was only then that a surge of emotion rose within Shangguan Lin, a desire to save these people. His face was solemn, a chill pervading his being. With a wave of his hand, he gave a bloodthirsty command.
"Dismount, all of you."
Shangguan Lin leaped from his horse first, Mu Li following closely behind. The two hundred cavalrymen behind them also dismounted with practiced ease, standing neatly by their horses, awaiting orders.
The imperial physicians in the carriages, however, were hesitant to dismount. Previously, they had lifted the curtains to peer at the plague-ridden city, its desolate emptiness filling them with dread.
They had expected to be taken to the post station to rest, to have some buffer time. But who knew that the Prince would bring them directly to this place where so many sick people were gathered?
These imperial physicians, though not of high rank, had always lived in comfort. When had they ever experienced such a situation? Faced with this sudden turn of events, many refused to leave their carriages.
One, two...
Shangguan Lin's patience wore thin. His expression turned cold, and he uttered a chilling roar: "I will count to three. If you do not dismount, you will all be beheaded and displayed."
This command struck like thunder, splitting the air. Those within the carriages stumbled out, jostling each other, some even rushing to get down.
In their haste, one even fell beneath the carriage. The process was swift; before Shangguan Lin reached three, all the imperial physicians had tremblingly dismounted, gasping for breath as they looked at the Prince, not daring to utter a word.
Shangguan Lin's eyes held a distant, frigid gaze. Gathering his breath, he coldly commanded, "Everyone stand where you are and await further orders."
"Yes, Your Highness."
The two hundred cavalrymen responded in unison. The imperial physicians widened their eyes in terror, their lips quivering as they muttered softly.
"Your Highness, we haven't rested yet."
"Indeed, your humble servants are exhausted."
Unfortunately, Shangguan Lin did not hear these words, or perhaps he heard them and simply chose to ignore them. He led Mu Li to catch up with Yun Zhen, intending to pay his respects to Yun Mo, wondering how he was faring, assuming he too had contracted the plague.
However, they were all stopped outside the tents. Mu Qing and Mu Bai spoke in a stiff manner, "Prince Lin, young master, His Highness is currently taking a medicinal bath."
"A medicinal bath?"
The two men exchanged glances. Yun Zhen regained his senses. It must be Xiao'er who had prescribed the medicine for his father. But she was a woman; could she also be inside?
Yun Zhen waved his hand, and Mu Bai and Mu Qing automatically retracted their hands.
"Your Highness, please proceed. Since Your Highness insists on paying your respects, please enter."
Yun Zhen walked forward with a blank expression, a desolate sunset painted across his face.
Shangguan Lin couldn't help but wonder if Yun Mo was gravely ill, if he wouldn't make it.
Although this had always been the Emperor's wish, at this moment, Shangguan Lin felt an overwhelming sense of sorrow and a heavy heart. Was the Eastern Qin truly about to lose a formidable general?
Did the former Emperor's reliance on Yun Mo lead to this desolate scene today?
Shangguan Lin's feet felt as if they were cast in lead, each step heavy as a thousand pounds, until he stepped inside the tent.
Within the not-so-spacious tent, a white partition divided the space. On one side stood a table, where a youth dressed in ice-blue brocade, his dark hair tied high, was engrossed in writing, his expression utterly serious.
His skin was slightly tanned, a crescent moon gracing his dark eyebrows, long lashes covering his eyes, and sweat beading on his forehead. Beside him, a charming woman was using a silk handkerchief to wipe his sweat.
"Young master, you're tired. Please rest for a while."
Wan Wan spoke softly. Looking up, the hand holding the handkerchief froze. Standing before her were two outstanding individuals. One was gentle and refined, his dark pupils like the sky under the night, revealing not a single thought.
The other exuded a cold aura, his sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, his features three-dimensional and resolute. He wore a black brocade robe, cinched with a jade belt embroidered with swirling clouds and a gold border. The cuffs and hem of his robe were also outlined with gold thread, exuding an air of boldness, yet the oppressive killing intent that repelled people was heavy.
"Who is he?" a cold voice inquired.
Yun Zhen startled and turned to cup his fist in greeting. "A distant relative of the Yun family. Because his medical skills are exceptional, he was urgently summoned to help."
Their conversation had alerted the person engrossed in writing at the table. He looked up abruptly, his eyes so bright they seemed like stars in the sky, directly meeting Shangguan Lin's gaze. His heart trembled. Such bright eyes! A feeling, different from the usual, stirred within him.
Upon seeing that it was Shangguan Lin, Yun Xiao quickly withdrew his gaze, stood up, and cupped his fist in greeting, polite and humble.
"I heard the young master was going to fetch Prince Lin. I presume you are Prince Lin. Feng Guan greets Prince Lin."
"Feng Guan?" Shangguan Lin savored the name, finding it to have a pleasing resonance, and a sense of familiarity.
But upon closer thought, he couldn't recall ever seeing such a person. It seemed he was overthinking. He then realized with a jolt, what was happening to him? He, who had always been cold and indifferent, how could his gaze be drawn to this youth? It was preposterous.
Shangguan Lin could not accept his own absurdity and quickly lifted the curtain to enter.
Inside the white partition, the air was filled with the aroma of medicine. In a round, large bath tub sat the King of Yun, naked. Water droplets slid down his face, his eyes closed, his complexion dark green.
However, within that dark green hue, a faint hint of redness was visible.
Two army doctors were using wooden ladles to pour bathwater over King Yun's body, continuously soaking him.
But King Yun did not wake up, leaning against the edge of the bathtub, exuding an endless desolation.
Shangguan Lin witnessed Yun Mo's current state with his own eyes, feeling no joy. This scene, which he had imagined for so long, was now clearly laid out before him. The thick melancholy seemed to press down from the distant horizon, making it difficult to breathe.
His thoughts gradually cleared. Since the former Emperor had begun to rely heavily on Yun Mo, Yun Mo had not committed a single error, yet why must he be subjected to such treatment?