newbobooks Chapter 377 Physical Discomfort
Chapter 377 Physical Discomfort
Zuo Yan took a deep breath, his voice trembling a little: "The person who was sent to investigate the package brought back by the Third Prince a few days ago has contracted smallpox!"
Jing** raised his head suddenly, and said in disbelief: "Is this true?"
Zuo Yan said sternly, "I dare not deceive your majesty."
"The day after the man checked the package, he developed a high fever that wouldn't go away."
"At first I thought I had a cold, but after I consulted a doctor, I suspected it was smallpox."
"The doctor has confirmed today that it is definitely smallpox!"
When Jing** heard this, he understood.
Shuozhou is far away from the capital, and after a smallpox outbreak in Shuozhou, all official roads outside Shuozhou were closed to prevent the spread of the epidemic.
Recently, the capital has also been strictly checking outsiders to prevent people from the north from sneaking in and bringing in smallpox.
The Imperial Medical Service even teamed up with several major pharmacies in the capital to distribute anti-epidemic medicines to the people on the streets.
This was to eliminate the possibility of smallpox occurring in the capital.
At this time, the people from the Shadow Blade Division were infected with smallpox, just after they came into contact with the package that the third prince brought back.
Apparently there was something wrong with the package.
Jing** laughed in anger and slapped the imperial desk with his palm.
"Okay, very good!"
"Go, find an identical set of tea sets and replace the Third Prince's tea set with another one."
"I want to see what kind of trouble the Third Brother is going to make."
Zuo Yan lowered his eyes and replied "yes".
"Let the imperial physician treat your subordinate who has smallpox."
"Tell them that no information about this matter can be leaked."
"When everything is over, I will reward you based on your merits."
Zuo Yan bowed and said, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. I know what to do."
Jing ** uttered a light "hmm" and asked, "Is there anything unusual with the eldest prince recently?"
Zuo Yan replied, "Except for sending a group of secret guards to Shuozhou earlier, the eldest prince has been very quiet recently and has not made any other unusual moves."
Jing** snorted coldly, thinking that these two people were both restless.
A day later, Jing ** learned that the Third Prince had purchased the tea set through the Internal Affairs Department and sent it to the Purple Palace.
"Good! You are really my good son!" Jing** gritted his teeth and sneered.
Eunuch Gao, who knew the inside story, lowered his head even more, his heart trembling with fear.
They were afraid that His Majesty would get angry and vent his anger on those who served him closely.
Good luck!
After a while, Jing** sneered softly: "This rebellious son actually dared to have such a rebellious idea, how can I let him down!"
The next day coincides with the imperial meeting.
Civil and military officials lined up outside the hall according to their ranks, preparing to attend court.
But when the time for the court meeting came, Jing ** did not show up.
Only Eunuch Gao came out and said, "Your Majesty is not feeling well, so the court session will be suspended today."
Upon hearing this, all the officials dispersed and went to their respective offices to start work.
Your Majesty is not feeling well today and can rest, but they cannot.
The third prince was secretly delighted.
The set of tea cups was delivered to the Purple Palace only yesterday, but unexpectedly, news came out today that His Majesty was unwell.
This is too fast.
But on second thought, Jing** is old and his body is no longer as strong as before. He is already showing signs of old age and frailty.
What's more, the tea set was contaminated with a disease as domineering as smallpox.
Jing** naturally couldn't bear it.
Just one day later, he started to fall ill.
However, seeing is believing. He had to go and see for himself to be sure whether Jing** had contracted smallpox or not.
The eldest prince looked at the third prince calmly, and was also overjoyed in his heart.
He received news last night that the Third Prince had already sent the tea set used by smallpox patients to the Purple Palace.
My father was not feeling well today, and I think it was probably because of the use of that set of tea sets.
Thinking that the Third Prince had fallen into the trap he had set, and that he would soon be able to reap the benefits, the First Prince wanted to laugh out loud three times.
Just at this time, the third prince walked towards the eldest prince.
The eldest prince quickly suppressed the emotions in his eyes, fearing that the third prince would notice something wrong.
"Brother, I wonder what the condition of our father is like. Why don't you and I go visit him together?" the third prince asked.
The Third Prince felt somewhat guilty about the tea set incident. He was worried that if he rushed to the Purple Palace alone, it would arouse suspicion, so he thought of bringing the First Prince along.
The eldest prince also wanted to go to the Purple Palace to find out the truth.
Hearing this, he immediately nodded and said, "That's exactly what I meant."
All officials dared not and could not inquire about Jing **'s illness, for fear of being accused of spying on the emperor's feelings and plotting against the emperor.
The eldest prince and the third prince did not have such concerns.
As sons, it is only natural for them to visit and take care of Jing** when he is sick.
If you don't go, you will be criticized.
The eldest prince and the third prince went to the Zichen Palace together, but they were stopped as soon as they arrived in front of the palace.
Eunuch Gao came out and explained, "Your Majesty just took medicine and went to sleep. It is not appropriate to disturb him."
"Your Highnesses, please go back. When His Majesty wakes up, I will tell His Majesty about your filial piety."
The eldest and third princes still gave some respect to Eunuch Gao, the chief steward in the imperial court who was extremely favored by Emperor Jing.
The eldest prince nodded slightly and said, "Then I'll have to trouble Eunuch Gao."
"Your Highness, you are too polite." Eunuch Gao bowed.
The Third Prince had no intention of leaving. He frowned and looked at Eunuch Gao and asked, "How could Father suddenly become ill? How is Father's condition?"
Eunuch Gao lowered his eyebrows and replied, "Last night, Your Majesty went to the North Palace Tower and stood there for a long time, looking into the distance. The night wind blew and he caught a cold. This morning he woke up with a high fever."
"But the imperial physician has examined him, and Your Majesty has also taken the medicine. He will be well soon."
The third prince thought that the first symptom of smallpox was also fever, which was consistent with Jing**'s symptoms, and he felt more confident.
But Eunuch Gao stopped him, so he couldn't go into the hall to check.
Although he cannot enter, there are others who can.
After the third prince left the Zichen Palace, he turned around and went to Concubine Cui's bedroom.
The eldest prince was a little unsure, wondering whether Jing** had just contracted smallpox or was just catching a cold.
But as long as he keeps a close eye on the third prince, everything will be under his control.
Seeing the third prince turn around and leave, the eldest prince didn't want to stay any longer, so he had to leave with the third prince.
Following the eldest prince and the third prince, the other princes and princesses heard the news and went to the Zichen Palace to pay their respects and ask about his health.
These princes and princesses, like the eldest prince and the third prince, were stopped and were not able to enter the Purple Palace.
Everyone had no choice but to kowtow outside the Zichen Hall, exchange a few greetings through the door, and then get up and leave.
During this period, several high-ranking concubines, including Concubine Cui, also came, but without exception, they were unable to see Jing**.