Although the imperial court was already doing its best to cover it up, the news of the outbreak of the rotten sores plague in Yangcheng quickly spread throughout Shangjing overnight.

This news evoked some very bad memories that had been buried in the hearts of the people of Shangjing for a long time.

More than ten years ago, the plague was prevalent in the north, and there were still seven or eight hundred miles away from Shangjing, which had frightened the people at night, and the imperial court even seriously considered moving the capital.

And now, the center of the plague outbreak is two or three hundred miles away in Yangcheng, which can already be said to be a fire to the doorstep!

Panic.

On this morning, when the ministers went out to the court, they even saw the carriages of many large families lining up to leave the city, ready to flee.

When the news reached the court, the emperor was furious: "Good and decent, how can there be a plague again!" Last ...... Didn't you take care of it all last time! ”

The ministers of the court and the central government all turned pale and panicked like lost dogs, and none of them dared to come out to answer.

The emperor was so angry that he threw all the tea bowl pieces on the dragon case to the ground: "Speak! What the hell is going on! Taijoji Temple! Too Hospital! Hallymin! Prime minister! All of them are dumb! ”

The ministers were still silent, not even daring to talk to each other, and the hall was so quiet that only a suppressed breathing sound could be heard.

King Ling Xiao quietly glanced into the corner.

An old minister of the Hanlin Academy knelt down: "Your Majesty, now that the Qing Dynasty is peaceful and prosperous, it should not be that there should be a plague god rampant, unless...... The demon is in the world. ”

As soon as the words fell, someone answered: "In the prosperous world of Qingping, where is the demon? Isn't Lord Zhen going to talk about the fake second lady of the Phoenix family in the Ruan family? ”

Lord Zhen raised his head and said coldly: "Lord Zhu is cautious! Miss Ruan Er has been recognized as a phoenix for fourteen years, if she is a demon, this plague should have come fourteen years ago! ”

The ministers were silent again, and the emperor suddenly thought of something, and squinted his eyes at Ruan Wenzhong: "What did Ruan Xiang say?" ”

Ruan Wenzhong came out of the column and knelt down, but he only felt that it was dark in front of him, his throat seemed to be sticky, and he couldn't say anything.

Seeing this, Lord Zhen immediately said, "Ruan Xiang has probably thought of it, right?" I heard that the whereabouts of the eldest lady in your house are unknown now, I wonder if it will 'happen' to settle in Yangcheng? ”

"I don't know!" Ruan Wenzhong raised his head suddenly, and then hurriedly hung down, stammering: "No, it's not right!" That rebel girl has not heard the news for a long time, she must have died in the hands of the bandits, and she will never appear in Yangcheng! ”

"Really?" Master Zhen smiled meaningfully, "Ruan Xiang, I haven't seen anyone dead or seen a corpse, so it's better not to say some things too early." ”

Ruan Wenzhong was stunned for a long time, then fell down again, and cried: "Your Majesty, since that rebel girl was taken away by bandits, she has indeed never delivered news to her family, minister...... The minister doesn't know about Yangcheng! ”

"Of course you don't!" The emperor sneered, "You have been the prime minister of Southern Qi for many years, and you have always been deaf and dumb, what do you know?!" ”

Ruan Van Trung has served as prime minister for many years, and the ministers have always complained about it, but the emperor has never said anything. It is the first time that the court has denounced it like today.

The atmosphere in the hall became more and more depressing. Everyone knew that their Emperor His Majesty panicked.

Of course, the emperor was far from alone. At this moment, everyone in the court felt that what they were stepping on under their feet was like a small boat in the river tide, swaying, and there was a possibility of capsizing at any time.

At this time, whoever can stabilize it is the Dinghai Divine Needle of the Southern Qi Dynasty.

Rui Wang Lingxiao came out of the crowd, knelt down and saluted upright, and his figure was as tall as a mountain: "Father, please calm your anger, things have not yet reached the point where they are out of control." Early yesterday morning, Erchen had secretly ordered the garrison near Shenggong Mountain to surround Yangcheng to ensure that no one entered or left. Although Shangjing and Yangcheng are not far apart, as long as there is no human exchange, there will be no sickness. ”

The Emperor looked at him, and his dark red and cloudy eyes gradually regained some of their brilliance.

Ling Xiao calmly raised his head to look at him, and said again, "Father rest assured."

The emperor was really relieved, and did not ask Ling Xiao why he heard the news so much earlier than others, nor did he ask why he didn't report to the imperial court as soon as he heard the news, but privately mobilized troops to besiege the city.

He just let out a long sigh, very sentimental: "I have nine sons, and there are hundreds of civil and military people in the Manchu Dynasty, and you are the only one who can share my worries at a critical time!" ”

Ling Xiao bowed his head and arched his hand, and said humbly: "Worrying about the king is a matter for the courtiers. ”

"Not bad." The Emperor sighed, "But even this 'thing', you are the only one who can do it!" ”

Ling Xiao bowed his head again and said humbly, "Erchen heard that there are already famous doctors in Yangcheng, and it is unknown whether this epidemic can be controlled. Please relax my father, my Southern Qi Dynasty is clear, the monarch and the ministers are united, and the plague is not to be feared! ”

Whether the epidemic can be controlled or not, everyone in the world knows it. That's hopeless.

But Ling Xiao's words were very solemn, and the emperor was really comforted, and there was a faint hope in his heart.

Now that the Southern Qi Dynasty is clear and clear, and there is a phoenix in the dynasty, maybe the heavens will really favor it?

If the epidemic can be controlled, then the two plagues during his reign will no longer be a shame, but a blessing that will be passed on through the ages.

The emperor cleared his throat and felt that he had regained his usual majesty: "In this way, King Rui Lingxiao listens to the order: I entrust Yangcheng to you, and I hope you will do your best to stop the spread of the epidemic!" ”

Ling Xiao said loudly, "The minister accepts the order", with a resolute and fearless expression.

It's just that stopping the spread of the epidemic is not difficult for him at all. Even if he ordered the city to be burned at this moment, as long as he could ensure that no one escaped from Yangcheng, it could be regarded as a successful completion of the important task.

Of course, Ling Xiao can do much more than that.

He was also able to convene the Tai Hospital to work tirelessly to develop a prescription for the treatment of the plague, save the lives of at least 100,000 people in Yangcheng, so that the people of Nanqi would no longer have to smell the "sores", and his respected father would no longer have to leave a disgraceful mark in the history books because of the plague.

After this battle, the name "Rui Wang Lingxiao" will shine brightly, and there will no longer be a need to hide in the shadow of "Li Wang Linghan" and become the "second".

The future is really bright.

Ling Xiao stood up, only to feel refreshed as never before, as if even the air in this hall was much fresher than usual.

It's just that I seem to hear a strange name in my ears?

Ling Xiao forcibly suppressed the boiling blood, and turned to look at the person who was talking in the hall at this moment, his eyes slightly condensed.

He remembered the man. Zhang Jian, the left attendant of the ministry, was very stumbling in the court a while ago.

In the past, Ling Xiao thought that this person was just blind and hard-boned, but later he learned that it was a good dog raised by King Li Linghan, and he barked in order to complain for his master.

But, now-

Ling Xiao looked at Zhang Jian and smiled slightly.

Now that your master is going to die again, what's the use of barking like this? Biting doesn't help!

Ling Xiao was in a happy mood, and when he looked at Zhang Jian, he also felt that it was more pleasing to the eye than usual.

I only heard Zhang Jian say loudly with full of anger: "...... This is no coincidence! Your Majesty, His Royal Highness King Li was killed less than 100 days ago and the plague broke out, it is clear that there is a grievance that has not yet been snowed, so that the heavens warn! Please thoroughly investigate the murder of His Royal Highness King Li of Luoyun Mountain! ”

It turned out that he was really talking about the dead man. Ling Xiao had just smoothed out, and after a while, his chest suddenly felt a little blocked.

Fortunately, someone in the DPRK and China has already stood up to oppose it, and the voice is very loud and pleasant: "Lord Zhang! The matter of His Royal Highness King Li, the whole world knows that it is because of the recurrence of old injuries, you have mentioned it in the court several times, what is the purpose? ”

"Lord Li!" Zhang Jian confronted, "The matter of His Royal Highness King Li is known to the whole world and there are many suspicions, what is your intention in preventing the lower officials from mentioning it several times?" ”

The two ministers glared at each other, as if they were about to fight.

Of course, it's not uncommon to fight, it's a common thing.

But it doesn't seem to have reached that point at this moment, because someone else has stepped forward: "Lord Zhang, you and I don't know what caused this plague, is it too arbitrary for you to insist that it is related to the death of King Li?" ”

"What Master Pan said is very true!" Someone immediately chimed in, "His Royal Highness King Li was killed three months ago, but the dispute between the true and false phoenixes is a recent matter, of course, the conjecture of 'demon in the world' is more reliable!" ”

"True or false phoenix? Evil in the world? Zhang Jian sneered, "The two daughters of the Ruan family are now over fourteen years old, even if one of them is a demon, they have been safe for fourteen years!" Why hasn't there been a plague outbreak in fourteen years, but something happened recently? ”

Master Pan was so angry that he blushed and his neck was thick: "Of course it's because of ......"

Zhang Jian didn't wait for him to finish speaking, but he shouted: "Of course, it's because the world of Southern Qi today is not suppressing evil, and villains are in charge!" ”

"Zhang Jian, who do you say is the villain!" Pan and Li shouted angrily in unison.

A few generals in the back have already begun to roll up their sleeves.

In the imperial history, Cheng Luan Wenguang glared at him and shouted: "No noise above the court!" ”

Ling Xiao shook it off with an eye knife: Old thing, why didn't you care just now!

Luan Zhongcheng was completely immune to this level of anger, and his eyebrows were still lowered and his face was expressionless.

After arguing for a long time, the emperor's mood became a little worse, and his face was gloomy: "Yangcheng is in great trouble, 200,000 people are on the line of life and death, is it time for you to quarrel and quarrel!" ”

"Your Majesty," Zhang Jian prostrated himself on the ground with a respectful expression, "It is for the sake of the 200,000 people in Yangcheng that this matter has to be investigated!" Otherwise, the symptoms will not be cured, even if His Royal Highness King Rui saves Yangcheng, there may not be a second Yangcheng! ”

"Yes, Your Majesty!" An official from Taichang Temple also stood up, "In case the Yangcheng plague is because it is guilty of the heavens, then it should be even more investigated!" Otherwise, I am afraid that not only will the people of Yangcheng be difficult to save, but even His Royal Highness King Rui, who was ordered to deal with this matter, may inadvertently go against the sky, so that he will be punished by heaven, Your Majesty! ”

The emperor stared at Ling Xiao.

Indeed, he can abandon the 200,000 people of Yangcheng, but he can't let his son take the risk of going against the sky!

Ling Xiao sensed his father's intentions, and hurriedly knelt down again: "Father, sons are not afraid!" For the sake of the 200,000 people in Yangcheng, what if the sons are against the sky! ”

"Your Majesty!" Zhang Jian fell on the ground and cried, "His Royal Highness King Rui is so benevolent, if he ascends the throne in the future, he will be a generation of masters, how can you be willing to risk his life!" Your Majesty! Nanqi has already lost one of the best princes, and he can't afford to lose a second one! ”

He cried so sincerely that many officials in the court and the central government had sour eyes when they heard it, and they simply knelt down and cried in unison: "Please Your Majesty cherish the people of Yangcheng and His Royal Highness King Rui, and order a thorough investigation of the murder of King Li!" ”

The civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty knelt down, which was the trend of the times. At a time when it is almost a national crisis, the emperor will certainly not get along with the courtiers for such an "inconsequential" matter.

And that's not a bad thing. The last time that Wang You made a fuss, didn't he already say that he would investigate the Luoyun Mountain case?

"Check!" The emperor made a decisive decree.

Ling Xiao didn't interject for a while, and when he woke up, the matter was already a foregone conclusion, and this scene suddenly made him a little dazed.

How did it end up on that dead man? Investigate the case of that dead man, why is it still for him? What a reason for this!

It took him a lot of effort to hold back from shouting the phrase "don't check".

Of course, this matter is not worth Ling Xiao's anger. Anyway, that person is going to die again, where is he afraid of a dead person?

Not to mention that there are no clues left in the matter of Luoyun Mountain after too long, even if there are flaws, even if those old things can get evidence, what can they do? When he saves Yangcheng, the great credit is on him, who dares to ask him for his sins for a dead man!

Thinking of this, Ling Xiao regained a bit of pride in his chest, and said a few words such as "I hope the imperial brother will blind as soon as possible", and rounded the occasion in front of him.

At this point, the early dynasty came to a successful end.

……

At the same time, the Shoukang Palace, where the Queen Mother lived, welcomed a long-lost guest.

The palace maids and eunuchs stepped forward to greet them, and their attitudes were still respectful and close: "Miss Ruan Er, you haven't been here for some days. ”

Ruan Biyun bowed her head and returned the salute, with a pale smile on her face, which made her look more pitiful.

As soon as she entered the door, the Queen Mother couldn't help frowning: "I haven't seen you for a few days, why did you lose weight like this?" ”

"Queen Mother!" Ruan Biyun knelt down with weak legs, and slowly climbed to the feet of the Queen Mother several feet away, tears spilled all the way.

The Queen Mother lowered her head and fiddled with a string of Buddhist beads in her hand, and her face turned cold: "What are you doing?" ”

"Queen Mother," Ruan Biyun hurriedly wiped a handful of tears and cried out: "Queen Mother, save my sister!" ”

"Your sister?" The Queen Mother was stunned for a moment, "Which sister are you?" ”

Ruan Biyun wiped her tears and straightened her waist and cried: "It's my sister!" Queen Mother, my sister she ...... She's dying! ”

"What's going on!" The Queen Mother's face changed, "Where are the people?" What happened? ”

Ruan Biyun cried breathlessly, and choked for a while before she cried: "Yangcheng! My sister is in Yangcheng! ”

The Queen Mother frowned, irritable and puzzled: "Why did you run to Yangcheng?" What are those bandits doing kidnapping her to Yangcheng? ”

Ruan Bijun only cried and couldn't answer for a long time.

At this time, Xiao Liangzi hurried back from outside, his face was pale and pale: "Queen Mother, news from the court: There is a plague in Yangcheng, and the city has been closed!" ”

"What?!" The Queen Mother stood up suddenly, and the cups, saucers, tea bowls, and snack boxes on the table knocked over the ground.

Xiao Liangzi was so frightened that he hurriedly knelt on the ground, and the Queen Mother was so angry that she wanted to kick him with her foot: "What are you kneeling on!" Let's find out what's going on! ”

"That's what the adults in the court said," Xiao Liangzi lay on the ground and didn't dare to raise his head, "It was said that it happened the day before yesterday, but fortunately, His Royal Highness King Rui reacted in time, and yesterday he transferred the garrison of Sheng Gongshan to seal the city......

After a few words, the Empress Dowager had calmed down, patted her chest and said, "Plague! The plague is fine, don't be afraid, the hospital has a prescription! ”

"No, Queen Mother!" Xiao Liangzi finally cried, "It's not an ordinary plague, it's the kind of rotten sores from sixteen years ago!" ”

The Queen Mother's face froze suddenly, her eyes looked straight ahead, and she fell down suddenly.

Fortunately, Aunt Lian reacted quickly and rushed forward to resist her shoulder, which avoided the possibility of falling and hurting herself.

Several palace maids hurriedly carried the Queen Mother to the Luohan bed, pinched the person and patted the chest, and after a long time of being busy, they saw the Queen Mother breathe out and cry.

The female eunuchs of the palace hurriedly held back tears and stepped forward to persuade each other.

The Queen Mother grabbed Ruan Biyun's hand and cried: "Why is there a plague again?" Didn't you say it had been cleaned up at that time! ”

No one could answer this question, so there was a cry in Shoukang Palace for a while.

The Queen Mother couldn't lie down, sat up and forced Xiao Liangzi to tell the court in detail, and then cried: "Why is the life of the mourning family so bitter!" ”

The palace maids became more and more afraid to persuade, but Ruan Biyun comforted softly: "Don't worry, the Queen Mother, this plague is different from the one more than ten years ago." This time, we sealed the city in time, and the plague could not reach the outside, and the worst result was just to abandon Yang City. ”

That's not a good thing to say. But the palace maids were worried that they would cry the Queen Mother, so they hurriedly followed the words: "Miss Ruan Er is right! Queen Mother, Yangcheng has been sealed, His Royal Highness King Rui has arranged it properly, and the plague will not spread to Shangjing! ”

After some panicked crying and persuasion, the Queen Mother was a little relieved, and then she realized that her wrist holding Ruan Biyun was about to be pinched and swollen, and she hurriedly called someone to give her ice, and the atmosphere in the hall finally eased.

Ruan Biyun squeezed away the little palace maid beside her, carefully helped the Queen Mother to lie back down, and said with a tearful smile: "Our Southern Qi is blessed, of course the Queen Mother and the emperor are even more blessed, this plague is nothing, maybe in a day or two, the Tai Hospital will be able to come up with a prescription for treatment." At that time, the people of the world will once again be convinced that the Ling Dynasty is the destiny of heaven, and no matter how many demons are involved, they will not be able to change it. ”

"Evil is a haunt." The Queen Mother accurately grasped a key point in her words.

Ruan Biyun was suddenly flustered, and hurriedly knelt down to plead guilty: "The Queen Mother forgives her sins, Yun'er lost her words!" The world of Southern Qi is peaceful, and there is no demon ......"

The Queen Mother snorted in a low voice and did not comment, but after a while, she asked in a deep voice: "You just said, where is your sister?" ”

Ruan Biyun's tears suddenly fell again: "I heard the housekeeper in the house say yesterday that someone seems to have seen her in Yangcheng!" Queen Mother, can you save your sister? There is a plague in Yangcheng, and my sister is trapped in the city, isn't it certain that she will die! ”

The Queen Mother pushed away the little palace maid who rubbed her sideburns, closed her eyes and asked in a deep voice: "Didn't you say before that Yangcheng has been surrounded by troops sent by King Rui, and it is like an iron bucket?" ”

"Yes, so I asked the Queen Mother to help!" Ruan Bijun cried.

The Queen Mother sneered: "There is a plague in Yangcheng, how do you tell me to save her life?" Let her out of the city and let her bring the plague out? ”

Ruan Biyun knelt in a daze for a long time, whimpered and cried again: "Yun'er is wrong, Queen Mother, it's Yun'er who is wrong!" It's just, sister, she ......"

"Don't cry!" The Queen Mother said impatiently, "Go back to the house and stay in peace, don't walk around during this time, lest you cause any trouble!" ”

Ruan Biyun, who never caused trouble, knew that the Queen Mother was angry with her, and immediately fell to the ground crying.

A few little palace maids next to her hurriedly stepped forward to help her up, so that they would send her out of the palace, but Ruan Biyun only refused, and fell on the ground and cried so much that she almost lost her breath.

In the end, the minions of Shoukang Palace were still unable to resist, and they were coaxed and persuaded to get into the carriage out of the palace.

As soon as the car door closed, Ruan Biyun's face was full of tears, and the smile was slowly blooming at the corner of her mouth.

In the distance, it seems that the Queen Mother can still be heard thoughtfully: "Demon ......"

Luan Yin also smiled, lowered her voice and said, "Now, Miss can sit back and relax!" ”

Ruan Biyun slowly wiped the tears on her face with a handkerchief, and her expression had regained her calm: "Don't say such things." My sister died, which is a sad thing anyway. ”

Luan Yin hurriedly smiled, and said "yes" solemnly. The master and servant looked at each other, and then laughed at the same time.

……

At this time, in the Shoukang Palace, the Queen Mother had already sat up and looked at the window lattice with an indifferent expression: "Yun'er got in the car, right?" ”

Xiao Liangzi happened to enter the door, and hurriedly replied: "I've already gotten in the car, and I'm still crying a lot." ”

"Crying?" The Queen Mother sneered lowly, "Do you believe her?" ”

Xiao Liangzi lowered his head and did not dare to answer. The Queen Mother slowly turned the Buddhist beads in her hand and fell silent again.

A little palace maid next to her felt that the atmosphere was too depressing, so she cautiously persuaded: "The Queen Mother doesn't have to worry too much, if that Miss Ruan is really a demon, she can also die thoroughly if she catches up with the plague this time." ”

The Queen Mother raised her head and looked at her expressionlessly.

The little palace maid's face turned pale immediately, and she knelt down.

The Queen Mother no longer paid attention to her, nor did she tell how to punish her, but just turned the Buddha beads as usual, as if time had stood still.

So the palace maids in the palace became more and more cautious, and they didn't even dare to make a sound when they added tea and sent fruits.

It was so quiet until the sun was dusk, and the Queen Mother finally raised her head again and looked at Xiao Liangzi: "Ask the people outside to inquire about Yangcheng, especially about Ruan Qingzhi." That girl is restless, if she is really in Yangcheng, it is impossible for her to be without movement. ”

Xiao Liangzi hurriedly said: "Someone has been sent." The closure of Yangcheng was yesterday morning, and now I am afraid that there are still merchants on the way. The Queen Mother and relax, there will be news early tomorrow morning. ”

"Tomorrow morning." The Queen Mother subconsciously clenched the Buddha beads and turned them twice, "I don't know how many people in Yangcheng can still hold out until tomorrow morning." ”