Chapter 31: Volunteering for the Task

Chapter 31: Volunteering for a Mission

After a heavy downpour, the sultry afternoon of summer grew even more oppressive. Zhu Yunxuan, engrossed in reading, couldn't help but frown at the faint sounds of laughter and merriment coming from outside.

Gao An glanced out the window and whispered, "A few palace maids are flying kites across the lake. If they're disturbing Your Majesty, I'll send someone to ask them to leave."

Zhu Yunxuan remained silent, putting down his book and strolling over to the window. He gazed into the distance. The sky, after the rain, was adorned with a magnificent rainbow stretching across the horizon. On the other side of the lake, a group of seven or eight young palace maids were chasing a kite soaring towards the heavens, laughing and playing carefree.

Zhu Yunxuan narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze transfixed on the kite swaying in the wind beneath the rainbow. Its vibrant colors reflected in his irises, sinking deep into their depths.

"Your Majesty..."

Gao An called softly, causing Zhu Yunxuan's eyelashes to flutter slightly as he exhaled gently.

Perhaps he was that very kite held tightly in Liang Zhen's grasp. Though he soared high above others, always bound by a single thread, unable to escape the palm of that one person.

But as the thread strained tighter and tighter, it would inevitably snap one day.

When Liang Zhen entered, Zhu Yunxuan was still standing by the window in a daze. Liang Zhen paused behind him, a smile tugging at his lips. "Why is Your Majesty in such a leisurely mood today, admiring the scenery?"

Zhu Yunxuan retracted his gaze and spoke calmly, "Just looking around casually."

"What is there to see here? Why not take advantage of this rare clear weather after the rain and go for a stroll outside?"

Zhu Yunxuan's lips curved slightly, but he didn't say anything. Liang Zhen took this as an agreement and accompanied him outside.

In the month he had spent in this detached palace, Zhu Yunxuan had never ventured out to explore. In the past, when Zhu Yunjing was still around, every summer they would come here, and those were the most carefree days of his life. He often skipped classes to wander through the gardens, fish by the lake, pick lotus pods, and then visit his elder brother to beg for a drink. Back then, he naively believed that he could spend his entire life living those blissful days.

As they walked onto the stone arched bridge in the middle of the lake, Liang Zhen saw Zhu Yunxuan standing by the bridge, slightly lost in thought, and asked with a smile, "What is the emperor pondering?"

Zhu Yunxuan didn't respond. The palace right in front of the bridge, overlooking the lake, was once where his elder brother used to reside. Now, looking at it again, it felt somewhat unfamiliar.

Suddenly, Liang Zhen grasped his hand. Zhu Yunxuan frowned and instinctively tried to pull away, but Liang Zhen stuffed a handful of freshly peeled lotus seeds into his palm. "They're sweet."

Zhu Yunxuan lowered his gaze, staring at the pale pink lotus seeds in his hand. He spoke softly, "Aren't these less delicious than those from Prince Zhao's manor?"

A smile tugged at Liang Zhen's lips. Although Zhu Yunxuan didn't appreciate his gestures, he remembered every word Liang Zhen had said.

"If Your Majesty wishes to taste the ones from my manor, I'll have more sent over tomorrow and prepare a refreshing porridge to stimulate Your Majesty's appetite."

Zhu Yunxuan made no comment and casually tossed a lotus seed into his mouth. It was crispy with a subtle sweet fragrance. After chewing it twice, he swallowed, but found it tasteless.

After walking a short distance, Zhu Yunxuan felt a slight discomfort in his stomach. He didn't mention it, but Liang Zhen seemed to have noticed and led him to a pavilion in the middle of the lake. "Let's take a break."

Zhu Yunxuan sat down, only to feel a spasm in his calf muscle, causing him to furrow his brows. He gritted his teeth instinctively. Liang Zhen bent down and held his leg. "Is this area bothering you?"

Zhu Yunxuan remained silent, while Liang Zhen began massaging his leg with a moderate touch, just right to alleviate some of his pain. Looking at him with a cold expression, Zhu Yunxuan said, "You don't need to do this."

"I am willing," Liang Zhen replied with a faint smile. "I am willing to do anything for Your Majesty."

Zhu Yunxuan remained unmoved. Liang Zhen's attempts to show humility were not what he wanted. The more Liang Zhen did this, the more vigilant Zhu Yunxuan became, always on guard for when Liang Zhen might suddenly change his demeanor and cause more unbearable suffering.

"Your Majesty, if there is any discomfort, you must speak up. Even if you don't wish for me to know, you must inform the imperial physicians. You can't always endure like this. As the emperor, your health is paramount, and you must never be careless."

Liang Zhen's voice was gentle, a rare occurrence. Zhu Yunxuan felt even more uneasy. "Who... has brought me to this state?"

The amusement in Liang Zhen's eyes deepened, and he exerted more pressure on his hand, giving a firm squeeze. Hearing Zhu Yunxuan's involuntary intake of breath, the curve of Liang Zhen's lips widened. Without waiting for a response, he hooked his shoulder and knee, lifting Zhu Yunxuan up.

Zhu Yunxuan's face hardened. Before he could say anything, Liang Zhen spoke first. "Your Majesty seems tired. Let's return for some rest."

Zhu Yunxuan spoke coldly, "Put me down, I can walk on my own."

Liang Zhen carried him back with long strides. "Why insist, Your Majesty? Ministers cannot approach without prior notice. No one will see us."

Of course, Zhu Yunxuan was aware of what Liang Zhen meant. Rumors about their ambiguous relationship were rampant, and he had sternly dealt with the Marquis of Anle's household to quell some of them. Now, their connection seemed even more perplexing in the eyes of the courtiers, who were speculating wildly. Despite enduring the awkwardness when facing Liang Zhen, Zhu Yunxuan was determined not to give others more ammunition for gossip.

"Put me down," Zhu Yunxuan repeated.

Liang Zhen lowered his head, gently brushing his lips against Zhu Yunxuan's temple. Only after entering the sleeping chamber did he place him gently on the bed.

"Are you feeling better now?" Liang Zhen took hold of Zhu Yunxuan's leg and massaged it soothingly.

The aching discomfort finally subsided, and Zhu Yunxuan coughed softly. "It's alright now."

Liang Zhen smiled, twinkling his eyes, but before he could say more, an eunuch entered with news. Several cabinet ministers had arrived and were waiting in the main hall, with urgent matters to report.

Liang Zhen raised an eyebrow and helped Zhu Yunxuan to his feet.

The cabinet's discussion was still centered around the epidemic in Yu State. The royal physician had been in Yu State for half a month. One of the four who went, an elderly man, had contracted the disease upon arrival and tragically couldn't be saved. That morning, news came that the imperial envoy sent earlier had also fallen ill.

Yuzhou is now in complete chaos, with the plague spreading to neighboring prefectures and counties. The number of infected has surpassed thirty thousand, and each day sees a thousand plague victims succumbing to their illness. To make matters worse, this summer seems unusually scorching and prolonged. Even as autumn approaches, the heat shows no sign of abating, making it difficult for the plague to die out on its own. As more fall ill, fear grips the hearts of people elsewhere, prompting them to expel flood-displaced migrants. If this continues, it could spell disaster – not only will the plague persist, but social unrest may erupt.

"Though the court physicians' remedies can prolong life, they cannot cure the disease. Those infected may fall ill and perish within two or three days, or at most ten to fifteen. So far, over fifteen thousand have perished. I implore Your Majesty to send more personnel promptly to handle the aftermath!" Zeng Huai's eyes reddened with urgency. This was the first such devastating plague he had encountered in his lifetime, and he cursed his old age, rendering him powerless to act.

Zhu Yunxuan slumped into his chair, panic-stricken. If even the court physicians were helpless, what could they do?

"...I'll dispatch more physicians, all except those needed to attend to the palace. With so many, surely they can find a solution... Order the Ministry of Revenue to allocate more silver, and for a special envoy, I'll choose a suitable person to depart immediately. Furthermore, instruct the Governor of Yuzhou to provide daily reports on the plague situation, and..."

"Your Majesty!" Liang Zhen interrupted suddenly. "There's no need to send others. I'll go."

Zhu Yunxuan froze, his pupils constricting as he stared in astonishment. "You're going to Yuzhou?"

"Yes, I request to go to Yuzhou as a special envoy. I hope Your Majesty grants me permission."

Zeng Huai's voice rose sharply, his tone wary. "What does Prince Zhao intend to do in Yuzhou?!"

Liang Zhen shot him a cold glance. "If someone must be sent, why can't it be me? If there are tasks Your Majesty cannot undertake, I'll take them on. I've always been reckless and disrespectful, acting on my own accord without regard for authority. Any consequences will be mine alone to bear, unrelated to Your Majesty."

"What exactly do you plan to do?!"

"I'm not doing anything significant; I'm merely relieving His Majesty of his worries," Liang Zhen's unwavering dark eyes met Zeng Huai's. "Or does Lord Zeng have a better proposal to alleviate His Majesty's pressing concerns?"

Zeng Huai opened his mouth but ultimately chose not to continue. He had countless moral principles to condemn Liang Zhen with, but he knew that no amount of scolding would resolve the situation in Yu Zhou.

If someone had to do it, it was better for it to be Prince Zhao than the emperor himself.

Zhu Yunxuan studied Liang Zhen intently without revealing his thoughts, dismissing the others from the hall.

With only the two of them left, Zhu Yunxuan spoke in a solemn voice, "What do you plan on doing?"

"I'll figure it out when I get there," Liang Zhen replied calmly. "I need to see the situation for myself before I can determine the best course of action."

"… Aren't you afraid of death?"

Liang Zhen chuckled softly. "Is His Majesty worried about me? If I were to contract the plague and never return, wouldn't that align with His Majesty's wishes?"

Zhu Yunxuan's gaze darkened. "You're truly determined to go?"

"Yes," Liang Zhen's smile faded, his expression turning serious. "But I hope His Majesty will permit me to act first and seek forgiveness later, as well as allow me to mobilize the military forces in Yu Zhou."

"Yuzhou's troops?"

"Does Your Majesty trust this minister?" Liang Zhen suddenly asked in return.

Of course, Zhu Yunxuan didn't trust him, but at the moment, he truly didn't know whom else to send besides Liang Zhen. Faced with the situation, he looked around and found that only Liang Zhen was available.

After a long silence, Zhu Yunxuan nodded. "Very well, I'll give you a secret edict."

Liang Zhen tucked the secret edict into his sleeve, appearing even more relaxed. He took a step forward, smiled, and drawled as he approached Zhu Yunxuan, "Your Majesty, if this minister were to really die in Yuzhou, would you grieve?"

Zhu Yunxuan stared coldly at the smiling face inches away from him. "...It's your own life. Why should it concern me?"

"Perhaps this minister won't come back. Can't Your Majesty say something nice to me before I go?"

Zhu Yunxuan averted his gaze. "You may leave. Go pack and set off immediately."

Liang Zhen answered with a smile. "This minister obeys."