Could these two people be spies from the Xiliang army?
After whispering among themselves, their faces changed drastically. They drew their swords and rushed forward, crossing the thick horizontal bar. Over a dozen swords pointed at Yun Xiao and Wan Wan.
The leader said in a deep voice, "Speak, who are you? Are you spies from the Xiliang army?"
As soon as his words fell, the dozen or so civilians standing beside him scattered far away. Their eyes were filled with hatred, glaring fiercely at them as if they were mortal enemies.
It seemed these people deeply hated the Xiliang army.
Yun Xiao raised her head. Before she could reply, Liu Xing and Jing Yun leaped to the side of those dozen people, ready to act. Yun Xiao quickly called out, "You two, retreat."
"Yes, Master."
The two stepped back but did not move far. If these people dared to harm their master in the slightest, none of them would have an easy time.
This time, the civilians became even more certain that these people were spies from the Xiliang army. Someone shouted.
"Catch them, beat them to death."
"Beat them to death."
Yun Xiao chuckled. These civilians were truly endearing and simple. She raised her eyebrows, cupped her fists, and spoke lightly.
"Everyone, you've misunderstood. I am a doctor, and a relative of Prince Yun. Because Fengya Pass is suffering from a plague, and I was once indebted to Prince Yun, I immediately came to repay his kindness upon hearing of his difficulties. A drop of kindness should be repaid with a gushing spring, don't you agree?"
"This?"
Everyone was surprised. This person was actually a doctor. Fengya Pass was desperately short of doctors, as too many people had been infected by the plague, and there weren't enough medical personnel. Many soldiers had even been deployed to assist.
The dozen or so civilians who had been shouting fiercely looked at the officials in disbelief after hearing that the person was a doctor. They were unsure if this was true and found it difficult to discern.
However, hearing that he was a relative of Prince Yun made them quite happy. Ever since Prince Yun led his troops to Fengya Pass, he had ordered all soldiers not to disturb the civilians or behave unscrupulously.
But who could be sure he was a doctor?
The leading official looked hesitant, scrutinizing them repeatedly, still unable to be certain. At this critical juncture, extreme caution was necessary.
Many people had already died, and the city was vulnerable. If spies were allowed inside to collude with the Xiliang army outside, they would surely perish.
Yun Xiao knew they were being careful, and their caution was not without reason. She turned and ordered Liu Xing, who was by her side.
"Go fetch the medicine chest."
"Yes," Liu Xing took the order and darted back to the carriage. He brought the medicine chest and opened it in front of the officials. Everyone took a look; it indeed contained everything—a medicine stove, silver needles, and bottled pills. But soon, someone found a problem.
"Sir, look, this medicine chest is so new. If he's a doctor, why would he use a newly purchased medicine chest? Shouldn't it be used over many years?"
These people were truly meticulous. They were not simple at all. Yun Xiao smiled and said.
"How about this? You send a few people to accompany us to see the Prince. If we are not his relatives, the Prince can personally punish us."
"The Prince?"
The leading man looked perplexed, as if troubled. Finally, he looked up alertly, staring intently at Yun Xiao.
Although his expression changed in an instant, Yun Xiao had already sensed it. Her face changed drastically, and her heart felt heavy.
Could it be that Father had also contracted the plague? She wished she could see her father and brother immediately, but what about these people?
Yun Xiao reached out and took off the jade pendant from her waist. It seemed that without showing them something, they wouldn't be allowed to pass.
Originally, she didn't want to reveal these items because the Empress Dowager's people and the Emperor's people were present. She couldn't be sure which faction these people belonged to. Rashly producing tokens would only lead to unnecessary trouble, but she couldn't afford to worry about that now.
"This?"
Yun Xiao handed the jade pendant to the leader. This jade pendant was still a token of Prince Yun's manor. Although he had never seen it before, he recognized its preciousness at a glance. Below the phoenix pattern, three words were clearly imprinted: Prince Yun's Manor.
The leader took one look and immediately waved his hand respectfully. The dozen people withdrew with a whoosh.
Yun Xiao breathed a sigh of relief. In fact, on the other side of the jade pendant were two grand characters, Yun Xiao. She had only let this person see the back and not the front. It seemed that even with meticulous planning, there was a loophole. This person was indeed protected by Prince Yun's Manor.
"Take us to see Prince Yun."
Yun Xiao said in a deep voice, her face covered with a layer of frost. The leader waved his hand and ordered his subordinates.
"You two, immediately escort this young gentleman to the west of the city."
"Yes," with a whoosh, everyone withdrew. Over a dozen soldiers worked together to remove the central crossbar.
Liu Xing and Jing Yun brought the carriage. Yun Xiao and Wan Wan got into the carriage, while the two young soldiers assigned to escort them to the west of the city waved towards the high city walls.
Immediately, someone opened the city gate, and the carriage passed through smoothly. The two soldiers mounted their horses and led the way.
Outside the city walls, those dozen or so civilians finally came to their senses. Seeing others enter the city while they remained outside, they started shouting again.
"We want to go in."
"My wife and children are inside, please let me in."
Their cries were sorrowful. Yun Xiao had no time to attend to them, her heart heavy, her face devoid of any smile. Wan Wan, not knowing what had happened, quickly asked.
"Master, what's wrong?"
"I'm afraid for Father?" she said, her voice already trembling, unable to speak further. But Wan Wan understood her meaning, her eyes widened, and after a long while, she said, "Master, don't scare yourself. How could it be? We haven't even seen the Prince yet. Please don't distress yourself."
"It's alright, I can manage."
Yun Xiao nodded. Now was the time for her to use her medical skills. How could she fall? She had to find out what was going on.
Wan Wan lifted the curtain and saw that the streets were deathly quiet and desolate. Black smoke occasionally drifted through the air, carrying a nauseating smell of burning bodies.
It seemed that many people had died, and someone had followed the procedures for handling plague victims. Once someone died, they were immediately cremated and the area cleared to reduce unnecessary contagion.
Yun Xiao narrowed her eyes. She felt there was something hidden here, but she couldn't quite figure out what it was for the moment.
The carriage drove west, and they did not lower the curtains.
Looking along the way, there was not a single person in sight.
Various goods were scattered everywhere, shop doors were wide open, some damaged items were thrown about, and signs of all kinds swayed in the wind, conveying endless desolation.
In the distance, they could still see unextinguished fires, with black smoke rising intermittently, making crackling sounds as if burning bean stalks, their cries sorrowful and heavy.
To the west of the city, by the lake embankment, a large expanse of open grassland was now covered with countless tents, which, from a distance, looked like small hills.
From atop the hills, sounds of crying, laughing, and shouting occasionally arose, intermingling.
Faced with death, people expressed their emotions differently. Few could face it with equanimity.