Chapter 223: Chapter 222 Discontent Among the PeopleSang Yan, seeing the three people’s reaction, spoke out, "Imperial Doctor Liu, Imperial Doctor Liang, Mr. Pei, there’s no need to be anxious. The Empress and the Emperor are only going to observe the situation around the perimeter of the State Mansion. I won’t let the Emperor get too close. Rest assured."
She too was worried about this menacing disease, which could be some extremely dangerous contagion.
Nor would she stand by and watch He Ying risk danger.
When Pei Muyang and the others heard Sang Yan say this, the three exchanged glances and quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
The Empress herself had said so; surely, the Emperor would listen.
They tacitly stood up, clearing a path.
He Ying also knew that the three of them were thinking of his and Da He’s welfare, so without taking offense, he took Sang Yan’s hand and quickly headed toward the gates of the State Mansion.
From a distance, the tightly shut gates were visible.
Behind them stood more than a dozen tall government soldiers, with swords at their waists.
The display was as if some flood or fierce beast lay beyond the gates.
Before Sang Yan and He Ying even drew near, they heard the commotion from outside:
"Mr. Gao has led people to raid the He Family’s pharmacy! Now, there’s a desperate shortage of herbs outside! Surely there are plenty inside the State Mansion—why won’t you save us? Why are you blocking us?"
"Yes! Lord State Official, please bring out the herbs and save us!"
"I heard the Emperor is inside the State Mansion, Your Majesty save us! Emperor, save our lives!"
"You dog officials, you just stand by and watch us die!"
...
Cries of grief and pleas for help mingled with the resentful roars of discontent, creating a nuisance for the ears.
Listening, Sang Yan felt the situation outside the State Mansion was even more severe than she had anticipated: a sudden strange disease, a shortage of herbs, common folk causing trouble at the doors of the State Mansion—even knowing the Emperor was inside. What were they trying to do? If they were all ordinary citizens, would they dare to come here?
"Greetings to the Emperor and the Empress—"
The soldiers guarding behind the gate knelt down and paid their respects upon seeing them approach.
He Ying had them stand and said, "Open part of the gate. I want to assess the situation."
"Yes."
The government soldiers did not dare to delay and discreetly opened a side gate, at the same time, whispering a warning, "Your Majesty, Mr. Gao said that the nature of this strange disease is unclear and it might be contagious. If Your Majesty must come, please keep your distance."
He Ying nodded, looking out through the gate that had been opened—
Rows of government soldiers formed a human wall, blocking the entrance to the State Mansion.
Clad in uniform black attire with white cloth over their faces, they held back the crowd while shouting, "Don’t push! No pushing! Mr. Gao has already gone to investigate thoroughly! There are herbs! There are doctors! Trust that Mr. Gao will soon provide everyone an answer!"
"We can’t wait! Our children at home are dying!"
"When will there be herbs! We can’t buy herbs! Save us!"
"Yes, army sirs, all the herbs in Quanzhou City are sold out now. We common people can’t buy them. Please, have mercy and quickly distribute some herbs to us!"
...
The citizens struggled, trying to break past the soldiers and enter the State Mansion for herbs.
Their ragged clothes identified them as the poor, who had forgotten all notions of social hierarchy in their quest for survival.
A frustrated soldier threatened, "Stop shouting! Keep calm! The Emperor and the Empress are still sleeping—if you wake the noble ones, you shall pay with your lives!"
This misfit remark quickly ignited the crowd’s anger:
"We are dying and the Emperor and Empress are still in deep slumber!"
"Haha, they truly are our ’beloved’ Emperor and Empress!"
"We want to see the Emperor!"
...
Hatred began to surface among the commoners.
At that moment, the voice of a middle-aged man rose from the crowd, "Why did you have to kill Miracle Doctor He? Miracle Doctor He was a good person! If she were here, we wouldn’t be left unattended!"
His words incited more restlessness.
While the He Zhongwen family’s rebellion was unforgivable, He Hongzhao was well-known for saving many lives.
Now that the State Mansion was refusing to treat their illnesses and had killed He Hongzhao, it seemed like they were being abandoned!
"An ignorant ruler killed a good person!"
"A tyrant who kills the innocent!"
"Poor Miracle Doctor He died a wrongful death!"
...
That middle-aged man was stirring the emotions of the crowd and throwing mud on He Ying.
Sang Yan had long suspected a conspiracy upon hearing this, "This strange disease must be the work of He Hongzhao! Not only does she want to bring disaster upon Quanzhou, but she also wants to tarnish your reputation!"
He Ying had the same thought. He immediately turned to the government soldiers beside him, "Find the person who just spoke and bring him in!"
He must find out He Hongzhao’s whereabouts and skin her alive!
Such audacity!
To show loyalty to Qi Wuya, she dared to target the people of Da He!
"Yes!"
The sword-bearing government soldier nodded to take the order and turned to look for the man who had deliberately incited the conflict.
"Wait—"
Sang Yan stopped the government soldier and shook her head at He Ying, "You must not. Right now, the public anger is immense. If you go and arrest people at this time, it will only make the people even angrier. The immediate priority is to treat the sick."
The majority of the people are often senseless, without their own opinions or thoughts, and easily manipulated by others.
Especially under the current special circumstances.
She heard the cries of many children in those voices. Sёarch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
Imperial Doctor Liu and Imperial Doctor Liang had already gone to diagnose the villagers’ illnesses.
She could see the grave expressions on their faces—their condition was probably more severe than imagined. At this moment, to prioritize calming the public rather than holding them accountable, those in the know understood that someone deliberately stirred up trouble. Those unaware just thought He Ying was indifferent to the people, a cruel ruler.
Such a ruthless move!
The government soldier, stopped by Sang Yan, stood there in confusion, his face a mix of difficulty and doubt as he looked at the Emperor, wondering: to arrest or not to arrest?
Thanks to her reminder, He Ying also came back to his senses—he had acted impulsively.
Thinking about how easily he had been provoked by that person outside, his expression grew even darker.
"Forget it. Just keep an eye on that person and find a suitable opportunity to bring him to me."
After instructing the government soldier, he then looked to Pei Muyang, "I will go to the study first. Have Imperial Doctor Liu and Imperial Doctor Liang finish up and come see me. Also, immediately summon Gao Wenliang, Sun Fengyuan, and Yan Si to meet me."
Sun Fengyuan was the registrar of Quanzhou and served as Gao Wenliang’s assistant.
Yan Si was the captain of the Dark Guard Team that followed.
"Yes."
Pei Muyang bowed in acknowledgment, then watched as the Emperor left in a huff.
He sighed in relief, "Fortunately, her Ladyship is here, otherwise the Emperor would certainly have gone out. It’s too dangerous outside."
Although the common people outside were pitiable, they certainly were not as important as the Emperor’s well-being.
He believed Sang Yan thought the same.
But Sang Yan did not show the slightest sign of ease, "The Emperor worries for his people. If you wish the Emperor to take good care of his royal body, it would be better to think of how to relieve the Emperor of his worries first."
Even though He Ying was furious with He Hongzhao, deep down, he was also concerned about the people.
"Ah Yan—"
The person who had left in anger took a few steps and then started looking back.
Sang Yan smiled indulgently, "Here I am. Coming."
As Pei Muyang watched Sang Yan’s departing figure, he felt someone’s gaze on him and turned around, only to meet Liang Xin’s eyes.
Clearly, Liang Xin had also heard what Sang Yan had just said.
Both saw a hint of shame in each other’s eyes.
The Empress was reprimanding them.
Besides feeling ashamed, both were deeply moved: women in the deep palace always sought to please the Emperor, but their Empress, amidst the Emperor’s rage, dared to stand up and stop him.
Thinking so made Liang Xin blush even more, and he could not help but chide Mr. Pei, "Mr. Pei, her Ladyship has only been with the Emperor for such a short time, and you’ve been with the Emperor for so many years, how come you didn’t dare to give any advice just now?"
He would never admit that it was only he who lacked the courage to oppose the Emperor.
"No, no, Imperial Doctor Liang, this—"
Pei Muyang, feeling belittled by Liang Xin, couldn’t save face and retorted irritably, "Can I compare to the Empress? She is the darling of the Emperor’s heart."
Liang Xin teased him, "Then you’ve been following the Emperor in vain all these years."
Pei Muyang: "..."
Indeed in vain.
His heart was bitter!
But he would not concede, "How can I be the same as her Ladyship? Enough, don’t say anything else. The Emperor has given me tasks to do. I need to quickly find Gao Wenliang."
Pei Muyang didn’t want to argue with Liang Xin anymore and hurried off to find Gao Wenliang.
This time, Gao Wenliang really had a big problem on his hands.