mtlumby2d Chapter 199 Plague?
Chapter 199 Plague?
The crowd was gradually left behind, but Liu Qing's heart was filled with uneasiness.
Why did so many refugees suddenly appear near the capital at this moment?
Moreover, the number of these people is truly astonishing. Looking at their appearance, they are clearly heading towards the capital.
The carriage moved slowly forward in the rain, and the wheels made a dull sound as they rolled over the muddy road.
Liu Qing's thoughts were tangled like a tangled mess. He was full of worry, and was really afraid that these refugees would bring unpredictable troubles.
The capital city is the seat of the emperor. Normally, it should be orderly and peaceful.
But now, there are so many displaced people, which is definitely not a good sign.
The emergence of refugees is often due to natural disasters or man-made disasters.
But the weather has just turned slightly colder recently. Logically, there should not be such a large-scale migration phenomenon.
So why did these people suddenly appear?
A terrible thought flashed through Liu Qing's mind - plague.
As soon as this thought came to his mind, his heart suddenly skipped a beat, but he didn't dare to think about it any further, for fear that the terrible guess would become a reality.
Inside the car, Mother Xu and Cui Xi noticed Liu Qing's uneasiness.
Mother Xu asked softly,
"Liu Qing, what's going on with these people? Why are there so many refugees?"
Liu Qing frowned and responded solemnly,
"Mother Xu, I don't know either. But judging from their appearance, they must have escaped from a disaster-stricken area. I just don't know the specific circumstances."
Cui Xi's face was full of worry and her eyes were full of fear. She said,
"Will they have an impact on the capital? With so many people, what if something goes wrong?"
Liu Qing was silent for a moment, with a lot of thoughts in his mind. He slowly said,
"It's hard to say now. But we must rush to the capital as soon as possible and inform Madam of the situation."
It was a rainy day and the road was muddy. The carriage moved slower and slower, as if every step forward required a huge amount of effort.
As the carriage continued to move forward, the rain gradually subsided, and the dark clouds in the sky began to dissipate, revealing a faint ray of sunlight.
But Liu Qing's worries did not diminish at all. The heavy worry was like a huge rock pressing on his heart.
In the Liu Mansion in the capital, Ye Xiaoxiao paced around the room. Her steps were hurried and flustered, and the uneasiness in her heart became more and more intense.
"Mom, I always feel like something bad is going to happen."
Ye Xiaoxiao's heart was beating so fast that it seemed like it was about to jump out of her chest.
Liu Yunniang was also worried, but she still tried her best to comfort her daughter.
"Xiaoxiao, don't worry too much. Liu Qing is always cautious in doing things, they will be fine. Maybe what mother said before affected you, don't be afraid, it will be fine."
The servants guarding outside the city and at the dock reported back that they had not seen many people entering Beijing.
The mother and daughter felt uneasy, but they could only wait silently. The waiting process was like a long torture.
The next evening, the afterglow of the setting sun sprinkled on the earth, giving the outskirts of the capital a faint golden hue.
Liu Qing and his companions' carriage finally arrived at the outskirts of the capital.
As soon as the servants of the Liu Mansion saw Liu Qing, they immediately came forward, their faces full of anxiety and anticipation.
Upon hearing that Mother Xu in the carriage seemed to be ill, he hurriedly asked a servant to go back home to report.
The capital city was still as prosperous as usual, with busy streets and numerous shops, and no one was aware that refugees from outside the city were about to arrive.
Maybe Mother Xu caught a cold yesterday. She has been coughing this morning, and the coughing seems to be draining her body.
Cui Xi also started coughing. Her face was pale and her eyes were full of fear.
Liu Qing felt uneasy. If he had not met those refugees, he would have thought it was just a normal cold.
But now, he was really in a dilemma and didn't know what to do.
He thought for a moment and then said,
"You should go back to the mansion first and report to Madam that Madam Xu is not feeling well. She may have caught a cold and should not be in contact with Madam. Ask Madam to arrange a quiet courtyard for her and ask the doctor to treat her first."
The servants nodded quickly, turned around and ran back to the mansion.
Liu Qing looked at the servants going away and finally felt relieved, but he didn't know whether his wife could understand what he meant.
The situation is unclear now, and he dares not speak too bluntly, for fear that it will be spread by these people and cause panic among the people.
Mother Xu is old and has experienced a lot.
Hearing Liu Qing's words outside the carriage and thinking of the refugees yesterday, he was shocked.
"Liu Qing, are you doubting that my cold is not an ordinary disease? You mean..."
Mother Xu hesitated to speak, her eyes full of fear, as if she had already guessed the horrible outcome.
Could this really be that terrible plague?
Liu Qing looked solemn and spoke in a low voice.
"Mother Xu, this is just a guess, we can't be sure. But we have to be on guard. After all, we encountered those refugees yesterday, and the situation was too strange. If it was just a common cold, it would be fine, but what if..."
Mother Xu trembled slightly, her eyes full of worry. "What should we do? If we really get the plague, it will be troublesome."
Cui Xi was also frightened and her face turned pale. She held Xu's mother's hand tightly, as if she could find a sense of security in this way.
"Brother Liu Qing, what should we do now?"
Liu Qing pondered for a moment and said,
"Don't panic yet. Wait for Madam to arrange for the courtyard and the doctor, and see what the doctor says. During this period, we should try not to contact other people, so as not to infect others if there is really a problem."
The carriage continued to move slowly towards the Liu Mansion. The atmosphere inside the carriage was very heavy, as if the air had solidified.
Mother Xu leaned aside and kept coughing, and every cough was terrifying.
Cui Xi held her hand tightly, her heart filled with fear, she didn't know what would be waiting for them.
When the carriage slowly stopped at the back door of the Liu Mansion, Liu Yunniang and Ye Xiaoxiao hurried forward but were stopped by Liu Qing.
"Madam, please wait a minute. Let the doctor take a look first."
Liu Qing's voice was full of worry and caution.
"Ahem, ahem, madam, miss, please stay away for now. I'm fine. Relax and wait for the doctor to check me out first!"
Mother Xu's voice was weak and hoarse. She didn't want the lady and the young lady to worry about her.
Liu Yunniang felt upset. She looked at Mother Xu's haggard face and felt distressed. She also knew that Mother Xu was right, so she quickly comforted her.
"Don't worry, Madam Xu. I've already sent for a doctor. You can go back home and rest for a while."
After everyone entered the mansion, the doctor was invited to Liu's mansion shortly afterwards.
Liu Yunniang personally brought the doctor to the arranged courtyard.
This courtyard was remote and quiet, far away from the hustle and bustle of the mansion. The doctor carefully felt the pulse of Madam Xu, his fingers gently resting on Madam Xu's wrist, his eyes focused and serious.
He checked her tongue and eyes again, being careful with every move.
During the pulse diagnosis process, Liu Yunniang, Liu Qing and others were waiting nervously on the side. Their eyes were fixed on the doctor's every move, their hearts full of expectation and worry.
The doctor's face became more and more serious, and that serious expression made everyone's heart rise to their throat.
Finally, the doctor stood up and sighed slightly.
Liu Yunniang asked hurriedly, "Doctor, how is Madam Xu's condition?"
The doctor stroked his beard and said solemnly,
"Madam, this old lady's condition is a bit complicated. Judging from the symptoms, it does seem like she has caught a cold, but there are some unusual features. I need to observe and diagnose further before I can determine the specific condition."
Liu Yunniang frowned, and her worry grew even more.
"Something unusual? Could it be..."
She didn't say the rest, but everyone understood her concerns.
The doctor said,
"Ma'am, don't panic. We can't be sure yet. I will prescribe some medicine for this mother to take first and see how the disease develops. At the same time, you must closely monitor her symptoms and notify me if there are any changes."
Liu Yunniang nodded, her eyes full of trust.
"Then I'll trouble you, Doctor."
After the doctor prescribed the medicine, Liu Yunniang ordered the servants to boil it quickly, her voice full of anxiety and concern. She also asked the doctor to feel Cuixi's pulse and write a prescription before leaving.
Mother Xu drank the medicine and lay down on the bed to rest.
Her face was pale and her eyes were tired.
Cui Xi stood by with red eyes, her heart filled with worry and fear.
Liu Qing said to Liu Yunniang,
"Madam, I think we should still strengthen our precautions. If Madam Xu's illness is really a plague, the consequences will be disastrous."
Liu Yunniang looked solemn, she knew that what Liu Qing said was right.
"You're right. We have to prepare for the worst. From now on, this yard must be strictly sealed off and no one is allowed to enter or leave at will. At the same time, someone must be arranged to take care of Mother Xu and Cui Xi, and their food and daily necessities must be prepared separately."
The whole Liu Mansion was suddenly plunged into a tense atmosphere, and everyone was very cautious, fearing that any accidents would occur.