She mistakenly got into the bridal sedan chair and married a sickly but powerful minister, becoming

Chapter 328 Getting sick

Magistrate Xu's solicitous manner aroused Zhao Yi's suspicion.

As a prince without power or influence, who had not yet been recognized as a member of the imperial family, and who carried half the blood of the Great Zhou Dynasty, he was destined not to be valued by the Northern Qi emperor.

Magistrate Xu had no need to curry favor with him, since most local officials had powerful backers.

"The people are suffering terribly now, how can I indulge in pleasure?" Zhao Yi politely declined Magistrate Xu's offer and suggested, "Let's go directly to the yamen."

Magistrate Xu learned that Zhao Yi had gone to Jiang'anfang to visit the sick, and that he must have witnessed the people's plight and felt pity for them, which made him unable to eat.

He gained a better understanding of Zhao Yi; he was a master who cared deeply for the people.

Pity……

Magistrate Xu collected his thoughts, stepped aside, and said respectfully, "Please."

Zhao Yi put down the handkerchief in his hand, took off a cloak and put it on, and left the mansion with Magistrate Xu.

Magistrate Xu's carriage and a small sedan chair were parked at the entrance of the government office.

Magistrate Xu jogged to the carriage, lifted the curtain, and invited Zhao Yi to sit inside.

After Zhao Yi was seated, he lowered the curtain and prepared to get into the sedan chair.

Zhao Yi's clear and gentle voice came from the carriage: "Lord Xu, the carriage is spacious. Let's ride together to the yamen." He paused, then added, "The carriage is warmer."

Magistrate Xu was taken aback. After hesitating for a moment, he lifted the curtain and entered the carriage.

A four-legged lotus-petal-shaped porcelain incense burner sat on a small table, warming the carriage and dispelling the chill that had enveloped Magistrate Xu.

Magistrate Xu sat upright opposite Zhao Yi, his mind on high alert, preparing to answer Zhao Yi's questions.

To his surprise, he waited for a long time but Zhao Yi did not ask him any questions.

Magistrate Xu looked up and saw Zhao Yi leaning wearily against the carriage wall, closing his eyes to rest.

The next moment, Zhao Yi moved. He seemed to be a little cold, his fingers tightening around the collar of his cloak, the white fur trim around the neckline making his face appear somewhat pale.

When Magistrate Xu saw Zhao Yi's unintentional actions, he felt a chill run down his spine for no apparent reason.

Throughout the journey, Zhao Yi remained silent.

Magistrate Xu, preoccupied with his own thoughts, had no time to probe Zhao Yi; he only wished the carriage could go faster and arrive at the yamen as soon as possible.

Suddenly, Zhao Yi moved.

Magistrate Xu froze, then heard Zhao Yi say, "I came all the way from Yuncheng today, and with my men I was clearing away the disease. I fell asleep as soon as I got into the carriage. Magistrate Xu, please forgive me."

Magistrate Xu forced a smile and said, "It's alright, it's alright."

At this moment, the carriage stopped.

Magistrate Xu quickly jumped off the carriage, breathing in the icy air. The chill penetrated his lungs, making him shiver. The tension he had been holding in finally eased.

Zhao Yi got off the carriage and noticed that Magistrate Xu was quietly exhaling a breath of stale air and was about to speak.

Suddenly, he coughed softly.

Magistrate Xu's expression changed drastically.

Zhao Yi seemed not to see him, coughed a few more times intermittently until he stopped coughing, and then looked at Magistrate Xu.

"I've had a slight cold and cough these past few days, but it shouldn't affect my business, right?"

Magistrate Xu felt as if he were facing a formidable enemy and instinctively wanted to retreat. It took him a great deal of willpower to restrain himself and avoid losing his composure in front of Zhao Yi.

Zhao Yi came to Yingcheng from Yuncheng and Panshicheng. Both cities were also hit by the plague, so Zhao Yi might have been infected.

Just now in the carriage, Zhao Yi felt cold, and this symptom of being afraid of the cold was somewhat like that of someone who had contracted the plague.

Magistrate Xu was terrified and didn't want to spend a single moment with Zhao Yi, but since he had gone to great lengths to invite him, he had to say a few polite words.

Moreover, his goal was to get Zhao Yi infected with the plague. Now that Zhao Yi is infected, it's truly a case of getting what he wanted without any effort at all.

"Your Highness, I was negligent. I didn't know you had caught a cold. I asked you for a favor and disturbed your rest."

Suppressing his fear, Magistrate Xu said calmly, "If you are not feeling well, you should go back and rest early."

"I know my own body well; it's nothing serious for me." Zhao Yi coughed until his voice was hoarse, then took a breath. "Don't worry about the money and supplies. Since you're here..."

Magistrate Xu quickly interrupted Zhao Yi: "The government's money and grain are taxes collected from the people of Yingcheng. Now Yingcheng urgently needs money and grain to control the plague, so I opened the treasury and used the money and grain for the people of Yingcheng."

He swallowed nervously. “The Northern Qi promised to provide the Great Zhou with money and grain. When the higher-ups ask about the official grain and silver, I will have to ask you to put in a good word for me.”

Zhao Yi nodded slightly: "You are a good official who serves the country and its people. I will take responsibility for this matter." After a pause, he asked, "Is there anything else you need my advice on?"

Magistrate Xu quickly waved his hand: "No...no more."

Zhao Yi's gaze swept across Magistrate Xu's face, noticing the fear he was trying so hard to hide in his eyes. He then calmly looked away, turned, and got into the carriage.

The coachman was so frightened that he trembled all over and stood motionless beside the carriage.

Magistrate Xu glared at the coachman, signaling him to quickly take the man away.

Compared to Zhao Yi, who was sick in the carriage, the coachman was clearly more afraid of Magistrate Xu. He cracked his whip and drove the carriage back the way it came.

Magistrate Xu watched the carriage disappear into the distance, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead with his sleeve. The thought of sharing a carriage with Zhao Yi made him feel as if ants were crawling all over his body, making him extremely uncomfortable.

He strode into the yamen and instructed a clerk to prepare medicine and send it to his study. Afterward, he wrote a letter in his study and arranged for someone to deliver it to the Lin family.

All of Magistrate Xu's actions were observed by a pair of eyes in the shadows.