Chapter 5 - A storm is on its way

 

In the morning, as the sun rises, Yu Lexuan helps Zhang Yi packing all the supplies they might need in the carriage:

-How long do you think it's gonna take to get there?

-I think we can cover it in about two days. It's about 400 li to Huangshan. 200 li per day seem to be doable.

-Right.

Before they depart, Feng Long and Zhong Kunyi wish them a safe trip:

-Please take care of yourself. And be fast. I usually don't require you to hurry up, but in this case, it is necessary for the wellness of our people - Feng Long says.

-Right, your majesty, don't worry so much about us. We will be back in a week. Please keep yourself healthy and happy.

Yu Lexuan kisses Feng Long. Next, he climbs in the carriage and picks the reins, so he can control the horse. Zhang Yi sits inside the carriage, and Yu Lexuan drives it:

-If you feel tired, please tell me, Yu Lexuan. We will have to change our horse midway if we want to keep a fast pace.

-Right.

Feng Long and Zhong Kunyi observe the carriage moving away. They move back to their rooms after they can't see it anymore.

A couple of hours later, Yu Lexuan reaches a station to change horses. The weather changes rapidly, and they are forced to stop a couple of li after:

-Zhang Yi, let's stop for a while and wait until this thunderstorm passes. 

-Right, get inside.

Yu Lexuan sits in front of Zhang Yi, looking at him:

-Zhang Yi, what do you think could happen if such disease hit our empire?

-It is hard to tell having no data to analyze. If this disease somehow spreads very fast, we will be in trouble. Our townships are now larger and denser as people have chosen to live closer to each other. Containment becomes more difficult.

-Right...

After about an hour, the storm was still strong. Yu Lexuan is a bit dizzy from the journey:

-Are you ok, Yu Lexuan? 

-Ah, yeah, I'm just a bit tired...

Yu Lexuan leans towards Zhang Yi. Zhang Yi smiles and gently holds Yu Lexuan:

-You are burnt out. Just take a nap. I'll tell you when the rain stops.

Yu Lexuan lies his head down on Zhang Yi's lap. He looks at him sweetly. Zhang Yi gently caresses his face:

-I remember when we were just among so many people trying to get a position in the palace after the old emperor died...

-Yes, Zhang Yi, I remember that time... and how you helped us to get there.

-Fortunately, his majesty is a good person. He has some weaknesses, as we all have. But I think our core values are almost the same. 

-Maybe because we all like each other in such a unique way... - Yu Lexuan smiles.

-Yeah, probably.

Yu Lexuan falls asleep shortly. Zhang Yi caresses his hair:

-I admire you so much, our youthful prince. I hope we can go through this safely and deploy a plan to fight this problem when it comes to us.

...

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