Chapter 73 - Someone in need

On the following day, Hefei started enacting the decree from Bai Chongye, closing all the city entrances. The Health Bureau suggested some exceptions to essential goods, like food, that were given. The unplanned closing of the city caused massive turmoil. Yu Qing had to deploy more than a hundred soldiers to disperse the protesters. Some people were killed, and merchants had their businesses burnt down to ashes.

The merchants who used to travel through the city were re-routed to a path around it. The new path was almost forty li longer than the one crossing inside the city, and since the closest city was Lujiang, the merchants had to travel almost another hundred li extra for a hotel or restaurant. 

In Zhejiang, Feng Long has sent the letter to Ding Qi using a pigeon before starting to help Zhang Yi in the making of the medicine that will be sent to Jiangsu. Zhang Yi guides him on how to properly prepare the mixtures:

-Majesty, please, you should mix those powders very carefully!

-No problem, I'll mix it until it is perfect. Nothing less than that for Xia Chunyu. - Feng Long smiles.

In a nearby room, Yu Lexuan and Zhong Kunyi chat:

-Zhong Yi... May I ask you something?

-Yes, highness.

-Zhong Yi... Feng Long said to me you are not happy, or at least he couldn't make you smile more.

-How? I consider myself happy, but, you know, I like to keep myself very private sometimes.

-Maybe we can fix it.

-Fix?

-Yes, fix. Settle. Decide on. You pick! - Yu Lexuan smiles

-Yu Lexuan... Stop pretending. What do you want?

-Just give me a few hours. I'll meet you at the sunset. Or you can meet me in my room. I want to have a talk with you. - Yu Lexuan smirks.

Zhong Kunyi blushes:

-Yu Lexuan! You... well, never mind. I'll meet you in your room.

-As you wish... - Yu lexuan smiles and moves out of the room.

Zhong Kunyi thinks, alone:

-What does Yu Lexuan wants to do, exactly? His face tells me he wants some fun... But why? 

Yu Lexuan moves to Zhang Yi's lab, and join efforts with Feng Long:

-Majesty, let me help you and Zhang Yi. 

-You can, but it is not necessary... I appreciate it, though. - Feng Long smiles.

After mixing the components in the right proportions, Zhang Yi puts the large pot under fire and keeps it there until the contents inside are brought to a running boil. He then removes the fire, and let the boiled mixture cool down:

-I think that's it, Feng Long. It is going to take several hours for it to cool down, I'm certain we can ship it to Jiangsu tomorrow morning. - Zhang Yi smiles.

-Excellent. Thank you all for helping me to this point. It is crucial to me that these medicines arrive in perfect condition to Xia Chunyu.

-And they will. - Zhang Yi bows to him.

-Please, rise... Well, I'll take my leave, I think I may have missed something in the palace today. See you later.

-Right, majesty.

Before leaving, Feng Long bows. Zhang Yi and Yu Lexuan bow back to him. He smiles and moves out of the room. Yu Lexuan and Zhang Yi chat:

-Zhang Yi, tonight I'll talk with Zhong Kunyi.

-Talk?

-Yes, you know... Fun! - Yu Lexuan smirks.

-Oh, I got it! Why tonight?

-Feng Long told me Zhong Kunyi may be having a bad time and is far too worried. Maybe I can change it.

-I'm sure you can do it.

-Well, I'll try. Wish me luck.

-Sure, but I'm certain you will do it.

Zhang Yi smirks, and Yu Lexuan blushes:

-Well, anyway. I'll move back to the palace, and meet him in my room. Tomorrow morning, I'll be there to help you put the medicine in the containers. 

-I thank his highness for the help. 

Yu Lexuan smiles and rushes off Zhang Yi's lab. He bumps on Feng long halfway:

-Why are you rushing, Yu Lexuan?- He smiles.

-Your majesty ordered me to talk with Zhong Kunyi. We spent a lot of time in the lab, and he is probably waiting for me in my room...

-Oh, understood. Please, be gentle at the start, and make it more difficult later. Just play with him as you play with me. - Feng Long smiles.

-This is impossible, no one beats you. - Yu Lexuan blushes.

Feng Long moves closer to Yu Lexuan, hugging him:

-So do the impossible for me.

Feng Long kisses Yu Lexuan deeply. He returns the kiss:

-I'll try, Feng Long. He will be ready!

-That's what I want. He's been under stress recently, and I think this is a way for us to relieve him a bit.

-I'll do my best, Feng Long.

Feng Long smiles and walks away. Yu Lexuan looks at him from behind:

-Pretending that Zhong Kunyi is like you is impossible, my dear majesty... But I'll try. He needs some help, I'll do my best. 

 

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