Chapter 1505 - 1507 How Many People Have Died So Far_1
Old Mu just shook his head, "I don’t know which one he specifically asked about, at the time both boys were in there."
"He wouldn’t let the two children decide their own titles based on their preferences, would he?" Ye Zi’an thought, despite the cold weather, he felt like breaking into a sweat.
Children don’t understand the implications, and if they casually decided someone’s title, and it turned out to be a good one, the princes wouldn’t say anything. However, if it was not, there would be big trouble for his two sons.
Could the Emperor be so capricious? And what exactly was he trying to do? From this moment on, Ye Zi’an unexpectedly felt that the Emperor’s invitation for his sons to the palace was not just because he liked his sons, but rather there seemed to be some ulterior motives involved.
"Whether he would dare say it or not, such news being spread is not good for the two children." Old Mu spoke this way because he had thought of the crux of the matter.
"Let’s hope these messages are false."
Ye Zi’an hoped, wishing his own feeling was also wrong.
The carriage soon arrived at the palace gate, and by the time Ye Zi’an and Old Mu alighted from the carriage, Baili Yan’s carriage had already been parked there for a while.
After greeting each other, they headed together into the palace.
Although Ye Zi’an came for his official report, he did not have the qualifications to attend the imperial court and could only wait in a side hall until the court session ended and the Emperor summoned him alone.
And not every regional official from Great Zhou who came for their report would be granted an audience with the Emperor. Some were received by the Prime Minister, some by the Grand Scholars of the Cabinet along with the princes.
Ye Zi’an had been favored by the Emperor quite early on, so naturally, he would be summoned for a personal audience.
In the Imperial Study, Ye Zi’an reported to the Emperor about this year’s situation in Shandong. When the Emperor heard about the so-called desiccated corpse disease, his expression became somewhat grave.
"Has Mu Shaoling not found a cure yet?"
"Divine Doctor Mu is still in Shandong, and the medicine, there hasn’t been much progress," Ye Zi’an reported truthfully.
"How many have died so far?" the Emperor asked further.
Ye Zi’an replied in a low voice, "Nine hundred eighty-three people." Upon hearing that the number had not reached a thousand, the Emperor sighed with relief. This was far fewer than the deaths caused by snow disasters or floods.
He then lost interest and simply said, "Let Mu Shaoling continue researching the medicine diligently, anything he needs he can take from the national treasury."
"Yes!"
After finishing the official business, the Emperor went on to say, "Go see your two sons. Those two rascals are tough. Let me tell you, I haven’t mistreated them."
"Yes, thank you, Your Majesty, for looking after my boys," Ye Zi’an replied in a low voice.
Ye Zi’an expressed his gratitude and then remembered Yang Chuxia’s instructions, so he added, "Your Majesty, the New Year is approaching. I wish to take my children out of the palace for a family reunion. After all, Your Majesty ought to have a reunion with the princes as well, and my sons have been in the palace for many days. It wouldn’t be right to disturb you at this time."
"Enough, enough," the Emperor waved his hand, "I know what you want to say, stop with the pleasantries. You just want to take your sons home, don’t you? Take them, take them. Those two rascals almost turned my palace upside down."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Ye Zi’an’s heart leaped with joy upon hearing this.
The Emperor, however, huffed coldly and added, "On the twenty-ninth, there will be a palace banquet. I particularly permit you to bring your family along, and then you can bring them at that time."
Ye Zi’an’s bowed eyebrows tightened slightly, not sure of the Emperor’s intentions, but he simply responded, "Yes, thank you, Your Majesty!"
Just then, a little eunuch came running to report that Yangyang had gotten into a fight.
The Emperor chuckled, "Hear that? That boy’s almost unbeatable in the entire palace. Hurry and see to it, don’t let him tear down my house."