Even the crown prince is getting a marriage of convenience? Why are you in such a hurry to stop bein

The great plague that struck the army twenty years ago was when the Prince of Xiang led his troops to fight against the barbarians in the northwest.

However, at that time, cattle and sheep in the Northwest and other places were prone to diseases, and these diseases could also be transmitted to humans. Therefore, although the epidemic was severe, no one suspected poisoning.

Xiao Lie frowned slightly. "This is it? In the end, this is just your guess. Whether there was a real epidemic or poisoning back then is still unknown."

Lin Wan'er knew that this information was insufficient, so she had specifically asked Xiao Lie to give her a few more days.

"When I returned to the Lin residence this time, I asked my father about it, but he was unwilling to talk about it and wouldn't allow me to ask. So I searched the study and actually found some strange things."

"An old military doctor who accompanied us back then lives in Qingshui Lane. Since Your Highness is curious, why don't you just ask him?"

Lin Wan'er slightly raised her chin, and Chunxue brought up an old man with white hair and beard, whose body was trembling.

Upon entering the main hall and seeing two noblemen dressed in fine clothes, the old man immediately knelt down to pay his respects.

Xiao Lie immediately excused him from the formalities and even offered him a seat and tea.

"Old man, there's no need for such formalities. We've come to you simply to inquire about what happened back then. Regardless of the truth, I, the young master, will give you twenty taels of silver as a reward, but on the condition that..."

The tip of the fan touched his lips slightly, and a glint flashed in the old man's cloudy eyes. He instantly understood and cupped his hands in greeting.

"Your Highness, please ask. I will tell you everything I know. Once we leave this hall, I will pretend that nothing happened today, and no one can pry my mouth open."

Xiao Lie raised an eyebrow slightly, showing a hint of interest.

His reaction was so quick. Should we say that this old man is a shrewd old man, or that he has lived a long time and is inevitably experienced?

"Old man, just tell me about the great plague that happened twenty years ago when the Prince of Xiang fought against the barbarians in the northwest."

The old man paused, glanced at Chunxue in the corner, and said in a low voice.

"I know the importance of this matter, so I only dare to reveal these things to the two of you."

Xiao Lie's eyes flashed, and he gave a signal. Chunxue was startled, then immediately withdrew, considerately closing the door behind them and dismissing the servants in the courtyard.

"Speak."

The old man reminisced about the past, telling the story in a gentle and detailed manner.

"Actually, that epidemic was a bit strange. At first, only cattle and sheep got sick. Although it could spread to people, at most it would cause fever and sweating, and weakness. After drinking a few bowls of ginger soup and lying down for a few days, they would be fine."

"But for some reason, from a certain day onwards, the epidemic became more and more severe. At first, people would only lie down for three or five days, then it became seven or ten days, and then people gradually started to die, and..."

The old man leaned closer and deliberately lowered his voice, "Back then, I specifically dug out the corpse in the pit and examined it. When silver needles were inserted into the body, they came out black."

"Then why didn't you report it back then?"

The old man gave a helpless, bitter smile. For a moment, he didn't know what to say. After a moment of silence, he wiped his eyes and could only speak in a hoarse voice.

"I have only two flaws in my life: I'm timid but I run fast. Back when an epidemic broke out in the army, several doctors requested that people be separated. However, the deputy general of the Prince of Xiang in the army dragged his feet on the grounds of limited space, which caused the epidemic to spread."

"But later, when the epidemic had just caused deaths, this deputy general, who was always eager to take credit and shirk his duties, immediately demanded that the dead be burned. Later, it was only because the Prince of Xiang was afraid that the smoke and fire would attract attention that he ordered them to be buried on the spot. The burial was also handled by this deputy general. Anyone who approached without permission or with any reason was immediately expelled from the camp..."

"After much consideration, although I have my doubts, I dare not make any rash accusations."

He could see clearly that the military camp, which seemed to be a unified whole, had gradually split into two factions. The Prince of Xiang was unaware of this and thought they were all his own brothers. In the end, after he wiped out the elite enemy army, he died of an epidemic on his way back.

The old man's eyes were glistening with tears, filled with shame.

"I know I am cowardly, I am shameless, I have harmed so many people's lives, but I am just a nobody, a nobody, where can I seek justice?"

I fear that before he could explain himself to the Prince of Xiang, he would die a tragic and inexplicable death.

The old man dared not gamble, and only dared to live a muddled life keeping this secret, until twenty years later, he watched the same story unfold again.

Xiao Lie's gaze was complicated, and his voice was hoarse.

"Since... you didn't say it twenty years ago, why are you bringing it up now?"

The old man gave a helpless, bitter smile. "I've figured it out. If I don't resolve this matter, I won't find peace even in the afterlife. Anyway, I've lived long enough. I'm just a crippled body now. I'll do whatever you two noble people want me to do, as long as it can make up for what happened back then, even if it's just a little bit. I'll be willing."

Xiao Lie's mood grew even heavier.

"I know what you want, but you are destined to be disappointed. Even if I know the truth, I will only care about what is in front of me and will not let this tragedy of more than 20 years ago be redressed."

The old man was startled, as if shocked. After a long while, he stammered out a sentence, his voice filled with desolation.

Why?

He couldn't understand why the Duke's Mansion, known for its loyalty and righteousness, could remain so indifferent and aloof after hearing about the tragic case of the Prince of Xiang, who shared a similar fate.

Is there really no justice in this world?

The old man seemed to have been possessed, slumping into a chair in despair, his face pale and lifeless.

He looked lifeless and spoke blankly.

"You want to cover up the truth? Then I'll tell you the truth about what happened back then. What do you want? Do you want to kill me?"

"No, old man, I know what you want, but I can't give you what you want right now. You had your reasons back then, and I have mine now. But I promise you, if one day the world is restored to its former glory, I will definitely seek justice for the souls who died unjustly in that battle."

The old man stared at him blankly, his eyes welling up with tears. After a long while, he covered his face and burst into tears. All the words he wanted to say were now stuck in his throat, and he couldn't utter a single one.

He just kept repeating "okay, okay, okay".

"I will remember your words, Your Highness. Even in the underworld, I will wait to see how this matter ends."

After seeing the old man off, Xiao Lie gazed into the distance, staring into the void, and let out a heavy sigh of frustration.

Lin Wan'er was still somewhat uncertain.

"But back then, the Prince of Xiang had distinguished himself in battle and enjoyed a good reputation among the army and the people. He was also known for his good relationships at court. Who would poison him?"

"Didn't you already say that he has a well-established reputation? Who would be afraid of such a virtuous name?"

The man on the dragon throne succeeded once with this tactic back then, and now he wants to try it again in the Xiao family.

But the Xiao family isn't so easy to bring down.

Lin Wan'er was startled and turned to look at him.

The young man smiled slightly, gently stroked his hair, and spoke in a cold voice.

"What did you hear today?"

Lin Wan'er's face paled slightly, and she quickly shook her head.

The young man grew increasingly satisfied. "Good boy."