Chapter 1074: First Volume, Chapter 1074: Not Accustomed to the Climate

First Volume, Chapter 1074: Not Accustomed to the Climate

After Qin Feng entered Liang Kingdom's territory, although the danger level dropped significantly, the size of the caravan did not shrink but instead grew.

Besides the subordinates he had brought back, Zhao Yuxiong and the Three Great Generals each brought several dozen men. With this, the number approached four hundred, and if one added the troops sent by local officials along the way to escort them, the entourage consistently maintained a size of five hundred.

The entire caravan was protected like an iron barrel, impenetrable by needle or water.

At this point, anyone who wished to harm Qin Feng would have to dispatch over a thousand troops, and all of them elite, to pose any real threat to him.

As for assassins, even the most top-tier Heaven Ranking Assassin in the world would steer well clear of Qin Feng's caravan.

By all reason, there was nothing left that could block Qin Feng's road back to Beijing.

But the best-laid plans can fail. When the caravan reached Yuping Mountain, an accident still occurred.

The old nursemaid who had been looking after Niu Er in the rear carriage suddenly ran to the Imperial Road Carriage and shouted through the window.

"Marquis, the young master has fallen ill."

Although Niu Er was born of humble origins, he had after all become Li Xiaolan's adopted son, so addressing him as "young master" posed no problem at all.

Although Li Xiaolan was already pregnant, she still showed Niu Er the utmost care and concern.

Upon hearing that Niu Er had fallen ill, Li Xiaolan's brows immediately furrowed slightly.

"What's going on? Wasn't he perfectly fine before? Why would he suddenly fall ill?"

The old nursemaid appeared extremely anxious. If anything happened to Niu Er, this responsibility was more than she could bear.

The old nursemaid dared not hesitate and hurriedly explained: "When we were in Sangzhou, the young master was already a bit listless. I assumed it was just the fatigue from the journey, so I didn't think much of it."

"But since this morning, the young master has had a high fever that won't break, and just now he has already fallen into a coma."

This serious?!

Before Li Xiaolan could speak, Qin Feng had already stepped in and demanded sharply: "Why are you only saying this now?"

Shouted at like this by Qin Feng, the old nursemaid was instantly terrified, her face turning deathly pale, and she hastened to explain.

"Marquis, I deserve to die. I only thought it was fatigue from the journey, that a bit more rest would fix it. I never imagined it would become this serious."

"Earlier, when the fever started, I saw that the Marquis was meeting with a local official, and I was afraid of disrupting the Marquis's important business, so I didn't dare disturb you."

Hearing this, Qin Feng felt a surge of anger. No matter how important something was, could it really be more important than a child's life?

One must understand that in this era, even a simple headache or fever could cost a person their life.

But this old nursemaid had no ill intentions either, she was simply careless. Qin Feng could not bring himself to rebuke her too harshly.

Qin Feng told Li Xiaolan to wait in the carriage, then got down himself and hurried to the rear carriage to check.

At this moment, Niu Er was being held in his mother's arms. His entire little face was flushed red, and his consciousness had become very fuzzy.

Qin Feng reached out and felt Niu Er's forehead—it was frighteningly hot.

"Could it be a chill?"

Facing Qin Feng's questioning, Niu Er's mother, her voice breaking into sobs, shook her head repeatedly: "No. Although it's freezing outside, the carriage has been warm the whole time, and we never let Niu Er catch any wind."

"The child suddenly collapsed. It really caught us completely off guard."

Qin Feng did not dare delay, and hurriedly pressed on, gradually ruling out a chill and food poisoning, before finally asking: "Has he had diarrhea?"

Niu Er's mother nodded: "He has, and he also vomited just now."

Hearing this, Qin Feng slapped his thigh: "It's bad. He's not accustomed to the climate."

Not accustomed to the climate? Niu Er's mother and the old nursemaid exchanged a glance, their eyes full of bewilderment, not understanding what Qin Feng meant by "not accustomed to the climate."

After all, in these times, the vast majority of people never traveled far, especially the old, weak, women, and children, so the chances of "not being accustomed to the climate" were actually not that common.

In the vast majority of cases, being unaccustomed to the climate could resolve on its own.

But due to individual differences, the symptoms also varied greatly.

In severe cases, it could even cost one their life.

Niu Er's situation was extremely serious. If he was not treated promptly, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Qin Feng had no time to explain to Niu Er's mother what being unaccustomed to the climate meant. He immediately called over the Military Doctor, but when the Military Doctor saw Niu Er's condition, he too could not help but be stumped.

"Marquis, regarding the young master's illness, I am afraid Shu Xi is unable to help."

"Shu Xi specializes in treating adults and external injuries. For a situation like this, one would need to find a Physician who specifically treats children."

Hearing this, Qin Feng's heart instantly sank halfway. At a time like this, where could he find a Physician for Niu Er?

Just then, Zhao Yuxiong, upon hearing the news, also hurried over. Seeing that Niu Er was already gravely ill, he quickly suggested: "Marquis, we have already reached Yuping Mountain territory. Twenty li east from here is Yuping County. There must be a Physician in the county city."

"If we rush back to Jingdu now, I'm afraid Niu Er won't be able to hold on."

Qin Feng nodded repeatedly, feeling that Zhao Yuxiong made sense. But if they made this trip to Yuping Mountain, he did not know how long it would delay them. The women of the household, such as Li Xiaolan, could not wait.

After much deliberation, Qin Feng still turned and entered the Imperial Road Carriage and laid out the pros and cons.

Upon learning that Qin Feng wanted to part ways, Li Xiaolan and Jing Qianying could understand, after all this was a helpless measure to save Niu Er.

But Shen Qingci was clearly somewhat displeased: "Feng'er, we have already been delayed quite a bit on the road."

"In ten days, it will be the Yellow Calendar Day for your and Xiaolan's Da Huo. If we miss the auspicious hour, what are we to do?"

"How about this: you leave Zhao Yuxiong behind to take Niu Er and his mother to Yuping County for treatment, and we will return to Jingdu according to the original plan."

Shen Qingci's concerns were not without reason. If they had followed the original plan, Qin Feng would have already arrived in Jingdu by now.

But along the way, they had suffered continuous Encirclement and Interception by stubborn elements of the Northern Di, and had also concluded the Chen Family's grievances, which had delayed far too much time.

At this point, if they delayed any further because of Niu Er, they would surely miss the Wedding Date.

It was not that Shen Qingci did not care about Niu Er's life or death, but Qin Feng and Li Xiaolan's Da Huo was a matter of great importance, concerning both the face of the Da Liang Imperial Family and Li Xiaolan's own honor.

Once the Wedding Date was missed, they could only choose another Yellow Calendar Day, and the delays would continue. Li Xiaolan's body would lose its shape, and on the day of the Da Huo, it would only invite more ridicule.

For the sake of her own adopted son, Li Xiaolan could of course take this risk, and she quickly spoke up: "I'm fine. Niu Er should be the priority."

But Shen Qingci flatly refused: "No! On anything else, I can indulge you, but when it comes to the great matter of marriage, it cannot be treated as child's play."

"You lot have grown too carefree. If no one keeps you in check, I'm afraid everything will be delayed."

Seeing Shen Qingci's resolve so firm, Li Xiaolan said nothing more—after all, Elder Sister meant well by her.