91 Escalation

Trouble never travelled alone. 

As the days passed, Hua Zhixuan's condition didn't worsen but it didn't improve by too much either. His night sweats seemed to become milder but some of the other symptoms he developed reminded Yan Zheyun of the flu, with its muscle aches, fevers, and runny nose. 

The imperial physicians seemed to think that the cause was a 'harmful wind', which was the old equivalent of the modern term 'cold'. But Yan Zheyun wasn't convinced. 

"This subject has to warn Gracious Consort Langjun and Lord Yue, there is a high likelihood that Lord Hua's illness is contagious and for both of your safeties, should be left to the servants to tend to." 

Neither of them listened, of course.