A pall of gloom hung over Mingyuan Palace in Great Yong. Inside, the curtains hung low, while a group of palace attendants stood helplessly outside them. In that oppressive atmosphere, no one dared speak lightly; their anxious expressions alone betrayed the terror in their hearts.
Xu Baichuan, an imperial physician of Great Yong, emerged slowly from behind the curtains, his brow furrowed with worry. He waved a hand and said, "You needn't all stand here."
A eunuch approached and said, "Lord Dong has arrived."
Xu Baichuan nodded and said quietly, "His Majesty was just asking to see him."
After receiving permission to enter, Dong Bingtai, the Minister of Personnel, came in from outside. He exchanged a look with Xu Baichuan that conveyed what words could not, then asked quietly, "Imperial Physician Xu, how is His Majesty?"
Xu Baichuan sighed, his gaze sweeping over several palace attendants who had yet to leave. Dong Bingtai said coldly, "What are you doing here? Withdraw at once."
The attendants hurried off in a panic. Before they had left, Xu Baichuan said, "I'm afraid it's the plague..." By speaking at that moment, he effectively ensured that every one of them heard him.
Dong Bingtai sighed as well. "I'll go and see His Majesty."
Xu Baichuan said, "Lord Dong, you had best take every precaution."
Those so-called precautions amounted to nothing more than covering the face with a layer of cloth to shield the nostrils and mouth.
Xu Baichuan went behind the curtains and saw Xue Daoming lying on the bed, his face flushed and an ice pack resting on his head. Sweat still drenched his entire body, making his illness appear grave. His mind remained fairly clear, however. Seeing Xu Baichuan enter, he said weakly, "All of you, withdraw... I... I have something to say...