The news about Huainan came five days later, exactly half a month after Bai Jinzhi and Duan Xuyuan secretly left for Huainan.

Although the news of Elder Sun’s return to the capital was spread seven days ago, he had not returned. The returning team was empty. The team had stopped to enjoy the scenery along the way but barely reached halfway. This was to ensure Elder Sun could catch up later.

As for Elder Sun himself, he remained secretly in Huainan City, cooperating with Lin Qing to investigate if anyone was playing tricks in the city. Whenever they discovered someone engaging in malicious activities, they immediately arrested them and reported it.

Now Duan Changchuan was sitting on a couch, unhurriedly opening the secret letter from the shadow guard.

The young man read quickly, a smile gradually forming on his face.

“How is it?” Bai Su asked, noticing his pleased expression.

The young man handed the note to her, “It’s within my expectations, but the heir’s incompetence was beyond my anticipation.”

Bai Su took the note and couldn’t help but laugh as well.

It turned out that the plague in Huainan City had almost completely subsided, with only a few households still under quarantine, while the others had already returned to normal. Although there were still mugwort and atractylodes burning on the streets, people were bustling about, showing no signs that the city had been ravaged by the plague just a month ago.

Upon arriving and seeing this scene, Duan Xuyuan grew impatient and took action that very night.

Unfortunately, he and his subordinates, have grown up in the peaceful and orderly capital. How could they know how the plague spread and how to avoid it? As a result, their actions backfired.

After poisoning two inns in the city and a guesthouse outside the city that night, several of his subordinates fell ill the next morning.

The letter from Lin Qing detailed everything meticulously, from how they tracked the heir’s subordinates, evacuated the civilians, replaced the inn staff with medical personnel, and destroyed the poisoned items that very night.

He even described how they followed the heir’s subordinates, how they evacuated the people in the inn, how they replaced the innkeeper with someone from the medical center, and how they destroyed everything on the night of the poisoning.

Naturally, after the incident, Elder Sun and the county officials surrounded the prince’s residence. The people inside woke up in the morning to find themselves trapped.

With ample evidence and Elder Sun’s harsh threat of not providing treatment unless they confessed, saying that they would all die in the house, the group quickly spilled everything …

“What a waste of my efforts.” The young emperor had a look of disdain.

Bai Su put down the letter with a smile, “Does it feel like using a butcher’s knife on a chicken?”

Duan Changchuan replied, “More like using a shot putter’s strength to lift a piece of cotton candy.”

[Pfft.]

Such an analogy… it clearly showed his disdain.

“Pass down my secret decree. Have Elder Sun and Lin Qing return with the evidence.” The young man wrote a secret edict and handed it to the secret guard. He whispered to himself, “It’s time to question Imperial Uncle’s crimes.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

–

In early July, the capital was at its hottest. Even the wind blowing through the estates felt like waves of heat.

The Emperor issued an imperial edict and summoned Prime Minister Bai, the Regent, the Six Ministries, and high-ranking officials to the main hall. Therefore, during the hottest season of the great summer, everyone gathered together.

The hall buzzed with discussions:

“Why did the emperor suddenly summon us? Unless it’s an urgent matter, there’s never been a decree during the stay in this villa.”

“Then it must be an extremely urgent …”

“What do the Regent and Prime Minister Bai think?”

Bai Yanyuan had long known what was going to happen next. His recent meeting with the Prince Regent was nothing more than a formality. The two were clearly at odds because of the Prince Regent’s private decision to send Prime Minister Bai’s only daughter to the epidemic area. However, due to the relationship of interest, the two still maintained a friendly relationship on the surface. Therefore, even though Bai Yanyuan had betrayed the Regent, the latter had no clue.

He didn’t believe Bai Yan Yuan would be able to escape unscathed from such a deep conflict of interest.

He also underestimated Duan Changchuan’s ability to endure humiliation as a monarch, thinking the emperor wouldn’t tolerate Bai Yanyuan after the empress’s replacement.

So, when Bai Yanyuan was asked, he feigned irritation and shook his head, “How could I know what His Majesty plans? You’ve asked the wrong person.”

“Then … Regent?”

The Prince Regent’s face was even uglier, “I don’t know either.”

The crowd then went back to whispering among themselves.

“Have you heard the latest stories in the capital? They say the plague in Huainan was incredibly dangerous, but it was controlled within a month. Such an achievement is unprecedented.”

“Indeed, now when people from Huainan come to do business, they are still avoided by others. I heard that many people died in just one month.”

“Sigh … Huainan has really suffered in the past couple of years.”

“This year’s Zhuangyuan requested to stay in Huainan during the busy farming months. They say Lord Lin personally went to the fields to help the residents who couldn’t leave the city. I wonder if this new Zhuangyuan will earn the people’s true appreciation.”

“It’s all said by that storyteller, who knows if it’s true or not. That storyteller also said that even the army was mobilized and the soldiers helped with farm work. It sounds exaggerated to me.”

“That’s reasonable … we should hear directly from the people of Huainan, not just the storytellers.”

As the officials murmured among themselves, the elderly officials Qian and Zheng, responsible for the storytelling scripts, listened intently. Hearing claims of exaggeration, Lord Qian finally couldn’t hold back and whispered into Lord Zheng’s ear, “These inexperienced fools, together they are over a thousand years old, yet they are not as capable as our young Emperor and Empress who aren’t even forty.”

Lord Zheng shot him a look, “Where did you get a thousand years from? You can’t even count, yet you dare mock others.”

Lord Qian, “…”

“I’m just a warrior, why should I be good at counting?”

As they conversed, Chang Le’s announcement came from outside, “His Majesty arrives!”

A young emperor, dressed in bright yellow ceremonial robes, entered the hall.

Now that he was five months pregnant, his lower abdomen was noticeably swollen, fortunately, as all the officials knelt upon hearing the announcement and dared not look directly at him, none noticed his condition.

Over the past half year, the young emperor had become noticeably more composed. Especially when facing the Regent and Prime Minister Bai, his inherent authority exuded from within, immediately suppressing them.

“You may all rise,” he commanded after taking his seat.

Then he turned to ask Chang Le, “Have Imperial Doctor Sun and Lin Qing arrived?”

The little eunuch immediately put away his fan and bowed, “Replying to Your Majesty, they arrived yesterday and stayed overnight in the manor. They should be here soon.”

While speaking, Yi Man’s announcement came from outside, “Imperial Doctor Sun and Lord Lin have arrived!”

Duan Changchuan stopped drinking tea and looked out of the hall, his expression unchanged, “Send them in.”

The order was passed down in layers:

“His Majesty has commanded, let them in!”

“His Majesty has commanded, let them in!”

Seeing Lin Qing again after two months, the tall, elegant, and cultured scholar had changed a lot.

He had lost weight and was tanned by the sun. His hands, clasped in greeting, even bore small wounds. However, he appeared more composed and reliable.

Previously, Duan Changchuan had not recalled certain memories, only knowing there was some entanglement between him and Bai Su. Now, having remembered everything, he realized the depth of their bond.

He wondered if the lady Bai, who had remained chaste until death, would find solace in seeing such a dependable scholar now.

The young emperor glanced aside nonchalantly. “Rise, how is Huainan?”

Elder Sun and Lin Qing exchanged glances before Elder Sun reported with vigor, “Replying to Your Majesty, the plague in Huainan is now fully under control. When this official returned, no new patients were found for a week, and the rest were slowly getting better. However, on our way back, we received news of new cases in a certain household.”

When the officials heard that the plague was completely controlled, they breathed a sigh of relief, but the mention of new cases raised their anxiety once more.

The Regent maintained a calm demeanor, but Prime Minister Bai showed surprise: according to the Regent’s plan, the poison should have been placed in bustling shops, not a household.

Duan Changchuan also frowned at the right time, “Explained in detail.”

Lin Qing immediately stepped forward and knelt, saying, “Replying to Your Majesty, this official investigated this matter with the local authorities. All homes with plague patients in Huainan are still under quarantine, but certain individuals snuck into a quarantined home at night, stole the patients’ clothes, and placed them in crowded inns and taverns, attempting to spread the plague again! However, they failed and ended up infecting themselves—five out of their group of over twenty fell ill.”

As soon as his voice fell, an uproar ensued among the officials.

But, the most shocking revelation was yet to come.

Lin Qing said, “Replying to Your Majesty, upon investigation, the owners of this household are the Regent’s son and heir’s consort. Given the gravity of the situation, this official did not act on my own but followed the Empress’s and Physician Sun’s pre-departure instructions, confining them in the household to prevent anyone from entering or leaving.”

The information in his words was staggering.

First, how had the Regent’s heir and heir consort ended up in the Huainan plague zone? And why would they take plague-infected clothes and try to spread the disease in inns?

The Empress’s pre-departure instructions? What’s going on here? Wasn’t the Empress banished to the Cold Palace for a few months? Everyone knew this.

The officials, though seasoned court veterans, were left speechless by the revelations.

Pursing his lips, The Regent clenched his fists tightly, his face impassive but his hands trembling with anger.

Bai Yanyuan looked at the Regent in disbelief, his eyes filled with grief and rage.

Only the young man in bright yellow robes who sat at the head remained composed, with an air of unruffled calm.

Lord Qian quietly poked Lord Zheng, “Look at that old fox Bai.”

Lord Zheng glanced over and then looked away, “If the heir and his wife are confined together, it’s only a matter of time before they catch the plague. His only legitimate daughter might perish in Huainan.”

“Tsk tsk tsk, let’s see what our Little Majesty decides then.”

“His Majesty can let her live, but if the heir consort is gone, it will justify the Empress’s position. As cruel as it sounds, it’s beneficial. Do you think Prime Minister Bai dares to plead for mercy in front of His Majesty? He wouldn’t dare.”

“However, even if he does, it wouldn’t help. Intending to spread the plague in the city, this crime alone is enough to get them beheaded.”

The two old men were hiding in the corner, hooking their hands around each other’s ears as they whispered into each other’s ears. Although Duan Chang Chuan couldn’t hear the specific content, but he could tell from the tone that these two were gloating.

But it doesn’t matter.

Because he’s also gloating.

The wicked tasted the consequences of their own actions, it’s really satisfying.

While listening to Lin Qing’s exposition, he quietly observed the Regent and Prime Minister Bai’s expressions.

It wasn’t until Lin Qing presented the testimony of the heir’s subordinates to everyone that he slowly opened his mouth under the crowd’s shocked gasps, “The heir and his wife secretly traveled to Huainan, ordered their subordinates to collect infected clothes, and spread the plague. Imperial Uncle, do you have anything to say about this?”

The other party remained silent.

The young emperor continued, “If Uncle has nothing to say, there is one person in my manor who has something to say.” He turned to his side, “Summon her.”

Chang Le immediately understood and announced, “Summon Princess’s maid, Mu Ge, for an audience!”

Shortly after, Mu Ge entered, dressed in a splendid outfit. Bai Su had ordered the Clothing Bureau to prepare a set of gorgeous clothes for her. Just as Duan Changchuan had said, she would be served with good food and good clothes.

Upon entering, first, she glanced nervously at the Regent before turning to the emperor.

“This servant greets Your Majesty.”

“Rise. Now that all the officials of the six ministries are here, repeat everything you told me last time.”

Mu Ge intermittently recounted everything she had seen and heard. Coupled with the letters she had stolen, everyone was shocked. Some even began to tremble.

Among the six ministries officials were Prime Minister Bai’s party and the Prince Regent’s. Now, with clear evidence of their crimes, the emperor summoned them for questioning. Who wouldn’t be terrified?

Moreover, these were crimes of treason and deception. The entire family would be executed …

Some bold ones secretly glanced at the two officials, secretly calculating: Could it be … that it was really time to rebel?

“From the famine in Huainan to the mass graves, how many officials did I remove, did Uncle count? Do you know what they confessed? I already knew beforehand half of them were under Uncle’s tutelage! You keep saying that you’re doing this for the people and keep boasting about your achievements. Are these the achievements you speak of, Uncle?”

The young emperor slammed his tea cup onto the floor before the Regent.

Instantly, hot water and porcelain shards scattered, leaving red marks on the Regent’s face.

“I thought Uncle was simply old and foolish, couldn’t see through people! I gave you a chance, Duan Jingan! How have you treated me? How did you treat the people? You share the same father as the late Emperor, but have your years of power corrupted my grandfather’s teachings?”

The young emperor’s words were sharp, his lips turned pale with anger.

“It’s the people’s misfortune to have you in charge of Datong’s country for more than ten years! Guards! Where was the commander of the imperial guards? Throw the Regent to the dungeon. No one is allowed to see him!”

Immediately, the imperial guards rushed into the hall and surrounded the Prince Regent.

This time, he finally spoke. Starting with a sneering laugh, “Based on the words of a mere maid, Your Majesty has convicted this Prince? Isn’t Your Majesty’s action inappropriate? Even if the letter did not mention Prime Minister Bai, does His Majesty not suspect him? His daughter was among those who traveled to Huainan. Or is it that His Majesty just wants to use this as a pretext to remove this Prince and rightfully get rid of this obstacle, securing your throne? Is His Majesty not afraid of public outrage? The fastest plague in history would have taken at least half a year to control, but Your Majesty managed to control the plague in just a month. Even I have to think whether this plague was caused by the mass graves or was man-made.”

Despite being splashed with dirt, he managed to throw it back at Duan Changchuan.

Duan Changchuan almost laughed out of anger, “Whether the epidemic in Huainan is real or fake, the people of Huainan will discern. But I agree on one point. Just based on the words of a maid, based on the couple’s actions in Huainan, and based on the confession of the prince’s subordinates, it is indeed not credible enough.”

When it came to the end, his eyes were full of sarcasm.

“Then let’s invite another person to come out as a witness.” Duan Changchuan turned to Bai Yanyuan, “You say it.”

As he spoke, he pulled out a dozen letters from the drawer and threw them all at the Prince Regent’s face.

These were all evidence presented by Bai Yanyuan when he first pledged loyalty.