The night he received the first letter, Duan Changchuan sat quietly and wrote a reply in his study, spending two hours on it.

He wrote about the wedding at the Prince Regent’s Mansion to the bizarre farce. He also shared about how he felt recently. For example, he mentioned he had no appetite during the day, but every time he drank the medicine at night, he would have an inexplicable appetite. Occasionally, he still feels nauseous but manages to keep his emotions in check.

He also complained, feeling wronged, about how Imperial Physician Huang thought he didn’t need more medication, even though he felt that taking the medicine made his body feel a bit more comfortable. Because of this, he was scolded.

At the very end, he added a line “Looking forward to your return, I miss you.”

Signed: “Your beloved, Duan Changchuan.”

After he finished writing, he realized that it was already quiet outside. It seemed that it was almost midnight.

He hurriedly sealed the papers and put them in a tube. After some thought, he asked Chang Le to bring a clean handkerchief and gently rubbed it on his glands. Once the handkerchief was imbued with the rich scent of gardenias, he blushed while wrapping it with paper and put it in a small paper tube, then handed it to the shadow guard.

“Deliver this to the empress. Remember to fumigate it with atractylodes.”

“Yes, this subordinate will remind Xiao Ba. Your Majesty, rest assured. Xiao Ba said the Empress’s palace is continuously fumigated with atractylodes. Her clothes and food are also closely monitored and there won’t be any mistakes. Not only the empress but the entire palace is well guarded. The streets of Huainan City are also regularly fumigated with atractylodes, mugwort, and the like. Everywhere is well guarded. Imperial Physician Sun said this will be the fastest pandemic we’ve ever overcome, and the people are blessed.”

Duan Changchuan listened to the shadow guard’s report, every sentence was full of praise, and his corner lips couldn’t help but curl up.

“Mm, she is Datong’s blessing.”

–

In the blink of an eye, it was the middle of the fifth month. News finally arrived from the Supreme Court official who went to Huainan City to investigate. The court was in turmoil.

But in fact, Duan Changchuan had already received reports from the secret guards over the past week: officials were secretly arrested and imprisoned; some committed suicide out of guilt, while their subordinates confessed everything, leading to more significant discoveries, and so on. There were countless such examples.

During the morning court, several high-ranking officials were visibly trembling.

Previously, the Regent was ordered by Duan Changchuan to rest at home on due to “illness”. However, Duan Changchuan received words, that some people who could not sit still and secretly sent a message to Regent’s manor.

Not only the Regent but also the Prime Minister’s manor. Though both seemed to have reached an agreement. No matter who came to deliver the message, they would not meet them. It was probably because they wanted to abandon everyone involved in this matter.

Now that their backing had gone, those who were destined to be discarded naturally felt insecure.

At this moment, in the Imperial Court.

The young Emperor adjusted his sleeves and glanced at the “high-ranking officials” names on the list. Finally, he nodded to the Supreme Court Chancellor who had just returned to the capital, and said, “Present the case.”

Chang Le’s voice immediately passed down, “Supreme Court to present the case.”

The Supreme Court Chancellor immediately stepped forward and presented the files to the Emperor with both hands.

The files were very long, and there were three copies of it. One was presented to the Emperor, one to Prime Minister Bai, and last for the high-ranking officials in the court to review.

Although the Minister of Justice had just returned, each update had been expedited to Duan Changchuan by his shadow guards. Duan Changchuan could be said very familiar with every detail of the case, he only skimmed through it for a bit before setting them aside.

Bai Yanyuan, on the other hand, was reading it seriously without showing a particular reaction. This old fox sure hides deep. Even with so many officials involved this time, he didn’t even get involved in the slightest.

Below the court, a few people weren’t well-informed and weren’t clean themselves. Their legs were trembling so badly that even Duan Chang Chuan could see it clearly.

Hmm, not only are their legs shaking, but they’re also glancing nervously at the throne, as if afraid of being noticed.

Duan Chang Chuan saw it all and couldn’t help but sneer inside.

It was clear that his previous actions, publicly shooting a traitorous minister in front of the court officials, had a significant deterrent effect.

Time passed slowly …

Finally, someone couldn’t hold back and knelt with a thump. Trembling, he took off the official’s hat on his head, “Your Majesty … This, this official is guilty!”

Once one person confessed, others followed. In no time, these people had already stood up one by one. There was a total of four people, all of them were recorded in the files.

Of course, the files detailed everything clearly. All the evidence, witnesses, and material evidence were listed clearly for the officials to read. Even if they wanted to run away, they might as well plead guilty as soon as possible.

Three out of four people were drenched in sweat, and one was trembling so badly they could barely kneel.

The young man’s gaze swept lightly past them and turned to look at the guards below, lightly said, “Arrest them.”

With just one sentence, the guards moved in unison to forcibly drag the four away.

This was the second time Duan Changchuan openly interrogated and arrested people in the court after interfering with political power. Moreover, the ones he arrested were high-ranking officials in the court. Each time, the evidence was solid, leaving no room for denial. The arrested officials didn’t even have the qualifications to quibble, and there was almost no news leaked out before they were arrested.

Some of these officials had likely just said goodbye to their families, planning their lunch, clothes, and their activities after, only to find themselves imprisoned and their homes raided.

With such an iron-blooded approach, who wouldn’t feel in danger?

The court fell silent as if even a pin drop could be heard.

Duan Changchuan was pleased with these results.

The young man brushed his sleeves and stood up from the throne, issuing orders with clear authority, “Pass down my order. For all officials involved in the Huainan disaster relief case, those who confess will have their servants pardoned, male family members will be exiled to the borders, and female members expelled from their manor! Those who refuse to confess, regardless of the severity of the crime, will be executed by a thousand cuts. Their heads will be displayed on the walls of Shengjing to honor the spirits of the deceased. Male family members will be exiled, and all female family members and servants will serve as palace laborers for life, forbidden from ever leaving. All properties of the implicated will be confiscated and their wealth handed over to the Ministry of Revenue, and become part of the national treasury. The Minister and Deputy Minister of the Supreme Court will oversee this, assisted by General Rong Wu, with a seven-day deadline!”

As his voice fell, Rong Wu immediately stepped forward with Official Jiang, and replied in a solemn bow, “This official obeys the decree!”

The Emperor nodded. His clear eyes swept across everyone in the court and said, “From today onwards, any official or gentry who violates the law will be sentenced to tenfold or twentyfold penalties! Severe offenders will be punished, be it death by a thousand cuts, or beheading, they will be executed publicly to serve as a warning and to comfort the people! Where is the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Justice?”

The Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Justice immediately stepped forward, “This official is here.”

“Record my words in the Justice Department’s files, post the notices, and announce it to the people.”

“Yes!”

After that …

The person standing on the throne suddenly quieted down.

And stayed silent for a long time.

Everyone thought that it was due to the emperor’s anger, thus, they quietly lowered their heads and waited for the next order after the Emperor’s anger subsided.

But after waiting for a long time, the Emperor did not speak.

Some officials couldn’t resist sneaking glances up, seeing the emperor with tightly furrowed brows and clenched lips, only to quickly look down again in fear. They were afraid their gaze would attract the Emperor’s attention and cause him to vent his anger.

Time passed slowly and the ministers were sweating profusely …

Finally, they heard the young man’s faint voice, “Court is dismissed.”

Immediately, they felt a sense of relief.

Everyone hurriedly bowed, “Yes …”

Only when the bright yellow figure had left the court did they wipe their sweat and leave.

“Our Emperor’s methods are starting to resemble those of the late emperor.”

“Which late Emperor are you talking about? The previous Emperor had always been benevolent. But this current one … somehow reminds me of the founding emperor.”

“Hiss, exactly like the founding emperor … Previously, I thought it was a bit (weak) … Who knew that he was pretending to be a pig to eat the tiger? Concealing his strength and biding his time, knowing how to make good use of people, loving the people like his own children. According to my experience of serving under three emperors, he is definitely a wise Emperor.”

“Shut up already. How many times have I told you, don’t think you can talk nonsense about the royal family just because you’re old. Watch the situation before you speak.”

“What’s wrong with that? Is old Sun careful with his words and actions? Even that old man can get along well with our young emperor, which shows that our young emperor isn’t narrow-minded.”

“Is it a matter of narrow-mindedness? I think you and Old Sun are just alike, speaking without thinking due to your old age.”

The two old officials, who were over sixty years old, continued to bicker as they walked out of the palace.

And not far behind them …

The Prime Minister, Bai Yanyuan, dressed in his official attire, looked back at the grand hall with a solemn expression.

–

The eighteen-year-old emperor had finally stopped trying to persuade the Regent to return power willingly and instead took the throne back with an iron fist. The shock caused by today’s actions and edicts was palpable.

But Duan Changchuan didn’t have the heart to think about this now.

The ministers all thought the emperor would return to the Ming Sheng Hall after the court session ended. Little did they know …. their emperor couldn’t even take a few steps after the session and ended up sitting in the rear hall to rest.

Once the people in the front hall had left, he leaned on the couch and retched for a long time.

Yes, he was experiencing morning sickness.

Just now, he already felt unwell during the court session. His stomach kept churning, making him want to throw up. He had to take several deep breaths to suppress the urge and hastily ended the session.

But before he could even leave, the nausea hit him again.

Chang Le who was next to him had a worried look, “Your Majesty, are you still feeling unwell? Should I invite Imperial Physician Huang over?”

The young man waved his hand, “No need …. I’ll be fine after a while.”

His voice was weak and exhausted without much energy. It’s like a completely different person compared to the one who scolded the treacherous courtiers in the court.

The little eunuch next to him was so anxious that he wanted to cry, “How can this be …. Although there were times when you felt unwell and couldn’t eat, your appetite was very good at night so this servant wasn’t too worried. But now you’re vomiting like this … Did you get angry again just now … Her Highness specifically told you not to get angry before she left, yet you still did …”

Duan Changchuan already felt awful, and the nagging made it worse.

Moreover, his temper has been growing worse in recent days. Whenever something didn’t go his way, he wanted to lash out. He knew this was a normal reaction during an Omega’s pregnancy and that it was due to the lack of Alpha’s comfort. Knowing this, he constantly reminded himself to control his emotions and not be driven by his instincts. Yet, he couldn’t help but feel genuinely aggrieved.

Just like now.

Listening to Chang Le’s nagging, he only thought, “The Empress had warned me before she left. But what good were instructions if she wasn’t there herself? She clearly knew … that I needed her.”

His heart was filled with resentment and grievance …

[If only … if only she was really here.]

If Bai Su was here, he definitely wouldn’t be this miserable …

The young man blinked away his tears and tried to suppress his feelings with great difficulty …

He touched his stomach and asked softly, “What has Bai Su been doing recently? Why hasn’t she sent me a letter? Where is Xiao Ba? Hasn’t he returned yet?”

Chang Le sighed, “… Your Majesty, Xiao Ba just left for Huainan not long ago. It will take at least a few days for a round trip. Your Majesty might have to wait a few more days; he should return in two or three days.”

The young man lowered his eyes and his entire body was filled with dejection.

“Your Majesty …”

“Is my medicine … not ready yet?”

The two of them spoke at the same time.

Chang Le was stunned, “Huh? The medicine is for the evening, Your Majesty …! Are you still feeling unwell? Why doesn’t this servant call Imperial Physician Huang? No, this servant is really not sure …”

Only then did Duan Changchuan come back to his senses. “Right, it’s for the evening … I forgot.”

He didn’t know what was wrong with him, but just a moment ago, he suddenly had a strong urge to drink that medicine. Not just to smell the familiar scent of peonies in the medicine, but also to feel the comfort of drinking it…

For the past few days, he had not had a good appetite, but after drinking the medicine, he felt much better. Perhaps it was because he felt particularly awful today that he had a sudden craving for it.