Although he told himself he didn’t want to, the awkward omega’s body was honest, and he ended up using the finely crafted jade stone … Mostly because the letter from his sister instructed him to use it.

Furthermore, his Alpha knew him very well. Just when he was reading the letter and couldn’t stop, he was told to use it … He had no choice but to use it, enduring his embarrassment.

So this time, after finishing the entire letter, the young man was even more disheveled than before. His clothes were all wet, not to mention the rest. He even claimed it was too hot and asked Chang Le to prepare another bath.

Of course, he slept better than at any other time.

If it weren’t for his shame and embarrassment, he had an impulse to order Xiao Ba and Shiyi to go to Bai Su and fetch some clothes for him while curling up under the blanket. Fortunately, his rationality overcame his impulse and he didn’t embarrass himself in the middle of the night.

But it seemed that he missed her even more.

–

Elder Sun’s letter arrived in the middle of the sixth month. Although it took a long time, it was great news.

Because the announcement the messenger sent to the palace was: Good news!

Duan Changchuan couldn’t care less about his slightly protruding belly and hurriedly made his way from the Ming Sheng Hall to the palace gates to receive the letter, immediately opening it to read.

Elder Sun’s letter was very long. It started with a few words of auspicious greetings and then detailed the events of the plague in Huainan.

He described the number of affected citizens, the rapid spread of the disease, how dangerous it was, and so on in detail. Then he mentioned that after he arrived, he followed the guidance of a girl named “Bai” and took various measures, which proved effective.

Additionally, since Sun Lao was only a physician and the disciples he brought were all apprentices, he feared he couldn’t control the situation. To ensure the proper execution of the regulations and measures, he borrowed this year’s top scholar and the runner-up from the Ministry of Personnel to assist him, even intercepting the promising young scholar halfway; besides that, he also requested some stationed soldiers from Duan Changchuan to provide assistance and act as a deterrent.

Most local officials had been purged because of the “Winter Famine” case. Those who were still in their positions were either insightful people who were clean in both mind and body or temporarily transferred officials from other places. Everyone had their own ambitions, and they spared no effort in fighting the plague.

In short, in just a month and a half, Sun Lao managed to control the situation with something seemed like divine assistance.

Of course, he didn’t claim credit for himself. Instead, he pushed the biggest credit for the medicinal combination of herbs and mustard brine to the “daughter of the Bai family” behind the scenes. He wrote about this “daughter of the Bai family” as if she were a goddess who had descended to the mortal world.

In short, with effective medicine and strategies, the fierce plague was reduced to insignificant embers in no time.

The young man spent half an hour reading the letter until he finally reached the last page.

With a snap, he closed the reports and exclaimed “Good!” three times, then ordered, “Chang Le, summon the six ministers, Prime Minister Bai, Lord Qian, and Lord Zheng to the palace! Tell them I have important matters to discuss!”

He then briskly walked back to the Ming Sheng Hall.

–

The ones summoned to the palace were the six ministers, Prime Minister Bai and Lord Qian, but only the Regent himself came after hearing the news.

However, it’s been more than a month since his last confinement. Thus, Duan Changchuan wasn’t surprised by his appearance here in the Ming Sheng Hall.

Once the important ministers arrived, Duan Changchuan immediately ordered Chang Le to serve various nuts, fruits, and refreshments.

When serving the Regent, he even specifically reminded him, “Remember to put more goji berries in Imperial Uncle’s tea to improve his eyesight. How has Imperial Uncle’s recuperation been this past month? Are your eyes better?”

Then, turning to Minister Bai with a meaningful look, he added, “But I heard some rumors recently. It seems Prime Minister Bai’s eyesight has also deteriorated.”

Just two sentences were enough to make Bai Yanyuan and Duan Jing’an’s faces darken.

And it was said so bluntly as if he was afraid the two wouldn’t know he was mocking the marriage between the Regent and Prime Minister Bai family which made the world laugh.

Lord Qian with his mouth full of pastries, widened his eyes and quietly gave him a thumbs up. Likewise, Lord Zheng’s mouth couldn’t help but smile.

From behind, Duan Changchuan secretly made a pinching gesture with his index finger: [Gotcha].

This gesture was something he had taught the two ‘old bones’ before. Thus, when the two saw it, they immediately responded with a small [Gotcha].

After their secret exchange, the young emperor cleared his throat, sat upright, and said, “The main reason for this gathering is to share the good news that Imperial Physician Sun’s success containing the plague in Huainan. Also, we need to discuss some arrangements for the future. With summer here and the situation in Huainan finally under control, I feel at ease and plan to go to the summer villa on June 16th to escape the heat. All beloved ministers are welcome to join. By the time the heat passes, Imperial Physician Sun should return to Shengjing. Before then, I expect you to submit the records for rewards and recognition for my review.”

The several ministers quickly knelt and complied, “Yes, Your Majesty.”

“In addition, regarding Imperial Physician Sun’s letter, have the Hanlin Academy summarize it into a brief announcement and proclaim it to the nation. This matter will be handed over to Lord Zheng, is that alright?”

Lord Zheng knelt immediately, “I will not fail!”

Seeing Lord Zheng kneel, Lord Qian followed suit, “I am willing to assist and fully support Minister Zheng!”

The tone of his voice was as if writing a summary and posting a notice was some life-threatening task.

However, what they did was actually not important, the main purpose was to show the Regent, the ‘original plotter’, who had been grounded for more than a month and had finally been released recently, as well as Prime Minister Bai, who had been repeatedly tricked by the Regent, that with ranked after the civil and military officials, the ministers of the three dynasties had fully sided with him, and were loyal to him.

So Duan Changchuan didn’t rush to help the two ministers up but maintained his emperor’s demeanor, nodding slightly and saying, “Hmm, with Lord Qian assisting, the task should be completed smoothly. It’s settled then. Do any of you have objections? I nearly forgot; does Uncle Wang have any objections to these arrangements? You’ve been away from the court for some time, and I nearly forgot to ask your opinion.”

These last words were, of course, said on purpose.

Since the emperor had said it, once made, it wouldn’t change. No one dared to have any objections

Therefore, the Regent could only reluctantly nod and say, “I have no objections.”

” Then you may all withdraw and prepare for the trip to the villa. I’m also feeling a bit tired.”

The ministers promptly took their leave, walking out in an orderly manner.

Only Lord Qian and Zheng were greedy, finishing the last bite of pastries before brushing off their sleeves and leaving.

This would have been fine, but Minister Qian, a general with sharp eyesight, noticed something odd about Duan Changchuan’s belly before leaving. He stared at it for a while and asked Zheng directly, “Do you think that His Majesty’s stomach is a little too big?”

Lord Zheng was immediately:???

Lord Zheng pinched him hard, “Don’t speak like that in front of His Majesty! He has sharp ears and eyes!”

After that, he couldn’t help but look over.

“… It does look a little big.”

Duan Changchuan, “…”

He subtly covered it, feigning nonchalance.

His eyes dodged and he lied, “I am happy today, so I ate a lot. If you don’t believe me, look at yourselves. Your stomachs are not much smaller than mine.”

Fortunately, both men had big stomachs to begin with. After eating and drinking, their stomachs look even more like balloons.

They looked at each other’s stomachs, then …

Lord Qian dragged Lord Zheng out the door, “Let’s go, let’s go. Our stomachs seem to be bigger than his. Later, he will say that we overate.”

“Fine. but why are you dragging me? You’re a general, your strength is strong, what if you might hurt this old man’s bones.”

“You are so troublesome! I’ve told you to ride and run more, but you act like it’s killing you!”

“If Lord Qian were more mature, this old man might live ten years longer”

“…”

Duan Changchuan was helpless. He turned to Chang Le, “Tell Yi Man to see the two elders off.”

“Yes, this servant will go and tell Yi Man.”

“Mm.”

–

Not long after Chang Le left, another visitor arrived at Duan Changchuan’s Ming Sheng Hall.

He was dressed in a flowery butterfly-like dress, with various ornaments like pendants and tassels jingling as he walked.

He stood outside the door and announced himself, “Your Majesty, Lord Yun of the Imperial Astronomer Bureau requests an audience!”

Duan Changchuan, “…”

He directly waved his hand, “Send him back, I’m going to sleep.”

The next moment, the person stepped in, “Don’t, why sleep when you’re fine? I have something to tell you.”

Duan Changchuan gave him a cold glance, “What is it? Is it about you and Aunt? I don’t want to hear it.”

Yun Xie, “It’s not!”

After that, he sat directly beside him and picked up a lotus seed to eat, “Guess what I saw on my way here?”

“What?”

“I heard Sun Lao’s letter arrived, and you immediately summoned the six ministers. What did you tell them? Prime Minister Bai had a solemn expression just now, as if his eternal foundation was about to collapse, haha! Didn’t he usually leave with your Regent uncle, but today, they didn’t walk together, and both had long faces. I secretly watched them and felt funny.”

Duan Changchuan also peeled a lotus seed and popped it into his mouth, “The alliance between Imperial Uncle and Prime Minister Bai is bound to break sooner or later; it’s not surprising.”

“Oh? Is it because of the second daughter of the Bai family? I don’t believe it.”

“Yes, and no. To Prime Minister Bai, both daughters of the Bai family are merely pawns for his political scheme. But this pawn must not tarnish his reputation; otherwise, he would be very concerned. Now, Bai Xiang has become the joke of the whole capital. The dignified daughter of the prime minister married an impotent man is already a disgrace for him. On the day of the marriage, there was also a concubine, even that concubine had a child. This is a huge humiliation for Bai Yanyuan, so naturally, he is angry. Moreover, in my opinion, Prime Minister Bai is not an overly ambitious person. In the power struggle between me and the Regent, he merely assessed the situation in the court and sided early. At that time, it seemed I was destined to fail, so he chose the Regent as a way to protect himself. As long as he could maintain his wealth and status, he wouldn’t care about his two daughters’ fates.”

Yun Xie disdainfully said, “Tsk, tsk, tsk, what an old scoundrel. However, he and the Regent have long been tied on the same rope. If they part ways, Minister Bai won’t have a good ending. From this perspective, we must be even more cautious. If they become desperate, they will be hard to deal with.”

“You’re right,” the young emperor said, though he showed no worry. Instead, he placed several lotus seeds on the table.

One on the left represented the Regent, while the other on the right represented himself.

There’s also one in the middle, representing Bai Yanyuan.

“Though they seem like grasshoppers tied to the same rope, in reality, that’s not the case. If they become desperate and join forces, what are their chances of success?”

After he finished speaking, he placed another lotus seed beside him, “My uncle wrote a letter to me a few days ago. Saying if there is a need, he will definitely do his best to help. He will return to fight in any conflict.”

Yun Xie crossed his arms, watching for a while, then shook his head: “Considering the current situation in Datong, our chances are about 6:4. Though it seems risky with their four against our six, we have the ingenious strategies from the Empress. With firearms in every hand and improved explosives, they won’t stand a chance.”

“Then what if we reveal our cards to Prime Minister Bai directly? What will he do?”

Yun Xie, “…”

He was stunned.

Then he clapped his hands again, “Brilliant! If we secretly leak it to Prime Minister Bai, making him realize he has no chance of winning, their alliance will crumble regardless of their desperation.”

Duan Changchuan pursed his lips into a smile and added another two lotus seeds to his side, “Moreover, his daughter has married into the palace as the Empress. Even though she is a concubine’s daughter, he is still the Empress’s father. Soon, Bai Su and I will have an heir, how will he choose then?”

At this point, the court’s situation was already clear. The alliance between Minister Bai and the Regent was shaky and only needed a slight push to collapse.

What’s more, this wasn’t a gentle push. Duan Changchuan’s method was like a tornado tearing apart their already precarious relationship.

Yun Xie meaningfully said, “Your plan is quite deep, huh?”

Duan Changchuan, “You flatter me, this is the strategy that Bai Su and I came up with after discussing it with Aunt Feng Yao. Now that the Huainan case is closed and the Ministry of Personnel has drafted new officials, everything is settled. The plague has almost been eradicated, and Bai Su should return soon. At that time, all of my shadow guards will return to the palace. Aunt will also spread the word that I killed three assassins with firearms, and Bai Su will personally approach Prime Minister Bai to pull him over.”

After he finished speaking, he ruthlessly crushed the lotus seed representing the Regent in his left hand.

“Once Prime Minister Bai changes sides, we will immediately deal with Imperial Uncle.”

At this point, Yun Xie slapped his forehead, “Oh right! I almost forgot because of your interruption! Your Empress is coming back! Last night, I saw the letter she sent to Aunt in her room. She said that she wanted to hide it from you! I think she wants to give you a surprise. But such good news, of course, I have to tell you immediately. Who told us to have such a close relationship!”

As soon as he heard that Bai Su was coming back, the young man who was sitting on the couch and arranging the lotus seeds immediately stood up.

“When?”

“That letter was sent today. Your Empress specifically mentioned she would arrive in Shengjing in about three to five days after the letter arrived. I estimate that she has already set off from Huainan now.”

Already set off from Huainan.

Sister has already set off from Huainan!

The young man fiercely pinched his arm. It was obviously painful, but his eyes were smiling like two beautiful crescent moons.

It’s not a dream!

She’s really coming back!

His Alpha is coming back!

[I suddenly feel so happy ^-^]