epidemic

The weather in Beijing warmed up not long before it started raining. The winter rain was damp and chilly.

Pei Wenjin stood outside the vermilion gate of the Dali Temple, his black official robe stained with mud, indicating that he was not carrying a sword since he was visiting in private.

Today, the court is arguing endlessly about those messy accounts in the Northwest. With the year-end approaching, the commander-in-chief is about to return to the capital to report on his duties, which will inevitably lead to another round of arguments.

He raised his hand and knocked on the door knocker, thinking he needed to find something to do during his idle days.

"Lord Pei?" A gatekeeper poked his head out. Upon seeing him, he quickly bowed and greeted him. "Lord Lin is reviewing files in the back hall and instructed that you be invited in immediately."

Pei Wenjin nodded, took off his damp cloak and handed it to the gatekeeper, then walked into the passageway paved with blue bricks.

The courtyard of the Dali Temple was quite shabby, but fortunately, the Dali Temple Minister himself was quite refined and had done a good job of tidying it up, making it more elegant than the Zhenfu Division.

Pei Wenjin looked around at the newly added palace lanterns and thought to himself that the owner was very generous. He wondered if he should also get one for the Zhenfu Division to prepare for the New Year.

But the thought of Song Pingzhang having to put on a dramatic performance for days after seeing this expensive item made him realize it would hurt both his wallet and his feelings, so he decided to give up on it.

The door to the back room was ajar, and Lin Huaiyu's voice came through the rustling of pages turning: "Clean the mud off your shoes before you come in."

Pei Wenjin, used to being smug, was also deliberately trying to make things difficult for Lin Huaiyu. When he heard Lin Huaiyu's voice, he had already lifted the curtain and entered first.

Incense was burning in the room; he recognized the scent—it was a calming incense he'd gotten from the Imperial Hospital.

Pei Wenjin frowned and fanned himself as soon as he entered the room. The person inside was still sitting at his desk, not looking up at him, but his attitude was becoming increasingly impatient: "What brings you here?"

Pei Wenjin: "Nothing important, just came to see if you're still breathing."

Lin Huaiyu was very young, with a naturally handsome appearance. His phoenix eyes were sharp and captivating, almost merging together, making him look quite pitiful.

The teacup on his table had gone cold, and the pile of files next to him was half a foot taller than last month, suggesting he had been working day and night.

He was hunched over his desk with dark circles under his eyes, and before he could even take off his official robes, he was already busy with various tasks.

“Lord Lin is certainly busy.” Pei Wenjin sat down in the chair opposite him, his gaze sweeping over the topmost dossier, the words “Jiangzhou Salt and Iron Account Book” on the cover particularly eye-catching.

Lin Huaiyu lifted his heavy eyelids, his anger rising: "Compared to Lord Pei's daily efforts to apprehend wanted criminals in the capital, what is my little job? Tell me, what are you up to today?"

"Lord Lin is wise." Pei Wenjin smiled and began to dig a pit for Lin Huaiyu. He took out an account book from his sleeve and pushed it in front of the table. "I have been investigating the flow of salt and iron sent from Jiangzhou for a long time. Take a look and cherish it."

Lin Huaiyu picked up the account book, paused his finger on the words "Huaizhou", and sneered: "Investigated for a long time? I don't think so. The Huaizhou grain draft is still a mess. Lord Pei really deserves credit."

Pei Wenjin smiled, revealing a set of white teeth: "I wouldn't dare say that, I'd lose my head if I said that."

Lin Huaiyu gave him a sidelong glance, then turned to talk about something else: "By the way, what exactly was the matter you asked me to send the princess to Jiangzhou last time? The accounts of the Jiangnan Salt and Iron Bureau were cleared by the Dragon Boat Festival this year, but they have not been reported to the Ministry of Revenue."

“It’s a ‘deal,’ Lord Lin.” Pei Wenjin moved aside the messy files and documents on the table, making room for himself to prop his arms up. “She wants to wade into these muddy waters herself… After all these years, her troublemaking habit hasn’t changed at all.”

Lin Huaiyu picked up his cool tea and drank it all in one gulp: "And what about you? Others may not know about the Huaizhou case, but do you think you don't? If you ask me, it's better to just let it go. It's better for everyone."

“If she didn’t do this, she wouldn’t be Xiao Mingzhao.”

Lin Huaiyu raised an eyebrow in surprise: "You're not actually looking forward to it, are you? You'll be busy cleaning up the mess later."

"Look, I've been so busy talking about my own affairs that Pingzhang asked me to ask you about that person."

Mentioning that person gave Lin Huaiyu a headache, and the bitter taste of cold tea spread in his mouth: "He still has the same stubborn temper, causing endless trouble. Ever since His Highness was put in confinement and is now in Huaizhou, there is really no one who can control him."

Pei Wenjin nodded in satisfaction and comforted him with a kind and understanding expression, "I'm relieved to see that you're having such a miserable time."

Lin Huaiyu: ...

The Song family was a prominent and influential family in the capital. The head of the family held the position of Grand Secretary, and his only son, Song Pingzhang, was a personal guard of the emperor, enjoying absolute power.

The entire Song family prefers to keep a low profile, so naturally, the Song family cannot produce a second high-ranking official.

But fate seemed to favor the Song family, especially their collateral branch, which was Song Pingzhang's own cousin.

Song Chenjing won the top prize and became the second-place winner of the previous year. In order to hide his talent, the Song family had to use Pei Wenjin's relationship to get in touch with Lin Huaiyu and get him a minor official position.

The glory of the Song family was not Song Chenjing's glory alone. With his youthful spirit, he could not bear all kinds of grievances. After arriving at the Dali Temple, he was only slightly more obedient in front of the princess.

Song Chenjing wasn't being unreasonable; he was just too young to understand the intricacies of officialdom and didn't know how to retaliate when he was bullied.

Just a few days ago, the princess was placed under house arrest, and Song Chenjing was immediately tricked by the Ministry of Justice. His superior, Lin Huaiyu, pretended to punish him to show fairness, and then turned around and asked Pei Wenjin to bail him out.

It's hard to imagine that Pei Wenjin could get along with Lin Huaiyu. The two are intelligent people who don't like each other, so they won't offend each other or take the initiative to talk to each other.

It was only when the princess was caught in the middle that opportunities for cooperation gradually arose.

The incense in the room smelled even stronger. Pei Wenjin couldn't chat with him for more than a few words before patting his clothes and getting up to leave.

Before leaving, Lin Huaiyu stopped him, waiting patiently for this man to make his move: "Lord Pei just finished the morning court session and came here to cause trouble. I'm afraid you can't just leave after saying a few words, can you?"

Pei Wenjin dropped the pretense, tapped his desk directly, and spread his hands: "Her official report documents."

Lin Huaiyu shrugged helplessly: "No, there really isn't. I'm afraid the princess was too busy and forgot. She didn't submit any documents."

Pei Wenjin tilted his head.

Lin Huaiyu shook his head: "It's true, you can search for it if you don't believe me."

Pei Wenjin turned and walked away with a look of disgust.

Lin Huaiyu: ?

He leaned back in his chair, pinched his brow, and tried to calm himself down, wondering if he should put up a sign outside the door.

The sign reads, "No Pei Song or dogs allowed."

His small, dilapidated temple, Dali Temple, is enough with the princess as a golden nugget; he doesn't need too many people to come.

Pei Wenjin was in a bad mood because he didn't get what he wanted. He pushed open the door and walked into the rain. The lanterns under the eaves swayed in the wind, casting flickering light on his face, and no one could see the emotions in his eyes.

When they returned to the Zhenfu Division, the rain had subsided. Song Pingzhang paced anxiously in the inner room, and when he saw Pei Wenjin put away his oil-paper umbrella, he pounced on him.

Lord Song was practically ready to grab Pei Wenjin by the collar and yell, "Where have you been? I sent men to wait for you after the morning court session, but we couldn't find you anywhere. We were frantic!"

Pei Wenjin rarely saw Song Pingzhang so agitated. He handed the umbrella to a servant, patted Song Pingzhang on the shoulder, and gestured for him to calm down before speaking.

Song Pingzhang pushed his hand away, his expression serious: "A plague has broken out in Danzhou, and news of this has only just reached the capital..."

Danzhou is closer to Huaizhou, which means—

"The spies say that the gates of Huaizhou are tightly closed, and refugees have already entered." Song Pingzhang was unusually anxious, and Pei Wenjin was also stunned by the news.

He didn't even have time to change his clothes before he stepped out the door and shouted, "Someone, prepare the horses!"

Song Pingzhang stopped him: "Change your clothes and go ask His Majesty for permission first!"

Startled by his shout, Pei Wenjin realized he had lost his temper and turned back to do something when a subordinate handed him a message from Shangguan Lin.

Pei Wenjin opened the letter. The paper was slightly wrinkled due to dampness, but Shangguan Lin's handwriting was still elegant: "There is unrest in Huaizhou. The princess has infiltrated the Yang residence to investigate. I am worried about her safety and hope that you will send reinforcements immediately."

He was just about to say that Xiao Diting was probably reviewing the draft of the Jiangnan grain policy with Shangguan Lin and couldn't go to Huaizhou, but who would have thought that she could act so quickly!

His fingers tightened suddenly around the letter, crumpling the pages into several creases.

"Prepare the horses." Pei Wenjin turned and walked out, his voice as cold as ice. "I'm going to see His Majesty."

Huaizhou City is located in Jiangnan, and early winter is not too cold. The city was locked down for less than half a month.

At first, she thought the Yang family was guilty and wanted to prevent her from leaving Huaizhou City, but she didn't expect that the Yang family didn't have that much power. The reason for sealing off the city was that an epidemic had broken out in Danzhou.

She was an envoy from the imperial court, and she didn't have many subordinates at her disposal. She was somewhat isolated from information, and the epidemic seemed to spread overnight.

Xiao Diting stood in front of the makeshift soup kitchen, watching the refugees holding rough porcelain bowls, huddled in the corner and taking small sips of soup.

Most of them looked sickly, with sunken eyes and chapped lips. Some of them coughed incessantly, as if they were coughing up their lungs.

"My lord, this is freshly brewed medicinal soup." The guard handed over a ceramic pot, from which a bitter medicinal smell wafted. "Prefect Liu sent it here, saying it was prepared according to the Imperial Hospital's prescription and can prevent epidemics."

Xiao Diting took the earthenware pot, poured out a bowl of medicinal soup, dipped her fingertip in it, and found the temperature to be just right. She tilted her head back and took a sip; the bitter taste spread from the tip of her tongue to her throat, making her involuntarily frown.

"Distribute them." She handed the earthenware jar to her guards, her gaze sweeping over the crowd. "Let everyone have a bowl, especially the women and children."

She has barely slept these past few days.

Ever since entering Huaizhou City, there has been no peace and quiet—the Yang family's harassment, Liu Cheng's perfunctory attitude, the riots of the displaced people—I have to deal with every single one of them personally.

"Miss Xiao." A familiar voice came. Liu Cheng, wearing a straw raincoat, hurried over with several yamen runners, his face plastered with a fawning smile. "Is today's medicinal soup enough? I'll have someone go to the pharmacy to get some more herbs."

Xiao Diting looked at him: "Are there enough medicinal herbs? I heard that the pharmacies in the west of the city have closed down, saying that all the medicinal herbs have been bought up."

Liu Cheng's smile froze for a moment: "This... I'm not quite sure. Perhaps the merchants are taking the opportunity to raise prices. I'll have someone investigate right away."

“No need,” Xiao Diting interrupted him. “I’ve already had medicinal herbs sent from Jiangzhou; they should arrive tomorrow. But how are the epidemic prevention measures in the city, Prefect Liu? Have all the refugees from the affected areas been quarantined?”

"They're quarantined, they're quarantined." Liu Cheng nodded hurriedly. "I had someone fence off an open space in the north of the city and set up dozens of sheds. Anyone with a fever or cough is sent there."

Xiao Diting raised an eyebrow: "Really? I heard that someone escaped from the epidemic area yesterday and sneaked into the residential area in the south of the city?"

Cold sweat beaded on Liu Cheng's forehead. He quickly explained, "It was my negligence in supervision. I have already sent people to search, and I will definitely bring them back."

Xiao Di didn't press the matter further and turned to walk towards the epidemic area. Her guards tried to stop her, but she stopped them with a single look.

"Your Highness, the epidemic area is dangerous..."

"We have to go even if it's dangerous." Xiao Diting's voice was soft, but it carried an undeniable determination. "I'm here to investigate a case, not to be a figurehead. What kind of case are we investigating if we don't even care about the lives of ordinary people?"

The epidemic area was located on an open space in the north of the city, enclosed by wooden boards. Several expressionless yamen runners stood at the gate, holding wooden sticks to prevent people inside from escaping.

Xiao Diting lifted the curtain and went inside. A strong smell of herbs mixed with a musty smell hit her, causing her to instinctively hold her breath.

The shed was packed with patients. Some lay on straw mats, covered with tattered blankets, groaning softly; others huddled in corners, their eyes vacant, as if they had given up on the will to live.

"Water...water..." came an old voice. Xiao Diting looked in the direction of the voice and saw an old woman with white hair struggling to sit up, clutching a tattered cloth bag tightly in her hand.

She went over and helped the old woman up, a guard handing her a water jug. The old woman drank a few sips, feeling a little better. Looking at Xiao Diting, tears welled up in her cloudy eyes: "Young lady, have you come to save us? My grandson... my grandson died yesterday..."

Xiao Diting felt a pang in her heart. She patted the old woman's back and said, "Don't worry, Grandma, the medicine will be here soon. You'll get better."

As she was speaking, she suddenly heard a commotion. A man dressed in coarse cloth rushed over, holding a kitchen knife, his eyes filled with madness: "It's all your fault! It's all your fault, you officials, who have ruined us! You've swallowed our grain, and now you're making us die of disease! I'll kill you all!"

The constables tried to stop him, but he pushed them to the ground. The man, brandishing a kitchen knife, charged straight at Xiao Diting.

The guards immediately drew their swords, but Xiao Diting stopped them. She looked at the man, her voice calm: "Will killing me solve the problem? Will it bring your family back to life?"

The man froze, his hand holding the cleaver hanging in mid-air.

“I know you hate officials,” Xiao Diting continued. “Last year’s disaster relief grain has disappeared, and this year’s plague is being ignored. If I were in their shoes, I would hate them too. But would killing me solve these problems?”

She straightened up, her calm gaze sweeping over everyone inside, her voice not loud but firm enough: "No. It will only cause more people to die in vain."

She took a step forward, looking directly into the man's eyes: "I assure you, I will find out who swallowed your food and I will cure your illness. But if you insist on taking action, I will not allow you to harm anyone here."

The man's hands trembled, and the kitchen knife clattered to the ground.

He squatted on the ground, holding his head and wailing like a helpless child.

Xiao Diting sighed, signaled the yamen runners to take him away, and then had someone bring him a bowl of hot porridge.

"Your Highness, you took too much risk." The guard stepped forward, his face pale. "If only..."

“There’s no ‘if only’,” Xiao Diting interrupted him, her figure slightly unsteady. The previous confrontation had drained her of her last bit of energy. “They’re just too desperate. Someone needs to be their leader…”

Before she could even utter the word "bone," her steps faltered, and she collapsed against the wall.

These past few days of traveling back and forth have left her so exhausted that she feels like vomiting. The sounds around her are chaotic and confusing. Xiao Diting struggles to open her eyes and vaguely sees a blurry figure approaching from not far away.

It looked very familiar, but she wanted to reach out and confirm.

“Pei…”

It is incredibly difficult to even speak a single sentence.

The shed was warm and cozy, with charcoal fire burning inside.

But amidst the chaos, she caught the chill of the capital.