CHAPTER 65: CHAPTER 65: NEWS REACHES THE CAPITAL

Hu Pingcheng also arranged for people to inspect each household, ensuring they were following the Imperial Physician’s advice to disinfect by boiling vinegar and wiping hands with white wine.

When encountering those stubborn individuals, Xiao Chengyu personally led a group to visit them.

For those who refused to listen, Xiao Chengyu ordered them to be imprisoned to prevent them from endangering others while disregarding their own lives.

The city seemed to be becoming more orderly, yet the daily deaths of citizens continued.

However, the number of those recovering was greater than before.

Xiao Chengyu finally had time to investigate the origin of this epidemic.

As time passed, the letter Cheng Yuanshan sent from Ganning, by way of a nearby town, finally reached the Fu Mansion.

Three days ago, the first letter Xiao Chengyu sent regarding the Ganning epidemic reached Emperor Jiawen’s desk, and the news spread throughout the capital.

Today, the second letter from Xiao Chengyu arrived two hours earlier than Cheng Yuanshan’s letter, once again placed before Emperor Jiawen.

This time, it was reported to Emperor Jiawen that Fu Shinian had brought along medicines initially intended for the military and delivered them into Ganning City, temporarily alleviating Ganning’s urgent crisis.

When writing this letter, Xiao Chengyu hesitated about whether to report Fu Shinian’s presence to Emperor Jiawen.

But thinking that the court would certainly send someone to support Ganning, they would see Fu Shinian there anyway.

This matter would inevitably be reported to Emperor Jiawen, making it impossible to conceal.

Instead, it would be better for Xiao Chengyu to carefully consider the wording beforehand to inform Emperor Jiawen.

Furthermore, Fu Shinian’s delivery of medicine into the city was a great merit, and she could not risk her life for nothing.

Therefore, after much consideration, Xiao Chengyu decided to report Fu Shinian’s actions to Emperor Jiawen, seeing more benefit than harm.

Madam Fu received Cheng Yuanshan’s letter and almost fainted on the spot upon reading that Fu Shinian had entered Ganning alone with medicines.

"This child..." Madam Fu trembled as she held the letter, "Did she think about how worried we are at home? If something happened to her..."

Aunt Cheng was extremely anxious, "What is my brother-in-law thinking? We asked him to take care of Shinian, so how could he let Shinian enter the city!"

"Things have come to this." Madam Fu stood up, saying, "Tell Housekeeper Zhou to prepare the carriage and pack the luggage; I’m going to Ganning!"

"I definitely cannot leave Shinian alone in Ganning!" Madam Fu said, "How scared she must be all alone in Ganning! The city is full of sick people, and I heard the situation in Ganning City is severe, causing anxiety in everyone."

Fu Mingzhu said, "I’m going too!"

"I’m also going." Aunt Cheng, filled with guilt, spoke.

If anything happened to Fu Shinian under Cheng Yuanshan’s care, Madam Fu did not blame her, but she felt she couldn’t do nothing.

"Why are you all going?" Mr. Fu entered with a stern face, unable to hide his anxiety.

"Why are you back at this time?" Madam Fu asked in surprise.

It wasn’t even the end of the workday yet.

"Today, His Majesty summoned me to the imperial study and informed me of Shinian’s situation." Mr. Fu said, "Since this matter has reached His Majesty’s ears, our family cannot act rashly. If the entire family goes to Ganning, the credit originally belonging solely to Shinian will be misinterpreted."

"Are you suggesting I just wait in the capital?" Madam Fu asked anxiously, "What if Shinian is infected? If she falls ill, we won’t even know. Even if we do find out, all we can do is pray for her in the capital, and nothing more."

"What if... what if she..." Madam Fu covered her face, tears slowly trickling from her fingers to the back of her hand.

She feared she might not even get to see her daughter one last time.

Mr. Fu choked back his emotions and said, "His Majesty said Shinian is currently staying at the residence of Marquis Changping, who is taking care of her. Marquis Changping brought an Imperial Physician, who checks the pulses of both the marquis and Shinian daily. The individuals close enough to care for them are being extremely cautious to avoid contracting the disease."

"If you go, the higher number of people will lead to more chaos, increasing the risk of infection. Currently, the fewer people at Marquis Changping’s residence make it easier to manage." Mr. Fu said, "Yesterday, His Majesty already dispatched medicines and grains to Ganning. He also ordered the surrounding towns to send medicines and grains to Ganning. Coupled with the medicines Shinian brought, they should sustain until the court can send batches of supplies."

"Additionally, His Majesty has instructed the Imperial Hospital’s physicians to devise treatment formulas based on the symptoms Marquis Changping described. He sent five Imperial Physicians yesterday, accompanying the supply convoy to Ganning. Notices were posted in various places to recruit volunteer doctors to assist and to gather folk remedies, trying anything possible."

"His Majesty regards this matter as highly important, especially with Marquis Changping present in Ganning. His Majesty will ensure the marquis’ safe return." Mr. Fu said, "Marquis Changping is highly trusted by His Majesty, and the Elder Lady Xiao is close to the Empress Dowager. Initially, due to the marquis’ poor health, long-distance tasks like these wouldn’t be assigned to him. But since Marquis Changping’s health has improved, His Majesty trusts him the most and thus entrusted him with this responsibility."

"Who would have thought such an event would occur during this trip, worrying His Majesty as he feared that he couldn’t explain it to Elder Lady Xiao? So, in any case, Marquis Changping’s safety must be ensured. Shinian, staying with Marquis Changping, would undoubtedly benefit as well." Mr. Fu said, "If you all rush there in a panic, it might create more trouble."

"Moreover, it takes at least a month to travel from the capital to Ganning, even at the fastest pace." Mr. Fu said, "With the epidemic this serious, an urgent resolution is required. By the time you arrive, the epidemic might have already been resolved."

"It’s better to wait in the capital." Mr. Fu advised, "His Majesty is concerned about Marquis Changping’s situation, and the correspondence is expedited by the court’s express delivery. No one can know faster than His Majesty."

"His Majesty praised Shinian’s noble actions and took the initiative to tell me he would be informed first of any news concerning Shinian in Marquis Changping’s letters." Mr. Fu said, "Let’s wait for the news in the capital."

Madam Fu covered her face and began to cry, "That child... how could she be so willful!"

"Leaving home quietly without a word, now going into Ganning without considering how worried we are." Madam Fu’s eyes reddened with tears.

As Aunt Cheng consoled her, Mr. Fu suddenly asked, "Do you think... Shinian specifically went to see Marquis Changping?"

Madam Fu suddenly lifted her head, looking at Mr. Fu with reddened eyes, "Don’t speak like that!"

"Shinian has her reputation to consider!" Madam Fu said anxiously.

Seeing Madam Fu’s reaction, Mr. Fu realized she had thought the same, so he said, "Hey, don’t worry, I just mentioned it casually, of course, I won’t bring it up outside."

Convinced by Mr. Fu, Madam Fu decided not to travel to Ganning but went to the Law Temple early the next morning.

She planned to climb the mountain path to pray for Fu Shinian, wishing for her safe return.