Song Yu’s orders quickly spread to the other prefectures.
Once the floodgates were opened, the long-accumulated floodwaters in Laijin Prefecture surged out, and the water level began to steadily recede.
“The flood release worked!”
“The flood release worked!”
Cheers erupted repeatedly—not only from the officials but also from the refugees on the streets, who hurriedly spread the good news. The water level was dropping; at least, no more areas would be submerged.
“Although the water level is now under control, the heavy rain has yet to stop. We must remain fully alert—there can be no mistakes at this critical moment,” Song Yu said with exceptional calm.
“Your Highness, Princess, earlier we only cleared a few key points due to time constraints. We should now continue to study the tributaries of the Mi River,” Hou Zhiyuan and Tan Ye spoke up promptly.
“Thank you both for your efforts,” Song Shihuan said, her gaze returning to the map. “Now that the water level is controlled and the number of refugees needing aid will gradually decrease, why not divert some manpower to reinforce the levees, so we can prevent the floodwaters from surging again?”
Hou Zhiyuan and Tan Ye nodded vigorously at her suggestion.
After this ordeal, they were utterly impressed by the young princess before them.
She had quickly mastered ancient flood control methods by reading old texts, and even arranged for epidemic prevention with meticulous order.
Even for a seasoned official, this was no easy feat.
“I can take half the men to strengthen the levees, while Yu Fan continues leading the rescue efforts. But I don’t understand flood control well, so I’ll need Your Highness and the prince’s guidance on which levee sections to reinforce,” Gu Mingning offered.
“Good. Let’s follow Mingning’s plan,” Song Yu agreed.
Though the rain still fell, the tension in everyone’s hearts was not as tight as before. Stepping outside, Gu Mingning finally had a chance to scrutinize Yu Fan.
“Gu... Gu Xiao General,” he stammered.
Yu Fan felt Gu Mingning’s gaze and suddenly grew awkward. Did his brother-in-law approve of him? Did he think Yu Fan was overreaching by marrying into the Ming Liu family?
As Yu Fan’s face flushed red, Gu Mingning stepped forward and punched his chest lightly.
“I’ve heard that nearly everyone in Laijin Prefecture knows your name now.”
He had tirelessly rescued hundreds of refugees trapped by the floodwaters.
Where the water was most dangerous, he went straight there.
“You’re a real man! I, Gu Mingning, officially accept you as my brother-in-law.”
Yu Fan was so stunned by Gu Mingning’s words that he froze in place. Behind him, Gu Zheng smiled and came forward to pat Yu Fan on the shoulder.
“Kid, you didn’t disgrace the Gu family this time. Our sons should always be the ones charging into the most dangerous places to protect the people!”
“Thank... thank you, Father, thank you, Big Brother,” Yu Fan grinned, his lips cracked and bleeding from dryness, though he seemed oblivious to the pain.
“I... I’m going back to rescue more people,” he said, then hurried off.
Watching Yu Fan’s retreating figure, Gu Mingning laughed.
“Father, this guy has the courage and spirit of the Gu family.”
“My eyes aren’t blind. How could I be wrong about the man I personally chose?”
...
The day after the floodgates opened, the relentless rain that had lasted nearly ten days finally ceased.
When the torrential rain finally ceased, the entire Laijin Prefecture erupted in celebration. The townsfolk poured out of their homes, waving every red cloth they could find toward the sky.
“Thank the heavens.”
With the rain stopped and the floodwaters finally having an outlet, Laijin’s waters receded back to their previous levels within two days. Many houses and farmlands that had been swept away gradually reemerged as the floodwaters withdrew.
But for Laijin Prefecture, a new challenge was just beginning.
“The refugees have all been given preventive medicine against disease, but even so, daily monitoring is essential. If anything seems amiss, it must be reported immediately.”
Song Shihuan’s young face was tense. “Also, pay special attention to the horses brought by the soldiers. If any show signs of illness, they must be isolated at once.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
“Liuxi, arrange for other prefectures to send large quantities of lime. Scatter it around the houses and wells to prevent any outbreaks.”
“And remind everyone repeatedly: do not drink untreated floodwater or rainwater. All drinking water must be boiled.”
Song Shihuan applied every method she had read in ancient texts to prevent disease, determined not to overlook a single detail.
“Ah Huan, Yingchun is skilled in medicine, and there are many doctors in Laijin Prefecture. Don’t overwork yourself,” Song Yu said with concern.
“Father, as long as Laijin can get through the next ten days without an epidemic, we will have truly overcome this crisis.”
Song Shihuan smiled softly, taking one of Song Yu’s large hands in both of hers.
“Your hands are peeling from being soaked too long.”
As she spoke, Song Shihuan leaned forward and rested her head on Song Yu’s lap. Within moments, the steady sound of her breathing told him she had fallen asleep.
Song Yu carefully adjusted his posture to make her more comfortable, then soon drifted off himself.
When Baoxia carried her inside, this was the sight that greeted him: father and daughter leaning on each other, asleep.
Tears welled up instantly in Baoxia’s eyes. He pressed his hand tightly over his mouth to stifle a sob, then gently closed the door behind him.
The prince and the princess were utterly exhausted.
Let them rest well.
......
News of the flood’s retreat in Laijin Prefecture soon reached the capital, and Emperor Yuanyou let out a long, heavy sigh of relief.
At the morning court, the ministers shared in the relief. Fortunately, Laijin had weathered the flood unharmed. If anything had gone wrong... they would have faced the emperor’s wrath directly.
“Though the floodwaters have receded, we must not let our guard down on epidemic prevention,” Emperor Yuanyou said gravely. “Are there enough doctors in Laijin Prefecture?”
“Your Majesty, the reports say they are sufficient.”
“Then send more. It’s better to have too many than too few.”
After arranging the affairs of Laijin Prefecture, Emperor Yuanyou finally turned his attention to other memorials from his ministers.
“Speak if you have business; if not, you may leave.”
At Wu Qi’s words, the ministers’ thoughts instantly sparked to life.
Before, they had hesitated to bring up Shen Qinghui’s guilt, uncertain of Laijin’s situation. But now...
After a few moments, a minister stepped forward and spoke loudly:
“Your Majesty, floods are a serious natural disaster, yet the magistrate of Laijin Prefecture allowed the flood to rage for over ten days without reporting it. This is tantamount to recklessly endangering the lives of innocent people.”
“Shen Qinghui, the magistrate of Laijin Prefecture, must be held accountable for this matter. I urge Your Majesty to immediately dismiss him from office and have him detained pending investigation.”
“I second this motion. If such behavior goes unpunished, the entire officialdom of our Great Qi will become corrupt and chaotic!”
“Perhaps Shen Qinghui dared to act so boldly because of the backing of Grand Tutor Shen and Young Master Shen. The entire Shen family should not escape responsibility!”
For a moment, the court was once again filled with a storm of impeachment petitions.
All eyes were pointed squarely at the Shen family.
