Time was limited.
The Emperor had already issued the decree. Qi Caishang, who was in the capital, had likely received the news and would set out for Xin County within the day.
On Qi Daiyu's end, after preparing the supplies, she could only send someone post-haste to catch up and deliver them to Qi Caishang.
Getting some pills from the imperial physician was to throw others off the scent. Qi Daiyu also purchased some medicines online, including bactericidal and anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, and deworming and anti-diarrheal medications.
Ointments were repackaged, tablets were ground into powder, everything was sorted and packaged separately with their uses clearly labeled, and then mixed in with the other medicines.
Qi Caishang was not versed in medicine and would simply assume they were from the imperial physicians.
There were also masks. She had Shiliu and the others urgently cut and sew some triangular pieces of cloth to serve as face coverings. Though crude, it was the best they could manage for now.
After sending the items out, Qi Daiyu felt slightly more at ease.
Being in the palace, there was little she could do.
The Empress's information was accurate. The very next day, the Emperor ordered the return to the capital. Fortunately, following the Empress's instructions, various places had already begun packing, so there was no panic.
Three days later, the entourage returned to the imperial palace.
Exhausted from the journey and lack of proper rest on the road, Qi Daiyu slept like the dead upon returning to Yanqing Residence. When she woke, it was already the next day.
Kunning Palace sent word that all palaces should rest and recuperate; paying respects would resume after three days.
After breakfast, Apple and Wax Apple requested an audience.
During the two months at the Summer Palace, Apple and Wax Apple had stayed behind at Yanqing Residence. They were here to report.
Apple performed a salute: "These past two months and more, the palace has been very peaceful."
Qi Daiyu thought, how could it not be peaceful? Everyone was at the Summer Palace, which had been extremely lively.
Unaware of Qi Daiyu's thoughts, Apple recounted the events of this period.
"And also, a few days ago, the Imperial Household Department sent over several bolts of fabric along with the autumn attire. But I heard from Sister Shiliu that Her Majesty the Empress has ordered frugality in palace expenditures. Should we still have these fabrics made into clothes?"
"Set them aside for now. With the disaster in the south, it's not fitting for the palace to be extravagant."
"Yes."
After speaking a while longer, Lanyi from Kunning Palace arrived.
"Noble Lady Hui, Her Majesty the Empress requests your presence."
Qi Daiyu was taken aback. The Empress had just excused everyone from paying respects, yet now she was summoning her. Had something happened?
Arriving at Kunning Palace, Lanyi led Qi Daiyu straight to the rear hall.
The Empress was wearing loose, casual clothing, which gave her a more gentle appearance, though her face showed some fatigue.
"Your Majesty returned to the palace only yesterday, you should rest well too," Qi Daiyu said with concern.
The Empress smiled, "Even if I wanted to rest, I can't. The moment I lie down, I feel nauseous."
"Speaking of which, when I was pregnant with the Eldest Princess, in the first few months I was just prone to drowsiness, otherwise it was fine. This time, I don't know why, I can't eat well or sleep well. Probably a mischievous one in my belly."
Qi Daiyu looked at the Empress's belly. It was only three months, just slightly rounded, not visible under the loose clothing.
She said, "The young prince is lively, but it's causing Your Majesty suffering." She didn't say anything extra. The Empress's pregnancy was a major event watched by the entire palace. Doing more could lead to more mistakes; it was best not to get involved.
Hearing this, a flicker of amusement passed through the Empress's eyes. Who wouldn't wish for a healthy, lively child?
"Enough of that. I summoned you here for an important matter." The Empress composed her expression.
"I want you to write a letter to be sent to Xin County, to be given to your father. There is a matter that only he can investigate."
Qi Daiyu: "My father?"
The Empress nodded: "Are you aware of Minister Yuan's suspension?"
Such a major event was naturally known, and she had also heard that Concubine Shu had requested an audience with the Emperor several times because of it, but was refused each time.
"Yuan Hao, as the Transmission Commissioner, concealed the flood disaster in Xin County, which is highly suspicious. I ordered an investigation into whether he has any connections to Xin County."
"Yesterday, I received news that the former magistrate of Xin County, Qi Ruhai, married a daughter from a collateral branch of the Yuan family. Qi Ruhai would address Yuan Hao as a clan uncle." The Empress said slowly.
Qi Daiyu understood. The Yuan family was also a major clan. Besides the main branch in the capital, there were collateral branches elsewhere. Since ancient times, sharing the same ancestry and clan meant close ties, sharing both glory and disgrace, and common interests. Marriage alliances were an important means of exchanging interests.
By marrying a daughter from a Yuan collateral branch, Qi Ruhai had essentially tied himself to the Yuan family's ship.
However, "Surely Minister Yuan wouldn't commit such a grave error just to shield a distant relative?" Qi Daiyu was puzzled.
The Empress: "Yuan Hao is naturally not that foolish. Therefore, there must be another reason. This is also why I sought you out."
"If I can uncover this, the Emperor certainly can, and likely faster than I did. Ding Jiwu is from the Censorate, most skilled in surveillance. I estimate the Emperor sent Ding Jiwu not solely for disaster relief. Qi Ruhai is the former magistrate of Xin County; some things can only be uncovered by going to Xin County."
"So, Your Majesty wants my father to investigate as well? But, with Minister Ding there..." This might not be easy, as Ding Jiwu was the chief envoy.
The Empress smiled wryly, "The Emperor wants to investigate Yuan Hao and Qi Ruhai; how could I interfere? If I truly had your father intervene, wouldn't that be harming him?"
Private communication between a court official and the inner palace was no light offense.
"What I need is merely an attitude."
"An attitude?"
"Yes, an attitude. Ding Jiwu's attitude towards Qi Ruhai. If there is truly a major issue here, Ding Jiwu will certainly be deeply secretive. What your father needs to do is ascertain Ding Jiwu's attitude."
Hearing this, Qi Daiyu finally understood.
"You... intend to target Chenggian Palace..."
The Empress gave an almost imperceptible nod.
She didn't need to know the specific details of the matter. As long as it was confirmed that Qi Ruhai had problems, then based on Yuan Hao's actions regarding the Xin County affair, it could be determined he was certainly implicated.
And once the Emperor seized Yuan Hao's wrongdoing, he would not let it go easily.
After all... the Grand Secretariat is about to be established, the Transmission Office is becoming dispensable...
Based on the Empress's understanding of the Emperor, she knew that discarding the plow after the soil is turned—this kind of thing, the Emperor was capable of doing.
And if Yuan Hao fell from grace, the Yuan family would naturally not escape. That would be the best opportunity to deal with Concubine Shu.
Understanding all this, Qi Daiyu's mind was reeling. She was truly impressed; the Empress's political acumen left her feeling inadequate.
One could only say, the Empress was indeed the Empress. Not only could she read the political situation clearly, but she also understood the Emperor well enough.
Qi Daiyu then said, "Then, using Suo'er at my family home, could we also..."
Suo'er had remained with the Qi family under the guise of a maid. After recuperating for these few months, her injuries were mostly healed.
Qi Daiyu had previously asked Mrs. Wan to visit Suo'er's family.
Mrs. Wan went and made discreet inquiries, only to learn that Suo'er's family had perished in a fire.
Upon hearing the news, Suo'er was grief-stricken. She knew in her heart such a coincidence was impossible; it must have been murder, and the perpetrator was the same person who had pursued her.
Suo'er took the initiative to seek out Mrs. Wan, saying she had some things she wished to tell Qi Daiyu.
Qi Daiyu had guessed it must be related to the miscarriage of Concubine Miao. She wrote home, instructing them to keep Suo'er steady and wait for the right opportunity.
Now, it seemed the opportunity had arrived.
The Empress: "Not only Suo'er, I will also have someone approach Luhui."
Luhui was originally a palace maid of Concubine Miao. Later, in accordance with Concubine Miao's dying wish, she was transferred to serve by Concubine Cao's side.
Because of what Concubine Miao said before her death, both the Empress and Qi Daiyu suspected that her intention in sending Luhui to Concubine Cao had a deeper purpose.
"In any case, we wait for news from Xin County. If it is... then we must strike with a single, sure blow." The Empress's voice was steady yet resolute.
Qi Daiyu: "Yes."
She would not say things like having no grudge against Concubine Shu or not wanting to be her enemy. Whether subjectively or objectively, she was categorized as the Empress's person.
She and the Empress had to stand on the same front.
The Empress and Concubine Shu were as incompatible as fire and water. If the Empress wanted to deal a heavy blow to Concubine Shu, Qi Daiyu naturally had to show her stance as well.
Leaving the rear hall, she realized a fine drizzle had begun to fall from the sky at some point.
Lanyi: "Noble Lady Hui, please wait a moment. This servant will fetch you an umbrella."
"Alright." Qi Daiyu smiled faintly.
Someone approached from around the corner—it was Zhuyi.
"Greetings to Noble Lady Hui."
Qi Daiyu saw what she was holding and said with a smile, "Is that the Eldest Princess's handwriting practice?"
Zhuyi: "Indeed. This servant was just about to show it to Her Majesty the Empress. Yesterday, as soon as we returned to the palace, the Eldest Princess wanted to go to the Changchun Palace to find you. I persuaded her to change her clothes first, but while changing, she fell asleep."
The journey back to the capital had been truly exhausting, with little proper rest.
Qi Daiyu: "It's alright. Let the Eldest Princess rest properly for a few days first. We've just returned to the palace, and the Yanqing Residence isn't fully arranged yet. After I've finished settling in, I will invite the Eldest Princess over."
"Yes, this servant will certainly convey your message to the Princess."
Lanyi returned with an umbrella and also brought a cloak.
"The wind has picked up, Noble Lady Hui. Please wear this cloak to avoid catching a chill."
The autumn rain was bleak, and it was easiest to catch a cold.
Qi Daiyu looked up at the sky. Indeed, the wind had risen.
Not only was the weather turning windy, but it seemed a storm was also brewing within the rear palace.
News from Xin County continuously reached the capital. After Ding Jiwu and Qi Caishang arrived in Xin County, they issued a series of orders: first, to resettle the surviving victims; second, to retrieve and bury the bodies to prevent an epidemic; and third, to find ways to reduce the flooding.
Each and every task was urgent.
Qi Caishang dared not even sleep properly, his dreams filled with worries about whether he had overlooked anything. In such a tense situation, he noticed that the Pacification Commissioner, Lord Ding Jiwu, seemed to be busy with other matters as well.
Qi Caishang was highly perceptive and quickly guessed that Lord Ding had another mission. He did not dare to inquire directly but kept a close watch.
Unexpectedly, he then received a letter from Qi Daiyu in the palace, the contents of which requested him to observe Ding Jiwu's actions.
A request from his daughter naturally had to be fulfilled.
Qi Caishang was eloquent and possessed the refined, scholarly appearance of a literatus. He quickly established a good relationship with the current Magistrate of Xin County.
With the county disaster-stricken, this magistrate's official career had effectively reached its end. He was spending his days in anxious misery when, to his surprise, the Deputy Commissioner from the capital treated him with kindness and even helped him think of ways to handle his family's affairs.
After a couple of meals, the magistrate almost regarded Qi Caishang as a sworn brother, confiding in him without reservation.
By the tenth month, the situation in Xin County had improved, and the victims were settled. On the eve of the magistrate's impending escort to the capital to await judgment, he hosted a farewell dinner at his home, inviting Qi Caishang.
After a jug of wine, the magistrate wept bitterly, blaming himself for failing the people of Xin County and being unworthy of his post as their parent official. He then said that the disaster in Xin County was not a natural calamity but man-made...
Qi Caishang was greatly shocked, sensing he was hearing something momentous.
Perhaps knowing that a death sentence was inevitable upon reaching the capital, the magistrate poured out everything in his heart.
The more Qi Caishang listened, the more alarmed he became, breaking out in a cold sweat...
He finally understood what Lord Ding was investigating.
Five days later, a letter reached Qi Daiyu in the palace.
The letter contained only a few brief words.
"Yuan, may be in danger."
