Chapter 9: Making Inquiries — How Is Your Injury?With her arm injured, Su Zheyun unexpectedly enjoyed a few rare days of leisure, quietly recuperating in the courtyard.Yutang, however, was especially attentive, instructing the kitchen daily to prepare all sorts of nourishing tonics, with various bone soups served in endless variations on the dining table. Su Zheyun looked at the layer of grease floating on the soup and felt a sense of resistance well up inside her. Yutang simply took a small bowl and ladled the soup spoonful by spoonful, saying this was "treating like with like."With no one disturbing her, Su Zheyun lived a comfortable life—everything was fine except for having to avoid Yutang when changing her dressings. Thinking of it, Hulan came to visit her at the manor every few days with Anari, helping her change the bandages.The sunlight was just right, and servants in the courtyard swept away the dust from the ground with brooms. The osmanthus tree in the center had begun to bloom, its faint fragrance permeating the entire courtyard.Yutang served Hulan a cup of hot milk. Hulan looked at Su Zheyun, seeming to hesitate before speaking."Zheyun, I'll be returning in three days."Su Zheyun was surprised. "Why so soon? Have the marriage alliance arrangements already been settled?""Yes. At the palace banquet last night, the Crown Prince proposed opening mutual trade between our two nations, and the Emperor also conferred upon me the title of Commandery Princess. The diplomatic relations between the two countries are now complete, so it's time for me to go back.""It was the Crown Prince who proposed it?"Hulan nodded, then shook her head, and after thinking it over said, "Prince Duan also seconded the motion. I'm genuinely happy to be able to return, but before I leave, I'm worried about your situation.""What is there to worry about regarding me?" Su Zheyun laughed heartily. "I eat well and drink well, and I have people taking care of me. Don't worry.""But what about when your monthly flow comes?" Hulan leaned close to her ear and whispered."Once my injury heals, I'll move outside to live. When I've saved up enough money, I'll buy a shop and live a peaceful life with my younger sister."Hulan seemed to want to say something more but held back, looking somewhat dejected. Seeing that Su Zheyun already had plans, she said no more.The fiery clouds at the horizon reflected the remaining sunset glow, their dazzling colors deeply imprinted in one's eyes.Su Zheyun escorted her to the gate, where a two-horse carriage waited to the side. The two stone lions before the vermilion doors stood solemn and imposing.As the wheels began to roll, Su Zheyun waved her uninjured right hand in farewell. Hulan lifted the carriage curtain, poked her head out the window, and shouted something to her in the Shuo wind language."See you next time."Su Zheyun replied in her heart, watching until the carriage gradually became a black dot and disappeared at the end of the road.Parting has always been sorrowful since ancient times, and Su Zheyun was no exception—her mood couldn't help but sink somewhat."Mr. Su." An unfamiliar voice came. Su Zheyun turned around and saw that it was Shen Bingwen, whom she hadn't seen in many days."Mr. Shen? Why are you still here so late?" Su Zheyun raised a smile and the two entered the manor one after another."The Prince has summoned you. Cangzhou has broken out with a plague.""Ah? Is it serious? I haven't heard anything about it." Su Zheyun frowned. A plague was no small matter."It started last month. At first it could be contained, but once the common folk heard that people had died, they fled in all directions. Now several neighboring prefectures and counties are affected."The two chatted as they walked to the study. Several sword-bearing guards stood at the door, their murderous aura impossible to ignore.Flickering candlelight spilled out from the room. Though the doors and windows were tightly shut, raised voices could still be heard from time to time."Will Mr. Su join me?" Shen Bingwen turned sideways, making an inviting gesture."Sure." Su Zheyun agreed casually. She was just going to listen in anyway—one who eats the lord's grain serves the lord's cause. If she could actually be of help, it would be a meritorious deed.Pushing open the heavy carved door, the wooden joints let out a faint creaking sound. Su Zheyun looked up. Five people sat on either side, and Jiang Weixu in the center had a desk piled high with memorials—far more than when she had last come.The atmosphere in the room was solemn. She followed Shen Bingwen in bowing with lowered head, then picked a seat and sat down."How is your injury?" No one in the room spoke, and Zhao Yuyan had just finished serving tea when Jiang Weixu asked about her wound."Almost healed. It was never a serious injury to begin with."Jiang Weixu nodded, and then several documents were passed to Su Zheyun's hands."Yunzhou suddenly broke out with a plague a month ago. It originally only occurred within the prefecture, but ten days ago, neighboring cities and prefectures also began showing cases. Several dozen people have already died. The court has been arguing endlessly over this matter—what do you think?"Su Zheyun's eyes rapidly scanned the contents, which were mostly reports from local officials and policy responses approved by the Secretariat."A plague, huh. Then you first need to quarantine the patients and cut off the source of infection." The words slipped out of Su Zheyun's mouth. Seeing Jiang Weixu's puzzled expression, she realized she had misspoken.Silently scolding herself, Su Zheyun gave an awkward smile, her gaze drifting to the memorials. "I mean… we should isolate the sick from the rest of the people to prevent the spread of the disease."Jiang Weixu understood, his fingers tapping the table in a regular rhythm."Sick wards have already been established in various places in Yunzhou, but with little effect. Instead, the people are scrambling to flee in all directions.""Then close the city gates and send troops to maintain order. Have the officials in each city and prefecture inspect all passersby. Anyone coming from Yunzhou or already showing symptoms should also be isolated and registered, and only released after being confirmed free of the disease."Jiang Weixu hummed in acknowledgment, pondered for a moment, then said slowly, "So you're one of the 'suppression faction'?""What 'suppression faction'?"Jiang Weixu rested his right hand on the armrest, leaning his body to the right, while his left hand slowly turned the thumb ring. "Minister Li believes that forcibly suppressing the situation would incite public outrage and advocates a gradual approach. Minister Shen, on the other hand, supports closing the city gates and suppressing the unrest."His gaze met Shen Bingwen, who was smiling ahead. Cheng Hongyi, however, did not agree and raised his voice in challenge."If closing the city gates and suppressing the unrest stirs up instability among the people, what then? The Crown Prince's faction is watching covetously—if they get a hold of any leverage, they won't hesitate to make a big fuss."Su Zheyun was silent for a moment, then tapped the back of her hand against the scroll. "Closing the city gates is only to prevent more people from contracting the disease, not to leave those inside waiting to die. The people's unrest stems from their fear of death. If Your Highness ensures that those who are uninfected remain safe, how could the people's hearts be unsettled?" Her voice lowered as she finished: "Closing the gates is naturally no simple matter. The city will face shortages of grain and medicine, and the people will complain and riot… But if we don't close them, the people of Yunzhou will scatter in all directions, and then it won't just be a matter of one Yunzhou. Your Highness, when weighing two harms, choose the lesser.""Your Highness, an epidemic demands urgency, not delay. Whatever Your Highness decides, the resolution should be made early." Shen Bingwen looked down at the memorial, urging in a low voice.Jiang Weixu was still pondering when Su Zheyun smiled again, her voice beginning to lower."Of course, closing the gates carries high risk—if anything goes wrong, the people may rebel. But if the epidemic is successfully contained, this achievement would be no less than military merit."Jiang Weixu said nothing, picking up the memorial he had already reviewed, his tone seeming to agree with her words."Then let's transfer grain from Qingcheng. Post notices offering rewards for physicians who can treat the disease—whoever cures it will be enfeoffed as a Hundred Household Marquis."The evening breeze was slightly cold, leaving only the moonlight to accompany them. They had lost track of time in discussion, and as the temperature dropped sharply, goosebumps rose on their skin.Just as Su Zheyun was about to leave, Shen Bingwen caught up to her. His black robes clung to his tall, slender figure, unadorned at the waist except for a simple sachet."Mr. Su, would it be convenient for me to visit you at your residence?"Su Zheyun smiled. "Of course. Zheyun will be waiting at any time."Fine moss had grown along the edges of the cobblestones beneath their feet. The paths within the residence were quiet and secluded, with only the faint chirping of insects in their ears."I heard from Yutang that Mr. Shen passed the provincial examination at fifteen and will be sitting for the spring imperial examination this year—truly the vigor of youth! Allow me to offer my congratulations in advance on your success in the examinations."Shen Bingwen smiled faintly, a hint of melancholy in his expression. "I once believed the imperial examinations were for the good of the country and its people. But after two years as an advisor, I've come to realize that the officialdom is rife with scheming and deception—it has rather disgusted me."Hearing this, Su Zheyun unconsciously slowed her steps, passing through rustling branches as a hint of osmanthus fragrance touched her nose.Yutang served Shen Bingwen a cup of Longjing tea—light in fragrance but deep in color, with dense clouds that did not disperse."Why doesn't Mr. Shen stay in the prince's residence? His Highness summons you frequently; living in the residence would be more convenient." Su Zheyun took a sip of the qibao tea—light with a hint of sweetness, more suited to her palate."I did stay in the residence originally. But this year my father fell gravely ill, and to care for him, I rented a small house in the East City and moved out.""East City? I've never been there." Su Zheyun smiled. "Does Mr. Shen happen to know of any channels for renting a house? I'm considering bringing my younger sister over, so I'd like to rent a place as well."At these words, Yutang was rather surprised. Shen Bingwen, however, showed little reaction, thinking for a moment before responding. "What kind of house does Mr. Su have in mind? Perhaps I can help you inquire."Su Zheyun was naturally pleased, though a little embarrassed. "No particular requirements—just quiet and clean. If possible, a lower rent would be even better."Shen Bingwen understood, his narrow fox-like eyes holding a smile."Very well, Mr. Su, rest assured—leave this to me." As he finished speaking, he thought of something and the corner of his lips curved into a handsome arc. "Though there's no need to worry about money, Mr. Su. When we discussed the matter of Princess Khulan a few days ago, His Highness said he would reward you handsomely—gold, silver, and jewels have all been prepared. It should arrive within the next few days."Su Zheyun's eyes brightened for a moment, her tone rising involuntarily. "Really? But I haven't done anything. Khulan is returning in three days.""How could you have done nothing? Didn't Mr. Su ruin the Crown Prince's good fortune?" A hearty laugh echoed lowly through the room, joy spilling across Shen Bingwen's face. "A few days ago, Princess Khulan blocked His Highness's path, saying she wanted to marry him. His Highness's face turned so cold it could freeze a person, yet the princess refused to let it go.""Later, the princess came to the residence every few days to find you. The Crown Prince must have guessed what was happening. He surely thought that if he couldn't have her, no one else should either, so he proposed at the banquet that His Majesty adopt her as a righteous daughter. His Highness was naturally happy to see it come to pass, and so it was settled."So there was such inside information behind it all. Su Zheyun marveled inwardly—she hadn't expected so much to have happened in the outside world during the few days she'd been resting.Shen Bingwen, unaware of Su Zheyun's thoughts, asked with some curiosity, "Does Mr. Su not regret it? A perfectly good marriage match, ruined by the Crown Prince.""Surely not. I am of humble learning and low family standing—how could I dare to wed a princess?" Su Zheyun hastened to explain, though she was certain her reputation as a freeloader had already taken firm root."Then if Young Master Su neither takes a wife nor sits for the imperial examinations, what is your plan?"Su Zheyun waved a hand, her voice gradually drifting off, "I've barely spent a few days in school. I merely rely on having read a few miscellaneous books to serve as a private advisor. I would never dare sit for the examinations.""Young Master Su's insights are extraordinary—why not?" Clearly, Shen Bingwen did not believe this excuse.Su Zheyun gazed at the white porcelain teacup on the table, pondering for a moment. Recalling that day at the horse grounds, she shifted the topic."Is the Left Chancellor in charge of the imperial examinations?""Left Chancellor Cui Qingsheng?" Shen Bingwen considered for a moment. "His protégé Tian Zan is the chief examiner for this spring's session. The Left Chancellor is renowned far and wide, with countless disciples—truly, his students are scattered across the realm like peaches and plums.""Hmm," Su Zheyun leaned forward, her eyes fixed intently on him, "I hear that among this spring's examinees, there is a poor scholar whom the Left Chancellor holds in high regard?""Zhang Yangyu," Shen Bingwen said without hesitation. "He is a celebrated scholar from Cangzhou, quite famous even in the capital. But his family is poor. After the Left Chancellor took him under his wing, he tutored him extensively, and his reputation for talent has soared.""Does he have no flaws at all?"Shen Bingwen's brow twitched slightly, a meaningful expression surfacing on his face."Mr. Su, is this about Cui Lingyi?"

Plotting with My Wife