In the evening, Sun Ning came and flicked the wick several times. Looking at Fu Yuheng who was still carefully reviewing the memorials, he could not help but whispered, "Your Majesty, it is getting late. Why don't you take a rest and review it tomorrow?"
Fu Yuheng was diligent in his work and loved the people. He had no bad habit of submitting memorials to the emperor's memorials. Moreover, he had plans, so how could he slack off
The stern profile seemed less cold under the yellowish halo, and the cold black eyes were also tinged with a hint of tenderness, just because he thought of the woman far away in the south of the Yangtze River.
Worried that a woman alone in Jiangnan would not be able to cope with the flood, he somehow decided to secretly go to Jiangnan to give her a surprise and put her at ease.
There seemed to be her shadow in the candlelight. She withdrew her gaze, frowned, and returned to her usual strong and indifferent attitude, raising her eyebrows with determination.
"You go out and guard it." He had to finish reviewing all these memorials tonight before he could go to Jiangnan to help her without worry.
Sun Ning stood aside and polished the lamp for a while. Seeing that the emperor was determined to read the memorials all night, he had no choice but to adjust the wick to the most appropriate brightness and quietly left.
The lights in the imperial study were on all night long, and he didn't rest until the fifth watch. He took a long breath, leaned back on the dragon chair and rubbed his brows, as if this could dispel his fatigue.
Even though he looked a little tired, there was still some ease and joy in his eyes. He called Sun Ning to change clothes, wash up, and go to court.
According to his original plan, he was going to Jiangnan after leaving the court, but something unexpected happened.
"Your Majesty, I have something important to report." A minister stood out from the line with a serious look on his face.
Fu Yuyan was tired of hearing their trivial complaints and thought it was just another case of a small matter being blown out of proportion. He glanced at them calmly and asked, "What do you want to report, Lord Wang?"
Minister Wang stepped forward, frowning, with a trace of regret and hatred in his eyes, "Your Majesty, I received news this morning that the fifth-rank official Qian Minren was murdered at home last night, and the criminal is nowhere to be found!"
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the government was shocked.
Even Fu Yuyan couldn't help but be stunned. His eyes paused slightly, his black eyes narrowed with a dangerous light, and his voice became a little colder.
"How could this happen?"
To dare to murder an official appointed by the imperial court was to disregard the imperial court. The killing of an official without reason would cause panic among the officials and unrest among the people.
The ministers below could not help but look at each other and sigh, with panic and confusion in their eyes.
Minister Wang continued, "I also heard the report from the informant. As for the reason, I don't know." He looked up at Fu Yuyan's frowning face and said, "This matter is of great importance. I dare not speak rashly, so I will report it to the emperor first and ask the emperor to make a decision!"
He hummed heavily, this matter should not be publicized.
"This matter should be handed over to the Dali Temple for strict investigation. Before the matter comes to a conclusion, no one is allowed to spread rumors and disturb people's minds!"
"We obey your order!" The ministers responded with different expressions, but they had all kinds of doubts in their hearts.
Why were the court officials killed so easily? Was it a conspiracy or...
The officials could not help but discuss, "What happened? Will it implicate us?"
"Isn't it? I will be worried until the murderer is caught."
Minister Wang frowned when he heard their remarks as he passed by, coughed lightly as a warning, and said in a cold voice, "You all should go back early. Any rash judgment will only bring more trouble."
Fu Yuheng ordered not to spread the news, but they turned around and started discussing it, which was really rude. The ministers looked unhappy after being scolded by him, but they had spoken out of turn first, so they pretended nothing had happened and walked away.
Fu Yuyan in the imperial study was in a dilemma for a moment. This matter delayed his steps, so he had to call Sun Ning and said helplessly, "Put the clothes aside for now." He had to postpone his trip to Jiangnan.
At this time, Shen Qingwan in Jiangnan had been feeling unwell since early morning. Her head felt heavy and even her stomach felt uncomfortable.
Seeing that she was pale and insisted on going outside for examination, Lianyun hurriedly stopped her and couldn't help but feel a little worried, "Madam, you are so weak, how can you go out?"
For many days in a row, she worked day and night to help Li Chaoyang control the flood. She did everything herself, and even a body made of iron could not bear the strain.
She wanted to push Lianyun's hand away but her feet felt weak. She used one hand to lean on the table to steady herself. Sweat broke out on her forehead and even her rosy lips turned pale.
Lianyun refused to let her go out no matter what. She helped her sit down and put her hand on her forehead. She was immediately shocked and said, "My queen, you may have a high fever. You can cook soup with this temperature!"
Shen Qingwan smiled weakly and criticized her exaggerated words, "Where did you learn this? It's so exaggerated?" She knew that her body was beyond her control today, so she listened and lay on the bed, letting Lianyun go to find Li Chaoyang.
A doctor was called in soon, and Li Chaoyang and others gathered outside the barrier, anxiously waiting for news.
Lianyun stayed beside Shen Qingwan. Seeing that the doctor was slow to make a diagnosis, she cried, "Doctor, could it be that our queen has been infected with the plague?"
There were tens of thousands of refugees in the Jiangnan flood, and they all inevitably carried dirty things on them, but Shen Qingwan insisted on visiting every household, so it would not be surprising even if they were infected.
The doctor removed his hand from her wrist, followed Lianyun out, and reported to Li Chaoyang, "Don't worry, sir. The queen just caught a cold, and the high fever persisted due to overwork. It's not the plague. She just needs to rest more and recuperate for a few days and she will be fine."
Everyone felt relieved after the doctor said this, and Lianyun's heart, which had been in her throat, could finally be put at ease.
It was already evening when Shen Qingwan woke up. The afterglow of the setting sun poured in through the window paper. She took the medicine handed to her by Lianyun, frowned, and drank it with gritted teeth.
"Your Majesty, you must take care of yourself. You made me worry so much!" Lianyun said half complaining and half reluctantly.
Shen Qingwan didn't want to make her worry, and she put on a comforting smile on her pale face, "Tell Lord Li not to worry."
If she didn't say it, Li Chaoyang would definitely feel ashamed and uneasy for her hard work for many days, but these were all her own faults.
After chatting with Lianyun for a few more words, Li Jieyu came over upon hearing the news. She didn't even want to put on a show and looked at her sarcastically, "Sister is really hard-working. She's been busy for a few days and now she has health problems."
Shen Qingwan lowered her eyes, but the smile on her lips was calm and comfortable, "After all, not everyone can enjoy the happiness of having many wives like my sister."
"You!" Li Jieyu was furious, but she didn't dare to confront her. After all, this would do her no good outside the palace.
Just thinking about her meddling in other people's business and getting sick because of her desire to make a contribution made her feel happy. When Shen Qingwan raised her head inadvertently, she saw the smile and pride hidden in her eyes.