Why My Domineering Prince Regretted Filing for Divorce?-Chapter 717 - 557 Consultation

Daybreak came quickly, and shortly after the night faded, the entirety of Daxing Palace was bathed in morning light.

Civil and military officials entered in single file through Hanguang Gate, proceeding along the corridor, passing through Chengtian Gate, and finally arriving outside Chengqing Hall on the west side of Taiji Palace, where they listened to the Chief Eunuch’s announcements before entering one by one. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

This was the place where Duke Sheng currently governed state affairs.

Just after 5 AM, several groups of officials had already reported on local documents. Yu Wenquan sat at the top, and after deliberations with several officials from the Secretariat and the Ministry, corresponding decisions were made. Documents were then drafted to be distributed to various places. Despite the many people and complex matters, there was no sign of chaos.

It was, in fact, faster and more efficient than when the Emperor handled state affairs.

Before long, a group of officials had already come out with documents in hand.

One of them glanced down at the neatly inked characters on his document, chuckled lightly, and said, "I wonder when this epidemic will finally end."

The official next to him replied, "Why are you concerned with that? Isn’t this matter left to the two young masters to handle?"

The official laughed, "I’m interested in the writing."

"The writing?"

"By the time the epidemic ends, this writing should also turn red, shouldn’t it?"

"..."

The other official immediately understood, and both of them exchanged a meaningful smile before leaving Chengqing Hall together.

As soon as they left, a tall figure slowly stepped forward from the side.

It was Yu Wenye, who had just discussed important matters at the inn with Shen Wuzheng and Pei Xingyuan, and following behind him was Shang Ruyi, whose brow still showed traces of fatigue from a sleepless night but who carried a grave expression.

Just as the two were about to approach Chengqing Hall, a familiar figure emerged from within.

It was Yu Dingxing, who had just received orders from Duke Sheng.

Upon seeing him, Yu Wenye and Shang Ruyi involuntarily took a step back, albeit slowly, so that Yu Dingxing easily spotted them as soon as he stepped out of the hall.

Both parties seemed surprised at the encounter.

Yu Dingxing’s large, deep-set eyes seemed hidden within a shadowy mist, making it difficult to discern his true emotions, but at this moment, a spark could clearly be seen flashing through his eyes. He immediately stepped forward, clasped his hands, and greeted, "Second Young Master."

Yu Wenye also returned the greeting, "Lord Yu."

"Has the Second Young Master come for any particular matter?"

"Yes... I have something to report."

"Then, the Second Young Master should proceed quickly."

"Very well, Lord Yu, you should proceed with your duties as well."

The two exchanged polite but reserved pleasantries, and just as they were about to go their separate ways, Yu Dingxing noticed a flicker in the eyes of Yu Wenye and Shang Ruyi, squinted slightly, and then smiled, saying, "I just remembered something else I need to report to the Duke, something I forgot. Why don’t we go together?"

Yu Wenye’s expression slightly darkened, but he did not reveal much of his feelings and simply said, "In that case, very well..."

After speaking, he led Shang Ruyi forward, and Yu Dingxing, with a smile, gestured for them to proceed, turning to walk with them. After just a few steps, they entered Chengqing Hall.

This hall was initially used by Emperor Wen for storing and reading books. After Chu Yang moved the capital, the place lay neglected for a time. Although Yu Wenquan had enthroned the young emperor Chu Chengfei, he naturally had no interest or habit of reading, so it was merely used for storing books until Yu Wenquan decided to use the hall for handling state affairs, bringing it back to prominence.

Upon entering, the rich smell of ink filled the air.

Yu Wenye looked up and saw Yu Wenquan seated at the front of the grand hall, writing with a brush. In front of him, on the desk, were several stacks of documents yet to be reviewed. On both his left and right, officials from the Secretariat and the Ministry were bent over their desks, diligently writing.

It wasn’t until they heard the sound of Yu Wenye’s footsteps.

The officials raised their heads, and upon seeing him, their faces displayed peculiar expressions, yet no one spoke. They lowered their heads again, while simultaneously shifting their gaze toward Yu Wenquan.

Yu Wenquan finished writing the last character before slowly raising his head.

Yu Wenye immediately stepped forward, "Father."

Shang Ruyi also hurriedly lifted his hand to salute, but saw Yu Wenquan calmly close the document in his hand, placing it on the right with the already reviewed batch, and then said, "There is no ’father’ here for you."

Yu Wenye came to his senses, and along with Shang Ruyi, promptly bowed and said, "Greetings, Prime Minister."

Only then did Yu Wenquan relax his tightly furrowed brows, noticed the returning Yu Dingxing, and asked, "Lord Yu, why haven’t you left?"

Yu Dingxing immediately replied, "Just now, there was one matter I hadn’t yet reported to the Prime Minister."

"What matter?"

"Well—since the Great General is here first, please allow the Great General to speak first."

"..."

Yu Wenquan glanced at him but didn’t pursue the question further. Instead, he turned to Yu Wenye and asked, "I heard your men almost set fire to the East Market last night. What happened?"

Yu Wenye’s brow subtly twitched—he wasn’t actually surprised that this matter had reached Yu Wenquan so quickly. Rather, he instinctively glanced at Yu Dingxing standing beside him, this Left Brave General who had recently brought back many patients from outside the city and stayed in the palace as a guard, now slightly lowered his head.

Yu Wenye immediately said, "It’s a misunderstanding."

"Misunderstanding? How is it a misunderstanding?"

"It’s Pei Xingyuan. He has run out of the medicines he hoarded, which is why Changle Square almost sparked a riot yesterday. Later, he tried to buy medicine from a merchant in the black market, only to find it was a trap to murder him and seize his wealth, intending to burn him to death."

Yu Wenquan frowned, "Is there such a thing?"

"Yes."

"Then, that Pei family kid—"

"He has been rescued and is temporarily unharmed, but his family’s medicine is exhausted. Today—Changle Square can only use some soup medicines to alleviate cold symptoms for the patients temporarily. We still need to find a solution for this matter."

"..."

"As for the burning of the East Market, that didn’t happen."

"..."

"After all, the entire East City is still under my elder brother’s jurisdiction—under the Vice Minister of the Ministry of War. Even if I were confused, I wouldn’t cause trouble for him."

Just as he finished speaking, a gentle voice said, "Indeed."

Everyone instinctively turned around and saw a tall and handsome figure walking in from outside the hall. It was none other than Yu Wenqian, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, whom Yu Wenye had just mentioned.

Upon seeing him, Yu Wenye and Shang Ruyi immediately stepped aside.

Yu Wenqian walked in, holding a document, and first bowed to Yu Wenquan, who was seated above. Yu Wenquan said, "You are here."

"Yes,"

Yu Wenqian said, "To report to the Prime Minister, last night’s affair has already been reported by someone. Indeed, several black market merchants occupied someone else’s warehouse, intending to harm Mr. Pei and seize his wealth. Fortunately, the Heavenly Strategy General rescued him in time, preventing a serious disaster."

Saying this, he turned to look at Yu Wenye and Shang Ruyi, who stood behind him.

The two immediately clasped their hands in salute, "Elder Brother."

Yu Wenqian nodded.

And upon hearing his words, Yu Wenquan fell silent for a moment before saying, "It’s good that it didn’t become a major issue. However, this matter must be thoroughly investigated, as there is an epidemic raging in the city, and so many patients await treatment. For someone to dare exploit medicine sales for murder and wealth at this time, it must be vigorously investigated!"

Yu Wenye immediately said, "Yes."

Upon hearing his response, Yu Dingxing immediately glanced at him, while Yu Wenquan had already looked at Yu Wenqian, saying, "By the way, why did you come over so early in the morning?"

Upon hearing this, Yu Wenqian promptly said, "After ten days of treatment for patients in Yanzuo Square, today three hundred and twenty-one patients have recovered. I respectfully ask the Prime Minister to allow them to return home."

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Yu Wenquan’s face immediately lit up with joy, "Some people have recovered?"

The attendant next to him quickly stepped forward to receive the document from Yu Wenqian and presented it to him. Upon opening it, Yu Wenquan nodded in satisfaction and said, "Good."

A single word, and the atmosphere within Chengqing Hall changed once again.

Especially Yu Dingxing, standing to the side, whose deep eyes now revealed a trace of uncontainable joy as he looked at Yu Wenye and Shang Ruyi, observing their calm expressions. Although no emotion was apparent, the dimly lit hall made their faces seem somewhat gloomy.

However, after the initial joy, Yu Wenquan still spoke with a serious expression, "These more than three hundred people are really cured? Make sure to investigate thoroughly; they must not leave the city with the disease."

"..."

"Even if one person leaves the city with it—you should know the consequences!"

"I understand,"

Yu Wenqian immediately said, "Therefore, I specifically request from the Prime Minister to allow the Medical Officers from the Imperial Medical Bureau—all medical officers—to conduct a joint consultation in front of Mingde Gate in South City today. Every person must be diagnosed by these medical officers before leaving the city to ensure they have fully recovered."

Upon hearing this, Yu Wenquan hesitated, "Wouldn’t this be overly extravagant?"

Yu Wenqian said, "Though extravagant, it also serves another purpose."

"Oh? Tell me."

"These are the first batch of recovered patients, and they are all commoners from the rural areas outside the city, those who have been sick the longest and whose conditions were the most severe. As long as they can recover and leave the city, it will greatly increase the confidence of the remaining patients in their chances of recovery."

Upon hearing his words, Shang Ruyi, standing to the side, couldn’t help but frown.

Yu Wenqian’s reasoning was indeed sound.

Sometimes, curing an epidemic requires not just needles and herbal remedies but also the patient’s own confidence. If their belief is strong, minor ailments may heal without any medical intervention; conversely, a lack of confidence can make even a small ailment unpredictable.

Only—

As she furrowed her brows, unable to speak, Yu Wenquan, after contemplating for a while, slowly closed the document in his hand and looked at the people in the hall, saying, "What do you all think?"

As he spoke, his gaze fell upon Yu Wenye.