Chapter 076: Father's Grave Illness

Since ancient times, it has been customary for a new official to make a strong impression with three bold actions upon taking office. On the day after being appointed as the head of the Archives Room, Xue Rui made a conspicuous announcement—a thorough cleaning!

Recently, the Archives Room had fallen into disarray, its management chaotic. The apprentice scholars had been busy preparing for the annual examination and scarcely had time to tend to hygiene. The environment of the room could be described in three words: filthy, messy, and neglected.

With a new cohort of apprentice scholars about to arrive, Xue Rui naturally wished for the Archives Room to greet them in a fresh, orderly state. If the newcomers saw that the place where they would study resembled a pigsty, how could they ever develop a sense of belonging or collective honor?

Among the repeating scholars, there were some from official families, but most hailed from ordinary households and were accustomed to cleaning duties. Moreover, Xue Rui had hosted two tables of wine the previous day, treating everyone to a hearty feast, and his authority was gradually becoming established in their eyes.

No one objected to Xue Rui’s plan; all moved with enthusiasm. Catching sight of Guo Heng still buried in his studies in the corner, Xue Rui paused for a moment. This fellow came to the Imperial Observatory every day, neither joining in their games nor participating in communal labor, as if he were invisible.

Now, while everyone was busy cleaning, Guo Heng remained unmoved, which was hard to ignore. Xue Rui considered urging him to join in, thinking it would help him integrate with the group. But reflecting on Guo Heng’s temperament, Xue Rui abandoned the idea. After all, he had only just assumed his post; if he started barking orders at the great-great-grandson of Grand Historian Guo, word would spread that he was arrogant with newfound power.

After more than half an hour of work, the cleaning was finally done. Looking at the neat and orderly Archives Room, Xue Rui felt deeply satisfied. From this day forward, this would be his territory!

Having directed the scholars in their cleaning, Xue Rui found himself with nothing left to do and began calculating the day’s events. According to the timeline of history, today a fierce conflict would erupt at the Left Shun Gate, and the followers of Wang Zhen would be purged in its aftermath.

Once today had passed, the matter of rescuing his father from prison would need to be addressed, and Xue Rui was filled with anticipation. Glancing at the sky, he saw there was still some time before the morning court ended, so he returned to the duty room for a nap.

Knock, knock, knock.

He had barely closed his eyes when a series of knocks startled him awake. It was his first day in office, and Xue Rui feared being caught loafing by the supervising officials. He quickly rose to open the door.

Outside, Lu Wen spoke anxiously, “Master, someone from the Duke of England’s residence just sent word. There’s been a major incident—they want you to come immediately.”

A few days prior, Madam Wu had informed him that Steward Cao had messaged, reporting that he and Zhang Zhong had reached Tianjin.

The city of Tianjin was not very old, built in the second year of Yongle, but as a crucial hub for river and sea transport, and with tribute grain and taxes from Jiangnan passing through on their way to the capital, by the Zheng Tong era it had become a bustling metropolis rivaling Jiangnan.

In later records compiled by local officials, Tianjin was described thus:

Situated at the vital confluence of nine rivers, connected to seven provinces by roads and waterways, the ships of tribute and commerce from all corners of the empire anchored here; officials and merchants alike came and went, sails and oars crowding its waters. Taxes from the Yangtze and Huai regions reached the capital through here, and the fishing and salt industries of Yan and Zhao were supplied from its shores. As the gateway between river and sea, it was the portal to the capital—truly a great city.

Such a thriving place naturally abounded with brothels and pleasure houses. Upon arrival, Zhang Zhong was delighted by the sights and quickly indulged in a life of extravagance, squandering money and forgetting his filial duties to mourn his father.

Zhang Zhong’s cooperation made things much easier for undercover agent Cao Si, who spent his days urging Zhang Zhong to seek entertainment and reporting back to Madam Wu’s contacts.

By Xue Rui’s estimation, Zhang Zhong, lost in pleasure and not yet out of funds, would hardly remember to return to the capital anytime soon.

Now, with Madam Wu suddenly sending for him, something major must have happened.

After hurriedly asking Xu Dun for leave, Xue Rui borrowed Hu Zhong’s carriage and rushed to the Duke’s residence.

After announcing his arrival, he soon saw Madam Wu.

There was no time for formalities. Xue Rui immediately asked, “Madam, what has happened? Could the trouble be in Tianjin?”

Madam Wu had him sit and, with furrowed brow, replied, “It’s not Tianjin—it’s about your father.”

“What’s happened to my father?” Xue Rui leaped to his feet in shock.

The Imperial Prison was no place for comfort. Xue Yuanhao had been inside for over a month, and Lady Liu lived in constant anxiety, fearing for her husband’s safety, which kept Xue Rui himself on edge. Now, hearing Madam Wu mention it, Xue Rui’s mind raced with possibilities.

Madam Wu poured him a cup of water and said with a bitter smile, “This morning I sent men to visit your father at the prison. They said his recent chills have worsened—now he’s burning with fever, unable to rise from bed.”

A few days ago, Xue Yuanhao had caught a cold. Xue Rui had asked Madam Wu to send medicinal soup, thinking his father would recover, but things had only grown more serious.

“Madam, please have a physician visit the prison and treat my father. It is vital to stabilize his condition. By tomorrow at the latest, I will be able to get him out.” Xue Rui, worried for his father’s health, was sweating with anxiety.

Medical care in ancient times was poor. Even a common cold could turn deadly if severe enough. Take Hu Ying’er’s brother, Hu Cheng’an, for example—one bout of high fever had left him with permanent brain damage.

Now, with his father suffering the same way, how could Xue Rui take it lightly?

Hearing Xue Rui’s request, Madam Wu shook her head. “I’ve already sent a physician, but he said the prison is damp and chilly, poorly ventilated, which makes the illness worse. With the fever unabated, unless he’s moved to a dry place soon, another day’s delay and even medicine will be useless.”

“How could it come to this!” Xue Rui felt the world spinning and nearly fainted.

If only he had another day, with all the preparations he had made, his father could not only emerge safely from prison but also shine before the civil and military officials—a golden opportunity to rise in status!

But with things as they were, Xue Rui could only put his father’s survival first and find a way to rescue him ahead of schedule.

Otherwise, all his careful planning would be for naught.

After pacing the hall a few times, Xue Rui made up his mind and said to Madam Wu, “Madam, may I borrow some of the residence’s guards and servants?”

Madam Wu trusted Xue Rui and did not question him. “How many do you need?”

“At least ten.”

“Do you need so many? You’re not planning to storm the prison, are you?” Madam Wu was startled, fearing Xue Rui might act rashly. Even if he succeeded in rescuing Xue Yuanhao, the court would surely punish him—such deeds could cost a man his head!

“Madam, rest assured, I don’t have the nerve to storm the Imperial Prison. But today, a major upheaval will occur at court—the party of Wang Zhen will be utterly destroyed. I must seize this opportunity to have the Embroidered Guard release my father voluntarily!” Xue Rui hastily explained.

“Is that really so?” Madam Wu relaxed but was also a bit astonished.

With Xue Rui’s connections, it was impossible for him to have such insight into court affairs. Yet he spoke so decisively, as though he had foreseen the coming upheaval. Considering his background, Madam Wu began to wonder if he had somehow glimpsed the workings of fate once more.

“Madam, please trust me. Not a word of mine is false. If Wang Zhen’s followers are not purged, I will not act impulsively, nor let the Duke’s residence become involved.”

Seeing her hesitation, Xue Rui reassured her again.

Hearing this, Madam Wu was finally at ease. She summoned the chief guard, Li Qingyun, and instructed him to select ten agile servants from the residence to accompany Xue Rui to the prison for the rescue.