Forced Into the Palace: Becoming the Emperor's Favorite-Chapter 398: Calamity Strikes at Home

Imperial Concubine Yi was at her wit’s end.

But Ruan Ming, beside her, offered a solution to break the impasse.

"The best strategy now is to let the chaos within the Dong Family come early. We can then see what the Emperor truly intends."

"But it’s not spring now, so the epidemic won’t break out."

"My lady is mistaken. Rather than waiting for spring to make a big fuss just to drag the Dong Family down, wouldn’t it be better to act now, letting them drown in this vast snowfall? That way, you can have a peaceful New Year."

Ruan Ming’s words were powerful and resonant.

They eased much of Imperial Concubine Yi’s anxiety, so she nodded and said.

"Then I’ll leave this matter to you to arrange. As for grandfather, let’s keep him in the dark for now. He has more important matters to attend to, and we mustn’t let these trivial issues affect his plans."

"Servant obeys!"

With Ruan Ming’s departure, the lively atmosphere in the palace seemed to turn a bit chilly.

Cold and sinister.

A gust of dark winds.

Winter month arrived, and the bleak cold wind swept through Shengjing City once more.

Everyone switched to thicker cotton clothes to fend off the winter snow.

This year’s first snow came early, and several rounds had fallen as soon as the winter month began.

Though not heavy, the omen was undoubtedly good.

Propitious snow leads to bountiful year.

Faces glowed with hopes for the coming year, but unfortunately, these good days and joyful mood did not include the Dong Family.

Under Ruan Ming’s meticulous arrangements, the storm approached.

Problems arose with the supplies Dong Family had sent to various Charitable Halls in the capital.

For reasons unknown, after consuming them, the citizens suffered from persistent low fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and some even developed rashes.

Initially, people thought it might be some contagious disease, like cholera or dysentery.

The Charitable Halls were sealed up to prevent anyone from entering or exiting.

But later, similar symptoms appeared sporadically among others.

The situation looked truly alarming.

With the year-end nearing, Shengjing City was crowded.

If a truly infectious malaria outbreak occurs, it would be troublesome.

Thus, Feng Jichun, the first to receive the news, reported it to the Fourth Prince.

Before he could respond, rumors started spreading outside.

They said the cause was found.

The rice, flour, grain, oil, and medicines that Dong Family previously sent to Charitable Halls had problems.

Though appeared fine on the surface, deeper inspection revealed mold, rendering them useless.

Not a famine year, who would eat such poor items?

Hence, among the people, the news spread exponentially.

Some wicked individuals secretly instigated, saying Dong Family pretended to do charity while actually profiting from it.

Flattering the Emperor was one reason; earning grandstanding reputation for Consort Yin Ning was another.

People didn’t care about the truth.

Instead, they believed the fabricated tales, and even promoted them.

Such rumors, within days, put the Dong Family’s reputation precariously at risk.

Along with renewed grievances and slander towards Lin Wanyi.

Good news doesn’t leave the house, bad news travels a thousand miles.

Upon hearing of this, Old Master Dong immediately wanted to go to Charitable Hall.

Intending to explain personally.

But before he could leave his house, he saw the pharmacists and staff from the clinic coming hastily, carrying a stretcher.

On it lay Dong Family’s Second Young Master, who was supposed to be diagnosing patients at Dong Family Clinic.

"What’s going on? Who attacked him?"

Dong Family’s Second Young Master’s head was wrapped in white cloth, with faint blood stains seeping through.

It was evident he had been assaulted.

Yet, Dong Family Clinic had long been renowned for its benevolence and medical expertise.

Why would such an incident occur?

Dong Family’s Second Young Master, dazed, tried to get up only upon seeing his father.

But Eldest Master Dong held him down.

His eyes filled with concern for his brother, he angrily said.

"Who dares to inflict such harm!"

Before Second Young Master could speak, the staff nearby declared indignantly.

"It must be someone framing Second Young Master. Otherwise, with his medical skills, how could he prescribe wrong medicine and cause a death!"

"What?"

Under the questioning of Eldest Master Dong, the truth was revealed.

A few days ago, a man sought medicine at the clinic.

Second Young Master diagnosed him and found nothing major, so he prescribed a few remedies.

Who knew after taking them for days, the condition worsened severely into diarrhea.

This morning, after taking the prescribed medicine, less than an hour later, he died of severe internal bleeding.

Relatives, carrying the coffin, came to confront.

Not only smashing the clinic, but Second Young Master was also slightly injured.

Had the staff not protected him, Second Young Master might have been severely harmed.

They carried him to Dong Family, pursued closely by those people.

Crying and wailing, carrying the coffin, they headed straight to Dong Family.

Claiming that medicines prescribed by Dong Family caused the death.

Such false accusations angered Eldest Master Dong who couldn’t hold back.

He rushed to explain but was stopped by Old Master Dong.

With a brewing storm expression, he understood.

"If you go now, explanations will fail and bring consequences. More than rotten vegetables await, there might be swords and spears. Do not act rashly. Have guards secure the gates, then send word to your mother and others to take shelter outside the city."

"Okay, son will make arrangements."

Dong Family’s womenfolk were split into two groups.

Second Madam Mrs. Yun went to the traveling palace to request a health pulse for Lin Wanyi.

While Mrs. Dong, Madam Dong, and Dong Qiuyue went outside the city for incense offerings.

Before the festival, they sought Bodhisattva for blessings, peace, and safety. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Therefore, they weren’t home today.

Eldest Master Dong looked through the door slit and saw people outside crowded.

A few held swords, demanding Dong Family’s accountability.

Eldest Master Dong, having faced challenges, still felt apprehensive.

He immediately instructed.

"Quickly, guard the main gate. No matter the shouting, do not open it."

"Understood."

Then he sent someone to secretly leave through the back door, heading to the temple outside the city.

To intercept Mrs. Dong and others from coming to the city.

Outside the city, in the carriage.

Mrs. Dong and Madam Dong joked around.

But Dong Qiuyue, on the side, was a bit shy.