Having received the decree, the divine bird of Shangyang quickly spread its wings and soared into the sky, piercing through the clouds and mist, and disappeared into the horizon in an instant.

Meanwhile, far away in the capital of Liang, deep within the imperial palace...

Inside a side hall of Yonghe Palace.

The glazed tiles gleamed golden in the afternoon sun, and the carved rosewood windows inside the hall were exquisite and intricate.

A faint scent of ambergris filled the air, accompanied by the dryness of midsummer.

Consort Shu leaned against the chaise longue, holding a string of high-quality amber prayer beads in her hand.

But her well-maintained face carried a lingering weariness, and her phoenix eyes were slightly lowered, as if she were lost in thought.

The Grand General, dressed in a dark purple casual robe, stood with his hands behind his back in the hall, his imposing figure appearing somewhat heavy at this moment.

His usually resolute face was now filled with complex emotions.

"Sigh..." The Grand General sighed heavily, breaking the silence in the hall. "Daughter, you've also heard the new news from the desolate mountains, haven't you?"

Consort Shu slowly opened her eyes, her gaze falling on the square patch of sky outside the window, cut off by the palace walls. Her voice was slightly hoarse: "Hmm, they said they want us to build a large number of shelters in various prefectures."

She paused, her tone clearly puzzled, "Father, what do you think this mountain goddess's intentions are?"

"Regarding the previous plague, although the people of the desolate mountains have brought the spread under control, there are still many patients in various places who have not yet recovered."

"Now, we have to mobilize a lot of manpower and resources to build those nonsensical sheds. I really can't understand it."

Upon hearing this, the Grand General also looked troubled: "I'm completely baffled. The army's supplies of food and equipment are already stretched thin, and now we have to assign people to oversee the construction of these..."

"Alas! If it weren't for the decree personally issued by the Mountain Goddess, I would have thought someone was deliberately making fun of us."

Consort Shu and the General of the State exchanged a glance, both seeing deep helplessness and apprehension in each other's eyes.

After a moment of silence, the General of the State lowered his voice and said, "Daughter, no matter what the Mountain Goddess's intentions are, we still have to do as she says, and we must do it quickly and well!"

"You know that the Mountain Goddess is incredibly capable. If we don't act quickly, the old fox, the Left Prime Minister, might get there first."

"Now that we are in the imperial court, we can't let him suppress us anymore and let him gain the favor of the Mountain Goddess for nothing."

The General Who Protects the Nation once went to the desolate mountain and witnessed firsthand the influence of that mountain god.

If this mountain goddess publicly expresses her support for the Left Prime Minister, they will probably have no chance to compete in the future.

Consort Shu nodded, her jade-like fingers tightening slightly. She recalled the news brought back by the scout, and her voice trembled slightly: "I heard that the god from the divine kingdom was crushed by the Mountain Goddess with a single hand!"

"We really can't afford to offend this mountain goddess! She's even more powerful than the Grand Preceptor of the Yan Kingdom!"

At this point, even in the warm palace, Consort Shu couldn't help but shiver.

"To crush the gods of the divine kingdom with a single hand..." The Great General of the Nation's Adam's apple bobbed, and a hint of fear flashed in his eyes.

"With such an existence, who in our Liang Kingdom, no, in the entire world, would dare to offend it easily?"

"Even if she truly intends to transform my Liang Kingdom into her earthly divine kingdom, what can we mere mortals possibly do to resist?"

The hall fell silent once again.

Sunlight streamed through the carved window lattice, casting dappled shadows on the floor.

The two sighed repeatedly in their hearts.

Their pride and joy in the capital, their intricate family relationships, and their centuries-old heritage are utterly insignificant in the face of a god of this caliber!

After a long silence, the General of the State put down the inkstone in his hand: "I will go and arrange manpower to make sure this matter is handled properly. We must not let that Left Prime Minister take advantage of any loopholes."

"Thank you for your trouble, Father." Consort Shu nodded slightly, looking tired.

After the General of the State left with heavy steps, Consort Shu looked at the somewhat dazzling sunlight outside the window and sighed softly.

She murmured to herself, "My son, when will your madness ever get better..."

"The Mountain Goddess possesses power that reaches to the heavens and the earth; I wonder if she can heal you?"

Lost in thought, she suddenly seemed to remember something and called out towards the outside of the hall, "Someone come here!"

A palace maid with her head bowed and eyes lowered silently slid in and knelt respectfully on the ground: "What are your orders, Consort Shu?"

Consort Shu sat up straight and asked, "How are those old ministers who were sent to the desolate mountains, and the Crown Prince's former advisors, doing there? Have any messages been sent back?"

Upon hearing this, the palace maid looked slightly embarrassed.

She hesitated for a moment before cautiously replying, "Reporting to Consort Shu, those officials who were sent..."

“They all adapted very well. Some of them…”

"What is it? Stop stammering, what kind of manners are you!" Consort Shu frowned and scolded with slight displeasure.

The palace maid lowered her head even further in fright, her voice barely audible, yet clearly reaching Consort Shu's ears: "Some officials seem to have already forgotten all about home."

"I heard from the young eunuch who came back that the other side of the desolate mountain is now like a paradise, where everyone lives in peace and contentment, and no one has to worry about natural disasters or man-made calamities."

"Several elderly people even volunteered to join the barren mountain factory, saying they wanted to experience it firsthand and contribute to the grand cause of the Mountain Goddess."

Consort Shu: "???"

Her beautiful eyes widened, almost thinking she had misheard!

Those staff members were one thing, but most of them were sycophants and spineless opportunists who would do anything to survive.

But which of those old ministers wasn't a man of unyielding integrity who prided himself on being loyal to the emperor and loving his country, and would rather break than bend?

Back when the late emperor was alive, they were just a few latrine stones in the Censorate, smelly and hard!

How did we end up in this desolate mountain?

So...so happy they forgot all about home?

Why would you voluntarily go to work for a factory?

Consort Shu felt a wave of dizziness. She held her forehead, her heart filled with coldness.

Many things seem to have already slipped out of control.

The Mountain Goddess's scheme had already begun, but they were still foolishly believing that it was just a threat from that deity.

What is this mountain goddess going to do? Does she really intend to transform the Liang Kingdom into her divine kingdom?

If this place becomes a divine kingdom, then her son will have absolutely no chance! The gods will not allow an emperor to truly hold power!

What should we do next?

Consort Shu was already flustered and didn't know what to do.

No, she has to go to the desolate mountains on her own initiative and talk to the mountain goddess or the believers about the terms!

Since she had made her son a puppet, she was determined to put her own son on the throne!

Only by sitting in that position can they have a chance to survive and avoid a crushing defeat!

“We have a chance, we definitely have a chance. Now, only the Crown Prince remains in the palace; His Majesty’s other sons are gone.”

"The Mountain Goddess has only one choice, and she will definitely agree!"

"Yinzhu, quickly pack my luggage, I am going to the desolate mountain to pay homage in person!"