Chapter 15 Mei Xi (Fifteen) Crisis?
"boom--!"
This news exploded over everyone's heads like thunder from the sky.
Time seemed to freeze at this moment.
The smile on Miss Yan's face froze instantly, like a frozen spring flower, and then turned into extreme fear. She screamed, and her body trembled violently uncontrollably. She subconsciously grabbed Lin Jiaojiao's arm tightly, her nails almost digging into the flesh.
Lady Wan's face turned pale, and her pupils shrank suddenly. Although she tried hard not to scream, her other hand suddenly grabbed a corner of Lin Jiaojiao's cloak, like a frightened cub seeking shelter.
Chun was so frightened that he screamed "Ah", his legs went limp, and he collapsed directly on the cold stone ground. His little face was as pale as paper, and his eyes were filled with fear as if the end of the world was coming.
Lin Jiaojiao felt a chill surge from her feet to her skull, instantly freezing her limbs. Her heart pounded wildly in her chest, threatening to burst. Mingtiao! Nanchao! The Shang army's vanguard was a hundred miles away! The wheel of history had finally, in its cruelest form, crushed them before her eyes.
[Warning! Core mission environment has changed dramatically! External threat level: Sharply increasing! Host physiological stress response: Peak!] The system's alarm rang out sharply, with an unprecedented urgency and coldness.
But she couldn't fall down, and she couldn't get confused.
Lin Jiaojiao bit her lower lip hard, and a rusty sweet taste spread in her mouth. The intense pain made her instantly regain a sense of clarity from the huge shock. She took a deep breath, and the icy air scraped across her throat like a knife, but strangely suppressed the surging fear.
"Shut up!" she shouted fiercely. Her voice was not loud, but it had a strange penetrating power, like an icicle falling to the ground, instantly suppressing the screams of Lady Yan and the dead silence around them! Her eyes were like lightning, staring at the trembling messenger on the ground. "Who is leading the vanguard of the Shang army? How far away is it from the capital? Your Majesty... How is Your Majesty's injury?" She forced herself to ask the most crucial information. Although her voice was trembling slightly, it was extremely clear.
The messenger was frightened by her sharp gaze and calm tone. His chaotic thoughts calmed down a little, and he said with a gasp: "Reply... reply to Princess Yuan! The vanguard... the vanguard is Shang Tang's general... Zhong Kui! It's less... less than a hundred miles away from the capital! The king... the king's body... seems to be fine, but... but the armor is stained with blood..." His voice became lower and lower, full of despair.
Less than a hundred miles away, Lin Jiaojiao's heart sank. Time was pressing. She suddenly looked up, her eyes sweeping over the frightened Wanyan and Yan and the limp Chun, her voice filled with unquestionable determination: "Chun! Help the beauties Wan and Yan back to the side hall, close the hall door tightly, and no one is allowed to enter or leave without my order!" She had to put these two frightened "time bombs" in place first.
"Here...here!" Chun Rumeng just woke up, and crawled to her feet. She almost half dragged and half hugged the still trembling Wanyan and the other girl, and staggered towards the side hall.
Lin Jiaojiao stopped looking at them and turned her gaze to a relatively calm eunuch beside her: "Go quickly! Tell General Shi Hu, Ku Siku Ding, and the important officials who stayed behind to come immediately... to the side hall of the main hall to discuss matters! No delays!" She wanted to say that she was going to the side hall, but then she changed her mind and realized that a more formal occasion was needed to stabilize people's hearts.
"Yes!" The eunuch took the order and ran away.
She took one last look at the messenger lying limp on the ground: "Take him down, give him some water, and ask him to write down in detail all the military information he knows!" After saying that, she did not stop, straightened her back, wrapped her cloak tightly around her, turned around and walked towards the main hall.
Her steps were still a little unsteady, but each one was taken with extraordinary firmness. The sunlight shone on her white robe, outlining her slender yet straight back. Against the backdrop of the panic-stricken people in the garden, she actually exuded a kind of lonely courage that was heartbreaking.
Host Behavior: Crisis Response Initiated. Logic Module: Optimal Plan Executing. Emotion Simulation Unit: ...Intense fear suppression detected... Redundant data surge... Zizzle... Warning! Abnormal mental fluctuations detected approaching! Threat Level: Unknown!] The system's notification tone was accompanied by a chaotic murmur and a sudden new alarm.
Lin Jiaojiao paused imperceptibly. Unusual mental fluctuations? Who?! She suppressed her suspicion and continued on her way. Now wasn't the time to delve into the matter.
When Lin Jiaojiao stepped into the side hall of the main hall, it was already in chaos. The ministers who stayed behind - the white-haired old Si Tu, the Sima with a face as black as charcoal, and the Si Kou with a goatee and flickering eyes - were like ants on a hot pan, running around in circles, with panic and despair written all over their faces.
"It's over! It's all over! If Mingtiao is defeated, the capital will be in danger!"
"Hundreds of miles! The Shang army's vanguard is only a hundred miles away from the capital! How can we resist?!"
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty is retreating to the South Nest? Then what... what should we do?!"
“Why not...why not open the city…” Sikou with a goat beard lowered his voice and looked at the old Situ and the black-faced Sima with wandering eyes.
The word "Kaesong" pierced Lin Jiaojiao's ears like a poisonous needle, and her heart was alarmed. As expected! Someone wants to surrender, and maybe even use me as a bargaining chip.
"Open the city?!" Shi Hu glared at Sikou fiercely, his voice like thunder, "Lord Sikou! You want to surrender the city? Where does that put the king? Where does that put us, your subjects?!" He pressed his hand on the hilt of the sword, his eyes wide open with anger, and a murderous aura instantly spread out.
Sikou shuddered with fear, his goatee quivering. "General Shi... General Shi, calm down! I... I'm also concerned about the people of this city! The Shang army is too powerful, and a stubborn resistance will only lead to more casualties!"
"Bullshit!" Shi Hu shouted angrily, "We are the ones who receive the emperor's salary and are loyal to him! How can we..."
"Enough!" A clear but unquestionable voice sounded, interrupting the quarrel.
Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw Lin Jiaojiao standing at the door, facing the light, her figure slender but tall.
The moon-white robe seemed to emit a faint glow in the slightly dim hall. Her long black hair was loosely tied up, with a few strands hanging on her cheeks, making her face look even more petite and delicate. Her skin, which had just recovered from a serious illness, was pale and translucent, and there was a lingering trace of fatigue and worry between her brows, but her eyes were as clear as the deep water of a cold pond, and so calm that it was heart-pounding.
The hall suddenly fell silent.
All the noisy discussions came to an abrupt halt. The ministers' gazes were fixed on her, drawn as if by a magnet. The old Situ's cloudy eyes widened, the goat-bearded Sikou gaped, forgetting to close his mouth. Shi Hu seemed to be under a spell, forgetting even to breathe.
Lin Jiaojiao walked slowly into the hall, her eyes swept over everyone calmly, and lingered on Sikou's face for a moment. Her eyes were as sharp as a knife, as if they could penetrate people's hearts. Sikou felt a chill rising from the soles of his feet, and hurriedly lowered his head, not daring to look at her.
"My lords, the military situation is urgent. Panic will not help." Lin Jiaojiao's voice was clear, with a barely perceptible hoarseness, but it reached everyone's ears clearly. "Arguing and fighting will only disrupt our own formation!"
Her words were like ice water, waking everyone up. The old Situ was the first to come back to his senses. His face flushed and he quickly bowed: "Your Excellency...your Excellency has lost your composure. Please give me some instructions, Princess Yuan!" There was an imperceptible tremor in his voice, but his eyes looking at Lin Jiaojiao were full of hope.
Shi Hu also reacted, clasping his fists and saying solemnly, "General Shi Hu, I await the orders of the Imperial Concubine!" His voice was loud and clear, his eyes sharp. Though still solemn, his panic had been forcibly suppressed, replaced by a soldier's fortitude and a trust in the Imperial Concubine before him... even he himself was unaware of it.
Sikou's eyes flickered, and he quickly bowed and echoed: "Your Highness...your Highness and I respectfully obey the orders of the Concubine Yuan!"
Lin Jiaojiao looked at them, feeling a little relieved. Fortunately... at least on the surface, she was stable. She took a deep breath and began to assign tasks in a clear and logical manner. Her voice was not loud, but it was filled with unquestionable power: "General Shi Hu."
"I will be here!"
"Immediately prepare all the guards of the royal court and strengthen the defense of the palace gates. Although we cannot keep the enemy out, we must enforce the palace ban and strictly prevent internal strife. Send out elite scouts to find out the exact movements of the Shang army's vanguard and the whereabouts of the king! Pay special attention to... whether there are any unusual movements inside or outside the royal court!" She deliberately emphasized the last sentence, and her eyes swept over Sikou vaguely.
Shi Hu's eyes flashed: "Yes!" He clasped his fists and accepted the order, then turned around and strode away, his armor clanging.
"Kuskudin!"
"I'm here!" Ku Ding hurried forward, his goatee trembling slightly.
"Inventory all the royal court's stored food and supplies! Especially medicine, cloth, and fire! Centralize and store them under strict supervision! Be prepared... to move them at any time! You must personally review and record all incoming and outgoing supplies in detail!"
"Yes! I...I obey your command!" Kuding's voice trembled, but his eyes were no longer so flustered because he had a clear instruction.
"Medical Officer Zhao!"
Zhao had heard the news and rushed over, standing in the corner.
"I'm here." Zhao took a step forward, his voice still calm, but the look he gave Lin Jiaojiao was filled with a barely perceptible worry and...inquiry?
"Call all those knowledgeable in medicine and herbs. Gather all the herbs and prepare to deal with... any possible casualties. If any suspicious individuals approach the medicine depot or the wounded, report to General Shi Hu immediately!"
"Yes." Zhao nodded slightly, his gaze lingering on Lin Jiaojiao's slightly pale face for a moment, then he turned and left with steady steps.
Finally, Lin Jiaojiao's gaze fell on the old Minister of Justice and the Minister of Justice. "My Lords, appease the people of the royal court, restrain the palace servants, and strictly investigate those who spread rumors and destabilize the people! In this critical moment, we must unite our hearts and minds to overcome this difficult time! If anyone has ulterior motives..." She paused, her voice suddenly turning cold, as if it had been quenched by ice. "Don't blame me for being ruthless!"
"Your humble servant obeys your command!" The two men hurriedly bowed in response, and Sikou was sweating profusely.
The orders were clearly given one after another, and order was quickly restored in the chaotic side hall. The ministers looked at Concubine Yuan, who was standing next to the main seat, with an upright posture, a beautiful face, and an inviolable majesty. The panic in their hearts miraculously subsided a lot, as if as long as she stood there, this crumbling royal court still had a little support.
External Environment: Panic Index Decreased 30%. Individual (Minister) Emotions: Panic (Dominant) → Awe/Dependence (Increasing). Execution Efficiency: Significantly Improved.] The systematic analysis finally achieved a sense of stability.
However, when the ministers took the order and left, and silence returned to the side hall, Lin Jiaojiao's forced composure faded like the tide. She held onto the cold stone pillar, her body trembling slightly uncontrollably, fine sweat oozing from her forehead, and her face became paler than before.
A hundred miles, only a hundred miles. The roar of the Shang army's iron hooves seemed to have sounded in her ears. She closed her eyes. Xia Jie's violent and crazy eyes, the terrified screams of Wanyan and the two girls, the desperate roar of the messenger... intertwined together, impacting her fragile nerves.
[Host physiological indicators: High stress state persists. Adrenaline level: Peak. Recommendation: Forced rest.] The system alarm sounded again, with a hint of worry.
She knew she couldn't rest. She had to see Wanyan and the other girl immediately to make sure they wouldn't do anything in panic. She forced herself to stand up straight and walked towards the side hall.
Pushing open the door to the side hall, Chun Zheng was anxiously guarding the doorway. Wan Yan and the other two girls were curled up on the couch like frightened quails. Seeing Lin Jiaojiao come in, Lady Yan immediately rushed over and cried, "Sister! What should we do? The king has been defeated! The Shang army is about to attack! Will we die?"
Lady Wan also raised her head, her eyes filled with fear and confusion.
Lin Jiaojiao was about to speak to comfort him when Chun suddenly rushed to her side with a pale face. Her voice was filled with extreme fear, and she lowered it so that only the three of them could hear: "My Lady! It's bad! This servant... This servant was at the window just now, and I seemed... I seemed to see Lord Sikou... and... and Lord Kuding... secretly talking behind the rockery in the garden! Lord Sikou... stuffed something into Lord Kuding's hand! Lord Kuding... looked very strange!"
Lin Jiaojiao's heart sank. Si Kou and Ku Ding?! What were they planning?! She had just warned Si Kou in the side hall, and he'd turned around and gone looking for Ku Ding, who was in charge of supplies? That flickering look in Ku Ding's eyes... could it be...
A chill instantly swept through Lin Jiaojiao's body. The Shang army was pressing in from outside, and treacherous officials were stirring up trouble within! Could the situation she had just stabilized be shattered from within so quickly?
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