Consort Shu's smile became more genuine.
"Sir, you are indeed wise."
She picked up the hot tea that the palace maid had just brought her, gently blew away the foam, but her gaze never left Xie Wendong.
The hall was quiet, with only a few scattered bird calls coming from outside the window, making the atmosphere even more solemn.
"The epidemic in the capital is raging." Consort Shu put down her teacup, her voice lowered, carrying a hint of barely perceptible fatigue and anxiety.
"The imperial physicians in the palace were helpless, and the people from the desolate mountains have sent people to assist in the disaster relief."
“But…” Consort Shu’s tone shifted, a shadow crossing her eyes.
She paused, carefully choosing her words, before recounting her recent struggle with the desolate mountain.
After all, Xie Wendong is the only strategist she can trust and who is also the most capable.
Then, helplessly, he said, "Several months ago, my father returned from suppressing bandits on the border of Yan State, and he brought back one person with him."
"That man claimed to be a devout follower of the State Preceptor of Yan, who came to seek refuge because he admired the prosperity of Liang."
"My father didn't think much of it at the time, assuming he was just an ordinary refugee. Seeing that he spoke with refinement, he allowed him to stay temporarily in the capital, and even..."
Consort Shu lowered her voice, tinged with regret.
"I also took him to meet some prominent families and colleagues in the court, with the intention of finding him a place to settle down and make a living."
Xie Wendong's brows furrowed instantly, and the ominous premonition in his heart rose again, even stronger than before.
The Grand Preceptor of Yan? That's a powerful and wicked demon!
Why would his followers suddenly come to the Liang Kingdom?
Consort Shu probably kept a lot to herself, and even embellished these accounts!
"Does that person carry the plague?" Xie Wendong's voice was a little dry.
Consort Shu nodded, her expression growing increasingly grim.
"This person can no longer be found."
"My father sent people to search for a long time, but there was no news at all, as if they had vanished into thin air."
As Consort Shu finished speaking, she suddenly raised her head, her eyes filled with worry.
"Sir, you are exceptionally intelligent; you must have a solution!"
“We can’t find this person now. How can we get the general out of this mess?” she said slowly, glancing over gently.
After hearing this, Xie Wendong felt dizzy and overwhelmed by an indescribable sense of powerlessness.
He looked at Consort Shu speechlessly, wondering how much time had passed.
How could the Grand General, who commands a large army and should be a pillar of the nation, have made such a huge mess in such a short time?!
Clearly, their Zhenguo Duke's Mansion and the Crown Prince's Palace were the first to connect with the barren mountain!
Even if that mountain goddess is unpredictable and even deceived the crown prince, her display of supernatural powers to help the crown prince force the emperor to abdicate and drive out Emperor Liang is enough to prove how unfathomable and powerful she is!
What kind of foolishness would lead someone to provoke the Yan Kingdom's Grand Preceptor after stabilizing the situation? They even invited a wolf into the house, bringing a walking source of plague back to the capital!
Absolutely, utterly foolish!
Xie Wendong silently cried out in his heart.
He had a winning hand, and it looked like he was about to win, but he ruined it all himself!
He took a deep breath, suppressing the various emotions in his heart, and maintained a calm expression.
"Your Majesty, this matter is probably going to be difficult," he said helplessly, his voice tinged with bitterness.
"Of course I know it's very difficult, otherwise I wouldn't have asked you to come!" Consort Shu slammed her hand on the armrest, her expression instantly turning sharp.
"I don't care what methods you use!"
"I'll give you an hour to think!" She stared intently at Xie Wendong, her tone icy.
"You just need to tell me how to eliminate this huge hidden danger!"
"Otherwise..." Consort Shu's voice lowered, carrying a chilling intent, "you might not live to see the day His Highness the Crown Prince fully recovers!"
Xie Wendong's heart sank.
He knew that Consort Shu was not joking.
With the crown prince going mad, the general's mansion is also in grave danger.
If he were to also be accused of triggering a plague in the capital...
The consequences would be unimaginable!
As a staff member of the Crown Prince's palace, he was already bound to this ship, sharing both its glory and its loss.
Xie Wendong closed his eyes, feeling bitter inside.
The capital is in chaos and people are filled with fear. Most people have not yet focused their attention on tracing the source of the outbreak.
But once the epidemic eases even slightly, those high-ranking officials and dignitaries who were lucky enough to survive only need to think carefully about the people they had contact with before they fell ill...
The fact that the Great General of the State brought a strange visitor from the Yan Kingdom will definitely be exposed!
Xie Wendong felt a throbbing sensation in his temples, and cold sweat almost soaked his back.
After a long while, he slowly opened his eyes, meeting Consort Shu's urgent and imposing gaze, and cupped his hands in greeting:
"Your Majesty, there is only one urgent solution."
Xie Wendong paused, then spoke slowly and deliberately.
"We must find that Yan Kingdom believer as quickly as possible!"
"Only by finding him can we assess the risks and devise further countermeasures!"
"Otherwise, it's all just empty talk!"
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