The general trembled all over, utterly shocked.
He composed himself and shouted sternly at the equally dumbfounded guards, "What are you all standing there for! Quickly follow me into the palace!"
"Yes, General!"
The guards were startled and quickly responded.
The imperial city stands majestically, its vermilion palace walls appearing as if tinged with a faint crimson hue in the afterglow of the setting sun.
Xiao Zhen didn't bother to change his court robes; he was covered in dust from his journey.
He strode quickly toward his daughter, Consort Shu's, palace.
Seeing his hurried manner, the palace servants all lowered their heads and gave way, not daring to say a word.
The Consort Shu's palace has always been known for its exotic flowers and plants, but at this moment it appears somewhat desolate.
She was standing by the window, her slender fingertips gently fiddling with a pot of long-withered Cymbidium orchids.
Her phoenix eyes were slightly lowered, and a cloud of sorrow hung between her brows.
That Cymbidium goeringii was her favorite variety in the past, but now it is lifeless.
Just like Consort Shu's state of mind at this moment, it was chaotic and disordered.
"daughter!"
Xiao Zhen strode into the hall, his voice tinged with urgency.
Upon hearing the sound, Consort Shu was slightly startled and immediately raised her head.
Upon seeing her travel-worn father, a look of surprise flashed in her eyes.
"Father? Why are you back so soon?"
She hurried to meet her, her voice filled with concern.
Xiao Zhen waved his hand, his sharp gaze sweeping across the hall, and asked in a low voice, "Daughter, have any major events occurred in the capital while I was away?"
Upon hearing this, Consort Shu frowned even more deeply, and the worry on her face grew even stronger.
She sighed softly, her voice low.
"Father, you are unaware of this."
"The plague in the capital has been brought under control."
Xiao Zhen's eyebrows twitched, and he understood.
Consort Shu sighed, "The people in the desolate mountains have miraculous abilities. They not only cured the people infected with the plague, but also distributed porridge and medicine."
"Now the whole capital is praising the benevolence of the Mountain Goddess."
"Everywhere you look, there are words of praise."
“Some people even set up longevity tablets for the Mountain Goddess in their homes.”
At this point, Consort Shu's voice carried a hint of fear.
"Father, I'm worried..."
She paused, her eyes filled with worry.
"We previously joined forces with the Grand Preceptor of Yan, secretly currying favor with him to deal with that Mountain Goddess..."
"Now that He has not only cured the plague and gained such great prestige and faith, His power must be even more unfathomable."
"Will He investigate our past actions? Will He bring harm to our Xiao family?"
As Consort Shu spoke, her voice trembled more and more, and her face turned somewhat pale.
As Xiao Zhen listened to his daughter's account, the expression on his face was completely opposite to that of Consort Shu's worry.
Far from being alarmed, a hint of excitement flickered deep in his eyes.
"Hahaha!"
He suddenly burst into loud laughter, his voice full of energy, startling all the palace maids and eunuchs in the hall.
He immediately realized his lapse in composure and quickly suppressed his smile.
But the excitement in his eyes was hard to hide.
He shook his head repeatedly, his voice tinged with excitement.
"Daughter, you're overthinking it! There's absolutely nothing to worry about!"
"I have some incredibly good news to tell you!"
"I knelt at the foot of the desolate mountain for a full seven days!"
"I have found a way to gain the forgiveness of the Mountain Goddess, and even make her look at our Xiao family in a different light!"
Upon hearing this, Consort Shu's beautiful eyes widened, her face filled with disbelief.
"Father? What did you say?"
"How could the Mountain Goddess easily forgive us for being tricked like this?"
"What method could possibly appease a god, or even make him look at you differently?"
In her opinion, this was simply a fantasy.
Xiao Zhen puffed out his chest smugly, lowered his voice, and said mysteriously, "As long as we send three or four thousand people to the barren mountain, all the past grudges can be forgiven and even wiped clean!"
Consort Shu was taken aback, then her brows furrowed slightly as she murmured to herself.
"Three or four thousand people?"
She subconsciously began to calculate.
"Is this matter really that easy?"
Not to mention the entire household guards and servants of the general's mansion.
Even within this imperial palace, it wouldn't be difficult for her to gather three or four thousand people.
But if it were really that simple, why would my father have knelt in desolate mountains for seven days?
Would this mountain goddess really let them off so easily?
The more Consort Shu thought about it, the more uneasy she felt, sensing that there was something crucial about it that she hadn't yet figured out.
When the General of the State saw that his daughter seemed to have misunderstood, his old face flushed slightly, and he felt somewhat embarrassed.
He naturally wouldn't say that it required three or four thousand intelligent, quick-witted, and knowledgeable people, which would be a completely different level of difficulty.
He coughed lightly, without explaining the details, and instead changed the subject, giving the order in a deep voice.
"Someone come here!"
At his command, several trusted guards immediately entered from outside the hall.
"Pass on my orders!"
"Immediately bring out every single one of those advisors and retainers who were previously imprisoned in the Crown Prince's residence!"
"And those old, arrogant officials in the court who rely on their seniority, boast of their integrity, and look down on this general—bring them out as well!"
"Just looking at them annoys me! I might as well send them all to the barren mountains so they can serve the mountain goddess in their remaining days!"
Consort Shu listened in stunned silence, her heart pounding with shock.
"Father! What's wrong with you...?"
Those were all once powerful officials or renowned scholars!
Pack them all up and send them to the wilderness?
This is far too extravagant!
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