Feng Ninghe sat herself down on the chair, leaning back casually. "Lin Yuran, what business do you have with the King of Hell? You might as well tell me."
Lin Yuran suppressed her displeasure, huffing softly. "I'm looking for the King of Hell, not you."
She intended to win over the King of Hell and had no intention of revealing her thoughts in front of Feng Ninghe.
Feng Ninghe raised an eyebrow, casually picking up a fruit and eating it. Her clear, feminine voice drifted down. "You may not be able to see the King of Hell, but I can help you pass on a message."
These fruits were originally prepared by Lin Yuran for herself.
She only wished she had poisoned them earlier.
"Princess, General Ji requests an audience!"
A maidservant hurried in at that moment, breaking the stalemate.
Lin Yuran waved her hand, instructing the maidservant to invite the general into the sleeping chambers.
Soon, Ji Binyu stepped into the chambers.
Seeing Feng Ninghe seated within, his expression remained as usual, showing no surprise.
He had already received word before coming, knowing Feng Ninghe was present.
As it happened, he had some things he wanted to say to Feng Ninghe, saving him an extra trip.
Ji Binyu boldly met Feng Ninghe's gaze. "The Empress is here as well. Coincidentally, there is something I need to report to the Empress."
"What is it?" Feng Ninghe continued to eat her fruit, her gaze lowered.
Ji Binyu's lips curved subtly upwards, his face adopting a more serious demeanor. "Lately, people in Lin Country have been falling ill inexplicably. They appear dazed and unresponsive. The physicians in the city claim it's possession by spirits, and there's no cure."
"Possession by spirits?"
Lin Yuran seemed to have heard something interesting, her eyes lifting with great curiosity. "How could they be possessed by spirits out of the blue?"
Mentioning this, Ji Binyu hesitated, appearing to want to speak but holding back.
After a long pause, he finally spoke. "The common folk say that the heavens of Lin Country have changed. They believe these possessions are a punishment from the gods because the Empress ascended the throne, displeasing them."
Feng Ninghe didn't believe a single word of such claims. She didn't believe in gods.
However, rumors were like sharp blades, capable of easily driving people to their deaths.
Most commoners would believe what they saw and would undoubtedly believe these rumors, thinking her ascension was an ill omen, which was why people were falling ill.
Lin Yuran's mood instantly improved, a faint glint dancing in her eyes. "So, you're saying these commoners believe the former Empress has returned to Lin Country and resumed her identity as Empress is an ill omen?"
He who wins the hearts of the people wins the world.
Even if Feng Ninghe had the recognition of the imperial seal and could reclaim the throne, she wouldn't be able to control Lin Country without the people's support.
If the commoners did not accept this Empress, Feng Ninghe wouldn't be able to sit on the throne peacefully.
Ji Binyu nodded heavily, sighing softly, while subtly observing the change in Feng Ninghe's expression. "Indeed. The number of afflicted citizens has increased these past few days. The people are in a state of panic, fearing they will be the next to suffer."
Feng Ninghe continued to eat her fruit, seemingly unconcerned by these words.
Her detached demeanor led others to unconsciously speculate about her thoughts.
"It's bad, it's bad!"
"Let's hurry and see! Quickly inform the Empress of this!"
Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside the hall.
Zhenzhu hurried in from outside and quickly approached Feng Ninghe. "Empress, a minister has suddenly collapsed to the ground, seemingly possessed. The Imperial Advisor and others have already rushed over."
Feng Ninghe stood up, her cool, feminine voice slowly stating, "Let's go and see."
The moment she stepped into Lin Country, she knew there would be countless troubles ahead.
But she hadn't expected them to come so quickly.
Ji Binyu and Lin Yuran followed behind her.
Ji Binyu slightly raised his eyes, his alluring face tinged with a chilling coldness. He lowered his voice, speaking only for the two of them to hear. "Yuran, if this matter cannot be resolved, her position as Empress will be unstable."
When Lin Yuran governed Lin Country, everything was well, with no anomalies. The people lived in peace and contentment.
As soon as Feng Ninghe returned to Lin Country, this incident occurred. The ignorant commoners naturally believed that Feng Ninghe had brought a curse, causing them suffering.
His words resonated deeply. Lin Yuran's exquisitely made-up face showed a hint of pleasure.
If the common people didn't accept Feng Ninghe, this woman naturally wouldn't be able to remain in her position stably. Before long, Feng Ninghe would be deposed.
And she would become the new Empress.
In the vast imperial garden.
A minister lay on the ground, his eyes wide open and unmoving. Many imperial physicians stood around him.
"Lord Li was in perfect health. Why has he become like this?"
"Yes, his breathing is steady. He's neither poisoned nor sick."
The imperial physicians gathered, discussing amongst themselves in hushed tones.
Palace servants filled the surrounding area.
Maidservants whispered amongst themselves, "A few days ago, people in Lin Country inexplicably became dazed, staring blankly with no consciousness, appearing foolish no matter how they were called."
"I also heard that once the dazed symptoms appear, they die within a few days."
"Everyone says it's because the Empress has returned, and Lin Country's fortunes have changed, even its feng shui. This is an ill omen..."
The commotion in the palace attracted many people.
Bai Niannian and others arrived, gathering to observe.
"The Empress arrives!"
Zhenzhu announced Feng Ninghe's arrival in a loud voice.
The previously murmuring crowd instantly fell silent, quickly kneeling and saying in unison, "Greetings, Empress."
Feng Ninghe glanced around, her gaze falling upon a solitary, upright figure not far away.
Si Jianye stood there, arms crossed, the breeze playfully ruffling his hair. The golden mask on his face couldn't conceal his arrogant aura.
His defiant appearance was incredibly striking.
Feng Ninghe could spot him in the crowd at a glance.
Their eyes met.
Sensing her gaze, the man walked towards her openly. His deep, magnetic voice slowly spoke, "Just like the girls from Chenjia Village, their souls have been absorbed."
Feng Ninghe's dark eyebrows immediately furrowed. She withdrew her gaze and deliberately raised her voice. "Rise."
At her command, everyone stood up.
"Your Majesty, please look at Lord Li."
The Imperial Advisor quickly approached her. "I have examined Lord Li's body, and there is no abnormality. Yet, he is utterly dazed and unresponsive no matter who calls him."
Feng Ninghe nodded slightly and walked past the crowd to Lord Li's side.
Lord Li stared with wide eyes, his gaze unfocused, his face unnaturally pale.
She sent a wisp of her divine sense to scan Lord Li's body.
Lord Li's body showed no abnormalities. Just as Si Jianye had said, like the girls from Chenjia Village, his soul was gone, and he had become a walking corpse.
"Master."
Bai Niannian approached and voiced her thoughts. "Have his three souls and seven spirits been extracted?"