Slightly mocking words did not cause Lin Yuran's expression to change much. She chuckled softly, "But these commoners don't know, how can they tell? And if they can't tell, how can they be reassured?"
This time, even Feng Ninghe couldn't help but frown.
This woman was purely making things difficult.
If they could know, other cultivators would naturally be able to know as well. Only these commoners were unaware.
The commoners began to stir, hastily speaking out, "Yes, my daughter has become like this, but I don't know her specific condition at all. You can tell, but we can't see anything!"
"Are there any differences when the soul leaves the body?"
Looking at the chattering commoners, Feng Ninghe slightly furrowed her delicate brows and said in a deep voice, "When the soul leaves the body, one is like a walking corpse. No matter how you call them, they show no consciousness. This is the characteristic of the soul leaving the body."
Lin Yuran's red lips curved into a graceful arc, the smile in her eyes growing more intense, "Empress, that is not entirely correct. The symptoms they exhibit are visible to all of us, but not everyone can see when the soul has left the body."
"That's it?"
Suddenly, a cold and sharp male voice slowly descended.
Si Jianye, who had been silent beside them, spoke. A golden mask adorned his face, and beneath it, his narrow eyes emanated a chilling coldness.
The man slightly raised his eyelids, and a hint of mockery dripped from his lips as he spoke, "Princess Lin, if you don't even know this, you're hardly worthy of being a princess."
The chilling male voice caused Lin Yuran's face to turn pale and then flushed.
She was naturally aware that these young ladies' souls had left their bodies. The reason she was so aggressive was simply to make Feng Ninghe look bad.
It was by relying on her own cultivation that she could see things that ordinary people could not.
They could discern the anomalies, but these ordinary commoners lacked that ability.
Lin Yuran suppressed the displeasure in her heart, biting her lip tightly, "King of the Underworld, do you perhaps have a way to handle this?"
Si Jianye did not look at her directly, his thin, cold eyes radiating a faint, eerie glow.
He gently raised his hand, and a spectral light enveloped the commoners.
Various colors of light appeared within the commoners' dantian.
Their souls were revealed within their bodies.
The girls lying on the beds were dim and lusterless, with no trace of light in their dantian.
This was the difference between having a soul within the body and not.
Everything that unfolded before her caused Feng Ninghe to glance at the man standing beside her.
Even she could not achieve what he did, making everyone clearly see whether they had a soul within their body with just a wave of her hand.
This man was indeed the terrifying King of the Underworld...
"I see it! My daughter's body is empty, without any light. She truly has no soul! I also see my own body!"
"I see it too! The soul has left the body, what can be done!"
The commoners chattered amongst themselves, their gazes quickly falling on Feng Ninghe, "Empress, the facts are just as you said. Their souls have been absorbed. What should we do now to save them!"
Lin Yuran stared directly at everything before her, clenching her delicate fists, a hint of sharpness flashing in her eyes.
Indeed, he was the King of the Underworld. How could someone who dominated the Western Youzhou be an ordinary person?
Su Hongxiu narrowed her eyes, her gaze subtly falling on Si Jianye.
She knew Si Jianye's nature was always arrogant and that he never interfered in matters that did not concern him. Even if something was easy for him, he would not act without reason.
Yet, Si Jianye would act for Feng Ninghe...
Looking at the eager commoners, Feng Ninghe's expression did not change much.
She replied softly, "Everyone, please do not worry. As Empress, I will do my utmost to apprehend the person behind this and rescue these young ladies from their suffering."
Lin Yuran could not suppress her displeasure, letting out a muffled hum, "What if you cannot do it?"
"Yes, the Empress makes such a bold claim here. If this matter cannot be resolved, how will you give the commoners an explanation?"
Ji Binyu seized the opportunity to speak, a hint of cunning creeping into his eyes, "For such a matter to occur so soon after the Empress's ascension, it only proves you are unfit for the position of Empress."
Their intentions were clearly written on their faces.
Feng Ninghe also understood their motives immediately.
To put it plainly, they wanted her to abdicate and hand over the position of Empress.
Feng Ninghe did not rush to speak, quietly looking at the two before her, "What do you want me to do?"
Lin Yuran narrowed her eyes and revealed her true intentions, "If you cannot resolve this matter, it means you are incompetent, unable to help the common people, and unworthy of being the Empress of Lin Country."
"Then can you resolve this matter?"
Feng Ninghe raised her eyelids, her calm eyes showing no emotional ripple.
Such an expression seemed to disregard everything in the world.
The more composed she appeared, the more Lin Yuran's anger intensified, wishing she could tear that hypocritical face apart immediately!
Lin Yuran clenched her sleeves, almost tearing them, "If that is the case, why don't we make a bet? We will both appear here in seven days. Whoever can resolve this matter will become the Empress, how about it?"
Feng Ninghe nodded in agreement, "Alright."
Her promptness stunned everyone.
Even Lin Yuran was taken aback, but after a moment, she recovered and felt a surge of joy.
The winner of this bet was destined to be her.
It seemed she would become Empress without any effort.
This wretched woman had agreed to her bet in front of everyone. If she dared to go back on her word, she would surely incur the wrath of the crowd.
The commoners did not care who ruled Lin Country; they only cared if their loved ones could be restored to normal.
Lin Yuran concealed her inner ecstasy, a smile appearing on her charming face, "Lin Ninghe, the bet is set, there is no turning back. We will see the outcome in seven days."
Feng Ninghe's expression remained calm, her clear, steady pupils meeting her arrogant gaze.
However, Ji Binyu's heart inexplicably sank at this moment. He felt a flicker of unease and changed the subject, "Princess, time is pressing, let's not waste any more time here. Let's go find clues."
Lin Yuran understood that he had something to say, so she left with him.
Only after they got into the carriage did he speak, "Yuran, Feng Ninghe's demeanor is very strange. She is too composed."
"So what?"
Lin Yuran dismissed it with disdain, humming softly and leaning back in the carriage, "The outcome is already decided. The initiative is in our hands, what can she do?"
Ji Binyu's brows were furrowed, and he remained uneasy, "She agreed too quickly. Regarding the throne, she agreed without even thinking."
Seeing his worried expression, Lin Yuran took his hand and gently patted it, "A hundred years ago, she died in ignorance. A hundred years later, she has returned, still foolish. Even if she has a connection with the King of the Underworld, so what? A nobody is still a nobody. Moreover, the item is with you, what are you afraid of?"