Feng Ninghe nodded, her eyes slightly narrowed, a few glints flashing through them. "Indeed, the soul has been completely extracted from Steward Li's body."
"Your Majesty, what do you mean?"
The Imperial Advisor couldn't hide his doubt, his gaze shifting to Feng Ninghe.
Feng Ninghe lowered her eyes, looking directly at the pale Steward Li, her cool voice slowly uttering, "He is not sick, nor poisoned. His soul has been separated from his body."
"Soul separated from the body?"
The Imperial Advisor's features instantly tensed, a hint of contemplation appearing in his eyes. "Souls do not leave the body without reason. Your Majesty, you just said the soul was forcibly extracted. Could this all be man-made?"
To extract a soul completely from within a body, a special method must have been used.
Feng Ninghe did not rush to respond. She changed the subject, "Imperial Advisor, recently in Lin Country, citizens have been exhibiting symptoms similar to Steward Li. Where are these citizens located?"
The Imperial Advisor replied without hesitation, "Your Majesty, the afflicted citizens are all at the yamen. There are over twenty of them."
Having received the desired answer, Feng Ninghe nodded slightly in understanding. "I will personally go to the yamen to assess the situation."
She needed to confirm if the symptoms of these citizens were consistent.
The Imperial Advisor nodded with slight approval, his gaze turning to Feng Ninghe. "It is indeed time to visit the yamen and comfort the people. With your presence, they will surely feel much more at ease."
Rumors were spreading like wildfire among the populace.
The common folk believed it to be an ill omen. As the Empress, she could not stand idly by.
It was most appropriate for her to handle this matter, and it would also serve to calm the public's minds.
Feng Ninghe spoke her thoughts aloud, "Send people to appease the citizens, especially those who have fallen ill. Extra effort must be made. Let's first assess the situation before discussing how to proceed."
If everyone's soul had been extracted, the matter could only be resolved by apprehending the mastermind behind it.
The Imperial Advisor volunteered, "Your Majesty, I will accompany you to investigate the situation."
Not far away.
Lin Yuran raised her eyebrows slightly in surprise, her alluring voice soft. "She could discern at a glance that Steward Li's soul had been extracted. It seems she has not neglected her cultivation over the past century. We must be cautious."
Most people would never have thought of this.
Feng Ninghe, merely by standing there and observing for a few moments, was able to ascertain that this woman was far more formidable than they had imagined.
Ji Binyu smiled at this, his peach blossom eyes widening mischievously on his charming face. "It matters not. Even if the truth is known, what can she do? She still cannot change anything."
This answer was precisely what Lin Yuran wanted to hear. Her expression became more composed. "You are right. What can she change?"
He who wins the hearts of the people wins the realm. If the people's hearts are unsettled, the country will be in turmoil.
Feng Ninghe would not be able to sit securely on the throne of Empress.
Ji Binyu strode forward boldly, not forgetting to speak, "Yuran, let's follow them and see how she intends to handle this matter."
Lin Yuran couldn't conceal her schadenfreude and followed him openly.
The carriage proceeded grandly.
Feng Ninghe did not bring many people with her on this trip, but as the Empress, she was naturally accompanied by a few maids.
Inside the carriage.
Si Xin Xin's small face was filled with anger. Biting her lip, she spoke her mind. "Mother, could the culprit behind this be that so-called young master again?"
As the topic shifted, Bai Nian Nian's beautiful face showed a hint of contemplation. "This young master is from Lin Country. Now that the citizens of Lin Country are falling ill, it is highly possible that this young master is the one behind it."
Feng Ninghe slightly raised her eyelids, her gaze calmly falling outside the window. "Perhaps."
Bai Nian Nian seemed to recall something and quickly looked around. "Master, I didn't see A Xing just now. Where has he gone?"
Facing the question, Feng Ninghe smiled. "A Xing has some matters to attend to, so he went to handle them."
Si Jianye sat quietly with his eyes half-closed. The golden mask covered his entire face, but it could not conceal his untamed aura.
"Your Majesty, we have arrived at the yamen!"
Zhen Zhu's voice came from outside the carriage, and the carriage stopped at that moment.
Everyone quickly alighted from the carriage.
The county magistrate, having heard the news, was waiting at the yamen's entrance.
Upon seeing Feng Ninghe, the county magistrate hurried forward and bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Your Majesty!"
Feng Ninghe gently raised her hand, signaling the county magistrate to rise and dispense with formalities.
Her gaze fell upon the yamen.
Even though she was merely standing at the entrance and had not yet stepped inside, she could hear the wails emanating from within.
Lin Yuran clicked her tongue, her somewhat languid voice subtly revealing a hint of schadenfreude. "Listen to these tragic cries. The people are truly suffering. It is said that Lin Country has undergone a change, bringing ill fortune. In the past, the people of Lin Country lived in peace and contentment; such things never happened before."
Her words were laden with implication.
Lin Yuran's somewhat provocative gaze was fixed directly on Feng Ninghe.
Feng Ninghe understood the intent behind this gaze. She calmly met the look, her voice slowly falling, "I did not expect the Princess would also believe such talk. I am the Empress, and Lin Country has always been mine. What 'change' are you referring to?"
During her hundred years away from Lin Country, Lin Yuran had always been the Princess, acting on behalf of Lin Country, but that was all.
Her simple voice carried no extraneous emotion.
Lin Yuran's expression, however, changed at this moment. She let out a muffled hum, a few wisps of dark light flickering in her eyes.
She wanted to see how much longer this woman could remain so arrogant.
Inside the yamen, beds were set up, each occupied by a person. They all stared with vacant eyes, like walking corpses.
Their relatives were beside them, calling out desperately, trying to awaken them, but they showed no reaction.
"My poor daughter hasn't eaten for two days. If this continues, her body won't be able to take it. Before she can successfully wake up, she might starve herself to death!"
"My daughter has always been gentle and sensible. How could she have become like this!"
The citizens wept and sobbed beside the beds.
Feng Ninghe stood far behind, her beautiful brows furrowed, her gaze fixed on everything before her.
After walking around the area, Bai Nian Nian hurried to her. "Master, their symptoms are exactly the same as the girls from Chen Family Village whose souls were absorbed. More importantly, all those affected are young women."
Apart from Steward Li, all the people lying here were women.
These women were all of decent appearance.
"Everyone, the Empress has arrived!"
The county magistrate intentionally raised his voice, looking at the citizens. "The Empress is benevolent and will surely help you solve this problem!"
The magistrate's words instantly drew the attention of the citizens. They all turned their gazes towards Feng Ninghe.