"Send someone to keep an eye on him," Yan Xiuling ordered calmly, a hint of struggle flashing in her eyes before slowly solidifying into a resolute expression. She smiled and said to Qinglian, "Go to Tianmo personally. Make sure to uncover the identity of the person impersonating Situ Jingyan. If I'm not mistaken, it should be Situ Jinghao impersonating him."
"Yes," Qinglian replied calmly.
Yan Xiuling was her only brother and only family member. Although Yan Xiuling always treated her with the respect due to a subordinate, she could feel his care for her.
"Be careful." Yan Xiuling glanced at Qinglian, a hint of concern flashing in his eyes. This Meimei was his own sister and his best helper.
If this younger sister were weaker, he would naturally protect her as he did Anya. But this younger sister was remarkably intelligent and sensible.
He remembered that at that time, Qinglian, who was only ten years old, told him, "Brother, Qinglian is not a useless person. Qinglian will help you."
At that time, he simply said coldly, "Not just anyone can help me." But no one knew the emotions and gratitude he felt at that moment.
His attitude towards Qinglian had always been cold and indifferent. However, his concern for Qinglian surpassed that for anyone else. He simply chose not to show it. Firstly, to prevent Qinglian from becoming his weakness. Secondly, to temper Qinglian's will. If he gave her too much care, Qinglian wouldn't be able to grow.
"I know," Qinglian replied softly, her eyes filled with warmth and emotion.
"Be careful of Prime Minister Haoyue. This man is not simple." Yan Xiuling glanced at Qinglian. He knew Qinglian's abilities and thoughts. He was not worried about others, but this Haoyue was extremely meticulous. Even he could not see through his eyes. If Qinglian encountered him, she would probably be in some trouble.
"Please rest assured, Master." Qinglian smiled faintly. She had always known that her brother cared about her, and she also knew why he had distanced himself from her. Therefore, she would follow her brother's wishes and would not overstep his bounds.
He glanced at Qinglian, a glance that contained all the tenderness a brother could feel for his sister, then waved his hand dismissively and said, "Go down."
It was seven days later when they arrived in Nancheng. Although Nancheng was a relatively remote city in Tianmo, it was once very prosperous. However, after this "plague," it no longer showed any trace of its former wealth and prosperity, but instead resembled a living hell.
The streets were deserted, with hardly any pedestrians. Those who had contracted the plague lay half-dead in their beds, awaiting death. Those who had not contracted the plague kept their doors tightly shut, afraid to go out for fear of catching it.
There are still a few scattered stalls on the street, which seem to offer a glimpse into the former prosperity of this empty street, but now only desolation remains.
Situ Jingyan, who was lurking in the shadows, clenched his fists tightly. All of this was thanks to the Southern Frontier Holy Clan. They dared to attack his people and deserved to pay the price.
"This humble official pays respects to Your Majesty the Empress." A middle-aged man knelt respectfully before Shen Qianmo.
Shen Qianmo looked up at the person who had appeared. He was dressed in a worn-out blue robe. He was about forty years old, with a square face and an upright demeanor. His once bright eyes were now bloodshot.
Nancheng is the most remote city in Tianmo, but it is very prosperous, thanks in no small part to the efforts of the Nancheng magistrate. After the recent outbreak of the plague in Nancheng, it was thanks to the magistrate's timely report and the isolation of all those infected that the spread was contained.
"Get up." Shen Qianmo's tone was gentle, without any airs of superiority, but with a natural air of nobility. She looked at the official with a gentle smile and said, "You have handled this plague very well, sir."
"Your Majesty flatters me! It's just that this plague is so fierce, and no doctor can treat it well. It looks like it's about to get out of control." The official's eyes showed unconcealed anxiety. He did seem like a good official who cared about the people, Shen Qianmo thought to herself.
With a confident smile, Shen Qianmo's dark eyes shone brightly as she calmly said, "Now that I'm here, I naturally have a way to treat the plague. Take me to the plague quarantine zone."
"The plague is raging fiercely. How can Your Majesty, a woman of noble birth, take such a risk?" The official looked up when he heard that Shen Qianmo was going to the plague quarantine zone.
I heard that this Empress is the master of the Demon Palace, a person from the martial arts world, and is not well-liked by the ministers. If she hadn't presented the city and the imperial seal as a gift, she wouldn't have been able to become Empress.
I originally thought she was just a roughneck from the martial arts world, but after meeting her today, I feel that this Empress has an extraordinary temperament and a natural noble air that commands respect.
What's even more remarkable is that she actually suggested going to the plague quarantine zone. Keep in mind that the plague quarantine zone is full of people infected with the plague; the chances of getting infected there are extremely high. Yet, the Empress still wanted to go in, demonstrating her compassion for the people and showing that she is nothing like the ruthless killer portrayed in the rumors.
"My life is important. The lives of so many people are important too." Shen Qianmo looked at the official with a firm expression, a hint of confidence on her lips. She couldn't just stand by and watch the people of Tianmo die from the plague. Besides, she was absolutely confident that she could break the Flowing Wind Gu, so what was there to be afraid of?
A hint of hesitation flashed in the official's eyes. He was naturally happy for the people that Shen Qianmo was thinking of them so much, but Shen Qianmo was, after all, the Empress of Tianmo, and their Emperor's favor towards her was known throughout the land. How could he risk sending Shen Qianmo to the plague quarantine zone?
Seeing the hesitation in the official's eyes, Shen Qianmo raised an eyebrow and smiled, "No need to worry. Since I dare to go, I must have a foolproof plan. Don't forget, sir, I am a man of the martial world."
Upon hearing Shen Qianmo's words, the official realized his mistake. The people of the Demon Palace were experts in using poisons and medicines. They might not be experts in dealing with this plague, but given the Demon Palace Master's abilities, avoiding infection shouldn't be too difficult.
“Very well. This humble official will escort Her Majesty the Empress to the plague quarantine zone,” the official said calmly.
Shen Qianmo raised an eyebrow. He'd escort her there? Wasn't he afraid of getting infected with the plague?!
“Even Her Majesty the Empress, a woman of noble birth, is not afraid. As the official in charge of the people of Nancheng, how can I abandon them for fear of the plague?” A sense of righteous indignation appeared on the official’s upright face.
Shen Qianmo's dark eyes held a hint of appreciation as she looked up at the official, a faint smile playing on her lips as she asked, "May I ask your name, sir?"
"This humble official is Nan Yue." The official, upon hearing Shen Qianmo ask his name, showed a hint of fear before replying.
"Lord Nan is a good official." Shen Qianmo pondered for a moment, then said nothing more, simply indicating that Nan Yue should lead the way.
The quarantine area wasn't large, but it was crammed with infected people. New infected people were being brought in every day, making the already small quarantine area even more crowded.
"Lord Nan." The people were very respectful and polite to Nan Yue, which showed that Nan Yue held a very high position in the hearts of the people of Nancheng.
"This is the Empress of Tianmo. She has come especially to see everyone." Nan Yue pointed excitedly at Shen Qianmo and introduced her to the people of Nancheng.
"The Empress?! The Empress has actually come to see us?"
"My God! So beautiful! I never imagined our Empress was so beautiful, no wonder the Emperor dotes on her so much!"
"I have no regrets that I was able to see the Empress before I died."
Nancheng was originally remote, so the people were simple and honest. They were very excited to see Shen Qianmo come to see them, who were about to die.
Seeing the simple and honest people of Nancheng, Shen Qianmo was moved and got up to walk towards the plague quarantine area.
"Your Majesty, please don't come any closer. You'll catch it!" someone shouted, and the people immediately joined in the cry.
Shen Qianmo didn't stop. A hint of emotion flickered in her dark eyes as she looked at the people of Nancheng before her and smiled, "I'm here to save you. You'll be alright!"
"Save us?"
"Can this plague be cured?! Will I not die?!"
The people immediately began to discuss it. A glimmer of light appeared in their despairing eyes. Shen Qianmo was deeply moved.
Chapter Three: Head-on Confrontation
"Even the best doctors are helpless against this plague. Can Her Majesty the Empress really cure us?" Some people raised doubts, and their originally hopeful eyes immediately dimmed.