Princess Zhaoning nodded lightly, "I have a way. I'll immediately send a pigeon to my master."
Chen Xiaobei thanked her and was about to leave when Princess Zhaoning called him back.
"Brother Xiaobei, I had something to ask you just now in front of Liu Rumei, which I didn't tell you."
As he spoke, he gave a look to Chunhua, "Go, bring the imperial decree left by my father to Brother Xiaobei to see."
Chunhua responded and turned to go into the inner room. Before long, she came out holding a wooden box. Inside the box was an imperial decree made of yellow silk, which looked very solemn.
Chen Xiaobei opened the imperial decree and fell silent after reading it.
To have all the consorts buried alive was ruthless of Xiao An. However, from this, one could also see Xiao An's deep affection for Xiao Jingfeng, not wanting the harem to have any leverage or ties over Xiao Jingfeng.
As for the second point, Chen Xiaobei could clearly feel Xiao An's powerlessness. After all, he couldn't make decisions on such matters. It was better to be straightforward and generous.
"Your Highness, this is too cruel. I don't think it's a good idea. The current Emperor has over a hundred consorts in his harem. The matter of all of them being buried alive is too widespread and might cause backlash!"
Upon hearing Chen Xiaobei's words, Princess Zhaoning also nodded gently.
"Yes, I have the same concern. Liu Xiangnan and Fang Zheng already know about this imperial decree. Please go and discuss it with them again."
Chen Xiaobei came out of Princess Zhaoning's room again and said to Bai Han, "I have already advised the Princess to send a pigeon to her master, the Lotus Cult Leader. Shen You's master is Jiang Shangpiao, who is currently with the Lotus Cult Leader. I will find him when he arrives to ask."
"However, the priority is not this. The priority is to quickly cure the Princess's poison so that she can recover. If the Princess has another accident, our Da Cang Kingdom will surely fall into chaos."
Hearing Chen Xiaobei's words, Liu Rumei's eyes suddenly flashed. She interjected, "I suddenly thought of someone who might have a solution. When I returned from the Great Earth Kingdom, I was also poisoned in Shuozhou. Later, Zhao Guangzong found a local old hunter who cured me."
Bai Han was overjoyed upon hearing this.
"Then I will immediately order a message to be sent to Zhao Guangzong in Shuozhou, asking him to bring that old hunter and come to Wannian City quickly."
After arranging this, Bai Han turned his head and looked at Chen Xiaobei with a worried expression.
"Marquis Chen, there is one more thing. The Emperor's death is being kept secret, but news cannot be contained. There are already some rumors among the people."
Once more than three people know about such a matter, it is almost impossible to keep it a secret.
Chen Xiaobei pondered for a moment and said to Bai Han, "Since everyone is already starting to speculate, then we might as well officially announce the Emperor's death."
"At the same time, announce in the Princess's name that there will be no national mourning, and everything will be low-key and simple."
"If the common people can remember some good deeds the Emperor has done for them, then they will not celebrate the New Year with such fanfare."
Hearing this, Bai Han still seemed hesitant, "Perhaps we should wait until the Princess recovers."
Chen Xiaobei nodded, "Very well, these things are not too urgent. I will stay to take care of the Princess. Rumei, you go back and rest first."
Liu Rumei agreed and turned to leave the Princess's chambers, returning home.
Seeing that she had returned alone, Liu Xiangnan appeared somewhat nervous.
"Rumei, how is it? Why didn't Chen Xiaobei come back?"
Liu Rumei stepped forward and gently patted her old father's arm. "Dad, don't be too nervous. Brother Xiaobei is staying to take care of the Princess. I asked Guard Bai, and it's related to someone Brother Xiaobei knows. Brother Xiaobei has no other involvement in this matter, so don't think too much about it."
Hearing this, Liu Xiangnan finally let out a long sigh of relief. "That's good, that's good. It seems I was overthinking."
"Dad, you've been worried for the past few days. You should rest. I'll take care of things at home. Tonight, I'm going to accompany Brother Xiaobei to take care of the Princess!"
Meanwhile, at Fang Zheng's residence, dark clouds were also gathering. Fang Jun had been taking medicine for four consecutive days but showed no improvement, often having fevers and talking deliriously.
Seeing this, Feng Pengju also became restless.
Fang Jun was so ill, and his daughter did not return to see him, which seemed inappropriate. However, sending a messenger would take three days to reach her, which was too inefficient.
After much thought, he decided to visit Liu Xiangnan. He knew that the Liu family had been using carrier pigeons to communicate with Hetou Village, and the pigeons would arrive overnight.
Upon seeing Liu Xiangnan, Feng Pengju stated his request. Liu Xiangnan naturally agreed readily, "Minister Feng, this is not just a small favor, please don't hesitate to ask. I will have someone send a message to Hetou Village right away to have them send the news to Xiaoyue."
After saying this, Liu Xiangnan waved his hand, and Liu Kai, understanding, led the guards and maids to retreat.
Only the two of them were left in the spacious reception hall.
"Minister Feng, the next matter is quite thorny. How should we handle the Emperor's funeral?"
Upon hearing Liu Xiangnan's words, Feng Pengju also sighed. "Who could have imagined that in just a few days, the Crown Prince and the Emperor would both have accidents."
"Now, the Emperor's funeral is a minor issue. I am worried about the instability of the border. The Great Earth Kingdom has always been coveting our lands. If no one comes to govern, we might be taken advantage of again!"
Liu Xiangnan agreed with Feng Pengju's assessment. He nodded slightly, "Who can say otherwise? I intend to personally lead troops to the border to stabilize the situation before the news spreads, so as to avoid being caught off guard by the Great Earth Kingdom!"
Hearing his words, Feng Pengju was taken aback. "Marquis, you are already over fifty years old. Are you sure you can endure a personal expedition?"
Liu Xiangnan waved his hand dismissively, "It's nothing, it's nothing. The old Grand Tutor is nearly seventy years old and is still serving the country. After I leave, the affairs of the court will be entrusted to both of you. You must do your best to assist the Princess in stabilizing the situation as soon as possible."
Feng Pengju stood up and bowed respectfully to Liu Xiangnan with cupped fists. "Please rest assured, Marquis Liu. Pengju will do his utmost, even to the point of shedding blood and brains."
"Good. Everything is entrusted to you."
After seeing Feng Pengju off, Liu Xiangnan immediately began to act. He ordered people to send messages everywhere, began to mobilize troops, and prepared to march to the border.
Meanwhile, a thousand miles away, in Qingguang City of the Great Earth Kingdom, Qiaoposen was also celebrating the New Year. For him, this year's celebration was very peaceful. Although he had not captured many prisoners from the Great Earth Kingdom, the recent peace in Qingguang City was a rare respite for him.
One day, while he was drinking, Qiaosen entered excitedly, "Father, good news, great news."