Ta Xuening didn’t respond to this.
His expression remained normal: “The plague has been around for a while now, more and more people are getting sick, and we still can’t find a cure. When do Imperial Guards plan to kill them all?”
Many officials in the court knew that Emperor Jiade wanted the Imperial Guards to kill the infected to eliminate the threat, but some of the ministers opposed this.
But Ta Xuening was the Director of the Eastern Depot, directly responsible to the emperor and carrying out his orders, just like the Imperial Guards.
No matter what, he would always support every decision made by the emperor.
Therefore, regardless of how many ministers in the court opposed using slaughter to stop the plague, the Eastern Depot would never oppose it.
Setting aside his identity as the Director of the Eastern Depot, Ta Xuening actually hoped that Emperor Jiade would take such action.
Once the Imperial Guards had killed all the infected, Ta Xuening would find a way to spread the news, letting the entire world know how the current emperor “properly handled” the plague and how he “cared for” his people of the Great Yan.
Just thinking about these impending events filled Ta Xuening with excitement.
Duan Ling took another roster from the Imperial Guards and flipped through a few pages: “Why the rush, Director? The emperor does have the intention to kill them all and has already ordered the Imperial Guards to gather the infected, but he hasn’t officially issued the decree yet.”
Ta Xuening, annoyed by the heat of the face mask, tugged at it irritably and had a new eunuch fan him and he said: “I’m anxious, naturally, because I’m worried the plague will spiral out of control and grow worse.”
He sighed, as if reluctant to handle this hot potato: “Now that the emperor has tasked the Eastern Depot and the Imperial Guards with resolving the plague, if anything goes wrong, neither of us will fare well.”
Duan Ling closed the roster and said, “As soon as the emperor issues the decree, the Imperial Guards will act immediately.”
Ta Xuening raised an eyebrow: “Commander Duan is right. We must proceed cautiously, always adhering to the emperor’s will. Alright, let’s go. There are still other places to inspect. Please continue to lead the way, Commander Duan.”
Since Ta Xuening only symbolically inspected the people on North Long Street, he quickly reached the inn at the end of the street after a cursory glance.
The inn at the end of the street was quite remote, far from the entrance, but the environment was decent, and it was fully occupied.
Having been informed in advance that the Eastern Depot would be conducting an inspection, they dared not lock their doors.
Ta Xuening moved unimpeded to the last room.
Initially, he handled things personally, but later he had the eunuchs take over while he stood by.
When he heard the eunuch read out “Jin Anazi,” Ta Xuening, who had been leaning on the railing looking down at the inn, slowly turned around and looked toward the room.
Inside the room stood a young man in black, arms crossed, the lower half of his face covered by a mask, the upper half revealing a faint old scar.
His cold eyes made him seem unapproachable.
Ta Xuening locked eyes with him.
Unlike others who feared the Eastern Depot, Jin Anazi did not bow.
His gaze was steady, exuding a fearless aura.
After the eunuch finished reading the name and closed the roster, he scolded Jin Anazi:
“How dare you be so disrespectful? Hurry and bow to the Director and Commander Duan.”
Ta Xuening stepped forward.
Jin Anazi bowed to them: “This humble citizen, Jin Anazi, greets Commander Duan and the Director.”
Ta Xuening accepted his bow and casually took the roster, scanning it quickly and said:
“Jin Anazi? North Long Street was sealed off days ago. How did you check into the inn yesterday, and why were you personally brought here by Commander Duan?”
Duan Ling glanced at Jin Anazi: “He accidentally wandered into North Long Street yesterday.”
“The entrance to North Long Street is guarded day and night by the Imperial Guards. How did he accidentally wander in?” Ta Xuening slammed the roster down, his gaze sharp.
With a sharp gaze, “Commander Duan, are you trying to deceive me? How did this person manage to enter North Long Street? I suspect you’re abusing your power for personal gain.”
Duan Ling remained calm and composed, “I said he entered by mistake, so he entered by mistake. If the Director has any doubts, you’re welcome to investigate.”
Ta Xuening didn’t look at Jin Anazi anymore, instead focusing on Duan Ling, “Very well, then I’ll take him back to the Eastern Depot for questioning. Does Commander Duan agree to that?”
Jin Anazi frowned.
Was the Eastern Depot using this incident to find fault with Duan Ling?
Seeing that Duan Ling had personally brought him here for accommodation yesterday, they must have assumed he had some connection with Duan Ling.
Now they wanted to take him back to the Eastern Depot for interrogation, hoping to prove that Duan Ling had mishandled the plague situation?
Jin Anazi scrutinized Ta Xuening, who wasn’t far away.
His face mask was slightly askew, and the traces of time were evident around his eyes.
When he squinted, fine wrinkles appeared, making him look shrewd.
Ta Xuening noticed Jin Anazi’s gaze and turned to look at him, giving him another glance.
Duan Ling spoke with unshakable composure, “No, since this person mistakenly entered North Long Street, he must stay here for three days. That’s the rule.”
Ta Xuening laughed in exasperation, “You’re talking to me about rules? Did you think about the rules when you brought someone into North Long Street without authorization? How ridiculous.”
Duan Ling reiterated gently, “He wasn’t brought in by me. He entered by mistake.”
“You!”
Duan Ling remained unmoved, “It’s late. The Director should return after finishing the inspection.”
“I’m taking him back to the Eastern Depot.”
Duan Ling spoke amiably, “Director, His Majesty assigned the Eastern Depot to assist the Imperial Guards, not to hand over North Long Street and East Street to the Eastern Depot. If you really want to take him away, you can seek His Majesty’s approval.”
Ta Xuening stood in a stalemate with him for a moment before finally turning and leaving, showing no intention of seeking the Emperor’s permission.
Duan Ling only sent two Imperial Guards to escort him, while he himself remained outside Jin Anazi’s door.
After Ta Xuening had left, Duan Ling said to Jin Anazi, “I apologize for disturbing your rest, Mr. Jin.”
Jin Anazi looked outside the room, “Commander Duan is just fulfilling his duties. There’s no need to apologize. If anything, I nearly caused you to be caught by the Eastern Depot.”
Duan Ling’s eyes curved slightly, though his smile was faint.
He spoke casually, “You’re overthinking it, Mr. Jin. If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave now.”
“Take care, Commander Duan.”
After leaving the inn where Jin Anazi was staying, Duan Ling stood on the street for a while before going to bathe and then returning to the inn where Lin Ting was staying.
He pushed the door open and found that she was already asleep, lying on her stomach with her long hair cascading over her shoulders and falling in front of her, partially covering her face.
Duan Ling sat on the edge of the bed and brushed aside the hair that obscured Lin Ting’s face, revealing her delicate features.
After a while, he slowly raised his hand, his fingertips tracing her forehead, then moving downward.
The pad of his finger gently pressed against the thin eyelid covering her eye, feeling the contour of her eyeball.
He lingered for a moment before following the narrow, straight bridge of her nose down to her pursed lips.
Lin Ting felt a slight itch in her sleep and turned her face, swatting at Duan Ling’s hand as if shooing a mosquito.
This time, however, it was different from the last she hit the back of his hand.
Duan Ling didn’t withdraw his hand.
His fingertips returned to Lin Ting’s eyelid, lost in thought. Lin Ting, deep in a pleasant dream, remained completely unaware.
After half an hour, Duan Ling finally got into bed and lay down beside Lin Ting.
At the first light of dawn, Lin Ting woke up.
Duan Ling had risen earlier and was sitting at the tea table.
After a day and a night, Lin Ting’s fever had completely subsided.
Today was the day they would leave North Long Street.
“Commander Duan, will you be the one to take me out?”
Duan Ling withdrew his gaze from the window, twirling the cup between his fingers: “Yes.”
Lin Ting, afraid of keeping him waiting, immediately jumped out of bed to pack her things.
Her spirits were high, and her tone was light:
“Alright! Wait for me.”
There wasn’t much to pack—just a few sets of clothes.
Lin Ting stuffed them all into a bundle, tied it up, and set it aside.
She then washed up with the water sent by the Imperial Guards: “Done.”
Duan Ling watched her finish everything quickly: “Aren’t you going to have breakfast before you leave?”
Lin Ting was eager to return home.
Why would she want to have breakfast on North Long Street when she could feast with her mother and Tao Zhu at home?
She slung the bundle over her shoulder and grabbed the door handle and said:
“No need, I’ll eat when I get back.”
Lin Ting was in a hurry to leave North Long Street.
She had been trapped there for four days and had been bored out of her mind.
Duan Ling: “You’ll need to go to the palace before returning to the Lin residence. It’s better to eat something first.”
Lin Ting’s hand slipped from the door handle.
“Why do I need to go to the palace?” She didn’t know anyone in the palace.
The last time she went to the Eastern Palace was because Duan Xinning wanted to see the Crown Princess.
“The Empress wants to see you.”
“Why does she want to see me?” Lin Ting was full of questions.
She had no idea she was acquainted with someone as important as the Empress.
Duan Ling walked up to Lin Ting and gently tucked a stray strand of hair back under her hairpin.
“The Empress wants to know who proposed using indigo root to temporarily curb the plague. I told her the truth, so she wants to meet you.”
So that’s what it was about.
Lin Ting set down her bundle and opened the breakfast: “The Empress doesn’t think I can cure the plague, does she? I’ve already told you, I only know how to use indigo root to curb the plague, not how to treat it.”
“Early this morning, someone from the palace said the Empress has found a cure for the plague. It’s unlikely she wants to see you because she thinks you can cure it.”
Finally, a cure for the plague had been found.
Lin Ting felt relieved upon hearing the news.
But how did the Empress, secluded in the inner palace, manage to find the cure?
She was puzzled and voiced her question: “How did the Empress finds the cure?”
“I’m not sure.”
Duan Ling had just learned about it himself and truly didn’t know.
Lin Ting took the food and started eating.
After many days, the system reappeared: [ Triggering the Villainess Mission……….. ]