The entire hall erupted in excitement upon seeing the appearance of the fake Zeng Yihong.
They couldn't believe that this filthy, smelly man was truly their master.
"Heavens! We've been so thoroughly deceived!" the doctor cried.
"Master, you must have suffered greatly all these years," a concubine said tearfully, stepping forward as if to embrace Zeng Yihong's body, feigning concern.
This was the very woman who had wept the most heartily over the fake Zeng Yihong in the dungeon earlier.
Zeng Yihong cast a cold glance at her and the group of mourners in the hall. He narrowed his eyes, appearing to want to say something but being unable to.
Following this, Leng Ruoli handed Zeng Yihong a pen and paper. He quickly wrote a few lines:
One: Have them dismantle the mourning hall and throw this corpse into a mass grave.
Two: No one who was mourning in the hall just now is allowed to leave this room.
Three: Have someone quickly prepare a hot bath for me. I need to bathe.
After Zeng Yihong finished writing, he handed the paper to his personal guard. He then cupped his hands towards Jun Mohan and Leng Ruoli before hurrying towards his room.
He hadn't bathed in three years. He was dirty and smelly, and insects had infested his hair. He couldn't bear it any longer and wanted to find a place to wash himself thoroughly immediately.
After Zeng Yihong left, a chorus of grievances erupted in the hall.
"Master, you can't do this to us! We didn't know this person was fake."
"Wuwu..."
Jun Mohan and Leng Ruoli found their voices annoying. After Zeng Yihong departed, they too left the hall.
Subsequently, Jun Mohan and Leng Ruoli moved to a secluded corner. Jun Mohan then put his arm around Leng Ruoli's waist and used his Qinggong to ascend to the rooftop.
Next, Jun Mohan took out his signal flare and shot it into the sky, informing Yin Chen that he and Li'er's location.
Within the time it takes for a cup of tea to steep, Yin Chen arrived with Yin Yi.
"Your subordinate pays his respects to Your Highness and Your Consort!" Yin Chen and Yin Yi said in unison, bowing respectfully.
"Rise. How are you all doing now?" Jun Mohan asked calmly.
"Reporting to Your Highness, we are all well. This noon, when the gates of Linzhou City were suddenly opened, I entered the city and have found an inn to stay in. I have also arranged for that grandfather and granddaughter to lodge in the inn," Yin Chen recounted truthfully.
Hearing this, Jun Mohan nodded. He then cautioned, "Our whereabouts have been exposed. We must be more careful in our actions from now on."
"Yes, your subordinate understands!"
Yin Chen and Yin Yi responded respectfully once more.
"Very well, you may return to the inn first. His Highness and I will join you after we have concluded matters at the Zeng residence," Jun Mohan said calmly.
With that, Yin Chen and Yin Yi returned to the inn.
Jun Mohan then led Leng Ruoli back into the courtyard of the Zeng residence, conversing as they walked.
"Jun Mohan, I plan to examine Zeng Yihong's throat," Leng Ruoli suddenly said.
Jun Mohan nodded in response.
"Zeng Yihong's character was once very good. Try your best to cure his throat. Otherwise, this fourth-rank prefect Zeng Yihong will have to be replaced," Jun Mohan said plainly.
"Why?" Leng Ruoli asked, not quite understanding.
"Officials of the Tianwu Kingdom's court cannot be people with disabilities," Jun Mohan explained calmly.
Leng Ruoli sighed after hearing this.
"Sigh..."
"I truly hope Zeng Yihong's throat does not have any major issues."
As they were chatting...
Zeng Yihong emerged after bathing and changing his clothes. He was clean and refreshed. He found Jun Mohan and Leng Ruoli and respectfully bowed deeply to Jun Mohan.
"Prefect Zeng, you may rise," Jun Mohan said, looking at Zeng Yihong.
Zeng Yihong then stood up.
Leng Ruoli appraised Zeng Yihong from head to toe. He was tall with a square face and well-defined features. His brow carried an air of righteousness, making him look like an upright official. She hoped her assessment was not mistaken.
"Prefect Zeng, I have studied some medicine. As I have time tonight, I can help you with your throat," Leng Ruoli said unhurriedly.
At this moment, Zeng Yihong was unaware that Leng Ruoli was the Cold Consort. Hearing someone accompanying the Cold King offer to treat his throat, he readily agreed. He believed that anyone associated with Jun Mohan would possess considerable skill, and thus, he had faith in Leng Ruoli's abilities.
Following this, Leng Ruoli retrieved a miniature flashlight from her system space and examined Zeng Yihong's throat, finding no damage to his vocal cords.
She then took his pulse and, using her mind, activated the instruments within her system space for a simple physical examination. Her final conclusion was that Zeng Yihong's inability to speak was caused by a unique哑药 (mute medicine).
"Prefect Zeng, your throat has been affected by a unique mute medicine, but there is no damage, and it can be cured," Leng Ruoli said with a smile.
Upon hearing this, Zeng Yihong let out two excited "Ah ah!" sounds, his eyes immediately reddening.
If his throat couldn't be cured, his tenure as a fourth-rank prefect would be over. It wasn't that he was unwilling to give up the position, but he wanted to rectify the damage the fake Zeng Yihong had inflicted upon Linzhou City over the past three years, allowing its citizens to live in peace.
"Prefect Zeng, please don't get too emotional. First, find me a clean room so I can prepare the antidote. After you take my antidote, you will be able to speak again tonight," Leng Ruoli said.
Hearing this, Zeng Yihong nodded repeatedly in excitement. He immediately instructed his servants to prepare a room for Leng Ruoli to mix the medicine. Meanwhile, Zeng Yihong invited Jun Mohan into the living room for tea.
...
Once inside the room, Leng Ruoli instantly flashed into her system space. She glanced around her resting area and discovered an anomaly.
A large door had appeared in her resting area, situated next to her space's observation mirror.
Leng Ruoli walked over and opened the door. Beyond it lay a grassy area the size of a basketball court, covered in lush green blades of grass. The end of the grassland was shrouded in a faint, misty white fog. The surrounding air was fresh, and the sky was a brilliant azure.
"Wow!"
Her system space had expanded, which was a tremendous surprise for her!
This meant she could now plant the rare medicinal herbs she found in her system space.
Later, Leng Ruoli walked around the grassy area before returning to her room. She entered her laboratory to prepare the antidote for Zeng Yihong.
She spent half an hour in the laboratory and successfully concocted the antidote.
For ease of consumption, Leng Ruoli prepared the antidote into a potion and took it out for Zeng Yihong to ingest.