After she finished speaking, she turned around and was about to leave, seemingly really intending to register the names of those commoners.
But just as she lifted her leg for a single step, she was immediately blocked by a figure that rushed forward.
"Absolutely not! They are guilty, and their crimes deserve death. Even if I saw my own kin in such a state, I wouldn't show any kindness to my enemies."
Unexpectedly, in just the blink of an eye, the divine doctor had changed his mind so quickly.
However, this outcome was the best possible one.
The obvious relief showed on her face. "Then, divine doctor, do you still want to accept this Hundred Blessings Picture?"
Following his words, Sanqi's eyes kept stealing glances at the painting.
But some people just had to be stubborn.
"No need. I can choose not to hold a grudge against them, but I will never accept their things."
This statement was clearly a concession, and Shi Muyuan took the opportunity to give this old curmudgeon an out.
"But these things were sent by them, and they pleaded with the divine doctor to accept them. I can't very well refuse. Divine doctor, please don't make things difficult for me."
Seeing her sincere face, the divine doctor pursed his lips and finally had no choice but to accept.
"Fine. I'll just assume I'm helping the empress dowager solve her problems."
"Thank you, divine doctor."
With this matter more or less resolved, Shi Muyuan thought of the upcoming plan and could only helplessly say to the divine doctor,
"Divine doctor, I'm afraid you'll have to stay here for a while. You can only leave when the plan reaches its most critical stage."
Now that she had a good idea, as for where to stay, the divine doctor didn't really care anymore. He casually waved his hand.
"The empress dowager just needs to have someone deliver wine to me on time every day."
"Okay."
...
As soon as Shi Muyuan returned to the plague - stricken area, a large crowd of commoners immediately surrounded her.
"How about it? How about it? Empress dowager, did the divine doctor accept the things we sent?"
Seeing how nervous they were, Shi Muyuan gave a signal to the person beside her and then returned to the tent.
For now, she needed to figure out how to deal with all the possible emergencies that might arise next. As for these commoners, there would naturally be someone to handle them.
So, Xiao Xiao naturally took on this task.
She stood in front of the crowd with a standard smile on her face.
"Everyone, please be patient. Although the divine doctor has temporarily accepted the things, there's no telling when he'll come back."
These words made everyone feel even more nervous. Hearing that there seemed to be no certainty about this matter, they were worried that even after accepting the things, the divine doctor still wouldn't come to save them. In that case, they would only be waiting for death.
"Auntie, we were disrespectful before. If the divine doctor is still angry, how about we invite him back so that we can apologize to him in person?"
"That's right, auntie. Just give us a chance. We also want to talk things through with the divine doctor in person. If this deadlock continues, more innocent commoners will lose their lives, and that might go against the divine doctor's original intention."
On the surface, everyone seemed to be thinking about Sanqi, but everyone there wasn't a fool and knew what they were really thinking.
Her own master had already formulated a plan, and since it wasn't the right time yet, Xiao Xiao naturally wouldn't ruin it.
"Everyone, don't be too anxious. The empress dowager has surely thought about what you're worried about. Don't worry. The imperial physicians are all ready. You can just go and get your medicine."
Since things had been said to this extent, the crowd could only obediently go to the imperial physicians' tent.
And Xiao Xiao went to find her own master.
Shi Muyuan didn't even bother to lift her eyes and just directly asked,
"Has all the medicine been administered? Have the commoners all taken it?"
"The divine doctor specifically instructed when researching the antidote that the poison might only take effect after a while."
"In that case, it should be tomorrow. You go and send someone to make preparations right away. Also, ask for news from Lan Xi."
"Yes."
At this moment, the king of the Western Regions wasn't idle either. Looking at his subordinate who had just entered the capital city, he was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.
"Shouldn't the things you gave me have taken effect long ago? Why is there still no sign of it? Are you lying to me?"
Just thinking of this possibility, he reached out his hand and placed his sword on his subordinate's neck.
That subordinate seemed not to feel a thing and didn't even blink his eyes.
"Your Majesty, please rest assured. Tomorrow is when it will take effect. You'd better start thinking about whether the next plan can be carried out smoothly."
"Better be so. Otherwise, I will surely make you pay."
Lan Xi had just come over and heard their conversation. He quietly let out a sigh of relief. Fortunately, Shi Muyuan had the foresight to send him here. Otherwise, he would have missed some very important news today.
He gently knocked on the door. After hearing a response from inside, he pushed the door open and entered.
"Your Majesty, the poison has all been administered. I wonder if you have any other instructions?"
"You've come just in time. I do have something for you to do."
"Your Majesty, just give the order."
"Tomorrow is when all the commoners in the capital city will be poisoned. This time, they've even fallen out with the divine doctor. Right now, there's no one who can cure this plague. We'll take advantage of the chaos and go to the plague - stricken area to capture the person second only to the emperor."
Lan Xi clenched his fists, showing no emotion on his face.
"Your Majesty, are you referring to the empress dowager?"
"Indeed. When she came here this time, she didn't give me any face at all. She criticized me in front of so many people. I'll make her a bed - warmer in the future and see how long she can still be so arrogant."
With great difficulty, he managed to suppress the overwhelming anger in his heart and slightly nodded.
"Your Majesty, please rest assured. I'll go there myself tomorrow."
He originally thought that the king of the Western Regions would agree with him as he usually did, but unexpectedly, his little plan was foiled by just one of the king's words.
A lecherous smile appeared on the king of the Western Regions' face. "I'll do it myself. You just assist me from the side. Such an interesting occasion, of course, I can't let you handle it."
"Your Majesty is right. It was my oversight."
"Alright, you can leave now. I still have very important matters to discuss with Li Ran."
He was dismissed like a beggar. Lan Xi once again felt lucky that he hadn't insisted on that idea back then. Otherwise, after tomorrow, he might have become a prisoner.
He calmly retreated. The laughter from inside the post - station kept floating outside, making the passers - by feel a bit scared.
Lan Xi stood under a tree not far from the post - station, with the corner of his mouth slightly curving.
"You're so eager to court death. I don't want to keep you around anymore. After tomorrow, not only will the commoners in the Western Regions be freed, but you'll also get your just deserts."
Without hesitation, he went to the plague - stricken area alone, but he did so under the cover of night.
When Shi Muyuan saw him, her tone was a bit disapproving.