"Your majesty, are you saying... the victims that are held captive in the dungeons are all dead?"

"Yes." Wenyan confirms. "It's a highly contagious disease." His Majesty added. "If one got bitten by those creatures, they'll become bloodthirsty as well."

Then another eunuch spoke, "Speaking of which, your majesty. Just this morning, the news says that there are similar incidents in the neighboring towns. It has become an epidemic."

Upon hearing the news, he subconsciously rises from his seat. He was about to descend the platform but the eunuchs stopped him.

"Your majesty, please calm down. They are now being cared of Fenghuang Sect. Rest assured, the matter is now under control."

Only by then did Yin Wenyan relaxed a little. He took his seat again and his mind filled with thoughts.

Fenghuang sect, after the downfall of their Wan Moli Hua Palace, this sect became the biggest and most renowned sect in the lower cultivation world. Back then, Fenghuang Sect and Wan Moli Hua Palace had always been on bad terms. However, it has changed when their shizun, Zhao Yangguang, took over the position as Sect Leader. In the present, the two sects have a good relationship with each other and even formed an alliance.

Yin Wenyan thought they might get some information about the incidents from Fenghuang Sect's Leader.

"I will meet Fenghuang Sect's leader regarding the matter. In the meantime, tell the families of the captives that the investigation is still undergoing. Do not tell them that they are dead. I haven't checked them myself so I could not be so sure and we might still have a way to save them. Do not leak unnecessary information."

"Yes, your majesty."

This epidemic indeed is a serious matter and should be handled immediately and correctly. Even a small mistake might cause a big impact on how it goes. In just a day, many got infected, and many lives were lost. And now, multiple same incidents are happening.

Yin Wenyan thought, there are two ways why this epidemic spread towards the neighboring towns. First, it could be Yin Renshu and others who failed to capture all the infected persons and there are some who escaped and caused havoc in the neighboring towns. Second, it could be the vicious ghost of that dead eunuch who started the same incident as what occurred in the town square yesterday.

Despite being crowded inside the Pavilion of Literary Glory, it was surprisingly quiet. It took some time before someone speaks and breaks the silence.

"Your majesty..." A eunuch in Xue Clan called. "This is somehow off-topic but we heard the grand empress dowager's health is now better. It is worth celebrating."

"Now that it's mentioned, your majesty, why won't we open a banquet for the recovery of the grand empress dowager?" Another eunuch from the Xue Clan added.

"..." The rest of the high-ranking eunuchs didn't say a word. However, they've exchanged meaningful glances with each other.

These eunuchs in Yin side thinks this isn't the right time to celebrate now that an area near the imperial palace is facing an epidemic, and the whereabouts of the vicious ghost of that eunuch is still unknown. However, opposing this proposal may sound like one does not wish for the grand empress dowager to feel better. Everyone is being tactful not to offend the emperor and his grandmother. No one dares to comment about the suggestion.

It's the same for Yin Wenyan. It seems neither of the choices is a good option. He takes in a deep breath then lets out a silent sigh. At times like this, he must balance the current situation as well as its circumstances.

"Let's open a small banquet tonight. Invite the most necessary guests. Do not make it grand, just a simple banquet will do."

"Tonight? Your majesty, I'm afraid we do not have enough time to prepare." The eunuchs start to get anxious.

However, Yin Wenyan is still firm on his word. With his tone that lacks excitement, he sticks to his idea. "You heard me. The banquet will start at dinner. I am not expecting much that is why I told you not to make it grand."

"But your majesty, the banquet is dedicated to her highness the grand empress dowager!" An old eunuch opposed.

Yin Wenyan gives him a small reassuring smile. "With the current crisis we are facing, I am sure she'll understand it. I will talk to her personally."

The eunuchs bowed their heads as they say in unison, "Yes, your majesty."

Meanwhile, outside the Pavilion of Literary Glory, everyone's faces are decorated with wide smiles.

"Eunuch Xu, one more! Do it again, please?" Aside from Court Lady Han, all the emperor's maids are giggling.

Xu Zhengming sighs in a 'handsome' way that made these young women's hearts skip a beat. They tried so hard not to create loud noise as to not disturb the official matters inside the pavilion.

"Why would you want me to do it again? I just tied back my hair." Xu Zhengming tries to smile in a bashful manner. No one knows that deep inside, he's trying his best not to laugh in victory. He's just too proud of himself.

He thought, "Ah, Xu Zhengming, Xu Zhengming. You are truly favored by the ladies. Men are jealous of thee. Why am I so good-looking? I've been through ups and downs because of this fate. Now, I do not know if this is a blessing or a curse!"

"Okay. Okay." Xu Zhengming uses his killer smile. "I can't resist beautiful maidens." He then winks at them, and in an instant, the maids blushed.

He untied the red ribbon at the end of his braid and lets his hair slowly loosens and undo itself. With that signature smile on his lips, Mingming strokes his hair from its roots down to its ends almost in slow motion. He made sure to face the young ladies with his best angle.

This very scene gave the maids the illusion of twinkling lights around him. Too gorgeous, too alluring.

This man's facial features are carefully chiseled by the divine hands. His slender body looks delicate yet enchanting. The atmosphere around him is dream-like. His smiles, his winks, even his slightest movement makes the young maids' hearts skip a beat.

"Eunuch Xu!" The maids suppressed their giggles yet their admiration towards this little eunuch is too evident.

"I'm not doing it again." He then smiles mischievously as he gathers all the strands of his silky, soft, and long hair to braid it once again.

A maid gathered all her courage to speak to the beautiful man in front of them. With rosy pink cheeks, she said bashfully, "Please let me braid it for you, Eunuch Xu."

Before Xu Zhengming could even respond nor draw a wide smile on his lips, another maid speaks, "No, let me do it instead."

Then the latter is getting followed by another, "No way, let me do it!"

"I was the one who asked first!" The bashful maid complains.

The later two maids answered in chorus, "It doesn't matter."

If her cheeks were pink earlier because she's shy, now it turns red out of rage. "Have you ever heard of the phrase, 'First come, first serve?'"

"Whoa, whoa, ladies, calm thyself! Didn't I say you fall in line if you wish for my attention?"

Court Lady Han couldn't tolerate it any longer. Just like an Asian mother disciplining her son, she pinches Xu Zhengming's waist. "Aren't you done yet? The wind is getting stronger around here."

The more he struggles, the more her fingers squeeze his 'baby fats'. Mingming's face twisted in pain and became impossible to draw. "AWW... AAAAAAHHH!! Sorry! Sorry! I won't speak further! Court Lady Han, have mercy!"

Then the door of Literary Glory Pavilion opened and the scene is the first thing the emperor saw.

Confused, Prince Yin Wenyan asked, "Um... What's happening here?"