Encounter with the Divine Ointment

The news of Chu Qingzhi's supposed demise elicited a mix of responses—celebrations from her enemies and concern from her allies.

Figures such as the Emperor, ministers who had benefited from her benevolence, and many others lurking in the shadows wrote to Tang Jinghong, inquiring about the actual events.

Letters snowed upon Tang Jinghong like winter flurries.

If not for prior communication with Chu Qingzhi, Tang Jinghong might have believed she had truly met her end.

Though letters kept arriving, responding to them posed a challenge. Everyone awaited his reply to confirm Chu Qingzhi's fate. Tang picked a few significant ones to respond using coded language, leaving the rest unanswered to maintain a veil of ambiguity about the actual situation.

Amidst these tumultuous discussions, Zeng Huo and Lou Ze (Chu Qingzhi in disguise) arrived on the outskirts of Linzhang City, which had resumed its normal activities, allowing them easy entry.