Bai Xiaowen was reflecting on what he had gained from this reading when there came a sudden knock at the door of his quiet chamber.
"What is it?" Even through the door, Bai Xiaowen could sense that it was Chief Secretary Dong Zhao.
There was a note of urgency in Dong Zhao's voice. "My lord, something terrible has happened. General Ma has passed away at the posthouse!"
Bai Xiaowen sprang to his feet and pulled open the door.
Dong Zhao stood before him, his face carrying a trace of tightly suppressed unease.
Bai Xiaowen asked, "When did this happen? Is the news confirmed?"
"Just half an hour ago. Daoist Langya Zi and Divine Physician Zhang have both confirmed it." Dong Zhao furtively watched Bai Xiaowen's expression. Seeing that Bai Xiaowen remained composed, he gradually steadied himself and began to recount the matter.
"Do the Western Liang envoys know?"
"I have already given orders. All the soldiers at the posthouse have been detained, and the news has been sealed off," Dong Zhao replied.
"Where are Langya Zi and Zhang Zhongjing?"
"They are waiting outside the inner residence."
"Invite them in."
When Dong Zhao heard Bai Xiaowen use the word "invite," he understood that Bai Xiaowen had no intention of holding the two men accountable. He hurried out to summon Ge Xuan and Zhang Zhongjing.
After changing clothes, Bai Xiaowen met the two men in the main hall of the Grand Marshal's Office.
Zhang Zhongjing's expression was ordinary, but Ge Xuan wore a trace of shame on his face.
Bai Xiaowen asked, "There is no need for either of you to panic. Daoist Langya Zi, how did this happen?"
Ge Xuan said, "I am baffled as well. General Ma Teng's curse should have been removable. Yet just after I refined the pill