Mu Yuanzhi had the palace messenger report truthfully to the Emperor that she had consumed pastries made with utensils used by infected individuals that had not been disinfected.
The Emperor immediately sent word for her to return, expressing his hope that she would find a cure for the plague as soon as possible.
Mu Yuanzhi thus returned to Weiyang Palace. She sent someone to tell Gu Rongjin not to enter the palace, though palace gates were likely already restricting entry and exit by now.
Chapter 139