jdhmnovel Chapter 214 I never expected the Emperor would actually come.
Chapter 214 I never expected the Emperor would actually come.
Royal Palace
The Emperor sat upright on his dragon throne, his face so dark it seemed to drip water, his gaze fixed on the two account books that the Duke of Zhenguo had presented to his desk. His brows furrowed slightly, and his eyes flashed with a mixture of anger and suspicion.
The contents of these two account books clearly shocked the Emperor, because he never expected that the seemingly mad and erratic Consort Qing had been feigning insanity all along! This astonishing discovery stirred up a storm in the Emperor's heart, and at the same time made him deeply suspicious of the imperial physician who had treated Consort Qing.
Meanwhile, the Duke of Zhenguo stood quietly to the side, his face ashen, saying nothing. He stood tall and straight as a pine tree, his expression calm and composed, as if everything happening before him had nothing to do with him. However, only those who knew him well knew that at this moment, the Duke of Zhenguo was perhaps churning with complex emotions and thoughts deep within his heart.
After a moment of silence, the Emperor finally spoke slowly: "This matter is of utmost importance. I will personally investigate it thoroughly and will not tolerate it!" With that, he raised his head and stared directly at the Duke of Zhenguo, who remained indifferent to his surroundings, as if trying to catch a clue from the change in the other's expression.
"Your subject takes his leave," the Duke of Zhenguo said without further ado, bowing directly.
After the Duke of Zhenguo left, the Emperor ordered Li Desheng to summon Zhang Taiyi, the head physician of the Imperial Medical Academy.
Upon receiving the order, Li Desheng quickly arranged for someone to go to the Imperial Hospital to fetch the person.
Not long after, a figure dressed in official robes, Imperial Physician Zhang, appeared outside the Imperial Study, walking hurriedly.
After straightening his official robes, he entered the imperial study, approached the emperor, and hurriedly bowed, saying in a slightly nervous voice, "Your humble servant greets Your Majesty."
The Emperor slightly raised his hand to indicate, "Rise, my dear minister."
Physician Zhang then stood up, but still maintained a bowing posture, and said respectfully, "Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty."
Without further ado, the Emperor cut to the chase and questioned her directly: "Minister Zhang, I ask you, who examined Consort Qing and declared that she had gone mad?"
Upon hearing this, Physician Zhang trembled and quickly bowed again, replying, "Your Majesty, the person who examined Consort Qing and made this diagnosis was Physician Ruan Zhaoxiang."
The Emperor frowned and pressed further, "Then where is Ruan Zhaoxiang now?"
Physician Zhang looked troubled and cautiously reported, "Your Majesty, Physician Ruan left the Imperial Hospital two months ago. As for his current whereabouts, I have no idea."
Upon hearing this, the Emperor's face instantly turned incredibly grim, as if it could drip water. He naturally knew that there must be something fishy going on, and Ruan Zhaoxiang's sudden departure seemed extremely suspicious.
After a moment of silence, the Emperor glanced coldly at Physician Zhang, then waved his hand impatiently and said, "Enough, you may leave now!"
"Your humble servant takes his leave." Imperial Physician Zhang bowed respectfully, his heart filled with doubt and confusion. He slowly withdrew from the Imperial Study, and only after stepping out of the heavy door of the Chief Eunuch's study did he realize, as if waking from a dream, that something was amiss.
Upon careful reflection, it seemed that both Ruan Zhaoxiang and Consort Qing had significant issues. The harem was filled with beauties and numerous concubines, so why did the Emperor specifically inquire about Consort Qing? Could there be some hidden secret or conspiracy? Thinking this, Imperial Physician Zhang frowned, sighed softly, and then shook his head helplessly before turning and walking towards the Imperial Hospital.
Meanwhile, in the imperial study, the Emperor's face was grim, his eyes flashing with cold light. Shortly after Imperial Physician Zhang left, he summoned the commander of the Dark Dragon Guard.
"Greetings, Master." The Dark Dragon Guard Commander knelt on one knee and clasped his hands in greeting.
The Emperor coldly stared at the kneeling Dark Dragon Guard commander and commanded, "I order you to immediately dispatch men to capture that man named Ruan Zhaoxiang. Bring him before me, dead or alive." The Dark Dragon Guard commander responded without hesitation, "Yes, Your Majesty." Before he finished speaking, he vanished from the Emperor's sight like a ghost, quickly setting out to plan the capture of Ruan Zhaoxiang.
"Li Desheng, send someone to the estate to tell Consort Zhuang that I will visit her there in three days."
"Yes," Li Quansheng replied respectfully.
Li Desheng had become accustomed to the appearance of the Dark Dragon Guards over the years, and simply pretended not to see or hear them.
After Li Desheng left, he called his apprentice, Xiao Yuanzi.
"Master, what are your instructions?" Xiao Yuanzi stepped forward and asked respectfully.
"Go to Consort Zhuang's estate as fast as you can and tell her that the Emperor will visit her there in three days," Li Desheng instructed in a low voice.
"Yes. I will take care of it right away, Master, please rest assured." Xiao Yuanzi whispered her assurance.
"Okay. Be careful on the road, you can come back a little later," Li Desheng instructed.
"Disciple understands." Xiao Yuanzi nodded slightly, a look of understanding on his face, and replied knowingly.
As evening fell, the setting sun, like blood, dyed the sky a brilliant orange-red. After a long journey, Xiao Yuanzi finally arrived at the village located next to the imperial tomb.
At this moment, in the main hall of the manor, Su Nuannuan was sitting at her desk, holding a delicate calligraphy brush, intently writing something.
Suddenly, a soft footstep sounded at the door. Immediately afterward, a figure hurried in – it was Li Quan. He respectfully approached Su Nuannuan, bowed, and reported, “Your Majesty, Eunuch Xiao Yuanzi from the palace's Chief Eunuch Li has arrived.”
Upon hearing this, Su Nuannuan gently put down her calligraphy brush and looked up. Her beautiful eyes gazed towards the doorway, and she said softly, "Let him in!"
Not long after, Xiao Yuanzi walked into the room with a bow. He stopped a few steps away from Su Nuannuan, bowed respectfully, and said loudly, "This servant Xiao Yuanzi greets Consort Zhuang."
Sitting in the chair, Su Nuannuan slightly raised her hand and smiled at Xiao Yuanzi, gesturing, "Get up. What brings Eunuch Xiao Yuanzi here today?"
Xiao Yuanzi straightened up slightly and replied respectfully, "Your Highness, my master specifically instructed me to come and deliver a message to you. He said that His Majesty will personally visit this estate to see you in three days."
Upon hearing this news, a hint of surprise flashed in Su Nuannuan's eyes, and she immediately asked, "Are you sure?"
Xiao Yuanzi quickly bowed again and replied, "Your Highness, this was told to me by my master, so there is absolutely no mistake."
Su Nuannuan nodded gently, indicating that she was aware of the matter. Then she said to the eunuch Li Quan beside her, "Li Quan, take Eunuch Xiaoyuanzi downstairs for dinner. Also, arrange a comfortable place for him to stay. It's getting late, and it's not safe for him to walk at night."
Li Quan hurriedly stepped forward, bowed his head, and replied, "Yes, Your Majesty." Then, he turned to Xiao Yuanzi and gestured for her to leave, leading Xiao Yuanzi, who had already expressed her gratitude, to have dinner together.
After Xiao Yuanzi left with Li Quan, Su Nuannuan couldn't help but mutter softly, "I didn't expect the Emperor would actually come..."