Chapter 118: "The Liang Woman Wants to Assassinate the King!"...
Zhanghua Hall was the residence of Chen Kingdom's previous kings, constructed far more magnificently than any other palace within the royal palace.
When Physician Fang was led through the hall's entrance by a young eunuch, a fine layer of cold sweat had already formed on his forehead.
Since King Chen ascended the throne, whenever the royal body showed any discomfort, he had never allowed other physicians from the Imperial Hospital to treat him, always relying solely on the physician residing in Zhanghua Hall.
Today, when King Chen suddenly summoned him, Physician Fang's legs grew weak at the thought of his defection to Wen Yu's side, though what filled his heart more was a sense of grievance.
With his entire family to support, he could only hold a position in the Imperial Hospital through ancestral connections. When those in power fought among themselves, it was always underlings like him who suffered.
That day at the post station, if Wen Yu hadn't intervened to protect him, he would have already been decapitated.
He understood perfectly that the Empress Dowager couldn't swallow this insult. These days while on duty at the Imperial Hospital, he had been constantly on edge. Fortunately, Wen Yu's people provided covert protection, allowing his head to remain securely attached to his neck.
But today's ordeal likely meant life or death.
King Chen's violent temperament and unpredictable moods were no secret within the palace. Those selected to serve in Zhanghua Hall all prayed for their own safety. Only seasoned schemers like Eunuch Li, who had secured backing from all sides, could barely breathe easy around King Chen.
Just as Physician Fang was lamenting his impending fate, the eunuch leading the way haughtily commanded: "Kneel."
Not daring to look up, Physician Fang awkwardly dropped to his knees where he stood, pressing his overlapped hands firmly against his forehead on the polished floor tiles that reflected like mirrors. Trembling, he said: "Your humble servant... pays respects to Your Majesty."
From above came King Chen's deeply gloomy voice: "This king feels unwell. Physician, examine what illness afflicts me."
Only then did Physician Fang fearfully raise his head, cautiously observing the king's complexion. Since King Chen held a rosy-cheeked beauty in his embrace, he tried his best to keep his gaze focused solely on the king's face. But when he met King Chen's eyes filled with malice and cruelty, Physician Fang shuddered, convinced he would die here today.
Sure enough, the next moment King Chen coldly asked: "What have you observed? What illness does this king suffer from?"
Physician Fang's mind, overwhelmed with terror and despair, had turned to complete mush, making thinking difficult, let alone diagnosing an illness from a single glance. Pressing his forehead to the floor, he said in fear: "Your humble servant... your humble servant's medical skills are inadequate. Based on observation alone, I cannot diagnose Your Majesty's illness. I beg Your Majesty... to permit your humble servant to approach and take your pulse for further examination."
The seated King Chen suddenly laughed coldly, his fierce gaze feeling almost physical. Though Physician Fang didn't look up, he felt as if King Chen's icy stare was burning two holes through his shoulders and back. Growing even more terrified, he couldn't understand what taboo he had violated with his words. He hurriedly kowtowed and begged for mercy, repeating that his medical skills were inadequate.
King Chen pushed away the beauty sitting in his embrace, his stare at Physician Fang as cold as a venomous snake flicking its tongue: "The royal palace doesn't support idlers. Those who claim reputation without being able to diagnose this king's illness—drag him out and behead him!"
Imperial Guards immediately entered, grabbing Physician Fang by both arms and dragging him out.Physician Fang, a mere medical official, struggled with all his might but could not break free from the restraint of two Imperial Guards. He could only wail and beg for mercy in the grand hall: "Your Majesty, grant this humble official another chance! If only Your Majesty would allow me to take your pulse, I would surely be able to diagnose the cause of Your Majesty's ailment..."
Unexpectedly, King Chen's expression grew even darker and more livid upon hearing these pleas. His fingers, resting on the dragon throne, clenched the golden dragon armrest with immense force.
Eunuch Li, standing nearby, promptly flicked his horsetail whisk and scolded the two Imperial Guards: "Why haven't you gagged this quack yet? His clamor is disturbing His Majesty!"
Having nothing at hand to use as a gag, the Imperial Guards simply gripped Physician Fang's jaw and forcefully dislocated it, rendering him mute.
Just as they were dragging him out of the hall, a young eunuch hurried in to report: "Your Majesty, Her Majesty the Queen has arrived with her attendants!"
King Chen, seated on the dragon throne, lifted his gloomy head. The beautiful consort whom he had earlier pushed to the ground also showed a strange expression. Eunuch Li, ever the shrewd one, quickly composed himself after a brief moment of surprise and adopted a concerned expression as he asked King Chen: "Your Majesty, what... what should we do now?"
King Chen sneered, "What do you mean, what should we do? Does this king need permission from a Liang woman to execute a physician of the Chen royal palace?"
While Eunuch Li was forcing a smile and struggling to respond, commotion was already heard from outside the hall doors: "Without His Majesty's summons, you cannot enter..."
"Our Lady holds the Phoenix Seal and manages the six palaces. Is there any place in this royal palace she cannot go? Today, having heard of His Majesty's indisposition, she specially came to visit. How dare you, an insolent slave, block her way?"
Tong Que, hot-tempered and formerly a Martial maid, pushed her way in with the Qingyun female guards while berating the guards. The Imperial Guards outside Zhanghua Hall dared not draw their blades against Wen Yu, and thus found themselves, along with the young eunuchs, being shoved into the main hall by Tong Que and her group.
As the hall doors swung open, the Imperial Guards and young eunuchs stumbled inside and hurriedly knelt to beg King Chen for forgiveness: "Your Majesty, please forgive us... Her Majesty the Queen insisted on entering, and we... were unable to stop her."
Wen Yu, dressed in magnificent deep blue robes reminiscent of ink-wash landscapes, stood behind the crowd. She slowly lifted her eyes to King Chen and said unhurriedly, "I heard Your Majesty was unwell and grew deeply concerned, thus I came to visit. Unexpectedly, I was obstructed outside the hall. Worried for Your Majesty's safety, my subordinates acted somewhat rashly. Surely Your Majesty would not punish them for this?"
The mark of a true beauty lies in how, even when you know she is speaking without any emotion—indeed, almost coldly—gazing upon that peerless countenance still makes one's heart flutter uncontrollably.
King Chen stared at Wen Yu's exquisitely beautiful yet utterly cold face, losing himself for a full two breaths. When he regained his composure, he let out a cold laugh tinged with inexplicable hatred: "How could this king possibly blame you when the Queen shows such concern? I am only too grateful."
Hearing King Chen's deliberately provocative words, Wen Yu's expression remained completely unchanged as she replied, "That is well."
The Imperial Guards who had been pushed into the hall exchanged uncertain glances, unsure whether to stay or leave, when Eunuch Li, standing beside King Chen, gestured for them to withdraw. The group then retreated back outside the hall.
When Physician Fang saw Wen Yu, he became extremely agitated, clearly wanting to seek help. However, with his jaw dislocated, he could only open his mouth and let out a series of desperate, incoherent "ah-ah" sounds.The two Imperial Guards who were restraining him dragged him onward, but as they passed by Wen Yu, her cold, clear voice rang out: "Wait."
The Imperial Guards were forced to halt and looked toward King Chen, awaiting his further instructions.
King Chen clearly already knew why Wen Yu had come, his face growing even more unpleasant. He allowed himself to slump completely into the dragon throne, his left arm wrapped around the beauty from earlier, and asked Wen Yu, "What guidance does the Queen have?"
Wen Yu replied, "When I first arrived in Chen, I suffered from acclimatization and frequent headaches. It was only after the Empress Dowager sent Physician Fang to treat me that I saw significant improvement. In a way, Physician Fang is someone the Empress Dowager bestowed upon me. Today, seeing that he has apparently offended Your Majesty, out of respect for the Empress Dowager's care and concern, I naturally must ask: what crime has Physician Fang committed?"
Eunuch Li stood slightly bowed at King Chen's side. Upon hearing Wen Yu invoke the Empress Dowager, his eyelids twitched, but he said nothing.
King Chen stared at Wen Yu, a smile still plastered on his face, but it had taken on a sinister edge: "What? This quack couldn't diagnose what ails me. Am I not allowed to have him killed?"
Physician Fang grew even more agitated, emitting frantic "ah, ah" sounds, as if he had many grievances to voice.
Wen Yu said calmly, "My headaches still flare up from time to time, and it is only through Physician Fang's acupuncture techniques that I find relief. As the saying goes, 'Each man to his own trade.' Perhaps the ailment Your Majesty suffers from simply isn't within Physician Fang's area of expertise. To quickly identify the cause and relieve Your Majesty's discomfort, the best course would be to summon all the physicians of the Imperial Medical Bureau to examine Your Majesty collectively. What does Your Majesty think?"
King Chen glared coldly at Wen Yu, tightening his grip around the beauty's waist and pulling her closer. The beauty winced in pain, her face paling, but she dared not make a sound. King Chen let out a harsh laugh: "So the Queen has gone to all this trouble just to plead for this quack's life?"
Wen Yu said, "What I value is the Empress Dowager's thoughtful gesture."
This remark seemed to strike a nerve. King Chen's expression darkened further as he stared at Wen Yu: "Do you think invoking the Empress Dowager will make me afraid?"
He released his hold on the beauty's waist and said venomously, "Today, I am determined to have this quack executed!"
Eunuch Li stood by, pretending to be oblivious and not daring to speak up. A young eunuch who had recently gained King Chen's favor, however, was unwilling to miss this chance to curry favor. He immediately barked at the two Imperial Guards: "Are you deaf? Didn't you hear the King's command? Hurry up and drag this quack away for immediate execution!"
The two Imperial Guards began dragging Physician Fang away again. Wen Yu remained silent, but several Azure Guard members solidly blocked their path, forcing them to stop once more.
The young eunuch, emboldened by what he thought was King Chen's approval of his earlier outburst, straightened his back even more and openly challenged Wen Yu: "What is the meaning of this, Your Majesty?"
Wen Yu lifted her cold gaze: "I have said that only Physician Fang can treat my headaches. Today, I must take this man with me."
A slow clap echoed from above.Tong Que and the others, who had been steadfastly guarding Wen Yu on both sides, looked up to see King Chen cease his slow clapping. Leaning forward with an elbow propped on one knee, he surveyed Wen Yu with a gaze as sticky and repulsive as a spider’s web, his eyes harboring an indescribable malice. After flashing Wen Yu an inexplicable smile, he said, "Very well. It’s rare for the Queen to ask anything of me. Since you insist on taking this quack away today, fine—entertain me."
With that, he reclined fully into the dragon throne, legs splayed apart in an exceedingly rude and licentious posture.
The chamber was filled with eunuchs and two Imperial Guards. Even Physician Fang dared not utter another sound, bowing his head and avoiding eye contact with anyone.
This was nothing short of a blatant humiliation of Wen Yu.
Led by Tong Que, the Azure Guard had long since changed expressions. Had weapons not been forbidden in Zhanghua Hall, she might have drawn her sword on the spot.
Seeing Wen Yu’s icy stare—as if he were some filthy object—King Chen’s face contorted with an inexplicable hatred. Yet he grinned at her again, malice dripping from his expression. "What? Don’t know how?"
He tilted his head toward the beauty he had long neglected and beckoned her as one would a pet: "My beloved, teach the Queen."
The beauty, clad in sheer robes with alluring, cloud-like hair, knelt to the ground. A seductive, ingratiating charm tinged her brows and eyes as she slowly crawled toward King Chen on all fours.
Watching this, Tong Que trembled with rage, her fists clenched so tightly they shook.
As the beauty reached King Chen’s feet and made to rub her fragrant, peach-blossom-soft cheek against his boots, Wen Yu, who had remained silent until then, spoke coldly: "Rise."
The beauty paused, glancing uncertainly between Wen Yu and King Chen, her lovely eyes shimmering with hesitation.
King Chen watched Wen Yu with a mocking half-smile. "Has the Queen learned?"
Tong Que glared at him, her eyes nearly spitting fire.
Wen Yu replied evenly, "I have."
The young eunuch, having witnessed King Chen’s public shaming of Wen Yu, had already gauged her standing in the royal palace. Now, seeing her comply so meekly—devoid of any dignity befitting a queen or princess—his contempt grew. His tone turned even more condescending as he said, "Then, Your Majesty, if you would."
He even affected a performative "after you" gesture toward Wen Yu.
Wen Yu strode forward calmly. Though Tong Que knew her mistress would never stoop to such degradation, she couldn’t suppress her worry and whispered urgently, "Princess…"
But as Wen Yu passed the two Imperial Guards, she abruptly drew a sword from one of their scabbards.
A dull thud—the sound of steel piercing flesh—echoed through the hall. Blood splattered across Wen Yu’s cerulean ceremonial robes, and a few crimson drops stained her jade-like cheeks, lending her cold features an eerie, bewitching allure.
The young eunuch who had gestured to Wen Yu collapsed, clutching his abdomen and vomiting blood, the arrogance and scorn in his eyes not yet fully faded.
Everyone present was stunned by the sudden turn of events.
As Wen Yu withdrew the sword, droplets of blood flung from the tip spattered onto King Chen’s face. Terrified into silence until then, he jolted awake as if from a nightmare and screamed, "Guards! Guards! The Liang woman is trying to assassinate the king!"The Imperial Guard who had his sword taken could no longer bother with restraining Physician Fang. Instead, he joined his comrades in surrounding King Chen, shouting, "Protect His Majesty!"
Imperial Guards outside the door swarmed in, and Tong Que, having regained his composure, quickly led the Azure Guard to form a protective barrier in front of Wen Yu.
Eunuch Li dared not feign death any longer. Shielding half of King Chen's body, he trembled and spoke in a shrill voice to Wen Yu, "Your Highness, if you have something to say, say it properly. Why draw your sword...?"
Wen Yu flicked the blood off the blade, each movement of the sword tip making Eunuch Li's heart pound with fear. She merely tossed out a light remark, "This eunuch has shown disrespect toward me, which shows he holds no regard for the royal palace's rules or the dignity of the royal family on ordinary days. I am merely assisting His Majesty in rectifying palace discipline and teaching a lesson to those servants who have no respect for the law."
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