Yun Changfeng asked, "Do you need me to go with you?"
"No, this matter is something this king can handle," Zhan Tianye said in a deep voice.
It was not advisable to involve General Yun in this matter.
Even if Yun Shu was to enter the palace, it was to prevent any unforeseen circumstances. Perhaps the Emperor was already having an episode.
...
At this moment, in the Imperial Study.
Zhan Tianhong's face was ashen. Despite his frail build and being shorter than Zhan Ming, he still possessed a certain imperial demeanor.
"Without my permission, the Regent actually ordered the release of the convicted Empress!" Zhan Tianhong said angrily.
Zhan Ming's expression was also grim, and he looked coldly at the young Emperor. "Your Majesty, since the truth has been investigated and it has been determined that someone framed the Empress, why should the Empress continue to suffer an unjust accusation?"
"Investigated the truth? Where is the truth?" Zhan Tianhong did not expect that the Empress Dowager and the Regent before him could so deliberately twist facts!
They were so brazen, completely disregarding him!
The Empress Dowager was very displeased with Zhan Tianhong's attitude. "The palace servants in the Empress's palace have confessed, and the palace wet nurse has verified that the Empress is still a virgin. As for the commander of the imperial guards who slandered the Empress, he has also confessed. The evidence is conclusive, and this is the truth. Why does Your Majesty refuse to believe it?"
"Your Majesty, this consort was framed! Since I entered the palace, I have diligently managed all matters of the harem. Although Your Majesty has not consummated the marriage with me, my heart has always been for Your Majesty! The wet nurse has already examined me, and I truly did not commit adultery with anyone!" Geng Yufei knelt before Zhan Tianhong, clutching his clothes, and cried out in heart-wrenching sobs.
No matter how one looked at it, she seemed to be wrongly accused.
If others saw this scene, they would also think that Zhan Tianhong was unfeeling and refused to believe the truth.
Zhan Tianhong looked at the people who were twisting facts and raised his foot, intending to kick Geng Yufei away.
However, his strength was limited.
He was trembling with anger and had little strength. Geng Yufei, having just eaten, clung to his leg, making it impossible for him to move.
"Nonsense! Do you think I will believe it? I absolutely will not believe it! You cannot deceive me!" Zhan Tianhong was furious.
Zhan Ming watched coldly. When he saw Zhan Tianhong looking as if he was about to die from anger, he let out a wicked smile. "The truth is before you. Even as the ruler of a nation, Your Majesty cannot disregard the truth and allow villains to frame the Empress. Even if Your Majesty dislikes the Empress, you cannot be so heartless."
Zhan Tianhong heard this and was enraged. "You..."
Before he could finish his words, he fainted again.
Several imperial physicians guarding the door rushed forward to examine Zhan Tianhong's condition.
The Empress Dowager and Zhan Ming exchanged glances.
Their eyes communicated.
But when their gazes met, they were very calm.
They did not allow anyone to notice.
Geng Yufei secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
She felt that she would definitely get through this hurdle today!
Now that everything was falling into place, and she had been confirmed to be a virgin, no one could accuse her anymore!
"Mother, the Emperor still does not believe your son!" Geng Yufei pretended to cry to the Empress Dowager in front of others.
The Empress Dowager also put on an act, sighing with feigned helplessness. "It is also your fault for not winning the Emperor's heart. Empress, from today onwards, you must serve the Emperor with even greater diligence. Sooner or later, the Emperor will believe you and recognize your sincerity."
Geng Yufei's eyes reddened, and tears streamed down her face. "Your daughter remembers Mother's words."
Zhan Ming walked up to the imperial physicians and looked down at them. "How is the Emperor's condition?"
"The Emperor only fainted due to anger and distress. As long as he calms down, it will be fine," one of the imperial physicians said quickly.
The other imperial physicians also spoke cautiously, not daring to say anything rash.
"Only anger and distress?" Zhan Ming sneered. "With your shallow medical skills, you are still allowed to remain in the palace as imperial physicians? Get out!"
The imperial physicians were terrified.
They glanced at the silent Empress Dowager and then at the unconscious Emperor.
In an instant, they knew how to choose.
They could only retreat.
The moment they withdrew, a man in palace attire walked in with his head bowed.
He approached the Empress Dowager and bowed respectfully. "Your Ladyship, the Empress Dowager."
Seeing the man, the Empress Dowager's expression softened, and she said calmly, "Go and attend to the Emperor."
"Yes." The man immediately went to Zhan Tianhong.
Zhan Ming narrowed his eyes when the man appeared. Although he had been saved by this person just now, he was still somewhat suspicious of him.
A shaman?
Zuo Yan?
He had never heard this name before.
There were shamans in Beijiang, but he had never heard of any renowned shaman named Zuo Yan.
Zuo Yan sensed Zhan Ming's scrutiny. He calmly said to Zhan Ming, "Regent, please take care to rest these past two days, do not harbor any reckless thoughts, and it is best to avoid women."
Hearing this, Zhan Ming stopped scrutinizing Zuo Yan.
If Zuo Yan had not used some incredible method to save him, bringing him back from hell and relieving his excruciating pain, he might have died by now. Such mysterious medical skills might even rival those of a divine physician.
"Mm," Zhan Ming replied.
Zuo Yan lowered his gaze and looked at Zhan Tianhong.
His eyes held a hint of darkness.
He narrowed his eyes slightly and looked back at the Empress Dowager, asking, "The Emperor is frail, and his fainting today has damaged his foundation. If I do not treat him immediately, the Emperor may be in mortal danger."
After speaking, he took out a dark-colored porcelain bottle.
A strange scent emanated from the bottle.
It was not a pleasant fragrance.
It was an indescribable, peculiar odor.
He was waiting for the Empress Dowager's nod.
As soon as the Empress Dowager nodded, the medicine in the bottle would be administered to Zhan Tianhong's mouth.
The Empress Dowager looked at Zhan Ming, who smiled and said, "The nation cannot be without a ruler for a day. We must save the Emperor!"
"The Regent is right," the Empress Dowager nodded.
Geng Yufei wept profusely, feigning deep affection for Zhan Tianhong. "We must save the Emperor! Divine Physician, this consort also agrees for you to save the Emperor!"
Zuo Yan nodded and opened the porcelain bottle.
The moment the bottle was opened, the peculiar scent dispersed, filling the entire Imperial Study.
At this moment.
Jiang Luoxi, who was at the door, stopped Zhan Tianye and Yun Shu.
"King Ye, Second Miss Yun, His Majesty is currently conversing with the Empress Dowager. He is not seeing anyone at the moment. Please wait in a side hall for a while."
How did they arrive so quickly?
Jiang Luoxi frowned secretly.
"Move aside," Zhan Tianye said coldly.
Jiang Luoxi's body trembled slightly, and she bit her lip. "This humble subject is merely conveying His Majesty's orders. Please forgive King Ye."
Strands of scent wafted out from the Imperial Study.
As they drifted out, the scent grew fainter.
As if blending with the fragrance of the herbs and trees.
Yun Shu's gaze, sharp as a blade, suddenly swept towards Jiang Luoxi.