20demayo Chapter 1289 Countermeasures
Chapter 1289 Countermeasures
He forced himself to complete the ceremony, and once the officials had dispersed, he hastily dismissed his attendants and, accompanied only by his trusted eunuchs, rushed to the inner palace.
Inside the inner hall, incense smoke curled and white gauze hung lightly.
The Holy Maiden was reviewing government affairs; perhaps having relieved herself of a worry, she appeared extremely relaxed.
Seeing the King of Wu storm in, she asked in surprise, "Your Majesty is overjoyed today, why are you so distraught?"
King Wu clenched his fists tightly, his voice trembling with anger: "Sister, do you know how absurd my life has been all these years! Your good daughter-in-law, Lin Yiwan, actually used drugs to harm me, falsely claiming that I had a hidden illness that would prevent me from having children, all so that her son Zhanxuan could seize the throne smoothly! That so-called hidden illness was all a lie!"
He recounted the diagnosis of the old folk doctor and the truth behind the strange energy in his pulse in detail, his eyes full of anticipation, hoping that the Holy Maiden would join him in condemning the Zhan family's conspiracy.
But after hearing this, the Holy Maiden simply shook her head, her eyes filled with disappointment: "Your Majesty, be careful with your words. Wanwan has prayed for the country and its people for many years and is definitely not the person you speak of. You must have listened to the slander of others, which is why you are wary of her."
The King of Wu was stunned, then his anger intensified. "That old doctor has practiced medicine for decades, how could he lie? I have already taken his antidote, and my health is gradually improving. How could this be false?"
“Even doctors can make mistakes, let alone the unpredictable nature of the human heart.” The saintess stood up and looked at him sharply.
She spoke coldly: "You're getting more and more confused. Didn't you personally hand over the national seal to Ayan and Wanwan back then? Now you're going back on your word, just because you listened to others' instigation?"
These words were like cold water, extinguishing the hopes in the heart of the King of Wu.
He stared blankly at the saintess, never expecting that his heartfelt confession would be met with such accusation. A sense of powerlessness welled up inside him, and he abruptly took a step back, pointing at the saintess, his lips trembling, but he couldn't utter a single word.
Seeing his reaction, the saintess sighed softly, "Your Majesty, go back and take care of your health. A person should keep their promises!" With that, she turned and sat down again, ignoring him completely.
The King of Wu stood frozen in place, the incense in the hall now seeming particularly pungent. His anger and resentment, under the Holy Maiden's indifference and accusations, were forced down his throat, turning into a mouthful of blood that choked him.
He knew that even the Holy Maiden was on the Zhan family's side, and the path he had to take in this struggle was more difficult than he had imagined.
But sister, doesn't she know that she made that promise because she believed Lin Yiwan's words?
Since he can have children, why should he hand over the throne to outsiders?
Thinking of this, he gritted his teeth and walked outside.
The saintess watched his retreating figure, a chilling glint flashing in her eyes.
She quickly instructed her maid, "Quickly, go and invite Ayan and Wanwan into the palace!"
Before long, the couple arrived in front of her.
She asked instinctively, "Wanwan, what exactly is wrong with your uncle's health?"
Lin Yiwan asked, puzzled, "Mother, why are you suddenly asking this?"
The saintess frowned and stared at her, her gaze deep and unfathomable: "The king came just now, angrily saying that you used drugs to harm him, falsely claiming that he had a hidden illness that would prevent him from having an heir, all so that Zhan Xuan could seize the throne. He also said that he had consulted an old folk doctor who examined his pulse and found abnormal energy in it, and that he had already taken the antidote."
Upon hearing this, Lin Yiwan's expression immediately became complicated and unpleasant. Ultimately, it was because of Zhan Xuan becoming the crown prince that her uncle had developed a rift with them.
She calmly explained, "Mother! This is absolutely not true! How could your daughter-in-law dare to do such a rebellious thing? Your uncle is the King of Li Kingdom, and your daughter-in-law respects him more than enough. How could there be any talk of him being secretly harmed?"
Zhan Yan frowned, his gaze towards the Holy Maiden filled with seriousness: "Mother, Wanwan's medical skills are superb, especially in her care for patients. She would never do such a thing. Someone must be spreading rumors and maliciously sowing discord before the King."
The saintess looked at the two people in front of her; these were the people she trusted most.
She said helplessly, "You don't need to be so nervous. I have never doubted you. It's just that the king is now suspicious and even feels that he was deceived when he handed over the royal seal to you."
Lin Yiwan frowned and said, "Back then, my uncle was diagnosed with a hidden illness and became depressed. I searched everywhere for famous doctors and took meticulous care of him. Later, he personally handed the national seal to us. How could he have deceived me?"
Zhan Yan added, "Over the years, Wanwan has devoted countless efforts to improving the king's health, sending him many precious tonics every year. That old doctor from the common people has an unknown background, and what he said may not be true. Perhaps someone deliberately arranged it to sow discord between the king and us."
The saintess nodded, a sharp glint in her eyes: "That's what I think too. The king has recently had a new concubine, Min Yue, by his side. She was personally trained by the rebel Min De, and this matter is probably inseparable from her."
Lin Yiwan felt a chill run down her spine. The woman looked so gentle and weak, but she never expected her to use such vicious methods to slander her and accuse her of plotting against the king.
"Mother, what should we do now?" Lin Yiwan asked worriedly.
Zhan Yan also spoke up: "The king is currently harboring resentment towards us. If we allow these rumors to fester, it may be detrimental to Xuan'er's position as crown prince."
After a moment of contemplation, the saintess slowly spoke: "The most urgent task is to find out the origin of that old folk doctor and the role Min Yue played in it. At the same time, we must also make the king understand the truth as soon as possible and dispel his misunderstanding of you."
She looked at Zhan Yan: "Yan, secretly send someone to investigate that old doctor's background. Make sure to find out who sent him and what his motives are. Also, keep a close watch on Min Yue's every move. She's so eager to plan for herself that she'll definitely reveal her weaknesses."
"Yes, Mother." Zhan Yan bowed and accepted the order.
The saintess then turned to Lin Yiwan: "Wanwan, tomorrow you should go to the king's palace in person to take his pulse. Firstly, to see if there are any abnormalities in his body after he took the so-called antidote; secondly, to take the opportunity to explain things to him and dispel his doubts. Remember, do not argue with him, but reason with him and appeal to his emotions."
Lin Yiwan nodded: "I understand. But my uncle has a deep misunderstanding about me right now, and I'm afraid he may not be willing to listen to my explanation."
The saintess's eyes were firm. "You are his nephew's wife and Zhan Xuan's mother. Even if he is angry, he won't really do anything to you. You just need to show your sincerity and let him see Min Yue's true colors."
After the couple took their leave, the saintess sat alone in the inner sanctuary, gazing at the deepening twilight outside the window, her brow furrowed.
She knew all too well that the King of Wu had completely believed Min Yue's slander.
If she doesn't intervene in time, I'm afraid the country will be plunged into turmoil.
She absolutely cannot stand idly by!