0p0 Chapter 441
Chapter 441
Chapter 441
Lu Wanning was extremely anxious. She hurried to Dongfang Wan'er's residence, her forehead beaded with sweat and her hair slightly disheveled. Without even catching her breath, she recounted the emergency situation facing the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion to Dongfang Wan'er. Upon hearing this, Dongfang Wan'er's beautiful brows furrowed tightly, her eyes filled with worry and anxiety. She decisively said, "There's no time to lose; we must set off immediately. However, I need to go see the Regent Prince again." Although Lu Wanning was filled with doubt, trusting Dongfang Wan'er, she followed her without hesitation.
The two women hurried to the Regent's bedside. Dongfang Wan'er's expression was grave. She extended her slender fingers and gently placed them on the Regent's wrist, carefully feeling his pulse. She then lifted his eyelids to examine the whites of his eyes and pupils, while her other hand gently pressed and probed various parts of his body. After this meticulous examination, Dongfang Wan'er was secretly alarmed. She realized that all of this was caused by a slow-acting poison secretly administered by the Emperor. The poison was silently eroding the Regent's body, and the Emperor's insidious purpose was to frame the Duke of Zhenguo's family, thereby instigating a political conflict so he could reap the benefits.
Just then, a commotion of soldiers' shouts suddenly erupted outside: "The Duke of Zhenguo's mansion is plotting to assassinate the Regent! Arrest them all!" The voices were as loud as a bell, carrying an unquestionable authority and a commanding tone, breaking the silence and causing everyone present to feel a sudden chill.
Dongfang Wan'er merely sneered. Calmly, she took a pill emitting a faint glow from her sleeve and carefully placed it into the Regent's mouth. The pill melted instantly upon entering his mouth, and after a moment, its miraculous effects began to take hold, and the Regent slowly awoke. He slowly opened his eyes, his gaze initially somewhat dazed, but seeing the tense scene before him and recalling the various signs that had preceded his unconsciousness, he immediately understood seven or eight parts of the situation.
The Regent, supporting his weakened body, proclaimed in a voice weak yet still imposing, "I am here! Let's see who dares to touch the Zhenguo Duke's Mansion!" His voice seemed to possess an invisible power, causing the soldiers present to exchange bewildered glances, their weapons trembling slightly. They had received orders from the Emperor, but now that the Regent had awakened and was resolutely protecting the Zhenguo Duke's Mansion, they were at a loss, standing frozen in place, unable to advance or retreat.
The Regent turned slightly to look at Dongfang Wan'er, his eyes filled with gratitude and admiration. "I will never forget your great kindness, young lady. I will explain today's events to the Emperor." Then, he turned to the Zhenguo Duke's family and said kindly, "You may return first. I guarantee your safety." Hearing this, the Zhenguo Duke's family felt a great weight lifted from their hearts, and they were moved to tears, bowing to the Regent in gratitude. Dongfang Wan'er stood aside, watching the scene unfold, secretly relieved that she had saved the Regent in time, thus averting a potential bloodshed. She knew that in the complex power struggles of the court and the imperial court, every decision and every action concerned the lives and honors of countless people, and this time, she had temporarily averted a crisis.
However, the turmoil did not subside as everyone had hoped; instead, like a surging undercurrent, it continued to brew beneath the seemingly calm surface. Upon learning that the Regent had awakened and knew the whole truth, the Emperor was enraged and his imperial countenance was filled with fury.
In the magnificent yet solemn palace, the emperor's roar echoed through the empty hall: "That Dongfang Wan'er has ruined my plans!" His eyes were bloodshot with rage as he paced rapidly back and forth in the palace's carved and painted corridors. His dragon robe swayed violently with his movements, and his face was so gloomy that it seemed as if it could drip water, like the dark clouds gathering before a storm, chilling to the bone.
Meanwhile, back at the Duke of Zhenguo's residence, Dongfang Wan'er, her delicate brows furrowed, felt a lingering sense of foreboding. She knew that given the Emperor's temperament and his lust for power, things would not end so easily. Sure enough, just a few days later, news arrived from the palace that the Emperor had summoned Dongfang Wan'er to the palace under the pretext of discussing important matters.
Upon hearing this news, the Duke of Zhenguo looked worried and anxious, saying, "Wan'er, going to the palace will likely be fraught with danger. The palace is a place of treacherous people, full of traps and conspiracies. I am truly worried about you." His eyes were filled with concern and worry, and his hands unconsciously clenched into fists.
Dongfang Wan'er remained calm, her eyes as firm as a rock. She slightly raised her head, her tone steady and confident: "Father, rest assured, I will handle this. I know what I'm doing and will not allow myself to fall into a desperate situation, nor will I bring disaster to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion." Her words were resounding, as if possessing an invisible power that reassured those around her.
As Dongfang Wan'er stepped through the tall and imposing palace gates, an invisible yet heavy atmosphere of oppression washed over her. She walked slowly along the long palace path, the palace maids and eunuchs on both sides bowing their heads, not daring to make a sound; the entire palace seemed like a silent prison. Finally, she arrived at the main hall, where the emperor sat high on his majestic dragon throne, his cold eyes piercing with a sharp, dagger-like chill, fixed directly on Dongfang Wan'er.
"Dongfang Wan'er, do you know your crime?" the emperor suddenly shouted, his voice booming throughout the hall, making everyone's eardrums ache.
Dongfang Wan'er curtsied slightly, her posture upright, and replied neither servile nor arrogantly, "This humble woman knows not what crime I have committed. I was merely following the duty of a healer to save lives, and seeing His Highness the Regent unconscious, I offered my assistance." Her voice was clear and melodious, yet carried an undeniable firmness.
The emperor sneered, his laughter filled with mockery and anger: "You saved the Regent, ruining my plans, and that is a crime! Don't think I don't know what you're thinking. Your attempt to disrupt my plans with the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion is nothing but wishful thinking!"
Dongfang Wan'er was prepared for this. She took a deep breath and calmly replied, "Your Majesty, the Regent Prince is loyal and devoted to the Celestial Empire for many years. This time, someone has secretly poisoned him and framed the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. There must be more to this than meets the eye. Your Majesty is wise; you must not be blinded by treacherous people and wrongly accuse a loyal minister." She looked at the emperor sincerely, trying to awaken his reason.