Chapter 287 Huo Yunting Requests an Audience
Chu Jichen seemed to be able to see through her thoughts. He simply reached out and gently patted Shen Qingci's hand holding the embroidered handkerchief, shook his head slightly at her, and said in an almost inaudible whisper, "Don't worry, I have arranged everything."
What?
Shen Qingci was taken aback, her first thought being that these were just words of comfort from Chu Jichen.
After that terrifying moment, Chu Jichen stayed with her the whole time. Apart from giving the order to have the guards beaten to death, she didn't see him contact anyone or make any arrangements.
Chu Jichen clearly saw the doubt in Shen Qingci's eyes, and only chuckled lightly, his eyes resolute: "I'm not lying to you, I really have already had Yuanbao and Yelan make the arrangements."
Shen Qingci glanced at Chu Jichen and saw that he looked confident. Although she still had doubts, she suppressed her worries.
No problem, she'll deal with whatever comes her way. If all else fails, she'll think of another way.
When the imperial carriage stopped in front of the Taiji Hall, Shen Qingci lifted the curtain first and saw Physician Li, who was already respectfully waiting at the bottom of the steps, pushing a brand-new wheelchair.
Seeing Shen Qing disembark from the imperial carriage, Imperial Physician Li hurriedly stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to the Empress. I heard that Your Majesty was ambushed in the palace tower and your wheelchair was broken. Not only did Your Majesty fall from the palace tower, but you also managed to get onto the imperial carriage yourself?"
"Yes." Shen Qingci's mind stirred slightly, her gaze shifting between Physician Li and the new wheelchair.
Physician Li arrived so promptly, could it be... that this was Chu Jichen's arrangement?
As Shen Qingci was pondering this, she indeed heard Imperial Physician Li's face show a hint of anxiety and reproach, and he even said somewhat presumptuously, "Your Majesty is truly... muddle-headed!"
"Although His Majesty's leg is now much better and he can stand and walk, it has been injured for many years and is a chronic injury. Recovery must be gradual and slow. We must not rush it."
"Only with gradual recuperation can one fully recover without leaving any lingering effects."
"Upon hearing the news, I rushed here immediately. It is my responsibility to completely heal Your Majesty's leg; I cannot allow anything to go wrong with it!"
Shen Qingci's heart stirred slightly, and she instantly understood the deeper meaning behind Chu Jichen's arrangement.
Earlier at the palace tower, Chu Jichen forced himself to walk onto the imperial carriage to intimidate those with ill intentions and to let everyone know that his legs were not completely crippled, that he could walk, and that he was not a weak and easily bullied cripple.
The reason for arranging for Physician Li to wait here and say such things in public was to use the Physician's words to tell everyone that his leg is still in a critical period of recovery. Although he can walk, he still needs to pay more attention to it in order to avoid leaving any lingering problems and avoid overexertion.
This provided a plausible explanation for why he still used a wheelchair, preserving the emperor's dignity while concealing the fact that his leg injury had not fully healed.
Shen Qingci smiled and said, following the words of Imperial Physician Li, "What Imperial Physician Li says is true. His Majesty was really too angry before and forgot the imperial physician's instructions for a moment."
She turned to the guards beside her and instructed them, "Someone, help His Majesty down from the imperial carriage and into the wheelchair."
The guards rushed forward and carefully lifted Chu Jichen down, placing him steadily in the wheelchair.
Shen Qingci then turned to Physician Li, her tone concerned: "Physician Li, please give His Majesty a thorough examination and see if His Majesty's leg was affected by what happened just now?"
Physician Li responded and pushed Chu Jichen's wheelchair into the Taiji Hall.
After a thorough examination, he straightened up, shook his head, and said with a relaxed expression, "Your Majesty and Your Majesty, Your Majesty's leg is fine. It's just that there's some blood turmoil. You just need to rest for a while and then proceed with the recovery plan as previously proposed."
Shen Qingci nodded, then secretly breathed a sigh of relief, her heart finally at ease.
Not long after Physician Li left, a palace attendant entered and reported: "Your Majesty, Your Highness, General Huo requests an audience."
Huo Yunting.
Shen Qingci narrowed his eyes, a glint of light flashing in them.
She and Chu Jichen exchanged a glance, both of them revealing a knowing look in their eyes.
Huo Yunting arrived right after the incident at the palace tower; it seems this drama is far from over.
Chu Jichen leaned back in his wheelchair, his expression calm, and slowly spoke: "Summon."
Huo Yunting strode in from outside the hall, his posture upright and his steps hurried, with a hint of anxiety on his face.
Upon seeing Chu Jichen and Shen Qingci, he immediately knelt down on one knee, his voice booming: "This humble general greets Your Majesty and Your Majesty the Empress. After court just now, this humble general went to the Vermilion Bird Street outside the palace to check on the situation of conscripting soldiers to fight on the border of the Northern You Kingdom, in order to see if there was anything overlooked."
He paused, his expression growing increasingly concerned: "Before I even left, I heard that His Majesty was ambushed on the palace tower and had an accident!"
"This humble general was extremely worried and rushed back immediately. Your Majesty, are you alright?"
Before Chu Jichen could speak, Huo Yunting's expression turned serious, his aura instantly becoming sharp, and his eyes filled with killing intent: "His Majesty has been on the throne for several days, yet there are still people in the palace who intend to harm His Majesty. They are simply audacious!"
"This humble general suspects that, most likely, it is the remnants of the Liu faction who are causing trouble in the shadows! Or perhaps, it is a loyal follower left behind by the late emperor who intends to commit treason!"
"In my humble opinion, we must thoroughly investigate the palace! We must nip this in the bud and prevent similar incidents from happening again, so as not to disturb His Majesty and the Empress!"
Shen Qingci lifted her eyelids, glanced at Huo Yunting indifferently, and sneered inwardly.
She almost couldn't resist applauding General Huo.
Huo Yunting's performance was truly excellent, flawless.
He first used the excuse that he was inspecting conscription in the square outside the palace, which not only showed that he cared about national affairs, but also made it clear that he was not present, that he was innocent, and that he had a valid alibi.
He then bluntly stated that the matter was most likely the work of Liu Wenyuan's men, or even the late emperor's men, thus shifting the blame and further absolving himself of suspicion, making him appear utterly loyal.
Finally, it should be said that a thorough investigation of the palace should be conducted...
Each step is interconnected; shouldn't he volunteer next?
Sure enough, just as this thought crossed Shen Qingci's mind, she saw Huo Yunting cup his hands, raise his head, and look intently at Chu Jichen with a face full of loyalty and courage: "This humble general is willing to take the order to personally lead the troops to thoroughly search this palace!"
"This humble general will search high and low, leaving no stone unturned, and will not let any suspicious person or anything that should not exist in the palace go unpunished! I will restore a peaceful and tranquil palace for His Majesty and the Empress!"
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