Chapter 152 Even the Imperial Advisor Wants to Interfere in Marital Relationships?
Such a huge blunder left everyone feeling incredibly embarrassed.
Emperor Muzong's face burned with embarrassment, and his deep black eyes were filled with oppressive power. He barely managed to suppress his anger.
The imperial physicians present all held their breath, remaining silent as if afraid of incurring the emperor's wrath.
Sun Siqi, seemingly oblivious to the subtle tension, reported, "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has been bedridden for a long time, and his back and other areas are highly susceptible to rashes or acne. He should apply medicine promptly..."
Dou Wenyi suddenly knelt on the ground, tears welling in her eyes, and angrily accused, "I beg Your Majesty to do justice for the Crown Prince and your concubines, but the Imperial Preceptor spoke rudely and pressed me repeatedly. Isn't he just trying to say that the Crown Prince and I are being improper in broad daylight? Everyone says that people outside the secular world are pure and have few desires, but how could he possibly understand His Highness?"
“Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is seriously ill and there is no reason for him to be offended like this. I am not satisfied. I think the Imperial Preceptor does not want me to marry the Crown Prince and wants to take this opportunity to smear us. I beg Your Majesty to rescind your order. I would rather be a nun for the rest of my life than be slandered for no reason.”
Inside the tent, Pei Siyan's low, hoarse voice was very calm, "Father, I am a dying man. What does the Imperial Preceptor think I can do? Even if we really have something going on, it is a matter of marital relations. Does the Imperial Preceptor want to interfere in my private affairs?"
Emperor Muzong felt a lump in his throat and his face showed displeasure. He was increasingly annoyed by the Grand Preceptor's actions.
The Imperial Advisor felt a jolt in his heart, as if he were being pricked by thorns.
He hurriedly bowed and apologized, "It was I who overstepped my bounds, and I hope Your Highness will forgive me!"
He was too hasty and careless. He originally wanted to use Sun Siqi to expose the Crown Prince's pretense of illness, but he never expected that she would turn the tables on him.
Dou Wenyi deliberately used the 'affair of love and romance' to attract everyone's attention and trick him into falling into her trap. He thought he had victory in his grasp, but instead lost his composure, and even the trust he had painstakingly built with the emperor was shaken.
The Imperial Advisor suddenly calmed down; he couldn't let a little girl lead him by the nose any longer!
Pei Siyan's voice was icy, "Fine, I'll let it go if the Imperial Preceptor offends me, but the Crown Princess is, after all, a young woman. Or are you deliberately trying to make things difficult for her?"
Emperor Muzong asked in a deep voice, "Imperial Preceptor, is there any dissatisfaction with the Crown Princess?"
"Your Majesty, please forgive me. I have no complaints. It was all a misunderstanding." The Imperial Preceptor's hand, hidden in his sleeve, was almost clenched into a fist. He had no choice but to apologize to Dou Wenyi.
The head of the Imperial Medical Academy interjected at the opportune moment, "Aren't we supposed to be seeing the patient? The Crown Prince's illness isn't urgent. Why don't we wait until His Highness is dressed before continuing the consultation?"
The imperial physicians chimed in, "Yes, yes!"
Emperor Muzong was seething with anger. He led everyone out of the bedchamber, while Dou Wenyi naturally stayed behind.
Dou Wenyi hung up the curtains, and Pei Siyan had already sat up. His face was pale and he looked sickly, still wearing only a thin ivory-white undergarment.
He grabbed her hand.
Just half an hour ago, they were still in the same bed, lying neck to neck, with her head still in his arms. Now, she was at the forefront, protecting herself.
How could he not be tempted?
Dou Wenyi was always calm and composed, with a gentle yet resilient and decisive spirit. Even when facing an emperor or a national advisor, she was fearless.
How can you say she doesn't care about herself when she values herself so much?
"Your Highness...stop fooling around!" Dou Wenyi's ears turned slightly red, and she hurriedly pulled her hand away.
Soon, Emperor Muzong and his entourage entered the hall again. Pei Siyan coughed lightly, indicating that he was about to get out of bed to pay his respects.
The emperor immediately spoke up to stop him, saying, "Your Highness, there's no need for such formalities."
"Father, my clothes are disheveled. Please forgive my rudeness."
"It's alright!"
The Imperial Advisor's suspicious gaze swept over Pei Siyan and landed on the spacious bed. The bedding was neatly arranged, offering no way to hide anyone. Could it be his imagination...?
"Doctor Sun, why aren't you examining the Crown Prince yet?"
Pei Siyan's gaze was deep, and his tone was unfriendly, "Father, it seems that my illness is truly incurable. Anyone can treat it, is this some kind of desperate measure? Didn't he just take my pulse? Couldn't he figure it out?"
The emperor was speechless.
The Imperial Advisor explained, "Doctor Sun's medical skills are excellent, and he has an outstanding reputation among the people. Your Highness, do not disappoint His Majesty's painstaking efforts."
Pei Siyan's lips curled into a smile. "The Imperial Advisor's words are naturally trustworthy. By the way, a scout has reported that Xuanming has been located. The mystery of the Ministry of Justice should be solved soon."
Dou Wenyi's eyes gleamed with excitement as she exclaimed, "Is that the charlatan Your Highness was talking about? I heard from the Ministry of Justice that the person behind that assassin is Xuanming. I'd like to ask him why he wanted someone to kill me."
Memories of Xuanming were instantly rekindled, and everyone's expressions changed as they began to discuss the matter.
The Imperial Advisor immediately lost face.
When they mentioned Xuanming in a coordinated manner, weren't they indirectly criticizing him as the senior brother of a charlatan, and also a charlatan, and therefore untrustworthy?
The emperor's expression was somewhat grim. "We're discussing the illness now, why are we digressing like this? Doctor Sun, how is the Crown Prince's condition? Should we take his pulse again?"
Even if Sun Siqi was slow to realize, he had almost become a knife in the hands of the Grand Preceptor.
He carefully chose his words, “Your Majesty, it seems that His Highness the Crown Prince has a blood clot in his skull. If it is not resolved in time, his life may be in danger. He should especially avoid strenuous exercise and be extremely sensitive to stimulation.”
Sometimes, upon hearing these words, Emperor Muzong would look melancholy and sigh to himself, "Imperial Preceptor, didn't you say you wanted to perform a ritual?"
The Imperial Advisor cleared his throat. "There are many intricacies involved in holding an altar, and most importantly, Your Highness's cooperation is required..."
Dou Wenyi's brows furrowed with worry as she interrupted him, "Your Majesty, you absolutely mustn't! His Highness's health is currently weak; how can he withstand such an ordeal? If something were to happen to him, could the Imperial Preceptor bear the responsibility?"
“My mother and sister Mingyan used to believe in Master Xuanming’s magic. They were extremely devout and never missed offerings. They gave Xuanming a lot of benefits, but he was not effective at all.”
"My third sister inexplicably contracted a mental illness and has disappeared. I think Xuanming is just a charlatan who can't protect anyone at all!"
"Imperial Preceptor, your magical power is definitely stronger than your junior brother's. Can you help me find out where my third sister is?"
These words were too hurtful, and the emperor felt very uncomfortable hearing them.
Pei Siyan's expression was somber, but he raised an eyebrow slightly. "Imperial Preceptor, I have heard that any Taoist priest with superb magic can cure all diseases with just a bowl of talisman water? Imperial Preceptor, your magic power is boundless. I beg you to bestow medicine upon me! I will repay this life-saving grace handsomely."
Upon hearing this, the imperial physicians present were instantly thrown into a state of unease.
There are some Taoist doctors in the martial arts world who can cure some difficult and complicated diseases. The prince is seriously ill, how can a bowl of talisman water solve the problem?
"Your Majesty, please reconsider!"
"Is the talisman water really that powerful? We're about to have our eyes opened today."
"Grand Preceptor, please do not hold back your abilities. If you can cure His Highness, it will truly be a blessing for our Great Zhou!"
The Imperial Advisor's face turned ashen; he was caught in a dilemma.
They're really being unreasonable. When did he ever say he wanted to use 'talisman water' to cure the illness?
Even if he were to perform a ritual, it would only be to torment Pei Siyan. If even the Imperial Medical Academy couldn't cure him, how could he possibly do so himself?
If he can't be cured, does that mean he's just a charlatan who swindles people?
It's a classic case of trying to steal a chicken but losing the rice instead!
The Imperial Advisor said coldly, "If Your Highness cannot cooperate, then don't force yourself. After all, setting up an altar and performing rituals will consume your merits."
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