frightfiction Chapter 158 Wanting to Protect Her
Chapter 158 Wanting to Protect Her
"The Zhang family has gone too far in bullying people."
Xie Jinghan's brief remark aroused many doubts in the emperor's mind.
The emperor stared intently at Xie Jinghan for a moment, then asked in a low voice, "Are you truly concerned?"
He had also heard about the events at Prince Jing's residence.
—Especially the news that Xie Jinghan and Wen Shuyao are already living together.
Thinking of this, the emperor felt exceptionally good.
"Jinghan, have Physician Zhou go to the Prince's residence tomorrow to take your pulse." The Emperor smiled kindly, as if he had thought of something. "Physician Zhou's medical skills are superb; he will surely be able to cure your hidden ailment."
Xie Jinghan remained silent for a while after hearing this.
He hadn't expected that the emperor was still concerned about this matter.
"Your Majesty," he said helplessly, "you raised me, don't you know my health condition?"
But the emperor quickly waved his hand: "You've been away from the palace for so many years, how would I know how your health is? Besides... all these years, you've never had a woman by your side. Even if it's just a rumor, I can't help but be afraid."
"Jinghan, I only hope that you will have a house full of children and grandchildren." The emperor said earnestly, "Therefore, as long as your little princess can please you, I will not care how many outrageous things you do for her."
"What Consort Zhang said..." The Emperor scoffed lightly, "Just listen to it and forget about it."
How could he not know the little schemes that Consort Zhang and the Zhang family had? It was only because of their long-standing relationship and the fact that Consort Zhang could please him that he turned a blind eye.
But they shouldn't have taken their feelings for Xie Jinghan for granted.
"She's been living in the palace for so long, she's not very bright anymore." The emperor waved his hand. "She was only trying to rescue her sister, which is why she offended you."
"However..." the emperor frowned, "Is it really impossible to release the Duchess of Wen?"
These prominent families in the capital value their reputation more than their lives. If Lady Wen, the Duchess of Wen, spends a few days in prison, her reputation will likely be ruined. If it was just a minor mistake, this lenient punishment is a bit excessive.
Xie Jinghan said in a low voice, "My brother's wife has been bullied by her for many years and has been plotted against by her many times. Last time, because of my brother, the wife was kidnapped by thieves, and she deliberately slandered the wife's reputation."
"Her reputation is ruined," the Emperor said cautiously. "Does Shu Yaoruo still harbor resentment..."
"These are minor matters," Xie Jinghan said. "She doesn't care. It was because I wanted to protect her that I ordered people to take action."
“Moreover…” Xie Jinghan paused, and under the emperor’s gaze, said word by word, “The Zhang family might be a member of the Prince of Xin’s faction.”
Upon hearing this, the emperor's expression turned serious.
He stared intently at Xie Jinghan: "Are you sure about the Prince Xin?"
"It's almost certainly true," Xie Jinghan said. "There's something strange about the people in Prince Xin's mansion, and Prince Xin..."
"I will personally investigate the Prince Xin's residence tomorrow and then I will be able to give you a clear answer."
Upon hearing this, the emperor was not pleased; his first thought was of Xie Jinghan's safety.
"Now that it's confirmed, take your men and surround the Prince Xin's residence," the emperor said with a wave of his hand, "so as not to hurt you."
He never had any affection for a brother like Prince Xin.
But Xie Jinghan said quietly, "Doesn't Your Majesty want to know why Prince Xin used the bewitching flower unique to the Northern Barbarians as a mark? What is his relationship with the Northern Barbarians? How much of the court has been infiltrated by the Northern Barbarians?"
“Killing Prince Xin is very simple, but digging deep into the complex relationships behind him is very difficult.” Xie Jinghan said, watching the emperor’s expression gradually change.
"Your Majesty, should we still send troops to surround the Prince Xin's residence?"
Xie Jinghan raised an eyebrow and said teasingly.
The emperor waved his hand helplessly: "Then we'll proceed according to your plan."
“However, Prince Xin has been patient for so many years, and his strength is not weak. I will send Yingyi to help you.” The emperor said with concern, “You must not do what you did last time and rush into the enemy’s lair alone.”
“There are only a few dozen guards in the Prince Xin’s mansion,” Xie Jinghan replied after a moment’s thought. “And the Prince Xin’s mansion is only a small place. Even if there are hidden guards, there are at most a few dozen, which is enough to deal with the situation.”
Seeing Xie Jinghan's confidence, the emperor paused for a moment, then waved his hand and said, "Very well, but I will still have Yingyi meet you outside."
Xie Jinghan is usually too flamboyant, and there are many people who want his life in secret. Even with the emperor's protection, it is hard to guarantee that someone will not take the opportunity to do something underhanded. Therefore, he can only feel at ease if he sends the shadow guards over.
Xie Jinghan wanted to say something more, but when he met the emperor's worried gaze, he swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue.
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty." Xie Jinghan cupped his hands in greeting. "In that case, please send the Shadow Guard to the Prince Jing's residence tonight."
The emperor was finally satisfied.
Seeing that Xie Jinghan was about to leave, he called out to him again: "Go to the Imperial Hospital and bring Chief Physician Zhou to your residence."
Xie Jinghan was extremely helpless, but when he looked up, he met the emperor's undisguised worry. After a moment of silence, he could only nod and say, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
The emperor stroked his beard with satisfaction: "Tomorrow I will send someone to organize all the tiger penises and bear gallbladders in my private treasury and send them to your residence."
As if to allay Xie Jinghan's concerns, he whispered reassuringly, "Don't worry, I'll have Li Dehai deliver it; there won't be a single word leaking out."
He was quite pleased with his thoughtfulness and nodded from time to time.
Meeting the emperor's gaze, Xie Jinghan sighed and rubbed his forehead in exasperation.
In the end, he could only agree, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty."
He said this countless times, but the emperor always found it very pleasing.
"Don't be afraid to seek medical treatment," the emperor advised. "Zhou, the chief physician, is highly skilled. There is no disease he cannot cure. Over the years, I have had him see many patients with the same symptoms as you, and he has accumulated a lot of experience."
The more the emperor spoke, the more helpless Xie Jinghan became.
In the end, he practically fled in panic.
"Your Majesty, I still have much to do at Prince Xin's residence tonight, so I will take my leave now."
After saying that, he quickly left.
"Did you hear everything?" the emperor asked Li Dehai, who had returned. "Prepare everything as I said today and send it to the Prince's residence first thing tomorrow morning."
"Let the Empress choose some more jewelry and ornaments," the Emperor added, "to give to Princess Jing."
By using Wen Shuyao as a cover, no one will likely criticize Xie Jinghan behind his back.
With this thought in mind, the emperor felt satisfied again.
Li Dehai smiled and said, "Don't worry, this servant will be extremely careful."
No sooner had Xie Jinghan left than Zhou Yuanzheng arrived at Prince Jing's residence from the Imperial Hospital.
To avoid attracting attention, he even disguised himself.
But Si Qing recognized him at a glance. The two old acquaintances faced each other and both showed helpless smiles.
"Director Zhou, this way please."