Painting Doctor Jinhua

Chapter 209: The Sensation Caused by the Dual Identity

"The prince said that he did not want an heir in the short term, and even if Xiao Jinyu was infertile, he would never divorce her!"

"The prince also said that he only likes this woman! He doesn't want anyone else!"

Upon hearing the news from the eunuch, Gao Zhan was so angry that he smashed the jade cup in his hand with a distorted face.

He Shikai hurried over to persuade him: "Your Majesty, don't get angry. Getting angry is harmful to your health!"

"I really can't stand him anymore!"

"Your Majesty, you are too kind to Prince Lanling. Your Majesty wants to let him go every time, but he never gives in!"

"Yes, I thought of promoting him to fight against those nobles because of our family ties and his loyalty, bravery and kindness. But he turned out to be so stubborn and repeatedly fought against me for a woman!"

"If I don't kill him, I will feel uncomfortable. But if I kill him, not only will the Queen Mother blame me, but the court officials will also blame me for killing loyal officials..."

"Your Majesty, as long as you don't do it yourself, isn't it all right? Just like you did to King Pengcheng before, let him die in an accident or from a sudden illness!"

King Gao Yu of Pengcheng was his fifth elder brother. He was a very upright person and never partial. During the Tianbao period, he was ordered by Emperor Wenxuan Gao Yang to take office in Sizhou. Before the deadline, he solved more than 500 old cases in a row. He would not let the criminals go just because of their noble status and high position. He was loved by the people for his fairness and strictness.

After he ascended the throne, this fifth brother was even more popular among the people, and the people's calls for him became louder and louder, making him more and more frightened. It was He Shikai who gave him an idea and bribed a group of bandits to kill him!

No one knows the truth of this matter to this day, and the court and the public are very sad about it. He also gave his fifth brother a particularly pleasant posthumous title - King Jingsi.

Thinking of this, Gao Zhan felt a little guilty, but soon turned into excitement.

"Yes, I don't need to do it myself, but..." His face suddenly darkened, "I'm afraid it's not easy to assassinate Lanling King. Even if I use poison, he still has Xiao Jinyu, the miracle doctor, by his side!"

"Then lure this miracle doctor away, and let the queen do it!"

"Your Majesty, Prince Lanling can be defensive against anyone, but he certainly won't be defensive against his own princess and the Queen Mother, so it's most appropriate for the Queen Mother to do this!"

"Then how can we lure this miracle doctor away? And how can we persuade the queen to take action?"

He Shikai stole a glance at Li Mi who was standing in the distance writing the daily records, winked at Gao Zhan, then leaned closer and whispered in a stealthy voice.

Li Mi frowned when he saw this from a distance, and the tip of his pen trembled a little as it touched the paper!

……

A day later, Gao Changgong received a letter from Li Mi. After reading the letter, he burned it in the fire. In order not to worry Xiao Jinyu, he pretended that nothing had happened.

Xiao Jinyu asked him what the Queen Mother had told him to say, and he just said it was about some family matters and that she was concerned about him, nothing else!

Xiao Jinyu stopped asking.

The entire Yecheng was still immersed in the joy and happiness of the New Year. After more than ten days, nothing special happened, as if Gao Zhan did not arouse her suspicion.

As the Lantern Festival was approaching, Xiao Jinyu once again received a letter from Xiao Xian, saying that they had arrived in Jinyang and would reach Yecheng soon.

Upon hearing that an old friend was coming from the south, Ah Xiu could not help but be overjoyed. Everyone in Prince Lanling's mansion was also happy, but there was a bit of worry hidden in their joy, especially Xie Yuxuan and Princess Liyang.

He originally wanted to escape, but Xiao Jinyu sent Ling Ye to investigate. Additional soldiers were sent to guard the Yecheng Post Station, and many people were lying in ambush on the street outside the Lanling Palace: people selling candy figures, people buying masks, and many vendors and peddlers were always keeping an eye on the Lanling Palace in Qidilifang.

"I never thought that after Lu Lingxuan's death, there were still so many spies and secret agents lurking in Ye City. I wonder who sent them?"

Xie Yuxuan asked, but saw that Xiao Jinyu was also preoccupied.

"Sister, why don't we go see the lanterns together? The lanterns of the Lantern Festival are so beautiful. I've seen them before when I was in Zhou State. I wonder how the lanterns in Yecheng are?" Xie Yuxuan said, holding her hand.

Xiao Jinyu smiled and nodded slightly. At this time, Ling Ye came over and reported to her: "Girl, I have prepared everything you asked me to prepare!"

"it is good!"

Ling Ye raised his hand and was about to leave, but seeing that Xiao Jinyu was worried, he wanted to ask something but finally stopped talking.

"Sister, what did you ask Ling Ye to prepare?"

Xiao Jinyu seemed not to hear her words, and only murmured, "Why hasn't Changgong come back yet?"

Xie Yuxuan looked dejected.

"Sister, you didn't hear me talking to you. Are you still worried about the prince? The prince has been going to the Queen Mother's Palace recently. I don't know what he is talking about."

"As the Queen Mother grew older, she became more and more eager to spend time with her family. During the New Year holidays, she would often summon her children and grandchildren to have dinner together."

This was the answer Gao Changgong gave her, but this answer made her feel vaguely uneasy.

……

"Isn't it time? While some of the nobles are still here, we should make a big fuss about this matter. That should be enough to kill them without a burial place, right?"

There was also a group of staff in He Shikai's mansion who gave him advice.

"I was originally the most favored person by His Majesty, and I have been serving him wholeheartedly all these years. Ever since Xie Zhen came to His Majesty's side, His Majesty has trusted her instead of me!"

"Now is the time! The opportunity has come! As long as Xie Zhen's true identity is exposed, those nobles who are already very dissatisfied with Xie Zhen's high position at such a young age will definitely take this opportunity to punish her for abusing her power as a woman!"

"It's better to compare her to Empress Dowager Feng of the Northern Wei Dynasty, who wanted to use Gao Changgong to usurp the throne!"

"In this case, even if Your Majesty wants to protect her, he won't be able to do so, right?"

When He Shikai said this, his eyes flashed with lust again and he rubbed his hands secretly again.

"However, this woman is so beautiful! If I could turn her into dust, I would be able to taste her beauty..."

"Lord He, don't be tempted by her beauty at this time. It's best to make her lose power as soon as possible! Without her by the emperor's side, our next plan will be possible!"

He Shikai turned his gaze to this new aide, who was actually not his aide, but an old acquaintance!

He is Mu Ti Bo, the son of Lu Lingxuan!

As the saying goes, a centipede will die only after it has become stiff. This woman Lu Lingxuan still has some tricks up her sleeve even after her death!

If he had not learned Xie Zhen's secret from her suicide note, how could he dare to say in front of Gao Zhan with such certainty that Xie Zhen was the Princess of Lanling!

"Do you think the white rainbow will really appear?"

"Last time this woman said when it would rain, and it did. Can she predict such a mysterious phenomenon accurately?"

"Whether it's true or not, we can just use her words 'A comet appears, a national crisis' to explain the situation, isn't that enough?"

"The appearance of a comet is a sign of getting rid of the old and starting over. A new emperor should appear, and the crown prince should take the throne!"

……

Two days later, a new wave of rumors arose in Yecheng. Because the rumor was so shocking and spread so quickly, even Wei Xiaokuan, who was good at spreading espionage and was still guarding Yubi Town, heard the news.

"Is it true? Could this rumor be true? That Minister Xie is actually a woman?"

"Not only is she a woman, but she is also the Princess of Lanling, who was once famous for her superb medical skills. She is also the Xiao family girl who promised that all poor scholars in the world could enter the Xiao family school!"

"No wonder... No wonder she is so good at medicine and gave me a bottle of medicine!"

"That's such a pity! Such a talented and manly lady is rare in the world. I wonder if those nobles in Qi who only care about enjoying themselves will tolerate her?"

"If we can't let her go, wouldn't it be better? We can just capture her and bring her to our Zhou Kingdom. Apart from anything else, the good medicine she makes will be extremely beneficial to our soldiers!"

"Yes! That's right!" Wei Xiaokuan frowned, then relaxed his brows. "Give me pen, ink, paper and inkstone. I will immediately write a letter to His Majesty the King of Zhou, and another letter to the Emperor of Qi!"

……

Not only did Yubi City get the news, but even Jinyang was in an uproar, like a boiling pot.

"So this Xie Zhen is actually a woman. This is outrageous. A woman dreams of interfering in government affairs like Empress Dowager Feng. Fortunately, the decrees issued by Your Majesty have not been implemented yet. Otherwise, wouldn't our Great Qi be in chaos at the hands of a woman?"

"That's right. I heard that His Majesty wants to take her into the palace. This is simply a Daji who brings disaster to the country and the people!"

Several nobles were sneering and talking wildly there, when suddenly a long spear came and blew off the helmets of several people, almost blowing off their skulls!

These people were so scared that they screamed and yelled at the person who came: "Murong Jue, what are you doing? Are you crazy?"

Phoenix's eyes were red: "It is precisely because of corrupt and ungrateful parasites like you that the Great Qi is gradually heading towards destruction!"

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

Several nobles shouted:

"Do you know how many people will die from a plague?"

"Do you know how much military supplies and medicines she asked King Hejian to bring to the last battle of Mangshan? Only then did our soldiers in Jinyang not suffer from frostbite in winter, cold and hunger!"

"You also know that it was she who brought several carts of baggage from Yecheng all the way to Luoyang without stopping. Before the Zhou army arrived, she delivered those military supplies to Luoyang and replenished Luoyang's granary. That's how General Dugu held out for more than half a month until the reinforcements arrived!"

When Fenghuang said this, she felt a little excited, and also a little fascinated by the past.

"I used to practice medicine with her and cured many injured and suffering people. She once gave many people hope in life. Is she such a person? Just because she is a woman, should she endure all your abuse and even heart-breaking words?"

"You say she is Daji, has she ever harmed you?"

When the question reached this point, several nobles all lowered their heads, speechless with shame: Not only that, it seems that we even have a favor!

"But she is a woman after all! How can a woman be an official in the court and hold the position of prime minister?"

Some people asked unwillingly, and at this time, Duan Shao came over.

"Grand Commander Duan!"

Several nobles and soldiers stood up to salute.

Duan Shao stepped forward and said, "General Wu Yi is right. We cannot deny her talent and her kindness to us just because she is a woman. We should repay a drop of kindness with a spring of gratitude. Her kindness to us is more than just a drop of kindness!"

"Someone spread this rumor in order to use us to punish her and put her to death!"

"Putting a benefactor to death is something that a general like us would never do."

Duan Shao's words made all the soldiers bow their heads in shame, and the nobles who had been howling just now dared not say a word anymore.

At this time, Fenghuang knelt down to Duan Shao and begged, "General Duan, please allow me to go to Yecheng!"

"Are you afraid she's in danger and want to save her?"

"Yes!"

Duan Shao sighed lightly, without any doubt, and said:

"Murong Jue, I allow you to take a group of people to Yecheng and save her life in my name! And by the way, write a letter to His Majesty!"

Never thought that he would be allowed to bring people with him. Fenghuang looked up in surprise and said, "Yes!"

"How many people do you want?" Duan Shao asked.

"Prince Lanling broke through the formation with 500 knights, and I only need 500 men! I will only ensure her safety and will not cause any trouble for the Grand Commander!"

"it is good!"

……

In the residence of the General in Chang'an, Dugu Luo was shocked when he heard the news. He knelt down in front of Dugu Xin and asked for help.

After hearing those rumors, Dugu Jialuo was right about everything that had happened.

"The nobles of Qi are the best at taking advantage of others' misfortunes. Moreover, there are villains like He Shikai around your majesty. If the rumors continue to spread, the situation will be very bad for her!"

"What should we do? Sister, you said you would help her!"

"I did say I would help her, but the only help we can give her is to bring her to Zhou when she has no place to stay in Qi!"

"We will send someone to rescue her! So, just wait for good news!"

……

Because the rumor spread so widely, Xiao Xian, who was rushing to Yecheng, also heard the news on his way.

This diplomatic mission to Qi State was requested by him at the initiative of Chen Xu, the God of Chen State. Among the envoys traveling with him was the Right Guard General Xiao Mohe.

He also brought Shi Niang Xiao Ruoling.

"What should we do? Uncle Qi, I didn't expect that my sister's identity has been exposed before we even arrived in Yecheng!"

Xiao Ruoling was so anxious that tears welled up in her eyes. Xiao Xian just clenched his fists secretly, and after a moment's hesitation, he comforted Shi Niang and said, "Don't worry, let's hurry to Yecheng, and everything will be fine!"

"I didn't expect Uncle Seven to have predicted this time. Sister is too famous and powerful, and there are always some evil spirits who want to harm her!"

In fact, ever since hearing the news that Zhou had declared war on Qi, Xiao Xian had requested Emperor Chen Xu to send troops to support the country. However, Chen Xu refused on the grounds that Jiankang in the south was far away from Luoyang in Qi and that distant water could not quench a nearby fire. So Xiao Xian volunteered to go on a diplomatic mission to Qi. Chen Xu also felt that he had broken his promise, so he agreed to Xiao Xian's request and sent Xiao Moha to follow him!

Three days later, the delegation he led finally arrived in Yecheng.

At that time, Xiao Jinyu had been summoned to the Taiji Palace by an imperial edict.