Chapter 335: Chapter 335
335 The Unexpected Turn of Events
Princess Anping anxiously asked, "What’s going on? Has the emperor awakened?"
A maid emerged from the bedchamber, her hair dripping wet, and the scent of medicine clinging to her.
After seeing the princess, she shook her head.
The princess and Duke Gong were immediately crestfallen. Song Renying, who had just arrived, froze on the spot upon seeing the maid shake her head, despair filling her heart.
Could it be that this disaster and upheaval are truly destined for the people of the Great Zhou Dynasty?
Zhao Zhitong followed behind, swallowing involuntarily, her eyes fixed on the chamber door, lost in thought.
At this moment, those members of the Xiao Clan who harbored ill intentions felt nothing but exhilaration.
Of course, Duke Gong Xiao Jing and Xiao Jinyi were exceptions.
They naturally held little affection for this female emperor, but Duke Gong was very likely to be the future crown prince.
They still needed the emperor to survive, to complete the crown prince’s investiture ceremony, so he could legitimately inherit the throne.
Just as Zhao Zhitong was staring at the door to the emperor’s bedchamber, she was seized by soldiers.
When Qiao Muchen and the others rushed over, this was the scene that greeted them...
Just as Zhao Zhitong was about to be dragged away, the door to the emperor’s bedchamber opened once more, and Gongsun Wan exclaimed excitedly, "She’s awake! The emperor is awake!"
The emperor had awakened. She could finally eat and take her medicine; her condition had essentially stabilized.
Zhao Zhitong’s medical skills were proven once again. Having healed the emperor this time, her title as the Divine Doctor carried even more weight.
The emperor, though suspicious and having dealt ruthlessly with the members of the Xiao Clan, was undeniably a wise ruler.
Indeed, as soon as she had recovered sufficiently, she began to attend to state affairs.
After addressing the matter of the King of Chu, she summoned Qiao Muchen to see her alone.
Looking at the emperor, who still bore clear signs of illness, Qiao Muchen saluted respectfully.
The emperor gestured with her hand for Qiao Muchen to stand, then asked, "I hear you did not pass this year’s imperial examination?"
Seeing Qiao Muchen nod, the emperor sighed. "Wen often speaks of you, full of unwavering praise. You must feel resentful for not making it onto the list?"
Qiao Muchen replied, "Your Majesty, at first, I found it hard to believe and even wondered if there had been a mistake. But only a moment later, I came to terms with it. A friend once told me that there are countless paths to seek the welfare of the common people. Regardless of the path, as long as one can serve the people, it is a valuable and meaningful endeavor."
The emperor listened to Qiao Muchen’s words, fell silent for a moment, and then suddenly laughed.
After laughing, she nodded in satisfaction. "A commendable mindset. No wonder Wen holds you in such high regard."
"Come, I have an essay here. Help me take a look at it."
As she finished speaking, she glanced at Gongsun Wan.
Gongsun Wan immediately handed the essay to Qiao Muchen.
After reading it, a flicker of surprise crossed Qiao Muchen’s face. He looked up at the emperor, puzzled. "Your Majesty, this is?"
The emperor did not answer his question but instead asked, "Does it seem familiar?"
Qiao Muchen nodded and replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, this is the essay I wrote for the imperial examination."
"However, this name..."
The emperor did not address Qiao Muchen’s confusion but had Gongsun Wan bring another essay for him to read.
Now, Qiao Muchen fully confirmed the suspicion he held in his heart.
His essay had been swapped!
The essay currently in his hand was not his writing, yet it bore his name!
And the previous essay, which was clearly his, bore Xiao Shangqing’s name.
The emperor smiled and said, "I actually discovered this long ago but removed your name from the list to test your character. It seems my judgment was not mistaken."
Later, Qiao Muchen learned the general course of events.
Originally, Xiao Shangqing had entered the examination hall with cheat sheets. However, an accident occurred, and the writing on a cheat sheet hidden in his clothes became illegible. If he had submitted his examination like that, he certainly wouldn’t have made the list. Meanwhile, Pei Shangqing—that imbecile—bribed an examiner, wanting to have his own essay swapped with someone else’s. The examiner, having been approached, then happened to see Qiao Muchen’s essay. Thinking it was exceptionally well-written and guaranteed to make the list, he swapped Qiao Muchen’s paper with Xiao Shangqing’s.
But what this examiner didn’t know was that Qiao Muchen was someone who had previously appeared before the emperor.
After the examination concluded, the emperor specifically requested to see Qiao Muchen’s essay. Upon reviewing it, she immediately noticed a problem.
This poorly structured, incoherent essay hardly seemed like something the previous top scholar could have written.
Thus, a swift investigation brought everything to light.
When Qiao Muchen walked out of the study in high spirits, he saw Zhao Zhitong and Zhao Yu standing outside the hall.
Then, Gongsun Wan called Zhao Zhitong and Zhao Yu to enter the hall together.
The emperor had summoned them, naturally, to reward them.
Zhao Yu, for stepping forward bravely and saving the emperor’s life, was granted the title of Commander of the Yingyang Guard by the emperor.
Zhao Yu was actually unclear about the official position, but after receiving a meaningful look from his sister, he quickly knelt and expressed his gratitude to the emperor.
The emperor smiled and dismissed him.
Afterward, only Zhao Zhitong remained in the hall.
The emperor then turned to Zhao Zhitong and said, "I heard that to save my life, you had someone remove all my clothes?"
As the emperor spoke, her tone betrayed neither anger nor pleasure.
However, Zhao Zhitong hurriedly knelt and pleaded for mercy, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I had no other choice."
The emperor asked with a stern face, "What crime have you committed?"
Zhao Zhitong replied, "Your Majesty, I used an unconventional method to treat you."
Hearing this, the emperor fell silent for a moment. Then, she suddenly laughed. "Look, you yourself said you did it to save my life. How can that be a crime?"
"Alright, get up. Am I so terrifying that you feel the need to kneel all the time?" Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭•𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮•𝘯𝘦𝘵
Zhao Zhitong naturally expressed her gratitude and rose.
No wonder Grandpa Bai always said, ’Serving a ruler is like living with a tiger,’ she thought, even as she outwardly offered praises to the emperor.
"You saved my life. What reward do you desire?" the emperor asked. "Are you willing to remain in the palace?"
Without a moment’s hesitation, Zhao Zhitong refused.
"Your Majesty, I am but a humble physician from the countryside and cannot presume upon your generous favor."
I thought the emperor would be angry, Zhao Zhitong mused. But unexpectedly, the emperor merely smiled. "You and Qiao Muchen are truly alike. I suspected you would refuse."
"Alright, I won’t force you. You may leave."
After expressing her gratitude, Zhao Zhitong withdrew from the great hall.
After Zhao Zhitong had departed, the emperor let out a long sigh.
Gongsun Wan, who was beside her, immediately said, "Your Majesty, since you seem to like Miss Zhao, why not keep her by your side?"
The emperor shook her head. "Having you is enough for me."
Saying this, she closed her eyes.
Gongsun Wan immediately stepped forward to massage the emperor’s temples and gently asked, "Your Majesty, are you tired?"
The emperor, with her eyes still closed, murmured in agreement, "Wan’er, it is fortunate that you are still by my side."
Gongsun Wan said softly, "Everything Wan’er possesses was bestowed by Your Majesty. Wan’er will forever follow Your Majesty."
Gongsun Wan’s declaration of loyalty seemed to soothe the emperor somewhat.
Evidently, the emperor was reminded of the King of Chu, Zhuo An, and others like them.
The King of Chu’s rebellion this time had truly grieved the emperor.