novelaction Chapter 1322 Holding a grudge
Chapter 1322 Holding a grudge
Just then, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the door. The captain of the guards pushed the door open and entered, his expression solemn: "Your Majesty, the Minister of Rites, along with several ministers, are requesting an audience outside the palace gates, saying they have important matters to report."
Zhan Xuan frowned. He knew that what was coming had finally arrived. He got up and tucked Ye Li in, saying softly, "You should rest well. I'll be right back."
Ye Li tugged at his sleeve, her eyes filled with worry: "Your Majesty, don't get angry with them, and don't take their words to heart."
He knew Zhan Xuan's temper; he was easily angered and feared that Zhan Xuan might suddenly go on a killing spree, at which point the entire court of Li Kingdom would oppose him.
Zhan Xuan turned around, gave him a reassuring smile, then turned and walked out of the room. The gentleness around him vanished instantly, replaced by the majesty and coldness of a monarch.
Outside the palace gate, the Minister of Rites, along with several ministers dressed in court robes, stood bowing in the snow, their expressions solemn.
Upon seeing Zhan Xuan approach, he spoke first: "Your Majesty, today is your wedding day, yet you have spent the entire night in the dungeon, neglecting the Queen. I cannot stand idly by in this matter. In order to stop the people from gossiping, I urge Your Majesty to prioritize the greater good and go to the Queen's palace immediately."
Zhan Xuan's gaze swept over the crowd, his tone icy: "When did it become your business to interfere in my private affairs?"
“Your Majesty, we are not interfering in Your Majesty’s private affairs,” the Minister of Rites raised his head, his expression resolute. “The Queen is the chieftain of the witch clan and Your Majesty’s lawfully wedded Queen Mother. Your Majesty’s neglect of her is to show contempt for those foreign tribes and for the people of the world. The court of Li Kingdom is already in turmoil. If Your Majesty continues to act so willfully, it may trigger internal strife!”
"Internal strife?" Zhan Xuan sneered. "Is Minister Qin threatening me?"
"Your Majesty, I dare not," Minister Qin bowed and said, "I only implore Your Majesty to prioritize the well-being of the nation, appease the Queen, and stabilize the court."
Zhan Xuan knew that Minister Qin was telling the truth. Pang Qiang's status was a symbol of powerful clans, and if she were to be neglected, those clans would be very angry.
The Kingdom of Li would then be plunged into turmoil. But he couldn't let Ye Li suffer for the sake of the throne.
He pondered for a moment, then said in a deep voice, "Minister Qin, I know it is my fault that the Queen has been neglected. But today, Ali was just assassinated and his injuries have not yet healed, so I am really worried. Tomorrow, I will definitely go to the Queen in person to apologize."
Minister Qin frowned, about to say something, when the Minister of Revenue stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, Ye Li has been falsely accused of assassinating the Queen. This matter has not yet been investigated, yet Your Majesty is so biased towards him. This will surely discourage the people of the world! I beg Your Majesty to hand Ye Li over to the Court of Judicial Review for interrogation, so as to set the record straight."
"Outrageous!" Zhan Xuan shouted angrily, "Ali was framed. I have already investigated and found that he has nothing to do with this. Anyone who dares to mention handing him over for interrogation again, don't blame me for being impolite!"
The Minister of Revenue was so frightened that he trembled and quickly bowed and stepped aside.
Minister Qin sighed, "Your Majesty, Young Master Ye's identity is special. You'd better not keep him by your side, otherwise, there will never be peace in the court!"
A fierce glint flashed in Zhan Xuan's eyes. He would never let Ye Li go, even if it meant giving up the throne of Li Kingdom, he would keep him.
Zhan Xuan spoke in an icy tone: "I will say it one last time, Ye Li is my good brother. He has saved me from danger time and time again. As long as I am the king of Li Kingdom, he will be the Grand Preceptor Ye. No one can object. Otherwise, they will be killed without mercy!"
After saying this, he ignored everyone and turned to return to the palace.
Just then, a guard rushed over, looking panicked: "Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! Lord Ye's condition is not good. The imperial physician says his injuries have worsened, and he may not live past tonight!"
Zhan Xuan's heart tightened, and he could no longer care about the others. He took off running towards the dungeon.
Minister Qin watched his retreating figure, shook his head helplessly, and said to the ministers beside him, "Gentlemen, let's leave it at that for today. We have all seen His Majesty's affection for Young Master Ye, but we only hope that His Majesty will prioritize the well-being of the nation in the future!"
Everyone nodded, bowed, and withdrew. In the snow outside the palace gate, only a series of footprints of varying depths remained, gradually being covered by the white snow under the moonlight.
When Zhan Xuan rushed into the cell, Ye Li had already fainted, his face as pale as paper, and the blood at the corner of his lips stained his plain white clothes.
The imperial physician was kneeling beside the bed, examining him with a solemn expression.
"How is it?" Zhan Xuan grabbed the imperial physician's wrist, his tone urgent.
The imperial physician quickly bowed and said, "Your Majesty, Young Master Ye's injuries were already severe, and his emotional distress caused his wounds to rupture and his blood and qi to attack his heart. I have already given him acupuncture, which has temporarily stabilized his condition, but whether he can wake up depends on his own will."
Zhan Xuan's heart sank. He sat on the edge of the bed, holding Ye Li's cold hand, his eyes filled with heartache and self-reproach. If it weren't for him, Ah Li wouldn't have suffered this misfortune.
"Ali, wake up," Zhan Xuan called his name softly, his voice choked with emotion. "I promise you, I will protect you and never let you suffer any more injustice. Please wake up."
Ye Li seemed to hear his call; his eyelashes fluttered slightly, but he didn't open his eyes. Zhan Xuan held his hand tightly, as if that would transfer his strength to him.
Having not slept a wink all night, Zhan Xuan stayed by Ye Li's bedside, never leaving his side. Just as dawn was breaking, footsteps sounded outside the hall; it was Lin Yiwan arriving with Zhan Miao.
She asked with concern, "What happened? Is Ali not doing well?"
Zhan Xuan's forced composure suddenly crumbled, and he knelt on the ground with a thud, saying, "Mother, please save Ali! If anything happens to him, I don't want to live anymore!"
Zhan Miao's eyes immediately reddened. She reached out and grabbed Zhan Xuan's arm, saying, "Second Brother, what are you saying? Ye Xiaoli is very lucky. He will be alright!"
Zhan Xuan burst into tears, sobbing as he said, "I've never been afraid of anything in my life. Even when I was surrounded and killed by the enemy on the battlefield, I was never afraid. But seeing him lying so weakly on the bed makes me uneasy. I'm afraid he'll never open his eyes again and will never call me 'Boss Xuan' again!"
A complex expression flashed across Lin Yiwan's face. It was the first time she had ever seen her brave and invincible son so nervous.
She frowned and said, "You are the Queen of Li Kingdom, please wipe away your tears!"
Zhan Xuan nodded hurriedly: "Then Mother, please treat Ali's injuries quickly!"
Lin Yiwan first examined his wound and found that his flesh was severely rotten.
No wonder he was burned unconscious; his injuries were truly severe.
She quickly removed the rotten flesh from him and then sprinkled hemostatic powder on it.
About half an hour later, Ye Li finally woke up slowly.
He looked around blankly, and after a moment he spoke weakly, "Madam Hou, I dreamt of my mother. She came to apologize to me. She said she missed me very much and wanted to take me away!"