Why is it still not working?
Lin Hao was stunned for a moment, her almond-shaped eyes widening.
Seeing her aggrieved expression, Mingxin Zhenren actually felt that the dream might not be a fabrication; otherwise, she wouldn't be so righteous in her distress.
Lin Hao's mind raced as she pondered the right words to persuade him.
"You need not say more. Go back."
"Teacher—"
Mingxin Zhenren waved his hand and picked up his teacup.
Seeing this, Lin Hao's lips parted, but in the end, she said nothing more.
She had said everything she needed to. If she couldn't convince her teacher, forcing the matter would only lead to annoyance.
"I shall take my leave. Please take care, Teacher." Lin Hao curtsied slightly and retreated with her head lowered.
The meeting between the two had not been long, but upon returning to his palace, Mingxin Zhenren fell into a prolonged silence, tossing and turning throughout the night.
According to what the young girl said, if he taught her the method to break the formation, he could still remain by Emperor Taian's side in the identity of Mr. Wang, and his safety would be guaranteed.
As for himself, his own safety had never been the priority. If he taught the girl the method to break the formation, it would be equivalent to abandoning his former master; that was the crux of the matter.
If he were determined to betray his former master, why involve a young girl? He could simply stand before Emperor Taian in his identity as Mingxin Zhenren.
The root of the problem was precisely the cause of his inner torment over the past several days.
Mingxin Zhenren possessed vast knowledge and a resilient nature, yet his mind grew increasingly chaotic because of this one meeting.
The sound of hurried footsteps approached.
"Mr. Wang, the Emperor summons you to the Imperial Study." An eunuch came jogging over, panting slightly.
At this hour, a summons to the Imperial Study likely meant that high-ranking officials had been called to discuss an urgent matter.
Mingxin Zhenren knew exactly what was happening; Emperor Taian's headaches had flared up again.
He followed the eunuch quickly toward the Imperial Study. As he reached the door, the pleading voices of ministers drifted into his ears.
"Your Majesty, please take care of your health!"
"Indeed, Your Majesty, the more critical the time, the more you must cherish your health..."
Following the eunuch's announcement, a weary voice drifted out: "Please come in."
Mingxin Zhenren entered and saw Emperor Taian leaning against the back of his chair, his complexion extremely poor.
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
Emperor Taian motioned for Mingxin Zhenren to come to his side.
Mingxin Zhenren walked over silently and moved behind Emperor Taian to massage his head.
As those hands pressed upon several acupoints, Emperor Taian's tightly furrowed brows relaxed slightly.
The ministers in the Imperial Study maintained a tacit silence to allow the Emperor a moment to recover.
Northern Qi, Yuliu, and the Former Emperor—this one-against-three situation brought distressing news almost every day. If the Emperor were to collapse under the pressure, the Great Zhou would be finished.
Yet, just as the ministers were thinking this, the distressing news arrived.
"Your Majesty, an urgent report—"
Emperor Taian snapped his eyes open: "Present it!"
The wax-sealed urgent report was immediately presented before Emperor Taian.
After opening it and scanning it quickly, Emperor Taian slammed the report onto the desk with a crash: "Insanity!"
Seeing that Emperor Taian was profoundly enraged, the ministers' expressions also soured. The Minister of War cautiously asked about the contents of the report.
Mingxin Zhenren stood right behind Emperor Taian, and the report slammed onto the table was clearly visible to him. With one glance, his expression changed. Fortunately, everyone's attention was focused on the report, and no one noticed.
Emperor Pingle's faction had gathered a significant number of troops in a short time, but they encountered desperate resistance when attacking the second city. Perhaps the heavy casualties sparked a rage; after finally breaking into the city, they carried out a massive slaughter of unarmed civilians, turning a relatively prosperous county town into a living hell.
The massacre of a city—
These words, when brought together, were like a thousand-pound boulder suddenly smashing into Mingxin Zhenren's heart, striking him without warning, leaving him shattered.
Inside the Imperial Study, the urgent and angry conversations between Emperor Taian and several high ministers continued.
Mingxin Zhenren's eyes were filled with the words on the report; he heard nothing until a cry of alarm rang out.
"Your Majesty, what is wrong?"
Emperor Taian leaned his hand on the desk, his face pale, eyes closed and unresponsive for a long while.
Seeing this, the Chief Eunuch Liu Chuan hurried to support him: "Your Majesty, let this servant help you lie down on the couch."
"No need." Emperor Taian waved his hand with eyes closed, but in the next moment, his body swayed and he collapsed sideways.
Several cries of alarm immediately erupted in the Imperial Study: "Your Majesty!"
Amidst the chaos, Emperor Taian was carried to the bed in the eastern chamber. Shortly after, two imperial physicians arrived in haste.
Like the ministers, Mingxin Zhenren was left outside to wait.
"What are we to do!"
"Those people are truly inhuman; it is no wonder Your Majesty is so grief-stricken."
...
Mingxin Zhenren felt as if he were isolated from the world; not a single word of these conversations entered his ears.
Inside the room was the Emperor, whose condition was unknown.
Mingxin Zhenren stared straight at the door, his expression shifting constantly.
After an unknown amount of time, an imperial physician walked out. The waiting ministers immediately surrounded him, inquiring about Emperor Taian's condition.
"His Majesty is suffering from accumulated grief and anxiety, and his anger has damaged his liver, compounded by a lack of sleep..."
In short, it was an ailment brought on by the exhaustion of war.
It didn't sound too dire. The ministers breathed a sigh of relief and prepared to enter and visit.
Liu Chuan stepped out from inside and blocked them: "You lords should return first."
Knowing this was the Emperor's wish, the men expressed their concern and retreated with bitter faces.
Mingxin Zhenren struggled internally and followed silently, but he was called back by Liu Chuan: "Mr. Wang, His Majesty's headache is severe. Please come in."
Mingxin Zhenren followed Liu Chuan inside and saw Emperor Taian leaning halfway against the headboard, his face pale. A palace attendant was retreating with a bowl of medicine that had already been drunk.
Normally, in such a situation, Mingxin Zhenren should have asked a concerned question, but he remained silent, to the point that even Liu Chuan couldn't help but give him an extra glance.
Perhaps because his mood was too foul or he was physically unwell, Emperor Taian did not notice the anomaly. His voice carried a deep exhaustion: "I must trouble Mr. Wang to massage me again."
Without a word, Mingxin Zhenren stepped forward and began massaging Emperor Taian's head.
Emperor Taian closed his eyes, and his deathly pale complexion improved slightly.
Mingxin Zhenren's technique was efficient and skilled, but his gaze remained almost fixed, showing a hint of absent-mindedness.
Liu Chuan couldn't help but look again, secretly wondering.
This Mr. Wang, who was becoming increasingly relied upon by the Emperor, usually maintained the air of an unfathomable master. What was wrong with him today?
To be so preoccupied with his own thoughts in front of the Emperor—he certainly had nerve.
Mingxin Zhenren withdrew his hands. Emperor Taian said faintly, "Thank you for your hard work."
At this point, Mingxin Zhenren should have taken his leave, but he did not move.
Emperor Taian finally sensed something was wrong and cast a questioning look at Mingxin Zhenren.
"Does Mr. Wang have something else?"
After a brief silence, Mingxin Zhenren spoke: "There is one matter I must report to Your Majesty."
"Please speak."
Once a man like Mingxin Zhenren made up his mind, he no longer hesitated. He said calmly, "This humble subject requires a basin of hot water."
Emperor Taian glanced at Liu Chuan.
Liu Chuan immediately arranged for an attendant to bring a basin, while another attendant held towels, scented soap, and other items.
Emperor Taian did not understand why, but he actually felt a bit more alert.
(End of Chapter)