Before the man could say a word, the imperial physician had already turned to ashes.
"Executing a court official without permission," someone murmured. "Could this be a demonic woman?"
"Senior, Physician Min has always been loyal to the king," another person said.
Loyal? Was this his so - called loyalty?
If Zhao Shuning's information was correct, it was probably Physician Min who had planted the seeds of the Love - forsaking Flower in Gu Zhiruo's body.
Moreover, when Qi Huan died, there had been a brief exchange of glances between the two of them.
Shortly after that, Physician Min had slowly withdrawn from the crowd and reappeared here a while later. Where had he gone?
He had gone to spread the news into the palace, hoping to cause chaos in the palace, make Gu Zhiruo lose her composure. In this way, even if Qi Huan was dead, Gu Zhiruo wouldn't get away with it.
Afterwards, even if Gu Zhiruo was lucky enough to survive, with the chaos in the palace, she wouldn't have the energy to deal with it. At that time, it would be much easier to get rid of her.
This was why Zhao Shuning had asked Luo Qiu to keep the news within the palace walls.
Whether it was Qi Huan's death or Gu Zhiruo's descent into madness, neither of these two pieces of news could reach the inside of the palace walls. The already panicked hearts of the people couldn't withstand any more tests.
"Physician Min is the most senior physician in the Imperial Hospital. He has treated so many difficult and complicated diseases," someone said.
"A doctor should save lives, but shouldn't use his position to plot against the king," Zhao Shuning retorted.
Plot against the king? Everyone looked at each other and then understood something.
"It is said that Physician Min had an old friendship with the Duke of Qi in his early years. I wonder if this news is true?" someone whispered.
Zhao Shuning said to the crowd, "Grand Tutor Xu, you are an old courtier. Now I will temporarily entrust you with the task of leading the court officials on behalf of Gu Zhiruo. I hope you won't let her down."
"I understand, young lady," Grand Tutor Xu replied.
"Elder Miao, I'm sorry to trouble you. We've just experienced a great battle, and I've just beheaded an old official from the Imperial Hospital. There are wounded people everywhere. You once worked in the Imperial Hospital, and you have the heart of a benevolent doctor. Now, I hope you can put aside your past concerns and treat the wounded in the palace, okay?"
Elder Miao looked around and then clasped his fists.
"Don't worry, young lady. Since I've promised to enter the palace with you and now such a thing has happened, I will never leave at this time."
Zhao Shuning nodded.
At this moment, Elder Miao's offer of help was just the right thing.
Even though he was illiterate, after this incident, his reputation in the capital would surely soar. Then he could smoothly stay in the Imperial Hospital, compile medical books, and pass on all his life's knowledge. This was Elder Miao's wish.
When Zhao Shuning had said that she could help Elder Miao re - enter the Imperial Hospital and compile his knowledge into books, he had never hoped for it. He had only regarded it as a dream that could never come true in his lifetime.
But unexpectedly, the young lady was so farsighted.
He had just entered the capital when this incident happened.
As long as he took good care of the aftermath of the palace coup and properly arranged for the wounded, what he had hoped for would surely come true.
Elder Miao stepped forward two steps.
"Thank you, young lady, for fulfilling my lifelong wish."
Zhao Shuning replied, "It's because of your benevolent heart as a doctor. You deserve all this."
She then gave some instructions to Xu Bin and handed Xu Yue'er to him.
At this time, Gu Zhiruo on the ground no longer looked as painful as before.
Zhao Shuning knew that the seeds of the Love - forsaking Flower in his body must be removed. For so many years, Gu Zhiruo had been suppressing the Love - forsaking Flower in his body but had never completely eradicated it. It was like a time - bomb. Only by removing it could they be at ease.
Of course, removing the seeds that had been in Gu Zhiruo's body for many years would surely be difficult.
She needed time.
So, the affairs of the State of Cangwu must be managed by someone within five days.
The grand tutor looked embarrassed.
"Just relying on this old official may not be enough. If the queen were still alive, perhaps it would be okay—"
Zhao Shuning looked at Xu Yue'er in Grand Tutor Xu's arms and smiled.
Xu Bin understood what Zhao Shuning meant and quickly shook his head. "Yue'er is not suitable for this."
"She has talent, courage, and strategy. Why do you underestimate her and not trust Miss Xu? I've never met Concubine Mei Xuan, so I don't know what kind of skills she has. But Miss Xu has a tenacity hidden in her bones that is no less than that of Concubine Mei Xuan."
Just like tonight. If Xu Yue'er were really a delicate young girl, she wouldn't have appeared within these palace walls full of fire and danger.
Moreover, it seemed that Xu Yue'er had feelings for Gu Zhiruo.
Zhao Shuning had just realized this.
Before, she had tried to sound out Xu Yue'er, but Xu Yue'er had never admitted it. She had guarded her heart so tightly that no one could pry into it. Zhao Shuning had almost been deceived by her.
But just now, from the way Xu Yue'er looked at Gu Zhiruo, Zhao Shuning could feel not only worry but also deep love in her eyes.
If Concubine Mei Xuan hadn't died, this secret might have been hidden deep in her heart forever.
"If Yue'er has feelings for Zhiruo and treats him sincerely, he will never let Miss Xu down."
Zhao Shuning walked to Gu Zhiruo's side and helped him up.
At this moment, Gu Zhiruo was on the verge of death.
But he could still feel the presence of the person beside him. After a battle with the inner demon and almost dying under the palace walls, he was in a complete mess, like a frightened fawn. But as long as he saw the woman in front of him, the only "relative" in his life, all his troubles seemed to disappear.
Gu Zhiruo managed to squeeze out a smile. His voice was full of exhaustion, but there was still a hint of surprise in his tone.
"Sister Ling—"
"Look at you, you've made yourself such a mess. Don't tell others in the future that you were raised by me, Ye Ling."
A faint smile appeared on Gu Zhiruo's face.
Zhao Shuning waved her hand, and the protective shields on the heads of the court officials disappeared instantly.
"Sister Ling— I, cough—"
"Don't worry. As long as I'm here, you won't die."
Zhao Shuning took Gu Zhiruo and left the fiery place near the palace walls.
She had found a secluded courtyard outside the palace these days, which would be a good place for Gu Zhiruo to recuperate.
"I know that as long as Sister Ling is here, the Lord of the Underworld won't take me," Gu Zhiruo said.
Zhao Shuning gave Gu Zhiruo a disapproving look.
Even at this time, this kid still had such a sweet mouth.
As for the court officials inside the palace walls, watching the king and Zhao Shuning leave, except for Grand Tutor Xu Bin, even the king treated that woman with such respect. They were all filled with doubts.
Who on earth was this extremely beautiful blue - clad woman who had suddenly appeared?
She was clearly not from the State of Cangwu, but why was she so respected by the king?