Qin Shi: I went astray in the Heavenly Sect

Chapter 189 The Conflict Begins, Li Huan Awakens
"Xiang Liang!"

Inside the royal palace of the Chu Kingdom, Li Yuan's voice turned somber.

To some extent, the Xiang clan was his biggest obstacle in the state of Chu.

If it weren't for the existence of the Xiang clan, Mi Hao and Mi Fuchu would have been dealt with by him long ago.

"General Xiang Liang!"

When Mi Fuchu saw Xiang Liang, he also came over and greeted him.

"Lord Lingyin, Lord Fuchu."

Xiang Liang naturally recognized the two people in front of him. When they came over to greet him, he nodded slightly in return.

"The General heard that Ms. Nian Duan from Jinghu Medical Clinic has arrived and wishes to meet her."

Xiang Liang didn't beat around the bush; he went straight to the point.

Upon hearing this, both Mi Fuchu and Li Yuan were taken aback.

Why does Xiang Yan want to see Nian Duan?

Different perspectives inevitably lead to different views on a matter.

The arrival of Nian Duan was more of a disadvantage than an advantage for Mi Fuchu and Mi Hao, since it was the two brothers who orchestrated the affair of Empress Dowager Li Huan.

However, for Li Yuan, it was a case of more advantages than disadvantages.

Xiang Yan's sudden intervention, demanding to see this Immortal Physician of Mirror Lake, left both of them somewhat bewildered.

Previously, Mi Fuchu had been planning that if this Immortal Physician of Mirror Lake truly didn't know when to advance or retreat, he wouldn't mind making the other party disappear from the world completely.

However, the ambiguous attitude of the Xiang clan at the moment has left him undecided. If this Immortal Physician of Mirror Lake really catches the eye of the Xiang clan, then his future plans will have to be reconsidered.

As for Li Yuan, his expression immediately turned cold after hearing Xiang Liang's words.

Now that Nian Duan's fate concerns Empress Dowager Li Huan and his own life, the Xiang clan has suddenly appeared and wants to take him away. He will never agree to that.

"Mr. Nian Duan enjoys a high reputation in the medical community. His medical skills are superb. He is currently examining the Empress Dowager. I believe that a result will be available soon."

Li Yuan stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the Empress Dowager's room, his tone turning somber.

Upon hearing this, Xiang Liang's gaze immediately turned to the room before him, a strange light suddenly appearing in the depths of his eyes. If this Immortal Physician of Mirror Lake truly lived up to his name, then he would surely be able to discern the clues about the Empress Dowager.

But that result...
Thinking of this, Xiang Liang's fists, hanging by his sides, clenched quietly. One of the important factors that kept the Chu Kingdom in its current state without chaos was that the conflicts between various factions in the court had not been brought to the forefront.

If Nian Duan were to reveal his discovery to the public soon, the relatively stable situation in Shouying City would certainly be disrupted. The struggle between Ling Yin Li Yuan, the two royal uncles, and the King of Chu would likely be brought to the forefront, causing chaos in Shouying City and inevitably affecting the situation in the State of Chu.

This is not what they want to see.

At this thought, several ideas flashed through Xiang Liang's mind, and he even prepared to take the person away without giving them a chance to speak if things went wrong.

"General Xiang Liang, may I ask why the Great General wishes to see Master Nian Duan?"

The waiting time was always anxious. After a moment of silence, Li Yuan asked again.

Hearing someone ask a question, Xiang Liang subconsciously looked up and saw that it was Li Yuan. Xiang Liang frowned, and then he caught a glimpse of Mi Fu Chu looking over at the same time. He smiled coldly to himself.

Is this an attempt to find out what they're thinking?

It seems that several events centered around Empress Dowager Li Huan conceal unknown secrets.

"Lord Magistrate, please be careful with your words."

"Why the General wants to see Mr. Nian Duan is none of your business."

Although Xiang Liang's tone remained unchanged, his words still caused subtle changes in the expressions of everyone present except for members of the Xiang clan, including Mi Fuchu, who came from the royal family of Chu.

The meaning of the words is very simple and not difficult to understand: Xiang Yan wants to see Nian Duan, but there is no need to explain to everyone present why she wants to see her.

In other words, the Xiang clan doesn't need to explain their actions to anyone.

The domineering tone revealed between the lines was completely undisguised; the impact of those words was as strong as a slap in the face.

Upon hearing this, Li Yuan tried his best to restrain himself, but his face immediately darkened.

"General Xiang Liang, it was I who invited Nian Duan to treat the Empress Dowager's illness!"

Li Yuan spoke in a low voice, and the magistrate emphasized the words "Empress Dowager" and "treatment."

"so what?"

Mi Fuchu stood to the side, his eyes flashing wildly.

The scene before him was somewhat unexpected. The Xiang clan's attitude this time was unexpectedly tough, which was quite different from the Xiang clan's usual style.

Since the Xiang clan was determined to get involved in this matter, Li Yuan decided not to back down any further.

Nian Duan's fate was not only related to his younger sister, Empress Dowager Li Huan, but also to his own life.

"If something happens to the Empress Dowager because Master Nianduan cannot arrive in time, can you, General Xiang Liang, bear the consequences?"

Xiang Liang stood there quietly, listening to Li Yuandi's questioning.

The man didn't get angry; instead, he laughed.

"Lord Lingyin, there may be a mistake. The General only said he wanted to see Master Nianduan, but he didn't say how. Lord Li, why are you so nervous? Do you have a problem with the General? Or do you have a problem with me, Xiang?"

His smile was faint, but it gave the impression that he was hiding a knife behind it. Clearly, this son of General Xiang Yan was angry.

Upon hearing this, everyone present felt a chill run down their spines and knew something was wrong.

In this verbal exchange, Li Yuan did not seem to have the upper hand, and because of his turbulent emotions, Xiang Liang took advantage of his weakness.

Li Yuan also inwardly cried out in alarm. Xiang Liang was right. He had only said that Xiang Yan wanted to see Nian Duan, and hadn't said anything else. It was only because Nian Duan was too important to him and Li Huan that he had lost his composure for a moment.

"General Xiang, please forgive me. That was not what I meant. I only misspoke because I was concerned about the Empress Dowager. But the Empress Dowager's condition can no longer be delayed. General Xiang Liang should know this, right?"

Faced with such a powerful Xiang Liang, Li Yuan had no choice but to back down for a time. Of course, it wasn't entirely surrender; his last words revealed his determination: if the Xiang clan insisted on doing this, then he, Li Yuan, would not stand idly by and wait to die.

Although Xiang Liang came from a military background, he was very perceptive and naturally understood the unspoken message from Li Yuan.

With the Chu Kingdom in turmoil, he didn't want to escalate the situation further. Moreover, this time, Xiang Yan only said he would bring Nian Duan back and didn't say he would interfere in the royal family's disputes. Therefore, upon hearing this, he didn't continue the conversation.

However, at this moment, everyone present couldn't help but secretly observe the young general from the Xiang clan in the arena.

He possessed the heart of a tiger yet the gentle touch of a rose—this perfectly describes him. He held his own against civil officials like Li Yuan in verbal sparring, and was also a seasoned general on the battlefield. One could say that he truly deserved to be a member of the Xiang clan.

Inside the room, the Mirror Lake Physician was not idle either. He held silver needles in his hand and moved them up and down on the Empress Dowager's body, his gaze very calm.

Looking at her master's expression, Duanmu Rong couldn't help but feel admiration. As a doctor, she had witnessed too many life and death situations, and the struggle with death was the most intense battle for a doctor.

As her master, Nian Duan had saved people from the brink of death several times. This composure and calmness in the face of danger was something the girl admired. She wondered when she would be able to have the same mindset as her master and turn the tide in the midst of a crisis.

"Hu~~"

After a while, Nian Duan let out a long breath, as if the huge weight on his heart had been lifted. Empress Dowager Li Huan's situation was different from Li Yuan's; she had already stepped into the gates of hell.

"Wow!!"

Suddenly, Empress Dowager Li Huan leaned back, then abruptly opened her eyes, leaned over the bedside, and vomited a mouthful of black blood along with a scream.

The people standing outside the door all changed color upon hearing the commotion coming from inside.

"Master Nianduan, what happened to the Empress Dowager?"

Li Yuan stepped forward, arrived at the door, and asked anxiously.

As for Mi Fuchu and Xiang Liang, their gazes also turned over. Xiang Liang had even secretly given his subordinates a look, telling them to be prepared. In case things changed, he planned to get the person out first.

"Rong'er, go open the door first!"

A moment later, Di Nianduan's voice came from inside the room. Hearing this, everyone present felt relieved, as the situation did not seem as bad as they had imagined.

"Yes, master!"

Footsteps gradually approached, and Li Yuan took a few steps back. Soon after, the door to the room opened.

Then, Murong spoke up to remind everyone, "The Empress Dowager has woken up, but she is still very weak and should not be disturbed by outsiders. If any of you gentlemen have anything to say, please come in. As for the others, please stay outside."

Upon hearing this, Xiang Liang, Li Yuan, and Mi Fuchu were all surprised. They were the three who knew about Li Huan's condition and thought there was no hope of recovery. But now it seemed that the outside world had underestimated this Immortal Physician of Mirror Lake.

The three men exchanged a glance and filed in. They saw the woman on the bed talking to another woman. The three men quickly approached and greeted her. "Your subjects Li Yuan, Mi Fuchu, and Xiang Liang pay their respects to the Empress Dowager."

Hearing the sound beside him, Li Huan subconsciously looked over.

When she saw the three people, her gaze became extremely complicated. She had already learned from Nian Duan that her elder brother, Li Yuan, had invited the Immortal Physician of Mirror Lake because he couldn't bear to see her fall ill.

If it weren't for Nian Duan's superb medical skills, I probably would never have woken up again.

As for the other two, she was quite familiar with them. One was Mi Fuchu from the royal family, who had always had a problem with her over the years. The other was Xiang Liang from the Xiang clan. What made her curious was that the Xiang clan usually did not interfere in the affairs of the royal family. The harem was, in theory, a matter within the royal family. Why had this person come to the palace today?

"Master Nian Duan's medical skills are superb, his hands can bring the dead back to life. I was fortunate enough to escape this calamity and did not die. Do you think it is a pity, Lord Fu Chu?"

These words caused the people in the room to pause in surprise.

Li Huan's words were completely undisguised, directly targeting this royal uncle from the Chu royal family.

"What does the Empress Dowager mean by this?"

"When have I ever had such a rebellious thought? Now that Master Nian Duan has miraculously brought you back to health, I am overjoyed!"

Mi Fuchu's face darkened. He hadn't expected Li Huan to publicly attack him. But one thing he was certain of was that he hadn't personally orchestrated Li Huan's theft of the poison. So even if it was discovered, it wouldn't be his fault. Therefore, he could withstand Li Huan's sarcasm.

"hehe!"

Li Huan smiled coldly. These words sounded better than her singing, but she was no innocent girl who couldn't distinguish right from wrong.

"I don't want to see you, get out!!"

Upon hearing this, Mi Fuchu clenched his hands tightly within his sleeves. Li Huan's blatant disrespect had left him momentarily embarrassed. Fortunately, he had anticipated Li Huan's reaction, so upon hearing Li Huan's words, Mi Fuchu offered a slight bow.

"Since Your Majesty does not wish to see me, then I shall take my leave."

Seeing the other person leave, Li Huan's gaze fell on Xiang Liang.

"Xiang Liang, if I remember correctly, you should be the son of General Xiang Yan, right?"

Xiang Liang cupped his hands and replied in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, my father is indeed a Grand General."

Li Huan did not want to provoke the Xiang family. She was well aware of who was stronger and who was weaker in this country.

"I wonder what brings General Xiang Liang to see me today?"

Li Yuan stood aside, giving a cold smile. A hint of sarcasm flashed through his mind. Xiang Liang didn't give him face outside, but he didn't believe that the young general would still be so fearless now that he had met the Empress Dowager.

"The General wishes to see Mr. Nian Duan."

Xiang Liang didn't beat around the bush; after a moment of silence, he got straight to the point again.

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Li Huan responded with an "oh," and the answer that Xiang Yan wanted to see Nian Duan was somewhat unexpected to her.

"Why does the General wish to meet with Master Nianduan?"

Having witnessed Nian Duan's superb medical skills, Li Huan naturally did not want him to leave at this time. Moreover, she still needed him to continue treating her, as the poison had not yet been cleared.

“My father only told me to see Master Nianduan, but did not say why.”

Xiang Liang naturally knew why he wanted to see Nian Duan, and Xiang Yan had told him the whole reason, but he couldn't possibly reveal that reason.

Upon hearing this answer, Li Yuan was taken aback, and then his eyes flickered as he pondered whether what Xiang Liang said was true or false.
Just as the other party said before, it's not my business why Xiang Yan wants to see this Master Nianduan. Does that mean the other party doesn't know either?
For some reason, Li Yuan then looked at Nian Duan, who was standing next to Li Huan. This medical master from Jinghu Medical Manor seemed to be quite old. Logically speaking, someone of his age should have already been married and had children.

However, according to information obtained from the martial arts world, this master seems to be unmarried, let alone having children.

He had only been in Shouying City for a short time when Xiang Yan sent someone to visit him. He simply did not believe there was no other reason behind this.

But what exactly was it? He couldn't guess for a moment.

Recalling what Xiang Liang had said earlier, the magistrate was filled with speculation. It seemed that Xiang Yan only wanted to see the other party and had no other intentions. If that was the case, then what was the relationship between the two?
The most plausible explanation for a man's eagerness to see a woman isn't actually what he initially thought. Now that he's calmed down, he realizes his initial guess might be more accurate.

"My illness has not yet fully healed. General, if it is not urgent for you to see Master Nian Duan, could you please wait until I have recovered?"

Li Huan pondered for a moment, then opened his eyes again and spoke leisurely.

Upon hearing this, Xiang Liang narrowed his eyes.

Judging from the Empress Dowager's words, it seems that the other party does not want to release the person, which is unacceptable.

"Your Majesty, military orders are absolute."

"Although the General is my father, he is also a General of the State of Chu. There are some things I cannot disobey."

"The General only said he wanted to meet this Master Nianduan, and had no other intention. Please understand, Your Majesty."

Xiang Liang's tone was neither humble nor arrogant. For soldiers, obeying orders is their sacred duty, a principle that has remained universal throughout China's millennia-long history.

Therefore, the reason Xiang Liang used at this moment was a very appropriate one. Xiang Yan wanted to see Nian Duan, which was a military order. If the Empress Dowager insisted on stopping him, she would have to carefully consider whether she would offend the General or the Xiang clan.

"you"

Upon hearing this, Li Huan's eyes darkened. Her pretty face, already pale from the poisoning, turned an unusual crimson after Xiang Liang's thrust.

"Your Majesty, if the General only wishes to see Master Nian Duan, that is fine. As long as General Xiang Liang can guarantee that after the General sees Master Nian Duan, Master Nian Duan will be able to return to the inner palace safely, we will naturally not stop him."

Upon hearing Li Yuan's words, Li Huan was taken aback. Although he didn't understand why his elder brother would say such a thing, the decision seemed to be a good one.

He neither offended General Xiang Yan nor hindered his treatment.

"General Xiang Liang, you heard what Lord Li said just now. If you can give me a guarantee about this matter, then it is perfectly acceptable for Master Nian Duan to go with you to see the General."

Xiang Liang looked up at Li Yuan beside him.

This Lord Lingyin seems to be good at stirring up trouble. Xiang Yan's previous idea was for him to take Nian Duan away directly, and as for the dirty tricks between the royal family, he wanted to avoid getting involved and prevent the two people from Jinghu from getting involved.

If they take the person away and then send them back, it would be different from what they had agreed upon before.

"This"

"Please forgive me for not being able to guarantee anything. The General's decision is not something I, as a subordinate, can interfere with. If the Empress Dowager does not want to release him, then I will return directly to report to the General and say that the Empress Dowager and Lord Lingyin do not want Mr. Nian Duan to leave. As for the consequences, I'm afraid I can't do anything about it."

He was able to remain neither humble nor arrogant when confronting Li Yuan because they were both subjects of the State of Chu. Clashes between subjects did not involve anything else. But Li Huan was different; she was, after all, the Empress Dowager of Chu, and he had a natural disadvantage in terms of status.

So this time, Xiang Liang chose to retreat in order to advance. Since you have chosen not to release them, then he will tell Xiang Yan the truth. As for how Xiang Yan reacts and what the consequences will be, that is for them to bear themselves.

Are you threatening me?

Li Huan's tone was somewhat sinister. She wasn't stupid; how could she not see through the other party's tactic of feigning retreat?
But just as Xiang Liang said, if they really offended that general, then when the other party took it to heart, their fate would be unpredictable.

The Xiang family certainly wouldn't interfere in royal affairs, but not everything on her side was royal business. Li Yuan was the Prime Minister, a court official, and if Xiang Yan wanted to target her brother, she probably wouldn't be able to reach him.

No one doubts that Xiang Yan lacks such ability. As a general who commands nearly 80% of the Chu army, he is, frankly, the most dangerous figure in the Chu court. If he so desires, it is not impossible for him to slaughter not only the Prime Minister but also the entire court of civil and military officials.

"Your Majesty has misunderstood. I was merely stating the facts!"

"When the General came, he specifically instructed that the two masters from Jinghu Medical Manor must be brought along this time. If they are not found, the General will probably be very angry."

"During the Empress Dowager's coma, she may not have known that many things have happened in Shouying City in the past two days. Several legions have clashed, and thunderbolts have been set on fire in the military camps. Because of this, the Grand General has been enraged."

Xiang Liang stopped short of making a point, but this time, his words put even more pressure on Li Huan. It's not hard to imagine that with the constant turmoil in the army these past few days, this general was in a very bad mood. Now that he's encountered this kind of situation, he could easily be triggered. If he doesn't act recklessly, who can guarantee that the other side won't come looking for trouble?
"Queen Mother!"

After a moment of silence, Li Yuan looked at her younger sister again and gently shook her head.

Although Xiang Liang hasn't reacted excessively, he brought quite a few people with him. If the other party wanted to forcibly take them, they probably wouldn't be able to stop them. Now that the other party has clearly stated that they want to take Nian Duan and Duanmu Rong away, there's not much point in stopping them now.

However, he felt a mix of emotions about the fact that the other party was able to bring people into the place where the Empress Dowager was recuperating. Although this place was in the East Courtyard of the Inner Palace, it was still under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Guards, yet Xiang Liang still swaggered in with his men.

The imperial guards didn't even try to stop them, which shows just how much prestige the Xiang family held in the army.

If the other side truly harbors ulterior motives, the number of people in the Chu Kingdom who would turn against them with a single order would likely be an extremely terrifying figure.

"Since Lord Li is speaking up for you, I will trust you this once. Mr. Nian Duan, why don't you go with General Xiang Liang? But don't worry, you have rendered meritorious service in saving the emperor this time. I will definitely report to the king, and the king will support you then."

Nian Duan cupped her hands in greeting, then took out a prescription from her bosom and handed it to Li Huan.

"Your Majesty, this is the prescription for the follow-up treatment. If you take the medicine on time, you will surely recover."

Upon hearing this, Li Huan's eyes lit up, and then she smiled and had someone take it. Wasn't this the reason why she didn't want Nian Duan to leave?
"Thank you for your trouble, Master."

"."

(End of this chapter)