The Ugly Empress by Yun Guo Shi Fei / 丑娘娘 by 云过是非

Chapter 11 - Provocation

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When Rui Xue entered Feng Wang's bedchamber, she saw the bed curtain was down.

She walked over to the bed and gently opened the curtain, but found Feng Ming wasn't asleep. He was lying on his side staring at the pattern on the quilt.

Rui Xue said, "Da Wang, do you want to get up? Master ordered me to bring you some ointment."

When Feng Ming heard Rui Xue mentioning Zhao Lu, his eyes suddenly lit up, but then they dimmed just as quickly. Knowing Zhao Lu's personality, of course it was impossible for him sending him ointments. Most probably, Rui Xue herself had gone to get it and lied.

Feng Wang didn't make a move to get up, still lying down he said, "Teng Country's Princess is going to enter Xue Country's territory in a few days, isn't she?"

"Yes, this servant also heard that this time, Xue Houyang, Marquis Wannian came to personally welcome her. Master has been busy lately because of this... Da Wang, don't be angry because Master cannot visit you, Master says he's upset thinking you're upset."

Feng Ming smiled and said, "I know."

Just then, the servant outside announced that Minister Zuo was requesting an audience.

Rui Xue frowned, "Da Wang, if you're feeling unwell, I'll send Minister Zuo away."

"No need."

Feng Ming got up and let Rui Xue helped him freshen up and change his clothes. Then he let her took Minister Zuo to the study room.

Minister Zuo didn't take a seat, as soon as Feng Wang entered the room, he immediately dropped down to the floor to kowtow, "Please, Da Wang, let this old subject to resign and return to my hometown."

Feng Ming sighed as he helped Minister Zuo off the ground, he said, "Minister, why are you saying that? Do you have dissatisfaction towards me?"

"This old subject doesn't dare! I may brave death but I don't dare slander Your Majesty, but if Da Wang allows this old subject to explain, many officials had filed a complain against Marquis Zhulu, and today at the morning court he'd fired a number of officials from their post..."

Tears streamed down Minister Zuo's eyes, still kneeling he continued, "This old subject understand that Your Majesty's relationship with Marquis Zhulu is very close, but I beg Da Wang to just let this old subject go. Let me resign and go back to my hometown."

Finishing his pleas, Minister Zuo's heart beat rapidly. He was unsure if his pleas would be considered offending for His Majesty. But after a very long moment of silence, he risked looking up at Da Wang.

Feng Wang had his back to Minister Zuo and was supporting himself with one hand on the table, no one knew what he was thinking about. 

Then suddenly Rui Xue cried out loud as Feng Ming swayed and fell down to the ground.

Rui Xue rushed forward to catch Feng Ming, when she touched him she found he was burning up and seemed to be unconscious. His eyes were squeezed shut and there was a crease between his eyebrows; Feng Ming looked to be in a lot of pain.

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Zhao Lu was having guests at his residence when suddenly, looking anxious and alarmed, Rui Xue rushed to him and said, "Master, will you please hurry go to the palace, Da Wang has fainted."

Zhao Lu's heart tightened as if someone was squeezing it. In reflex, he stood from his seat, but then stopped himself.

The ministers all tactfully excused themselves and said they'd come back later.