"You were afraid the doctor would tell Eunuch Wang, so you took poison?" Tang Zhuyun was both angry and heartbroken.
What's infuriating is that the quack doctor misled people—although it's true that the disease is most likely to be transmitted through sexual contact, it can be transmitted through other means as well. Madam Wang was innocently accused like this, and was so frightened that she took poison. The quack doctor was truly irresponsible.
The one who felt sorry for her was naturally Madam Wang. How could someone so timid do such a thing? Now, even if she died, she would have no way to defend herself.
Unexpectedly, there was more to the story.
Madam Wang sobbed, "No, no, I originally thought I hadn't done it, that I could tell Master... Master would believe me..."
Tang Zhuyun breathed a sigh of relief; thankfully, there was still hope.
"... But later, an old woman in the manor came to me and said that if I obeyed, she would treat my illness and help me keep this a secret; if I disobeyed, the doctor would tell the master..."
Tang Zhuyun was shocked. This meant that Madam Wang's illness was not an accident at all, but rather something that someone had deliberately caused.
What does she want you to do?
Madam Wang said, "She wants me to ask Master how the Emperor's health is!"
Tang Zhuyun:!!!
Those who truly care about the Emperor's health are probably only the princes with ulterior motives and their supporters.
Unexpectedly, they were so insidious that they set their sights on Madam Wang.
"Then why didn't you just tell Eunuch Wang directly?" she asked.
"I dare not," Madam Wang sobbed, covering her face and weeping. "No one knows Master better than me. He has a very strong temper and hates being threatened, especially by those who treat me badly. I'm afraid that if he finds out, he'll confront them head-on and end up hurting him... I'm the only thing Master cares about. They can't blackmail him except by using me. If I don't die, Master will find out the truth and go after those people. Then I'll be dragging Master down with me."
Tang Zhuyun said, "Madam Wang, forgive my bluntness, but you've handled this matter foolishly. You're not afraid to die for Eunuch Wang, but do you think Eunuch Wang's afraid to die for you? Since they've already put a knife to your throat, you should at least take a few people down with you!"
If it were her, even if she couldn't find out the truth, she would still kill the old woman who was threatening her, one by one!
"Since they won't let you live in peace, then let's fight them head-on!" Tang Zhuyun said. "At worst, we'll both die. Besides, why don't you trust your own man? Who'll end up dying is still uncertain!"
Madam Wang stared at her blankly, unable to react for a long time.
After a long while, she murmured, "Your Majesty, I'm actually afraid too. I'm afraid that if this matter gets out, people will laugh at Master. Master has already suffered so much. So many people are polite to him on the surface, but behind his back they call him a eunuch... If this matter gets out, how can Master face people?"
"Life is full of unexpected storms. Isn't the point of marrying a man to have food and clothing? Otherwise, can't you afford to eat or wear clothes?" Tang Zhuyun comforted her. "Isn't it to have someone to face difficulties with? You're afraid he'll be ashamed, but does that mean he can't even protect his own Zidu and can only let her commit suicide? Does that make him proud? Don't you think about how much your husband would suffer without you?"
After a pause, Tang Zhuyun continued, "We can get treatment for our illness; it's not an incurable one. Some people want to spread rumors, even if you're not sick, they can make you seem sick, but they don't dare because they're afraid of your master. So those people are just trying to scare you; they don't dare to break ties with your master at all. They just want to use you to get some information about the Emperor."
"Then what should I do?" Madam Wang had already regarded Tang Zhuyun as her lifeline.
"I told you, stand up to them head-on! If you stand firm, they'll back down. Bring them out, which one of them would dare to confront your master directly?"
Once this matter is investigated thoroughly, the Emperor's reaction will be enough to give them a run for their money!
"Your Highness, please don't lie to me. Can my illness really be cured?"
"Yes, it's possible, although it will be a bit tedious and will take time, but it's possible." Tang Zhuyun's gaze was firm.
She must be firm so that patients can have confidence.
"Just focus on getting better and explain things clearly to your master," Tang Zhuyun said. "Leave the rest to him."
Madam Wang bit her lip, her head hanging low, not daring to speak.
Tang Zhuyun sighed, "How about this, I'll go and tell Eunuch Wang first, and then you can tell him?"
Madam Wang suddenly looked up at her. "Your Majesty, do you know why I contracted the disease? I, I..."
"There must be someone infected around you," Tang Zhuyun said. "They deliberately infected you through a wound or other means. This kind of transmission isn't easy, but since the other party has this malicious intention, it won't be difficult for them to succeed given enough time."
In short, the person behind this scheme must be close to Madam Wang.
Madam Wang, however, was somewhat skeptical. "My husband says I'm a bit simple-minded, so the people he's assigned to my side are all handpicked by him..."
"Human hearts are unpredictable; no one can say they're never wrong," Tang Zhuyun said. "I'll discuss it with Eunuch Wang later and have everyone around you brought here for me to see."
She refused to believe that the culprit couldn't be found!
"Well, then I'll trouble you, Your Highness. I... I've caused you trouble again..."
"You're still weak, you should rest and rest. I'll go out and talk to Eunuch Wang."
Madam Wang gripped the bedsheets tightly with nervousness.
Tang Zhuyun met with the anxious Wang Fu alone and told him the whole story, including her own speculations.
"That's all I know. For more information, you can ask Madam Wang."
It only took Wang Fu a very short time to go from shock to anger to calm.
He suddenly knelt down, "Thank you so much, Your Highness, for saving my life! I, Wang Fu, will never forget your immense kindness!"
Tang Zhuyun quickly said, "No need for that, I will save anyone, no matter who it is."
Getting too close to him will only lead to big trouble later.
"Eunuch Wang, you should go in and check on Madam Wang first; she needs comforting right now."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Wang Fu stood up and bowed. "Your Majesty is indeed a reincarnation of Hua Tuo, a physician with a benevolent heart."
The thing he was most grateful for right now was that, in his utter despair, he remembered Tang Zhuyun, who had treated the emperor.
As it turned out, he made the right move.
If he hadn't thought of that at the time, or had hesitated, the consequences would be completely different now.
The couple went to talk, and Tang Zhuyun returned to the inner room and told Prince of Jin the whole story.
The Prince of Jin sneered, "Someone else is tired of living! Are there really fools who would believe they don't even know if they've done anything wrong?"
Tang Zhuyun was not pleased to hear this, and said, "Madam Wang grew up in the countryside and doesn't have much experience. We can't expect her to be as clever as the Prince."
She praised him for being smart? Did the sun not rise in the west?
Prince of Jin stared at Tang Zhuyun: "Why does Wang Fu think that coming to you means there's hope?"