My Wife is Unbeatable in the Whole World, Touch Me If You Dare!-Chapter 489 - 332 Zhao Zhiyi’s Decision

Zhao Country.

Capital.

The struggle for the throne has entered a crucial stage. In the past two months, the Fourth Prince who had a strong advantage and was ahead in public opinion, has recently had a shift in reputation.

Some of his behaviors before he became Regent were exposed, including coercive buying and selling, oppressing the people, favoritism, and shielding criminals, some of which even involved multiple deaths.

This is undoubtedly a huge blow to the Fourth Prince's reputation.

Even the political achievements he made in recent days have been affected by this.

However, soon, rumors about the other three Princes also started circulating in the city.

For instance, the Eldest Prince was said to have a penchant for men and had unclear relationships with several strategists under him, and had even snatched a married woman's husband.

Additionally, the Second Prince was rumored to have an affinity for married women, involving relationships with the wives of many officials in the court, while those officials remained unaware.

Others said that the Third Prince had embezzled tens of thousands of taels from the National Treasury to bribe officials, and most of the officials who supported him had received his silver.

These rumors spread throughout the city within a few days, causing a widespread storm.

Even the most oblivious people could realize that these might be deliberate slandering between the Princes in their struggle for the throne.

In this way, the previous rumors about the Fourth Prince might also be untrue.

At such times, any rumor should not be easily believed.

In a certain King Mansion.

"I have a penchant for men?"

"I have an affinity for married women?"

"When did I embezzle so much silver from the National Treasury!"

Speaking of the rumors about them outside, the three Princes were furious.

The news about King Sheng was indeed released by them.

Previously, the three of them had never put him in their eyes, so they never needed to use such means against him.

But these days, King Sheng's momentum was too strong, forcing them to take action.

What frustrated them was that the rumors about them outside were entirely baseless, but the things about King Sheng were true.

No one expected that he would have this move.

After thoroughly stirring the waters, the truth and falsehood became indistinguishable, making it impossible for the people to tell.

With the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Justice under King Sheng's control, it was impossible for him to investigate himself.

Failing to uncover King Sheng's true face, they found themselves smeared, unable to openly explain, leaving them enraged beyond words.

King Sheng Mansion.

With the tables turned, compared to the downfall of the other three Princes, the Fourth Prince was in high spirits.

Looking at the silhouette in the hall, he smiled and said, "Mr. Lin, thank you very much this time."

The figure cupped his fists towards him and said, "Your Highness, no need to be polite. As a strategist, it's my duty to offer strategies for Your Highness."

The Fourth Prince raised his wine glass to the middle-aged man and said, "No matter what, I still have to thank Mr. Lin for saving me. This glass of wine is for you."

When King Shun and others used his past deeds to attack him, it indeed gave him a headache for a while.

But soon, a strategist came to him offering a plan, easily helping him stabilize the situation.

These strategists indeed knew how to adapt to circumstances.

When he wasn't in a favorable position before, no one was willing to help him.

But recently, those intending to seek refuge with him had almost broken down the thresholds of the mansion.

Today, King Sheng had a grand banquet in the mansion, the guests were all mansion guests and strategists. Compared to the previous lack of attention, the King Sheng Mansion had become the liveliest among the Four Royal Mansions.

After the banquet, the crowd dispersed.

For those seeking refuge with King Sheng, as long as they could prove their value, King Sheng would properly settle them, gifting them gold, silver, and beauties.

Those who contributed significantly to King Sheng could reside in the mansion directly.

In recent days, the most prominent strategist in the mansion was undoubtedly Mr. Lin.

Not only did King Sheng allow him to reside in the mansion, but he also rewarded him with two precious treasures, arousing much envy.

In a serene courtyard within the King Sheng Mansion.

Mr. Lin walked into the courtyard, closed the gate, and after returning to the room, a person sitting at the table asked, "How are things?"

The man was dressed as an attendant, but his tone did not match that of a subordinate.

Mr. Lin sat opposite him and said, "The situation outside has temporarily stabilized. It now depends on what moves the three Princes will make next..."

After saying that, he shook his head, puzzled, and said, "Among the four Princes of Zhao Country, King Sheng is the least promising. I don't know why you chose him..."

The man shrugged and said, "If you have this question, why not ask Li Nuo directly. I only know he is the Six Subjects' Scholar, smarter than all of us. Following his choice, we can't go wrong. Isn't it proven by facts? Whoever he chooses wins, right? King Sheng achieved today's reputation and status within two months, solely thanks to him..."

He leaned back in the chair, arms resting behind his head, and said, "We lost disastrously opposing him in Daxia. Let's see how we lose this time in Zhao Country."

...

Princess Mansion.

Li Nuo and Yiren returned from buying groceries, and Yiren asked puzzled, "Why haven't we seen the Sixth Princess these past two days?"

Li Nuo hadn't seen the Sixth Princess for two days either. frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓

A few days ago, she said she was going to confirm those rumors with the Fourth Prince, and since then, Li Nuo hadn't seen her.

While buying groceries with Yiren just now, he overheard people discussing matters such as the Eldest Prince's penchant for men and the Second Prince's affinity for married women, as if they were the subjects themselves.

Clearly, in response to the rumors circulating earlier in the city, King Sheng found a way to retaliate.

Li Nuo was occupied with other matters these past two days, including writing a medical handbook and modifying cultivation techniques for martial arts sects.

Doctor Sun mentioned that many from the Medical School were willing to donate some silver taels to the Medical College, and also contribute some exclusive prescriptions or secret techniques. They hoped Li Nuo could mention their names in the manual, but Li Nuo hadn't had the time to meet with them yet.

These past few days, he had been so busy that he hadn't even noticed the Sixth Princess.

After cooking, Li Nuo took off his apron, wiped his hands, and went to the main hall of the Princess Mansion.

Li Nuo knocked on the door. After a long while, Zhao Zhiyi's voice came from inside.

"Come in."

Li Nuo walked into the room and said to Zhao Zhiyi, who was sitting at the table: "Yiren and I just finished cooking. Would you like to come and eat something?"

Zhao Zhiyi glanced at him, shook her head gently, and said, "You two eat. I'm not hungry."

Li Nuo walked over, sat opposite her, and asked, "What's wrong?"

Zhao Zhiyi was silent for a moment, then looked up at him and said, "What they say is true, elder brother really did those things. He even kept them from me..."

She looked at Li Nuo and asked, "You won't help him anymore, will you?"

She knew he was from the School of Legalism.

After learning about these things, he probably wouldn't help her elder brother anymore.

Li Nuo didn't answer directly but asked in return, "Do you want me to continue helping him?"

Zhao Zhiyi shook her head and said, "He's no longer the elder brother I knew. No, he was never the elder brother I knew. You're from the School of Legalism, I can't make things difficult for you. I'm sorry, asking you to come all this way, only to end up with such results..."

Li Nuo did not blame the Sixth Princess at all.

During these two months in Zhao, he had already gained enough.

His lifespan doubled, he entered the Medical School and Confucian School, and most importantly, he had progressed to living with Yiren. There's nothing more he could ask for.

Besides, even if he hadn't agreed with her initially, he still would have had to undertake this mission.

Li Nuo smiled slightly and comforted her, saying, "You don't need to apologize. Coming to Zhao has already far exceeded my expectations. I won't blame you for this."

After confirming these things, Li Nuo naturally wouldn't help King Sheng anymore.

If he continued with the goal of helping King Sheng ascend the throne, his cultivation in the School of Legalism would only regress.

Withdrawing now just means that he wouldn't be able to practice the School of Cross and Vertical, nor would he be able to break through in Legalism for the time being.

Even though he was taken advantage of so much, he didn't feel comfortable.

Zhao Zhiyi was silent for a moment, then looked at Li Nuo and asked, "What are your plans next?"

Since staying in Zhao has no more meaning, naturally, they should return home as soon as possible.

Separated for two months, he missed them immensely.

Not to mention Jiaren and Anning, even Phoenix appeared in his dreams several times.

Li Nuo did not conceal it and said, "We should be returning to Daxia soon."

Though the mission was supposed to last two years, his father surely had a way to recall him earlier.

"You're leaving?"

For some reason, hearing this, Zhao Zhiyi felt a pang of inexplicable tightness in her heart.

This farewell might mean they wouldn't have a chance to meet again.

Li Nuo said, "Don't worry, I'll finish writing that handbook before I leave. After that, the Medical College will be handed over to you..."

A trace of sadness appeared in Zhao Zhiyi's eyes.

With him around, medical reform had a chance to continue advancing.

If he left, those from the Medical School wouldn't give her any face.

Moreover, her elder brother was already eyeing the funds. Whether he ascended the throne or any of the other princes did, they wouldn't let go of such a large sum of money.

The court had many needs for money, but fostering more doctors for the common people was definitely not one of their considerations.

She once thought that if her elder brother ascended the throne, she could truly do something for the people of Zhao.

Now it seemed that this was merely her delusion.

At this moment, she recalled the letter Master Gongsun left her.

Replace him.

This was a possibility she had never considered before.

Master Gongsun had her bring him from Daxia, not for her elder brother, but for herself from the very beginning.

But doing so would mean completely betraying her elder brother.

She faced two choices.

On one side was her kin.

On the other were the people of Zhao.

Faced with this choice, she had been unable to decide these past two days.

But at this moment, upon learning of their departure, the balance in her heart tilted towards one side.

After a long period of contemplation, she suddenly looked up at Li Nuo and asked, "What if I want you to stay and help me?"

Though they were friends, there were some principles between friends that couldn't be compromised.

Li Nuo shook his head and said, "I won't help the Fourth Prince with anything anymore."

Zhao Zhiyi said, "Not helping my elder brother, but helping me."

Li Nuo looked at her, unsure of her meaning for a moment.

Zhao Zhiyi met his gaze and said seriously, "Help me seize the throne. Our previous agreement will still be valid. If Daxia no longer accommodates you in the future, you can come to Zhao anytime, I will always keep the position of Prime Minister for you..."

[PS: My mind is a bit foggy today, so the word count is a bit low.]