Si Mingjing did not respond.
At that mont, the King of Gendaya’s eyes snapped open, and he cried out, "Ci En..."
"Father." Qu Liushang took two steps forward.
The King of Gendaya’s gaze was unfocused. Though awake, his consciousness lingered in a dream, not yet fully clear. In the dream, he had been confessing to Ci En. He spoke of how, for over twenty years, sleep had evaded him; the mont he closed his eyes, her resolute gaze from before her death would appear. In the dream, Ci En resented him for killing the man she loved most, yet she had also accepted his repentance. Her choice, however, remained to follow her lover in death, only now devoid of the harsh bitterness of her final monts. In the dream, Ci En had said before dying, "Qu Jingyang, let go, and I shall let you go as well..." Then, Ci En had closed her eyes for good, her life slipping away in his arms, like the fading fragrance of a flower or the shattering of jade.
The King of Gendaya was grief-stricken, yet he suddenly jolted fully awake, Ci En’s dying words reverberating in his mind. She had said, "I do not love you; I love your brother. If he dies, I will follow him. Let go, and I shall let you go as well..." Tears of release stread from the King of Gendaya’s eyes. The knot in his heart, tied for so many years, had finally loosened. Ci En had said to let him go... He had received Ci En’s forgiveness.
The King of Gendaya covered his face with his hands, enduring the pain of Ci En’s departure, a pain he could not escape. In his life, he had pursued many won, yet he had truly loved only one. He desperately sought out won who resembled Ci En. Even the slightest similarity in features, voice, or temperant made him want to possess them. He had trapped himself in a cage of unfulfilled desire, drawing his own prison, bitter and tornted. At this mont, he suddenly felt a sense of release. The love he had wanted to give Ci En was not what she desired; it had only brought suffering to them both.
Si Mingjing bowed respectfully at his side. "Your Majesty, how do you feel now?"
The King of Gendaya composed himself for a long mont, then lowered his hands. He looked at Si Mingjing, his voice turning ominous, "Si Mingjing, you have quite so nerve. You dare to toy with !"
Si Mingjing remained unperturbed, calmly explaining, "Your Majesty, I wouldn’t dare. My only wish was to treat your illness. However, I did indeed deceive you. There is no Poisonous Insect in your brain. Eighty percent of your migraine stems from psychological issues, and twenty percent from physical causes," Si Mingjing admitted frankly.
The King of Gendaya had likely already guessed as much; he knew he had been hypnotized. His expression darkened. "So young, yet so audacious, daring to fool ! Aren’t you afraid I’ll have you executed?"
Si Mingjing smiled. "Your Majesty, you’ve said that many tis. Even if I cure you, you would still have killed. Either way, it’s execution, so I might as well clarify the facts. Your migraines have persisted for many years. Is it because other doctors lack ability? Or perhaps you’re unwilling to acknowledge the cause other doctors have pointed out, and even less willing to see a psychologist? You refuse to confront what your heart knows must be faced. This unresolved inner turmoil is the reason your migraines have never healed. I claid you were afflicted by a Poisonous Insect rely to provide an opening for you to confront your inner self. Your Majesty, rest assured, I was only responsible for the hypnosis; I cannot probe what you experienced during the process. I never pry into others’ privacy, and I firmly believe that the more one knows, the faster one dies."
The King of Gendaya’s expression softened slightly. Si Mingjing’s words were a mix of agreeable and grating truths. Regardless, what mattered most was that the King of Gendaya knew he had broken free from his psychological burden. However, he still couldn’t let Si Mingjing off the hook.
"No Poisonous Insect, yet you dared make my son cut off his hand!" the King of Gendaya accused.
Si Mingjing explained, "Your Majesty, it’s not that I’m petty and insisted on your son losing a hand, but I truly couldn’t save it. The Queen believed I could because I once healed Mr. Mo’s son’s fractured arm, where all blood vessels had also necrotized. But, Your Majesty, have you considered who Mr. Mo’s son is? He is a Little Dragon! You may not know this, but the Dragon Clan possesses extraordinary self-healing abilities. As long as their bones are set, they can heal rapidly. If you don’t believe , you can ask Crown Prince Lisao of the Mu Continent, or Prince Sheng Liuyun. However, your son, Qu Gaoyang, does not possess such powerful self-healing. His arm was unsalvageable. Since it couldn’t be saved, why not opt for amputation to at least preserve his life? Isn’t that so?"
The King of Gendaya snorted heavily. "Silver-tongued!" Yet, it was also a fact, and he had no rebuttal. He knew about the Dragon Clan’s extraordinary self-healing ability; Si Mingjing couldn’t fool him on that! His son’s arm truly couldn’t be saved. Si Mingjing’s explanation made the King of Gendaya feel much better; he wouldn’t feel burdened when facing his son in the future. Because Si Mingjing had said it—that arm couldn’t be saved. Ordering his son to lose an arm was for his own good! Si Mingjing had given him two outs.
He suddenly felt that although this girl made one want to chop her up and feed her to the fish, she was also quite interesting. It would be a pity to kill her! So smart! So cunning! The Prince of Atlantis certainly had good judgnt!
Looking at his own son, Qu Liushang, the King of Gendaya found him increasingly displeasing. In the past, he had arranged such an excellent marriage for him—a noble dragon woman from the Mu Continent—yet he hadn’t known how to cherish her. Just like himself in the past! Initially, Ci En was supposed to marry him, but because of his youthful recklessness, he had foolishly let his own brother have her! By the ti he ca to his senses and wanted to pursue Ci En, her heart had already been captured by his brother, and she refused to be his woman! Now, his son was following in his footsteps! The King of Gendaya looked at Qu Liushang and saw a reflection of his younger self; he found fault with everything, viewing him with utter displeasure.
Si Mingjing had soone bring over the prepared herbal dicine and also left a prescription. "Your Majesty, take this dicine according to the prescription for three consecutive days, and your migraines will be completely cured."
The King of Gendaya downed the dicine in one gulp, then bellowed, "Why is it so bitter?"
Si Mingjing deliberately showed a disdainful expression. "Your Majesty, as the ruler of a nation, you can’t even bear this little bitterness?"
"You woman, you’re asking for death!"
"Good dicine is bitter to the taste; I’m only telling the truth," Si Mingjing replied. With that, she indicated her wish to depart.
"What’s the rush!" the King of Gendaya said. "Wait until I am truly cured before we talk about anything else." His mood having improved, his tone beca more magnanimous. "Liushang, you are in charge of their reception. The Prince of Atlantis is visiting Gendaya with the future Crown Princess Consort. You must extend the utmost hospitality, arranging for the best food and drink. Understand?"
"Understood, Father," Qu Liushang bowed, accepting the command.
The King of Gendaya waved a hand dismissively. "You may all leave. I am tired!"
Qu Liushang sighed in relief. Had his father’s killing intent diminished with that tone? But the Queen’s killing intent definitely wouldn’t! The most prudent course, Qu Liushang mused, was to get them away imdiately; any delay could lead to unexpected trouble.
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