Ch. 1421..1430
Chapter 1421: Go together at 1420
“No, you shouldn’t go looking for Kas, he doesn’t have the money to give you,” Samiyi said very firmly. “I will gather the money for you, just don’t go bothering him and don’t tell my brother about his information, otherwise, he will definitely be imprisoned by my brother.”
In this regard, His Majesty the King is still very lenient, had this been an ancient emperor, Kas’s head would probably have been chopped off and used as a ball for kicking long ago.
Tan Rou’s objective was to get the money, it didn’t matter to her who provided it. Since Princess Samiyi was willing to give 200,000 US Dollars, Tan Rou didn’t refuse.
“Princess, thank you for your generosity,” Tan Rou said with a smile. “The person you’re looking for is in the place you know, he is with his father, and for the moment, they seem safe.”
Samiyi breathed a sigh of relief and said, “As long as they are safe and sound, that’s all that matters.”
While they were talking, the elderly gentleman who had prevented Tan Rou and the others from arguing at the door appeared again, looking somewhat anxious.
However, upon seeing Tan Rou there, he immediately regained his composure and said, “Your Highness the Princess, His Majesty the King would like to discuss an important matter with you, please visit his study.”
“Alright, Mr. Puli,” replied Princess Samiyi. “Please go back and inform His Majesty that I will join him after I see the guests out.”
Puli insisted, “Your Highness the Princess, the King has something very important to discuss with you, please go to him immediately!”
Princess Samiyi asked in confusion, “Does His Majesty the King have an urgent matter? Can’t he wait even ten minutes?”
In the presence of outsiders, Puli did not want to say too much, he just kept urging Princess Samiyi to hurry, saying the King really had an urgent matter for her.Upd@te by novg0 .co
The more Puli urged Samiyi, the less she wanted to go. She had just learned of her son’s situation and wanted to learn more from Tan Rou about Agira’s current status, she didn’t have time to argue with her.
“Just ask His Majesty to wait a while,” Samiyi said irritably. “After all, when I meet him, we are sure to quarrel, ten minutes won’t make a difference.”
After glancing at Tan Rou standing by, Puli then whispered to Samiyi, “Your Highness, I can assure you that His Majesty won’t quarrel with you this time.”
Samiyi chuckled, “Could it be His Majesty agrees to let me leave the palace?”
Puli remained silent.
Samiyi ignored him and said to Tan Rou, “Miss Rou, I will walk you to the door, but I can’t get too close to the main entrance, I hope you don’t mind.”
Tan Rou was about to leave, but Puli’s arrival made her change her mind, and she said to Samiyi, “Your Highness, I just suddenly remembered something very important, now I need to see the King, so could you please bring me along to meet the King?”
Samiyi was startled and asked with caution, “What do you wish to discuss with His Majesty the King?”
Seeing her nervous appearance, Tan Rou knew she had misunderstood, so she clarified, “Oh, it’s about Locator, I have a new idea that I want to discuss with His Majesty the King, if he agrees, then our new project can start working very soon.”
She did indeed have concerns regarding the Locator to discuss with the King, so it was not a lie. However, her goal was not to talk about cooperation, but to see the King.
When the King had left earlier, Tan Rou noticed that his face looked pale, and his lips had lost some of their color. Her experience as a Court Physician told her that the King’s health must have issues, but since her focus wasn’t on the King at the time, she did not intentionally keep him there.
Since she was already in the palace, staying a little longer and watching the excitement might not be such a bad thing.
“No!” Samiyi had yet to speak when Puli, standing nearby, could not help himself and abruptly refused Tan Rou, then realizing his reaction was too strong, said, “What I mean is, His Majesty wishes to discuss a private matter with Your Highness, it…it might be better if you don’t go.”
“When is a private matter ever not discussable?” Tan Rou responded. “What I need to discuss pertains to the development of your nation, are you sure the King does not wish to see me?”
Puli really wanted to say, “His Majesty cannot see you right now,” but there were too many people around, he couldn’t reveal his own tension.
Chapter 1422: 1421 A little trick
“Miss Rou’s matter seems more urgent, so let’s deal with official business first. As for whatever His Majesty the King wishes to speak to me about, it can be done at any time,” Princess Samiyi declared. “Mr. Puli, you lead the way inside, and Miss Rou will come with me.”
Puli still refused to budge. He said, “It has passed the time for His Majesty the King’s audience, so it might be inconvenient for Miss Rou to go now. She should come back tomorrow.”
Princess Samiyi was puzzled, “Strange, when did His Majesty the King say there were time limits on audiences? How come I don’t know about this?”
Puli replied, “It’s something His Majesty the King mentioned recently, so it’s normal for Your Highness not to know.”
“Hmph!” Princess Samiyi snorted coldly, “Miss Rou is very busy with many tasks to do. She can’t possibly come to the palace every day, so whatever it is, we might as well discuss it all today so that she doesn’t need to run back and forth.”
Tan Rou glanced at Princess Samiyi, thinking wasn’t it Princess Samiyi who asked her to come over every day? She even messaged her in the middle of the night, reminding her not to forget today’s gathering. Those unaware of the situation might think Princess Samiyi and she were conspiring on some significant matter that required daily meetings.
Puli said, “If it is inconvenient for Miss Rou to travel, we can arrange a car to pick her up and drop her off.”
“Heh.” Tan Rou just laughed, not saying a word.
At last, these people finally thought to arrange a car for her, the guest, but what was the use of a car now? She was about to go to work, where would she find the time for daily rides?
Princess Samiyi was quite stubborn herself. If Puli wouldn’t let Tan Rou meet the King, she would make sure to take Tan Rou with her. She didn’t believe Puli would dare to lay a hand on her.
“I know where His Majesty the King’s study is, no need for you to show the way,” Princess Samiyi said coldly. “Now, step aside!”
Puli’s expression also turned serious. He said, “I’m sorry, Your Highness, but His Majesty the King only permitted you to see him, and didn’t allow anyone else to accompany you.”
Princess Samiyi was getting angry, “Puli, I know you’ve been at my brother’s side for many years and watched over him as he grew up. My brother respects you and so do I, but please don’t take liberties. You should be very clear about what kind of temper I have.”
Of course, Puli knew the temperament of Princess Samiyi and was aware that she was greatly favored by His Majesty the King. Offending her was not wise, but he was on a mission today, and even if it meant offending the princess, he had to complete the task entrusted to him by His Majesty the King.
“In any case, Miss Rou cannot see the King today!” Puli stated firmly.
Princess Samiyi was done being polite with Puli, and she stepped forward to walk outside, “Miss Rou, please follow me!”
Tan Rou naturally heeded Princess Samiyi, not uttering a word, and quickened her pace to catch up.
Princess Samiyi might look frail, but when she truly started to walk uninhibited, her speed was not slow at all—Tan Rou had to speed up to follow her.
Puli, seeing Princess Samiyi storm off, immediately ran in front of her and blocked her way, “No, you can’t go together!”
Princess Samiyi gave him a sidelong glance, “Do you think you can stop me?”
Yet Tan Rou interjected, “Your Highness, please calm down. Since Mr. Puli does not wish us to go together, then perhaps we should…”
Princess Samiyi cut her off, “Miss Rou, you don’t need to worry. With me here, nothing will happen to you.”
Tan Rou didn’t mean that. She said, “What I meant was, let me do it.”
“Hmm?” Princess Samiyi was perplexed. “Let you do what?”
Tan Rou smiled faintly and then moved closer to Puli, who was blocking their way, and said, “Mr. Puli, you don’t need to lead the way for us, we know where His Majesty the King’s study is. Your speed isn’t as fast as ours, so you should just rest here for a while.”
Then they saw Tan Rou lightly touch Puli, and he became immobile.
Princess Samiyi gaped in amazement, “Is… is this magic?”
With a snap of her fingers, Tan Rou answered with a smile, “It’s just a little trick. There’s no need for the princess to mind.”
“That Monica…” Princess Samiyi finally realized why Monica went mad. It was indeed Tan Rou’s doing!
Chapter 1423: 1422 anomalous phenomenon
Tan Rou blinked at her and made a “shush” gesture, “Princess, please keep your voice down. I really don’t want to get into big trouble here.”
Princess Samiyi smiled and said, “Miss Rou, you did two good things today, and I am very grateful to you.”
Tan Rou knew which two things Princess Samiyi was referring to, “You’re welcome.”
Puli could only move his eyeballs, he tried to speak, but his mouth seemed to be glued shut, completely immovable.
“Mmm… Mmm…” Puli blinked continuously.
Seeing him blink, Princess Samiyi asked, “Miss Rou, is it really okay for him to be like this?”
Tan Rou replied, “Don’t worry, Princess, Mr. Puli will be fine. He will be back to normal in thirty minutes.”
In thirty minutes, they would have already reached the King’s study, so Samiyi need not worry about Puli causing any trouble.
“Miss Rou, please come with me,” said Princess Samiyi.
Tan Rou followed Princess Samiyi to the King’s study, glancing back at Puli standing there, noticing a tearful gleam in his eyes.
Why? Could it be that the King truly had secrets that should not be discovered?
Tan Rou’s mind was quite active; on the way to the study, she considered many possibilities, even thinking of an ending where the dying King entrusted the princess with his legacy.
At this thought, Tan Rou admired her own wild imagination and unconsciously smiled a few times.
Princess Samiyi saw it and asked, “Miss Rou, why are you laughing? Are you laughing at Puli?”
Tan Rou replied, “No, I just remembered something joyful.”
Princess Samiyi did not inquire further, “Oh, alright then.”
The two soon reached the King’s study, but to their surprise, the King was not there. The guard in charge told them the King had not been to the study at all.
“How is that possible?” Princess Samiyi said, “Mr. Puli sent me, saying His Majesty the King had important matters to discuss with me.”
The guard said with difficulty, “Princess, we would not dare deceive you. His Majesty the King really isn’t inside, and he hasn’t been here today.”
Princess Samiyi knew these guards would not dare to deceive her, but Puli was not someone to joke about the King with her either. Why would Puli send her to find the King in the study?
Tan Rou pondered for a moment, then based on Puli’s persistence in stopping her earlier, she speculated, “Could it be that the King was never in the study? Maybe Mr. Puli made up an excuse on the spot that the King was here, while His Majesty is actually waiting somewhere else?”
Princess Samiyi frowned and then said, “Let’s go to His Majesty’s private chambers then. He doesn’t have important official duties today and if he isn’t in the study, he must be resting in his bedroom.”
Tan Rou could not just barge into someone else’s room, so she said, “Perhaps the Princess should go to the bedroom to find His Majesty while I wait outside.”
Princess Samiyi nodded, “Alright, let’s arrange it that way.”
So the two went to the King’s resting place, not far from the study, just a minute’s walk.
Upon reaching the resting area, Tan Rou and Princess Samiyi realized something was off, especially Tan Rou, who instantly noticed something strange.
“There really are a lot of guards outside His Majesty the King’s chambers!” Tan Rou remarked.
It felt like half of the palace guards had gathered there.
Princess Samiyi found it more strange, “Impossible, there are usually only about twenty guards here, and now the number has suddenly increased so much. It all seems unusual.”
Tan Rou roughly counted and estimated about seventy or eighty guards on three sides, nearly filling the front garden.
“I’ll wait here for you; you go find His Majesty,” Tan Rou said.
Princess Samiyi did not have time to say much more to Tan Rou; she hurried, lifting her skirt and running towards the palace interior. As she entered, she didn’t forget to tell the servant girl, “Arrange a room for Miss Rou to rest and prepare some tea and pastries from Country C.”
Tan Rou heard Princess Samiyi’s words, feeling that she was very thorough and also very decisive; had she not been a woman, she might well have been a Crown Prince.
Chapter 1424: The Sick King in 1423
Samiyi ran wildly toward the King’s bedroom, and no one stopped her; it was likely that the King had spoken to the guards beforehand.
When she reached the bedroom door, Samiyi suddenly slowed down, standing not far from the bedroom, refusing to move forward.
“What’s that?” Samiyi asked blankly, “Why is there so much blood?”
The nearby guards and maids did not dare to speak, and the blood-covered doctor looked at Princess Samiyi before slowly approaching her.
“Answer me, why is there so much blood?” Princess Samiyi shouted.
The doctor answered with great difficulty, “This… all this blood is His Majesty the King’s!”
“You’re talking nonsense!” Princess Samiyi refused to believe, “His Majesty the King is well, how could he bleed so much?”
The doctor explained, “This isn’t from a wound, it’s vomited.”
Samiyi’s mind buzzed again, “Is my brother injured?”
It was urgent; she forgot to call him the King and directly referred to him as her brother.
“Actually, His Majesty the King…” the doctor said with a furrowed brow, “His health has been poor for a long time!”
Princess Samiyi angrily pushed aside the blood-covered doctor, “Nonsense, get out of my way!”
The doctor stumbled to the side, and because the guard supported him, he did not crash into the wall.
Princess Samiyi ran quickly into the bedroom, her heartbeat racing and her chest aching, “No, no, my brother is so healthy, he can’t be unwell! It must be that he’s angry with me again. Really, he’s so grown up, why does he still like to joke with me?”
As she spoke, her tears fell.
The bedroom was filled with the smell of blood, a large group of doctors surrounded a feeble patient whose complexion was pale, no longer exhibiting his previous healthy appearance.
“I don’t believe it!” Princess Samiyi’s nose turned sour, and she cried. She was past the age of frequent crying, but seeing her strong brother lying in bed, she couldn’t help but burst into tears.
The semi-conscious King seemed to hear his sister’s voice, and he slowly opened his eyes, speaking weakly to his sister, “Come here, little Samiyi.”
Little Samiyi was Princess Samiyi’s nickname. Ever since she and the King had argued over Kas, the King had never again called her “little Samiyi.”
“Brother…” Samiyi collapsed near the window, her knees hit the floor, and her hands wanted to touch her brother’s face, but she dared not touch him, “Brother, what’s wrong with you?”
The King had tubes in his nose, so he spoke very slowly, “I… I’m fine…”
“You’ve vomited blood, how can you be fine?” Samiyi did not believe her brother’s feeble excuses, “Tell me, what sickness do you have? Did Monica upset you? I will confront her right now!”
“It’s not…” The King tried to touch Samiyi’s head but hesitated as he had an IV needle in his hand and could not move his arm much,” Little Samiyi, brother is leaving, and the kingdom will be left to you and Laka. You must… you must manage the kingdom well, I entrust Laka to your care…”
Samiyi was stunned, “What are you talking about?”
The King managed a smile, “You are the next Queen of the Kingdom of Amorlande!”
“I don’t want to be queen, I want you to live!” Samiyi shouted, “Come back, don’t go!”
Her voice was so loud it almost shattered the glass on the nearby window.
The King heard her shouting, and it deeply saddened him, “I’m sorry, do whatever you wish after this…”
“I don’t want to, I don’t want to!” Samiyi kept shaking her head, “Don’t leave us…”
The doctors in the bedroom also silently shed tears. They had always thought that the King and Princess were at odds, but in the face of death, the affection between the King and the Princess was deeper than anyone’s.
“Princess, you should step aside for a moment, let His Majesty the King rest a bit,” the doctor reminded.
Samiyi lowered her voice, but she did not leave, “No, I will stay by my brother’s side, no matter what you say, I will not go.”
“Stubborn girl,” the King said.
Samiyi sniffled and responded, “I am a stubborn person, and if you aren’t going to stand up and talk to me, I’ll just keep kneeling here.”
Chapter 1425: I can try 1424
Tan Rou was led by a maid into the living room, which was beautifully decorated, complete even with murals on the ceiling — a testament to the King’s meticulousness.
The maid brought Tan Rou some fresh fruit and then said, “Miss Rou, the tea will be here shortly.”
In such hot weather, Tan Rou was hardly in the mood for hot tea, so she said, “Don’t bother, I’ll just have some fruit.”
The maid responded, “This is per the princess’s orders, we must comply.”
With that, Tan Rou found it hard to refuse further. She said, “Then please add some iced tea to it. It’s really too painful to drink hot tea in this weather.”
The maid replied, “All right.”
Since Princess Samiyi had asked Tan Rou to wait here, she might as well wait a while. Besides, there were chilled fruits available, and she could eat a bit more.
Tan Rou’s favorite fruit was cherries. Because of this preference, Zhuang Liu had planted cherry trees all around the world. As years passed and those trees had borne fruit, Tan Rou had cherries to eat all year round.
Alas, since leaving home, Tan Rou hadn’t had the chance to eat cherries. J country had plenty of fruits, but none to her liking, except for grapes that suited her taste.
Tan Rou ate grapes while texting Shang Jin and the others to ask if their work was going smoothly. Probably busy, they hadn’t the time to reply to Tan Rou.
She then had no choice but to text her dear Mr. Zhuang Liu. It seemed he was looking at his phone, for he replied very quickly this time.
“Dear, what are you doing?” Tan Rou asked.
Zhuang Liu replied instantly, “Dear wife, I am at work.”
It was morning in J country and afternoon back home, so Zhuang Liu was indeed working at that time.
Tan Rou playfully said, “Looking at your phone at work? That’s a salary deduction.”
Zhuang Liu sent her an emoticon, then added, “I admit my mistake, I’ll stop right away.”
Tan Rou laughed, just about to send a voice message to Zhuang Liu, when she heard an outburst from upstairs.
“I don’t want…”
Startled, Tan Rou quickly took her finger off the recording button, stood up, and headed upstairs, while sending another voice message, “I have a bit of work to do, I’ll message you again soon.”
Zhuang Liu replied with an “OK” emoticon.
Everyone in the living room heard Princess Samiyi’s shout, but they didn’t move, each remaining at their post.
Tan Rou asked, “What’s going on?”
A maid answered, “It must be His Majesty the King and the princess arguing again, they argue quite often.”
“Oh.” Tan Rou didn’t pay it much attention then.
Sibling quarrels weren’t something she wanted to get involved in. Just as she was about to head back, she heard Samiyi shouting again, this time louder than before, and being closer, Tan Rou felt that Samiyi might have been crying.
So, Tan Rou boldly made her way upstairs, a few guards tried to stop her but she skillfully dodged them.
Frankly, the palace guards couldn’t really stop Tan Rou, if she wanted to take action against them, they had no chance to retaliate.
The guards could only watch as that beautiful foreign woman made her way upstairs; she was like a slippery fish they just couldn’t catch.
Tan Rou approached the King’s bedroom door, and as she got close, she smelled a strong scent of blood. Frightened, and assuming that the King had injured Princess Samiyi, she kicked the closed door open.
Everyone in the room, including the King lying on the bed, turned their gaze towards Tan Rou, who instantly regretted her impulsivity.
She awkwardly explained to Princess Samiyi, “I thought… there was a fight going on inside.”
Upon hearing this, Princess Samiyi cried even harder, “My brother is ill…”
Tan Rou wasn’t blind, she could clearly see that the person lying there was the King, “Well… actually, I am also a doctor, perhaps I could take a look at your brother’s illness.”
One of the doctors said, “His Majesty the King has a terminal illness.”
Tan Rou thought, What a coincidence, she specialized in terminal illnesses, if it wasn’t terminal, she wouldn’t even treat it.
“I could give it a try,” Tan Rou said.
Chapter 1426: 1425 new patients
The doctors did not agree to let Tan Rou intervene in the treatment because they did not trust this foreign woman. His Majesty the King could have held on for a while longer, but if this woman were to treat him, it’s possible that the King might end up lying in an urn tonight.
“No, you are a person of unknown origin; you cannot treat the King,” said the doctor.
However, Princess Samiyi said, “Miss Tan Rou, I believe you are a miraculous person. If you have a way to save my brother, I will do everything in my power to meet your demands. Whatever you want, I will surely help you get it.”
Tan Rou had no desires for material things; she could obtain what she wanted with her own wisdom. Nevertheless, she agreed to Princess Samiyi because she too had a brother, and if he were lying there, she would certainly be more heartbroken than Princess Samiyi.
“The princess has spoken; do you still intend to stop me?” Tan Rou glared at the doctors blocking her way, “What you see as an incurable disease might be curable from my perspective.”
After all, she had competed with the Grim Reaper for lives before; what was there to fear now?
With the princess having given her command, the doctors at her side had no good reason to prevent her, and so they let Tan Rou approach His Majesty the King.
Princess Samiyi made room for Tan Rou and even personally brought her a chair.
Tan Rou thanked her, then began to take the King’s pulse.
The King’s body was weaker than it appeared, and his meridians were very chaotic, with his pulse sometimes weak, sometimes strong, like a roller coaster ride.
She had indeed never seen such a disease before, but she had treated many complicated and difficult cases. For a disease like this, she could quickly develop a treatment plan.
“I can treat your brother’s illness, but I do not have my medical tools at hand, all my tools are back home. If you allow me to treat your brother, I will have the tools sent over right now,” said Tan Rou.
The doctor in charge didn’t believe her, “His Majesty has been sick for over a decade, and neither domestic nor international doctors have been able to diagnose the illness. How can you determine what ails him with just one look, one touch?”
Tan Rou rolled her eyes at him, “So do we treat him or not? If you don’t want treatment, I can leave right now.”
“Treat him!” Princess Samiyi pushed the doctor away, “Move aside, I want to talk to Miss Tan Rou.”
Tan Rou gave the doctor a challenging look and said, “If you need my treatment, then go prepare enough blood bags. Before my medicine and tools arrive, you must ensure that His Majesty the King is still alive.”
The doctor didn’t trust Tan Rou, but Princess Samiyi did, and she scolded, “Hurry up, if you delay Miss Tan Rou’s treatment, I will not let you off the hook!”
The doctor had no choice but to follow Tan Rou’s instructions.
Tan Rou was not idle either. Even though she had no medical tools in hand, she could still conduct a simple examination to gauge the extent of the King’s weakness.
“Miss Tan Rou, whatever you need, just tell me. If I can find it, I will surely bring it to you,” Princess Samiyi said, “If you can cure my brother, whatever you want, I can give it to you, even if it’s my country.”
Tan Rou had no desire for a country; she preferred to stay in the laboratory, conducting research. As for managing a country, that was too troublesome; she did not want to deal with it.
“It’s not necessary. Just have someone pick up what I need. The medicinal herbs and tools I need cannot be bought in your country, so I have to call someone from home to send them over,” Tan Rou placed the King’s hand down and continued, “I will go make a call now. Stay here with the King and talk to him as much as possible. Do not let him slip into a coma; otherwise, it would be quite troublesome.”
Princess Samiyi nodded, “Okay, I’ll do as you say.”
Tan Rou stepped aside to make a call. Since no one here understood her language, she could use it freely.
“Zhuang Liu, are you free now?” Tan Rou called Zhuang Liu.
Zhuang Liu thought Tan Rou was done with her business and wanted to chat with him, so he immediately said, “I’m free.”
Tan Rou gave a slight smile and said, “Then I need a favor. Please go to the university town and pick up some things from the pharmacy for me; I’ve encountered a difficult patient here.”
Chapter 1427: Prepare early in 1426
“Why is there another patient?” Zhuang Liu asked in confusion, “Is someone from the team you brought over sick?”
Tan Rou replied, “No, their health is all very good; otherwise, I wouldn’t have brought them here. The patient I encountered this time is a significant figure; his life and death are linked to a country’s development.”
Zhuang Liu asked, “Such a key figure, could it be the King of Country J?”
Tan Rou smiled, “My dear Zhuang Liu is really smart, you guessed it right away.”
But Zhuang Liu did not feel relieved after hearing Tan Rou’s words, and he said to Tan Rou, “Tan Rou, I respect your decision, but I don’t want you to treat the King. Just like you said, his life and death are connected to the future of a country, they would definitely be very grateful to you if you cured him.”
“But if you did not manage to cure him, then you would be in big trouble. If it were in our country, we could help you, but overseas, we wouldn’t be able to assist you if something happened.”
However, Tan Rou said quite relaxedly, “Zhuang Liu, don’t worry, I wouldn’t take on this patient if I weren’t absolutely sure of my ability.”
Zhuang Liu was still worried, “Tan Rou, can you manage on your own? Do you need help from someone else? I…I will send someone to assist you.”
Tan Rou indeed needed someone to help her, for instance, preparing medicinal herbs or assisting during acupuncture sessions. She could find people locally to help, but she wasn’t comfortable using people who weren’t from her own country.
With this thought, Tan Rou smiled and asked, “Then, can Zhuang Liu come over to help me?”
Tan Rou was well aware of Zhuang Liu’s thoughts; the two of them had even had a cold war for two days over whether to come to Country J or not. Zhuang Liu eventually gave in, but he was still very worried about Tan Rou; Country J was not like other countries, it had considerable internal conflicts and poor public security, so Zhuang Liu could not be at ease about Tan Rou being there.
Zhuang Liu very cautiously asked, “Tan Rou, are you testing me? Are you trying to see if I trust you or not? I know you don’t like me following you, so this time I won’t follow you, and you don’t need to test me.”
“I genuinely hope you would come over,” Tan Rou said with a smile. “There are quite a few mineral resources here, and you could come over to survey them to see if there’s a suitable mine to invest in.”
The Zhuang family’s company did business in Country J, but had never invested in the country’s mineral resources, so if ever a change happened in Country J, it would be an opportune moment to get into the mineral business.
Moreover, Tan Rou was also planning some things. She had a premonition that big changes were imminent in Country J, and if the area was locked down, Zhuang Liu would definitely be very worried. It would be better for Zhuang Liu to come over sooner so they could face the imminent threats together.
“It’s just that I don’t know if you have the time right now; if you don’t have time…” Tan Rou added.
But before Tan Rou could finish, Zhuang Liu immediately made his stance known, “I have time, I do have a lot of time; I can fly to Country J tomorrow…no, I will fly over tonight.”
Tan Rou chuckled, “No need to hurry, arrange your affairs well before you come over. However, the things I asked you to prepare, you need to send them quickly, send someone over directly, do not use international courier.”
With Zhuang Liu in charge of the Zhuang family now, there was no need to worry about any internal disruptions, and as all external business segments had their managers, it would only require periodic updates to him, and he wouldn’t need to intervene in all the affairs.
If he concentrated on handling his tasks and then arranged for a few trusted individuals to oversee things, then even if he were away for a month, no serious problems would arise.
“Okay, I will have someone send the things over, make sure you receive them,” Zhuang Liu said. “Wait for me, I will quickly sort out my official work, and then come to join you.”
Tan Rou lowered her voice and said, “If possible, you might prepare some weapons; the public safety here isn’t very good, and I’m worried something might happen.”
Zhuang Liu, aware of the poor public safety, didn’t think twice, “Hmm, I will have someone prepare them.”
Since customs are strict about weapons, Zhuang Liu planned to have them prepared by someone inside Country J, and have them delivered after his arrival.
“Hmm, let’s leave it at that for now; go get the things, and then have someone send them over,” Tan Rou said.
Chapter 1428: 1427 face the crisis together
Zhuang Liu put down the work in his hands, “Okay, I’ll go now. You must be careful in J country. Wait for me to arrive before you do anything, and make sure you stay safe.”
“Don’t worry,” Tan Rou replied, “so far I haven’t met anyone who can hurt me.”
Zhuang Liu was very confident about this; Tan Rou was strong and could protect herself.
“Goodbye.” Zhuang Liu hung up the phone reluctantly.
After hanging up, Tan Rou stood by the window for a while, pondering whether it was right to involve Zhuang Liu. She knew the matter was dangerous, yet she still called him. It was not only because she trusted Zhuang Liu immensely but also because she felt better equipped to face crises with him by her side.
When she had first been reborn, she trusted only herself, unable to fully trust even her parents or siblings. Whenever she encountered problems, she would only tell her family after everything had been resolved, although her family had said she could rely on them. Nonetheless, Tan Rou chose to face everything alone.
Somehow, she and Zhuang Liu had become closer. Those things she couldn’t discuss with her parents, whether it was unhappy matters, happy events, difficulties, or new progress in her research—all of it she could share with Zhuang Liu.
Just now, when she was considering who to entrust with delivering something, Zhuang Liu was the first person who came to mind. Only with Zhuang Liu at her side could she comfortably rely on someone else to watch her back.
Tan Rou smiled faintly, aware that the current problem was anything but minor. Inviting Zhuang Liu into this matter wasn’t good, but she still had to inform him, because if something happened to her, Zhuang Liu certainly wouldn’t go on living well. Rather, it was better for them to be together—for better or worse, they would face it side by side.
After the call, Tan Rou returned to the King’s bedside. The King was already asleep, his complexion pale and his breathing weak, as if he could die at any moment.
Princess Samiyi watched her brother silently, tears falling down her cheeks and dropping onto the bed.
Tan Rou placed her hand on Princess Samiyi’s shoulder and said softly, “I will do my utmost to save your brother. I just made a call to my family, telling them what needs to be sent over. Someone will send the medicine soon. As soon as the medicine and tools arrive, I can start treating your brother.”
This time, Tan Rou didn’t refer to the man lying in bed as the King but rather as “Samiyi’s brother.” She had no personal relationship with the King; there was no need to complicate things by saving the King.
However, she considered herself friends with Princess Samiyi. She couldn’t just watch a friend’s brother die. So this time, even if it meant trouble for her, she was determined to save Samiyi’s brother.
Princess Samiyi nodded slightly, her voice hoarse as she said, “Thank you, Miss Tan Rou.”
“No need to be so formal, just call me Tan Rou,” Tan Rou responded.
Princess Samiyi said, “And you don’t need to call me Your Highness anymore, just call me Samiyi. From now on, Tan Rou is Samiyi’s friend, and wherever you are, if you ever need my help, I will do all I can to help you.”
Tan Rou had no need for Samiyi’s help at that moment, but she accepted Samiyi’s promise, “Okay, I understand.”
Since the King still needed rest, Tan Rou didn’t stay in the room any longer. Shang Jin had sent her a message, so she went outside to make a call.
Shang Jin’s message was a complaint about the scientists in J country; she said they were too conservative, still using decade-old operating programs for robots, which was driving her insane.
“Tan Rou, I just can’t stand it anymore. Their laboratories are simply atrocious, not even a decent computer to use!” Shang Jin exclaimed angrily, “I think we should just end this project and go home. If we stay here any longer, I’m afraid I’ll die of frustration.”
Tan Rou tried to comfort Shang Jin, saying, “Their country’s scientific technology is indeed a bit behind. If it weren’t, they wouldn’t have asked for our help. You should embrace the spirit of aid; think of it as if we’ve come to support a lesser developed area. After we return home, I will give you all a bonus.”
Chapter 1429: 1428 Confidential
When she heard about the bonus, Shang Jin was no longer so angry. She reined in her bad mood and said, “Tan Rou, I think we can completely bring a cook over. The chefs here only make us eat roast meat and tough flatbreads, my teeth are about to fall out.”
Tan Rou laughed, “Didn’t you say the food here was pretty good yesterday?”
Shang Jin exclaimed in frustration, “But you can’t eat that for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! I’ve had several meals of flatbreads already. I don’t want to see any kind of flour-based food anymore.”
After considering for a moment, Tan Rou said, “Okay, a friend of mine will come over in a few days. I’ll ask him to bring some domestic ingredients, and at the same time, two cooks to do the cooking. No matter what others are eating, at least our researchers can’t have a poor diet.”
Shang Jin grumbled, “How much stuff can your friend bring over by himself?”
Tan Rou smiled, “No worries, he has a private plane.”
Shang Jin: “…” Poverty limited my imagination.
Tan Rou then comforted Shang Jin a few more words and asked her to give her best in her work and not to worry about other things.
Shang Jin was just venting a bit. She was still very clear about her responsibilities. With Tan Rou not being there, all the work had to be led by Shang Jin, so she had to take up the responsibility.
“Tan Rou, you need to be careful by yourself in the royal palace, and if you run into trouble, you should run away immediately!” Shang Jin once again instructed Tan Rou, “My eyelids have been twitching these past few days, I always feel that something big is going to happen, so I’m really worried about your safety.”
Tan Rou replied, “Don’t worry. In a few days, my friend will come to keep me company. If anything happens, he’ll face the difficulties with me.”
Shang Jin didn’t ask who Tan Rou’s friend was. Since Tan Rou asked her to be at ease, then she would just settle down and work hard.
After arranging matters, Tan Rou returned to her room inside. By then, Princess Samiyi was no longer sitting beside the bed, dazed. She wiped away her tears and said to Tan Rou, “Miss Rou, please help the doctor take care of my brother. I need to step out for a moment.”
Tan Rou didn’t get along with those doctors, but she didn’t plan to argue with them. After all, she had the support of Princess Samiyi behind her. She had nothing to fear.
“Alright, go and take care of your matters,” Tan Rou said.
Princess Samiyi had a lot to do. Now that the King was bedridden, the Prince should be the one to oversee the situation. But everyone knew Prince Laka’s capabilities—he simply couldn’t deal with such a situation. Therefore, Princess Samiyi had to help him handle political affairs and make sure to keep the news of the King’s illness under wraps to avoid serious trouble.
Samiyi went downstairs and found Puli already waiting for her in the hall.
“Mr. Puli, is this what you wanted to talk about?” Samiyi asked calmly.
Puli replied, “It must not be known to outsiders that His Majesty the King is ill.”
Samiyi nodded, “I understand. However, Miss Rou is not an outsider. She has now become the personal physician to His Majesty the King, so I don’t want to hear any objections from you.”
Puli frowned and asked, “Does Your Highness truly trust that foreign woman? Moreover, isn’t she a researcher? How did she become a doctor?”
Samiyi glanced at him and asked, “Have you forgotten why you’ve been standing there for half an hour?”
Puli’s face turned pale, and he said somewhat angrily, “That foreign woman is too much.”
Samiyi sneered, “If you could make her stand there for half an hour as well, then you would be the one treating the King right now, not her.”
Puli lacked the ability to treat illness. All he could say was, “Since Your Highness trusts her, I will refrain from commenting for now. But if she dares to hurt the King, I will never let her off.”
Samiyi said, “Your reminder is unnecessary.”
Just as they were talking, a commotion suddenly arose at the door. Samiyi immediately gestured with her eyes for Puli to stop talking.
“Where is His Majesty the King?” A middle-aged man burst into the hall, asking loudly, “I want to see His Majesty the King!”
In a low voice to Puli, Samiyi said, “Notify everyone to keep this place under control. Busodi must not be allowed to enter the second floor.”
Puli nodded slightly, then stealthily headed to the second floor.
Chapter 1430: Must see the King in 1429
The person who came was none other than Prince Busodi, the King’s cousin, who was also Monica’s husband.
Upon seeing Samiyi, Prince Busodi very impolitely asked, “Samiyi, where is the King? I want to see him.”
Samiyi replied, “It’s rest time now; His Majesty the King is resting. If Prince Busodi has something to say to the King, then please wait until he wakes up.”
Prince Busodi laughed and said, “Samiyi, can’t you check the time before you speak? It’s 12:35 PM now, the time for lunch, and the revered His Majesty the King is resting instead of eating. Do you think this is normal?”
Samiyi’s eyelid twitched; she should not have said that the King was sleeping. However, Samiyi was a smart person, and she had a way to cover up her mistake.
“Indeed, it’s not normal. However, Prince Busodi might want to hear my explanation,” Samiyi said very calmly. “This morning, I held a poetry gathering and invited your beloved wife. Although her cultural level isn’t high, I still invited her. You must know about this, right?”
Busodi replied, “Yes, I came to see the King because of the princess’s matter. She was insulted in the palace, and as her husband, how could I pretend as if nothing had happened?”
Samiyi sneered, “Coincidentally, the matter I wanted to talk about is also related to Princess Monica. This morning, His Majesty the King happily attended the gathering, but unexpectedly, Princess Monica caused trouble at the gathering. Not only did she lie on the floor acting crazy, but she also demanded His Majesty the King to send the guests away, which infuriated him so much that he left before the poetry gathering even started.”
Prince Busodi asked, “What does this have to do with the princess?”
Samiyi’s gaze became fierce as she said, “Her Highness Princess said that if the King did not deal with that guest from abroad, she would have her husband deal with it. Prince Busodi, would you like to guess why His Majesty the King became angry?”
Busodi’s face changed, then he said with a smile, “The princess is young, and I often dote on her, so it’s quite normal for her to be a bit willful.”
Samiyi said, “I’m sorry, but you are her husband, and we are not; we have no obligation to indulge her antics in the palace.”
Busodi’s anger subsided by half, and he admitted, “Alright, the princess was wrong in this matter. I will apologize to His Majesty the King and the guests on her behalf. Please help me convey this message to His Majesty the King.”
“No, His Majesty the King was so upset by the princess’s words that his heart ached, and he is resting now. You cannot disturb him.” Samiyi took a gamble; it was imperative not to let others know about the King’s serious illness, but she couldn’t explain why the King was not showing himself, so she chose a less severe ailment to mention.
After pondering for a moment, Busodi then asked with a smile, “Is His Majesty the King really resting, or does he not want to see me?”
Samiyi mocked, “His Majesty the King is not Princess Monica; he does not engage in such childish acts, so he would not avoid seeing you just because he is angry with you.”
Busodi’s expression turned sour as he said, “Samiyi, Monica is your sister-in-law. Show some respect when you speak.”
The person Samiyi disliked the most was Monica; it was impossible for her to respect Monica; thus, she said, “Did Monica respect me by sabotaging the poetry gathering I held? Prince Busodi, you are my cousin, so I respect you, but if you cannot control your woman, then don’t blame me for being rude to her!”
Busodi clenched his fist; his eyes fixed intensely on Samiyi. This woman was truly troublesome. She was much smarter and more vicious than that foolish Prince. If it weren’t for her being a woman, she would be the next ruler of the kingdom.
“Fine, I will discipline Monica properly,” Busodi said. “But I must see His Majesty the King. Please convey to the King that I have official business to report to him.”
Samiyi couldn’t let Busodi meet the King, so she made an excuse, “It’s already past the time for His Majesty the King to listen to reports. If Prince Busodi has official business to report, please come back tomorrow.”
The excuse from Puli was just what she needed to use.