The CEO's Woman Chapter 482 - The Wise King

"You may enter now."

Li Qiang offered a smile to the King's Chief Knight as he made his way into his brother's chambers.

"Your Highness," he bowed, awaiting King Zenu's acknowledgment.

"What are you doing?" the King's voice was as sharp as the memories of the former Li Qiang. "Cease bowing."

"Your Highness?" Li Qiang lowered his head, his gaze falling upon his brown tunic.

"You never address me as Your Highness." This was a known fact. Li Qiang had always referred to the King as 'brother,' even when residing in the capital. It was his subtle way of asserting their familial bond over their royal positions.

"I am a transformed man," Li Qiang stated, his eyes fixed on the marble floor. Silence descended as he felt the King's piercing gaze upon him.

"Raise your head and look at me," the King commanded. "Do you have a specific reason for this sudden change? Did you perhaps bump your head in that recent accident?" Li Qiang detected the mockery woven into the King's words but maintained his solemn demeanor.

"It was, in part, due to the accident," Li Qiang replied. "It was... at my mother's request." King Zenu's eyebrows immediately rose in surprise.

"The late princess? You loathed her... yet you refer to her as 'mother' now." King Zenu rested his chin on his palms, his elbows propped on the plush velvet of his chair. His aqua eyes gleamed with curiosity. "Most interesting."

"While I was fighting for my life... I saw mother..." Li Qiang began, retelling the story he had shared with everyone else. Tears welled in his eyes, and he fidgeted, his hands clenching into fists as he suppressed the urge to weep. "She told me of her profound disappointment. She expressed how I had been a terrible brother for failing to show you due respect." He paused deliberately, observing the flicker of amusement in his brother's eyes.

Li Qiang couldn't fathom how he had overlooked this expression before. At this juncture, he understood that the previous Li Qiang had been remarkably foolish. Yet, he never imagined he would be so... utterly oblivious. He closed his eyes, concealing the irritation surfacing in his gaze. "I wish to offer my sincerest apologies for the numerous troubles I have caused. I am now a changed man, and I have pledged, in my mother's honor, to mend my ways."

"Hmm... I never anticipated you would acknowledge your errors," King Zenu remarked, his eyes creasing as he smiled. Despite being older than Li Qiang, the King had preserved a youthful appearance through diligent use of medicine and regular exercise. "You claim this was prompted by a dream?" Suppressing a roll of his eyes, Li Qiang nodded. "Since you profess a desire for self-improvement... do you have any aspirations for your future?"

"I intend to dedicate myself to reading."

"Reading?" the King echoed. "As in, studying books?"

"Indeed, Your Highness. My constitution prevents me from learning magic, and... I believe I lack the aptitude to serve as one of your ministers. Therefore, I wish to immerse myself in reading to broaden my understanding of this world."

The King's laughter erupted, his deep voice resonating throughout his chambers. "So... you dismissed all your concubines merely to... read books?"

"You?" the King guffawed. "You, desiring to read books?" he inquired, disbelief evident in his mocking tone.

"Yes, Your Highness. My sole ambition is to acquire greater knowledge of this world," Li Qiang added. "I aspire to become... a scholar," he declared with barely concealed passion. He lifted his chin, meeting the King's gaze with newfound pride. "I aim to be the most learned individual in this entire kingdom!" he proclaimed.

Once more, the King succumbed to fits of laughter, clutching his stomach as he struggled to regain his composure. "Very well." He nodded repeatedly. "Very well... I accept your apology. And for providing me with such amusement, I shall... I shall grant you access to the royal library."

As if on cue, Li Qiang's eyes lit up. Beaming at the King like a child receiving his first sweet, he exclaimed, "Truly? I— I mean," he cleared his throat, lowering his head in feigned embarrassment. "I mean... thank you, Your Highness."

This reaction provided the King with yet another reason to laugh heartily. "Ah... Li Qiang... I truly did not anticipate the accident would alter you so drastically. For this genuine change... I shall reward you. Gold... I will instruct my servants to send you a sum of gold and silver tomorrow."

Li Qiang nodded at the King's pronouncement, inwardly patting himself on the back. Who could have performed better? Convinced of his successful deception, Li Qiang's lips curved into a smile as he bowed deeply. "May Your Highness reign for a thousand years more."

"Yes... yes..." King Zenu gestured dismissively with his hand. "You may depart now. Leave my presence. I shall see you at the celebration tomorrow."

Li Qiang offered his brother another respectful bow before exiting without further comment.

"That was rather unexpected," the King stated, rising from his throne. "I hadn't anticipated he would become... quite so befuddled."

"The butler mentioned that he has been exhibiting signs of significant memory loss recently," a voice emanated from the shadows behind the King's seat. "He suspects it is a consequence of the poison."

"Hmm... I can perceive that," the King acknowledged, accepting a cup of tea from a figure clad in a hooded black suit. "His demeanor is altered. It is as if I am conversing with a... child."

"Now that he is in this state... it will be considerably simpler for me to enact my stratagems," the King added.

"So... the marriage will proceed as planned?"

"Naturally! That woman... Wang Ruoyun is rapidly ascending in popularity due to her accomplishments. I must curtail her family's influence."

"Why not simply eliminate her father? The General is advanced in years. If he were to perish due to..."

"Imbecile." The King scoffed derisively. "Should that aged General meet his end, his daughter would undoubtedly suspect me. Since her husband's demise five years ago, she has become... unhinged and reckless. I cannot afford to have her initiate hostilities against us. At least, not at this juncture."

"Your Majesty is most astute," the attendant offered. King Zenu merely grunted in response.

"One certainty remains... the Wang Family... will soon face ruin." King Zenu declared, an insidious smile gracing his lips.

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