No one responded, not even Yihui who continued to hold her hand lightly upon the king’s wrist. She watched him closely, never interfering with his work, but twisting around to see his face or perhaps his eyes from a better angle. And in her movements, she made a noise that penetrated the king’s madness.
“Why you?” the king demanded. “Why you?”
“I told you this would upset him!” Dr. Willis all but shouted.
The queen rounded on him with a furious glare. “You will be silent!”
“I must protest!”
“Then you will leave.” She glanced at the guards who stepped forward ready to grab the man. Dr. Willis folded his arms together and glared. Fortunately, his mouth stayed closed or Max would have done the guards’ work for them.
Meanwhile, Yihui smiled at the patient.
“Hello, George. May I see your writing?”
“Economy of effort. Economy of effort. No one sees. No one hears!”
The king spoke very fast, but Yihui seemed unfazed. She listened as he continued to spew nonsense words. She nodded asif it made sense. If it made a difference, Max could not see it. And in time, even the queen lost patience.
“Miss Wong—” the queen began.
Yihui’s hand shot up to quiet the queen. The blind king could not see it, of course, but still Yihiu gestured behind her back in deference to the patient. And if Yihui heard the gasps of shock from the others in the room, she made no comment.
“She is a charlatan, Your Majesty,” Dr. Willis snorted. “Take her away. She is only making matters worse.”
Thankfully, the queen was not yet swayed. She shot the doctor an irritated glance.
Meanwhile, Yihui waited until the king paused in his muttering. Then she spoke softly and slowly to him.
“Thank you. You were very helpful,” she said.
The king straightened, his madness seeming to clear for a moment. “You’re welcome, young lady. Do send for tea.”
The reaction from everyone in the room was stunned surprise. This was a clear moment of lucidity. Everyone, that is, except for Yihui who answered pleasantly.
“I will. Thank you.” Then she turned to Max who quickly picked up her and carried her to another part of the room, sitting her down in the very spot that Dr. Willis had been in when they’d arrived.
The queen was quick to come to her side, but Yihui wasn’t ready to report yet. She looked at the nearest footman. “You will send for his tea?” she asked.
The footman looked to the queen who nodded. But of course, Dr. Willis had to interfere again.
“This is not the time for his tea. His stomach is delicate.”
Yihui narrowed her eyes. “Delicate how? Have you made a study of his food and his body’s reaction?”
“Of course, I have!” the man huffed.
She held out her hand. “Please let me see it.”
“I will not! You are an ignorant savage who has—”
The queen cut in. “You grow tiresome, Dr. Willis.”
He turned to her. “Your Majesty, do not be fooled—”
“I have heard your diagnosis. I should like to hear hers.” She gestured to the guards who again moved forward.
“You insult me. And you insult all the good, hardworking men who toil on your behalf!” He jerked on his lapels as he spun on his heels and stomped out of the room.
