After helping Ziwei up, Erkang glared at Anke with resentment, as if Anke were the one who had forced them. "Princess Yong'an, isn't it wrong of you to force people like this? Ziwei just didn't realize what was happening, how can it be Ziwei's fault?"

Okay, okay, so you all think you're right no matter what you say, right?

An Ke felt that talking to them was like casting pearls before swine. "Fu Erkang, are you deaf? If you are, I suggest you see a royal physician. Or you could try doing handstands often and get rid of the water in your brain. Did I make her kneel? Didn't she kneel there herself? Your eyesight isn't very good either. And weren't you just shouting for the Emperor to judge? Well, didn't I, this princess, do as you wish and invite the Emperor? What were you doing, acting so arrogantly?"

"You...you've gone too far! I'm going to report this to the Emperor truthfully. I want to see if he'll still favor you." Fu Erkang pointed his trembling index finger at Princess Yong'an, speaking each word with profound meaning.

"Alright, then just wait and see." Anke smiled. It's like saying, "There's a road to heaven, but you choose not to. There's no gate to hell, so you choose to throw yourself in!"

An Ke simply couldn't be bothered to pay them any attention. She then turned around and prepared to go back to the imperial kitchen; she couldn't possibly forget what she needed to do.

Seeing this, Fu Erkang immediately retorted sarcastically, "What are you doing? Are you going to destroy evidence?"

Seeing his brother's increasingly outrageous remarks, Ertai punched Fu Erkang. "Brother, are you only happy when you've ruined the entire Fu family with your words? Can't you just shut up?" After saying that, Fu Ertai quickly caught up with An Ke.

Ertai: I can't let An'an be prejudiced against me too. ?? (?? ￣??￣? )?? ?? I'll go help An'an now.

“Princess, if you need any help, please don’t hesitate to ask me. I will do my best to help you.” Ertai bowed and clasped his hands in greeting.

“Alright. I see that the fire Ziwei started has gone out. Go and start a fire now,” An Ke said casually.

"Yes!" Ertai, like a well-behaved big dog, received the order and immediately ran happily towards the stove.

Yongqi, still outside, was also shocked by what had happened that day. But no matter what, he would stand by his cousin. He ignored Erkang and Ziwei and turned to walk towards the imperial kitchen.

Seeing that both Buddha statues had left, Master Zhuang couldn't very well leave Granny Gui alone to go inside. So he could only stand guard outside, keeping a low profile.

Ziwei, now filled with lingering fear, tightly gripped Erkang's sleeve and said, "What should we do? What if the Emperor comes and doesn't listen to our explanations, but just makes a final judgment?"

Ziwei's eyes darted around nervously, clearly very tense. This expression of Ziwei's perfectly satisfied Erkang's hidden patriarchal desires.

Erkang held Ziwei's hands tenderly, as if assuring her, and said, "Don't worry, the Emperor will definitely investigate thoroughly. You haven't done anything wrong, so the Emperor certainly won't punish you. If the Emperor knows the truth, he won't spoil the princess." Erkang's confidence seemed to come from nowhere, and his words sounded so arrogant that others would think he was being presumptuous.

Master Zhuang, standing in the background, silently rolled his eyes: These two must be out of their minds. They know perfectly well that the Emperor and the Empress Dowager dote on the Princess, yet they still come looking for trouble. And now they say the Emperor won't spoil the Princess? You should know that the Princess can do whatever she wants in the palace. Even if the Princess kills someone, the Emperor will only hand her the knife and casually praise her for the killing.

Granny Gui was still lying comfortably in her recliner, but a mocking smile played on her lips. "Heh heh, your good days are over. Of all people to mess with, you had to provoke the princess. Even if we suffer 800 casualties ourselves, we'll make them kill 1000 enemies."

*

Xingxing traveled quickly. She arrived at the Imperial Hospital first and summoned Physician Hu. She knew that her mistress cherished her servants the most, especially Granny Gui, who had suffered this undeserved calamity on behalf of her mistress. Naturally, she had to ask the physician to examine Granny Gui first.

Upon hearing this, Physician Hu immediately slung his medicine box over his shoulder and ran towards the Imperial Kitchen. How could he not run? One was the most esteemed Princess Yong'an of the court, and the other was an old servant of the Empress Dowager; he couldn't afford to offend either of them. Even with his old bones, he could only run for his life.

Then, Xingxing walked quickly toward the Cining Palace.

They ran into the Emperor, who was there to speak with the Empress Dowager, as soon as they arrived at the entrance, and went in together.

"Why is the Emperor here?" The Empress Dowager looked at the two strange people. "Xingxing, why did you come back by yourself? Where is your princess? Where is An'an?"

"Your Majesty, I don't know either. I met Xingxing at the door." After bowing to the Empress Dowager, the Emperor turned to look at Xingxing behind him. "Where is An'an?"

Xingxing then had a chance to tell the two the truth. "Your Majesty and Empress Dowager, it was the Princess who sent me to invite Your Majesty and Empress Dowager to the Imperial Kitchen."

"Go to the Imperial Kitchen? What for? What delicious concoction has that girl invented this time? There's no need to go to the Imperial Kitchen; just have someone bring it back." The Emperor was still completely bewildered, not knowing what was going on, and thought it was just like usual. An'an had researched some food. But usually, after An'an researched some food, she would bring it back. Why was she unusually sending someone to invite him and his mother today?

"Did something happen to An'an in the imperial kitchen?" The previous champion of palace intrigue is truly remarkable, pinpointing the problem so accurately.

"Yes, the princess was preparing cooling ingredients for the Empress Dowager in the imperial kitchen, but the kitchen was bustling with activity, so she asked Ziwei to prepare the ingredients." Xingxing glanced at the Emperor before continuing. "However, without asking any questions, Master Fu started accusing the princess and insulting Miss Ziwei. He even said he would report to the Emperor and ask him to intervene fairly. So the princess sent me to invite the Emperor and the Empress Dowager."

"Outrageous! Utterly outrageous! What is the Fu family? What is Fu Erkang? How dare he criticize the princess?" The Empress Dowager slammed her hand on the table in anger and immediately stood up.

Qing'er kept a close eye on the Empress Dowager. When she saw the Empress Dowager stand up, she immediately went to her side and helped her up.

The Emperor was furious upon hearing this, and seeing that the Empress Dowager was also enraged, he dared not delay. "Empress Mother, please calm down, I'll go and see her." He also gave Qing'er, who was beside the Empress Dowager, a wink.

But the Empress Dowager couldn't wait any longer. She was so afraid her granddaughter An'an might be harmed that she wouldn't listen to anything. "Your Majesty, there's no need to say more. Let's go to the Imperial Kitchen and see for ourselves; we'll know everything then."

Having said that, without waiting for the Emperor's reaction, she walked straight out of the palace. Qing'er quickly supported her. The Emperor sighed helplessly and strode after her.

Not only were the Empress Dowager and the Emperor furious, but even Li Yu and Xiao Luzi, who were serving nearby, were extremely angry. The princess was such a good person, how dare a mere servant like him criticize her? The two exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with endless cold light.

With Yongqiertai's help, bowls of refreshing and visually appealing cold noodles were created.

Fu Ertai wisely stood aside, not pleading with his brother. It was his brother's own fault for being so outspoken. And yet, he was still serving in the imperial court? Before he knew it, his head would be separated from his body without him even realizing it.

Yongqi stood by, seemingly at a loss for words. He didn't know what to say. Ziwei wasn't someone he cared about. Although he had come along, seemingly intending to support Ziwei, he and An Ke were cousins. It didn't make sense for him to side with his cousin, whom he had grown up with, instead of protecting a half-sister who had been separated from him for over ten years. So he remained silent.

But after seeing the cold noodles Anke made, he showered her with praise. "Cousin, what's on your mind all day? This bowl of cold noodles looks so refreshing. I really don't know how many creative ideas are in your little head." Yongqi could only marvel at his cousin's clever mind.

An Ke chuckled, covering her face with a handkerchief. "If cousin wants some, he can just take a bowl. Why bother subtly hinting to his cousin here?" After all, they grew up together, so how could An Ke not understand Yong Qi's thoughts? Besides, Yong Qi had been staring at the bowl of cold noodles with wide eyes, practically drooling.

"Really? I thought An'an only remembered the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, and that her cousin wouldn't get a chance." Yongqi was relieved to see An Ke smile. He also felt like teasing An Ke.

“Cousin, what you’re saying is so heartless. In the past, every single dish that my cousin researched and made was sent to your Yonghe Palace.” An Ke also pretended to be angry and turned around, ignoring Yong Qi behind her.

"Yes, yes, yes, it was my cousin who misspoke. I apologize to you. Princess Yong'an is very magnanimous, please forgive me this time!" Yongqi knew he couldn't tease her too much, so he quickly apologized.

"Alright, I'm a magnanimous princess, I won't hold it against my cousin this time." An Ke looked like she was saying, "Look how generous I am."

"Alright, Fifth Brother knew his cousin was the easiest to talk to." After saying that, Yongqi didn't dare to tease her any further and quickly turned to instruct Xiao Shunzi beside him to put his bowl of cold noodles into a food box and take it back to Yonghe Palace later.

An Ke glanced at Fu Ertai, who had just helped out, now standing meekly to the left and behind her cousin. The young man had striking features—sharp eyebrows, bright eyes, a jade-like complexion, and red lips with white teeth. His bowed head made him look like a docile dog. As for his physique, Fu Ertai's blue robe, cinched at the waist, accentuated his tall, strong figure, highlighting his inverted triangle shape.

An Ke's impression of Fu Ertai is currently quite good; even in the drama, his character is very clear-headed. Knowing he can't compete with Yong Qi, whether in terms of status or affection, he quietly withdraws. After meeting Saiya, he silently steps forward again to resolve their crisis. Moreover, he just kept Fu Erkang from confronting him directly, showing he's a person of principle, understanding, and foresight. So, it's fair to categorize him somewhat differently from people like Fu Erkang.

Looking at the extra bowls, An Ke stared directly at Fu Ertai to the side and said in a deep voice, "There are a few extra bowls here. If Young Master Fu doesn't mind, you might as well take one home."

Upon hearing this, Ertai's eyes lit up again. He had been listening to Yongqi and the princess's conversation, silently filled with envy. He could only lower his head, not wanting to look at this enviable scene. He never expected that the princess would still remember him. There was even a portion for him? "Yes, it's something made by the princess. How could this servant dare to complain? Thank you for your kindness, princess. Hanxiu, please find the food box to put it away."

Hanxiu quickly put his young master's bowl into the food box, then stood properly behind him, carrying the food box.

Just then, they heard voices and arguments outside. An Ke was the first to stride out. She saw that it was Physician Hu who had arrived, and the argument was that Er Kang wanted Physician Hu to examine Ziwei as well. But Master Zhuang believed that Granny Gui should be examined first. Moreover, this was someone the Princess had ordered to be invited, and it was right for the Princess to make the arrangements.

"Greetings, Princess Yong'an! May Princess Yong'an be blessed." Physician Hu hurriedly put down his medicine box and bowed to An Ke.

"Please rise, Physician Hu. Please examine Granny Gui first. I suspect she has a fracture." An Ke glanced at Er Kang and Zi Wei, who were standing in the center of the courtyard, then looked at Granny Gui under the osmanthus tree.

With the princess's permission, how could Physician Hu dare disobey? He wiped the sweat from his brow. He had originally come to see Granny Gui, but Fu Erkang had caught him. If it weren't for Lord Fu Lun's sake, he would have already started mocking him. Making the head of the Imperial Medical Academy treat a servant? Wasn't that a waste of his talents? Only that eccentric doctor Chang Shou, who was on good terms with the painter Ban, was often dragged to Shufangzhai to treat Princess Huanzhu and the others.

Otherwise, according to the imperial physicians in the Imperial Hospital, Shufangzhai was truly an ominous place. Whether master or servant, everyone there was either injured today or tomorrow; they were always on the path to injury. Furthermore, everyone was filled with inner turmoil and countless worries. Physician Hu didn't want to suffer internal strife; he only wanted to retire to his hometown when he reached a certain age. This was a place of trouble, and he was best advised to avoid it as much as possible.

Fu Erkang couldn't say anything, he could only glare angrily at Anke from the side.

Physician Hu first examined Granny Gui's arm and confirmed that what the princess said was true; Granny Gui did indeed have a broken arm. "The princess is right, Granny Gui does have a broken arm."

"Then I'll trouble Physician Hu to help Granny Gui get properly settled." An Ke said, her face darkening. This Fu Er Kang!