Tears streamed down Gu Shaoyu's face as he grasped Emperor Hui's hand, choking back sobs as he asked, "Your Majesty, do you trust your minister?"

"Xi...Xin!" His Majesty trembled, struggling against the pain, and vomited a mouthful of blood.

"Your Majesty, please don't eat the hibiscus ointment! When I return, I will bring people to help you detoxify. I need to leave the palace; could Your Majesty please give me a waist token?"

Emperor Hui looked at Xiu Ning, trembling, and said, "Take it off, take it off..."

His gaze fell to his waist, and Xiu Ning asked, "Your Majesty, are you going to give the dragon pendant at your waist to Grand Secretary Gu?"

"yes."

Xiu Ning took off the dragon pendant and handed it to Gu Shaoyu: "Your Excellency, please keep it safe."

Gu Shaoyu hummed in agreement. Before leaving, he said to Xie Anfeng and Prince Jing, "Please make sure you two keep an eye on His Majesty and forbid anyone from giving him any hibiscus paste."

The two agreed and stood guard beside His Majesty's dragon throne.

Emperor Hui mumbled incoherently, "Long Yi, protect, protect Jing Chen..."

A dark figure chased after Gu Shaoyu.

Gu Shaoyu and Nan Xing rode two fast horses back to Qingpu Garden.

It was already the hour of Yin (3-5 AM). Due to the special circumstances, the curfew had not been lifted, and there were no pedestrians on the streets. Gu Shaoyu rode his horse all the way back to Qingpu Garden, holding His Majesty's dragon pendant in his hand and shouting "Avoidance!" all the way.

He and Nanxing came into the sight of the guards, who then locked them in place.

Because he ran out without a torch, and it was pitch black, the guards couldn't see who he was for a moment.

Gu Shaoyu knocked on the door, and the red book by the door asked, "Who is it?"

"The Red Book is this pavilion."

Hongshu hurriedly opened the door, and Gu Shaoyu rushed in. Hongshu immediately closed the door again.

"How is Madam?"

"good."

Hongshu actually wanted to say, "Madam is suffering from severe morning sickness and has lost a lot of weight," but Gu Shaoyu clearly had something urgent to attend to, so she kept quiet.

Where is Lu Feiyan?

"Stay by the lady's side. They are all in Lan Yue Pavilion."

Upon hearing this, Gu Shaoyu went directly to Lan Yue Pavilion.

Upon arriving at Lanyue Pavilion, they learned that Madam Xie and Xie Yu's wife were both in the mansion. After hearing that the rebel army in the palace had been defeated, Xie Zhaozhao and the others took a short rest on the couch in Lanyue Pavilion, fully clothed.

When Gu Shaoyu arrived at the entrance of Lan Yue Pavilion, he immediately noticed Yuan Yuanman, who was guarding the entrance.

"The Grand Secretary is back?" Yuan Yuan asked in surprise.

“Yuanyuan, I have something urgent to discuss with you. Do not disturb Madam. Please find Lu Feiyan and ask her about something urgent.”

Yuanyuan immediately went to Xie Zhaozhao's bedside and woke up Lu Feiyan, who was sitting and dozing off.

When Lu Feiyan woke up, she saw that Xie Zhaozhao was sleeping soundly, so she quickly came out.

Before she could speak, Gu Shaoyu asked, "Do you know how to cure poison?"

Usually, those who are skilled at poisoning are also adept at detoxification.

Lu Feiyan blinked her big, round eyes and asked, "What kind of poison?"

She was skilled at poisoning and antidoting, but that didn't mean she arrogantly believed she could cure all poisons in the world.

“I don’t know what kind of poison it is. Even the most skilled imperial physicians in the palace are helpless,” Gu Shaoyu said. “The poison flares up every few hours, causing excruciating pain and vomiting blood.”

He described Emperor Hui's symptoms, and Lu Feiyan said, "This poison feels familiar. Who has been poisoned? I'll go with you to take a look."

"He's a very important person." Gu Shaoyu naturally couldn't say that His Majesty had been poisoned; such a secret couldn't be revealed.

Upon hearing "a very important person," Lu Feiyan wondered what kind of person was even more important than him.

Your immediate supervisor?

Could it be His Majesty?

Lu Feiyan picked up her small crossbody bag and was about to leave when she suddenly stopped and said, "Lord Gu, I think we should take Uncle Chai with us."

Gu Shaoyu was also somewhat surprised: "Uncle Chai is here?"

“He’s been here for a while now. I think he looks like a master. Bringing him along will be more intimidating.”

It felt strangely funny! Gu Shaoyu's tense mood eased a bit, and he said to Hongshu, "Go and invite Uncle Chai."

A short while later, Uncle Chai arrived. Upon seeing Gu Shaoyu, he stroked his beard with delight and said, "It's been more than ten years since we last met."

"Uncle Chai, there's someone who needs Lu Feiyan and you to rescue." There was no time for catching up.

Uncle Chai readily agreed, "Then let's hurry up and go."

Nanxing was about to harness the horse-drawn carriage when Lu Feiyan said, "I can ride a horse."

Uncle Chai also said, "The old man can ride a horse too."

That's great! Without another word, the four of them rode into the palace.

Gu Shaoyu, carrying His Majesty's dragon pendant, led Chai Bo and Lu Feiyan into the palace.

Lu Feiyan's big eyes darted around as she walked, looking at everything around her.

The royal palace!

It was grand in scale, with magnificent buildings, pavilions and towers, and a splendid appearance. I wondered if my future imperial palace would be so luxurious.

With hurried steps, the group quickly arrived outside the Hall of Diligent Governance.

Gu Shaoyu went inside, and Xie Anfeng was waiting not far from Emperor Hui. When he saw Gu Shaoyu return, his gaze fell directly on Chai Bo.

He pulled Gu Shaoyu aside and whispered, "Are you confident?"

Gu Shaoyu said, "The person who comes is skilled in both medicine and poison."

"If it doesn't work, don't take the risk..." How can a dragon's body be treated casually?

"I know, don't worry, father-in-law..." Gu Shaoyu went in and saw that His Majesty had fainted from the pain.

Heartbroken, she immediately summoned Uncle Chai and Lu Feiyan into the main hall.

Consort Xi had come to serve him. She held Emperor Hui's hand with concern, her eyes red.

Prince Jing was on the other side of His Majesty, as was Duke Xun.

Upon seeing Gu Shaoyu arrive with his men, the two old men said with grave expressions, "Quickly, let His Majesty take a look."

Consort Xi looked at Lu Feiyan and Chai Bo in surprise and said, "This, isn't this the little maidservant by Zhao Zhao's side? Grand Secretary Gu, you're being ridiculous!"

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!