Chapter 40 Summoning

Zhuang Dongqing's computer crashed.

Restart, "But... what if it stops..."

Master Zhao: "It's not very useful to drink it."

Zhuang Dongqing's computer crashed again.

"So, we have no choice but to stop?"

In that case, there's only one path left to take.

Was the original body the same?

Or was the original owner's poor health in the later stages also due to the effects of toxins?

Was her rekindling her relationship with Cen Yan partly due to the poison?

Zhuang Dongqing couldn't figure it out, and dared not gamble, finding herself in a dilemma.

Master Zhao discerned something from his expression, dismissed the medicine boy and Liu Fu, and waited until only the two of them remained in the outer room of the main house. Master Zhao then asked succinctly, "What is troubling you, young master? Are you afraid of needing your master? Or do you not want to trouble your master?"

"Or is there another difficulty?"

Zhuang Dongqing was confused. "I don't know."

"Is this the only way to solve it?"

Master Zhao softened his tone, "Strictly speaking, not necessarily."

"Because I am not a drug manufacturer, I cannot precisely control the degree."

"This poison is an antidote for both poisons, but there are other antidotes that can cure both poisons. However, as I said before, I am not the one who makes poisons. Even if there were an antidote, it would be difficult to break this kind of strange poison in a short period of time unless the person who poisoned it came up with the antidote. It would be difficult to break it with external force."

"Even if the Holy Maiden of Southern Xinjiang were here and could identify what kind of Gu worm it is, it is not a toxin made using the methods of Southern Xinjiang. I'm afraid even the Holy Maiden wouldn't be able to create the corresponding antidote."

Zhuang Dongqing understood.

Cen Yan is currently the most convenient antidote he can access.

He should not hope for any other antidote, unless it rains blood or the sun rises in the west.

Master Zhao: "Actually, both times the poison was partially removed, so perhaps it wasn't necessary to go through the same process as the first time..."

"After all, it's just residual poison."

"Perhaps if we maintain the current level, it can be completely removed gradually."

Zhuang Dongqing's eyes lit up: "Really?"

Mr. Zhao's answer was very doctor-like: "It's just that we can't rule out that possibility."

Zhuang Dongqing deflated again.

Master Zhao observed Zhuang Dongqing for a while, then cautiously asked, "Young Master can't accept the master's intimacy?"

Zhuang Dongqing: "No, that's not it."

“I…he…”

Zhuang Dongqing said dejectedly, "I never intended to interpret it this way."

When he first heard it was residual poison, he thought that drinking some medicine and getting acupuncture would be enough.

I never expected it to develop like this.

To say that one cannot accept Cen Yan is not entirely true. Cen Yan is still in line with Zhuang Dongqing's aesthetic standards. If one truly could not accept him, then the first time would have been unsuccessful, and there would be no child, and thus none of the current complications.

However, it's not entirely true that it's possible.

He still felt that it was better to do things like sleeping together with his boyfriend.

The chaotic life in the entertainment industry is not the kind of life Zhuang Dongqing seeks.

Of course, these ideas don't match the current situation; they were just his initial visions for his life.

Now that a new dynasty has been established, not to mention the ideas and values ​​that are no longer acceptable in ancient times, it is normal for the pre-established path to be broken under such circumstances.

Zhuang Dongqing let out a long sigh, covered her eyes with her hands, and felt irritated.

Master Zhao tentatively asked, "Young Master, would you be so kind as to listen to this old man's words?"

"Please speak."

Master Zhao: "I think it's normal to have some resistance, after all, you and the master didn't get to know each other under normal circumstances, but there's not much need to worry about these things."

"This poison is strange. Even with only a little left, it's difficult to handle. If it really takes effect, we don't know what harm it will cause to your body or the child. Young master, are you willing to gamble?"

Zhuang Dongqing remained silent.

I also understand what Master Zhao means.

"You're right."

"I've been thinking too much."

All other miscellaneous things can wait; saving your life is the most important thing.

Her fingers twitched slightly, resisting the urge to touch her lower abdomen, and she silently added in her heart, "And the health of the child."

He must be healthy, and the child he gives birth to must be strong and healthy, unlike the children in the book.

Once Zhuang Dongqing has made up her mind, she is not one to waver.

Thinking of something, she hesitated and asked, "Then the prince..."

Would Cen Yan agree?

Zhuang Dongqing thought it should be possible, but wasn't sure.

What if, just what if, they really just wanted to help me out?

Master Zhao understood, “Based on my understanding of the Prince, if he is unwilling, even if he just raises his hand, the Master will not make a move or give any wrong hints; but if he gets involved and starts something, he will definitely be involved to the end.”

Not a single word embarrassed Zhuang Dongqing, yet every word was explained clearly.

Master Zhao truly lives up to his reputation as a divine physician; he possesses some of the traditional skills of a doctor.

Zhuang Dongqing nodded.

She still looked a little dazed, but at least she accepted it.

When Master Zhao left, he took the excess medicinal herbs from the east wing.

He turned and went to the west wing to report the situation on Zhuang Dongqing's side.

They also recounted their subsequent conversation to Cen Yan word for word.

Cen Yan nodded after listening, agreeing, "That's good advice."

Master Zhao dared not take credit, saying, "It is Your Highness who has a good grasp of the young master's feelings."

Yes, these arguments weren't actually Zhao Ye's idea; they were taught to him by Cen Yan.

After learning that acupuncture was not feasible, Cen Yan had a conversation with Master Zhao, during which he discussed not only Zhuang Dongqing's condition.

Cen Yan was always the type to think ten steps ahead before taking any action. He had considered the possibility of stopping the medication, and even told Master Zhao about Zhuang Dongqing's various reactions after the medication was stopped, as well as how to deal with them, so that he could be careful.

It came in handy today.

Cen Yan's focus, however, was elsewhere. He asked Master Zhao, "Is he very unwilling?"

"It's not that they're unwilling, but from what I can see, they haven't thought about it this deeply, and it takes them a while to accept it all at once."

“I see.” Cen Yan lowered his eyes.

Master Zhao wiped the sweat from his forehead and added, "I specifically asked the young master if he could not accept the master's closeness."

Cen Yan looked up. Master Zhao said, "Young Master said 'no.'"

The face in front of him remained expressionless as always, but Master Zhao sensed that Cen Yan was in a better mood, and then asked, "Since Master has decided to keep this child, do you also have corresponding plans for the young master?"

"Yes, but there's no rush. Let's deliver the baby safely first."

Master Zhao wanted to ask this question, and upon hearing it, he breathed a sigh of relief, "That's what I meant too."

"Having been in the capital for many years, the tasks assigned by His Majesty have made the Prince's Mansion an enemy in the capital."

"Although the pregnant men of the Ren clan are generally strong, it is easier to dodge a spear than a hidden arrow. If we make it public too early, it may not be good for the young master..."

"Of course, it's good that these masters know what's going on. I'm just adding my two cents."

Cen Yan: "I know what I'm doing. You don't need to think so much. Just take good care of Zhuang Dongqing."

Master Zhao agreed.

*

Zhuang Dongqing's mind couldn't quite process what was happening, and feeling somewhat dejected, she turned and went into the kitchen.

Today's cook is Old Zhu. Since he came to the East Wing, Zhuang Dongqing has changed his address from head chef to chef Zhu, and now to Uncle Zhu.

The change in the relationship between the two is evident.

"Young Master, what brings you here? The kitchen is smoky, and we're about to start cooking. Be careful not to get smoked." Old Zhu greeted Zhuang Dongqing warmly from afar.

Zhuang Dongqing moved a stool to the side and, having nothing else to do, reached out to help his Uncle Zhu pick vegetables.

Old Zhu wouldn't dare let Zhuang Dongqing do that. After chatting for a bit, he assumed Zhuang Dongqing was just feeling unwell after taking the medicine. Old Zhu rolled up his sleeves and said, "Then how about eating something to calm your nerves?"

Before two cups of tea had been brewed, the leafy greens in Zhuang Dongqing's hands had been replaced by a steaming bowl of plump shrimp.

Each one is rosy and plump, and huge in size.

Zhuang Dongqing hadn't seen shrimp on the table much before, so he asked Lao Zhu and received a warm reply: "Isn't this the beginning of summer? It's the time when river shrimp are at their fattest. These are all freshly caught this year. We sent two batches before when it was still cold, but I thought they were too small, so I didn't take them."

"This is the first batch this year. I originally planned to cook it for my young master at noon, but it's perfect for him to eat and play with now."

Zhuang Dongqing tried one.

Mmm, the meat is firm and chewy, and very delicious.

It would be even better if there was some wasabi.

But it's also good with vinegar; it tastes delicious.

With the morning sun shining on her body, Zhuang Dongqing peeled shrimp one after another, first removing the heads, then pinching off the tails, and finally peeling off the shells and removing the shrimp veins. She dipped them in vinegar, took a bite, and oh my, delicious!

One, two, the third one was given to Liufu who wasn't very good at peeling, four, five... After peeling half a bowl of shrimp, Zhuang Dongqing had had enough to eat.

Reaching out to let Liu Fu wipe him, Zhuang Dongqing squinted in the sunlight.

After a good meal and some sunshine, I feel much better.

"How should I cook shrimp for lunch?"

Zhuang Dongqing casually asked Old Zhu.

"Now the young master can enjoy the original flavor. We'll make braised prawns for lunch."

Deep-fried!

With anticipation for lunch, Zhuang Dongqing's mood improved even more.

*

For the next few days, Zhuang Dongqing stayed in the east wing, while Cen Yan recuperated in the west wing, and the two did not see each other.

It wasn't that I intentionally wanted to avoid it.

Once Cen Yan was able to walk again, Zhuang Dongqing resumed her usual life and stopped visiting the west wing. Cen Yan, who seemed to be busy with something, also stopped coming to the east wing, so the two never ran into each other.

In his heart, Zhuang Dongqing was quite relieved. It was better not to see him, as it gave him some breathing room.

Otherwise, every encounter will be awkward and worrying.

The imperial physician came twice more. As soon as the physician left, Liu Qi went to the east wing and told Zhuang Dongqing about the situation. As a result, Zhuang Dongqing's heart, which had just been raised, was put back at ease after hearing Liu Qi's account.

Well, Cen Yan stopped using poison and stopped pretending to be sick. The imperial physician's conclusion was that "the prince is a lucky man and has finally pulled through, but he still needs to rest."

All of this was also part of Cen Yan's plan.

Nothing went wrong, so Zhuang Dongqing was even less worried.

They also accidentally received news about the male lead, Li Yang.

It was during a casual chat with Liu Qi that the topic of snake venom came up. Liu Qi then mentioned Consort Shu, and Zhuang Dongqing learned that Consort Shu had indeed died, but not from illness. She had been bitten by a venomous snake and died from the venom.

Zhuang Dongqing asked, puzzled, "Are there many of these venomous snakes?"

“Not many, but they were taken by a special trainer. One of them went to Consort Shu’s palace,” Liu Qi explained. “He originally intended to use Consort Shu as a hostage to threaten His Majesty, but when he saw that it wouldn’t work, he made a desperate decision and poisoned Consort Shu.”

Zhuang Dongqing was stunned. "What do you mean 'can't'? Could it be that His Majesty..."

Liu Qi nodded, "His Majesty went to the battlefield when he was young and has experienced countless battles. He has long since abandoned any sentimentality and would never be coerced by such means."

"But...isn't that his favorite concubine?"

Liu Qi: "Yes, so Consort Shu was chosen under His Majesty's supervision, and therefore His Majesty is well aware of the power of this kind of snake venom."

Zhuang Dongqing: "..."

Zhuang Dongqing: "Then Li Yang, he..."

Liu Qi: "We haven't heard much from the Sixth Prince lately, which must be because he's extremely sad. He hasn't come out since returning to the palace."

"Young Master Zhuang wants to know about him..."

Zhuang Dongqing quickly shook her head, "I was just asking, there's no need to trouble someone to find out."

Even though Zhuang Dongqing was worried about Li Yang's constitution, she didn't dare to ask anyone about it.

Not to mention, the Prince's Mansion is still facing a predicament, so let's take care of ourselves first before thinking about anything else.

After saying this, Zhuang Dongqing felt a little downcast. Then, thinking of something, she became worried again, "If even his favorite concubine can act like this, what if His Majesty finds out that the Prince was lying to him? What will happen...?"

After a moment's consideration, Liu Qi replied truthfully, "I should know."

"However, there is actually a balance of power between the emperor and his subjects. In the hunting grounds, His Majesty knew exactly what was going on, yet he tacitly allowed the Third Prince to slander his master in order to divert the court's attention. His Majesty has failed his master in this matter, so we cannot just silently swallow this injustice. Otherwise, in the future, we will only owe more and more to those who are willing to suffer losses."

Zhuang Dongqing couldn't understand the part about the imperial court.

But I understand the principle.

People need to have some sharpness, otherwise, kindness will be taken advantage of.

A few days later, Liu Qi came to tell Zhuang Dongqing that Cen Yan's knife wounds had healed, and the one on his shoulder was just waiting for the scabs to fall off.

Having taken care of her for so long, Zhuang Dongqing felt a bit tempted to go and see her after hearing this.

Liu Qi also extended a warm invitation, saying that Zhuang Dongqing had made a great contribution to Cen Yan's recovery and that he should go and see him.

"But has he been very busy lately?"

Zhuang Dongqing had vaguely heard that there were many things going on in the West Wing, and she was afraid of disturbing him.

Liu Qi: "I had some matters to attend to in the court a few days ago, but I've had some free time in the last two days."

"Then... shall I have dinner in the west wing tonight?"

After not seeing each other for several days, and with the detoxification issue between us, I did some mental preparation at noon.

Liu Qi readily agreed.

However, Zhuang Dongqing, who had mentally prepared herself, still did not see Cen Yan at noon. As soon as noon passed, the palace seemed to have planned it all out, and His Majesty issued an imperial edict summoning Cen Yan.

The imperial decree arrived with several eunuchs and a luxurious carriage.

As soon as the imperial edict was announced, the eunuch immediately invited Cen Yan to get into the carriage and brought him to the palace.