Chapter 180 The Cannon Fodder Concubine in the Harem—Stealing Medicine

As soon as the court session ended, Emperor Jingping couldn't wait to go to Showa Palace.

"Yaoyao, is there anything wrong with your body?" Emperor Jingping asked patiently with concern.

"Your Majesty, I am well. It is Your Majesty who, despite being so busy with state affairs, still finds time to visit me." Yao Yao looked at Emperor Jingping tenderly, her eyes filled with gratitude.

Emperor Jingping held Yaoyao's hand and gently stroked her belly. "This is my and Yaoyao's child, so naturally I must take good care of him."

Yao Yao smiled slightly, "Your Majesty, you are so good to me!"

Emperor Jingping thought for a moment, then gently pinched the bridge of her nose and said with a smile, "You really know how to talk."

Just as Yaoyao was about to act coquettishly again, a palace maid brought in a bowl of medicine to help with pregnancy. "Your Highness, it's time to drink your medicine."

She pouted her slender little mouth, grumbled, and said, "The medicine is so bitter, I don't want to drink it."

Emperor Jingping looked at Yaoyao, who was still acting like a child and couldn't help but laugh.

Enraged, Yaoyao let out a heavy snort at Emperor Jingping.

Before Emperor Jingping could react, the graceful young palace maid trembled slightly, exclaiming in her heart, "Consort Jiaxian is so favored!"

Emperor Jingping took the medicine bowl, blew on it, and coaxed her gently, "Yaoyao, be good, drink it while it's hot. After you finish drinking it, I'll bring you something nice."

Upon hearing about the gift, Yaoyao's eyes lit up, and she excitedly exclaimed, "Your Majesty, you keep your word!"

Emperor Jingping nodded: "My word is as good as gold!"

Yao Yao then pinched her nose and forced herself to drink the medicine to prevent miscarriage.

Emperor Jingping chatted with Yaoyao for a while, but due to his busy schedule, he had to leave Showa Palace. Before leaving, he made a promise to Yaoyao that he would come to see her again that evening.

*

During her pregnancy, Yaoyao stayed at Showa-no-Miya Palace and rarely went out.

Yao Yao's father, Xu Chonglou, has officially taken up his post in the capital, and the Xu family has also officially settled down in the capital.

The Marquis of Dingyuan's family sent invitations to Xu Chonglou, but Xu's parents ignored them completely.

The moment Xu Chonglou learned that his daughter had been plotted against by his family, he decided to sever all ties with them.

Having cultivated his career in officialdom for many years, Xu Chonglou naturally knew the dangers of the inner palace. If it weren't for his daughter's favor, his family, driven by self-interest, would never have given him a second glance!

Back then, Xu Chonglou did not choose to curry favor with his family because of their power, and now, he will not lose his principles and judgment because of power.

He knew all too well that while power was tempting, if it blinded him, he would lose his way and might even bring disaster upon himself and his family.

Therefore, no matter how great the temptations and pressures, he always adhered to his bottom line and kept his true self!

*

Ouyang Yunduo returned to the martial arts world and to the thatched hut her master had built on the mountainside.

She tried to subtly inquire about the secret medicine from her master, but was interrupted by Zhou Tianshi.

When Master Zhou carefully examined his disciple who had been gone for so long, he was surprised to find that the once innocent and naive little girl had become so unfamiliar.

Her eyes had lost their former clarity and innocence, replaced by a deep weariness and confusion.

So many changes have occurred since the apprentice went down the mountain.

Master Zhou's tone was somewhat unfriendly, and he directly exposed her: "Xiao Duo, do you want that secret medicine?"

Ouyang Yunduo didn't expect her master to see right through her words. She nodded, then shook her head.

Master Zhou didn't say directly, "Xiao Duo, there's only one of those secret medicines. I need it, so I can't give it to you. Don't even think about it."

Ouyang Yunduo nodded blankly. After listening to Master Zhu's words, she was a little confused. This was the first time her master had ever spoken to her in such an impatient tone.

Zhou Tianshi had no idea what his disciple had gone through during this time. He got up and left to focus on studying his medicine.

For the past few days, Ouyang Yunduo had been struggling with what to do until she accidentally saw a large amount of silver hidden under her master's bed, at which point she finally decided to steal it.

In Ouyang Yunduo's view, with so much silver, even if the secret medicine was lost, her master could continue to make it.

Without delay, that very night, Ouyang Yunduo began carefully searching after her master fell asleep.

Soon, Ouyang Yunduo found it. She was overjoyed and was about to get up to leave when she heard a faint voice behind her:

"Yun Duo, you actually stole your master's medicine! Your master has raised a thankless wretch!"

In his dream tonight, Master Zhou dreamt that his disciple stole the secret medicine, which caused his long-lost daughter to be unable to conceive, and that he himself had never been able to make the same kind of pill in his entire life!

In his dream, his daughter didn't recognize him, and in the end, he went mad because of his obsession with making pharmaceuticals!

"Master, I'm sorry, please give this medicine to your disciple!"

As she spoke, Ouyang Yunduo got up and ran towards the door.

"No! I can't give you this medicine!" Master Zhou quickly chased after him.

The two ran wildly, with Ouyang Yunduo in front and Zhou Tianshi in hot pursuit.

Suddenly, Ouyang Yunduo lost her footing, slipped, and fell straight forward to the ground.

Seeing that the opportunity was not to be missed, Zhou Tianshi immediately turned around and rushed forward, snatching the small porcelain bottle from her hand.

Seeing this, Ouyang Yunduo was extremely anxious. She struggled to stand up and tried to take back the pill, but Zhou Tianshi blocked her attack with his elbow.

Ouyang Yunduo exerted too much force, lost her balance, and tumbled down the mountain.

When Zhou Tianshi saw his disciple fall, his face turned frighteningly grim, but he did not choose to save her. Instead, he turned and left.

His steps were heavy and firm, as if he had already made a decision in his heart.

Upon returning to his residence, Master Zhou immediately began packing. He carefully arranged all his important items and medicinal herbs, placing them into his bag.

Throughout the entire process, he remained silent and his expression was serious.

Several months passed, and Ouyang Yunduo did not reappear. Not only could Marquis Dingyuan not contact her, but Xu Xingzhou could not either.

Xu Xingzhou was kept in the dark and knew nothing about what his father had done.

He simply believed that Ouyang Yunduo had heartlessly abandoned the deep affection between them.

This sudden blow plunged him into deep pain and confusion, leaving him listless and devoid of his former vitality.

Marquis Dingyuan gazed solemnly at the distant sky, his eyes revealing deep worry and unease.

His thoughts seemed to drift away with the endless sky, and an indescribable sense of heaviness welled up in his heart.

He knew that Ouyang Yunduo was in a difficult situation, with little chance of survival, and might even be dead.

Seeing his dejected son, Marquis Dingyuan ultimately dared not reveal the truth.