While Liu Heng was recuperating in Yuanwu City, he temporarily stayed in the residence of an official within the city. The original owner and his family had all moved out, but the servants remained.

After leaving Liu Heng's place, Lin Yuqiao didn't go straight back to her own courtyard. Instead, she called over the temporary steward.

"Is Your Highness's medicine changed every day?"

She roughly knew that doctors in this era were quite humane in their pulse diagnosis and prescriptions. Basically, after taking the patient's pulse each day, they would change the prescription, adding or subtracting a few herbs according to the patient's condition.

"Yes, we invited the old manager of Huanchuntang in the city to come and take my pulse. He changes my dressing every morning after taking my pulse."

"Has the new prescription been written yet? Go and call the doctor over."

After waiting for a while, Lin Yuqiao saw an old man with completely white hair and beard running over with a servant.

"This is Dr. Hu from Huanchuntang, who is especially skilled in treating external injuries and internal ailments."

The person in charge assumed that Lin Yuqiao also wanted to have Doctor Hu check her pulse, so he specifically reminded her.

Lin Yuqiao took the new prescription, which listed a string of Chinese herbs whose names she had never heard of before.

"Could you add more Coptis chinensis to this prescription?"

Realizing she couldn't understand the prescription and didn't quite understand the properties of the herbs, Lin Yuqiao simply recited the name of the most bitter Chinese herb she knew.

"Coptis chinensis can clear heat and dry dampness, soothe the liver and relieve fever, which is fine, but..."

Dr. Hu didn't understand Lin Yuqiao's intentions and hesitated before speaking. Because Coptis chinensis has a pungent taste, most people would add as little as possible, so this was the first time he had heard of someone voluntarily adding Coptis chinensis.

"Our prince has never been able to sit for long periods of time. I'm afraid that if he's idle, he'll become even more depressed. Doctor, please add more of this medicine."

Lin Yuqiao eagerly looked at Doctor Hu, wanting him to prescribe a new medicine with more Coptis chinensis. She quickly asked the servants to bring her a pen and paper.

Since it was a request from a distinguished person, Doctor Hu dared not refuse, so he added another half a qian of Coptis chinensis with trembling hands.

"Since it's a usable medicine, let's put in more."

Lin Yuqiao was still not satisfied and continued to coerce the doctor.

Since it wouldn't kill anyone, and considering how hateful Liu Heng's actions were today, Lin Yuqiao decided to "cool him down."

He's supposed to be tasteless and not afraid of bitterness, but he made her feel bitter, so she made sure he didn't have an easy time either.

Seeing that her goal had been achieved, Lin Yuqiao happily ordered someone to take the doctor back, and then put on a virtuous and worried look, instructing the maid to go to the kitchen to watch over the preparation of the medicine.

"Keep an eye on them for me, and don't slack off for a moment. Make sure the medicine is ready."

Just as Lin Yuqiao returned to her room to rest, feeling satisfied, Lin Heng received the report.

"This person..."

He was truly helpless, and finally sighed heavily, feeling both angry and amused, never expecting the Lin family to act this way.

Was it because she felt bitter that she insisted he taste the bitterness of life?

"Then, Your Highness, what should we do with this medicine?"

"Let's do as she says."

He waved for the men to leave, then closed his eyes again.

Lin would never know that when he was young, his mother personally tasted and fed him medicine every day. This bitterness had lingered in his heart for many years, and he could no longer feel it now.

On her deathbed, his mother held his hand and said, "My son, remember this: love is the most potent poison in the world. You must never taste it!"

Her sighs and tears, along with her deep affection and sorrow, all blended into his memory, becoming a line drawn in the sand that he remembered for half his life, never daring to forget.

That evening, Lin Yuqiao came over to serve Liu Heng his medicine. Seeing that he still drank it spoonful by spoonful with a normal expression, she almost thought that the person who brewed the medicine was being disobedient.

She asked someone to take the bowl away, then bent down and licked the corner of his lips.

The bitterness made her jump up instantly and rush towards the tea, fruit, and candied fruit on the table.

After swallowing a piece of rose pastry, taking a sip of tea, and then eating a piece of lampwick cake, I finally felt that the taste of medicine was completely gone from my mouth.

"Your Highness, would you really like to have a snack to sweeten your mouth?"

Seeing her bring over the snacks, Liu Heng waved his hand.

"No need."

"Then Your Highness should rest well. I will take my leave now."

This time, before Liu Heng could even kick her out, Lin Yuqiao left first. She grew angrier the more she walked; he really had no sense of taste! Failing to get back at him had ruined her good mood for the whole day, like a balloon suddenly bursting.

Liu Heng was practically born to slay her; it seemed he was destined to crush any of her expectations.

The next morning, Lin Yuqiao went to Liu Heng's place without eating breakfast.

"Your Highness, is this soup sweet or savory?"

After feeding him a small bowl of soup, and seeing that he wouldn't drink anymore, Lin Yuqiao started asking him questions while leaning against his arm.

She ordered breakfast. Usually, acacia soup is sweet, but she specifically asked the kitchen to make a savory version. Although it felt a bit strange and not as delicious as the sweet soup, she had another purpose.

Seeing Lin Yuqiao staring at him with bright eyes, as if to say, "Hurry up and tell me," Liu Heng found it really amusing. Didn't this person have anything else on her mind? All her attention was focused on him.

"Salty."

He didn't want to answer, but Lin Yuqiao just wouldn't leave him, rubbing her face against his shoulder. He didn't have the strength to push her away, so he could only answer to get some peace and quiet.

"But it tastes sweet to me."

Lin Yuqiao had originally planned to try and trick him to see if he could actually taste it, but Liu Heng's eyes were calmly looking at her, so she became a little scared.

Although Liu Heng had never lost his temper with her and was always good-tempered and well-mannered, his imposing presence always made her dare not be too presumptuous.

Having confirmed that Liu Heng still had some sense of taste, Lin Yuqiao decided to continue administering strong medication.

"What other medicines are particularly bitter that can be used? They must be extremely bitter."

The doctor, feeling embarrassed, was almost in tears, his white goatee trembling. This person had just said it so bluntly, making it hard for him to pretend he didn't understand.

His prescription was used as a tool to torment someone. Doctor Hu was filled with anger and indescribable frustration, but he was just a commoner and could not afford to offend the noble lady in front of him. So he had no choice but to add half a qian of Prunella vulgaris to the prescription in front of her.

Even though Liu Heng was not usually sensitive to the bitterness of medicine, when Lin Yuqiao fed him a spoonful of medicine, he immediately found it too bitter to swallow.

Forcing himself not to vomit, Liu Heng firmly pushed away her hand that was about to feed him again after finishing a spoonful of medicine.

Lin Yuqiao's eyes were practically sparkling, and a small dimple on one side was faintly visible, but she still tried her best to hold back and not laugh out loud.

"Why isn't Your Highness drinking it? Good medicine tastes bitter but is good for the illness. How can a grown man be afraid of drinking medicine?"

This person was so smug, acting all innocent after getting a good deal. Liu Heng gestured for her to put down her bowl, then leaned forward, bent his finger at the smiling person in front of him, and gave her a sharp tap on the forehead.

"Why is Your Highness hitting people when you don't want to take your medicine!"

Lin Yuqiao was tapped on the forehead and rolled into Liu Heng's arms, covering her face and pretending to cry.

"Be gentle."

Liu Heng frowned, trying to suppress his anger, while Lin Yuqiao snuggled against him, accidentally pressing against his wound.

Suspecting that this person was deliberately causing trouble again, Liu Heng stretched out his arm to steady her body and pinched her chin with one hand.

"So happy?"

He watched as she smiled until tears welled up in her eyes, her eyebrows curved, her red lips parted, and she breathed heavily so close to him that he could even smell the sweet scent of her lip rouge.

With a slight push of his hand, Liu Heng accurately covered the red lips in front of him, and took the initiative to stick out the tip of his tongue, prying open her pearly teeth, and letting the bitter medicine smell rush into her mouth.

He held her down and kissed her for a moment before letting go. Liu Heng was satisfied to see Lin Yuqiao jump off the bed with a bitter face, grab a piece of candied fruit, and swallow it down.

Liu Heng smiled broadly as he looked at her disheveled appearance.

"I'll teach you to be naughty again!"

Kyoto, the Prince of Huaiyang's residence.

Wang sat by the window, gazing at the deep night outside the courtyard, her heart filled with concern and worry for Liu Heng.

"It's been more than half a month, and I wonder how well His Highness's injuries are healing."

After Lin Yuqiao went to Yuanwu City, Liu Heng sent a letter to the Prince's Mansion.

After learning that his injuries were not too serious, Wang began to regret agreeing to go to Yuanwu City with Lin.

"His Highness is a lucky man, he'll be fine. He might even be preparing to return by now. Your Highness needn't worry either, that vixen Lin is just trying to get close to him, but His Highness won't pay her any attention."

Knowing what Wang was worried about, Granny Zhou brought her a bowl of hot tea to warm her hands and offered some words of comfort.

"Lin's second brother will be back soon. He has always been favored by the prince, so the prince will always give Lin some face."

Moreover, Lin is such a delicate and beautiful young lady, capable of both playful teasing and smiling. Who knows, the prince might also fall for her after spending every day with her.

The princess didn't say anything, but she felt a pang of pity. She was fading into youth, while the prince was in his prime. Even if she still enjoyed some favor, how many more years could she have?

Once Prince Liu Kang gets married, she will soon become a grandmother, but it will be the perfect time for Lady Lin.

Over the years, Wang had come to know Liu Heng better. She knew that he was always kind and gentle to those around him. Apart from the number of days he stayed in which courtyard, he treated her and Jiang Shi and others no differently.

The person who seems affectionate is actually the most heartless. And she isn't afraid of his heartlessness, but she is worried that he might have feelings for someone else.

She is Liu Heng's rightful wife. She has never won Liu Heng's heart over the years, so she will not allow anyone else to have it.

Perhaps she should listen to her mother and make preparations sooner.

"Granny, what do you think of the people Mother sent over before?"

She knew that Wang Shi was referring to the several beautiful girls that the old lady had sent over before, who would be used as concubines to secure her favor.

Understanding Wang's bitterness, Zhou Mama didn't dare to advise her to give up. After all, men and women are different; a man at thirty is in his prime, while a woman at thirty is past her prime.

“I’m keeping an eye on things for the princess; we can’t let anyone with ill intentions get away with it.”

With a sigh, Wang looked tired. "Then you should find an opportunity to use the drug."

Since she has a use for those people, she won't keep them around to have a chance to become disloyal.

"Your Highness, if you are worried, why don't we do something to prevent the Lin family from causing any trouble?"

Granny Zhou agreed to the princess's request, but then remembered that Lin Shi was always a threat, so she reminded the princess again.

"Never mention this again, Granny. Lin is from a noble family, how can she be compared to those lowly servants? If she finds out what I did, what will she think of me in the Prince's eyes? Wouldn't that just be letting her get away with it?"

Human hearts are unpredictable, and even the most meticulously planned schemes will have flaws. She cannot act unless she is absolutely certain that her plan will be flawless. The Lin family's dowry is substantial, no less than hers, and their subordinates are quite capable.

As for the others, they were fine, but even if they were discovered, they didn't dare to speak up.

Just like when she first entered the household, she used medicine to give birth to the eldest son of the legitimate wife, none of Liu Heng's concubines had conceived children. Even if they had suspicions, they couldn't do anything because of their status.

But Lin is different; if we find something wrong with her, things will definitely not end well.

"Even if Lady Lin has a son, our young master has already grown up. Her youngest son is nothing special."

In her heart, Zhou Mama also agreed with Wang Shi's prudence and meticulousness, and then comforted Wang Shi by mentioning the young master.

Her words struck a chord with Lady Wang, who agreed that it was true and felt reassured, knowing that she still had Prince Liu Kang.

"We must be careful with Kang Ge'er's food, clothing and daily necessities, and be wary of those people causing trouble."

Besides the Lin family, the Wang family was also wary of the Jiang family. A barking dog doesn't bite, and although the Jiang family had kept a low profile for ten years, their second son, Liu Yan, was cheerful, studious, and ambitious, which made him quite popular with Liu Heng.

In Liu Heng's heart, Liu Yan was practically the same as his youngest son, Liu Feng. Wang Shi secretly resented Liu Yan for stealing Liu Feng's limelight and favor, and she also harbored suspicion towards Jiang Shi.

That's quite an ambitious person; unable to get ahead through the prince, he wants to rely on his son.

The Wang family eagerly awaited Liu Heng's return. Meanwhile, Liu Heng, having received a secret report from the capital, was also eager to return home.

His men in Kyoto uncovered evidence that the Crown Prince had allowed his subordinates to embezzle funds through the "market profit" scheme.

Liu Heng felt that although his injuries had not fully healed, he could manage to travel all the way back to Kyoto by car.

Not wanting to alert the Crown Prince, and fearing he might destroy the evidence, Liu Heng thought he should hurry back to the capital and have someone dig out the evidence. If that happened, the Crown Prince's already tarnished reputation would be completely ruined.

The current emperor hates the corrupt and greedy officials the most. The Prince of Changyang, who had previously allowed his servants to accept bribes to buy official positions, was directly demoted to a commoner by Emperor Jianwu.

He was really looking forward to seeing what would happen to the crown prince.