Chapter 45 The Dog Emperor is Acting

Xiao Jin's words, "You deserve it," carried a rare warmth that sent a shiver through Yun Zhao's heart. All her internal complaints instantly died in her throat, and the relief of surviving the ordeal mixed with a strange feeling left her speechless for the first time.

[This sudden kindness... is even more frightening!] Her fingertips unconsciously clenched.

"Are you mute?" Xiao Jin's voice returned to its cold and hard state, breaking the silence.

[Oh, my favorability rating is zero!] Yun Zhao lowered his eyes: "Your servant... I don't know what to say."

[Eradicating Zhou Si is your chess game, what good does it have on me?]

Xiao Jin withdrew his gaze and walked to the window.

The rain stopped, and the sunlight pierced through the clouds, illuminating his suddenly stern profile. "Return to the palace!" the order was firm and resolute.

[……] Yun Zhao choked, [Going back on one's words is a disease!]

She quickly grabbed the damp, cold clothes on the floor and rolled them up neatly. "Yes! No trace left."

Xiao Jin pushed the door open and stepped into the cold wind after the rain.

Yun Zhao held the wet ball and quickly followed.

The sound of horse hooves galloped away, kicking up mud.

In a moment, Yunshanbo's carriage, breathless, stopped in front of the manor. The servants rushed in, only to find the upper room empty and a floor full of broken porcelain and cold soup.

"Your Majesty...where is Your Majesty?!" Yunshanbo Chen Gui staggered out of the car, his old face pale.

"Gone...just left..." the village head replied tremblingly.

Chen Gui looked at the empty courtyard and his eyes went dark.

After all the great efforts to save the emperor, the cooked duck... flew away!

The daughter he meticulously nurtured, hidden away in a secluded manor in the hope of making a splash...wasn't even favored by the emperor?!

It's a waste of time!

The palace gate is majestic and majestic.

Xiao Jin sat upright on his horse, his posture as straight as a pine tree.

Yun Zhao had just breathed a sigh of relief when he suddenly felt a weight sinking to his side!

"Your Majesty?!" Yun Zhao turned around in horror, only to see Xiao Jin's face as pale as paper, his eyes tightly closed, and he actually fell straight backwards!

[Again?!] Yun Zhao's soul was shattered! In a flash, she abandoned her horse, tapped her toes on the saddle, and flipped over like a kite, landing steadily behind Xiao Jin! One hand tightly wrapped around his slender waist, leaning his heavy body against hers. With the other hand, she held high the dragon-patterned jade pendant and shouted at the top of her lungs, "Your Majesty, return to the palace! Open the palace gates! Summon the imperial physician immediately! Quick!"

The guards were stunned by this horrifying scene. Seeing the jade pendant clearly, how could they dare to hesitate? The heavy palace gate burst open!

Yun Zhao gave the horse a kick, and the steed neighed loudly, carrying the two of them like an arrow from a bow into the palace! What about dismounting and removing armor, what about the strict palace rules? All that? To hell with it! The horse's hooves crushed the bluestone of the imperial path with a sound like thunder!

"My ancestors! Your Majesty! Yun Shangshi!" Zhang Fuan rushed out from the corridor, his old face pale than paper with fear, "Quick! Carry him in! Imperial physician! Where is the imperial physician! If you have delayed His Majesty, I will skin you alive!" His shrill voice was split.

Yun Zhaoli dismounted and helped the guards carry Xiao Jin into the inner hall. He was still breathing heavily, and spoke rapidly, "He has a knife wound on his left arm. I'm afraid it was poisoned! Eunuch, please keep this news secret!"

[He was so energetic just now, but suddenly fainted? Could it be that the poison just started to take effect?]

Zhang Fuan checked Xiao Jin's steady breathing and looked at Yun Zhao suspiciously: "Shang Shi Yun, what... is going on?"

"I was attacked at the horse farm, but luckily escaped." Yun Zhao spoke succinctly, his eyes sweeping over the few people in the palace. "Please, eunuch, send a message to His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin immediately, informing him that His Majesty has returned safely to the palace. I'm sure His Royal Highness is still anxiously searching outside."

Zhang Fuan asked in a low voice: "What about Mr. Zhou?"

[Zhou Si? God knows where he is!]

Yun Zhao shook his head.

Zhang Fuan looked at her deeply, nodded, and walked out quickly.

Only Yun Zhao was left in the hall.

She looked at the unconscious Xiao Jin lying on the dragon couch, listening to his suspiciously even breathing, and felt a surge of hatred: [To get rid of Zhou Si, the dog emperor's acting skills are really top-notch! Now that the imperial physician is here, let's see how you can explain it!]

[I was so scared just now! Next time you pretend to faint, can you please let me know in advance?!]

The Imperial Medical Bureau came out in full force, and six imperial physicians filed in, all with solemn expressions.

Judge Wang Ming took Yun Zhao's pulse with trembling hands, concentrating and holding his breath, his brow furrowing ever tighter. After a moment, he stroked his beard and looked at Yun Zhao with a look of astonishment.

[See! You can't pretend anymore!] Yun Zhao rolled his eyes inwardly, but his face was filled with worry. "Wang Yuanpan, Your Majesty was wounded by an arrow and suddenly frightened. His body has been damaged. I'm afraid he needs to rest for a few days."

Wang Ming's cloudy old eyes suddenly lit up! He got it!

He immediately straightened his back and said in a loud voice: "Your Majesty's pulse is weak, which is a sign of excessive shock, blood loss and mental damage! You need to stay in bed and rest for at least three days! I will prescribe a prescription now! It will strengthen the body and replenish the vital energy, calm the mind and relieve shock! If you have a fever at night, there is another fever-reducing prescription ready!" His hand in writing prescriptions was very steady.

The imperial physicians looked at each other, and under the "authoritative" gaze of the judge, they all agreed, left the prescriptions, and fled.

Outside the palace, hurried footsteps and suppressed roars could be heard. Soaked in mud and covered in dirt, Prince Jin Xiao Heng rushed in like an angry lion. "How's my brother?! He's still not awake?!"

Zhang Fuan quickly stopped him: "Your Highness, calm down! His Majesty needs to rest! Please change into dry clothes quickly, or you will catch a cold and make His Majesty worry!"

"Where's Zhou Si?!" Xiao Heng roared, his voice shaking the palace.

"I'm back... I'm asking for forgiveness outside the palace..."

"Apologize?!" Xiao Heng laughed in anger, his voice icy cold. "Capture him! Throw him into the Dali Temple's prison! Await your punishment! The commander of the Imperial Guards on duty today was negligent in his duties and will receive thirty strokes of the cane! The Ministry of War's patrol battalion was negligent in its supervision, and all those involved will be severely punished!"

The order was firm and resolute, and no one dared to argue. Zhou Si and the Imperial Guards would definitely take the blame today!

Xiao Heng finally calmed down a bit, then remembered something and asked anxiously, "Where's Ah Zhao? Is she okay?"

"Yun Shangshi is fine and has been guarding Your Majesty."

Xiao Heng nodded, his eyes swept over the palace maids who were listening attentively, and his voice was not loud, but every word was clear: "Yun Shangshi protected the emperor in a critical moment, her loyalty and bravery are commendable! The promotion of female official is well deserved!" This was to clear Yun Zhao's name.

Zhang Fuan responded repeatedly: "Your Highness is wise!"

Xiao Heng changed into dry clothes and entered the inner hall again, only to see Yun Zhao guarding the bedside, nodding his head, obviously very sleepy.

At this moment, Su Mingli's gentle but anxious voice came from outside the palace: "Your Majesty! I am extremely worried and request to see Your Majesty!"

Xiao Heng's brows arched, his anger rising again: "Pass the message: His Majesty is not awake yet, no one is allowed to disturb him!"

Under his gaze filled with hidden anger, the palace door was closed silently and quickly by the palace servants, completely isolating the figure in gorgeous palace dress from outside.

Yun Zhao closed his eyes and pretended to sleep, breathing evenly, but in reality, he was listening intently, his mind clear: [Zhou Si will be severely injured if he doesn't die this time. His position as the commander of the Imperial Guards is on the line. The Queen Mother and the King of Qin are two venomous snakes. They will definitely lose an arm...]

"Cough cough..." A weak cough broke the silence.

Xiao Heng immediately rushed to the bedside, his eyes filled with shock, anger, and concern: "Brother! Are you awake? How are you feeling? Do you want some water?"

Xiao Jin slowly opened his eyes, his gaze still somewhat distracted, his voice hoarse from illness: "Ah Heng... don't be anxious..."

He raised his hand with great effort and pointed in the direction of the Cining Palace. "I... am fine. Go quickly... and see the Empress Dowager... If she knew I was injured... she would definitely be very worried..."

[Here it comes!] Yun Zhao's inner villain clapped wildly. [This 'weakness' is so well-managed, this 'filial piety' is so perfectly executed! The dog emperor not only has a healthy brain, but he also has his own stage!]

Xiao Heng had no doubts and was moved by his brother's "filial piety". He quickly replied, "Yes! I was negligent! Your Majesty, rest assured and recuperate. I will go to the Cining Palace to report that you are safe and will not let the Queen Mother worry!"

The palace door closed, isolating the outside world.

On the couch, the "weakness" in Xiao Jin's eyes receded like the tide, and he instantly regained the coldness and clarity of a deep pool.

His eyes swept over Yun Zhao who was still "sleeping", and a very faint and cold arc appeared at the corner of his lips.

Yun Zhao closed his eyes, but he could clearly feel the gaze falling on him, with a sharp insight and a hint of... amusement?