Chief Secretary Xie smiled and said, "Of course. When have I ever lied to you?"

Gu Yuzhi tilted his head and thought hard for a moment before nodding with a grin: "Considering that Chief Secretary Xie bought me candied fruit, I'll obediently drink my medicine later."

He stuck out his tongue, determined not to tell Chief Secretary Xie that he didn't want to listen to Judge Qin's nagging, so even without candied fruit, he would obediently drink his medicine.

Gu Yuzhi glanced at Xie Changshi with great shrewdness, and seeing that he hadn't noticed her little scheme, she pursed her lips and secretly smiled.

The group went to the outer room together, where Xie Changshi briefly explained what he had learned, which made Gu Yuzhi's eyes widen in astonishment.

As expected, the Duke of Qi went to Lingnan to mobilize troops.

It is highly likely that the Duke of Qi encountered the Jiangnan navy on the way.

The King of Chu might very well use this opportunity to legitimately lead his troops north...

If their guesses are true, wouldn't the current situation be very unfavorable for them?

Gu Yuzhi puffed out his cheeks, just as he was about to ask Chief Secretary Xie about the next plan, when Imperial Physician Qin entered with a bowl of medicine.

His nose twitched slightly. Even though they were so far apart, he could feel the smell of the bitter medicine drifting towards him on the wind.

He spat inwardly a few times, puffed out his cheeks, and looked at Chief Secretary Xie, his meaning simple: he wanted candied fruit.

Just as Chief Secretary Xie was about to send someone to find Guard Zhao, Imperial Physician Qin put down the medicine and took out a small packet of oil paper from his sleeve: "Your Highness, this is what I had my apprentice buy in the city. It is said to be from the best candied fruit shop in Huizhou. Please try it after you drink the medicine."

Watching Judge Qin slowly unfold the oil paper, revealing the candied fruit inside, Gu Yuzhi couldn't help but swallow hard.

Without Qin Yuanpan saying anything, Gu Yuzhi picked up the medicine and gulped it down in one go. He even imitated the guards Qi and the others, turning the wine bowl upside down to show Qin Yuanpan that he had really drunk it all clean.

With a smile, Judge Qin handed over the entire package of oil paper, indicating that Gu Yuzhi could choose one himself. He didn't choose one, but picked up a piece and put it in his mouth, then nodded with satisfaction.

Huizhou's candied fruit is on the sweeter side, but not in a cloying way. It's also very soft and pleasant to eat.

Xie Changshi, standing to the side, was so angry at Qin Yuanpan's actions that he didn't want to look at him at all.

When Judge Qin left that room, he clearly heard that he had sent someone to buy candied fruit, yet he still secretly sent someone to do so!

It's one thing to secretly send someone, but to take it out before His Highness drinks his medicine!

That's downright dirty tricks!

This is absolutely intolerable!

Chief Secretary Xie said with his mouth slightly open, almost gritting his teeth, "I really didn't realize that you, Imperial Physician Qin, were so diligent."

Having won the round, Judge Qin naturally wouldn't hold a grudge against the loser. He put away the bowl of medicine, stood up, and smiled slightly: "It's all for Your Highness's sake, so it's good to be more diligent."

Chief Secretary Xie sneered, and after Imperial Physician Qin left, he said with certainty, "Your Highness can also try the candied fruit I bought later. It will definitely taste different from Imperial Physician Qin's."

Are there candied fruits to eat?

Although Gu Yuzhi knew he shouldn't eat too much, he really couldn't resist such sweet things!

He only eats one more a day, so he'll definitely be fine!

Gu Yuzhi craned his neck to look outside the door, and seeing that Judge Qin had already walked away, he smiled happily at Chief Secretary Xie, nodding his little head: "Okay, okay!"

His eyes darted around, and he muttered under his breath, "But Chief Secretary Xie, you have to keep an eye on the candied fruit for me, just like Imperial Physician Qin did. Otherwise, I'm afraid I won't be able to resist and will eat it all at once."

With a broad smile, Chief Secretary Xie agreed without hesitation: "Very well, Your Highness, I will keep it safe for you."

The two talked about the candied fruit for quite a while, showing no signs of their previous anxiety, which surprised Qi Chengjun, who was waiting quietly beside them.

Is this how His Highness Prince Wen and his entourage get along?

This approach is neither proper nor respectful...

If it weren't for what happened this morning, Qi Chengjun would definitely have worried about whether Gu Yuzhi could keep his followers in check, but now it seems there's no need to worry at all.

Although the emperor was young, none of his attendants showed any contempt for him, which shows how much effort the emperor put into selecting his men.

Qi Chengjun suppressed his suspicions and continued to remain an invisible man.

The next moment, Gu Yuzhi turned his gaze to him, beckoning him to sit down beside him. His eyes were filled with undisguised admiration as he looked at Qi Chengjun: "Young Master Qi, I heard about how you had people carrying coffins to control the plague. Aren't you afraid?"

Mr. Huo said that everyone is afraid of death. Even he was afraid that every time he went to the battlefield, it would be the last time he would fight on the battlefield.

However, Mr. Huo said that if you think about it, everyone will die eventually, then you won't be so afraid.

Most importantly, if one can make their death meaningful, then their life on earth will not have been in vain.

Gu Yuzhi thought that Prince Qi probably shared the same thoughts as Mr. Huo.

Qi Chengjun felt a little smug under Gu Yuzhi's direct gaze and subconsciously straightened his back: "At that time, the situation in Jiangnan was very bad. I carried the coffin, firstly to deter the King of Chu from making any underhanded moves behind my back."

Gu Yuzhi listened intently, nodding his head repeatedly. At that time, many people in Jiangnan were displaced. If it weren't for his elder brother sending people to escort them all the way to Xinliang, these people might have died in Jiangnan.

All of this is the fault of the Prince of Chu. The Prince of Chu doesn't want the Prince of Qi to ruin his plans, so he will definitely try to assassinate the Prince of Qi.

Qi Chengjun continued, "Secondly, it is also to reassure the people and let them know that I am determined to work with them to cure the plague."

Otherwise, he wouldn't have been so popular in Huizhou.

"To say that I'm not afraid is, of course, impossible!"

Qi Chengjun smiled bitterly and said, "When I entered the manor, I happened to see people who had died of the plague. Their skin was ulcerated all over, and there was hardly a piece of healthy flesh left. I thought to myself at the time, if I don't succeed in the end, won't I end up like that too?"

Gu Yuzhi knew the plague was terrible, but no one had ever told him the details.

He really didn't know that people who contracted the plague would have their skin ulcerated all over their bodies.

He clenched his fists instinctively, feeling terrified at the thought.

How could Prince Qi have been able to live and eat with those plague-stricken prisoners in that manor for so long!

Looking at Qi Chengjun, Gu Yuzhi sincerely said, "Young Master Qi, you are truly amazing!"

After the plague was cured, it wasn't that no one had said these things to him, but no matter who said them, none of them made him as happy as the young prince, and he couldn't help but smile.

Qi Chengjun tried to suppress his laughter for a long time but couldn't, so he simply burst into a hearty laugh.