When the emperor came to appreciate the flowers, it was the time for some officials to curry favor with him. Therefore, when the emperor and his entourage just arrived at the lotus pond, it was already full of officials of all ranks in the capital, including some ministers in the court.

When the Emperor and Concubine Li got off the carriage, everyone knelt down and saluted.

"Good luck to the Emperor."

The emperor stroked his forehead gently. He felt a little dizzy from the bumpy ride in the car.

Seeing these people kneeling in front of him, he frowned and waved his hands, "Everyone, get up! When you're out and about, there's no need to be polite. Where is the Shangyuan County Magistrate?"

After hearing this, everyone stood up.

Because this place is under the jurisdiction of Shangyuan County outside the city, the emperor specifically mentioned the officials of Shangyuan County.

When the emperor mentioned this, Mr. Chen from the Shangyuan County government office came forward and offered flattery.

"Your Majesty, I heard you wanted to enjoy the flowers, so I've already had this place cleaned three times. Now is the time when the lotus flowers are in full bloom, and the fish in the pond are swimming happily. You've arrived at the perfect time. I've also had refreshments prepared in the pavilion ahead. Please come in..."

Lord Chen was probably eager to gain recognition, so he spoke a lot in one breath. After listening to him, the emperor nodded calmly, "Well, it's really hot today. Prepare some cold tea for me."

After saying that, he was surrounded by the crowd and walked along a bluestone path, heading straight for the pavilion in front.

Concubine Li followed the emperor, looking at the lotus in the pond, and exclaimed from time to time,

"Your Majesty, look at that one, it's really beautiful."

Seeing this, the emperor waved his hand directly to Mr. Chen.

"Pick it off. Your Majesty likes it."

Upon hearing this, Lord Chen hurriedly bowed and replied:

"Your Majesty, please wait a moment..."

Concubine Li pretended to be sorry and was twisting her body.

"Your Majesty, it would be a shame to pick it. Let's just leave it there."

"What's the pity? This flower is meant to be admired. Pick it and take it home to your Hibiscus Palace, where it can truly display its nobility. Otherwise, it will remain forever unknown in this pond."

The emperor's words seemed to make a little sense. Concubine Li smiled proudly and said:

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for appreciating the flowers. I am very happy today."

"Well, as long as you like it, Mengmeng, I will give you all the stars in the sky."

The emperor's words were full of doting, but Concubine Li, who was walking on the other side, felt as if something was stuck in her throat when she heard it.

Her face was ashen as she followed the emperor. Why had she never had such an honor?

Whether intentionally or unintentionally, Concubine Li happened to glance at her at this moment, and then chuckled at her smugly, which she thought was a provocative smile.

After the emperor reached the pavilion, he felt a little short of breath and said to Liu Xi:

"Quick, get me some medicine."

Liu Xi hurriedly presented the small pill, and then a young eunuch brought a glass of water.

Seeing the emperor swallow the small pill, Luo Lan and Leng Yu frowned, and Concubine Li showed an ambiguous look in her eyes.

After taking a pill, the emperor instantly felt much more energetic. He waved to Leng Xi who was standing not far away and said:

"Xi'er, I've been taking this medicine more and more frequently recently. You need to get more and send it to me."

Seeing this, Leng Xi hurriedly took two steps forward and bowed and replied:

"Your Majesty, please rest assured that I will have more prepared to ensure your daily needs."

The Emperor waved his hand and said to Concubine Li:

"I will rest here for a while. Please let Princess Yu accompany you to appreciate the flowers."

After saying this, he looked at Luo Lan again.

"Princess Yu, Concubine Li is pregnant and has had miscarriages. You must ensure her safety and not allow any mishaps to happen to her."

The emperor's words immediately made Luo Lan feel like he was being forced to do something against his will.

But in front of so many people, the emperor gave her this task, how could she dare to refute?

So, she bowed helplessly and said:

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. I will do my best to take care of Concubine Li and will not let anything happen to her."

The emperor nodded and waved his hand, saying:

"Where's Lele? Let him play chess with me..."

Lele's chess skills are better than his. Although he barely beat Lele in a game yesterday, he felt that Lele's last chess piece was placed randomly and was intended to lose to him.

He was the emperor of the Great Ning Kingdom, and he wanted a six-year-old child to be humble to him? It was a bit embarrassing to say this to others.

He must win back a game and beat this kid.

Lele hid behind Luo Lan and pinched the corner of her clothes lightly with some grievance.

Although he really wanted to play, the emperor wanted to play chess. He could only purse his lips and reluctantly sit down opposite the emperor. He looked at the two boxes of chess pieces and felt annoyed.

Luo Lan knew what he was thinking, and quickly winked at him and whispered to him:

"Le Le, play chess with Grandpa Huang. Mom will take you to see Xiaoyu over there later."

"Oh, I see."

Although Lele was reluctant, he knew that he could not disobey the emperor's orders.

An An and Huai Yu happily held hands and ran to see the lotus flowers. Xiao Bao hated An An the most. Seeing Le Le playing chess with the emperor, he thought for a moment, said hello to Yu Qiao Qiao, and ran towards An An and Huai Yu.

"Xiaobao..."

Yu Qiaoqiao called out to him but was unable to stop him. She was afraid that Xiaobao would suffer, so she didn't care about anyone else and hurriedly followed him.

Luo Lan was not worried about Huaiyu and An'an. She had already given them all the necessary instructions before coming. She believed that they would not do anything excessive. Besides, Yu Qiaoqiao was following behind them. As an adult, she would not watch three children quarreling.

Thinking of this, she bowed to Concubine Li and said:

"Empress Li, please come this way."

After Concubine Li smiled at her, she was supported by a maid and walked towards the garden.

Concubine Li's face was ashen, but she didn't show it because she was in front of everyone.

When she saw Concubine Li and Luo Lan going to appreciate the flowers together, she angrily said to the maid beside her:

"Let's go over there and take a look..."

It would have been fine if the emperor didn't care about her, but he also asked Princess Yu to accompany Concubine Li, and was afraid that she would make the slightest mistake, so he went so far as to give her repeated instructions.

As for her, even her daughter-in-law Yu Qiaoqiao didn't accompany her, which made her angry. She looked down on Concubine Li. She didn't expect that she was such a scheming person who could coax the emperor to favor her. It seemed that she should do something.

Luo Lan accompanied Concubine Li as they strolled by the lotus pond. While looking at the lotus flowers, she was still thinking about the little pill that the emperor had taken.

The emperor is now too deeply poisoned and it is unlikely that he will be able to quit.

But if he continues to eat like this, he will become terminally ill within a year and eventually die.

By then, if the position of crown prince has not been established, it will undoubtedly cause war.

She was even more worried that Leng Xi would take advantage of the emperor's unconsciousness to have him issue a decree to enthrone him as the new emperor. If that happened, the Daning Kingdom would be in chaos.

Thinking of this, her mood became extremely complicated, so the beautiful lotus seemed to have lost its color.