The carriage started moving again. Su Lixia peeked out the window and saw the man dragging Zhang Meier. People on the road were watching and laughing at the scene. Zhang Meier's face was contorted with rage. Su Lixia couldn't help but click her tongue and sigh twice before sitting back down.

"What is the princess sighing about?" Xiao Lian asked.

Su Lixia laughed and said, "Miss Zhang likes Young Master Lin. I originally thought they would be a perfect match, but I didn't expect Miss Zhang to have such a rascal side."

"Does the princess know that she likes Young Master Lin?"

Su Lixia raised an eyebrow and hummed in agreement, then asked in return, "Judging from your expression, it seems you already knew?"

Xiao Lian chuckled and said, "Last time, she knelt at the gate of the Prince's Mansion for a long time, and many people secretly went to see her. I heard them talking about this, and that's how I found out."

"Tell me any gossip you hear in the future, I love hearing those kinds of things."

Xiao Lian covered her mouth and smiled: "Okay, the princess's childhood hobby hasn't changed."

Upon hearing this, Su Lixia smiled awkwardly, surprised that she resembled the original owner in quite a few ways.

Meanwhile, inside the palace...

Many candles were lit inside, making the room glow golden, but it was still somewhat dim because there were no windows on the ground floor.

The doctor who had been brought in from outside was removing the acupuncture needles for the master.

"We've been watching for two days now, has there been any progress?"

Upon hearing this, the doctor scoffed, "Two days? Your Highness doesn't understand, so please don't joke around like this."

"Then I'm afraid my illness is difficult to cure?"

The doctor hummed in agreement: "I don't know who has such a deep hatred for His Majesty. I reckon the poison was administered when the general was just learning to speak. He can recover slowly, but it will take a year or two."

The lord chuckled, "I've endured for so long, what's another year or two? I'll trouble the divine physician to slowly heal me."

"Of course. As a doctor, how can I stand by and watch someone die? Soak in the medicinal spring for another hour. You can't eat for ten hours after that, but you can drink some nourishing soup."

"Alright, we'll do as the divine physician says. Your Majesty, you may escort the divine physician back to rest."

"yes."

"Oh?" The doctor raised his hand to stop and said, "That won't be necessary. My room is right next door. I can go back by myself. I don't need to leave this room. I'll just trouble Your Majesty to send me some good food and drink."

"Yes, yes, the divine physician has been busy all day. Hurry up and prepare the meal." The lord beckoned to her.

The Empress nodded in agreement and turned to leave.

The doctor went up a staircase from one of the corners, and there was a room at the top. There was no need to leave this secret room; it was like a back door.

The Empress prepared the food and sent it over, then went to the room to call him after putting it down.

"Ah!" The Empress was startled by him. He was sitting on the couch with his clothes open, fanning himself leisurely.

"Your Majesty, please forgive my embarrassment. It's just too hot, and there's nothing I can do about it."

The Empress covered her eyes with one hand and scolded, "Why don't you fasten your buttons? What kind of behavior is this, with your clothes barely covering your body?"

Upon hearing this, the doctor looked down and stood up, saying, "But I think my figure is quite good-looking. It shouldn't be enough to make Your Majesty uncomfortable. Besides, aren't all the soldiers in the military training just like me?" As he spoke, the doctor walked over.

"Hey? Don't come any closer!"

The doctor's lips twitched: "I didn't stop you, you can just walk out by yourself."

The Empress's lips twitched, and she lowered her hand, looking at his face as she said, "Who knows if you'll stop me?"

Upon hearing this, the doctor looked the Empress up and down, then said softly, "Your Majesty looks so delicate, it's a pity that you have to suffer like this with the Emperor who is unable to perform his duties."

"How dare you! You say there's nothing the Emperor cannot do!"

The doctor grinned mischievously and grabbed the empress's hand, which she couldn't break free of no matter how hard she tried.

"If you continue like this, I will call for help."

"So, all of the emperor's secrets have been revealed?"

What do you want to do?

The doctor chuckled and let her touch her eight pieces of pork ribs.

"I just wanted to tell you exactly what he can't do." After saying that, the doctor let go of her hand and then walked past her to eat.

The Empress stood there, stunned. So that's how it is.

After realizing what was happening, the Empress chased after her and asked, "Is there any way to treat this? I don't even have a child yet."

The doctor shook his head: "This is the only problem that has remained unsolved throughout history; there is simply no cure for it."

"Is there really no way at all?"

Upon hearing this, the doctor looked up at her and said, "Yes, Your Majesty, would you like to try it?"

"If there is a method, it is certainly worth trying."

"Okay." The doctor put down his chopsticks, clapped his hands, half-squatted down, and then lifted her up in one swift motion.

The Empress exclaimed in surprise, "What are you doing?"

"Of course, it's to teach Your Highness the methods!"

"Put me down!" The queen pounded on his back desperately.

The latter simply threw her onto the couch, leaned over and pressed her down so she couldn't move: "If Your Highness cooperates, you can enjoy the process; if not, you'll just have to endure it."

The empress, as if possessed, cooperated fully and did not resist.

Sounds could be heard from inside the house from time to time, but since there was no one around, the two of them became even more reckless.

After a long while, the battle ended, and the doctor got dressed and prepared to go eat.

The Empress, her forehead beaded with sweat, sat up slightly and chuckled, "So this is the method you were talking about?"

"What, is it not good?"

"Of course not, this name is neither legitimate nor proper, it's just for fun."

The doctor stood up and said, "Your Majesty should be content. With the Lord's health, it's good enough that Your Majesty can have some fun."

You mustn't tell anyone about this.

The doctor chuckled, "What's so great about this? I'm going to eat now."

After the Empress finished dressing, she went to attend to the Emperor as he finished his bath.

"Why did it take you so long to get here?"

“My father came to the palace, asked about the emperor’s condition, and then chatted for a few minutes.”

"Has the Emperor's father-in-law not returned yet?"

The Empress hummed in agreement: "Perhaps he had some unfinished business to attend to, and then he left."

"The water is still warm after soaking for so long. I was worried that it might get cold and make Your Majesty feel cold."

"This is the wonder of this hot spring. However, it is not convenient for people to come here, nor is it easy to find out what is used to maintain a constant temperature. If I knew, I would make one for my beloved concubine as well."

Upon hearing this, the Empress covered her mouth and smiled, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Once Your Majesty is better, we can soak in this together."

The king smiled slightly at the queen, reached out and took her hand, and said, "You look much better."