The female official hurriedly knelt down and explained that she had had these things brought in over the past two days.

Especially after His Majesty returned that time, he fell asleep and didn't wake up. Even when she asked His Majesty if he needed to summon male concubines, he didn't answer. She could only take it upon herself to select one or two people from the red plaques and have a eunuch summon them to serve him.

Ahri rubbed her forehead, pointed at the female official, not intending to tell her that she hadn't fallen asleep, but that her own detoxification function had been activated.

Yelü Su's medicine was insidious enough that if a man took it, and a woman willingly became the antidote, the poison would also be transmitted to the woman.

You can't get pregnant with this child, otherwise it will be bad for the baby.

Seeing the female official still kneeling in fear, Ah Li asked helplessly, "What are you doing all this for?"

“Your Majesty, I was only thinking of you. You have already favored a man, and if you were to conceive a princess, it would be necessary for others to know. In addition, there have been many rumors circulating in the palace recently that are detrimental to Your Majesty, so I took it upon myself to do so…”

"Nonsense! Remove all the red plaques from my possession."

This female official's antics were truly giving Ah Li a headache; her thought process was anything but ordinary.

The female official replied, "Yes, sir."

Then, he stood up and went to tidy up the red signs.

A young palace maid brought in mouthwash and various foods.

Ah Li glanced at the sky; it was just about to dawn, and the morning court session was approaching.

Ah Li asked again, "Has the Imperial Advisor returned?"

"I heard he's back, and he's in the Star-Picking Tower."

"Never been here before?"

"without."

The young palace maid lowered her head.

Ah Li withdrew her gaze from the little palace maid's head, opened her arms, and the little palace maid helped her put on her court dress.

In recent days, rumors have been circulating in the court. Some say that the Empress suffered a poisoning attack that day and will soon die. Others say that the Empress has been dead for a long time and that someone is keeping this news from her.

The female official's actions were somewhat unintentional, but they let people know that the Empress was still living a fulfilling life, which is why she could summon male concubines to serve her.

When Ah Li attended court, her complexion was rosy, she looked radiant and full of energy, which dispelled the rumors that she had been poisoned and would soon die.

Ah Li tapped the armrest of the dragon throne. "I've heard some unpleasant rumors circulating in the court these past few days. Today, I'm here, so let all my ministers speak out."

The civil and military officials standing in the main hall, holding their court tablets, were very quiet.

Ah Li asked again, "Could it be that you haven't heard those rumors?"

At this moment, an elderly minister with white hair slowly stepped out of the ranks. Holding an ivory court tablet, she spoke in a steady and powerful voice, "Your Majesty, I believe that most rumors originate from those who are unaware of the truth. Those who spread rumors need only Your Majesty's divine judgment to dispel them and put the people at ease."

Another young female general in armor stepped forward, saying, "The Imperial Censor is absolutely right. With just one order from His Majesty, we will surely find the person who spread the rumors."

Ah Li's gaze swept over the assembled officials, and she saw that many of them nodded in agreement or looked thoughtful.

Ah Li said, "What you two ministers say is absolutely right. I also believe that there is no need to find out who spread the rumors. The rumors will disappear soon and no one will spread them anymore."

Inside the main hall, upon hearing this, the assembled officials knelt and proclaimed, "Your Majesty is wise! Long live the Emperor!"

They all understood that His Majesty had been lenient in handling the matter of spreading rumors.

Ah Li didn't stay seated any longer; she stood up and looked at the female official standing guard to the side.

At this moment, the female official took two steps forward and loudly announced, "Court adjourned!"

After the morning court session, Ah Li changed her clothes and went to the Star-Picking Tower.

When he came back, he didn't come to see her. Was it because he regretted it, or because he was shy?

However, when Ah Li arrived at the Star-Picking Tower, she heard that Meng Yuzhou had gone into seclusion.

"Go and prepare fish food; I want to go fishing."

Ah Li walked towards the lake behind the Star-Picking Tower.

The children didn't dare to look up at Ahri, because the Grand Preceptor hadn't gone into seclusion; he was ill.

When the lady-in-waiting was about to bait the fishing rod, Ah Li said, "No need, just cast the rod directly."

The female official was confused, but she still followed Ah Li's instructions and cast the line directly.

Ahri sat there steadily, fishing rod in hand.

The lady-in-waiting then had fruit, snacks, and tea prepared.

After an unknown amount of time, the lake surface became calm, and the float remained completely still.

At this moment, Feng Mingzi walked over and stood behind Ah Li, saying, "This old man greets Your Majesty."

Ahri, holding a fishing rod, said, "The Imperial Advisor is in seclusion, but your Imperial Advisor master has come out."

Feng Mingzi stroked his long beard and said, "Your Majesty may not know this, but my apprentice recently went out of the palace to find medicine for Your Majesty. He encountered many things and fell ill after returning."

"Are you sick?"

"Yes, it is now terminally ill."

Ah Li put down her fishing rod, stood up and looked at Feng Mingzi. Feng Mingzi's clear eyes stared directly at Ah Li.

Ah Li said, "I haven't seen any fish bite for a long time. Sir, would you like to accompany me for a walk?"

Feng Mingzi said respectfully, "Your Majesty, please go first."

After the two had walked for a while, Ah Li asked Feng Mingzi, "Is he really sick?"

"Yes, I have a mental illness."

Ah Li paused slightly because Feng Mingzi whispered that the Imperial Preceptor had lost his virginity, and this matter should not be publicized. He wanted Meng Yuzhou to die of illness to escape the situation.

"However, the position of Imperial Advisor will be vacant at that time..."

"Then leave it empty. A national advisor who can see through the secrets of heaven is a rare find."

Feng Mingzi indicated that he understood, and then asked, "Your Majesty, when do you think it would be best for the Imperial Preceptor to fall seriously ill?"

Ah Li stopped and asked, "Will it rain tonight?"

Feng Mingzi replied, "It will not rain tonight."

"Then let's wait until it rains."

Ah Li thought that, according to the usual storybook tropes, when an important person dies or something happens, there will be a strong wind, lightning, thunder and torrential rain.

The Grand Preceptor of Canglan Kingdom is a very important figure, so it's only right that it rains.

Feng Mingzi looked at Ali speechlessly, and then at Meng Yuzhou hiding inside the Star-Picking Tower.

Meng Yuzhou hid behind the window, watching Ah Li's calm demeanor, and he couldn't sense that this person liked him.

At this moment, Ah Li stopped and looked at Feng Mingzi. "The Grand Preceptor is seriously ill and needs to take good care of himself. I will not visit him. Sir, please have more time to talk to him. He should take good care of himself while he is sick."

Feng Mingzi frowned, just about to ask Ali about the arrangements for Meng Yuzhou.

Ahri was decisive and didn't linger. She turned around and left without going back to the lake to continue fishing. She left Zhaixing Tower directly.

Meng Yuzhou walked out of the Star-Picking Tower, looked in the direction Ah Li had left, and suddenly smiled bitterly. This person really didn't want to see him.

Feng Mingzi couldn't quite understand Ah Li anymore, because this person was no longer as honest, humble, and consistent as before. He patted Meng Yuzhou on the shoulder and comforted him, "Perhaps Her Majesty has met someone more to her liking these past few days than you. Don't take that matter too seriously."

Meng Yuzhou looked at Feng Mingzi, "Master, are you sure you're trying to comfort me?"

Isn't that so?

Seeing that Meng Yuzhou looked like he was about to die, Feng Mingzi smiled and said, "Let's wait for the rain. When the rain comes, maybe things will turn around."