"Your subject dares not," Song Ting slowly knelt down, "but I am by no means a suitable match for the Princess."
The young emperor himself didn't want to be the matchmaker, but he couldn't resist his elder sister's pleas, so he had no choice but to say:
"Give me a straight answer today, Minister Song. Is your ambition not in this, or do you simply dislike women?"
The emperor was young and there were some things he was embarrassed to say, but he had to say them.
After careful consideration, he tentatively asked Song Ting, "I heard that you brought back a stunning beauty on your trip to Jiangnan this time?"
Song Ting: "..."
The eldest princess sought out the young emperor as an intermediary, presumably because she had heard about this matter.
"Your Majesty, I am filled with fear and trepidation, but I am truly unable to live up to the Princess's high expectations. Please forgive me."
Having said all that, although Song Ting didn't directly admit that she liked men, that was the gist of it.
The young emperor immediately sighed, "My dear minister, you really know how to give me a difficult problem. Now I don't know how to inform the princess of this news."
Song Ting lowered his head even further.
"Get up. I've already said it's a private matter. There's no need for you to kneel before me because of this. Do you think I'd cut off your head for this?"
"However—" Chu Minghuan changed the subject, "I heard that the beauty in your household resembles Chu Huaixu, the third son of Prince Duan?"
"Your Majesty, Chu Mingyao has been executed, and there is no longer any Prince Duan, so naturally there is no Third Prince either."
The emperor frowned, his face contorted with a bitter expression: "I misspoke, but I am truly curious about what kind of beauty could possibly stir the heart of someone like Minister Song. If you have the chance, bring him to meet me."
Song Qing said, "Yes."
The young emperor said, "Go ahead."
Song Ting: "Your subject takes his leave."
After leaving the emperor, Song Ting went to Xingqing Palace to see the Empress Dowager.
With the prayer ceremony approaching, their empress was filled with anxiety. Ever since Song Ting returned from Jiangnan, she had frequently summoned him to the palace to discuss matters.
"Minister Song, Huan'er and I are able to live peacefully in this palace thanks to you."
"I really can't imagine what Huan'er and I would do without you."
The Empress Dowager is only in her early thirties this year, and because she takes good care of herself, it is hard to see any signs of aging on her face.
"Your Majesty need not worry. His Majesty is wise and decisive. Even without me, he can manage everything very well."
“This is different.” The Empress Dowager held Song Ting’s hand and leaned into his arms. “My son Huan’er and I have relied on you for many years. You are the backbone of our family.”
"Your Majesty," Song Ting subtly avoided the question, "Your Majesty is making me feel ashamed."
"As a subject of the Dayan Kingdom, it is my duty to share the burdens of Your Majesty and the Empress. I have other important matters to attend to, so I will take my leave now."
The Empress Dowager's expression changed slightly, and she awkwardly adjusted the pearl hairpin in her hair: "Then you may go."
It was almost late afternoon when they left the palace. Song Ting was worried about Chu Huaixu, so he rode his horse faster than usual.
"Sugar figurine—sugar figurine—a sugar figurine that's both sour and sweet—"
As they approached the mansion, Song Ting heard the cries of street vendors and unconsciously tightened the reins, stopping in front of the candy vendor.
The vendor was startled and turned pale: "Sir."
Song took out a silver ingot from his pocket: "I'll take them all."
The vendor, who had sold sugar figurines his whole life, had never seen so much money before and was terrified: "Sir, you don't need that much money."
"Hmm." Song Ting simply nodded and tossed the gold ingot into the vendor's arms.
Before the vendor could react, he had already hoisted the sugar figurine onto his horse, cracked his whip, and ridden away.
"The master is back."
"Hmm." Song Ting subconsciously looked around, and the butler, seeing this clearly, quickly said, "Young Master hasn't woken up from his afternoon nap yet."
Song Ting frowned: "When did you stop resting?"
“An hour ago,” the steward explained in great detail, “I made chicken soup today, using an old hen that has been raised in the manor for three years.”
"Young master liked it and praised its deliciousness. He drank a lot, which was unusual for him. After finishing his drink, he ate some ice before taking a break."
How much ice did you eat?
"Don't worry, sir. It's just a small bowl. I've given you instructions, and I won't forget."
Song Ting nodded and then asked about the chicken soup.
He went to great lengths to get Chu Huaixu to eat more, even bringing back the imperial chefs from the palace.
Chu Huaixu, however, showed no respect whatsoever, and his appetite remained as large as a cat's. Unexpectedly, he enjoyed the chicken soup.
"Would you like a bowl, sir?"
"Hmm." Song Ting was somewhat pleased. "Which chef is on duty today? Reward him."
"This old servant thanks Your Excellency for the reward on behalf of Wang Er."
"From now on, he will be in charge of Huaiyue's meals."
"Yes." The butler's gaze fell on the sugar figurine in his hand. "Sir, these..."
"I'll handle the one for Huaiyue myself. You go ahead and do your work."
The butler replied "Yes" again, then bowed and took his leave.
The chicken soup was made with red dates, goji berries, and a few slices of ginger, resulting in a rich and delicious broth.
Song Ting drank a bowl and thought it was quite good. Just as she put down the bowl, Qi Zhou entered the room.
Qi Zhou was sent by Song Ting to find the Ghost-Faced Doctor, but he returned so quickly.
Song Ting raised her eyes and looked at the travel-worn man: "Where is he?"
Qi Zhou knelt down and reported: "That masked doctor is currently on Lao Jun Mountain. I have fought with him."
"That person's martial arts skills were mediocre, but his agility was superb and he was very skilled in using poison. I was incompetent and failed to bring him back. Please punish me, sir."
His lips were purple and his face was pale; it was clear he had been poisoned.
Song Ting frowned: "Is there an antidote?"
Qi Zhou: "That masked doctor said that this poison does not need an antidote. As long as the pain lasts for forty-nine days, the poison will dissipate on its own."
This is why, even though the person was on Lao Jun Mountain, it took Qi Zhou several days to return; he was in so much pain the previous two days that he couldn't even get up.
"That man also asked me to pass on a message to you, sir."
"Um?"
He said he hadn't seen his old friends for a long time and hoped to meet them again.
Song Ting: "..."
"If I may be so bold as to ask, sir, do you know the Ghost-Faced Physician?"
"I have never met any ghost-faced divine doctor," Song said upon hearing this.
He subconsciously rubbed the thumb ring on his thumb, but found nothing. Only then did he realize that his thumb ring was already on Chu Huaixu's hand.
Thinking of this, his heart softened unconsciously.
"However, since he wants to see me, I will go and meet him."
Coincidentally, the Empress Dowager was going to the White Horse Temple to pray for blessings, and he wanted to see which ghost the masked doctor was.
"Old butler."
Familiar footsteps approached from afar; Chu Huaixu's voice preceded his appearance.
Song Ting glanced at Qi Zhou and said, "Go and rest for now."
"yes."
Almost simultaneously, Chu Huaixu walked out from the inner room.
When he saw Song Ting, he paused, then lazily fell silent.
She was still dressed in red today, the clothes hanging loosely on her body, and the mole on her collarbone was a striking red.
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