Upon exiting the palace, the Rui’an King stared at Yan Huisheng.
Yan Huisheng noticed the Rui’an King’s gaze, raised an eyebrow at him, and gently asked, "Does Your Highness have something to tell me?"
The Rui’an King sighed, "Your Royal Highness, the Crown Prince, why didn’t you warn me? For such a big case, I’m afraid I can’t bear it.
Yan Huisheng jokingly replied, "Among all the civil and military officials, who else besides you can take on this case? Our Father Emperor trusts you, so Your Highness has to take on the burden."
Hearing this, The Rui’an King was at a loss for words and looked at Yan Huisheng, "The JinQiu examinations, how are the results coming along?"
Hoping that some talented individuals will join the imperial court and take the Emperor’s attention off him.
Yan Huisheng replied: "It will take some time." Knowing what the Rui’an King was thinking, he added, "Even if new people join the court, it will be a while before they are useful. They need training."
The Rui’an King sighed, "Even if they need training, at least I will have more people."
Unlike now, the case involves the palace concubines and princes, and naturally, the Emperor wouldn’t use the Crown Prince’s people for the investigation. The other princes can’t be used either. As a result, whether it’s the political faction of the Eastern Palace or the princes, the court officials have been almost completely divided up. The only one left is Shen Xian, who is busy in the Ministry of Housing with the triennial official assessment. He can’t spare any time, and even if he could, Su Xingze is living in his residence, which implicates the Inspector Residence of Jiangzhou and therefore the Eastern Palace. Hence, the suspicious Emperor would never use him.
Apart from Shen Xian, there are not many neutral factions in the court, and the people he can use are also limited. Yesterday, he only had about two hours of sleep. He is feeling very tired today, but he can’t afford to sleep. He must quickly arrange people to investigate Lady Xian.
Yan Huisheng chuckled, "The capable are always burdened with more work, Your Highness! Please don’t hesitate to ask if you need my help."
The Rui’an King thanked him, "I would like to thank Your Royal Highness, the Crown Prince, in advance."
If he needs help, he will speak up. Otherwise, if something goes wrong with such a big case, even if he can handle it, it is always better to have the Crown Prince, the heir to the throne, by his side.
Su Rong woke up at noon.
When she woke up, she saw a brand new dress on the head of her bed. Her clothes from last night can’t be used again. She picked up the new dress to put it on. It fit perfectly. After stepping out of her room, she saw Fen Ling already awake, sitting at the table enjoying dim sum.
There were more than ten plates of various types of dim sum on the table.
Fen Ling looked joyful while eating. Seeing her awake, he asked her, "Sister, are you awake? Are you hungry? Would you like to start with some dim sum? I didn’t expect the cook of Duke Residence to make dim sum just as tasty."
He thought that a military household like this couldn’t match the Eastern Palace and Princess Qingping’s Residence in terms of delicacy.
Su Rong nodded, turned around to wash up, and sat at the table after. She picked up a piece of dim sum and said to him, "Although the Duke Residence is a military house, Master Sheng An and the ladies of the residence all come from prestigious families."
"Indeed." Fen Ling nodded continuously while chatting with her whilst eating, "The Imperial Doctor Xu from the Imperial Medical Bureau did not leave. He came by earlier intending to meet you. But hearing that you hadn’t woken up yet, he said he would wait for you to wake up. He probably wants to ask you something about the medical prescription."
Su Rong nodded and lowered her voice, "What a coincidence. The prescription I used is exactly the one we found from the Book Pavilion at the Buddha Temple."
Fen Ling laughed, "Young Master Zhou is really lucky."
Su Rong also felt that Zhou Gu was fortunate, "Frankly, I saw Doctor Xu’s prescription for reducing fever, and it’s already really good. However, the ancient prescription for reducing fever written in the medical book I read at the Buddha Temple was indeed more ingenious. As expected of an ancient prescription, it is extremely effective."
Fen Ling asked Su Rong in a low voice, "Sister, if you didn’t have the ancient prescription, how were you planning to save Young Master Zhou?"
Su Rong said, "I would only be able to use acupuncture."
Fen Ling thought she would have said so. Consolidating the Root and Restoring the Vitality Pill could only ensure that Zhou Gu was not in danger of losing his life. But if he were to be left feeble-minded from the fever, he would still not be in danger of losing his life.
The two of them ate two plates of cakes, and then the kitchen served lunch.
The lunch was very lavish. For just the two of them, an entire table was filled to the brim.
Master Sheng An’s maid, Zheng, came to see Su Rong, "Master Sheng An and the Lady Duke said that Lady Su Qi and Master Feng are not outsiders. Master Zhou is recovering, so they won’t hold a banquet. However, the kitchen has prepared all their special dishes. The two of you can enjoy it freely."
Su Rong nodded, "That sounds great. Thank you to Master Sheng An and the Lady Duke."
"Lady Su Qi, there’s no need for formalities. Master Sheng An and Lady Duke also said that you should treat the Duke Residence as your own home. Please feel free to instruct the servants in this courtyard whenever you need something." Zheng said again.
Su Rong nodded, "Alright, I won’t be shy."
After Zheng said a few more words, she left with a smile.
After Zheng left, Fen Ling whispered, "Sister, are we leaving today?"
"Yes," Su Rong said. "Let’s finish this meal, then go see Zhou Gu, and then find Master Sheng An and Lady Duke to say goodbye."
Of course, she couldn’t keep staying at the Duke Residence. Ye Guixue was waiting for her at the Buddha Temple, and she had even ridden his horse back.
Fen Ling thought it made sense too, "Then I’ll eat more."
Su Rong nodded.
After lunch, Su Rong and Fen Ling went to Zhou Gu’s Frost Forest Garden together.
Zhou Gu couldn’t sleep. He lay in his bed asking several times if Su Rong had woken, but there was no sign of activity in the courtyard. It was not until noon that someone reported to him, saying that Lady Su Qi had awakened and was taking lunch with Master Feng.
Zhou Gu wondered if Su Rong would come to see him once she awoke. He had food served and ate his lunch.
Not long after his meal, someone informed him that Lady Su Qi and Master Feng had arrived. Zhou Gu immediately sat up, "Let them in."
As Su Rong stepped across the threshold, Fen Ling whispered, "Sister, should I follow you in?"
Su Rong glanced back at him, "What do you think?"
Fen Ling felt he should come in since his master was now engaged to Second Young Master Ye and it would be inappropriate for her to be alone with Zhou Gu. Hence, he kept silent and followed Su Rong into Zhou Gu’s inner chambers.
Yet Zhou Gu had already emerged from his chambers, properly dressed. He coincidentally met them face to face. His gaze fell on Su Rong, then moved to Fen Ling standing behind her. He pursed his lips, not sure what to say for a moment.
Su Rong asked him, "Are you still feeling unwell?"
Zhou Gu shook his head, "I’m not unwell."
Su Rong nodded, "You might get a fever tonight, but since my prescription worked, just continue using it."
Zhou Gu caught her hint; this meant she was ready to leave. He nodded, "Alright, I got it."
Su Rong took out a jade vial and handed it to Zhou Gu, "This is a vial of Yuanqi pills, it’s all yours. If you can’t bear it, eat one. If you don’t need it now, keep it."
Zhou Gu took it, shook it a bit, and was surprised, "There are more than ten pills in here?"
Su Rong nodded, "Yes, I have two more vials. Although this medicine is hailed as a rarity, it was actually developed by my late master’s master. Anyway, I know the formula. Although the ingredients are very rare and hard to find, and the production is tedious, it’s not impossible to make more. If you run out in the future, I can give you more."
Zhou Gu was silent for a moment, "Alright."
His majesty had only one, and he treasured it immensely. Who would have thought that she would just give away an entire vial.
Su Rong had said all that needed to be said. Seeing his condition was not bad and guessing that even if he had a fever tonight, it should not be as severe as the previous night. It was okay for her to leave, so she asked, "Can I leave now?"
Zhou Gu didn’t want her to leave but found it hard to ask her to stay, and he didn’t have a reason to ask her to stay either, so he just pursed his lips and stayed silent. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞
Such behaviour from him always disturbed Su Rong. After a pause, she softly asked, "Should I stay and read with you for a while?"
Zhou Gu grunted in affirmation.
Fen Ling blinked, wondering if he should step out and not be a third wheel. But when he looked at Su Rong, she gave him no directive. Understanding her message, he decided to continue sitting there, drinking his tea, like a piece of stump.
Zhou Gu had someone bring books. The attendants were very thoughtful, bringing Zhou Gu travelogues and a stack of sketchbooks for Su Rong.
Fen Ling’s eyes widened. He thought, good heavens, they brought over a dozen sketchbooks. Do they want his mistress to read half a day? That would mean it would be dark before they finish.
Su Rong didn’t show any reaction on her face. She smiled and picked out three books from the stack, "Let’s read these three!"
The attendant agreed and then left with the remaining books.
Fen Ling breathed a sigh of relief, thinking to himself that he had probably been worrying too much.
Su Rong read quickly. She finished those three sketchbooks in half an hour. Putting them down, she saw Zhou Gu raising his head, looking at her with pursed lips. She paused before saying, "You’re injured. Rest well and don’t overexert yourself. You shouldn’t read for too long either."
Zhou Gu could only nod, "Alright."
Su Rong stood up, "I’m leaving now."
This time it was not a question.
Zhou Gu lowered his head and grunted softly in affirmation.
Su Rong decisively turned around and walked straight out of the room.
Fen Ling hurriedly followed her, taking deep breaths. He thought to himself that Zhou Gu wasn’t always like this. His current weak and sickly appearance combined with his good looks was unbearably attractive. And yet, his master stated she was leaving, lifted her foot, and walked away. She was actually able to walk away.
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