Having resolved the external threat, Xia Jingfeng issued a nationwide announcement offering a reward of a thousand gold pieces for a renowned physician. Imperial Physician Zhang in the palace also began intensive treatment, but unfortunately, because the poison she had been afflicted with had penetrated deep into her bones and blood for over a decade, progress was very slow.
Actually, if Xia Yixin hadn't been secretly taking medication, there probably wouldn't have been a solution. However, now she insists on running every day and doing some anaerobic exercise. She also took the opportunity to bring up the idea of having a private chef with Xia Jingfeng. Xia Jingfeng was preoccupied with his daughter at the time, so he naturally agreed to everything. After she moved back to Fengqi Palace, the meals she ate were finally really bland and watery.
In the blink of an eye, half a month has passed.
With dietary adjustments, exercise, and regular medication, she quickly lost a little weight. In particular, she could even touch her chin – a cause for celebration! Moreover, she unexpectedly discovered that the original owner had a faint dimple on her face.
Xia Jingfeng came almost every few days. When he saw the dimples, he felt a sense of relief and recalled wistfully, "When your mother was still alive, she said that these two dimples on your face were the only thing you inherited from me, and it's fortunate that they are the only ones."
"Pfft, cough cough cough!" Xia Yixin almost choked on her tea, looking shocked. "Father, you have dimples on your face?"
Good heavens, where did this burly, dark-skinned man with his muscular face get his dimples?
However, those two dimples completely dispelled Xia Jingfeng's remaining doubts, and he truly believed that his daughter had grown up and become sensible overnight.
So he spoiled her even more, supporting her whether she wanted to build a private kitchen or learn medicine, especially the latter, and even hired a female doctor to guide her.
Moreover, Xia Jingfeng also had some selfish motives. After all, she had been poisoned before, and if she could learn some techniques, she would be able to protect herself in the future.
He only wanted her to learn the basics, but to his surprise, the female doctor replied, "Miss Xia is exceptionally intelligent and learns quickly; she's practically a medical prodigy!" This delighted Xia Jingfeng, who told everyone he met how wonderful his daughter was.
In reality, for Xia Yixin, it was just like a college student doing a 1+1=2 problem. She deliberately slowed down to avoid standing out too much. Moreover, in accordance with the original owner's personality, she didn't want to treat patients but instead started researching medicinal cuisine. While the female doctor felt sorry for her, Xia Jingfeng also thought, "She is indeed still my daughter."
The inner palace was peaceful, but in the court, ever since Qi Yu started attending court, the morning court sessions were often filled with tension.
In order to consolidate power, the late emperor of the Han Dynasty promoted the idea of valuing civil officials over military ones and supported a large number of civil officials and Confucian scholars. Although they were excellent at handling government affairs, they were also very troublesome. Although Xia Jingfeng had killed some of them as a minor punishment, with the killing of more than a dozen imperial physicians, rumors in the capital were increasing.
A few days later, they started jumping around in the city again.
"Your Majesty, Physician Wang is only in his twenties and has young children at home. Shouldn't Your Majesty give them an explanation?"
"That's right, Your Majesty. There are rumors all over the capital that evil spirits have entered the city, and the imperial physicians have all been killed. We are worried about Your Majesty's safety!"
"Your Majesty, we only ask that you tell us clearly who is seriously ill and what the illness is, so that we may be at ease..."
...
Standing before the officials, Xia Jingfeng's tiger-like eyes already showed a hint of anger. Just as he was about to draw his sword, the young man who had been sitting in the high seat suddenly slammed his hand on the table and stood up.
The court fell silent, everyone staring at the young emperor in disbelief.
He was dressed in a black dragon robe, his cold, dark eyes filled with icy intent. "What? Do I need your permission to kill a few quack doctors?!"
The officials were dumbfounded.
Wasn't it Prime Minister Xia who killed the imperial physician? How come it was the emperor who gave the order?
Grand Commandant Shen was a clever man. He immediately understood Qi Yu's meaning and took the lead in kneeling down, shouting, "Your subject dares not!"
Xia Jingfeng narrowed his eyes slightly, lowered his hand from the hilt of his sword, and looked suspiciously at the young man sitting on the dragon throne.
What exactly does he want to do?
Qi Yu, however, remained calm and composed, recounting what he had discussed with Xia Yixin the previous night: "The late emperor was bewitched by eunuchs and imprisoned me in the palace. Later, he was murdered by others, leaving me and my mother behind. Fortunately, Prime Minister Xiahou came to the capital and rescued my mother and me, helping me eliminate dissidents, rectify the court, and assist me. And what have you all done besides making noise in court!"
He first slapped a heavy label on the emperor, causing the officials to kneel even deeper, completely baffled as to what the young emperor was up to.
Then Qi Yu abruptly changed the subject, dropping a shocking piece of news.
"I am fortunate to have the Prime Minister and a virtuous Empress. It is a pity that the Empress was harmed by villains and is unwell. The Prime Minister is eager to protect his daughter. Besides, those quack doctors are full of lies. Why can't I kill them!"
The officials were dumbfounded.
I was completely dumbfounded.
Qi Yu's ability to lie through his teeth is truly unparalleled!
But no one dared to refute it.
In the end, Xia Jingfeng strode forward, bowed to Qi Yu, and said, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your consideration!"
After the court session, the officials were all a little uneasy. They had always thought that Qi Yu was just a figurehead. Did his attitude today really mean that he had given up the dignity of the royal family and completely let Xia Jingfeng control the government?
In fact, Xia Jingfeng also felt that Qi Yu was a bit strange today. However, he learned from the people who had been listening that he and his daughter were indeed getting very close. The two of them even went into the study together, seemingly studying some mountains, rivers and seas, and they also got a lot of mud, like children's toys.
This young emperor doesn't seem to be just putting on an act.
Xia Jingfeng already felt guilty towards Xia Yixin, and now he's willing to accept anything as long as his daughter is happy.
When leaving court, he deliberately stayed last. As he brushed past Qi Yu, he warned, "If Your Majesty fails my daughter, then... humph."
Qi Yu paused, then coldly brushed past him.
Qi Yu walked until he reached the Imperial Garden, and when no one was around, he couldn't help but smile and sigh softly. Today was the first time he had stood on a high position and issued orders. The feeling of commanding his ministers gave him a brief but genuine sense of exhilaration as an emperor.
Cao De bowed and said, "Congratulations, Your Majesty."
His words brought Qi Yu back to reality. He had only taken a small step and was still far from truly taking control.
The young man pursed his lips, suppressing his emotions, and walked towards the Phoenix Perch Palace. As soon as he arrived at the entrance, he smelled a fragrant aroma, and even the eunuchs looked up at him with amusement.
Qi Yu's eyes lit up; it seemed he was in for a treat today.
He left Cao De and his entourage outside the palace and went inside himself.
After half a month of repairs, Xia Yixin's small kitchen was beginning to take shape.
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