When Shen Que hurried back to the palace, he saw from afar a few unfamiliar faces standing under the eaves outside Prince Yan's bedroom.
He walked closer and took a closer look at the style of their official robes. He recognized that they were from the palace's Shang Pharmacy. The leader was an old imperial attendant, followed by several imperial physicians and assistant physicians.
The old imperial attendant was of higher rank than him, but Chen bowed to him when he passed by. When the old imperial attendant saw this, he immediately returned the greeting.
Before he could ask, the old imperial attendant whispered to him, "The Saint heard that the prince was seriously ill, so he sent this old man and others to come and check on the prince."
Chen nodded, hesitated for a moment, called Yuan Zhi, who was squatting by the pond feeding fish, over, and gestured something to him.
Yuanzhi pondered. He could understand what Shen Que meant, but translating his words accurately was not an easy task. After thinking for a moment, he explained crisply, "My master asked why the uncles haven't gone in yet?"
The young attendant following the old imperial attendant hurriedly replied, "It's not that I won't go in, it's just that I came at a bad time. The maid who just came out said that Prince Yan is taking a nap right now."
They didn't understand Xie Shiguan's living habits, but Shen knew them well.
If it were an ordinary day, Xie Shiguan should have woken up at this time. In the afternoon, he would read military books and discuss strategies, sometimes write a few paintings, and play a game of chess. The prince seemed to be absurd, but he never got lazy when it came to reading and exercising.
He asked people to wait under the eaves for several hours and did not allow anyone to go in. It was obvious that the prince was intentionally leaving them out in the cold.
Shen didn't say much, but just raised his hand and gestured.
Yuanzhi: "My Lord said that he should go in and take a look."
Shen Que pushed open the door of the hall quietly. It was still daytime, and benzoin was burning in the hall. Turning around the screen partition, Shen Que saw a person leaning on the soft couch in the room.
The charcoal fire in the hall was burning very brightly. Xie Shiguan was wearing only a single piece of clothing, holding a book in his hand, and reading it lazily with his eyes lowered.
Hearing the voice, he raised his eyebrows slightly and yawned lazily: "Where did you go just now? I don't usually see you like to move around so much."
He really looked like he had just woken up, but Shen slowly approached him and gestured vaguely: "Go and return something."
Xie Shiguan gently threw the policy paper in his hand onto the couch and straightened up a little: "What else?"
Maybe it was because he had just stood up, but the ties of Xie Shiguan's shirt were loose, and the material of the shirt was slippery and close to his body, so when he moved a little, the collar of his shirt fell down a little.
Shen Que did not dare to raise his eyes, and his hands moved a little hesitantly: "Return a few New Year gifts."
Xie Shiguan stared at him, seeing his flustered look. She deliberately showed him this beautiful scene, but he didn't even dare to look at it.
What a piece of wood.
"Who gave you the gift?" the prince continued to ask.
He was not interested in the lives of the servants in the mansion on weekdays, so Shen seemed a little at a loss for the prince's sudden and careful questioning.
If he told the truth, it would be difficult for him to explain due to Xu Sixian's special identity, but if he told a lie... his poor acting skills would definitely be full of loopholes in the eyes of the prince.
"A..." He raised his hand and said evasively, "An acquaintance."
Xie Shiguan smiled, his narrow and long phoenix eyes slightly curved, a pair of charming and affectionate eyes.
"Acquaintances?" Xie Shiguan asked back, "I didn't know you had any acquaintances in those brothels. In my opinion, you have been promoted and your heart has become wild, so you want to try the new things among the opera singers."
Sure enough, someone had already reported to His Highness where he had been, word for word.
Chen's ears were red, and his whole body was dull. Just as he was about to raise his hand to explain, he heard Xie Shiguan on the couch suddenly speak again: "The young lady that Chen Mingjun invited that day was quite good, delicate and gentle, and she sang like an oriole. No wonder you were obsessed with her, even I liked her very much."
He didn't understand the joke, but when he heard Xie Shiguan say that the little actor's singing was very nice, he felt a little hurt. He was not jealous, nor did he dare to be jealous, he just yearned for it.
If he also had a good voice, a pretty face and a slender figure, would he also be able to catch Xie Shiguan's eye?
Even just one glimpse would be enough to make him rejoice for the rest of his life.
Seeing him silent, Xie Shiguan thought he had admitted it. He frowned and thought, it would be fine if this wooden man fell in love with that little spy, but why did he fall in love with that little singer who had sex with thousands of men?
What a loser.
But he saw the man he secretly criticized slowly raised his hand and solemnly defended himself: "There is nothing between me and him."
"It's just that he can't let go of Yuanzhi, so he comes here often. I'm going to return the favor this time and ask him not to come again in the future."
Glancing at his solemn expression, Xie Shiguan was slightly startled, but after a moment, he smiled again and said jokingly: "You are so cruel to such a beauty."
However, Shen lowered his head, not understanding what the prince meant. In his eyes, something without hope and outcome was still keeping people hanging in suspense, and hesitating and refusing to give an answer. That was truly cruel.
He was not like other people. He could not treat a living person as an object to be toyed with. When he saw a prostitute singing, he felt no lust but only a sense of pity.
Chen Que's eyes fell on the dark red lichen in front of the couch, and suddenly he caught a glimpse of a scarlet tassel on a corner of the lichen. On top of the short tassel was a triangular brocade bag with the word "peace" embroidered in the middle with gold thread, and there was a little blood stain on the word "peace".
That was the amulet that Lin Xie snatched from him that night!
How did it end up here?
Perhaps his expression of surprise was too obvious, Xie Shiguan followed his gaze and also saw the amulet.
Xie Shiguan subconsciously wanted to reach out to his waist, but he stopped after only reaching out half an inch.
Ever since he snatched the amulet from Chen Que that day, he had casually stuffed it into his leather belt. Perhaps he had untied the belt during his nap and accidentally dropped it under the couch.
Although he was somewhat shocked in his heart, his face remained calm. When Shen looked at him, he raised his eyebrows slightly and asked him in a pretentious manner: "What is this? Did you drop it?"
Shen Que just woke up from his dream, and hurriedly bent down to pick up the amulet. His mind was in a mess, but at this moment, Xie Shiguan said, "Bring it here for me to see."
Although he was very reluctant, Shen still handed over the amulet.
"Is this what you asked for in Wanfo Temple that day?" Xie Shiguan asked knowingly.
Shen nodded nervously.
"Isn't it a gift for Shen Luo? Why is it still on you?" He cleared himself of all charges with just a few words, causing Shen Luo to think about other things.
But Shen's heart was beating so fast that even his sign language became messed up, and he gestured haltingly: "I asked for two, and that day, I kept one for myself."
His gestures were very confusing, but fortunately Xie Shiguan was able to understand them by guessing.
"Really?" Xie Shiguan really liked to see him panicking, and he had the leisure to play with the amulet in his hand for a while before handing it back to him, "Then keep it well and don't drop it again."
Shen quickly took back the amulet and stuffed it back into his lapel, feeling somewhat relieved.
Fortunately, the prince did not suspect anything, otherwise he really wouldn't know how to explain it.
Xie Shiguan sat up straight on the couch, straightened his clothes, and asked the maid behind the screen, "Wuhua, how long have you left them out?"
"Your Highness," Wu Hua responded, "It has been an hour and a half."
"Send Zhou Fengyu in."
“Yes.”
Zhou Fengyu is already over 60 years old, and if he can endure a few more years, he can retire and return home.
After all, they are old, so Zhou Fengyu stood outside in the cold for an hour and a half. Xie Shiguan deliberately ignored them, and no one dared to invite them to sit in the side hall.
When entering the hall, the old imperial guard's hands and feet were numb, and his two heavy legs could not move, so he had to let Chen Que and Eleven carry him in together.
"Greetings, Your Highness, this humble official..."
Before he could finish, the man on the couch nodded nonchalantly, "Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Zhou. These stupid slaves don't even know how to invite you to sit in the side hall."
"Standing is good," the old guard showed a bit of flattery in his eyes, "I am old and weak, standing can also strengthen my body."
"In that case, there is no need to offer you a seat." He smiled, looking considerate, "Please continue to stand and talk."
Zhou Fengyu's lips trembled, and he immediately regretted saying that flattering word. If he stood there any longer, his old bones would probably have to be carried back by the imperial doctors on the way back.
Fortunately, Xie Shiguan paused, then smiled and said, "Look at what I said, Feng Yu was so scared that his face turned blue. It's really a sin - Ah Que, give Feng Yu a seat."
Zhou Fengyu then thanked Xie Shiguan profusely and sat down. His legs felt better, but he still felt uncomfortable.
His Royal Highness Prince Yan's complexion looked even more rosy than his. Apart from the bruise on his brow bone, he didn't look sick at all.
Although there are rumors outside that Prince Yan has lost the emperor's favor and may lose power, Zhou Fengyu has worked in the Shang Pharmacy for three dynasties, rising from a small medical assistant to the current Fengyu. He has outlasted two generations of emperors, and although he is old, his mind is still shrewd.
The emperor and his ministers were not happy with each other. The one who couldn't sleep all night was the little emperor. The one who had trouble swallowing food after hearing that Prince Yan was ill was also the little emperor.
The young emperor treated the regent more filially and attentively than he treated the empress dowager. No matter who fell, it would not be Xie Shiguan.
However, even though His Royal Highness Prince Yan seemed to be in good health, the procedure still had to be followed. The old imperial attendant took out a silk pulse pillow from the box, and then respectfully brought up the prince's wrist.
Feng Yu murmured "offense" and then gently placed his index and middle fingers on the prince's wrist.
He lowered his eyes, as if thinking carefully.
"Zhou Fengyu." Xie Shiguan suddenly called him.
The old Fengyu's hand trembled slightly: "What, what?"
"Recently, I have been having trouble sleeping and feeling dizzy and sleepy during the day, and I feel a little weak," Xie Shiguan said with a worried look on his face. "Could it be that I have contracted the epidemic?"
The old imperial servant immediately understood what he meant and said hurriedly, "Yes, it is an epidemic."
Xie Shiguan curved his eyebrows and retracted his slender and smooth white wrist: "Do you know what to say when you go back?"
The old imperial attendant nodded quickly: "I will report to His Majesty when I get back, saying that the prince's illness is very severe, and I'm afraid he will need to take leave to recuperate..."
"Half a month," he reminded.
"Half a month," the old imperial servant replied quickly, "It is half a month."
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