Luo Lan took the bowl from his hand, took a look at it and nodded.
"Okay, Eunuch Liu, please wait here. I'll be right back."
"Will the results be available soon?"
"Yes, it's not complicated to check this thing. Eunuch Liu, just wait for me for a moment."
“That’s wonderful.”
Liu Xi nodded happily. After Luo Lan left, he turned around and complained to Leng Yu:
"Originally, I didn't want to trouble Princess Yu and save you from worrying, but the imperial physician in the palace wouldn't allow it, and I was afraid that the palace would spread rumors and get word to Concubine Li, which would alert the enemy."
Leng Yu hurriedly gestured for him to sit down and poured him a full cup of tea.
"This is just a small matter, and it's easy for Lan'er to handle it. From now on, if Eunuch Liu needs anything, just come to me."
"Well, now the people I trust the most are you. By the way, I wonder how the discussion between Prince Yu and the officials of the Ministry of Rites went on during the Mid-Autumn Festival in three days? The Emperor asked me to ask you about this. I haven't had the chance to see you these past few days."
"Almost done. This year's Mid-Autumn Festival, my father asked for a grand celebration. I ordered people to bring in the finest flowers from Hainan to decorate the imperial garden, as well as some rare fruits. Oh, and I also asked the ministers with their families to prepare their own talents..."
Liu Xi waved his hands and shook his head.
"That's not what I'm talking about..."
Looking at Liu Xi's expression, Leng Yu looked at him with understanding and nodded in response:
"Don't worry, Eunuch Liu. I've already ordered the palace guards to make all necessary preparations. In addition, Xiao Lingzi and the others will also enter the palace to protect you. On the Mid-Autumn Festival, no one without an invitation will be allowed in. I believe that no one with ulterior motives will be allowed in."
Eunuch Liu still warned with some concern:
"Last time the Second Young Lady went missing, I felt someone was targeting you. This Mid-Autumn Festival, if someone wants to cause trouble for you, it's a good opportunity. You should be more vigilant."
Leng Yu knew that Eunuch Liu was reminding him kindly, so he nodded gratefully.
"Well, your worries are exactly what I'm thinking about. I've already sent people to investigate An An's disappearance, but there's no result yet. But don't worry, the truth will come out sooner or later. When the time comes, the evildoers will naturally get their comeuppance."
"That's the best. I can't help you with anything else, so I'm just worrying about it for nothing."
"Don't say that. You've done me a huge favor by staying by Father's side. Father's temper can be good or bad. If you hadn't been by his side, constantly reminding him, perhaps I wouldn't be where I am today."
"Prince Yu, please don't say that. You are embarrassing me. I have been with the emperor since I was a child. I understand his character best. I am here today and I have something to say."
"Please speak, Eunuch Liu. You have watched me grow up since I was a child. I believe what you say."
Liu Xi nodded and continued with a serious expression:
"If Prince Yu believes what I say, then please rest assured that you will be your regent. Report all matters of the court to the Emperor on time. Ask him for decisions on major matters. Let him take the lead in everything. This way, you can firmly sit on the throne of the Daning Kingdom, second only to the Emperor. Remember, even if the Emperor asks you to take over the throne, do not agree. You did not accept the position when the Emperor was in poor health before, and now that his health is gradually improving, you must not accept it. The Emperor is a suspicious person..."
At this point, Liu Xi paused and continued seriously:
"Does Prince Yu understand what this old servant means?"
Leng Yu didn't expect that Liu Xi would come today and say these words to him.
He nodded in agreement.
"I understand what you mean. You are afraid that my father will test me, right?"
Liu Xi nodded with a heavy face.
"Right now, you're the only one capable of stirring up such a storm in Daning. Since ancient times, no emperor has ever sat on the throne long enough to voluntarily abdicate, and the same is true for Your Majesty. I've recently come to understand his current state. He simply doesn't want to spend too much time handling government affairs and still wants to enjoy his status as emperor. If you can satisfy him on this point, he'll naturally be happy to hand over power to you. However, there are some things you can't make decisions on your own. You should discuss with him more and make him feel how important he is to you. That's the only way."
Liu Xi's words made Leng Yu feel enlightened. In the past, he always felt that there was no need to tell his father about some trivial matters to avoid wasting his time. Now it seems that he thought things were too simple.
Thinking of this, he nodded and said:
"Thank you, Eunuch Liu, for your advice. If Lan'er hadn't stopped me, I would have gone to my father to resign from the position of Regent. But now that you've said this, I don't think I should do that."
"When the Emperor first had this idea, it was a decision he made after considerable deliberation. There aren't many people in Daning Kingdom he can trust, and he doesn't even trust the current princes. Fortunately, you didn't mention this to the Emperor right after he recovered, otherwise, he would have been even more enraged. Don't you understand the Emperor? He prioritizes imperial power above all else. He'd considered this for a long time before deciding to do this. Fortunately, during his illness, you managed the court in an orderly manner and didn't forget to report to him frequently. He's quite satisfied with you, so he's already tacitly accepted you as the future Emperor. However, that will have to wait until he's a hundred years old..."
Leng Yu listened to Liu Xi's words with a serious expression. It seemed that his previous decision to refuse the throne was correct.
He clasped his fists to thank Liu Xi and said:
"One word from you is worth ten years of reading. After hearing what you said, I know what to do."
"Hahaha……"
Liu Xi suddenly raised his head and laughed, "Prince Yu, this old servant didn't say anything, I was just chatting."
Leng Yu was stunned for a moment, then nodded and smiled:
"You're right, it's just idle talk..."
At this point, he looked out and said gently:
"Lan'er is back..."
Liu Xi followed his gaze and when he saw Luo Lan coming towards them from outside the door, he quickly stood up and went to greet him with Leng Yu. Before the man got close, he couldn't wait to ask:
"Princess Yu, is there poison in that soup?"
Leng Yu also looked at her with anxious eyes. Liu Xi's suspicion must not be groundless. Like Eunuch Liu, he suspected that Concubine Li had poisoned the soup that her father had made.
Luo Lan walked slowly in front of them, stood still, and shook his head.
"It's not very toxic. Taking a small amount won't cause any danger, other than becoming addicted to the soup. However, long-term use is strictly prohibited."
"I have long suspected that Concubine Li's cooking skills were not that great. She must have used some special method. It seems that my guess was correct."
Obviously, Liu Xi had already anticipated this result.
Leng Yu asked in surprise:
"Lan'er, what was added to the soup? Why is it so addictive? Could it also contain the poison from the pill last time?"
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