The Imperial Palace.
Gu Yanxi was heading to the imperial study with a dossier in hand, intending to seek instructions, when a voice tinged with amusement came from behind, "Every time I see you now, I get a headache. Don’t tell me something else has gone wrong."
Gu Yanxi turned to reply but frowned upon noticing the Emperor’s attire—it was not his usual court robes.
"Your Majesty has left the palace?"
"It’s been a long time since I stepped outside the palace gates. I went out to soak up some human energy." The Emperor brushed past him casually and entered the room. Lai Fu kept his head lowered, not daring to even exchange a glance. Today, the Emperor had left the palace without him, which made Lai Fu deeply uneasy. Could it be that the Emperor no longer wished to employ him?
Gu Yanxi didn’t dwell on it and followed him inside, saying, "Your Majesty should have taken Shaoyao with you."
"If she heard that, just see if she wouldn’t throw a fit with you." The Emperor couldn’t help but laugh at the memory of her stubbornly clinging to the door that day. That child was a true gem, her reluctance to guard him day and night written all over her face. In truth, he didn’t necessarily need a physician by his side at all times, but he genuinely enjoyed watching her amusingly entertain herself when bored.
Gu Yanxi forcefully steered the conversation back to official matters. "Your servant has just received news of an epidemic outbreak in the south."
The Emperor’s smile vanished. "Xiangyang?"
"Yes."
The Emperor slammed the table angrily. "I repeatedly ordered them to pay attention to post-disaster management, and this is how they handle it? Major epidemics follow great disasters—history records this not just once or twice. Have they been reading their books for nothing?"
"Your Majesty, please do not worry. The epidemic has already been brought under control." Gu Yanxi took the tea from Lai Fu’s hands, felt the rim of the cup, and presented it to the Emperor. "I must inform you that the Sixth Prince is currently in Xiangyang. It was through their efforts that the epidemic was controlled."
The Emperor was taken aback. Having investigated the matter, he knew that Xiao Liu'er had been staying with the Hua family and had set out on a journey with one of the Hua sons in July. However, if an epidemic was reported, it couldn’t be a minor one. Yet Xiao Liu'er had actually...
"Has he revealed his identity? Is he in any danger?"
"The Sixth Prince has been very cautious and has not exposed his identity." Gu Yanxi handed over the dossier. The Emperor quickly took it and began reading, eager to learn how Xiao Liu'er had managed it.
Gu Yanxi maintained a composed demeanor. He had deliberated carefully before presenting this document to the Emperor. With both the First and Second Princes having lost their chances, it was time for Xiao Liu to step into the spotlight—and in a grand way. Controlling an epidemic would undoubtedly be a significant achievement.
"Who would have thought lime could be used like this? It’s also thanks to their decisiveness. If it had broken out on a large scale, it wouldn’t have been so easily contained." The Emperor set down the dossier with a sigh and asked casually, "Was it really Xiao Liu who came up with this method?"
"Your servant has only received this news so far. The specific details remain unknown."
The Emperor neither affirmed nor denied this and closed the dossier, placing it aside. "Since Xiao Liu'er is there, send him a message. I wish to receive detailed updates on all disaster relief efforts directly from him. If anyone dares to obstruct, I grant him the authority to act first and report later."
Gu Yanxi was not entirely in agreement. "Your Majesty, the Sixth Prince is still young. Is it appropriate to push him into the forefront?"
"Hmm, that’s a valid point. Then have him operate discreetly."
"..." Gu Yanxi was speechless, unsure what to make of his imperial uncle’s somewhat playful remark.The Emperor pointed at Gu Yanxi with a mock gesture and laughed heartily, "The messenger was your man, so of course you can say whatever you want. Would they dare spread it around? How would outsiders know?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. I obey."
As Gu Yanxi finished speaking and prepared to take his leave, the Emperor stopped him and began making casual conversation. "Do you often pay respects to the Empress Dowager?"
"Yes, I do visit."
The Emperor smiled self-deprecatingly, "She doesn’t even want to see me now. Make a few more trips there. If you need anything, just ask Lai Fu."
"Grandmother sees Shaoyao the most these days. She doesn’t particularly enjoy seeing me either."
"That seems true. Whenever Shaoyao wants to avoid me, she runs to the Empress Dowager." The thought of Shaoyao made the Emperor laugh again. Just then, Shaoyao, who had come to take his pulse at the appointed time, clung to the doorframe, unwilling to enter. "Your Majesty, please let the imperial physicians handle this from now on. I’m moving in with the Empress Dowager."
The Emperor laughed even harder. Gu Yanxi walked to the door, peeled Shaoyao off the frame, and carried her by the scruff of her neck to the Emperor. "Take his pulse."
Shaoyao grumbled unhappily but still took the Emperor’s wrist. After a moment, she said with utmost seriousness, "You should laugh less. Your body can’t handle it."
The Emperor flicked her forehead. "I’ve only ever heard that laughter adds years to one’s life. I’ve never heard it could be harmful."
Failing to fool him, Shaoyao sulked. She picked up the notebook hanging by the imperial desk, scribbled a few notes, slung her medicine chest over her shoulder, and turned to leave. Just then, An Yi entered from outside. "Your Majesty, the person has been brought."
The Emperor acknowledged with a hum, watching the still-swaying notebook. "You two, go wait in the inner chamber. No one is to come out or make a sound without my order."
Gu Yanxi and Shaoyao exchanged glances, unsure what the Emperor was up to but sensing something amiss. They dared not disobey and entered the inner chamber one after the other.
"Lai Fu, go keep them company."
Lai Fu bowed and approached. Meeting the Heir’s gaze, he could only shake his head—he truly didn’t know what was happening.
The moment the door closed, Lai Fu saw Hua Zhi entering from outside. He covered his mouth and looked back at the Heir, his eyes filled with terror.
Suddenly, Gu Yanxi understood. He instinctively stepped forward but then stopped. It was A Zhi! The Emperor had summoned A Zhi to the palace! He desperately tried to calm himself, racking his brain for when he might have slipped up. Yet, no matter how much he thought, he hadn’t interfered excessively in Hua family matters. The only time he had mentioned A Zhi directly was regarding their business partnership. Could that have aroused the Emperor’s suspicion?
Shaoyao had been wondering what was happening, but when she heard Hua Hua’s voice from outside, she nearly lost her mind. She clawed at Yan Ge’s arm, about to speak, but Gu Yanxi swiftly covered her mouth.
Realizing her mistake, Shaoyao slapped herself and mouthed silently: Why is Hua Hua in the palace?
Gu Yanxi pressed her down to sit, his expression grim. He wanted to know the reason too!
Outside, Hua Zhi knelt on the ground, head bowed. The palace attendants had all withdrawn, and the door closed behind her.
"Raise your head."
Hua Zhi took a quiet, deep breath, straightened her back, and lifted her head, though her gaze remained lowered, not daring to look upon the Emperor’s face.
The Emperor smiled faintly. "I almost thought the eldest daughter of the Hua family was truly such a proper young lady."
"This common girl deserves ten thousand deaths.""No need for ten thousand deaths, one is enough." The emperor leaned forward. "Earlier today at your newly opened shop, you told that scholar who came to cause trouble that he was too composed, which gave him away. Hua Zhi, the same applies to you. You are far too composed—even officials meeting me for the first time aren't as calm as you are."
"This humble woman deserves ten thousand deaths."
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