Did the Seventh Prince attend court today?

Who would have thought that eating a melon could uncover a spy from an enemy country? Emperor Wulong was startled and was about to roar for someone to arrest the spy when Xu Zheng decisively covered his mouth, risking his own execution. While holding the man down firmly, he whispered a reminder: "Your Majesty, you mustn't! The young prince is watching!"

"Your Majesty, be careful what you say, lest you give yourself away!" Prime Minister Su helped Emperor Wulong sit down in a chair.

Emperor Wulong stared wide-eyed and struggled, muttering, "Mmm...mmm...mmm!"

Hearing the commotion, Youlu looked over and saw the three of them in a chaotic mess. He asked in confusion, "What are you doing?"

Prime Minister Su laughed and said, "It's nothing. His Majesty was so excited when he heard that the young prince knew medicine that he couldn't catch his breath. This old minister and Lord Xu are helping him catch his breath."

"Yes, yes," Xu Zheng echoed repeatedly.

The two men worked together to restrain the struggling Emperor Wulong.

Cang Shuyue glanced at Emperor Wulong's flushed face and curled his lips slightly.

Without suspecting anything, You Lu turned back to continue communicating with the Pixiu.

Pixiu asked in confusion, "How could Lord Qin's fake wife be a spy? Didn't she spend the rest of her life with Lord Qin?"

[Baozi, you've spotted the key point.] Youlu secretly gave Pixiu an approving look.

Emperor Wulong and his two companions perked up; there was more juicy gossip to come?

This spy was from Nanzhao, who had infiltrated Dayong for over a decade, intending to sow discord there. Unfortunately, despite his constant whispers in Qin Tan's ear, Qin Tan never paid him any attention, neither taking sides nor participating in factional struggles, simply continuing with his own plans, leaving the spy helpless. Furthermore, because he feigned illness, Qin Tan, concerned for him, never allowed him to go out, thus thwarting his plan to create chaos by poisoning the wives and daughters of other high-ranking officials.

The Pixiu hissed, "[This spy sounds rather weak.]"

Youlu: [Look at our Lord Qin again, isn't he handsome and talented?]

Emperor Wulong and the others subconsciously looked at Qin Tan and nodded in agreement. With his thick eyebrows and big eyes, he was indeed a handsome man.

Qin Tan was honest, meticulous, and gentle. Although she didn't achieve anything great, she was someone who could live a stable life, which was very attractive to someone who had wandered far from home in a foreign land. As time went on, the spy developed feelings for Qin Tan.

[Later, when Nanzhao launched an attack on Dayong, he used his position as the wife of the Minister of Rites to pass on messages to Nanzhao, helping them win several battles. Afterwards, the King of Nanzhao summoned him back to Nanzhao, offering him official rank and titles, but he refused. He stayed in Dayong, remaining by Qin Tan's side until Qin Tan's death, when he finally revealed the truth.]

[Um...] Pixiu hesitated, [So this spy and Lord Qin had a lifelong, pure love affair?]

After saying that, it realized something and quickly covered its mouth.

Without giving it much thought, Youlu wore a complicated expression. "Ah... Baozi, you've found another interesting point."

The men present who witnessed the whole story were shocked and cast admiring yet suspicious glances at Qin Tan.

Qin Tan was once again completely bewildered. What was wrong with His Majesty and the others today? Why were they looking at him with such strange eyes?

Overwhelmed by shock, Xu Zheng loosened his grip, allowing Emperor Wulong to break free and shout, "Guards!"

Xu Zheng and Prime Minister Su shouted in unison, "Your Majesty, calm down!"

"By imperial decree, summon Chief Physician Chen of the Imperial Medical Academy to the residence of the Minister of Rites to examine Lady Qin," Emperor Wulong shouted.

Xu Zheng and Prime Minister Su, who reached out to stop them: ...?

Emperor Wulong straightened his disheveled robes and sleeves, giving the two men a cold glance. "What do you think I'm going to do?"

"Hehe." Xu Zhengqian chuckled, secretly wiping away a bead of cold sweat.

Will His Majesty cut off his head because of what just happened?

Prime Minister Su clasped his hands in front of him, lowered his head, and pretended to be deaf and dumb.

Emperor Wulong walked leisurely to Qin Tan, patted him on the shoulder and comforted him, saying, "Minister Qin, you have worked hard for the country and shared my worries. I should help you out. Since Madam Qin is bedridden, I will send the head of the Imperial Medical Academy to take a look at her. I hope Madam Qin can recover soon."

Qin Tan was both surprised and delighted, and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I thank you on behalf of my wife."

Emperor Wulong raised his chin and said, "You say you can cure it, then let's go with the head physician to take a look."

You Lu secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Just now, from that imposing manner, he thought his father was going to arrest someone directly. It seems he was overthinking it. That's right, his father only has suspicions at the moment and doesn't have any evidence yet, so he probably won't arrest anyone rashly. Sending him along is probably to let him probe the truth.

He also wanted to meet the spy first to see if he could find another solution. If so, there would be no need to kill him outright.

Having made up her mind, Youlu followed Qin Tan out of the palace.

No sooner had You Lu left than Emperor Wulong summoned Eunuch Kang and ordered, "Immediately send someone to keep an eye on the Qin residence. I want to know all the details of Xiao Qi's treatment of Madam Qin."

After receiving the order, Eunuch Kang quickly withdrew.

After finishing the melon, Emperor Wulong patted his belly and said happily, "I should go and have breakfast with the Empress."

Cang Shuyue lifted her eyelids and gave him a cold glance.

At this moment, a young eunuch ran in, knelt on the ground, and reported: "Your Majesty, someone from Hancui Palace says that Consort Yi has fallen ill and requests Your Majesty to go and see her."

Emperor Wulong's good mood vanished instantly, and he waved his hand impatiently: "If you're sick, go to the imperial physician. I don't know how to cure diseases."

Prime Minister Su said, "Your Majesty should go and take a look. Now is not the time to completely break with the Yi family."

As the saying goes, "give a stick and then a date," the Third Prince has suffered a loss, so Consort Yi cannot be neglected any longer.

The Yi family is currently untouchable, so we must feign compliance.

They said these words without Cang Shuyue and the First Prince's backs. Cang Shuyue was alright, but the First Prince was dumbfounded.

Emperor Wulong let out a breath and slumped his shoulders slightly. "Prepare the carriage for Hancui Palace."

As he passed Cang Shuyue and the First Prince, he paused and said, "You two go to Fengyi Palace to have breakfast with the Empress."

The eldest prince cupped his hands and said, "Your subject obeys the decree."

Emerging from the imperial study, the eldest prince was still pondering the conversation between Emperor Wulong and Prime Minister Su. He speculated, "As soon as Seventh Brother returned, Father Emperor wanted to take action against the Yi family. No wonder he's the most favored child of Consort Ling. Father Emperor certainly values ​​him. I wonder what Seventh Brother is thinking. Uncle, what do you think?"

Cang Shuyue ignored him.

When they arrived at Fengyi Palace, the Empress was already waiting. She was not surprised to see them and greeted them with a smile, inviting them to sit down.

After having breakfast and drinking tea together, the Empress, recalling the rumors she had just heard, casually asked, "Did the Seventh Prince really beat the Third Prince?"

The eldest prince, thus opening up, said with great interest, "Although I haven't witnessed it myself, it's easy to see from the injuries of my third brother that my seventh brother is incredibly brave. I suppose I'm no match for him either. I wonder where he learned such skills. I'd like to have a chance to spar with him sometime. However, my seventh brother really went a bit too far. I'm afraid my third brother will hold a grudge."

He appeared somewhat childish in front of his birth mother.

The Empress listened to the eldest prince with a smile. Just as she was about to speak, Cang Shuyue, who was usually taciturn, said calmly, "He deserves this punishment for his lack of skill."

The Empress was somewhat surprised and asked cautiously, "What does A-Yue think of that child?"

Cang Shuyue pursed her lips and after a long while replied, "She speaks in a sticky, incoherent way, and always stares at people. She's childish."

"Achoo!" Youlu rubbed her nose as she stepped through the Qin residence gates. "Who's talking about me behind my back?"