Chu Zhaoyou asked, “Ah, what matter?” The only thing the Regent needed to apologize for was one thing, right?

“The safety of the Emperor is my responsibility. I was late in protecting you this time. You may make a request,” Xiao Heng said.

Not only was Xiao Heng’s protection inadequate, but there was another reason. He had kept the changes in the young Emperor’s behavior after returning to the palace tightly under wraps. Firstly, he was afraid of being traced back to the incident where he was poisoned, and secondly, he wanted to prevent anyone from secretly colluding with Chu Zhaoyou under the guise of supporting the rightful ruler.

He allowed certain things, such as Lady Zhao of Liangzhou receiving letters, but he forbade anyone from contacting Chu Zhaoyou.

Even the Empress Dowager felt that the Regent and Chu Zhaoyou were still at odds, which was why she dared to act so recklessly.

“Oh,” so the Regent had an especially strong sense of responsibility. Chu Zhaoyou asked, “Not taking the medicine?”

“Change it.”

Chu Zhaoyou immediately felt nauseous.

Xiao Heng hurriedly patted his back to ease his discomfort. Perhaps because Chu Zhaoyou had rejected him before, this time his pat was just right, not too light or too heavy.

And yet he still didn’t want to take the medicine?

Xiao Heng decided for him, “The Empress Dowager is to be confined to fasting and prayer for a year, and she is not to see anyone.”

He temporarily refrained from taking action against the Empress Dowager to prevent the Wei family in Youzhou from becoming desperate. Once he had investigated the matter at the Yuzhou granary, he would eliminate all the potential threats left behind by the Empress Dowager’s regency.

At most, a few more months.

Chu Zhaoyou was somewhat satisfied. It seemed that Zhang Huiji and the Empress Dowager had only talked in person, without any evidence. Furthermore, the Empress Dowager wouldn’t be able to cause trouble for him in the future. A year of confinement wouldn’t drive her mad.

“I had a few nightmares last night. I need to catch up on some sleep,” Chu Zhaoyou said as he covered himself with the blanket, making it quite clear that he wanted to be left alone.

He actually wanted to ask Xiao Heng what he had been doing outside the capital. But judging from Xiao Heng’s reaction, he probably either hadn’t remembered or it wasn’t good news.

The Regent’s foolishness in the matter of the beggar had cast a huge shadow over Chu Zhaoyou.

Just thinking about it made him want to curse someone.

…

The imperial medical center was particularly worried today.

Doctor Zhang, who was getting on in years, fretted, “Where can we find medicine that isn’t bitter? All medicine is at least a little bitter.”

Doctor Liu added, “The Emperor’s pulse is particularly unusual, as if his body is undergoing a chaotic yet orderly reconstruction of muscles and bones. It’s been going on for some time, and I can’t quite put my finger on it. But judging from the Emperor’s complexion, it seems to have no effect.”

Doctor Zhang agreed, “I have the same opinion. The Emperor might be afraid of blood. Just the thought of that scene makes him vomit. Once he gradually forgets that scene, he will recover. This is a heart ailment.”

There were many such examples. Doctor Zhang had experienced vomiting after seeing a decaying corpse for the first time when he was young.

Doctor Liu suggested, “But what kind of medicine should we change it to? Should we add some sweet-tasting herbs?”

The medical center unanimously agreed that the Emperor didn’t really need to take medicine. At most, they could prescribe some soothing medicine, but the Emperor refused to take it. Could they just change the nature of the medicine as they pleased?

A young apprentice who was drying herbs chimed in, “I heard that the medical center has a prescription specifically for treating nausea in pregnant women. It has a mild taste, and it’s harmless if a child accidentally ingests it. Isn’t this a similar case?”

The senior doctor suddenly brightened up, “Indeed, the young man’s mind is sharp! A similar case! A similar case!”

After a short nap, Chu Zhaoyou reluctantly finished his breakfast. The medical center sent an improved version of the medicinal soup.

He took a sip, still not liking it, but unfortunately, there was a spy watching nearby.

He pretended to be delighted, his eyes shining with sincerity. “The medicine today is very sweet.”

Minister Xue breathed a sigh of relief.

“Lord Cui, I’m going to take the medicine. You can close your eyes and not record any unflattering details in the daily notes, can you?” Chu Zhaoyou had been with Cui Geng for so long that he knew the Emperor had some harmless vanity. “As you wish,” Cui Geng replied.

After all, he had a keen sense of smell, and he would notice wherever the Emperor went. Although Minister Xue was loyal, he wouldn’t indulge the Emperor by drinking the medicine for him.

Chu Zhaoyou’s eyes curved as he picked up the medicine bowl and poured it directly into a large pot of chicken soup on the table.

The two soups had similar colors, and as long as he withdrew quickly enough, no one would notice the difference.

Chu Zhaoyou’s delicate wrist moved, but suddenly it was intercepted.

Your Regent is suddenly inspecting the troops!

His hand trembled, and the entire bowl was about to fall into the chicken soup. Xiao Heng, quick on the draw, took the medicine bowl and placed it on the table without spilling a drop.

Chu Zhaoyou withdrew his hand dejectedly.

A heart ailment. No medicine can cure it, understand?

Xiao Heng looked at Chu Zhaoyou disapprovingly. “If you don’t want to drink it, then don’t. Why ruin a whole pot of soup?”

Chu Zhaoyou felt a twinge of guilt at the thought of wasting food.

Xiao Heng said, “If you don’t want to take the medicine, have another bowl of chicken soup. Minister Xue said you didn’t eat anything last night.”

Was this still the Regent, so understanding?

Chu Zhaoyou watched as if in a dream as the Regent personally ladled a bowl of chicken soup, its color clear and bright, its aroma rich and fragrant.

Xiao Heng held the white porcelain bowl and brought it to Chu Zhaoyou’s mouth, gesturing for him to open up.

The Regent’s knuckles were long and powerful, as if he were holding a jade bowl instead of a porcelain one, and the jade bowl was filled with amber light.

Chu Zhaoyou opened his mouth, feeling as if he hadn’t fully woken up, and blinked hard.

Xiao Heng pursed his lips, performing a sleight of hand, and swiftly replaced the bowl of medicine in his left hand, pressing it to Chu Zhaoyou’s lips before he could react.

“Um—”

This wasn’t chicken soup!

Chu Zhaoyou swallowed a mouthful of the slightly bitter medicine with a sweet and sour taste, feeling Xiao Heng’s hand pressing his chin as he was made to drink several mouthfuls.

Why did the world have such a despicable Regent?!!

Author’s note: Thank you for your support -3=