Chapter 57: The Master and Servant’s Synchronized Evasion

The Emperor of Mingde had informants everywhere, and he knew quite a bit about the recent events in the Ministry of Revenue. However, he did not blame or punish Fu Minglang.

Such trivial matters of affection were not worth losing a talented individual over.

Although he loved Ning’an, the great empire of Da Qi was far more important.

Fu Minglang was now the Vice Minister of Revenue and was close to Grand Preceptor Wen, with the possibility of being accepted as his disciple.

Grand Preceptor Wen had refused the position of Prime Minister, undoubtedly planning to groom someone for the role.

The Emperor also found the matter concerning Sixth Master Shui strange.

But it wasn’t possible for his people to have eyes on every household.

Everything depended on how Duke Dingguo would handle the situation.

As for the letter Ning’an wrote to Ziqi, the Emperor did not intervene.

The Emperor of Mingde thought that Ning’an’s romantic path was filled with many obstacles.

Li Ning’an didn’t know what her father was thinking. Seeing that he had almost finished a roasted sweet potato, she went over to massage his shoulders.

“Father, when I left the prison, Fu Xi said you had coughed up blood. I was terrified, so I asked Xing’e to summon several doctors.”

The Emperor of Mingde finished the last bite, and Yan Su swiftly handed him a cloth. After wiping his hands, the Emperor used another cloth to wipe his mouth.

The Imperial Medical Bureau had long-standing expert physicians.

Civilian doctors might not be as effective.

The Chief Imperial Physician had said it was an acute attack due to agitation.

“I appreciate your filial concern. I’m pleased. Now, what new ideas have you come up with? It’s hard to refuse after eating what you’ve offered,” the Emperor said with a smile, patting Ning’an’s hand, signaling her to stop.

Li Ning’an moved closer to her father. “I’m still worried. I’d like that doctor to examine you again.”

Li Ning’an didn’t mention anything about poisoning, fearing her father wouldn’t believe her.

She herself didn’t know who the real culprit was.

Perhaps she should meet with Prince Jing, her royal uncle.

He had dared to secretly gather troops and rebel; it was possible he would poison her father.

Or it could be Consort Tong Xian, who might harm her father for the sake of her younger brother.

But who could get close enough to poison her father?

What kind of poison was it? Slow or fast? Li Ning’an had no idea.

The Emperor of Mingde instructed Yan Su to tidy up the items on the imperial desk. The memorials at the bottom were now scented with the aroma of sweet potato.

Who knew which minister had submitted those memorials?

When they were returned, they might still carry that fragrance.

“Alright, since Ning’an suggested it, let him come.”

After the Emperor spoke, he noticed that Ning’an still appeared hesitant, not as decisive as before.

After careful consideration, Li Ning’an decided to speak directly: “I suspect, Father, that you have been poisoned. I specifically invited an expert from outside the palace to diagnose you privately. I hope you’ll allow it and won’t blame this expert. He… he looks like a Taoist, but his medical skills are excellent.”

The Emperor felt deceived.

This was his immediate reaction.

Who would dare plot against Ning’an?

Using such a tactic, bringing a Taoist to treat him?

Li Ning’an had no choice but to bring up Shui Mingxi. “But your illness can’t be delayed.”

Li Ning’an knelt down. “He said that if you don’t get treated soon, you might… you might…”

She couldn’t bring herself to say the word “die.”

The Emperor reached out and helped Ning’an up. “Alright, I’ll listen to you. Have the person meet Yan Su, and I’ll arrange everything.”

Seeing her father agree, Li Ning’an finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Yan Su followed Princess Ning’an out, while the Emperor of Mingde gazed toward the door.

Who had poisoned him?

Could his body really not endure for a few more years?

It was half an hour before Yan Su returned. The Emperor’s expression softened as he saw Yan Su’s reassuring look.

The Emperor asked, “How was it?”

Yan Su nodded. “I asked about the symptoms, and he answered them all. He even addressed the matter concerning Sixth Master Shui without any errors.”

Ever since Princess Ning’an requested imperial permission to find a famous doctor to treat Sixth Master Shui, she had collected details of his condition from Duke Dingguo’s mansion.

“This man is indeed dressed as a Taoist. I couldn’t leave him with Princess Ning’an, so I found another place to settle him,” Yan Su reported.

Princess Ning’an was quite carefree, even disguising him in an eunuch’s outfit. The man, however, stubbornly refused to take off his Taoist robe.

The Emperor of Mingde put down his vermillion brush and rubbed his brow. “That girl Ning’an will surely think of every possible way to cure me.”

The Emperor knew his own body well enough.

He had already discovered the poisoning and had instructed the chief imperial physician not to speak too much about it.

Ning’an, however, had somehow believed the old Taoist’s words and even thought the entire Imperial Medical Bureau was full of quacks.

“There are indeed some parasites in the Imperial Medical Bureau. I don’t know how much longer I’ll live, but I should help her and her brother clean house,” the Emperor said.

Yan Su felt a pang of sadness but didn’t know how to comfort him.

Aside from the chief imperial physician, Yan Su was the only one who knew about the Emperor’s poisoning.

Over the years, the poison had penetrated deeply into his body, and it wasn’t easily cured.

Even though the chief imperial physician had been secretly treating him, there was no way to completely remove it.

“Your Majesty, perhaps we should let the old Taoist take a look. Maybe it will work.”

“Alright, arrange it. But don’t let him meet Ning’an again.”

“Have him write a letter to Princess Ning’an instead.”

“That swindling Taoist—just tell Ning’an he ran away in fear.”

Yan Su accepted the order. “I will take care of it, Your Majesty.”

Li Ning’an, believing her father had agreed to let the Taoist examine him, was waiting for the diagnosis so she could prepare whatever was necessary.

Whether it was the rare Tianshan snow lotus or the mythical rootless water, she would gather it all.

Relieved, Li Ning’an relaxed a bit and soaked in the hot spring in her palace.

There was a separate hot spring chamber to the left of her sleeping quarters.

Three days passed, yet there was no movement from her father’s side.

The Emperor of Mingde couldn’t stay away from the palace for long, especially with the second prince of Beiyue about to arrive in the capital. He and his entourage had returned to the palace.

Li Ning’an sat by the window in the inner chamber of Changle Palace and sent Fanlü to inquire with Fu Xi about the situation.

She stared at the door, waiting anxiously until Fanlü finally returned.

After paying her respects, Fanlü said, “Fu Xi said that Eunuch Yan is busy, but if the princess has any orders, he can pass them on.”

Li Ning’an hadn’t been very explicit, only instructing Fanlü to ask how the matter Yan Su had agreed to was progressing.

Since Fu Xi hadn’t received any instructions from his godfather, he didn’t dare speak carelessly.

When he found an opportunity to ask, Yan Su thought it must be Princess Ning’an coming to inquire.

“Just tell her I’m busy. If she has something to say, pass it on through you,” Yan Su instructed.

Fu Xi relayed this to Fanlü, who in turn reported it to the princess.

Fanlü added, “Fu Xi is waiting outside the palace. Do you want to see him?”

Li Ning’an shook her head. Seeing Fu Xi would be pointless; Yan Su likely hadn’t told him anything about the Taoist.

She would have to ask personally.

Li Ning’an asked, “Is Father in Qiankun Palace?”

Fanlü replied, “His Majesty is in the Xuanzheng Hall for official business.”

Li Ning’an nodded. “Send a sharp-witted eunuch to keep an eye out. As soon as Father returns to Qiankun Palace, we’ll go there.”

However, the Emperor of Mingde had been intentionally avoiding Ning’an recently.

He didn’t want her involved in this matter.

Something like this was naturally for him to handle.

Half a month passed, and not only could Ning’an not see her father, but she couldn’t even get an audience with Yan Su.

Could the Taoist have been executed in secret by her father, deemed a fraud?

Li Ning’an grew restless.

“Hongxiu, wake me early tomorrow. I’m going to intercept Yan Su on Father’s way to court.”

She didn’t dare delay her father’s journey to court, but if Yan Su wasn’t there, Fu Xi could stand in for him.

Fu Xi was trained by Yan Su to take over as the chief eunuch of Qiankun Palace.

Hongxiu complied, “Princess, a letter from Young Master Yan has arrived.”

“Let me read it before I sleep,” Li Ning’an said, forcing her sleepy eyes open.