When Shen Que hurried back to the Prince’s Mansion, he saw from a distance a few unfamiliar faces standing under the eaves outside the Yan Prince’s sleeping quarters. As he approached, he took a closer look at the style of their official robes and recognized them as people from the Imperial Pharmacy. Leading them was an old Fengyu, followed by several imperial physicians and medical assistants.

The old Fengyu held a higher rank than him, so as Shen Que passed by, he respectfully bowed. The old Fengyu returned the gesture immediately. Before Shen Que could ask, the old Fengyu whispered to him, “The Sage heard that the Prince is seriously ill and specially sent us to check on him.”

Shen Que nodded, hesitated for a moment, and then called over Yuanzhi, who was squatting by the pond feeding fish, and gestured something to him. Yuanzhi pondered for a moment. He could understand Shen Que’s meaning, but translating it accurately was not easy. After thinking for a while, he explained crisply, “My lord is asking why you haven’t gone in yet.”

The young imperial physician following the old Fengyu quickly replied, “It’s not that we don’t want to go in, but we came at an inconvenient time. The maid who just came out said that the Yan Prince is currently taking a nap.”

They didn’t understand Xie Shiguan’s daily habits, but Shen Que knew them by heart. On a normal day, Xie Shiguan would have been awake by this time. In the afternoon, he would read military books, appreciate strategies, sometimes write calligraphy or paintings, or play a game of chess. The Prince seemed carefree and unrestrained, but he never slacked off in reading and physical training.

Having people wait under the eaves for several hours without letting them in clearly showed that the Prince intended to keep them waiting. Shen Que didn’t say much, just raised his hand and gestured.

Yuanzhi: “My lord says he’ll go in and take a look.”

Shen Que quietly pushed open the hall door. Even though it was daytime, the hall was filled with the scent of calming incense. Turning past the screen, Shen Que saw someone reclining on the soft couch inside. The charcoal fire in the hall was burning warmly. Xie Shiguan was wearing only a single layer of clothing, holding a book lazily, his eyes drooping as he read.

Hearing the sound, he slightly raised his eyebrows and yawned lazily, “Where did you go just now? It’s not like you to wander around so much.”

He indeed looked like he had just woken up. Shen Que slowly approached him, gesturing vaguely, “Went to return something.”

Xie Shiguan lightly tossed the strategy book onto the couch and sat up slightly, “Return what?”

Perhaps because he had just gotten up, the tie of Xie Shiguan’s single garment was loosely fastened. The material was slippery, and with a slight movement, the collar slipped down a bit. Shen Que didn’t dare to lift his eyes, his hand movements slightly awkward, “Returned some New Year’s gifts.”

Xie Shiguan stared at him, watching his flustered and awkward demeanor. He deliberately exposed a bit of skin for him to see, yet he didn’t dare to take even a glance. Truly a blockhead.

“Who gave you gifts?” The Prince continued to press.

He usually wasn’t interested in the lives of the mansion’s servants, so Shen Que was a bit at a loss with the Prince’s sudden detailed questioning. If he told the truth, given Xu Sixian’s special status, it would be hard to explain. But if he lied… his poor acting skills would surely be full of holes in the Prince’s eyes.

“Someone…” He raised his hand, avoiding the main point, “An acquaintance.”

Xie Shiguan laughed, his long phoenix eyes slightly curved, filled with a charming and extraordinary allure. “An acquaintance?” Xie Shiguan questioned, “I didn’t know you had acquaintances in those pleasure quarters. From what I see, you’ve been promoted, your heart has grown wild, and you’re looking to taste something fresh with those little singers.”

Sure enough, wherever he went, someone would report every word to the Prince. Shen Que’s ears turned red, his whole body stiff. Just as he was about to raise his hand to explain, he heard Xie Shiguan on the couch suddenly speak again, “That little Qingyi Chen Mingjun invited the other day was quite good, soft and gentle, singing like a lark. No wonder you’re so captivated, even I liked it a lot.”

He didn’t understand the joke, only hearing Xie Shiguan say the little singer’s song was nice, which pricked his heart a bit. He wasn’t jealous, just longing. If he had a good voice, a beautiful face, and a delicate figure, would he also catch Xie Shiguan’s eye? Even if it was just a glance, it would be enough to make him happy for the rest of his life.

Seeing his silence, Xie Shiguan thought he had admitted it, frowning slightly, thinking this blockhead was interested in that little spy, but how could he also have genuine feelings for that singer who had been with countless men? Truly hopeless.

Yet the person he was inwardly criticizing slowly raised his hand, earnestly defending himself, “I have nothing with him.”

“It’s just that he can’t let go of Yuanzhi, so he often comes by. I went to return the gift this time to tell him not to come anymore.”

Seeing his serious expression, Xie Shiguan was slightly taken aback. But after a moment, he smiled again, teasingly saying, “Such a beauty, you really have the heart to do that.”

Shen Que lowered his head, not understanding the Prince’s meaning. In his eyes, things without hope or result, yet still stringing someone along without giving a clear answer, that was truly heartless. He wasn’t like others, couldn’t treat a living person as an object to play with. Seeing prostitutes and singers, he felt no desire, only a bit of empathy.

Shen Que’s gaze fell on the dark red carpet in front of the couch, and suddenly he noticed a vermilion tassel on the corner of the carpet. The short tassel had a triangular brocade pouch with the word “Peace” embroidered in gold thread, and there was a bit of blood on the “An” character. It was the Peace Amulet that Lin Xie had snatched from him that night!

How did it end up here?

Perhaps his surprised posture was too obvious, Xie Shiguan followed his gaze and also saw the Peace Amulet. Xie Shiguan instinctively wanted to reach for his waist, but after extending his hand half an inch, he stopped. Since snatching the Peace Amulet from Shen Que that day, he had casually tucked it into his belt, and it must have fallen under the couch when he removed the belt for his nap.

Though he was a bit surprised, his face remained calm. When Shen Que looked over, he even raised an eyebrow, pretending to ask, “Is this yours?”

Shen Que suddenly snapped back to reality, hurriedly bending down to pick up the Peace Amulet. His mind was a mess, and at this moment, Xie Shiguan added, “Bring it over for me to see.”

Though reluctant, Shen Que handed over the Peace Amulet. “Is this what you requested at the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple that day?” Xie Shiguan asked knowingly.

Shen Que nodded nervously. “Wasn’t it for Shen Luo? Why is it still with you?” With a few words, he distanced himself, leading Shen Que to think in another direction.

Shen Que’s heart was pounding, his sign language was messy, stammering as he gestured, “Requested two, that day, kept one for myself.”

His gestures were chaotic, but Xie Shiguan, with some guessing, could still understand. “Is that so?” Xie Shiguan enjoyed watching his flustered state, even taking the time to play with the Peace Amulet in his hand before returning it to him, “Then keep it safe, don’t lose it again.”

Shen Que quickly took back the Peace Amulet, tucking it into his clothes, feeling a bit relieved. Fortunately, the Prince didn’t suspect anything, otherwise, he really wouldn’t know how to explain.

Xie Shiguan sat up straight, adjusted his collar, and asked the maid behind the screen, “Wu Hua, how long have they been waiting?”

“Replying to Your Highness,” Wu Hua responded, “It’s been an hour and a half.”

“Summon that Zhou Fengyu in.”

“Yes.”

Zhou Fengyu was already past sixty, and in a few more years, he could retire and return home. After all, he was old, and standing outside in the cold for an hour and a half, with Xie Shiguan intentionally keeping them waiting, no one dared to invite them to sit in the side hall.

When entering the hall, the old Fengyu’s limbs were numb, his heavy legs couldn’t move, and it was Shen Que and Shiyi who helped him in. “Greetings, Your Highness, this humble official…”

Before he could finish, the person on the couch nodded casually, “Zhou Fengyu, you’ve worked hard. These blind servants didn’t know to invite you to the side hall to sit.”

“Standing is good,” the old Fengyu showed a bit of flattery in his eyes, “I’m old and weak, standing can still strengthen the body.”

“In that case, there’s no need to offer a seat to Fengyu.” He smiled, looking considerate, “Please continue standing while speaking.”

Zhou Fengyu’s lips trembled, immediately regretting his flattering words. If he continued standing, his old bones might need to be carried back by the imperial physicians and assistants on the return journey.

Fortunately, Xie Shiguan paused and then smiled, “Look at how my words scared Fengyu, your face turned pale, truly my fault—Ah Que, offer a seat to Fengyu.”

Zhou Fengyu then thanked profusely and sat down at Xie Shiguan’s lower seat. His legs felt better, but he still wasn’t comfortable. The Yan Prince’s complexion looked even rosier than his own, except for the bruise on his brow, there was no sign of illness.

Though rumors outside said the Yan Prince had lost the Emperor’s favor and might fall from power, Zhou Fengyu, having survived three reigns in the Imperial Pharmacy, from a small assistant to a Fengyu, outliving two emperors, was still sharp-minded.

When the monarch and minister were unhappy, it was the Little Emperor who couldn’t sleep at night. Hearing the Yan Prince was ill, it was the Little Emperor who lost his appetite. The Little Emperor treated this Regent King more dearly and attentively than even the Empress Dowager. No matter who fell, it couldn’t be Xie Shiguan.

Even though the Yan Prince looked healthy, the procedure had to be followed. The old Fengyu took out a silk pulse pillow from the box and respectfully placed the Prince’s wrist on it. The Fengyu murmured a soft “pardon” and then gently placed his fingers on the Prince’s wrist.

He lowered his eyes, seemingly deep in thought. “Zhou Fengyu,” Xie Shiguan suddenly called him.

The old Fengyu’s hand trembled slightly, “Y-yes?”

“I’ve been feeling tasteless when eating, having trouble sleeping, dizzy and lethargic during the day, and somewhat weak,” Xie Shiguan said with a worried expression, “Could it be an epidemic?”

The old Fengyu immediately understood his meaning and quickly said, “Yes, it’s an epidemic.”

Xie Shiguan’s eyebrows curved, retracting his long, white wrist, “Do you know what to report when you return?”

The old Fengyu nodded quickly, “This humble official will report to the Emperor that the Prince’s illness is severe and requires leave to rest and recuperate…”

“Half a month,” he reminded.

“Half a month,” the old Fengyu quickly responded, “Yes, half a month.”