WK Chapter 42

They ran wildly all the way.

 

The eunuchs guarding the gates of various palaces had already become skilled at removing the thresholds when the Little Prince came riding his little dog cart.

 

So, all the way together, Qu Dubian directly arrived outside Zichen Palace.

 

The voices chasing and calling him were still quite far behind. Qu Dubian jumped off the little dog cart, holding the egg custard and walking to the door.

 

Eunuch Bao, guarding the door of Zichen Palace, rubbed his eyes to confirm he wasn’t seeing things: “Seventh Prince?! Why have you come!”

 

Qu Dubian handed over the egg custard in his hands, “Please hold this for me for a moment, thank you.”

 

After struggling to climb over the threshold, he took back the egg custard, and as soon as he entered, he called out directly: “Father Emperor! Father Emperor! I’ve come to see you!”

 

Emperor Chongzhao, who was eating: “?”

 

He looked up to see a short radish with a bun hairstyle exploded into a ball of spikes running in, those dark eyes blinking, obviously up to some mischief.

 

The scene was a bit familiar. Seeing him come with a bowl, Emperor Chongzhao said, “You’ve come from Changxin Palace to my place for food? Didn’t I allow the Imperial Kitchen to make special dishes for you these days?”

 

“No, no.”

 

Qu Dubian caught his breath, patting his little heart, “Here, this is for you.”

 

Emperor Chongzhao raised an eyebrow, clearly not believing it.

 

This little guy usually considers it good enough not to snatch food from his bowl, how could he possibly share food from his own bowl with others?

 

He snorted a laugh and said: “Did you miss me?”

 

Otherwise, why would he call him Father Emperor instead of Your Majesty?

 

Qu Dubian: “…”

 

Even gold miners couldn’t dig out such self-absorbed divine gold.

 

He tried his best to resist the urge to roll his eyes. Which ancestor gave him the confidence to say such things so nonchalantly!

 

“Father Emperor, please taste a bit. The egg custard Noble Lady Chu made for me smells very good, even better than your spices.”

 

“Smells better than my spices? Can egg custard be made into flowers?” Emperor Chongzhao took the bowl of egg custard, and the food-tasting eunuch beside him immediately wanted to step forward.

 

Qu Dubian quickly pulled back the egg custard, putting it to his nose and taking several deep breaths.

 

“Father Emperor, let me smell it again…”

 

Emperor Chongzhao laughed: “Are you going to let me eat or not?”

 

“Yes, yes.”

 

Qu Dubian nodded repeatedly and handed it over again. When Emperor Chongzhao was about to eat, he changed his mind again, sniffing at it near his nose.

 

Like a little puppy.

 

Emperor Chongzhao: “Xiao Qi, stop playing. I still have to review memorials later.”

 

So his little son reluctantly gave him the egg custard, but this time it didn’t even reach Emperor Chongzhao’s hands before the child quickly pulled it back to his own nose, greedily sniffing it.

 

Each time he changed his mind faster than before, each time revealing more frenzy and childish impatience that couldn’t be controlled.

 

Looking closely, he seemed almost possessed.

 

A chill crept up Emperor Chongzhao’s back. Even the most foolish person would sense something was wrong. He grabbed Qu Dubian’s hand, forcibly taking away the egg custard, and said in a deep voice: “Xiao Qi!”

 

Qu Dubian reached out urgently, “Father! Nice father! Give it to me, let me smell it one more time, just one more time, it smells so good, so good…”

 

He even called him ‘Father’, showing how much he wanted it.

 

Emperor Chongzhao’s expression grew darker. Amidst Head Eunuch Yu’s exclamation, he lowered his head to smell it. He couldn’t smell anything from the cold egg custard except a faint fishy smell.

 

But he remembered that his little son’s sense of smell seemed innately sensitive, far exceeding normal people. Last time he could even smell the blood on him and vomit, and could recognize Da Hei by its scent.

 

He restrained his son with one hand and held the egg custard high with the other, his cold gaze falling on it.

 

“Summon the Imperial Physician!!”

 

Head Eunuch Yu accepted the order and left.

 

Just as he went out, Eunuch Bao came in to announce, “Your Majesty, Noble Lady Chu requests an audience.”

 

Emperor Chongzhao: “Let her in.”

 

Noble Lady Chu walked closer and could hear the Seventh Prince’s coaxing and pleading voice from inside. She adjusted her breathing and facial expression. It seemed the Seventh Prince had eaten the egg custard she gave him, and His Majesty wasn’t letting him eat too much…

 

She just hoped His Majesty hadn’t touched it.

 

Turning past the outer screen, Noble Lady Chu smiled gracefully, and was about to bow when she saw the scene inside and Emperor Chongzhao’s icy gaze.

 

Her head spun, and her face turned deathly pale.

 

Emperor Chongzhao heavily put the egg custard on the table, scooped up his son who was fluttering like a little chick, and locked him in his arms, keeping him away from the bowl of egg custard.

 

He said in a calm tone: “The food made in Changxin Palace seems to suit Xiao Qi’s taste very well.”

 

Noble Lady Chu barely maintained her expression, “It’s all the servants’ efforts. For dishes served to His Highness, no amount of care is too much. Your Majesty, is there a problem with this egg custard?”

 

Emperor Chongzhao: “Why don’t you taste it yourself, beloved consort?”

 

Immediately, a eunuch took some from the egg custard bowl, got a new spoon, and handed it to Noble Lady Chu.

 

“…”

 

Noble Lady Chu took it and casually tasted a spoonful.

 

“It’s a bit cold now, it tastes better when hot, Your Majesty?”

 

Emperor Chongzhao just glanced at her, without saying much. Noble Lady Chu resisted the urge to spit it out, swallowed it, and stood awkwardly in the hall.

 

“Want to smell, want to smell!”

 

The little son held in his arms was still fussing.

 

Emperor Chongzhao: “Bring a clean handkerchief soaked in ice water.”

 

The serving palace maids immediately prepared what he asked for. Emperor Chongzhao pressed this ice-cold handkerchief against the lower half of Qu Dubian’s face.

 

The cold sensation startled him.

 

“Feeling more clear-headed?”

 

Qu Dubian was just pretending all along. He muffled covered the ice handkerchief, looked at Ye Xiaoyuan and Wen Xiaochun in the hall, both of whom were anxiously watching him.

 

He lifted the handkerchief and smiled, blinking his eyes.

 

Ye Xiaoyuan was slightly reassured.

 

For a while, only the occasional dissatisfied whimpers of the Seventh Prince could be heard in Zichen Palace. Soon after, Imperial Physicians Yang and Qiu hurriedly arrived carrying their medicine boxes.

 

“We greet Your Majesty.”

 

“Rise. Examine that bowl of egg custard.”

 

Noble Lady Chu: “Your Majesty! This, this bowl of egg custard, I’ve tasted it, there’s nothing wrong with it.”

 

Emperor Chongzhao: “We’ll discuss after examining it. Xiao Qi’s condition is not right.”

 

Noble Lady Chu, on the verge of tears: “Does Your Majesty not trust this concubine?”

 

Emperor Chongzhao: “Are you questioning my decision?”

 

His tone was the same as before, but Qu Dubian could hear that his convenient father was already somewhat impatient.

 

Noble Lady Chu immediately shut up, fidgeting with her fingers, desperately praying in her heart. The Wangye fruit shell powder was from the Southern Ning country. Although strictly prohibited in Da Zhou, the imperial physicians rarely encountered it… She had used very little, it wouldn’t be discovered.

 

It definitely wouldn’t.

 

The two imperial physicians accepted the order and first tasted a bit of the egg custard on the tip of their tongues.

 

Imperial Physician Yang: “It seems… there’s a slight astringent taste.”

 

“It’s a bit like a spice used to mask the egg’s fishy smell,” Imperial Physician Qiu said, “May I ask Your Majesty, how did His Highness react earlier?”

 

Emperor Chongzhao: “He was very… obsessed with this bowl of egg custard, kept smelling it, I could barely hold him back.”

 

Qu Dubian poked his head out: “It smells really good! Of all the egg custards I’ve eaten, none smelled as good as this one, that’s why I wanted to bring it to Father Emperor…”

 

As he spoke, he looked greedily at the egg custard again, his nostrils flaring.

 

Emperor Chongzhao pressed down on his little son’s restless head, pushing it down forcefully.

 

Head popping up again, pressed down again.

 

“He looks a bit better now, it was quite frightening earlier.”

 

The two imperial physicians discussed aside for a moment.

 

Obsession, good smell, special, astringent taste…

 

Imperial Physician Qiu suddenly remembered that Noble Lady Chu’s family was from Baojiang District, near the Southern Ning country.

 

His heart sank, and he looked up at Imperial Physician Yang, whose expression was as solemn as his own.

 

“Imperial Physician Yang, did you bring any mugwort?”

 

“I have some, it should be enough.”

 

Imperial Physician Yang took out the mugwort, ground it into powder, poured it into part of the egg custard, and after stirring, the egg custard turned directly black-purple.

 

His lips trembled involuntarily. The sinister methods of the back palace were truly so vicious!

 

At this point, Noble Lady Chu’s face was as white as paper.

 

Emperor Chongzhao: “Is it poisonous?”

 

Imperial Physician Yang bowed, suppressing his indignation: “Reporting to Your Majesty, in this world, there is only one substance that reacts with processed mugwort powder. That is the Wangye fruit from Southern Ning country!”

 

Southern Ning country was once harmed by this fruit, its national power declining rapidly. In recent years, after changing emperors, things have improved somewhat. Southern Ning spies once tried to use Wangye fruit to corrupt Da Zhou officials. Fortunately, it was discovered in time, and Emperor Chongzhao nipped it in the bud, designating Wangye fruit as an absolutely prohibited item.

 

He had seen with his own eyes the corrosion and harm Wangye fruit could do to people—

 

It was simply maddening!

 

Qu Dubian timely said: “Wangye fruit? Can it make food taste better?”

 

Hearing his little son’s voice, Emperor Chongzhao remembered how obsessed he was with that bowl of egg custard earlier. He felt his whole body turn cold, followed by a towering rage.

 

This egg custard, or rather the food from Changxin Palace, how many meals had Xiao Qi eaten? Was he addicted?

 

A teacup was thrown directly, Emperor Chongzhao shouted angrily: “Well! You dare to use prohibited items to poison a prince?!”

 

The entire hall fell silent, palace servants kneeling all over the floor.

 

Noble Lady Chu’s shoulder was painfully hit, she staggered a few steps, her whole body collapsing, “No, I didn’t, I didn’t!! I didn’t know, this concubine didn’t know about this, it was all done by those in charge of the small kitchen!!”

 

When Emperor Chongzhao’s killing intent arose, he spoke faster and lighter than usual: “Your maternal family manages Baojiang District, your brother was imprisoned for smuggling Wangye fruit not long ago, and you still dare say you have nothing to do with this?”

 

He walked forward, when suddenly a cry came from his arms.

 

“You’re so scary, wuwuwu…”

 

Emperor Chongzhao, who was losing his temper but completely forgot he was still holding his little son: “…”

 

A low glance.

 

The little son in his arms, whether from crying or fright, had his whole face flushed red.

 

He quickly handed the child to the two imperial physicians, telling them to take him to the West Warm Chamber and examine him carefully. As Qu Dubian left, Ye Xiaoyuan and Wen Xiaochun followed, with Eunuch Bao going to watch over them.

 

The hall suddenly became much quieter.

 

Emperor Chongzhao said coldly: “Search Changxin Palace. Don’t miss a single corner.”

 

Head Eunuch Yu: “This servant will see to it immediately.”

 

He glanced at Noble Lady Chu collapsed on the floor, shaking his head.

 

Noble Lady Chu was in deep trouble.

 

Outside, Da Hei, lying down, watched them coming and going, letting out a few whimpers from its throat, looking somewhat anxiously at the West Warm Chamber where Qu Dubian had entered.

 

–

 

In the West Warm Chamber.

 

Qu Dubian lay on a small table, allowing the two imperial physicians to take his pulse in turn, “No, it’s just the first time I smelled that fragrant scent, it’s strange, you all can’t smell it…”

 

Ye Xiaoyuan frowned deeply: “Your Highness, that’s not a good thing. If you smell it again in the future, please stay far away from it.”

 

Qu Dubian: “Banban, don’t worry, except for that bowl of egg custard, I haven’t eaten anything from Noble Lady Chu.”

 

Imperial Physician Yang: “Eating Wangye fruit once or twice won’t cause addiction. To become mildly addicted, one needs to eat it for at least three or four days.”

 

Hearing this, Wen Xiaochun finally felt relieved about the small amount of egg custard he had eaten.

 

Fortunately, nothing happened, otherwise he certainly wouldn’t be able to stay by His Highness’s side.

 

Looking at Qu Dubian’s flushed little face, he asked softly: “Does Your Highness feel uncomfortable anywhere else?”

 

Qu Dubian touched his face and head, “I feel a bit dizzy.”

 

Imperial Physician Yang looked carefully and pondered: “The little prince is weak and has been frightened, he’s running a slight fever. It’s not serious, I’ll prescribe some medicine and he’ll be fine.”

 

Ye Xiaoyuan felt distressed, how long had it been since His Highness recovered? Now he had to take medicine again.

 

“Thank you for your trouble, Imperial Physician.”

 

Imperial Physician Yang waved his hand, and only after confirming that Qu Dubian had no other issues besides the fever did he go out to report to the Emperor.

 

Qu Dubian touched his forehead, genuinely confused, and asked the simulator: [I can get a fever? I didn’t start a simulation.]

 

Simulator: […]

 

Simulator: [All humans can get fevers. The reason for this fever is the host’s weak constitution and riding the little dog cart in the cold wind too many times. The simulator can convert the host’s spontaneous illness into a simulation. Does the host wish to convert it?]

 

[The host has already experienced level 1 and 2 of the fever type. Experiencing level 3 can unlock a new type of symptom and unlock the horse stance check-in. The simulator will provide the ‘Mianshou Jue · Part 1’ true qi circulation diagram as a bonus.]

 

The same type of illness can only be simulated three times at each level to prevent the host from farming points. Unlocking new types is very important. But more importantly—

 

[True qi circulation diagram!]

 

Qu Dubian’s spirits lifted. He had been worried about having a secret manual but not understanding it. With the circulation diagram, it would be much better, combining the two would help him understand.

 

No, he cautiously asked: [Why are you being so generous this time?]

 

Simulator: [To improve the host’s survival rate in the back palace.]

 

Qu Dubian: “…”

 

Quite practical.

 

After all, if it weren’t for the simulator’s warning this time, he might have really fallen for it. The simulator can warn him about poisons and other dirty things, but if someone really used force to subdue him, he couldn’t resist.

 

All fear stems from insufficient firepower.

 

Qu Dubian had originally planned to choose level 1, just going through the motions, but with the simulator throwing down the benefit of the true qi circulation diagram, he decisively chose level 3.

 

The time was tentatively set for four days.

 

After all, he was in Zichen Palace and wasn’t sure when he could finish writing this thesis.

 

But he wasn’t in a hurry this time, aiming to get a high score.

 

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(advanced chapters available on kofi)