Chapter 94

Chapter 94

Doctor Yan hurried over with his medical bag.

Xiao Yu quickly pulled the three children to the side.

Danzi whispered, "Uncle, what happened to him?"

"He spilled tea all over himself," Minghe said.

Xiao Yu shook his head, "Uncle doesn't know either."

Xiao Yuanping, curious, craned his neck to see, "What is the doctor doing?"

After taking the pulse, Doctor Yan forcefully pressed on Zheng Weirong's philtrum.

Zheng Weirong, still sitting on the ground, finally exhaled, his eyes closed, uttering some indistinct mumblings.

"Doctor, how is he?" Emperor Yongxi asked again.

Doctor Yan stood up and bowed, "Your Majesty, Zheng Cifu has been in a coma for many days, resulting in weakened energy and physical strength. Sudden excitement caused a reversal of his qi and blood, leading to his fainting."

Emperor Yongxi asked, "What caused the sudden excitement?"

Doctor Yan replied, "This humble one does not know."

Emperor Yongxi and Zheng Weilu instinctively looked towards Xiao Yu and his group.

Xiao Yu felt a twinge of apprehension.

Danzi and Minghe appeared completely baffled.

Xiao Yuanping spoke up, "Was it because of me?"

Danzi asked, "Little brother, what did you do?"

"I, I, I just called out to Great Uncle!" Xiao Yuanping looked towards Emperor Yongxi, "Father Emperor, I was just returning the greeting, calling Great Uncle. I wasn't naughty; I've been good!"

"Indeed, Your Majesty, Zheng Cifu has not seen the Second Prince for a long time and missed him dearly. That's why he was so overwhelmed with emotion." The Zheng family was invariably supportive of Xiao Yuanping. Zheng Weilu, eager to present the throne to Xiao Yuanping, naturally didn't want Emperor Yongxi to blame him and quickly explained.

Emperor Yongxi nodded in agreement and then asked Doctor Yan, "So, Zheng Cifu is out of danger now?"

"For now, there is no serious concern, but he must be carefully nurtured. Another fainting episode could be life-threatening," Doctor Yan advised.

Zheng Weilu quickly agreed, "Yes."

Emperor Yongxi looked at Zheng Weilu, "Weilu, take Cifu back and take good care of him. He needn't worry about paying respects to me anymore."

"Yes," Zheng Weilu bowed in response.

Emperor Yongxi said, "You may leave now."

Zheng Weilu called for servants, who together helped Zheng Weirong to his feet and walked him out of the hall.

Leaning on Zheng Weilu's shoulder, Zheng Weirong's legs moved unconsciously forward, his mouth muttering indistinctly, "Ming... Ming... Prime Minister... Prime Minister... Prime Minister..."

Minghe whispered, "What is he saying about 'Ming' something?"

Xiao Yuanping said, "He's not clear!"

Danzi shook his head, "I don't understand."

In the book "Emperor's Dream," Zheng Weirong was adept at scheming, sending his sister to the palace against her will to become the Deputy Prime Minister. However, he wasn't satisfied and aspired to be the Prime Minister, a royal in-law, and the most distinguished person in Da Jing.

Unexpectedly, the main antagonist Minghe appeared, young yet overpowering him effortlessly, nearly costing him his life. He had to cower and endure until Minghe's demise. Xiao Yu remembered that the Zheng family valued Xiao Yuanping's princely status rather than caring for him personally. It made no sense that Zheng Weirong fainted from excitement at seeing Xiao Yuanping.

But there was no other apparent reason for Zheng Weirong's fainting.

"Xiao Ziqing," Emperor Yongxi called out.

Xiao Yu snapped back to reality and looked at Emperor Yongxi, "Your Majesty."

Emperor Yongxi, back in his main seat, picked up a letter from the table and handed it to Xiao Yu, "This is the first letter Yanli sent you from the frontier. I'm personally giving it to you. Otherwise, if it got lost or damaged, he would blame me." As the Emperor and Pei Yanli's cousin, he watched Pei Yanli transform from reckless to a capable general, feeling proud, pained, and admiring. He genuinely hoped his cousin would find true happiness in love.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Xiao Yu stepped forward to receive it.

Emperor Yongxi shared the situation, "He has already made contact with the northern advance."

"Is a battle imminent?" Xiao Yu asked.

Emperor Yongxi nodded gravely.

Xiao Yu's expression grew heavy too.

Seeing this, Emperor Yongxi smiled slightly, "You needn't worry. Yanli and the northern forces both have experience in battling the barbarians. This joint operation will surely be victorious."

"Yes," Xiao Yu nodded.

"By the way, I will be sending a letter there tomorrow. If you have a reply for Yanli, write it quickly," Emperor Yongxi instructed.

"Yes, I will write it as soon as I return."

"Good," Emperor Yongxi smiled again, then seemed about to say something else, but suddenly pressed his hand to his forehead.

"Your Majesty," Steward Qian called with concern.

Emperor Yongxi's face showed a look of pain, "You may all leave now."

Knowing Emperor Yongxi was suffering from a headache, Xiao Yu said, "Then I shall take my leave."

Emperor Yongxi responded with a nod.

Xiao Yu then led the three children back to the prince's residence.

Xiao Yu eagerly tore open the envelope and pulled out the letter. The first thing that caught his eye was Pei Yanli's bold and vigorous handwriting, reflecting his personality – unrestrained yet dignified, and within that dignity, an enviable sense of ease.

At that moment, he realized how much he had missed Pei Yanli. He first quickly scanned the letter to grasp its general content, then read it slowly, a smile naturally forming on his lips.

"Uncle, what are you smiling about?" Danzi curiously leaned over the desk to ask.

Xiao Yuanping climbed onto a stool and knelt, "What's so funny about the letter?"

"Uncle, let me see, let me see," Minghe tried to look at the letter.

Although Danzi and Minghe were studying with Master Xun, they were still young and relied on listening, reading, memory, and comprehension in their studies. They hadn't yet learned to read and write, so Xiao Yu spread the letter on the table for the three children to see while he prepared ink to reply.

"So many words, I don't recognize any of them," Xiao Yuanping said, holding his chubby cheeks.

Danzi pointed to the characters, reciting, "What, what, what, what, don't know."

Seeing his brother doing this, Xiao Yuanping couldn't help but giggle and imitated, "What, what, what, what, don't know!"

Minghe turned the pages and read aloud, "Xiao Yu, do you miss me..."

Xiao Yu's actions paused, and he quickly took the letter back, asking, "Minghe, you!"

Minghe looked up, "Uncle, doesn't it say 'Xiao Yu, do you miss me' on it?"

"Has Master Xun taught you to read?" Xiao Yu asked in surprise.

Minghe shook his head, "No."

"Then how do you know these characters?"

Minghe replied, "The teacher always reads aloud, so I've recognized a few characters."

Realizing the cleverness of the children and the risk of letting them read the letter, Xiao Yu quickly put away the envelope and shooed the three kids out so he could focus on writing to Pei Yanli.

Unlike Pei Yanli's mushy words, his letter was more about everyday matters, discussing palace affairs and inquiring about Pei Yanli's situation. He ended up writing four or five pages.

Suddenly feeling he might be rambling, Xiao Yu worried Pei Yanli might find it annoying, but he couldn’t bring himself to cut anything out. He decided to add "Don't find me bothersome" at the end, then stuffed everything into the envelope and took it to Qianxin Palace to hand over to Steward Qian.

"This letter is quite thick," Steward Qian joked as he took the envelope.

Xiao Yu scratched his eyebrow, feeling a bit embarrassed.

Steward Qian laughed.

Xiao Yu changed the subject, "By the way, Steward Qian, how is the Emperor’s headache?"

"The usual problem," Steward Qian replied and then started coughing.

"Steward Qian, are you ill too?" Xiao Yu asked.

"The weather this year is odd. It’s almost the Winter Solstice, yet it's still fluctuating between hot and cold. Many in the palace have fever, sneezes, and runny noses. Many, like me, have sore, dry, and hoarse throats, almost unable to speak," Steward Qian explained. The female servants were better off, but palace officials like him had to read letters, documents, and accounts daily, which was very taxing on the voice.

"Then you should drink some tea," Minghe suggested, looking up.

"What kind of tea?" asked Steward Qian.

"Tangerine peel and snow pear tea," Danzi joined in. "My great-grandmother drinks it daily. Now she doesn’t cough or have phlegm anymore."

"Is there really such a good tea?" Steward Qian was pleasantly surprised.

"Yes," Minghe confidently explained how to make it.

"That seems like a lot of work," Steward Qian sighed, having been particularly busy lately.

"I'll make some throat-soothing candy for you to try tomorrow. It’s convenient to use," Xiao Yu offered.

Steward Qian, unfamiliar with throat-soothing candy, said, "No need to trouble yourself, I'll get over it soon enough."

Xiao Yu's survival strategy in the palace was "make many friends and few enemies." Seeing an opportunity to build rapport with Steward Qian, he wouldn't miss it. "I haven't made the throat-soothing candy yet. I'm not even sure if it will work. Could you do me a favor and try it?"

Xiao Yu always had a way with words. What was actually "him helping Steward Qian" was cleverly phrased as "needing Steward Qian's help."

Steward Qian, finding it hard to refuse and genuinely troubled by his sore throat, thought that a candy he could eat anytime to soothe his throat would be much more convenient than drinking teas. "It's not me helping you, you are helping me," he said.

Xiao Yu smiled, "So, Steward Qian, you agree?"

"With your kind intentions, Xiao Ziqing, how could I refuse?" Steward Qian replied.

"Then I'll go right now to make the throat-soothing candy."

"Take care, Xiao Ziqing."

Xiao Yu, along with the children, went directly to the Imperial Medical Bureau and asked Doctor Yan for prescriptions to treat throat inflammation and soreness.

Doctor Yan prescribed a remedy, "Drink this for three to five days, and you should be much better."

Looking at the ingredients, Xiao Yu noted, "Doctor Yan, if the weather is dry or someone uses their voice excessively, their throat would still be uncomfortable, right?"

"You can continue using this prescription. It's harmless," Doctor Yan added, "But the body needs nurturing, and so does the throat. If it hurts, talk less."

Xiao Yu pointed out, "But some palace staff have to talk a lot."

Doctor Yan was momentarily speechless.

Xiao Yu continued, "Preparing these medicines is quite troublesome, and they're bitter, right?"

Doctor Yan replied, "Good medicine is often bitter."

Xiao Yu suggested, "What if I use Luo Han Guo, loquat leaves, tangerine peel, fat sea, fritillaria powder, rock sugar, and snow pear to make it? Would that work?"

Doctor Yan, considering the prescription, said, "Rock sugar soothes the throat and moistens dryness. Fat sea and fritillaria are good for the lungs and throat. Yes, it should work."

Xiao Yu further inquired, "These ingredients won't harm the body, right?"

Doctor Yan nodded, "They won't cause harm."

Relieved, Xiao Yu said, "Alright, then I'll go make the throat-soothing candy."

"How do you make it?" Doctor Yan was genuinely curious, having never made it before.

"I'll show you once it's done," Xiao Yu assured. He had whipped up quite a few things in the small kitchen of the prince's residence and was confident about making the candy. "You have all these herbs here, right?"

Doctor Yan confirmed, "Yes, we do."

Carrying a large bag of herbs, Xiao Yu returned to the small kitchen of the prince's residence and moved the small stove outside.

Minghe and Danzi automatically started gathering firewood.

"What can I do? What can I do?" Xiao Yuanping was eager to help too.

"Go get a palm fan!" Minghe instructed.

Xiao Yuanping dashed off but then turned back to ask, "Where's the palm fan?"

"It's hanging on the kitchen wall," Danzi pointed towards the kitchen.

Xiao Yuanping hurried off to fetch it.

Xiao Yu let the three children busy themselves while he focused on his task. He first soaked the fat sea, then cleaned and finely chopped the snow pear, placing it on a cheesecloth to drain the juice into a small pot.

"Uncle, the fire is ready!" Minghe called out from outside.

Xiao Yu went out to the yard, placed the small pot on the stove, and slowly simmered the ingredients as per Doctor Yan's instructions, adding the right amounts of Luo Han Guo, loquat leaves, tangerine peel, fat sea, and fritillaria powder.

"How long does it need to simmer?" Danzi asked.

"Simmer on low heat for a quarter of an hour," Xiao Yu replied.

The three children, lacking patience, started playing in the yard before even fifteen minutes had passed.

Two quarters of an hour later, Xiao Yu removed all the medicinal herb residues including Luo Han Guo from the small pot, added rock sugar, and stirred slowly until the mixture formed a syrup. He then removed it from the heat and poured it into a small round mold.

It was left to cool for another two quarters of an hour.

Xiao Yu carefully extracted each round candy.

The three children came running over and asked, “Is it ready?”

Looking at the round candies, Xiao Yuanping puzzled, “How did it turn into candy?”

“It solidified,” Danzi explained.

Xiao Yu tasted a piece of candy. It was sweet with a hint of sourness and a barely-there bitterness, quite refreshing and surprisingly delicious.

“Uncle, may I have one too?” Danzi asked politely.

“You might not like it,” Xiao Yu warned.

“Why not?”

“It's a bit bitter. Adults enjoy this sweet yet bitter taste, but children usually don't.”

“Let me try, I’ll know if I like it,” Danzi insisted.

Xiao Yu let each of the three children try one.

All three children enjoyed it and wanted more.

Knowing children shouldn't have too much sugar, Xiao Yu didn't give them any more. He had them pack the throat-soothing candies in a box to show to the royal physician. Only after his approval did Xiao Yu send a box to Grand Secretary Qian.

Grand Secretary Qian was surprised at how quickly Xiao Yu had made them. He tried one and praised its perfect balance of sour and sweet, then tucked them away in his pocket. After dinner, he enjoyed another, continuing his routine of serving Emperor Yongxi.

Emperor Yongxi was still suffering from a headache and couldn’t read the documents.

Grand Secretary Qian swallowed the throat candy and started to read the documents. Recently, his throat would hurt after reading for just half an hour, but today he managed over an hour before feeling any discomfort.

He doubted the effectiveness of Xiao Yu's throat-soothing candies but decided to try one before bed.

The next morning, his throat surprisingly didn’t feel dry or cracked. To confirm, he continued using the candies daily and soon realized they genuinely relieved his discomfort.

Taking advantage of the occasion when Emperor Yongxi rewarded the Crown Prince, he specifically mentioned the candies' effectiveness to Xiao Yu.

Xiao Zhongzi chimed in, "Xiao Ziqing, my throat didn’t hurt this morning either."

Previously, the royal physician had mentioned these herbs could treat throat issues and were safe for regular consumption. But now, with the confirmations from Grand Secretary Qian and Xiao Zhongzi, Xiao Yu was delighted.

"Xiao Ziqing, you truly are a jack of all trades!" Grand Secretary Qian couldn't help but admire him.

Xiao Yu replied, "You flatter me, Grand Secretary Qian. I'm not knowledgeable in medicine. This formula was supervised by the royal physician. I just added some pear and rock sugar to make these candy pills."

"These candy pills are really convenient. Keeping them on hand, we can take them regularly to heal our throats quickly," said Grand Secretary Qian, a senior eunuch in the palace. Even though he could command others to prepare his medicine, his busy schedule often prevented him from taking it regularly, delaying recovery. Not to mention the servants who were constantly on the go. With these throat candies, they could all take their medicine on time.

Xiao Yu smiled, "I made them for your convenience."

Grand Secretary Qian felt warm inside and grew fonder of Xiao Yu. After expressing his gratitude, he tentatively asked, "Xiao Ziqing, do you have more throat candies?"

"Of course, I'll give you another box!" Xiao Yu said.

Grand Secretary Qian reached for his money: "Let me pay you for them."

"What need is there for money? You and Xiao Zhongzi risked your lives to test the medicine for me. I couldn't possibly accept your money." Xiao Yu packed another box for him, adding, "Take them in moderation. Too much of anything is not good."

Grand Secretary Qian left happily with a box of throat candies.

Xiao Zhongzi looked at Xiao Yu with a troubled expression.

"Do you want some too?" Xiao Yu asked.

Xiao Zhongzi nodded shyly.

"If you want it, just say so. Why be shy?" Xiao Yu handed Xiao Zhongzi a pack.

Xiao Zhongzi smiled broadly, "Thank you, Xiao Ziqing."

"But I can't just give it to you for free!" Xiao Yu said.

Xiao Zhongzi's face stiffened, "Do you want money?"

"I said I don't want your money, but you'll have to help me with some work."

"No problem."

"We'll continue making throat lozenges," Xiao Yu suggested.

"Making more?"

"Yes, we'll supply them to the external pharmacy, and then sell them to the eunuchs in the palace." Xiao Yu initially planned to give the medicine for free, but doing so could foster greediness, so he decided to charge a cost price. This way, it was affordable for the palace staff, didn't result in a loss for him, and also generated revenue for the external pharmacy—a win-win situation.

"No problem," Xiao Zhongzi immediately agreed.

Xiao Yu then made a lot of throat lozenges and sent them directly to the external pharmacy, setting a very reasonable price.

Xiao Zhongzi, Qian Gonggong, and others helped with the promotion.

Soon, many palace staff visited the external pharmacy to buy the throat lozenges. When they learned that Xiao Yu, Danzi, Minghe, and Xiao Yuanping were behind them, they were incredibly surprised and collectively praised their skills.

"Xiao Ziqing is truly knowledgeable."

"It seems like he knows everything."

"Otherwise, how could he accompany the Grand Highness?"

"Thanks to the Grand Highness!"

"And the Second Highness as well!"

“……”

These palace staff didn't dare to discuss the princes in depth, but Xiao Yu could tell that their impressions of Danzi and Xiao Yuanping were favorable. He was in a great mood and unknowingly arrived at the entrance of the inner palace.

Mrs. Jiang happened to be coming out from inside.

Xiao Yu greeted respectfully, "Lady Zheng."

Jiang Shi stopped in her tracks and scrutinized Xiao Yu. Ever since he entered the palace, the Crown Prince had won the Empress Dowager's favor, envoys' praise, and ministers' attention. Now, with the introduction of the throat candies, the palace staff were all supporting the Crown Prince, and hardly anyone cared about the Second Prince, Xiao Yuanping.

Despite her and her family’s efforts to manipulate and use various tactics through Lady Dongbohou, Zhu Shizi, Qiu Meng, and others, they hadn’t managed to harm Xiao Yu or the Crown Prince at all. When Zheng Weirong suddenly awoke, he was delirious, asking about the Crown Prince's age and activities, and then advised them to hold off on their plans. Since then, they hadn't done anything.

They had thought Zheng Weirong's visit to the palace would severely affect the Crown Prince and his allies.

But Zheng Weirong did nothing significant and fell into a stupor again, now rambling nonsensically, leaving them clueless about what to do next.

Therefore, the more she looked at Xiao Yu, the angrier she became, unable to restrain her sarcasm, "The inner palace forbids the entry of external men. Does Xiao Ziqing not know this?"

Observing Jiang Shi's frustrated expression and sarcastic tone, Xiao Yu easily guessed that the Zheng family's mainstay, Zheng Weirong, hadn’t yet recovered. In the book "Emperor's Dream," there was no mention of Zheng Weirong suffering a brain injury, so the storyline had changed.

For the first time, Xiao Yu harbored a malicious thought — that Zheng Weirong should never wake up.

That way, Danzi, Xiao Yuanping, and Lady Zheng would be safe, and the common people would suffer less under their oppression.

"My uncle didn’t enter the inner palace!" Danzi came out from the inner palace.

Ming He and Xiao Yuanping followed.

Jiang Shi quickly performed a formal greeting.

Danzi and the other two approached Xiao Yu.

Xiao Yu said, "Lady Zheng, I'm waiting here for the grand prince and his entourage."

Xiao Yuanping, unaware of the adults' grudges, asked, "Auntie, has uncle woken up yet?"

Bringing up the very topic she hoped to avoid!

Jiang Shi could only respond with a forced smile, "He's about to wake up."

"So he hasn't woken up yet," Xiao Yuanping said, tilting his head.

Xiao Yuanping used to be obedient and charming, but lately, he's becoming more rebellious like Empress Zheng, which is quite annoying!

Mrs. Jiang, thinking of their future prosperity depending on this child, endured and smiled, "He fainted out of excitement upon seeing the Second Highness."

Xiao Yuanping asked, "Are you blaming me?"

Mrs. Jiang hurriedly replied, "I wouldn't dare. Like your uncle, I value you greatly and hope you will succeed, so you must study hard." Study hard to surpass the Crown Prince.

Mrs. Jiang, like many adults, enjoyed lecturing children, which often annoyed them. Xiao Yuanping was no exception, and in a childish tone, he retorted, "Auntie, I'm only three years old, and you want me to study! You're too cruel!"

Too cruel... Mrs. Jiang was momentarily speechless.

Xiao Yu and his nephews tried to hide their laughter.

Mrs. Jiang defended herself, "Second Highness, without studying, you won't know anything."

Xiao Yuanping replied, "That's nonsense, I can sell throat lozenges."

"Sell... sell throat lozenges..."

Just then, Xiao Yuanping spotted two palace staff walking by and approached them, "Your throats must be uncomfortable."

The two staff instinctively covered their throats.

Xiao Yuanping took out two throat lozenges from his pocket and handed them over, saying, "Try these, and if your throat feels better, go buy some from the external pharmacy."

"Yes, Second Highness," the two staff took the lozenges and quickly left.

Xiao Yuanping was incredibly proud of himself.

This!

How could the dignified Second Prince engage in such activities?

How will he compete with the Crown Prince in the future?!

How did Empress Zheng educate him?!

Mrs. Jiang, unable to hold back, stepped forward, avoiding Xiao Yu and the others, advising, "Second Highness, you mustn't act this way. Doing so... you won't win the Emperor's favor. You should—"

"Father, she's scolding me!" Xiao Yuanping suddenly pointed at Mrs. Jiang.

Mrs. Jiang turned and saw Emperor Yongxi standing not far away, not knowing how long he had been listening, and was shocked, quickly bowing in respect.

"Father, she said you don't like me," Xiao Yuanping complained.

"It's not what I meant, Your Majesty. I just want the Second Highness to read more of the classics."

"Aunt, you're being cruel again!" Xiao Yuanping expressed his dissatisfaction.

Mrs. Jiang wished she could silence the child, but fortunately, Emperor Yongxi was always gentle and tolerant towards the Zheng family. She calmly explained, "Your Majesty."

"Lady Zheng, with Zheng Cifu bedridden for days, you should attend to him more and visit the harem less," Emperor Yongxi suggested.

Does this mean she's not allowed in the palace anymore?

Mrs. Jiang's expression stiffened.