I became the tyrant's only belief.

Chapter 273 Leaving Beijing
The next day, the snow stopped, but the sky remained overcast.

Xia Qiaoru took care of Chu Liuzheng all night, and only managed to doze off by the bedside just before dawn, when she was woken up by a knock on the door. Xia Xiaozi had come to deliver medicine again.

He asked with concern, "Has Miss Liu Zheng woken up?"

"Not yet." Xia Qiaoru took the medicine out of the food box and said softly, "I think he caught a chill yesterday and has been running a fever ever since."

Xiazi was startled: "Why didn't you summon the imperial physician to take a look?"

“It’s just a low-grade fever. Even if the imperial physician were to come, he would only have a few prescriptions.” Xia Qiaoru stirred the dark medicine with a spoon and sighed softly. “I wonder what will happen after what happened last night. Liu Zheng is already quite conspicuous in his current position. It’s better to avoid trouble.”

Xiazi nodded, and seeing that Siyue was not in the room, asked, "Did Miss Siyue go back?"

“Hmm.” Xia Qiaoru touched the bowl. “She originally wanted to stay and take care of Liu Zheng, but I thought she had to go back this morning because she had to be on duty. I can manage things here by myself.”

She called to Xiaxiazi, "The medicine is ready to be taken now, come and lend a hand."

"Okay," Xia Zi replied, and followed her toward the bed.

Halfway through administering the medicine, Chu Liuzheng was awakened by the bitter taste.

Oh dear, did they add Coptis chinensis to this medicine?

She felt dizzy, nauseous at the slightest movement, and her neck ached as if it were broken.

Xia Qiaoru quickly patted her chest and said, "You've only managed to drink half of it. If you throw up, you'll have to drink another bowl."

The effect of those words was immediate; Chu Liuzheng managed to suppress the urge to vomit.

She gave Xia Qiaoru a resentful look, took the medicine bowl, and swallowed the remaining half bowl in one gulp.

Xiazi poured water for her to rinse her mouth, and then let her suck on a candied fruit.

Chu Liuzheng tasted the sweet and sour flavor in his mouth and asked, "Where did it come from?"

Xia Xia smiled, she had time to worry about the candied fruit, her neck injury should be nothing to worry about.

He said, "Princess Huirong gave it to me a couple of days ago. I smelled bitterness when I was brewing the medicine, and I thought it would be useful for you, so I brought it with me when I came to deliver the medicine."

"Thank you." Chu Liuzheng was indeed quite afraid of drinking bitter medicine. She was like that at home, after entering the palace, and even more so after recovering from her injuries. That's why she liked to think about those medicinal teas, hoping to drink as little medicine as possible.

"You're too kind to me, young lady. I'm relieved to see you're awake," Xia Zi said, putting the medicine bowl into a small food box. "I have other things to do at the pharmacy, so I'll head back now and bring you the medicine again at noon."

Xia Qiaoru saw him out, and only turned back after he had gone far away.

Chu Liuzheng leaned against the bed listlessly, feeling a sharp pain in the back of his neck. He felt dizzy and nauseous with any movement, and his body felt sticky and uncomfortable.

"You had a fever all night and sweated a lot, so you must feel uncomfortable. Just stay still and don't move around. I'll go get some hot water to wipe you down." Xia Qiaoru bent down and touched her forehead, feeling that her fever had basically returned to normal, and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Okay." Chu Liuzheng replied weakly, realizing that his throat was also a little sore.

[It's all the imposter's fault! If I hadn't been soaked in the snow the whole way, I wouldn't have caught a cold and fever!]

She mentally lashed out at the imposter.

At the same time, at the city gate.

Xiao Jingfan led the civil and military officials to see off the envoys from the three kingdoms of Western Xia, Goryeo, and Gaochang as they departed the capital, making the most of the occasion.

Wei Mingliang's complexion was certainly not good.

This trip to Dasheng not only failed to persuade Emperor Shunguang to sign the alliance, but also resulted in him marrying a useless concubine who only opposed him, a complete loss.

The person they promised to steal didn't come, leaving him waiting all night.

He was truly unwilling to leave today, but the situation in Western Xia had changed. His father had actually adopted an illegitimate son from among the common people, doting on him more than any of the princes, and even intending to make him the crown prince. He had no choice but to rush back to stop him.

"I have a gift for the Second Prince." Xiao Jingfan waved his hand behind him. "Bring it up."

Four Imperial Guards carried in a large mahogany box, which was really big, twice the size of an ordinary box, and also tall.

Wei Mingliang looked at Xiao Jingfan suspiciously. What kind of gift did he suddenly give him?
Xiao Jingfan smiled warmly: "Second Prince, won't you open it and take a look?"

Wei Mingliang couldn't help but feel that Xiao Jingfan's smile was malicious, but with everyone watching, he couldn't refuse Xiao Jingfan's request, so he ordered the guards to step forward.

Xiao Jingfan said, "It would be best if the Second Prince opened this gift himself."

Wei Mingliang exchanged a glance with him, thinking that he wouldn't go too far in front of everyone, so he stepped forward.

Having learned his lesson from being scammed twice before, he deliberately held his breath, wrapped his handkerchief around his hand, grabbed the copper ring on the lid of the box, and slowly lifted it open.

Everyone else stood on tiptoe to look curiously.

A gift personally sent by the emperor, and in such a large box, must be something rare and precious; they weren't envious at all.

Through a gap about two fingers wide, a pair of bloodshot eyes with unfocused pupils were visible.

Wei Mingliang was startled and abruptly released his grip, causing the lid of the box to slam back shut with a loud bang.

He moved so fast that the others didn't even see what was inside. Seeing Wei Mingliang's surprised expression, they couldn't help but become even more curious.

Honestly, why close it so quickly? They don't even want to steal it.

Yin Taiyu pursed his lips, feeling that the emperor of Dasheng was biased.

Why did Wei Mingliang receive a parting gift while he didn't? Is it because Goryeo is unworthy?
But then he thought about it again. He had successfully signed an alliance with Dasheng and completed the task his father had given him. His father would surely reward him when he returned, and his mood improved again.

Wei Mingliang looked at Xiao Jingfan with a gloomy face, while Xiao Jingfan smiled and said, "I wonder if the Second Prince is satisfied with this gift that I specially prepared?"

"Satisfied." Wei Mingliang clenched his fist, almost gritting his teeth as he spoke, "Extremely satisfied."

Xiao Jingfan: "I'm glad you're satisfied. All my efforts have been worthwhile."

Wei Mingliang: "..."

Xiao Jingfan glanced at the Minister of Rites.

The Minister of Rites understood and subtly reminded the envoys that it was getting late and they would miss the post station if they were too late to depart.

Wei Mingliang didn't want to stay any longer and simply left with his men. Of course, the large mahogany box was also taken away.

The carriage curtain was lifted, and Feishuang peeked out, taking one last look at the majestic city gates of the capital and the young emperor riding on horseback.

The maid, worried that she would fall, quickly pulled her into the carriage.

Feishuang leaned against the carriage and closed her eyes. From now on, she would have to rely on herself.

The convoy was long and impressive, stretching as far as the eye could see.

Xiao Jingfan stared intently for a moment, then turned his horse around: "Back to the palace."

Zhou Yuande immediately shouted, "Let's return to the palace!"

Meanwhile, in Yaohua Palace, Aidaer comforted Weiming Yujin, who was crying her eyes out, while eating some snacks: "So what if they're leaving? You're in the palace, and they're outside. You won't be able to see each other anyway."

Wei Mingyu cried bitterly, sobbing, "You...you don't...understand."

Although she and her elder brother Wei Mingliang didn't have a particularly deep sibling relationship, they were still blood relatives. They might still see each other in the capital, but now that they were in Western Xia, they would never see each other again.