I became the tyrant's only belief.

Chapter 316

Upon hearing this, Consort Shu's smile froze, and she was secretly annoyed that Feng Jing was so tactless.

She was just trying to figure out how to get rid of the person when Xiao Jingfan suddenly spoke up: "I also want to see what the Heavenly Lotus Fruit looks like. Zhou Yuande, go and see it."

"Your servant obeys." Zhou Yuande bowed and accepted the order, then left with his whisk.

Concubine Shu: "..."

The significance of Zhou Yuande going to retrieve it and Consort Shu sending someone to retrieve it is very different.

The crowd exchanged bewildered glances, thinking to themselves that the Duke of Ying's mansion was likely doomed to perish from the Heavenly Lotus Fruit.

Feng Jing secretly glanced at the emperor, hoping that His Majesty would be generous and at least leave him half.

Qin Shu was trying to figure out if she could get some from Feng Jing, as she was also very curious about the Heavenly Lotus Fruit.

The imperial physicians of the Imperial Medical Academy silently cheered for the emperor.

The round trip took quite a while. Xiao Jingfan, preoccupied with the affairs of the previous dynasty, did not linger in Zhaoyang Palace but returned to Wenhua Hall.

Feng Jing hesitated for a moment, then decisively followed him away.

Once the fat eunuch obtains the Heavenly Lotus Fruit, he will definitely show it to the emperor first, and the eunuch will have to guard it.

Consort Shu also wanted to go along, but Qin Shu wanted to perform acupuncture on her and the princess to unblock their meridians and guide their qi and blood.

The treatment plan has been finalized. Qin Shu will perform acupuncture every three days, along with the herbal decoction prescribed by Feng Jing and the medicinal diet provided by the Imperial Medical Academy. It should take about two months for both of them to recover.

Even if Consort Shu didn't care about her own health, she still had to take care of the little princess. When Qin Shu was giving the little princess acupuncture, she couldn't feel at ease unless she personally supervised her, so she had to give up the idea of ​​going immediately and instructed Yan Hui to inquire about the news from Wenhua Palace.

An hour and a half later, Zhou Yuande led the Duke of Yingguo into the Wenhua Hall.

"This old minister greets Your Majesty, may Your Majesty be well." The Duke of Ying knelt down, holding a jade box.

"Get up." Xiao Jingfan glanced at the jade box in his hand. "Sit down and talk."

"Your subject dares not." The Duke of Yingguo remained kneeling, his posture extremely respectful.

Xiao Jingfan sneered inwardly.

If he were truly respectful, knowing that he had ordered the search for rare medicinal herbs to nourish Prince Rui, the Duke of Ying's mansion should have presented the lotus fruit to him. How could he forget the Duke of Ying's mansion's kindness?
This attitude is just for show.

He stopped calling out and asked, "Where is the Heavenly Lotus Fruit?"

"Your subject is guilty." The Duke of England bowed again.

Xiao Jingfan was truly annoyed by his behavior, but he had no choice but to patiently ask, "What crime have you committed, my dear minister?"

"Your Majesty, I am ashamed," the Duke of Ying said with a sorrowful expression. "I intended to present the Heavenly Lotus Fruit on Your Majesty's birthday to wish you a long and prosperous life and to bring you good fortune. However, the guards in the mansion failed to keep a close watch on it, and the Heavenly Lotus Fruit was stolen a month ago and its whereabouts remain unknown. I am guilty and beg Your Majesty's punishment."

[Oh, how thoughtful of you! You old fox, you bought the Heavenly Lotus Fruit last year, so why didn't you present it to the tyrant as a birthday gift last year?]

Chu Liuzheng added a spoonful of honey to the teacup, stirring it gently while muttering to himself.

[That sounds nice, a gift prepared for the tyrant. So, if it's not lost, it's yours; if it's lost, it's a gift for the tyrant. That way, not only do you not have to actually give it, but you can also get favor from the tyrant. How shameless! Shouldn't the tyrant give you some reward to appease you?]

Xiao Jingfan frowned upon hearing this. He had thought that the Duke of Yingguo did not want to lose the Heavenly Lotus Fruit and was deliberately making a fuss in front of him, but he did not expect that it was really lost.

"Your Majesty, please have some tea." Chu Liuzheng took out a spoon, held the teacup with both hands, and presented it to him.

Xiao Jingfan has been coughing for the past two days. This cup of herbal tea was prescribed by the Imperial Hospital and has honey added to soothe his throat. He should drink it while it's hot.

He reached out and took it, frowned, took a sip, and then put it down.

Chu Liuzheng gently advised, "Doctor Wu instructed you to drink more, otherwise you'll have to take your medicine."

Between bitter medicine and sweet, refreshing herbal tea, Xiao Jingfan naturally chose the latter, but only took one more sip.

He is a perfect example of a rebellious patient who does not follow medical advice.

[The tyrant must have been a mischievous child.]

Chu Liuzheng had no choice but to serve the emperor a plate of coconut and tea flower pastries.

The dim sum is a new style, and it's pleasing to the eye just by being arranged on the plate.

One bite reveals a soft filling and a crispy crust, with a milky aroma—it tastes quite good.

For the sake of the snacks, Xiao Jingfan at least drank most of the medicinal tea.

Zhou Yuande thought about how he had tried so hard to persuade the emperor to drink more, but to no avail, and that he would eventually have to take medicine. Meanwhile, Chu Liuzheng had managed to get the emperor to drink just by serving him a plate of snacks. The thought made him feel so sad that he wanted to cry.

Seeing a plate of chestnut cakes in the food box, Feng Jing turned to Xiao Jingfan and asked if he could have some. Xiao Jingfan, of course, wouldn't hesitate to give him a plate of pastries.

Feng Jing sipped his tea and ate some snacks while keeping his eyes fixed on the Duke of England, who was kneeling upright.

The Duke of England was annoyed that the Emperor had left him hanging, but he didn't show it on his face.

Just then, Xiao Anzi came in and reported: "Your Majesty, Consort Shu and Doctor Qin are requesting an audience outside the palace."

Consort Shu was naturally worried about her father and came to check on the situation.

Qin Shu, she came for the Heavenly Lotus Fruit.

Xiao Jingfan summoned the two into the hall.

"Bless your Majesty."

"Get up, both of you." Xiao Jingfan offered the two seats.

Consort Shu glanced at the Duke of Ying, who was still kneeling, and felt somewhat reluctant to sit down. She softly called out, "Father."

The Duke of England nodded to her and gave her a wink, signaling her to mind her own business.

Consort Shu could only purse her lips and sit down, her heart filled with unease.

Qin Shu sat down in the chair next to Feng Jing.

Feng Jing was so flattered that he almost choked to death on the chestnut cake.

He swallowed the chestnut cake with difficulty, pushed the plate towards Qin Shu, and smiled with a hint of ingratiation: "Want a piece?"

Qin Shu reflexively rolled her eyes.

But halfway through rolling her eyes, she suddenly remembered her purpose and rolled her eyes back. Instead of reaching for the snacks, she thanked Chenxing who served the tea and took a sip from the teacup.

Feng Jing, who wasn't being glared at, thought she was possessed and, if he had any incense ash in his hand, he would have already thrown it at her.

Unfortunately not.

So he asked cautiously, "You—"

After uttering only one word, Qin Shu reached into the cloth pouch at her waist with two fingers and pulled out a gleaming silver needle.

Feng Jing promptly shut up and pulled the plate of snacks back.

Qin Shu, who was just thinking about trying the chestnut cake, was speechless.

She coughed lightly.

Feng Jing heard it, but dared not move, fearing that the long silver needle would fly over in the next second.

Should he hide or not?
This is so worrying!

Qin Shu coughed again and asked with a stern face, "Where is the Heavenly Lotus Fruit?"

Feng Jing turned around and pointed to himself.

So, you mean you're talking to me?

Qin Shu really tried her best to control herself, but looking at Feng Jing's silly appearance, she still couldn't help rolling her eyes.

Feng Jing breathed a sigh of relief. That's more like it.

He said, "The Duke of England's mansion has been robbed, and the Heavenly Lotus Fruit is missing."

Qin Shu was startled and asked, "Is it really lost or just a hoax?"

Feng Jing shrugged. How would he know that?
The British Duke hadn't knelt for so long in a long time; his legs were numb.

But Xiao Jingfan was still eating snacks.

After Xiao Jingfan drank the medicinal tea and had some snacks, and rinsed his mouth with clear tea, he looked at the Duke of Yingguo and said, "If I hadn't asked, everything would have been fine, but once I asked, the theft just happened. What a coincidence!"

The Duke of England felt a bitter taste in his mouth, and he knew the Emperor would be suspicious, but things just happened to be so coincidental!

It was indeed a coincidence, but there was also a degree of human intervention involved.

Chu Liuzheng stared at the gossip that had been unearthed from the system.

[Hmph, finally caught a slippery fish like you!]